The Crowning of Mindy McReady

[etcircenses]

Who| Everyone who's anyone.
What| The Crowning.
Where| A warehouse on the edge of town.
When| Starting from early evening till late into the night.
Warnings/Notes| Be sure to check the linked thread for plot purposes, even if you don't tag into it.

The party is brightly colored.

The theme, subtly, is super heroes. Boldly paints city scapes are splattered across the walls, and hallways are made to look like dingy, potentially crime ridden alleys. From the upper walkways of the warehouse, party goers can get hooked into harnesses and swing out over the dance floor. Above them, tributes and VIPS can find themselves on a clear plastic dance floor levitated above everything, looking like they're hanging in air.

Masks are passed out in plenty, and capes are easy to find, while brightly colored drinks themed around super powers are plentiful. None of them actually work, but many of the Capitol people are happy to pretend, mocking super strength or invisibility with each new beverage.

Under the dance floor a catacomb of tunnels and rooms full of obstacles is splashed with black light receptive colors. Party goers are given vests and laser guns, marked green for villains and red for heros, and set loose to hunt each other in the laser tags playground. The screens in the dance floor keep a running tally of which side is winning, displaying the players on the screens around the room, along with clips from the arenas.

About half way through the night, everyone is gathered to the main stage for a special announcement.

Comments

Venus Dee Milo | Closed

[celebrityskinned]

She excuses herself from Hanji and from the food table, feeling like the only Tribute Reaped who can properly force a smile at being her District's favorite. Everyone else is reacting with the horror and dread that is, if apt for the situation, less than camera-friendly.

Venus will save her fears - and they are growing, the more she tries to figure out what angle the Capitol's playing at, the more certain she is that they'll kill her to send a message - for when she's in private, and then she'll be neat and boring with them and no one will be the wiser. There is comfort in calculation. It's a hearty shield against vulnerability in the face of the predator taking the names from Mindy.

She slips through the crowd in a latex dress, on heels that bring her up to eye level with most of the men in the Arena, with a glass of alcohol she hasn't been drinking despite the lipstick she's left along the rim. Her eyes are sharp under the gold makeup on her face, looking for people like a hawk watches for the movement of mice.

She goes and she finds her people: Maximus, Ellie, Kankri, Wyatt, Courfeyrac, Guy. And Enjolras.

[orestes]

The reaping had come as a shock even to those the Capitol supposedly kept in the loop of the Games. Smaller things, he had heard whispers of, rumors circulating in the halls of the less trafficked areas of the Tribute Center, or half-mentioned by stylists. This, however, is completely new. The lump in his throat had reached critical mass as Venus was read off the list, only to seem like it may choke him by the time Courfeyrac's mispronounced name tumbled out of Mindy's mouth.

And so, after recovering himself, Enjolras spends the better part of five minutes peering through the crowd for either of them. The more upsetting thing will not be their reactions, he knows, it will be watching the ordeal play itself out. When he spots Venus, they're not far from a faux-dingy corridor. Wordlessly, he takes her hand and pulls her away from the spandex-covered crush of humanity around them. It's secluded enough to afford them at least the illusion of privacy for the moment. They still can't risk saying anything too personal, and a genuine reaction on any level may still end up televised for later analysis.

"What do you need from me?" He asks, tone gentle but urgent all the same. He squeezes her hand, then moves with difficulty to lace their fingers together. It's hard to stomach the idea of being useless to them again so quickly.

[celebrityskinned]

For an instant, Venus wants to believe that they'll be alone, and that she can crush her mouth against Enjolras' and tell him the theories about what's going to happen that have been cooking up in her mind since the Reaping was announced. The nature of this indicates surprises, twists, heavy editorial influence. The fact that they sent Cruentus to announce it, that it's with so little warning, the threats in the comments about the Districts - this is to punish rather than to entertain.

She has no doubts she's been selected because of her connection to Enjolras (and likely Courfeyrac was too), and yet she feels not a drop of resentment. She reaches under his arms and holds him for just a moment, something genuine that can be masked as her trying to comfort him instead of both of them.

What does she need? Venus finds she doesn't know how to answer that. She isn't scared for herself.

"I need you to look after Ellie and Kankri during this. Ellie especially." She knows it's a lot to ask, because as far as she knows Enjolras doesn't even know the girl, and isn't exactly the warm and nurturing type - and yet if she, Hawkeye, Joel and Wyatt all die in there, she'll be another fourteen year-old with no one looking out for her. Venus remembers how that feels too well.

Who has two thumbs and lost this notif. This kid. :|

[orestes]

There's a moment in which he questions the wisdom of being so close, so intimate, where he knows there are eyes watching their every movement. But there's nothing for it. There will always be eyes on them, and this can only work in her favor anyway. He can play the distressed lover if it will give her some sort of advantage in whatever this will be.

"Ellie." He repeats the name without much feeling. The truth is that he has his own hangups around the girl, most of which he's made a specific point of not addressing in the months since his last Arena. Nevertheless, she is Venus' friend and if she needs to know that Ellie will be looked after, then he'll do everything in his power to see that she is.

"Alright, I will find Ellie. Is there anyone else? Kankri will be upset as well, but I think that I can manage him." Almost unconsciously, he pulls her closer until they're backed up against one of the offensively painted walls. They could seem cornered, but there's a certain safety in the solidity.

i knew you hated me

[celebrityskinned]

There's something desperate to their closeness now, something very reminiscent of that first embrace after she came back from the last Arena. It's with a certain heaviness that she reckons with the fact that outside this ridiculous situation, they would never have even noticed each other in the first - even if by some fluke of time paradoxes and universal bleeds they had met, there would have been no bond, none of the whatever this is (je ne sais quoi) that is so real now. What they have is forever stamped by strife, knit together by tribulation.

"That's all. That's all of them. And I'll look after Courfeyrac inside there." She wants to tell him to care for himself, but he made it through the last Arena fine and at this point she worries that her concern will seem condescending instead of earnest.

She leans her head back against the wall and breathes in deep from her nose. Absentmindedly, she fiddles with one of her earrings. "I don't think this is your fault, or they would have thrown Joly in too. But I'll have to research the Quarter Quells and see what the Capitol thinks is suitable for a 'special event' sort of Arena."

well, now the secret's out

[orestes]

"I am not so self-important as to assume you were drawn into this because of me. Our relationship is something they will surely have noticed and it may eventually become a factor, the same for my friendship with Courfeyrac, but if they wanted to debilitate me in some way, there are more efficient means that do not involve sacrificing two of their most popular entertainers." If he really lets himself stop to think about it, he's just shy of clinging to her. Enjolras purposefully does not engage in much to do with the past Arenas. There is research, and then there is masochism and outside of knowing what types of horrors they might face, there seems to be little relevant in what has come before. Part of the entertainment is manufacturing new ways in which to terrify the people of the Districts. If they rely upon what's come before, they can only hope to be so successful in that.

That said, even he's heard of the Quarter Quells. That had been the source of their problems, after all.

The synthetic quality to the fabric of her dress breeds an odd sort of apprehension in him. It's not the cause, of course, it's simply what's setting it off. Nevertheless, he fidgets with the collar as though brushing his fingers against it enough times will make him understand it and everything else that's about to happen to them. "Courfeyrac proved well enough that he is capable of handling himself. That said, I appreciate it. Those who have been included in this Arena are better fighters, by and large. Do not tell him I said that."

[onlyimmune]

Ellie is still incredibly upset, and obviously so, though she is no longer yelling profanity at the stage. As soon as she spots Venus looking for her, however, she makes a beeline for the woman and grabs her by the arms.

"This is bullshit," She hissed quietly. "You shouldn't have to do this. This is bullshit. I should come with you guys."

[celebrityskinned]

Venus doesn't just let Ellie take her by the arms. She wraps Ellie in a tight hug, rubbing her back.

"Better me than anyone else in my District." It could be Kankri. She's somewhat surprised they didn't chuck Enjolras back in just for shits and giggles. "And even if you could come with us, I wouldn't let you. You've got to be so high to ride the crazy train, okay?"

[onlyimmune]

Ellie hugs her tightly, pressing her face into Venus' chest with absolutely no shame.

"None of you should have to go," She mumbled into the fabric. "Besides I'm tall enough to go anywhere with you guys!"

[celebrityskinned]

"Yeah right. I bought your superhero costume. I know it's a size S." She rubs Ellie's back. "It's just another Arena, you know? I'm a pro at this. I'll come back fine and make sure Joel doesn't piss off everyone in a ten mile radius, alright?"

This is the hard part. This is the human part, and Venus is shocked because she forgot that the human body produces tears on a 'when it feels like it' basis. She takes a deep breath and tries to blink them away without letting them smudge the mascara on her bottom lashes.

"I have a job for you, okay?"

[onlyimmune]

Ellie let go, pulling back and taking a hard breath, staring at the ground instead of looking Venus in the eye.

"Yeah. Alright. He's uh... he's pretty good at that."

Finally she forced her gaze up, her expression set like someone who knows they are about to face a firing squad.

"... Right, okay. I can do whatever you need. What is it?"

[the_marshal]

The fresh air had been good, a small escape. Quiet and still bracing enough here in the early spring to help cool and calm him. And Howard, bless him, knowing him well enough had offered to scourge him up a proper drink to swallow down the rest with the burn.

That's where Venus found him, lingering around the corner from the exit, watching the Tower lights in the distance.

When he heard footsteps, he nodded to it and murmured lowly.

"Funny, the things ya start to think of as home."

[celebrityskinned]

"You're starting to think of this place as home?"

She isn't drinking tonight. She needs to be in control now, to make sure she has the poise to spare to keep the people she cares for from panicking. Fortunately, Wyatt's not someone she has to expend her tenuous grip on stability for.

She leans against the wall, taking some of the weight off her aching feet, and watches the lights.

"Have you found Max yet?"

[the_marshal]

"Not the place so much," he replied with a long exhale, leaning against the cold brick. "That thing, that's jus' brick and mortar, but what it means... what's inside."

The thought hung between them like his breath, a soft, white fog in the dark.

He figured she would understand. Venus would have lights left on for her too.

"He was there, when the list was read."

[celebrityskinned]

She follows his gaze, arms folded, and brushes some imaginary dust from the front of her dress before her hand disappears back under her elbow.

"Cruentus is lucky to still be alive then, isn't she?" From the sound of her voice, it would be impossible to tell that Venus is sad. She fakes it so well, but at the moment, she doesn't keep it from her face.

[the_marshal]

"Sometimes--" He turned on his shoulder a bit, toward her. His face was blank, a man under careful control, belying the casual way they spoke. Two acquaintances - friends, if he dared - having an easy chat. "I wonder, if she feels it. Those little brushes."

His eyes were dark, pitted, but for the distant lights caught in them.

"I 'magine she an' Death must be quite friendly."

Re: Venus Dee Milo | Closed

[acroodawakening]

Guy was nowhere to be found but what she could find was a table with a broken glass that one of the avoxes responsible for cleaning up the party was currently picking up.

Bloody glass.

From there was a trail of little blood droplets smeared on the floor by people's feet that eventually led under a table.

Re: Venus Dee Milo | Closed

[celebrityskinned]

Blood on the dancefloor.

Venus spends a moment looking at it, thinking of a song lyric, wondering why no one else seems to notice. Maybe she's at just the right angle to see that the glass has blood on it. Maybe the other Tributes are as used to avoiding looking at the Avoxes as she usually is.

After a moment she crouches down as best she can in this tight dress and brushes a tablecloth aside. "Hello?"

[acroodawakening]

Guy was sitting there silent and pale, holding out his hand limply to the size while it bled on the floor.

"Hi," he said vaguely, clearly in shock, though judging from his injuries, it was more emotional shock than physical because it wasn't bleeding that badly. "I broke my glass."

[celebrityskinned]

"I see that."

He's not the person she'd expect to break under that sort of pressure. She feels her pulse quicken in her wrists.

"Can I join you under here? I need to scratch my feet and that looks super unattractive in public."

[acroodawakening]

He usually had breaks in between near-death experiences. Time to stretch his legs and see what was beyond the next mountain. Time to watch a sunset. Time to sit with his family and eat the last thing that had nearly gotten them.

There was hardly any break here and the nature of being stuck in one place he couldn't stand meant it was never the kind of break he needed.

"Okay."

He nodded just a little too much.

[aintyourdad]

Ellie needs to see to her friends, and Joel - Joel needs a drink after that announcement. A real one, not one of the crappy neon concoctions they've been serving. So he sends an avox after some straight bourbon and shoves his hands into the pockets of the leather jacket his stylist put him in for this party.

Ellie had been having so much fun earlier. He'd played laser tag with her. It was good. And now they've gone and ruined it again. Broken her. It leaves Joel with a dark, dark scowl on his face. Danger in their world is unavoidable, just a part of life. The danger in this one is imposed upon them by a psychopathic government that likes to watch people suffer. And now he's going in without Ellie - better him than her, of course, but god. She's so upset.

When he spots Venus, he gives her a quiet nod and approaches. Another of Ellie's friends conscripted into this mess. At least Joel's already approached Kili about keeping an eye on her.

[celebrityskinned]

Venus has to admit her jury's still out on Joel. On one hand, he's clearly a solid figure to Ellie, and from the footage Venus has watched wouldn't do wrong by the girl. At the very least he seems to have some code of ethics.

On the other hand, god damn the man is grating. And she's dating Enjolras, for Christ's sake.

She stays where she is, all bright orange semi-transparent dress (that feels like rather sturdy saran wrap) and high heels that bring her about up to Joel's height. Her neck is bare - she's already given Ellie her necklace. "Someday you're going to burn this place down for breaking her heart, aren't you?"

[aintyourdad]

Grating was probably a good word for it. And Joel wore it like armor, for the most part. He didn't have room in his psyche to care about too many people, so it was best to keep most at arm's length.

"Sounds a lot like seditious talk, you tryin' to get us both into trouble?" Joel jokes wryly, but it's obvious there's no real venom in it - and Venus is absolutely right, of course. "Seems to me there's more'n a few who'd be willin' to help with that."

[celebrityskinned]

"They love me here. Didn't you hear, I'm one of their favorites." She shrugs. She knows better than most how to get away with seditious talk. She's been playing to a camera for years now. "As are you, apparently."

She starts walking, her heavy heels making a sort of clack-clock against the floor. "Let's not just stand here. And it's hardly a bad thing Ellie's pretty beloved."