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

[confidentially]

The blonde beamed, taking the glass. "We have schmoozing to do, sweetie. With everyone watching, it's important that we show off the new and improved Eponine. The graceful, classy lady with a bright smile and a heart of gold."

God, how Jessica loved a project! Eponine was turning out to be her favorite one yet! "We're going to earn some sponsors tonight. You weren't picked tonight, but it could be you next time. And if it is, we've got to be prepared!"

[gardienne]

"They won't pick me. They dislike me." And that was more than okay by Eponine. She didn't want to go into the arena ever again if it could be helped.

"I don't think that they'll want me. I don't know how to schmooze."

[confidentially]

"They picked the Tributes this time. But who's to say what the rules will be next time." She thought of the first quarter quell, of the stories which surrounded that horrible event. "We have to be ready. You never know what kind of crap they'll pull next time. So put on a smile for me. I know you have it in you!"

[gardienne]

Eponine rolled her eyes, but she smiled. It felt awkward, with that stupid flapper thing in her mouth. No - not flapper. Flipper. That was what the stylist had said - just until they operated and put in permanent teeth. But at least it made her teeth look beautiful.

"And what? I simply smile? And then I am saved in the next arena? Because, Madame, I am too tired tonight to do anything further."

[confidentially]

What a pretty smile Eponine had. She looked so radiant, and Jessica felt so proud. "You smile, you laugh, you bat your eyelashes. You can be charming without doing much of anything. It's totally easy."

She downed the rest of her drink, giggling afterward from the rush. "You know how to flirt, don't you?"

[gardienne]

"Flirt?" Eponine echoed doubtfully. "I do not know this word, really. But I can guess. To bat my eyes and make charming conversation like every society miss, yes?" She swallowed. "Madame, I am not good at speaking. It is okay for me, but I can see - their eyes glaze over after a while, and then I must talk the more, and it gets worse and so on."

[confidentially]

"Sometimes it's better if you say nothing at all." She forcefully linked her arm around Eponine's. "You want the sponsors to think they're in charge. You want to flatter them. So instead of talking, simply smile. Let's start with that first, hm?"

[gardienne]

"Fine." She let Jessica take her arm, and propel her towards a potential sponsor.

"Fine," she hissed. "But there ought to be bonbons for me when we go back to the tower."

[confidentially]

Jessica laughed merrily and led the way. "There will be so many bonbons, you'll explode from eating them all. You'll be so sick of bonbons. And if you win, just imagine all the bonbons you could have then."

[gardienne]

" No. Ian first. And Howard. Then me. But Ian first. He has to win."

She stopped short, tugging Jessica back with her. "Madame, I'll do anything to get him out. He is too decent for the Games. I'll do whatever any of them want if they can make them win.

[confidentially]

"Wait, what?" She narrowed her eyes, drawing in close to Eponine. "Why? Why him? What's he to you?"

[gardienne]

"My friend. My only friend. Madame, he has stuck with me even after... Well. And he will not kill. He is like my brother. And he needs to win. I truly will do anything." Eponine hissed at Jessica. "Don't be cross with me . Help me do it. Itwill make people like me as well, will it not, if I am nice?" Not that she particularly cared about that - but Jessica did!

[confidentially]

Jessica wanted to be mad at Eponine. She wanted to scold her for being so stupid. But in reality, she couldn't fault the girl. She'd been a kid in that situation once, making friends and alliances, this way and that. It was dangerous to say she had people she cared about, but it was heartless to deny it. Hadn't people like Barbie looked out for Jessica? Yes, yes they had. And she wouldn't turn her back on him either.

"Alright," Jessica said, voice soft but aching with caution. "But you can't say things like that here. Someone might hear you, and then what?"

[gardienne]

"Then they'll help him." Eponine folded her arms, mutinous, and glared at Jessica. But after a minute, she sighed, and loosened her arms.

"Fine. Fine, I'll do as you say. But I warn you now, I will not win until he is safe. Ian has been about the only one, besides Eva, who has put up with me, Madame. I will not leave him in the arena alone."

[confidentially]

"They'll help him if they like him. Or they'd help him if they liked you." Her voice was a low warning, and she took hold of Eponine's arm so as to steer the girl through the crowd. "We can protect him, but it will take work. It'll take a strategy. They won't just sponsor him because they know you like him. We have to work on an angle."

[gardienne]

"What sort of angle?" This she could understand, this strategising, and Eponine was happy to let somebody else do it for her. Her Pa had been the brains in Paris, whilst she had simply done as she was told. She might not like what she was doing, but at least it was easy.

"Tell me." She hissed through gritted teeth as she smiled at the Capitol citizens to whom Jessica was steering her.

omg i lost this notif i am so sorry >.<

[confidentially]

"I like to call it sympathy," Jessica answered, grinning brightly at the swarm of people. "You have to let people like you."

so you should be :p

[gardienne]

"I don't want pity." Eponine's smile faltered and faded, and her steps slowed. "Don't let them pity me."

[confidentially]

The blonde pulled the girl closer, to pose for their adoring public. "If we do it right, they won't pity you at all. You'll have them eating out of your hand, Eponine. Trust me. I'd never steer you wrong."

[gardienne]

Eponine smiled. It felt really unnatural, and she probably looked so as well. But at least she was there, doing it.

"I am not good at flirting. Don't laugh at me." She hissed through her gritted teeth.

[confidentially]

Jessica let out a sharp laugh, squeezing Eponine's shoulder. "I would never. Now go on. Start practicing. You'll never improve if you don't put in some effort."