thecapitol | The Crowning of Mindy McReady

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Wouldn't say it if I didn't think it as true."

She gave Harley a knowing look. "Isn't it obvious? I never killed people I didn't at least despise before. That, and I'm actually trying to keep a low profile."

"Ah ah ah, but if that's what you've had to change, what have you clung to despite it all?" That was just as important as what had changed.

"That's exactly my point. Some things change, but only how much you actually let them. Most of what I am is still here. Hell, even doing what I've done was motivated by logic I always had anyway."

Harley sighed clearly dissatisfied with the results.

"I guess we'll just have to wait and see then. After all you haven't been here for too long."

But already Harley was starting to see Mindy clearer.

"I'm not saying for sure what more this place will do to me. Who can tell? But I'm thinking that whatever it does, I'll still stay the same, mostly."

That was her hope, anyway.

"Here's hoping." She crossed her fingers "It's a fine line between being true to yourself and refusing to evolve."

And the laws of chaos required she continue to change for each situation.

Mindy cast Harley a dubious look. "I think I'm the last person you need to say that to."

If anything, the idea of changing was all too certain.

"No need to be aggressive." She smiled innocently. "I'm just speaking metaphorically. If you take it personally that may speak to your own concerns. Not mine."

"I wasn't being aggressive." Mindy shook her head. "Harley, you're awesome, but don't try to head shrink me, ok? You don't know me that well yet, and jumping to conclusions like that rubs me the wrong way."

Harley looked offended and hurt folding her arms and pouting her lips.

"Who said anything about shrinking? Sheesh this is just typically I thought you'd be more open minded ya know? But it happens to all therapists and psych majors. Sooner or later everyone in their lives just stops talking to them about anything in great detail because their afraid all I'm gonna do is pick it apart for the psychology. Can't I have a normal conversation without being accused of some ulterior motive?" She ranted.

"It hurts that you of all people don't trust me. I'm one of your biggest fans you know!"

"There's being open minded, and then there's people who miss some things. I wish I could say I refused to evolve. The truth of the matter is I made the change the moment I picked up that fucking knife and slit the throat of someone who never did anything to me. I've gone on about Sandy, but that was the moment everything changed."

And here, just for a moment, Harley could see that regret: this was why she still fought with Sandy, why she pressed on killing, why the deaths of people who never hurt her couldn't matter. She's already stepped through the door and had to keep going, push herself, and then find a way to regret later.

She knew she was bloodthirsty, that she reveled in the fight. All of this though, right down to what she was wearing, mocked WHY. They took it and made it novelty, and what the fuck could she do but play the game and go down farther, to
find a way to undo it all?

How much of this would take her?

"No one in their right mind is a fan of me. Be a fan of Pruna. She's an awesome killer. Hell, back Ellie, she's been through the wire. Me, I'm just...I'm keeping afloat."

Of course it had been a lie. Harley was always picking people apart psychologically. And Mindy being so willing to share was like a tasty treat to her.

With a nod she tapped her head thoughtfully. "Ah but you said "In their right mind. And you and I both know I haven't been in my right mind for a long time." She grinned cheekily.

"Well if have to cheat and say THAT," Mindy rolled her eyes, grinning. "And here's another tidbit: half of what I'm saying is bullshit. I still don't think I should have fans, but come on, 'staying afloat?' I'm not the type to just do that."

"Uh huh, you just keep telling yourself that." Harley teased with a snicker. "It doesn't matter what you say, all that matters is how it looks after the video is edits for the public."

Which in all honesty was one of her least favorite parts of the games. No one asked for her help on the editing so they could cut out all her best moments and she wouldn't be able to stop them.

Mindy frowned but said nothing. "In that case, they could make me look pretty fucked up."

That would definitely explain the change of the kinds of fans she had.

She nodded knowingly and tapping her nose to indicate Mindy was spot on in her conclusion.

"Exactamundo! They control the narrative. History and reality is written by the winners they say. And no matter who lives or dies in the arena, one guess who always wins with these games."

Mindy made a face. Never us, that's for damn sure. We're just little chess pieces moving around-shit, no, maybe checkers even. So long as we keep people entertained, they'll need us."

She made a noise of discontentment. "Hope we can rewrite this fucker one day."

The Crowning of Mindy McReady

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