open spectator log because why not

[shenunigans]

Who| Anyone who wants to spectate but doesn't want to make a million logs
What| Spectations, spectactling, spectalary. Gathering together to cross fingers and watch the mini arena.
Where| The Commons
When| All through the mini-arena. However many hours people feel the need to watch.
Warnings/Notes| Watching your friends die, kind of a huge bummer.

In one of the many tasteful bursts of helpfulness the Capitolites are prone to having, the commons are full of bowls of snacks and drinks. Popcorn or many varieties, candy and drinks are spread across the table, as if it's a delightful addition to the decorum right now. In another bout of helpfulness, there's also over a dozen tissue boxes spread across the room, nested between couches and chairs. Basically, it's all super tasteful.

It's probably a little sickening watching the Arena on the screens in the common room, but it's hard not to keep a close eye on your friends. Surely some people will opt to keep their viewing in private, but perhaps others are inclined to gravitate toward other people while this shit goes all the way down.

As far as parties go, this one is a real stinker.

Comments

[sithcretapprentice]

Meeting Azula had been something he'd meant to do before now, but circumstances never aligned to allow it to happen. He was busy, Azula was busy, and it just wasn't something big enough on his priorities for him to actively pursue it.

As luck would have it, they've both convened in one room in order to watch the various deaths and show support people. He knew she would be there for Hans, though he imagined she would also have other people to watch out for as well, being a mentor and all. As it was, Hans was a mutual interest for the two of them. It gave him a reason, once he spotted her, to make his way over to her.

His eyes landed on the fake sideburns laying on the table. A roll of his eyes indicated that he wasn't very amused by them. "I wouldn't wear them either," he said, nodding lightly to them. "Some of the things the Capitol encourages is beyond ridiculous."

[burnedbrighter]

At first she didn't take her eyes off the screen, one of the tributes...the crazy blond one was promptly kicking the tar out of the chatty older male and it was amusing to her even if she hated Harley on principal.

"Yes well, one can only do so much to fight against the stormy seas of fashion. I find it best to wear what makes me feel good so that I may project an air of confidence, power and superiority. That can be something as simple as training gear of as elaborate as a gown."

Fashion was an important topic to live in the Capitol, but it was not her favorite.

"I would hazard a guess that you weren't just remarking upon the current trend of false facial hair as being ridiculous though." There was usually more to it then that with the more observant tributes.

[sithcretapprentice]

Starkiller let out a small scoff. He didn't particularly see the point of fashion, to be perfectly honest. He preferred wearing something functional, not really caring what it looked like. Fake sideburns weren't functional, nor was a lot of what the Capitol liked to dress people in.

But at her question, he shrugged. "A lot of things are ridiculous," he said. "Some things more obvious than others."

After a small hesitation, Starkiller decided to sit down next to her on the sofa, though he made sure to position himself as far as he could so that they weren't sitting too close together. "You don't sound like you disagree," he pointed out after a moment.

[burnedbrighter]

"I do not particularly." Azula responded idly tracing her finger along the edge of her glass. A sparkling blue bracelet hung off her slender wrist, glowing softly.

"At least my tributes are fairing well despite the circumstances. It's an interesting twist I'll grant them. But after so many years of the same arena formula working with only the occasional quarter quell to make things interesting I wonder if resorting to all these gimmicks is meaningful in some way."

The way she said "Gimmick" was almost like she was directing an insult at the current tributes.

[sithcretapprentice]

"Are surprised they're fairing well?" he asked, giving her a slightly pointed look. "The way I've heard it, you're a good mentor. I've never seen you in action, but considering Hans has seemed to fair well under you, I see no reason to doubt that fact."

He shrugged in regards to the rest. "If something has gone on for so long, it only makes sense it would eventually get stale. I'm sure it's no more meaningful than a simple attempt at freshening up something that's grown boring."

[burnedbrighter]

That clearly amused her and she smirked at him.

"It's always nice to know word of my skill is spreading. But I am only one woman trying to train and prepare tributes who are mostly older then me. One can never really know how good a job I'm doing till I see them in action. And even then no matter how prepared you are sometimes...accidents happen."

[sithcretapprentice]

Starkiller could sympathise, in a way, with her. He imagined being a young mentor must grow tiresome. There were many times in his life that those older than him were condescending and doubtful of his ability- of course they died soon after, which was proof that they were wrong. But it was still tiresome.

"Then you should consider it a source of pride to see them succeed under your guidance," he said. "Prove anyone who's doubted you wrong. The accidents are clearly the result of those who pay poor attention."

After a moment, he decided to bring up the obvious common ground the two of them had. "How would you consider Hans is faring?"

[burnedbrighter]

She hadn't been completely sure from watching him in the arena, but it was in this moment she decided she liked Starkiller. He didn't mince words, and he understood some of the things she considered important.

As for Hans, she considered her thoughts for a moment.

"He's clever, but not as smart as he thinks he is." She began. Were it anyone else she wouldn't divulge a weakness like that but Starkiller had proven to be an ally and if Hans was to succeed he needed someone dependable.

"I can't say much for his taste in women however." She decided a good direction to steer the conversation would be mutual complaints. And she couldn't imagine anyone with an ounce of sense not wanting to complain about Anna.

[sithcretapprentice]

He was starting to feel the same towards Azula. It seemed the two of them had similar mentalities, which was a refreshing change in comparison to Hans. He liked Hans, but sometimes a sterner demeanor was a nice change of pace, definitely something he was used to dealing with.

Starkiller gave a nod at that. "I get what you mean, but I think he's more clever than either of us tend to give him credit for," he mused. "Sometimes I wonder if his friendly demeanor is a front to disarm people." A small laugh, "But then you realize he really is just that way. Believe me, spend a day with him and you'll see."

The mention of Anna had him tensing up, his expression turning disdainful. "Not his best choice, no," Starkiller replied. "His decision to ally himself with her in the previous arena is a big part of what got him killed. She's a hazard to everyone around her."

[burnedbrighter]

Azula was impressed at Starkiller's perception. She'd felt the same way but had not yet come to believe that the charming friendly dork was who Hans was on the inside.

Still common ground was common ground. "At least she has enough sense to keep out of trouble in the Capitol. But the narrative seems to be leaning more in favor of her sister with him." She was always fascinated by the media hype machine and how it could piece together stories out of almost nothing.

[sithcretapprentice]

Starkiller didn't have much to do in the Capitol except study people. Usually he was perceptive in battle, trained to know when and where to strike at the best time. Apparently when taken out of his element, it made for some good perception in regards to people. Or maybe he just spent too much time with Hans- that was probably the most likely. Hans did have the habit of pushing himself into Starkiller's life a lot, though no one ever heard Starkiller complain too much about that.

At her words, Starkiller scoffed. "I don't understand why they feel the need to press people together or read too much into everyone's interactions with each other. You would think they would have better things to do."

[burnedbrighter]

There was a flash of superiority to Azula, as she had recently become more educated on the subject of romance. It would be neglecting in her duties as a mentor if she didn't share her findings.

"Well to put it simply, it's living vicariously." She began fixing her eyes on his.

"Love, affection, lust and friendship are all feelings that can inspire great pleasure and pain. The average human fears the pain, but longs for the pleasure. As such it is so much easier for them to live through the experiences of the tributes. The tributes can suffer the pain that comes with those emotions and it does not hurt the citizens as much. But if they take it into their mind that a particular pairing would make their favorite tributes happy then they in turn get to bask in the radiated happiness of those situations."

At least this was what Azula had deduced.

"Of course they have better things to do, but they may cast aside responsibility in favor of their hobbies. Choosing to do what they want rather then what they should."

[sithcretapprentice]

This was a strange road the conversation had taken. Love, affection, lust and friendship were not things Starkiller had ever known. All his life, he'd only known hatred and anger. The only thing to ever really touch him were the cold hands of a robot, never a person. He couldn't fathom why it would be so... interesting. Still, he listened to her, intrigued if nothing else.

On some level, he couldn't help think back to his pilot, Juno Eclipse. He'd felt... drawn to her, in a way. On some level, he wonders if maybe he could have loved her. He wonders if he's capable of loving anyone.

"You have far more to say on the matter than I expected," he said after a moment, pulling himself out of those thoughts. Juno was in the past. The only person who came close to her was Hans, and that... was ridiculous. He pushed that firmly away. Hans was in the mini arena and he would be lucky if the man lived. That thought caused his stomach to roll. "Love is a weakness and no one should give the Capitol the satisfaction of exploiting it." His voice hardened, his words firm. Like he was trying to make himself believe it.

[burnedbrighter]

She seemed pleased by his assessment over all and gave him a supportive nod.

"I thought the same way up until recently. Even I am dubious of it's power despite what the citizens and our fellow tributes may think. Some find love an inspiration to keep them going. But as I understand it the strength they find in such inspiration can be powerful and fickle. It can push people beyond their limitations...or it can crush them."

With a sigh she studied her drink intently "It is a tool, a toy, a weapon, it is many things. It requires more study."

[sithcretapprentice]

For the first time since their discussion had started, Starkiller didn't think Azula made sense with that last statement. His eyebrows furrowed, and he gave her a skeptical look. "How, exactly, do you intend to study something like this?" he asked. "Without experiencing it for yourself?"

[burnedbrighter]

She chuckled as if he had told a charming joke.

"Why, by watching others of course. Passions run so high in the Capitol and the arena. You learn from watching those who profess to be in love or who are labeled as being in love. Then you determine who is and is not in actual love based upon the differences in how they behave and what they achieve when love is or is not a factor."

It all made perfect sense to her.

"Just like any other emotion of psychological disease, you just need the right materials to learn from. Of course experiencing it first hand is a great way to learn but it may also cloud your final judgment as personal experience so often does."

This was how Azula dealt with life. She studied it, planned for it, tried to prepare for every outcome and then drive her knife into it's weak spot.

[sithcretapprentice]

"That's a relief," Starkiller says after she's finished explaining. "Here I thought you intended on trying to fall in love. I would've been really unimpressed."

As if Starkiller is ever impressed with anything. "So. What is it you plan on doing with this information, when you've studied it enough?" As a mentor, he doesn't see how she can use it to her advantage. In the arena, maybe it would come in handy. It could break alliances, or emotionally cripple someone. But outside of it? The effects aren't nearly as great.

[burnedbrighter]

She chuckles and managed to hide her embarrassment with practiced ease. Unfortunately it was worse then that because she was afraid she was already falling in love.

"Well to better understand love and it's power means I can more skillfully encourage and drive my tributes to victory. A happy tribute is a healthy tribute and more willing to train and fight."

"On top of that, love is a useful tool in swaying wealthy benefactors for gifts to the tributes."

[sithcretapprentice]

Starkiller really has no room to judge her, considering his own conflicting feelings in regards to a certain someone. In a way, maybe he's just being overly critical because of that. Bury it under a huge mass of criticism and judgment so that it can't get to him.

"You want to motivate them with the power of love?" The idea was... odd to him. "Isn't that allowing your tributes to give into a weakness? Though you do have a point; it's probably good for getting sponsors."

[burnedbrighter]

"Not the power of love, the promise of it." She corrected him "The pleasure it can bring. Love itself is motivation, and motivation is strength." She explained.

"If the promise of being able to protect or be with those they love is what they need to do anything to stay alive then I would be foolish not to take advantage of it."

[sithcretapprentice]

"I see," he said. He supposed he understood, even if he still didn't necessarily approve. "As long as you don't plan on trying to motivate me with such tactics, then I won't judge you too harshly."

As if anyone could motivate him with love.

Ha.

HahahaHans.

"But let's change the subject. You've spent a great deal of time training Hans and so have I. Do you think he has a chance at winning this?"

[burnedbrighter]

She simply smirked, deciding it wasn't necessary to explain why she had no reason to motivate him for now.

"Oh absolutely." She turned her attention back to the screen where her face tightened as she watched Princess Elsa sacrifice herself to save another tribute. The blond princess was crushed by falling logs.

There was a hush over the room for a moment before the chatter started back up.

"Well anyway, yes I believe he has everything required to win such a unique challenge. It all depends on how he uses the skills he has."

[sithcretapprentice]

Starkiller had lost track of what was going on in the arena because of their conversation, but when Azula looked towards the screen, he did as well. His eyebrows raised in mild surprise when the blonde sister pushed the other woman out of the way, only to be crushed by the logs. A small, amused smile subtly played at his lips. Maybe it was pretty mean of him to take amusement in her death, especially as they were all under the impression that it was permanent, but he couldn't help be relieved.

He had no positive feelings when it came to the Arendelle sisters. He disliked each one for various reasons, but Elsa specifically for being the reason Hans had died the previous arena. Without her around, Starkiller was sure that Hans would be better off.

Starkiller forced the amusement from his expression when Azula spoke up again, though his eyes were more alive than they had been a few moments ago. "I would say what just happened benefits him well," he said with a nod. "Now I can't see anyone who might stand in his way."

[burnedbrighter]

"At least not in the way that she did." Azula agreed with her own faint smirk.

"Do you believe he harbors feelings for her? The way the gossip rags claim? I didn't believe so but I have been mistaken before when it comes to interpersonal relationships."

Azula would be much more tense if she believed what the Capitol had told the tributes about their death being permanent. The entire party atmosphere would likely be more tense if everyone knew but the threat had been made in secret to the tributes before the arena. To Azula and everyone around them it was just another arena.

Just another day of death and murder for sport.

[sithcretapprentice]

That was a good question, and Starkiller realized that he didn't have an answer right away. He would've liked to be able to say that no, he didn't think Hans could possibly have feelings for Elsa, but how was he to know? It wasn't as if the man had a good track record- he was with Anna of all people. Hans and Elsa spent a lot of time together... But Hans seemed to be an honest man. Would he really play both sisters that way?

"... I think that's his business," Starkiller finally said. He might've sounded a little harder than he intended, but he couldn't help it. "She might be more tolerable than the brown haired one, but she's still too cowardly. But as I said, it's his business."