thecapitol | Thicker Than Blood Start

For Tributes with keen eyes, they'll notice that Peacekeeper presence seems increased and yet infinitely more ineffective in the last few weeks. Peacekeepers seem harried, as do the Stylists, and most of the Escorts titter and plot without alerting the Tributes as to what, exactly, is so exciting. They simply say that this weekend they'll know.

And so it happens that on the weekend in question, the Tributes are woken by their Escorts early and brought to a restaurant for a hearty breakfast. The restaurant is nothing spectacular, although they seem to be trying to make an impression on the television cameras that float around. The sleepy, cranky meal goes by and then the Tributes are led back to their Suites for a mandatory meeting.

Sitting on couches and the floor, in chairs and on windowsills, standing off to the side - people from the Tributes' homes are waiting to greet them in each District Suite. Some are confused, some accepting, some frightened and some elated to see their beloved. Either way, it should be an eventful reunion.

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Julian was, by this point, quite through with all the secrecy, sly smiles hidden behind hands, and talk of wonderful surprises. He'd had quite enough of the Capitol's idea of surprises by now. First Garak, then the maze arena...

Well, of course everything was awful, he couldn't be caught off-guard by that any longer.

And then he was herded back into the District 7 suites, and stopped short, paralyzed with horror and fear--God, they'd dragged Jadzia into this hell too?

"Jadzia?"

He was, perhaps, rather more quiet in his greeting than she'd be used to, and unable to keep the tremulous tone from his voice no matter how desperately he wanted to. Garak was one thing--he was Garak. But his mind couldn't help but provide worst-case scenario after worst-case scenario where Jadzia was concerned--the effect whatever mechanism the Capitol used to bring them back after arenas would have on a joined Trill, simply the knowledge that if she was being forced into this game as well she would die, and nothing he could do to stop it...

"God, what are you doing here?"

"Julian?" Her eyes lit up at the sight of him. She was reassured that at the very least she had someone she could trust to help her find a way out of this place and back to DS9. Of course, she'd just seen him a few hours ago, so the weight of their encounter now meant nothing to her really. "The situation hasn't been explained to us yet. We've only just been brought here. What's going on? What can you tell me about this place?"

"I almost don't know where to start."

Julian felt as if he'd swallowed something heavy and unpleasant, his fear and anxiety settling like a cold rock in his stomach. Of course they're being watched, so he needs to be discrete--with Garak, he'd spoken Cardassian, but that wouldn't work with Jadzia.

"What have they told you thus far? And...this may seem like an odd question, but when exactly was the last time you saw Garak or I?"

Julian's reaction was enough for her to realize that something was truly wrong, that the lines the officials in this world had tried to sell were maybe not the truth.

"We were told that this is a dreamscape of some kind. Judging by the reactions though, it seems like that was maybe a bit of a fabrication." Jadzia glanced over at the other families and their heartfelt reunions. "We were at Quark's only hours ago. Why do you ask?"

"They have technology capable of that, but I wouldn't be so quick as to believe them." He barely even thinks of taking her elbow and moving to a comfortable corner--what is personal space anyway?

"I wish I'd been at Quark's...I've been here for months, and before that we were on that planetoid in the dark matter nebula where we'd crashed after destroying the ketracel white storage facility." Julian frowned as he considered the timelines--he didn't have enough information to determine what exactly the discrepancy was. It occurred to him that she may not know what he was talking about. "Garak is here as well--has been for a few weeks now."

He glances around--cameras everywhere, of course, so speaking freely isn't really an option. At least in Standard. Perhaps they could find a more private venue later.

His cautious look transforms into a smile, but the expression promises that he's got rather a lot more to say. "When we have a moment to ourselves, you'll have to catch me up. I'd rather not go into embarrassing station gossip with so many people about."

"Months?" There was no mistaking the surprised squeak in her voice, but she managed to swallow it and pull a neutral face. "I'd say that's impossible, but I think we both know that it is. Still, I'm having a hard time wrapping my mind around this place."

She knew that look on Julian's face and she was both intrigued and troubled by it. But instead of pressing him with too many questions out of the gate, she realized it was best to play this one close to the chest.

"Yes. When we have a moment to ourselves." She looked around, for any sign of the enigmatic Mister Garak. "What about Benjamin and the rest of the crew? Is there any sign that they've been pulled into this dimension also?"

"Impossible, but true. And I hope that you're not around long enough to wrap your mind around it."

Julian would have to contact Garak later, but for now he was happy--well, for a given definition of happy--to keep Jadzia to himself. But he notices Jadzia looking around--presumably for him--and chimes in.

"He's not living on this floor, he's a few farther up."

As for her other question--

"No. As far as I can tell, we're the only ones that have had the pleasure of visiting." There's a small twist in his voice that speaks volumes for just how much of a pleasure it really is.

That wouldn't necessarily stop her from being concerned about the others, but at least she wouldn't have to worry about them all directly.

"I hope my stay is just long enough for us to find a way out of this place. There's got to be a way to get ourselves and everyone else back to our home dimensions." Her brow furrowed.

Oh, Julian's concerned enough for the both of them, really. This little show of what the Capitol is capable of is not sitting well with him at all.

"I hope so, too." Not too much hope, because the letdown would be spectacularly awful. But if anyone can help, it's Jadzia--being absolutely bloody brilliant and all.

"There's a few people I'd like you to meet, in any case. I'm sure you'll find at least some of them interesting."

"I'd like that," she said, trying not to look too concerned. She put a hand on Julian's forearm and gave it a squeeze. "There's a lot I have to learn about this place. I could use all the friendly tour guides I can get."

Thicker Than Blood Start

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