Thicker Than Blood Start

[gamemakers]

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.

Comments

Re: Susan (for Ian)

[anunearthlychild]

"I expect he forgot to," Susan says with a shrug. "Or thought I'd be there to explain. Or perhaps he thought it wouldn't be a possibility. Don't people say that young people think they'll live forever? Grandfather... by the standards of our people, he's still a very young man."

Re: Susan (for Ian)

[splendid_roman]

Ian was still lost, frankly. "He doesn't look young." He shook his head again. It was all perspective he supposed.

"Let's go for a walk. Have you seen anywhere except for this room?" He didn't dare speak freely here - Susan had to be a threat - but in crowds they should be safer.

[anunearthlychild]

"Not really," Susan replies. "I would like to see more of this city." She lets him lead her off, attempting to keep up the conversation as they walk. "I suppose he doesn't look young to you, but he's not even five-hundred yet. But there's a good deal of difference between your appearance and actual age. Before we ran away, I'd seen men and women thousands of years old that looked younger than you."

[splendid_roman]

"So the fountain of youth does exist after all," he said chuckling, as he led her to the lift and down to the ground floor and outside. "I suppose you're a hundred years old and not fifteen at all."

[anunearthlychild]

"Well," she says, "I'm the equivalent of fifteen, as far as our people's maturity rate goes." Which isn't really confirming or denying anything, really. "Back home, I'd be considered a mere infant, however."

She smiles. "Oh look, people!" She darts into the crowd milling in front of the tribute center, trusting Ian to follow her.

[splendid_roman]

He wondered how old he should be treating her, but all the same, he didn't want her getting into trouble. "Don't wander off," he shouted after her, but followed her. Once he'd caught up with her he added, "This place isn't safe," in a low voice.

[anunearthlychild]

"I didn't think it was," Susan says in an equally quiet voice when he catches up with her. "I just thought we ought to get away from the building. How bad is it?"

[splendid_roman]

He gave a small smile - he'd forgotten that Susan was clever enough to spot such things and had seen quite a few places to compare it to. But when he spoke he was serious again. "They watch everything we do and listen to everything we say. They know exactly how to make us do what they want."