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

[bringinghopewithme]

Of all the loved ones of his the Capitol could have caught -

If Bunny had a god to thank for things, he would be thanking that one right now that they caught Anansi.

If it'd been North? The Cossack would have caught on to the ways of this awful place, and might have been too outraged to contain himself long enough to think clearly, or do lasting damage. The thought of Tooth, having memories of this place to keep for her own, is too awful for him to even consider. Sandy, without his sand? No. This place has nothing for him.

But they didn't find the other Guardians. They didn't grab them and bring them here. Instead, they got Anansi.

They got Anansi. The story-keeper, who hasn't just seen empires rise and fall, but knows how, and why, and how to spin the cautionary tale afterwards.

The spider, who knows how to set a trap and wait at it for longer than Bunny has been alive.

The spider, who knows how to surprise his audience - and his prey - every damn time.

"Ay, mate!"

Bunny's laugh is hearty as he spreads his arms to embrace his old pal, thumping Anansi on the back between the spider-legs and keeping a companionable arm hooked over his shoulders.

"Boy did you get lucky this time, you eight-legged bounce. Wait until I show you around, mate. You're gonna be amazed. Absolutely astonished."

His grin has the intensity that it used to have back when they hung out like this all the time. Back before he was a Guardian, when the order of the day was to find someone too full of themselves, and turn their hubris - with Anansi's help - into a funny story to bring back to the kits.

The Capitol might not recognize it. But Anansi can't miss it.

[asshole_spider]

Anansi thumps Bunny on the back as well, letting his friend tug him away from the tentacled stranger and into a conference.

"Oh really?" he asks, lowering his glasses to get a good look at the grin on Bunny's face. He hasn't seen that look in a very long time; it promises many things that the two of them will find more entertaining than the fools who think themselves clever enough to catch a spider. His wording though, that promises secrets and powerful people who don't want them unearthed, and he delights in working contrary to them as well.

"Then perhaps you ought to show me around this fantastical little dream world of yours, then. I do love to be astonished."