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

[iphigeneia]

"I wish it were a lie." She shakes her head bitterly. She would give anything to make this place nothing more than a nightmare, something she could wake herself from. "But it's real, and all of this horrible things they make us endure, all of it is real, too."

[psychomancy]

"Oh, Fee." Gemma pulls Felicity close, willing herself not to cry for her. "How could this happen?" Even with the existence of the realms, Gemma had never considered that a world like this could be real.

[iphigeneia]

Felicity held her friend close to her, squeezing her, willing that Gemma would take on some of her strength. "I would blame the magic, but I know better now. It is technology. This is a dark future we've found ourselves in, and with no way to return home."

That realization was horrible enough that it made her heart sink all over again, just thinking about it. "I'm sorry, Gemma. I don't know how we will get home from here."

[crossing_over]

"Will we really never go home?" From behind both girls comes a familiar voice. Pippa, as beautiful as she had been before the Realms had claimed and corrupted her, stands with her hands out, hesitant still, but ready to take theirs. She's unsure of the reception she'll receive from the girls, and though she tries to keep her sweet smile on her face, it wavers, betraying her nerves.

"At least we are all... together. Three brave girls together, aren't we?"

[iphigeneia]

The voice sends a chill down Felicity's spine as she turns to face Pippa, knees weakening. She looks as though she's seen a ghost, and in a way she has. Even her freshest memories of Pippa look nothing like the girl she sees before her, uncorrupted and beautiful, and so very much alive.

"Pip..." Her voice is soft, catching in her throat, and she's unsure if she should leave Gemma's side to embrace her. The conflict within her is real and fresh and it burns so hot that it hurts all over again. The pain of betrayal feels brand new. Worried eyes turn to Gemma, "This cannot be. We saw what happened... didn't we?"