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

[alldeduction]

He flung the door to his room open with something very close to rage, waited until they were both through, and then slammed it closed before one of the floating cameras could follow. They'd just have to use the security feeds from his room for whatever ridiculous expose they were planning.

"This is a different universe from ours," Sherlock said firmly, finally. "Or at the very least several centuries later. This is the Capitol, the heart of Panem, which covers most of what used to be North America. They have the ability to bring people here from across multiple universes and times, and they use them to fight in arenas - battles to the death - for entertainment."

[bestprofessional]

Greg opened his mouth. Greg closed his mouth.

Protesting the ridiculousness of it all didn't change the fact that they were all here, and that there had been a great number of video cameras following them all back out in the lobby. Sherlock often sounded like he was spouting rubbish, but that anger slamming the door was real.

"Are we-" he nodded to Mycroft, "the carrot or the stick?"

[constantworrier]

"Both." Mycroft moved through the messy room with a frown. Clearly Sherlock was suffering more than they knew. His umbrella moved a hopefully clean pair of pants from the floor, only for him to flick them into a different corner. This room was chaos caused by frustration. No, he didn't like what this world was doing to his brother.

Spinning around he took a seat in one of the empty chairs. "A warning and a gift. We will favor you should you perform and if you do not we can bring others from your world to make you perform." He glanced up at Sherlock. "Tell me, how is John fairing?"

[alldeduction]

"He was the first warning they gave me," Sherlock said bitterly, not at all surprised that his brother deduced that so quickly.

They were related, after all.

"About as well as you would expect," He said, his voice laced with acid. Not well at all, was the answer. Neither of them were. "He's been here nearly as long as I have. And Molly--"

[ecphrasis]

At first, Molly had not been escorted to the waiting area. Nobody had been "brought" for her, and so she had been exempt. But when she hadn't been able to locate Sherlock, dread had started to bubble up in her chest. She bites her lip as she enters the sitting room on the second level, scanning the faces for the one she really hopes isn't here.

But there he is, and he looks angry. Molly doesn't see Mycroft or Lestrade yet, instead making a beeline for the younger Holmes brother.

"Sherlock--?"

[bestprofessional]

It was bad enough that a place like this existed in the first place. But to bring in others to encourage people to obey was, frankly, sickening.

"How on ea-" Greg's surprised outburst is cut off as the door slams open and in walks "Molly?!"

[constantworrier]

Mycroft stands as Molly enters, always one to remember his manners unlike some. "Ah, Miss. Hooper, it is good to see you well."

It was more than a bit concerning that this world would bring in someone like Molly Hooper, a girl who would, for most purposes, do anything for his brother. A girl who Sherlock feigned disinterest, but whom he trusted more than most. The things he would do to protect not only John, but Molly as well could very well compromise his own safety and stability.

[alldeduction]

"Ah, Molly." Sherlock turned to her, waving vaguely at Lestrade and Mycroft.

"Seems we have guests. I should call John, and we can have a party," he added sarcastically.