I'm really not sure if I'm floating or drowning here.

[arrogantalloy]

WHO| Tony Stark, and anyone who can see him! 
WHAT| Tony is not really loving this whole kidnapping death match thing
WHEN| 11th of the May
WHERE| Several locations in the tower
WARNINGS| References to the end of Winter Soldier but it's only a spoiler if you haven't seen it or Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. But you can avoid it by not reading what Tony's doing/thinking on the roof

--

[District 12's floor]

After Tony had told the Gamemakers what they could do with their evaluations and had been left in his room with a communicator and a credit card, he stood in his room for a moment staring at both. Then after a moment he dispassionately drops the card on the bedside table and starts turning the communicator over in his hands.

Sure it wasn't the first time he was taken away from what he knew and threatened with death, really it's starting to become a major theme in his life, he's had better themes to be honest, just as destructive, but on the whole more fun. However this was the first time he was kidnapped, given an allowance and technology. He isn't sure if it's amature, or cocky but he's not going to pass it up. Frowning a little Tony pockets the communicator then starts looking through his room as he runs a hand through his hair now and then. Clothes, Shoes, a remote (Which he also pockets) but no much else. Frowning at what he's found he leaves the room and turns his attention to ferreting his way around the floor as a whole, for now he's staying out of the bedrooms but if he can't find so much as a screw driver, very narrow knife or a broad fork he's going to invade privacies.

But as it is, right now he needs what he knows, and that's playing with tech, and he's probably not being quiet in his looking as he loudly moves things about and mutters to himself.

[Central Commons - Cocktail Bar]

After his attacking of his floor for something to do, Tony started to feel a little claustrophobic and found his way to the bar, something else that was familiar enough to act as a calming agent. You know what Tony also finds calming? Scotch. When he orders, he doesn't even realise it's free, he's just assumed they've given him an automatic tab, which for him isn't unusual. 
He contemplates the two neat amber fingers in the glass then toasts the air.

"Here's to kidnappers with a resort and open bar."

He takes a drink and takes in who's wandering around the bar, feeling the twinge of homesickness. It's weird being held hostage but not you know being threatened with pain if you don't build a weapon for them while being allowed to apparently roam free for the moment.

[Roof]

The homesickness got to him for a while so after just idely riding the elevator with no purpose, Tony takes it up to the roof. It's about as quite as a roof top in a large city can be and if he closes his eyes he can almost pretend he's standing on the landing pad back in New York, Pepper listing the names of S.H.I.E.L.D agents who have jumped that sneaky ship and are banging on his doors for work.

He runs a hand over his face and huffs, he really needs to quit being a hypocrite with all this sentimentality of his. He walks to the edge and looks down seeing what little he can of the busy streets.

Tony let's his mind tick back to when he was told that he had been selected for a battle to the death.

"If this is going to involve swords, and war horses then I am in a lot of trouble."

He could probably use another drink. Actually, what he could really use is Pepper.

Comments

Central Commons

[googledox]

"There's no greater compensation for being subjected to death and senseless violence than free drinks," Brainiac 5 said dryly. "What else can you expect from a society named 'bread' as based off a metonymic to describe a superficial means of appeasement?"

He was feeling a little bitter today. The bruises on his face, red splotches on the whites of his eyes (burst blood vessels from his blood pressure having skyrocketed during his encounter with his mother), and way he held himself very gingerly, probably told a good story as to why.

He was currently nursing what looked like some kind of smoothie, wearing pajama bottoms with Erlenmeyer flasks on them and fuzzy robot slippers, and had a blanket wrapped around his shoulders.

Also, he was green. That was something possibly worth noting.

[arrogantalloy]

Tony doesn't look at who's speaking to him at first, but he does give an amused huff before drinking a little.

"I've always found the not dying part the better compensation." He pauses for a moment. "Wait, bread?" and then he turns to look at the other. He just sort of stares, his eyebrows raising slowly at the green and beaten guy, taking in what he can about him before taking another drink.

"You know what. I'm not going to ask. I feel like the only answer is going to feel a little too Jim Henson for today."

[sithcretapprentice]

The roof seems to be busier than usual, lately. Just when he thinks he's found a good place to meditate and get his thoughts together (and he has more thoughts than usual lately), it seems just in time to get overrun with new people. Starkiller's luck is just not with him. For a while, he at least manages to ignore the other man on the roof, even though his senses are enough to alert him to his presence from the moment he's there.

Starkiller tunes him out for a while, as he's really not quite as interesting as the man who had stood at the edge with his hand outstretched. It's only when he hears the man speak that he figures he might as well play welcome wagon or something.

"There are ranged weapons, if that's more to your style," he calls out, moving to stand up. "But if weapons in general aren't your thing, then yes. You're in a lot of trouble."

[arrogantalloy]

Tony wants to lie to himself and say he doesn't flinch at the voice, after all he wasn't expecting anyone to be here.

"Technically, self sustaining flying suits of, well... Armor with it's own offensive and defensive capabilities that I've built myself are my thing." He pauses. "Well when I had them they were. Now..."

This was one of those moments that Tony had really wished he hadn't set off the clean slate protocol, he hadn't finished his new plans and was really at a disadvantage when it comes to this place. However he did have a sneaking feeling they wouldn't have brought a suit for him even if he had one.

D12

[justoutrunyou]

Sandy looked sweaty and exhausted when she dragged herself through the door to District 12's suite. She was in her training gear and looked as though she had just run a mile or twelve.

The scruffy girl barely paid Tony any notice as she shuffled over to the kitchenette and brushed past an Avox who scurried to get out of her way. The fridge door was opened and Sandy procured a tall thin can of something green before the door was swung shut a bit too hard.

After guzzling about half the bottle she burped in a unladylike fashion and her face went red, scanning the room before her eyes fell on Tony again.

"Effie isn't here is she?" She asked clearly afraid that the person barring that name had heard her belch.

[arrogantalloy]

Tony hears her come in and spares her a glance and a raised eyebrow before digging through another drawer.

Until that is when she burps and he looks up not sure if he should be impressed or wondering how all that pressure built up in something so small.

"Unless that's Effie." He gestures to the Avox. "I have no idea. You two are the first people I've seen in here. Better question. Where are the screwdrivers and wire strippers?"

D12 like a boss

[amoral_savior]

Topher doesn't spend much time socializing with his suit mates. Even if he hadn't been kidnapped and forced to fight in a death arena every few months, he would have rather spent time with machines than people. In fact it's fairly safe to say he doesn't really know who he shares the top floor with nor does he care to know. He isn't trying to be rude, he just has other things on his mind. Things that take up enough thinking space that he doesn't even notice the new face up top for a long moment.

And then he stops. The guy looked like someone familiar...

Turning to face him, Topher stares for a long moment, not caring that he's being more than a little rude. Finally he speaks up as his mind fails to come up with a name to go with the face.

"Sorry, but, ah, you look familiar in that creepy 'I've seen your face but don't actually know you' way."

[arrogantalloy]

Tony looks up and gives him a curious look.

"Everyone knows who I am." He pauses and then looks vaguely irritated. "Normally anyway. Where are the screwdrivers?"

Normally Tony doesn't get groupies when he's in a place that's meant to be his home, but hey this isn't exactly 'Kansas' anymore so really he can't complain about security breaches. So instead he opts to enlist this guy into operation: find me something to fiddle with.

ROOF

[soldieronwards]

"Is that supposed to be some kind of reference to the apocalypse or whatever? 'Cause I'm not really into that kind of thinking."

And before Tony can respond, Bucky's moving on. "Stark, what the hell are you doing here too? You--"

Look different. A feeling in his gut tells him that something is off here, but he can't pin down just what it is.

[arrogantalloy]

Tony just raises an eyebrow at the other man.

"I... What?"

Tony tilts his head a little, licking his lips curiously as his hands slip into his pockets.

"Also, if I was talking about the apocalypse I'd have mentioned there was four horses."

Because after all, Tony can't just let something like that not be corrected.

DRINKING BUDDIES

[assassinat]

Sometimes when you've been abducted to participate in a gladiator-style bloodbath, a drink is needed. Natasha's no fool when it comes to drinking, having seen it ruin lives and so much more. Her own drink is a mixture of vodka and coffee, the former to relax her while the latter keeps her awake.

She's going to need it while playing catch up. There's a lot to learn about the other Tributes, why not try to get them to spill their concerns and fears while drinking their sorrows away?

"I'll drink to that, handsome."

Re: DRINKING BUDDIES

[arrogantalloy]

"Handsome?" Tony recognises the voice, and that's partly why he's a touch suspicious as to why the voice is calling him that. She's called him many things and handsome wasn't one he remembered. He turns to her then raises an eyebrow.

"Your hair's longer."

He can't help but have that be the first thing he comments on. It's not the only thing that seems different about her, but at the same time it is Natasha... Right?

Cocktail Bar

[vissernone]

It's hard not to notice two things when Eva enters: the way the bartender starts mixing a drink without her even having to order it, and the way the other patrons lean away from her, as if they're liable to catch something if they catch her scent. For her part, she's never entirely sure if they're afraid of her violence of her obscurity, if they think being seen with a has-been in fashion from a few trends ago will tarnish their own popularity.

She doesn't mind. She wears both her reputation and her obsolescence as a shield. Her District's done well for itself lately, and she's reaped the benefits of less work despite new faces. Her drinking no longer feels like a reward for a day on the job so much as an effort in staying reliably numb.

Which, she supposes, is a good thing when she hates her job. She takes a seat next to a Tribute - everything about him reads Tribute - and takes the drink the bartender gives her.

"Drink now, it won't all be free for long."

[arrogantalloy]

Tony just drinks as he is already told the liquor could stop being free.

"That is why man invented tabs and credit card limits. I've never really had to worry about free anyway."

He glances over at her taking in her posture and it has him curious.

Roof

[seestheman]

To be frank, Clara's never been fond of heights. It isn't that she hates them, but there's something a little terrifying about being able to stand somewhere, look down, and know that if you lose your balance, you're going to fall to a horrible death. And that knowledge is enough to make her stomach twist slightly as she stands at the edge of the roof looking down. Especially doubled with the fact that, if David was here, he'd probably be leaning over trying to pick out the people walking on the sidewalk below.

Which is when she hears the voice from another part of the roof and, for the first time since she got got here, lets out a small, albeit slightly dark, snort of laughter. "That makes two of us."

[arrogantalloy]

Tony looks over at the snort and comes over a bit to get a better look at who answered him.

"I don't know about that. You, I think would at least look good on a horse."

He gives her a grin, he's a little curious about if her looking uncomfortable has anything to do with the world they find themselves in.

"As for me, I'm better with horsepower than horse singular."

Central Commons

[silberfuchs]

"Prost." Albert lifts his own drink in response to the sarcastic toast and downs the rest of the beer. After his outburst on the network, the German's been on a downswing and finally found himself here against his better judgement. He's not trying to drown himself in a bottle, just marinate a little, but it's not exactly helping.

He hunches over the empty glass, not ordering another just idly cracking open and lining up peanuts on the bar top with a glance at the man who'd given the toast in the first place.

"New?"

[arrogantalloy]

Tony watches the guy who joined his toast, more specifically watching him line up the cracked peanuts on the bar and takes a moment to wonder how hygienic that could have possibly be.

"Something give me away?"

He smirks at him before taking another drink.

[carsassian]

The noise doesn't bother him, it's the activity. That's, ultimately, what pulls Garak from the warmth and darkness of his room. It's the ineffable feeling that someone, near you, is doing something incredibly interesting in which you are not the least bit involved, and the indignation that springs from it.

The common areas are brighter, more of a communally acceptable temperature that, for him, sits just below uncomfortable. He shrugs on an elaborately paneled jacket and winces through the synthetic lights of the hall.

The furniture has been moved, but he seeks out his preferred armchair anyway. There's a comfort in routine, even if he has to drag the thing back into place to achieve it.

From beneath his ridged brow, Garak surveys the scene. It's controlled, methodical, chaos. If it isn't quite fascinating, it's more entertaining than most other inhabitants of the suite.

"Now I'm not a decorator by any means, but I do think you may have thrown the balance of the room a bit." His voice is boisterous even against the chaos of the room. It's a Cardassian thing.

[arrogantalloy]

Tony doesn't exactly jump at the introduction of the new and boisterous vocal addition to the room, but he does turn sharply to him with a raised eyebrow.

"Ah." He frowns in thought then looks around the room, then tilts his head in agreeance at how messy the room is. "I'm going to say this is a no stone untu- That is one hell of a thing you have going on there." Tony doesn't actually make any gesture to the Cardassian's face, but he does lean in and looks a little harder at his face.

"Some kind of collagen implants?"

Central Commons

[polyturtle]

All Don felt was numbness as he went down to the Commons. In between the Tributes being torn from their friends from home (thank shell his was not among them) and...Sherlock...

So it was with heavy feet that he walked into the room, taking his usual place at the bar. Ordering his usual pre-Arena rounds of coffee. Just as always, without any emotion, staring off into the distance.

He doesn't notice the gentleman sitting only a few feet away. Not yet, at least.

[arrogantalloy]

After some of the things Tony had seen in his life, he really thought he'd seen it all.

An emotionally drained humanoid turtle was something he didn't actually think he'd be surprised to see, but yet...

"So. Why the long beak?"

As weird as it is to see, Tony just can't bring himself to bring it up seeing as he's already spoken to a green alien and a lumpy faced alien both apparently from the future. So why not a giant potentially alien turtle.

The Roof

[letthemburn]

He's not the only one who makes a habit of being up on the roof on a regular basis. Admittedly, in Iskierka's it's mostly because the roof happens to be one of the better places to get into the air from, with all the various buildings and other things standing in the way if she'd been trying it from the ground. She doesn't usually expect to find company on the roof though, and so she comes in to land without the slightest concern for what someone else might think about the fact that there very much is a dragon who's just landed on the roof.

But on the bright side, she's at least careful enough to give Tony his space. She might like the roof, but it's certainly not hers for all that.

[arrogantalloy]

At first Tony doesn't know what he's looking at as the dragon comes in towards him, well not so much him but the roof, but he realises the shape soon enough and the fact it's heading for the roof. He backs away from the edge, his hands twitching up, as he momentarily forgets he doesn't have any of his suits on.

As she lands Tony stumbles backwards and falls on his behind unceremoniously.

"Wh-What the hell?!"

The Roof! The Roof! The Roof is on Fiah!

[aboveangrybees]

It wasn't until he saw Stark that he knew anyone other than himself had been dragged here. He had hunted for Sam, knowing the man had just been with him and then he woke up here alone. And like hell Sam would let anyone take either of them without a fight.

He'd have rather been here alone.

"Thor might've been the only one who wouldn't be," he saddles up next to Tony, looking off into the garden rather than down below. He can't stand the idea of these citizens taking pleasure in watching people fight to the death.

"Not how I was hoping we'd meet again." It's really not.

OMG you.

[arrogantalloy]

Tony's head jerks toward Steve, not that he'd ever say it but as much as he was wanting to see a familiar face here, it was a want he was fine with not getting.

He blinks at him for a moment before giving something of a grin before looking back over the city.

"Shouting 'for Asgard' while the horse rears no doubt too." He shifts his weight so he can rest his elbows on the edge.

"Well, you were so busy taking down your employer, which is bad for your resume by the way. I thought a grand gesture would get your attention."

His tone was heavily sarcastic as he gestures out across the buildings, as he mockingly implies he arranged all this.

Roof

[earthborn]

Shepard was in the habit of coming up to the roof to enjoy, if nothing else, the illusion of freedom along with her beer.

It's a fine beer, not exception, certainly not expensive, by Capitol standards. It's familiar enough after more than a year of being here that she doesn't really notice the flavor, just sets down the six pack and leans up against the wall on both elbows, head tilted back with a sigh.

This time of night, just about sunset, the city was just starting to really light up, but just the same, it was dark. Well, darker, if only just on this particular roof; one wouldn't confuse it for soothing.

If she only looked, just over there, she could have seen the spot someone had thrown themselves from, just a few days ago. That coward. After a moment, Shepard picked her head up, cracked a beer, and turned to put her back to the city.

"New guy," She took a long pull, considered Tony, then swallowed. Artfully tousled hair, trim little goatee... He looked like an asshole, "Bullshit, isn't it?"

It's a good common ground, regardless of our station in life.

Re: Roof

[arrogantalloy]

Tony gives her a funny look as she talks to him. He knows she's joining in his conversation. But then again, the look on his face is more to being called a new guy.

Who calls Tony new?

Well except for obviously her.

"Which part, the horses, or being forced to be Russell Crowe but without the leather skirt?"

Roof

[retrieverchef]

Eliot had come up to the roof for some time to himself with at least less surveillance than usual. He knew there were still cameras up here but at least the wind meant they couldn't record sound well. It's as much freedom and privacy as he can hope to get here.

"Swords are a real possibility but I haven't seen war horses yet. Just the parade horses."

[arrogantalloy]

"Well then there's still hope." Tony turns to smirk at him, the wind pulling at his hair a little as he moves, causing him to run a hand through his hair.

"Looking for some quiet too?"

roof yo.

[quiteliterally]

Chris usually steered clear of the Training Center when new arrivals came to the City. He didn't want to overwhelm anyone, especially before they had been to the Arena. But he had some light auditing to do, and okay yes, he was also curious to see who all had showed up. He believed the new games were absolutely delightful, and he just loved meeting everyone and welcoming them to Panem. He understood too, however, that some would not take so well to being snatched from their homes.

It was a balancing act, which was why, yes, he did usually avoid such things. But today he was feeling brave - Champion the three-legged dog flanking him as he walked through the halls, a clipboard in his hand. Both of them provided him with much needed camoflauge, though his rather dull suit by Capitol standards exposed him immediately as a beaurocrat.

He walked out of the roof access door and onto the concrete, immediately surprised to see someone already standing there. He had come up here to avoid new tributes, not inundate them. His usual meetings of mentors and escorts were forgotten however as he slowly edged toward the man with literally the greatest facial hair he had ever seen.

"I didn't think anyone would be up here." But he wasn't about to run away, smiling broadly as he took to the railing at Tony's side. Champion slotted his way between them, wagging his tail and hitting Tony in the leg with it without noticing. Chris glanced down at his clipboard before forging eye contact. "You must be one of the new District Twelve arrivals."

[arrogantalloy]

Tony took in the sight of the man and just blinked. He hadn't really had to deal with someone who looked like this gentleman since Tony was actually still the C.E.O of his own company, to say he was a little confused to see the guy was almost an understatement.

"All I can tell you is my Social Security has at least one 5 in it. I also left all my receipts back in my own tower."

It was then he realised he was being marginally assaulted by a tail and looks down.

"Huh, freelance camera tripod."

Roof

[gunshiptotheface]

The Roof was also one of the few places that a sniper felt most comfortable, so Tony was going to have some company up there. Despite what he looks like he has no intention of being hostile, despite what everyone else thinks.

"If you're talking about the arena it's usually the land that kills you first."

He's just going to have a seat a ways down from Tony with a beer in his hand.

[arrogantalloy]

Tony's already gotten enough used to weird looking people here that this particular look only causes Tony to stare a little longer, just to remember the face.

"If that was meant to be reassuring, I'm going to say you missed the mark there. If not. Thanks, but I don't need more things to add to that particular list. It was big enough before I got here."