In here it feels like Battle Royale meets the Truman Show [OPEN]

[arrogantalloy]

WHO| Everyone not in the mini-arena
WHAT| Not all the tributes are in this little event, but that doesn't mean they can't see what's going on.
WHEN| During the mini-arena
WHERE| Tesserae
WARNINGS| They're watching the arena, there may be talk of gore/dismemberment/death.

Tesserae is always at its liveliest when there is an arena full of tributes to mame. Mini-arenas unsurprisingly bring in more, mostly due to the fact that there are tributes that aren't in this arena and some tend to gravitate towards Tesserae to watch the proceedings.

Today was showing to be good for business with many people, citizens and tributes alike where in watching or making an obvious attempt to not watch while occasionally sneaking glances.

Anyone who comes in can see there's always space at the bar and the tables never seem to be occupied for too long before moving to somewhere else to get a better view of the expected carnage.

Comments

[milieus]

She pursed her lips, averting her gaze from the screen. "I'm beginning to think I've gotten too soft for this life. It used to be so easy. And now... now if I don't force myself to smile, I'll surely break down and cry."

[reallynow]

Trey's expression is immediately lit with worry, but there's some hope in there somewhere. Maybe he isn't entirely alone with his bullshit feelings? It's getting harder to find people who commiserate with how endlessly exhausting it is to play the middle man.

"Is it really that bad for you?" He discreetly slinks his hands forward, taking hers in his if she'll let him. "You aren't bullshitting me, are you?"

[milieus]

"I bullshit about a lot of things, Trey." The word sounded utterly foreign coming from Jennifer's lips, but she didn't falter as she spoke. Taking his hand, she lowered her voice and her gaze. "After all, I come from a political family. I've mastered the art since birth. But I can't joke about this. I want to help people. That's all I ever really wanted. Escorting was my way of saving one person's life and helping to feed thousands of others. Now... it's not the same anymore. The rules have changed and it's all unrecognizable."

[reallynow]

It does sound very strange from Jennifer of all people, but that makes it only sobers Trey more to the situation. He can't help feeling almost hopeful about it, but a little wary all the same. It isn't a particularly clever time to mention everything he's been thinking about, but he wants to dig a little deeper.

"Are you telling me they just dumped you in without prepping you at all?" He quirks a brow, keeping his voice a little low. "I'm not gonna lie. I really know how you feel right now, like, now more than ever. I don't even know what the hell I'm doing and all I do is make dresses."

[milieus]

She tried to smile, but the expression looked tense, strained. She liked Trey, she'd known him for years and trusted him. But she was also hesitant about sharing too much when she was well aware that the Capitol would be watching. Still, it hurt to keep it all inside. Constructing and maintaining an image took a lot of work.

"I woke up early to find I'd been summoned by the President. I'd no idea what I'd done or why he would want to see me. But when he requests your presence, when he tells you what your job will be, you accept it." Jennifer looked away, sadness creeping its way over her. She wanted to talk about how scared she was. She wanted to tell Trey about how she didn't have a choice in the matter. But there were too many people around, too many unfamiliar ears. So she intentionally lowered her voice, leaning in to him a bit. "So here I am. Back in the game. And Arturas is off touring the Districts. I haven't seen him in weeks. I can't tell if all of this is meant to be a punishment or an honor."

[reallynow]

That's an expression Trey is getting used to seeing, but the weight of it isn't lost on him. Jennifer was a particularly lovely and bright person, seeing her so weighed down was frustrating, knowing you could do approximately fuck all for her.

He nods slowly when she speaks, keeping his lips trained shut to avoid saying anything directly scathing about the President. He can imagine how scared he'd be if it were him, lately he can feel his knees lock just seeing peacekeepers around. Snow himself would be a horrible fucking kettle of fish.

"Well, if what they tell the tributes is anything to go by, those go hand in hand." His lip quirks upward in a mirthless smirk. "You know if there's anything I can do, you can ask me, right? Even if it's just for a drink- or if you need me to tell a tribute to shut their mouth. I know how they can get."

[milieus]

"If only the rest of the staff were as helpful as you." She chuckled then, a tinge of bitterness in her voice, though her smile was genuine. She clasped Trey's hands again. "I'm here now, for better or for worse. I hope it's for better. I want to make things better. It's all I've ever really wanted. I just wish others saw that in me as clearly as I see it in myself."

[reallynow]

"You don't have to tell me how useless half the payroll is." He just barely rolls his eyes, keeping his hands steady for her. "You can't blame them for being a little suspicious, right? Not everyone they've dealt with has a heart of gold like you." He offers her a wry smile. "The dumb ones still think being intimidating works and the smart ones are probably avoiding you. Should start putting cookies in your office or something, they'll flock to you then."