[closed]

[youbarium]

Who| Carlos and Thor
What| Carlos drowns his sorrows in rebel networking
Where| The Speakeasy
When| A few days after the mini-arena
Warnings/Notes| None yet!

Carlos had broached the subject as casually as he could. Heeey, soooo, I was thinking about how you saved me from a lot of embarrassment at the Crowning, and I thought that maybe I could buy you a drink, you know, as a thank you. That was probably enough for the Capitol's cameras: Carlos had been asking a lot of attractive men out for drinks lately, and considering his friendly acquaintanceship with Thor, he didn't think this would be suspicious. He had handed Thor an address and a time.

The time was half an hour after Carlos got there.

The address was the Speakeasy.

So here he was. He sat, and waited, and tried not to think about rats.

Comments

[worldsaway]

To hear that the Arenas are enclosed is surprising, though on some level it makes sense. It just makes him even more proud of Starkiller for revealing a secret like that.

"That we can use to our advantage, I'm sure." He doesn't know how, but he isn't the brains of this operation. "To what end?" He asks curiously, though he'll understand if Carlos hasn't got an answer. "How often do powers return?"

[youbarium]

"I've seen it happen in both main arenas I've participated in," Carlos replies, choosing to answer the second question first. "You were there when it happened in the last one, and in the one before that there were masks. If you put one on, you got your powers back, easy. It's just that they don't ever tell you how or when it's going to happen." The masks had had a catch -- leave them on too long and they sunk ugly hooks into your face and became painful to remove -- but that wasn't really relevant to the conversation right now.

"As for how to use it...you'll have to be careful," warns Carlos. "Starkiller was turned into an avox for what he did. You'll have to be sure you have a way to get out. But I think," he says, slowly and deliberately, "that maybe, if the electrical grid was fried and you still had your powers, maybe you might be able to escape. And if you got out under conditions that left your abilities intact...I can't say for sure, all of this is purely hypothetical and not very scientific at all but the possibility exists that you could get free and keep your powers."

[worldsaway]

"If that is true, perhaps we can expect it again. Of course, it's also possible that they will not grant us such an opportunity as a consequence of the damage Starkiller caused." He doesn't want to discredit the man for the insight he provided, but Starkiller's recklessness had been costly in many ways.

Still, he nods along, intrigued by the concept of truly destroying an Arena. "I understand the risk." He agrees. "But it is something I would be willing to try, if the circumstances align. If I had my powers, there is little that could stop me. I can withstand far more when I am at my peak."

[youbarium]

"I just thought you should know about it," Carlos said, "considering what you can do and all."

He sat back a little in his chair.

"That's all I really wanted you to know," says Carlos. "As long as we're here, is there anything you want to ask me?"

[worldsaway]

"And I appreciate it." He affirms, because he will be considering this deeply for some time. He will be waiting for chances next Arena to exact the plan, even if he's skeptical as to whether they will get another chance.

"Nothing comes to mind." He admits. "You have told me much already, I will need time to dwell on it. Is there anything you recommend I look into or avoid in my time? Any unsavoury sorts I should be wary of?"

[youbarium]

"Well, there's Kevin, but you already know about him. Other than that..." Carlos shakes his head. "I can't think of anyone. But if you get a chance, look at that footage of 13."

He stands.

"We can probably leave together without it looking strange," Carlos says. "I mean, I did invite you here."

[worldsaway]

"That I do." He says darkly, but with a knowing smile. "So I shall." He agrees with a compliant nod as he rises out of his chair. He crosses toward Carlos and claps a hand on his back in lieu of shaking his hand like some others might.

"You must know that I deeply appreciate all that you have told me." He bows his head in thanks before he begins to move forward to head out with the other man when he's ready.

[youbarium]

"I had a feeling I could trust you," admits Carlos with a small smile. "It's good to know I wasn't wrong."

He heads for the door at a leisurely pace, not walking too fast or too slow. For all the Capitol knows, they're just friends out for a drink.