The Crowning of Tony Stark

[etcircenses]

Who| Everyone.
What| The Crowning of Tony Stark.
Where| The New Capitol Stark Expo!
When| Friday, late afternoon into the evening.
Notes| This event is mandatory for all Tributes to attend. Even if you do not tag in, your character will attend this party.  Peacekeepers will be on high alert, so no funny business.
WARNINGS| Alcoholism / References to Alcoholism.  

The Capitol might be known for its extravagance, but Stark Expos have never skimped on a show. Combining the two together could only be a recipe for the most wild indulgences. The center theater takes styling after a arc reactor, with glass ceiling and glowing blue lights set right within the metal and putting a glow to the sky. Lightshows go off on the main stage, the stark logo overhead and a massive screen displaying the Panem flag and Tony Stark's image just behind the dancing Ironettes. A circle plattform going off from the stage, clearly reserved for the guest of honor, features a design Panem's bird in red, gold, and glowing blue.

A globe is featured in the outside gardens, showing off a map of Panem, and the park is filled with artistic statues of destroyed Iron Man amror. But there's no quiet here, not with the fireworks going off all night and the consistent playing of music that is not but sounds an awful lot like that of Daft Punk, Eifel 65, ACDC, and one other song that breaks them up.

Various shows can be found about the gardens, including display models of some of Tony Stark's old weapons and Iron Man suits. Further along guests may find the Avengers display, featuring large portraits of the Avengers and their allies, large red x's going over greyed out portraits of those deemed dead, including Phill Coulson, Natasha Romanoff, and Thor. Along with these portraits can be found the Stark family tree, featuring the Victor Tony Stark and all his relations including apparent son Dave Strider, and Arya Stark, Ancestor of the Stark family, not to mention the great Howard Stark who's accomplishments (and tragic lack of care for Anthony) are lovingly illustrated. One such accomplishment being a "flying car" just a short walk over.

There's plenty for guests to do besides just ogle the brilliant sights however! A bar has been set up with a whole variety of drinking games available from Sink The Battleship and Drink Roulette to an extravagent variation of the classic game, Beer Pong, and an ongoing run of the Games with rules of drinking for each emotional scene, funny incident, or death. Those under the age of eighteen will be served fizzing juice or soda instead and can participate in junior versions of the very same games. All the cups are made from the finest glass with Tony Stark images over them. Avoxes are on scene to clean every spill and break of glass that might come.

A cave has been crafted of artificial and real material, designed to look like the Cave in which Tony Stark became a real hero, but with a twist; it's been made into a fun-for-all maze! Guests can attempt to navigate their way to the labyrinth and reach the core, avoiding those nasty pop-out rebels along the way. Those who make it to the fire-lit center may receive a limited edition "Tony Stark Heart" miniature arc reactor in a beautiful glass case.

An indoor sky diving station is also available, large enough that many guests may enter at once and still find it spacious. Here, guests can don Iron Man themed sky-diving suits and experience the sensation of flight, just as Tony Stark once did. Of course, the party doesn't start until the Victor comes in; he'll be appearing by Capitol-controlled suit to make his entrance at center stage. It is here that his Throne shall be raised up through the stage and his crown gifted to him. Following the official Crowning Ceremony will also come a speech from the Capitol's very own, Cyrus Reagan.

Tributes are dressed in formal wear with robotic accents. Such as a full mask or metal armor. Capitolites can be seen with Tony stark styled hair, bearing tattoos in his image, and even with surgically implanted lights, in honor of the new Victor. Available for purchase are handcrafted Tony Stark dolls, Iron Man action figures, and models of beloved robot-pet "Dum-E" in both small and life-sized. The Iron Man light gloves come completely free for all guests.

The Crowning ends off with a bang, as in the center of the sky, a massive "wormhole" opens up showing a vast darkness full of sinister creatures just on the other side, sure to inspire some screams from fans. Guests near to the Iron Man suit displays are asked by peacekeepers to step back-- far back-- but may be the first to witness the incredible scene of all those suits launching into the sky and exploding around and "in" the wormhole. The wormhole shifts to a message stating the show to have been brought to you by the Hunger Game's skilled Sky-Display Designers before going into advertising for the rest of the night as the party dies down.

Comments

[president_evil]

"No," he said simply, turning away from the party proper and gesturing toward one of the tables set up toward the edges of the victor's podium. "Time was an expensive commodity in my world."

Even before the end. Then after, the price had simply changed from green to red, from money to blood.

To death.

The Capitol, the Arena and the Games, weren't all that different, in his eyes.

"You've had some time now with our tributes." He pulled out a chair for her, waited at the back for her sit - a red and black shadow. "Any impressions?"

[contrarianlibrarian]

"Many here could afford to learn that lesson."

But that was one of the problems in the Capitol; they were too wealthy to understand the worth of anything. Keeping that seditious thought to herself, China followed him to the table.

"Thank you." She seated herself with a quiet swish of fabric. "Quite a few. They're a memorable group, aren't they?"

"I noticed a certain lack of seriousness among a few." She was sure he could guess. "Given they've lasted through a couple Arenas, I can't determine if this is a defense mechanism or a sign they're about to break."

[president_evil]

"Only a few?" he replied dryly, pushing her chair neatly forward and moving around it, gliding smoothly around the table. "It might be a shorter list to name those who do."

He took the seat across from her and followed his hands together on the table, fingers linking like teeth.

"I can't even say their excuses aren't even partially creative anymore. They seem determined to be martyrs in the suffering."

[contrarianlibrarian]

She laughed at his remark, quickly tapering it off with a shake of her head.

"An accurate assessment. I must admit, I imagine working with Tributes who understood the games from childhood must have been easier in this respect."

She propped her elbow on the table and rested her chin on her hand. A more casual pose than she tended to strike. "I'm afraid I'm not entirely sure how to impress upon them the proper way to regard their situation. A firm chat with the mentors from the old games might not even suffice with this group."

She didn't like threats, but better acquainting Tributes with the horrors that could have happened to them wasn't exactly a threat. Just a friendly reminder.

[president_evil]

Wesker, by comparison, had no qualms with threats. And no qualms with seeing them realized. He didn't care if he was liked, respect could be earned just as well through fear.

"These tributes have no appreciation for anything outside what directly effects them. There is no connection to the districts, and thus no drive to win for them, and most feel no loyalty to the Capitol."

Not that it was surprising. He himself felt neither, but he at least could see the benefits in pretending.

"If we wish to impact them, we must impact them."

[contrarianlibrarian]

"A wise choice. The carrot or the stick, then?"

She squared her shoulders to the back of the chair and drummed her fingers on the tabletop.

"I must admit, I feel I may need to know them better before I can think of any tempting rewards. They're already allowed the lap of luxury for roughly half their time here, so material benefits would be difficult. Freedom is what, I imagine, would really tempt them, but that's out of our hands."

She paused. "If a field trip to the Districts were possible, I'd consider that, but even then I'm wary. They may simply find it more cause to be intractable."

She would so hate to expose anyone to the poverty of the districts and see them hate the Capitol for it. And then there's the fact that all the filth was just unappealing.

[president_evil]

Wesker made a small gesture with one hand, a dismissive wave.

"The state of the districts might appeal to the more altruistic among them, but the effort put into traveling is hardly worth the result, I assure you. If only because the number of tributes still with us who went on the last trip is down to single digits."

Including Wesker himself.

"I doubt you'd even make back the expense of the train ride when it was said and done."

[contrarianlibrarian]

She nodded reluctantly. "Such a shame."

"Have you any plans, then? I'm all ears."

She still wanted to treat lightly among the Tributes and thought that listening to someone who'd known them for longer would help with that. The only way to learn more about how to use them would be by careful observation and getting in close, she thought. And the only way to do that would be by not alienating them.

[president_evil]

"I always do."

His mouth pulled to one side, an amused little smirk -- laughing at a joke only he heard.

"Previously, there were two tributes per district, with each competing for the same field of sponsors. Now, there are eight, but the number of available resources has not grown to match. I think it would be wise to cut our losses."

And he said it so easily. So calmly.

These were not tributes. Not people. They were numbers in a ledger. Red and black.

[contrarianlibrarian]

Cyrus's announcement hadn't yet gone out at this time, so China spent only a second considering the possible fallout from showing favoritism. Costs and benefits were weighed and one side of the scale was remarkably light.

For someone who prized efficiency and conserving effort, the idea was like candy. "I like it. If they wish to be of the two, then they'll have to compete for us as well."

Another tap on the table. "I believe as of right now, we can pare down our list quite easily."

[president_evil]

"Regrettably," he agreed. "None seem to be truly interested in Victorhood, but a few do possess talent enough to get themselves close... with help."

And proper manipulation.

"Thorongil, or Aragorn now if you prefer-" which was honestly a clever trick, being able to keep that under wraps from the Capitol, he had to recognize that, "- for example, is certainly capable of surviving the arena itself."

[contrarianlibrarian]

"He's certainly lasted a long time. Skill doesn't seem to be much an issue." Even if they weren't throwing all their resources into him, he seemed to be capable of roughing it just fine.

"His initiative, however..." The man could do with some more kills in her opinion. She sighed softly.

"Time will have to tell, but I've heard promising things about Marion as well."

[president_evil]

Wesker inclined his head, a thoughtful nod of agreement.

"She survived a Gamemaker trap - which is not something many tributes can say." His chin leveled again, whatever impression the woman had made not enough to outweigh her weaknesses. "However, she suffers the same affliction. She was brought to the Capitol as part of a group and she refuses to harm them."

[contrarianlibrarian]

She nodded, a sigh of frustration nearly reaching her throat. That conversation with Adella had been a little valuable, but it had only accentuated the same flaw Wesker pointed out. "And if we give resources to her, she may only share them."

Despicable, really.

"I don't believe reasoning with her that she would be of better help to them outside of the Arena would help matters much. These types tend to shut their ears. All the same, I would be willing to attempt it, if we have nothing else."

In her head, China wished for the hundredth time that bribing the gamemakers was a feasible option. It would just make things so much easier.

[president_evil]

"We might be able to ply them with promises that we'll look the other way as to sharing, so long as they keep themselves alive. Getting them to the finale is - after all - the biggest battle."

The finales were more chance than anything, as opposed to the marathon of skill and survival that the first few weeks were. If they could get their tributes that far... they would have done more or less all they could.

[contrarianlibrarian]

"I like it. If it benefits their friends, even the goody-goody self-sacrificing ones may want to go along with it." It was almost cute how highly these Tributes regarded their companions--to the extent that they would pay more mind to the well-being of those others than their own.

"With a mind like that, I'm not surprised you won so quickly." She smiled sweetly, inclining her head. "Not to insinuate I was ever surprised in the first place."

[president_evil]

"It is funny, isn't it?" he asked, head cocking slightly one side. "Not my victory, of course, but how different it was from most since. I intended to win, and did so. The last several..."

He slants a look toward the victor's stage, mouth curling into something sharp and unpleasant.

"Apparently the are varying definitions of 'effort.'"

[contrarianlibrarian]

After watching so many great Arenas in the past, China would have to admit that watching less able Tributes somehow slip into Victorhood was a little dull. And more than a little annoying, especially now that she was working as an Escort.

She followed his gaze to the stage. "Some say a given amount of luck may produce greater results than an equal amount of skill. In my time, I believe I've sometimes seen that proven true."

It was a phenomenon you could see all throughout Panem--the luck of being born a Capitol child automatically brought more benefits than the greatest skill of a Districter. Another thing she would never mention out loud.

She looked at Wesker, the hint of a smile back on her face. "If that's true, then think of how incredible your skill must have been to gain you the same outcome as the bizarre amount of luck some of the others have had."

[president_evil]

Wesker looked back her, the lights reflecting back in the lenses of his glasses like mirrors.

"Luck runs out," he said. "But skill can always be counted on."

He folded his hands upon the table again. Back to business.

"Aragorn and Marion - presumably, we have some time before the next arena, is there anyone else you think deserves consideration?"

[contrarianlibrarian]

She acquiesced with a nod of her head, assuming her comfort may have fallen flat. Perhaps he's not the type for that. "Of course."

"I wouldn't call them incompetent, but I'm not certain if I'm prepared to gamble on some of the others just yet. Though I must say, I was impressed with how Haruto and Gary teamed up this past Arena. I believe that's an attitude we should encourage."

Intra-District cooperation could be valuable, especially when teammates were willing to sacrifice for another. It could work towards a win for them either way.

[president_evil]

"I've spoken with Haruto," Wesker allowed, the smooth purr of his voice even and steady. "He doesn't seem - entirely disinclined to the idea of victorhood, which is more than I can say for some of his fellows, but he'll need to spend more time in the training room rather than the kitchen."

He'd gone into a fight with the clear upper-hand and had completely wasted it.

It was the utmost failure in Wesker's book.

[contrarianlibrarian]

"He did mention coffee as the first of his duties." Second was keeping Gary in line. Only the third was 'kicking things,' which she supposed she could take as acknowledgement of his work in the Arena.

"Perhaps he needs a nudge to know where to start. He claimed to be a wizard back home--he may be having difficulty applying his skills without all of his power."

From the footage, she'd seen some sort of display, though her mind wanted to chalk it up to some sort of technology rather than wizardry.

[president_evil]

"Two has been allowed a personal trainer for their tributes, perhaps it's something we ought to consider for Eleven."

Unless China had free time enough to do so herself, because, while Wesker certainly had the training, he hadn't enough hours in the day.

(Nor the inclination.)

"They would all benefit, if some more than others."

[contrarianlibrarian]

She nodded at the idea; it was a good one and they wanted to take any advantage they could. "I doubt we'd find such a suitable candidate from District 11."

Even without her personal fondness for Leo, she'd have to admit that he knows his job. He would have been quite a terror if he'd ever made it to the Arena.

"We may be able to recruit elsewhere, though I would have to check what the rules allow." District lines were blurrier these days, but they weren't gone entirely.

"Failing that, I suppose I can concede some of my time..."

[president_evil]

One the Capitol would allow, Wesker took her to mean. He had no doubts that the District bred strong natives, menial labor did that, but the Capitol wouldn't want to bring in a simple citizen from a district outside one of its favorites.

Certainly not from one of the purported hot beds of rebellion.

"Let's see what's available to us from the outside first, hmm? We wouldn't want to see your Escort duties diminish."