The Victor is...

[gamemakers]

Who| EVERYONE. IC participation is mandatory (OOC is not, you may handwave)
What| Momoko's victory crowning
Where| The ball room
When| The Wednesday before the next arena.
Warnings/Notes| None atm.

The party was styled for Momoko.

The tables were covered in lace, delicate dishes and silverware, flowers that fell from vases covered in Victorian paintings. It was the most extravagant tea party to ever be thrown, with tiny, thin china cups and a too many tiny little finger foods being passed around to count. The ballroom has been styled in extravagant Baroque, as the Capitol was fairly liberal with their adaption of historical time periods.

The costumes were just as liberally chosen, from tall, powdered wigs holding birdcages with live birds, clearly hailing in the style of Marie Antoinette to regency gowns gathered under daringly (and occasionally outright) exposed busts to tight corsets and the skeletons of skirts exposed and decorated. A quarter played live music at one end of the room, before a wide dance floor.

At the head of the room there was a long table with a throne for Momoko, as elaborate as anything else in the room. And along the long table, group close to those who they seemed to enjoy, was a place for many of the Tributes, with a small place card that said "Special guest of The Capitol." This table was fed first, received drinks first, and was clearly favored.

Any Tributes not seated at the long table with their peers were dispersed among the the smaller table spread about the room, left to rub elbows with the guests invited from the Capitol, and the reporters covering the event. Security was, if anything, tighter than the last crowning.

These people have seats a the big kids table. You guys are free to decide who sits by who (And if three people sit by one person, don't worry too much about it) but they are, when possible set by their friends:

Atticus Bell
Draco Malfoy
Chibi-Usa
Dr. Grey
Adel
Tony Stark
Howard Bassem
Javert Neeshka
Vanessa Carlysle
Lindsey McDonald
R
Albert Wesker
K
Alpha
Diana
Katurian
Aunamee
Maximus
Blaine Anderson
Alex Rider
Glinda
Gaila
Parker
John Watson
Lottie LaBouff

Comments

(maybe just a first meeting so far to build CR first)

[hi_there_aliens]

The door swung open, hitting the wall with a crack that made Daniel wince as he stepped inside. He hadn't meant to push it that hard, but he'd had all he could take of his own stylists and his escort. He didn't know how they tracked him down in a crowded room, especially when he'd been doing his best to keep his head down. But they managed it. They might as well be part bloodhound. They seemed to come out of nowhere, checking on his clothes, touching up his hair, one clucking in disapproval at his glasses again, that oh sweetie, we could draw attention to your eyes and face better if those awful things weren't there. He could have put up with that. It was the part where they started digging in on the other Tributes, rating their outfits, then somehow moved onto discussing their chances of survival in the Arena, how long this one or that one would last that did it.

So Daniel had ducked away. He wasn't too proud to say he'd beat a retreat. It wasn't hard, considering the stylists hackles went up when a man went past them, simply but elegantly dressed, with only a hint of gold eyeliner.

The archaeologist stopped in front of the mirror and closest sink. He turned the facet on, let the cool water flow over his fingers.

"This is insane." he muttered to himself. Here they were, having a party to honor a poor girl who'd had the good luck to survive the Arena. It might as well be their idea of the Academy Awards with the way the stylists acted. The citizens didn't seem to realize that these were real people dying. They might as well be characters in a soap opera.

How long did he have to stay at this party? Normally he'd be all for staying as long as possible, soaking in the culture. Right now, it was making his stomach flip. Maybe he could excuse himself early and work on training. He certainly needed all the time he could get. Daniel splashed the water on his face, then reaching for a towel, dried it off quickly, sliding his glasses back on. It was then that Daniel's eyes slid up to the mirror, and his hands stilled. He hadn't noticed the man at all. Then again, he'd had his eyes over his shoulder, keeping an eye out for the entourage he was hiding from.

The man was well-dressed Daniel guessed, in that Capitol, garish sort of way. He was also large, one of the widest men Daniel had ever seen, which hinted to a good deal, namely that he was wealthy. In a good many cultures extra weight was a sign of prosperity and power, that you could afford the extra resources and you also wanted to show it.

A sponsor? Or just one the citizens or organizers. Daniel wiped his hands off. "Sorry, I didn't mean to just barge in."

(sounds good!)

[thebiddingbaron]

Baron jumped a little in surprise, his heavy weight supported by the mechanical suspendors around his stomach and body. He seemed to float impossibly for a second.

"Don't worry about it, my dear boy," he said. "You're a Tribute aren't you? I can imagine you'd want a moment alone."

Re: (sounds good!)

[hi_there_aliens]

That little start ended with a strange float for a second. Daniel stared despite himself, fascinated, taking in what he'd originally assumed was just part of his fashion. What were those? Personal hover devices? The use was pretty obvious, assistance for the other man, but they were surprisingly small. Sam would have had a field day with them if she could get her hands on one.

An eyebrow went up at the 'dear boy', but Daniel didn't press it. He would have normally. He wasn't that young, but maybe he had one of those faces. He'd had professors refer to him like that once or twice, though they were also a good deal older too than this guy. What was he, late thirties at best, maybe late forties? Then again, maybe it was a Capitol thing; the affected accent and attitude, so maybe it was his way of showing a certain amount of class when referring to a Tribute, who might not carry the same standing within Panem's social structure.

The archaeologist looked sheepish. He must have guilt and hiding-from-your-stylists all over him. Well, he wasn't too proud. Anyone would want to get a few second's rest from them.

"I am. I never really knew what it was like to have a built-in crowd until I came here." Daniel held out a hand. "Doctor Jackson. Nice to meet you."

[thebiddingbaron]

"My name is Baron Bartlett," he said. "I take it you're new. I haven't seen you yet and I make it a habit to know all of the Tributes."

[hi_there_aliens]

A Baron. He doubted it was in the traditional sense back home, but still, it was pretty impressive sounding.

Daniel went to put his hands in his pockets, only to find that his stylists had purposely given him an outfit without a single one in it. They had complained about the nervous habit, putting his hands in his pockets all the time. It looked like they'd taken matters into their own hands. He wanted to sigh. Daniel nodded. "I guess I'm one of the newest...acquisitions."

Eva had warned him to play nice, play up a certain way to appeal to the audience and sponsors, but he couldn't help the slight sarcasm that came out. So he'd be put here or kidnapped, or whatever had happened exactly, Taldor involvement aside. He wasn't about to smile and take it with good grace. Anyway, while he had the man here, he might as well learn more about the other side of the coin. After all, Eva had made it pretty clear that a large chunk of survival lay in their hands.

"And you're a Sponsor, aren't you? You meet all the tributes, pick one that you'd like to sponsor, or do you sponsor whoever you want?"

[thebiddingbaron]

"I usually sponsor people who impress me," Baron admitted. "Or return favors they've given to me by sending them food in the Arena." He made it sound as if it was such an easy and simple thing. Innocent. There was something in his eyes that hinted that 'favors' didn't mean picking up dry cleaning.

[hi_there_aliens]

Daniel didn't think he'd impress too many people on first impression, not unless it came to breaking through a roadblock and unlocking a Gate in under two weeks that had taken scientists years. Archaeology, languages and cultures. Not knowing when to quit. That was his thing. But ruthlessness or lots of charm? He tended to turn people off at the start than charm them.

Eva's warnings about the types of Sponsors, while vague, came to mind then. Considering the look in the Baron's eyes, maybe he should be glad.

"There's very, um, generous of you," Daniel said after a moment, realizing the silence had begun to stretch. Okay, so this was still all good to know. "And so a Sponsor may form an agreement with a Tribute before the arena?"

[thebiddingbaron]

"They couldn't before," Baron pointed out. "Before the Neverending Quell we didn't have the access that we do now. It's all rather exciting."

Baron actually did sound pretty giddy about the whole thing. No more scared children from the Districts because they had been replaced with men and women from other worlds. The change had been something that he enjoyed a little too much.

[hi_there_aliens]

The archaeologist gave him a long, disapproving look over the frames of his glasses, blue eyes puzzled by how happy the Baron seemed at the prospect. They had who knew how many people dying at each game, suffering, and he was treating it like he had front row seats to the most exciting Laker's game or something.

He didn't know what to say in the face of it. Oh yes, exciting to die for your entertainment. He bit his lip against the urge to say just that.

"Exciting. Right. Good to hear new acquisitions shake things up," he said dryly. Daniel latched onto the unfamiliar word, partially because the man's enthusiasm for the Hunger Games had clearly unsettled him. "'Quell'? I haven't heard that word before, what does it mean?"

[thebiddingbaron]

"Oh, of course. When the Hunger Games were first created it was decided that every 25 years we would shake things up a bit. We call them Quarter Quells. The change came at the 75th Hunger Games and it never ends. Hence, Neverending Quell," Baron explained all of this as if he were talking to a child. It was basic stuff to him and he was a little bored of having to explain the Hunger Games to the new Tributes.

As much as it was wonderful to have access to them, and despite how much he enjoyed many of the changes, there were some things that just got old. The ignorance of the Tributes was definitely on that list.

[hi_there_aliens]

Daniel didn't miss the tone the Baron had taken, and tried to stifle the rising impatience. He was new to the culture, but he wasn't stupid or a child. Daniel forced down the urge to say something he'd probably regret later; for now, information was information, even if the Baron reminded him strongly then of one of the professors back home that he'd particularly disliked when he'd been in college, the one that made it clear that you were on his time and you were wasting it by even asking a question. Daniel just had to grin and bear it.

So what was the difference between the Quarter Quells themselves, besides when they appear, and the usual Hunger Games? Daniel had the distinct feeling he was pressing his luck and possibly the sponsor's patience. Maybe he'd press Eva on the matter.

Daniel switched tracks. "If you don't mind me asking, if the Quarter Quells - or say, even the Hunger Games themselves - were such big events to Panem, isn't having them so regularly now, instead of once a year, something that threatens to make them boring or taken for granted? And it has to represent a massive drain on sponsors such as yourself as well."

[thebiddingbaron]

"Oh not at all!" Baron explained. "I love the constant excitement brought on by these events, as does the public. They're more than making up for the costs with their frenzied enjoyment." Not to mention the payments for merchandise and support. "And even poorer families can sponsor now." Now that their investments weren't just going down the drain with the deaths of the Tributes, but Baron didn't feel like explaining that part.

[hi_there_aliens]

That wasn't exactly the answer he had expected, or the obvious happiness to the answer. It might as well be a constant Mardi Gras to these people. Year round killing, the fun just never stops.

Daniel had faltered. He licked his lips, then went on, as if they weren't talking about a meat grinder of an event.

"I guess it could be an economical powerhouse, especially if Tributes are no longer pulled from the Districts." Daniel seemed to have gathered his bearing back, and couldn't help adding, a little pointedly. "You're no longer throwing away the potential from the Districts away either."

[thebiddingbaron]

Baron scoffed at the idea. "What 'potential' do you think the Districts have?" he asked. "Why, only the Victors matter and it was the Games who gave them their greatness."

[hi_there_aliens]

It probably helped when the Capitol didn't even consider the Districts as anything really human. He got the sudden feeling that maybe he should proceed cautiously, this wasn't Eva, a Victor, but a Capitol citizen and a sponsor at that. Or better yet, not proceed at all.

"Of course, the games do give them a chance for glory and honor, yes," Daniel agreed quickly. He held up a finger. "But history has shown that a number of influential figures in human history, inventors and whatnot, have come from humble and often times unlikely beginnings and backgrounds. Who's to say that the same wouldn't hold true for the Districts? Now that the Games no longer draw on them as a source, maybe the Capitol could reap the these benefits."

And fine, they wanted to kidnap people. But maybe they could phase out the games if they made better use of the resources they did take.

[thebiddingbaron]

"I'm not sure that I understand, my boy," Baron said with a soft chuckle. "All of our best minds are here, from here, educated here. Perhaps someone from District 1, 2, 3 or 4 could fall into what you're saying, but I doubt any of the outlining Districts could. Invention and influence require things the Districts just cannot provide."

[hi_there_aliens]

Daniel could all but feel his eyebrows wanting to crawl straight up his forehead.

"What I'm trying to say is that a genius isn't guaranteed to the Capitol or the Districts you've listed just on the account of coming from those locations. They might have more resources to offer, but it isn't a guarantee against finding such people elsewhere. Have you ever heard the term 'a diamond in the rough'?"

[thebiddingbaron]

"Perhaps," Baron said. "But they're very, very rare."