Phillip Gray | Phone Guy [AU] (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
voiceinthephone) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
thecapitol2015-09-03 06:16 pm
voiceinthephone) wrote in thecapitol2015-09-03 06:16 pm
Entry tags:
[open] The circus is full from top to ground
Who| Phil Gray and Open!
What| PG attempts at being a mentor part I
Where| Various locations, see prompts
When| September 1 through 5
Warnings/Notes|To be added but prompts include discussions about torture, Capitol nastiness, Arena nastiness, ect
I - District 6 Floor - Let Them Eat Cake
As much as Phillip wanted to have Linden to guide him through this new job as Mentor, he had to realize that he wouldn't be there forever. The metaphorical training wheels are off and he finds himself in the strangely familiar position of being somewhat behind the scenes again. Phone Guy had been an instructor for the security guards back home and guide them through the difficult five nights at Freddy's, now he was tasked with making sure his former fellow Tributes stayed alive.
He has every Tribute's file and a few more documents on the table, along with a tablet he's been tinkering with to help along with the Mentor tasks.
But it shouldn't be all business and Celebrus did get a few things right: Phil had a knack for cooking and baking. He's been a waiter, he's helped in the kitchen and knows how to read a recipe and anyone passing by District 6 will be treated with the smells of oven-fresh pizza (no, not THAT greasy thank you very much) and a two-story cake decorated with the Capitol's colors. Little shows of patriotism go a long way. "Help yourself, top half's regular vanilla, lower's chocolate," he will greet anyone that comes by in a black suit ensemble, to show his grief over his Mentor's apparent betrayal and his love Venus lost to the Arenas. Foxy's close at hand either following his master or sitting in an empty chair, nibbling on a toy or leftover pepperoni.
I-b Locked to Linden
Phillip didn't mind visiting Linden in his room, it was better this way, to meet behind closed doors under the guise of supervising the recovery. He knows how closely the Capitol is watching their District and the suspicion cast upon them. But even "traitors" deserved a cake slice...or two.
"I didn't know which one you'd like or were allowed to eat, so I brought both," he whispered, checking the medical charts and for any signs of negligence. To the public, Phil showed resentment towards his Mentor, but they were friends for long enough that there were tells. His altruism never faded, especially in this time of need.
II - Training Center
Seeing the Classic Victors in the Arena and knowing that war was all but inevitable, certain changes were put into Phil's training routine. Sure he kept his speed and knife skills up to par...but now he incorporated much more running, strength building, and even how to properly fire a gun. The weight was still foreign in his hands but he had to learn somehow.
Phone Guy isn't the only one training as he too had his pet in a regime. Foxy was being taught how to track scents and find items, as well as burrow into different spots. When asked why, Phil would smile, "Eh, he's as finicky as a cat but as loyal as a dog, and it's fun for him!"
III- The Capitol Streets - Day and Night
There is a lot on Phil's plate as the dust settled and the footage was being dissected by the Capitol media because that's EXACTLY what they do. Karkat's talk was eye-opening to say the least and Gray trusted him to do his best in every interview that may present itself. Phil couldn't say he was ready for this but Lockhearst warned him back at the Crowning. Questions about Phone Guy's own loyalty to Panem would be quickly shot down with a gentle sigh, hand placed on his chest like a stricken man and a very believable "I am indebted to Panem for giving me a chance to serve as a Tribute and now as a Mentor. "
For now, he's shopping for food for his District under the guise of more ingredients to partake in his off-duty hobbies. There's probably a lot of leftovers from his last few days of cooking, surely he can't eat all the meals he makes on a whim! Maybe new clothes and toys for his faithful companion but always within reason.
By all appearances, Phil Gray was taking a page from two Classic Victors: from Temple Stevens in portraying himself as a well-adjusted person fit for the Capitol (to an extent) and like Linden in playing the long game and surviving.
By night, part of those survival skills would be put to the test as Phil came along to every event he could to boost District 6's positive image and profitability for sponsors. He dances...awkwardly, but what he does best is talk about his Tributes in the best light possible.
What| PG attempts at being a mentor part I
Where| Various locations, see prompts
When| September 1 through 5
Warnings/Notes|To be added but prompts include discussions about torture, Capitol nastiness, Arena nastiness, ect
I - District 6 Floor - Let Them Eat Cake
As much as Phillip wanted to have Linden to guide him through this new job as Mentor, he had to realize that he wouldn't be there forever. The metaphorical training wheels are off and he finds himself in the strangely familiar position of being somewhat behind the scenes again. Phone Guy had been an instructor for the security guards back home and guide them through the difficult five nights at Freddy's, now he was tasked with making sure his former fellow Tributes stayed alive.
He has every Tribute's file and a few more documents on the table, along with a tablet he's been tinkering with to help along with the Mentor tasks.
But it shouldn't be all business and Celebrus did get a few things right: Phil had a knack for cooking and baking. He's been a waiter, he's helped in the kitchen and knows how to read a recipe and anyone passing by District 6 will be treated with the smells of oven-fresh pizza (no, not THAT greasy thank you very much) and a two-story cake decorated with the Capitol's colors. Little shows of patriotism go a long way. "Help yourself, top half's regular vanilla, lower's chocolate," he will greet anyone that comes by in a black suit ensemble, to show his grief over his Mentor's apparent betrayal and his love Venus lost to the Arenas. Foxy's close at hand either following his master or sitting in an empty chair, nibbling on a toy or leftover pepperoni.
I-b Locked to Linden
Phillip didn't mind visiting Linden in his room, it was better this way, to meet behind closed doors under the guise of supervising the recovery. He knows how closely the Capitol is watching their District and the suspicion cast upon them. But even "traitors" deserved a cake slice...or two.
"I didn't know which one you'd like or were allowed to eat, so I brought both," he whispered, checking the medical charts and for any signs of negligence. To the public, Phil showed resentment towards his Mentor, but they were friends for long enough that there were tells. His altruism never faded, especially in this time of need.
II - Training Center
Seeing the Classic Victors in the Arena and knowing that war was all but inevitable, certain changes were put into Phil's training routine. Sure he kept his speed and knife skills up to par...but now he incorporated much more running, strength building, and even how to properly fire a gun. The weight was still foreign in his hands but he had to learn somehow.
Phone Guy isn't the only one training as he too had his pet in a regime. Foxy was being taught how to track scents and find items, as well as burrow into different spots. When asked why, Phil would smile, "Eh, he's as finicky as a cat but as loyal as a dog, and it's fun for him!"
III- The Capitol Streets - Day and Night
There is a lot on Phil's plate as the dust settled and the footage was being dissected by the Capitol media because that's EXACTLY what they do. Karkat's talk was eye-opening to say the least and Gray trusted him to do his best in every interview that may present itself. Phil couldn't say he was ready for this but Lockhearst warned him back at the Crowning. Questions about Phone Guy's own loyalty to Panem would be quickly shot down with a gentle sigh, hand placed on his chest like a stricken man and a very believable "I am indebted to Panem for giving me a chance to serve as a Tribute and now as a Mentor. "
For now, he's shopping for food for his District under the guise of more ingredients to partake in his off-duty hobbies. There's probably a lot of leftovers from his last few days of cooking, surely he can't eat all the meals he makes on a whim! Maybe new clothes and toys for his faithful companion but always within reason.
By all appearances, Phil Gray was taking a page from two Classic Victors: from Temple Stevens in portraying himself as a well-adjusted person fit for the Capitol (to an extent) and like Linden in playing the long game and surviving.
By night, part of those survival skills would be put to the test as Phil came along to every event he could to boost District 6's positive image and profitability for sponsors. He dances...awkwardly, but what he does best is talk about his Tributes in the best light possible.
II
Then she realises what she's looking at and stands there, a little confused.
"Hello?" She ventures, after a moment. There are some strange things in this city. A talking fox wouldn't be too out of the ordinary.
no subject
"Foxy! No no! No biting!" Phil rushed in after noticing just where his pet had gone to, "Sorry about that, uh...he's a curious little fella but he's harmless!" He immediately picked the critter up by the scruff, and let it curl in his arms.
"Uh, I hope he didn't spook you too much." Nothing like his counterpart back in his home world. "Pleasure to meet you."
no subject
"It's fine. I just thought he was something else." She says, peeking curiously at the fox. She had no idea they were so affectionate.
"I wasn't scared." She's only half telling the truth. She's been on edge since the day she got here. "It's um, nice to meet you too."
Sayaka nearly introduces herself, but then she remembers where she is and pauses - is there any point making friends in a place like this?
no subject
"You're new aren't you? I haven't seen you in the previous Arenas," Gray broke the silence as best he could: he doesn't remember seeing her in Arena 14 or the Mini-Arena. With his pet climbing his way to rest on his shoulders, the man added, "Which District were you assigned?"
Being a new Tribute was never an easy process and he made it his mission to make every person he ran into feel comfortable.
no subject
The man's question made her eyes flicker back to his. That's right. The other people here had been in the arenas before - and the fact that they'd survived meant that they'd probably killed people, too. Was this friendly persona just a mask? Still, Sayaka couldn't delay her answer any longer.
"It's true." She said. "I'm new here. I'm in District 9." At least, she thinks that's right. Honestly, she hadn't been in any fit state to pay attention.
"What about you?" She asked. "Have you... been in an arena before?"
no subject
His friendliness was real, whether the subject was two-legged or four-legged, and even more so when it came to newbie Tributes. This newer tribute looked like she was troubled, and more so than his duty as an Instructor, Phone Guy sought to make everyone he met feel more at home if he could help.
"I know someone in your District, Daryl Dixon, he's a closed off kinda guy but he's all right. But if you have questions, I'm here to help."
no subject
If Sayaka looked troubled before, she was even more troubled now, and she couldn't help but blurt out her most pressing question:
"Why do people go along with this?" The people she'd met in the Capitol so far all seemed so... normal. She couldn't believe that friendly people would just start murdering each other on a whim. There had to be something more.
no subject
He left his training gear and allowed Foxy to run alongside him, and crossed his arms, "The simple answer is that there is no other choice. It's the Games or all-out war." This was a lie, Phil already knows that war will eventually break out. He's all too aware that there is a rebellion and it will not be silenced. But he promised Linden that he would not turn a blind eye to the clear injustices in this world.
"Before, the Districts would send in two children, reaped to participate in the survival that is the Hunger Games, one winner out of 24. The winning District would get extra rations for that year, and the Capitol would take care of the Victor, in exchange for their services as Mentor for the next reaping. The difference now is that they've managed to reap people from other worlds in place of their children."
He gestured with his head, to tell Sayaka to walk with him to the elevator. There is a measure of privacy in the Mentor suites.
"Before, the Capitol would allow credit lines to the offworlder tributes...right up until Jason Compson exposed this to be paid by the Districts themselves. Needless to say, they were ticked and the Capitol cut the lines but added that Tributes who killed in the Arena would get paid."
Yeah. This place is fucked up.
"But most don't kill for that or for the joy of it," he clarified, "Some do it in self-defense while others," and this is where that sense of shame comes along, "L-Like myself, did it out of...a moment of rage." His Victory came about with an accidental one, two revenge kills in which he lost sight of the person who took a loved one. His brain simply replaced them with the serial killer back home.
"Offworlders come back from the Arena, but every death is remembered."
no subject
So Sayaka was here in place of children from her district. What kind of society sent children to fight and kill one another? She thought. The same kind of society that would kidnap people from their own worlds and force them to fight, she supposed.
She followed Phil into the elevator, her head buzzing with this new information. To think that all this time she'd been thinking of herself, without considering that if it wasn't her here, it might be someone else.
She barely heard Phil's explanation about credits - she was too busy thinking about why such an opulent place couldn't afford to pay for the tributes' themselves.
She tuned back in when Phil finally addressed her initial question. She couldn't see any cameras in the elevator, but presumably it was private enough for them to speak a little more openly.
Put like that, it made perfect sense. Sayaka couldn't honestly say that she had never acted in self defence before - in fact, she'd even act in defence of other people. The rage, too, made sense. She thought back to her fight with Elsa Maria, the Witch - and then the way she'd argued with Madoka, afterwards.
"It's hard to think straight when you're angry." She murmured. If she could take back what she'd said to Madoka, she'd do it in a heartbeat - and this guy had done something much worse than just argue with a friend. It seemed like Sayaka had misjudged him.
She was about to apologise when she caught the tail end of his explanation.
"Come...back?" She asked. If that meant what she thought it did - but no, that was impossible. Surely?
cw: death descriptions
Oh wait, that merited an explanation.
"Yeah, offworlders are resurrected in a way that keeps their memories intact. Don't me how, I prefer being able to sleep at night. My first death was getting shot by a guy named Nick, and the second one, I was hung from a scaffolding by a young lady named Wednesday Addams," Gray exhaled as they arrived in District 6, "And I remember both in vivid enough detail that I get sick. Well, the hanging not so much but...the last sound I heard was the snap, of the rope."
Re: cw: death descriptions
Then again, that description made her baulk a little. Could she really face death if it was going to be like that?
"Did it hurt?" She blurted out again. Not that she needed to worry about that.
no subject
Her next question was considerably harder to answer and he asked for a quick clarification, "Which part? Because dying hurt like heck, but coming back? Uh, not really. I personally feel sick but that's just because it's how I cope."
Phil gives a quick once-over to the District fridge to fetch Foxy a snack and make sure it was stocked to the brim before he opened the Mentor's suite. It's his Victory money and if he wants to spend it on keeping people fed? So be it.
He offered Sayaka both a chair and some tea before closing the door.
"I prefer talking about these sorts of matters in a less crowded space," he explained, letting his pet skitter to his cubby. "Especially when surveillance is at an all-time high and an execution this recently. Normally, I'd refer you to the District 9 Mentor to help you out but since there's none, you get the picture."
Dr. Quinzel kind of died.
no subject
She'd meant the dying part - she hadn't even considered that resurrection might hurt more than dying in the first place. Her hand went to her pocket and clasped around her soul gem. There was no telling if it had stopped working alongside her other powers.
Sayaka took the tea, and murmured a "Thank you," as she sat down on the chair. She listened carefully to everything Phil had to say, but she was still struggling to process everything else he'd told her.
Of course Sayaka had seen Tony's execution, but the meaning of it was lost on her. Now, she understood - it was a warning. To tributes like her... and Phil, too.
"Is helping me going to get you into trouble?" Sayaka asked, setting the teacup back down. She wasn't going to let Phil risk his life over someone like her.
no subject
The sentence was rehearsed to hell and back but not necessarily in the context of the Capitol. After all, it wasn't the first time Phone Guy had to welcome and comfort a person facing life or death, make them settle down and face the dangers. But unlike before, the Games themselves allowed Phil to be more open about the hazards ahead.
"Them's the breaks, I'm afraid. But I can offer you this much advice: friendships here are worth it. Friendships and alliances..."
God knows Phil owes so many people for keeping him sane and reminding him that his choices or his past didn't reflect on him as a person. Favoring them in the Arena later on might be iffy but how else would he thank them?