Dr. S. Klim (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
futilecycle) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
thecapitol2015-09-09 09:23 am
futilecycle) wrote in thecapitol2015-09-09 09:23 am
Entry tags:
Death inspires me like a dog inspires a rabbit. [CLOSED]
WHO | Sigma, Tabris and Shepard.
WHAT | Sigma makes a guest appearance for good publicity's sake and Tabris has a promise to keep.
WHEN | A few weeks before the last Arena.
WHERE | At the Tesserae bar.
WARNINGS/NOTES | Sigma and Tabris have rebel intel to pass on, disguised by faux flirting between two people with a huge age gap.
Sigma's internship, so to speak, was finally over. The next sounding of the gong would herald the start of his career as a full-fledged Gamemaker, and with it came the chance to bare his fangs.
Today the Doctor finds himself at an exclusive pre-Arena party, one of several brief, scheduled appearances while their Arena waited like an open trap. Zero raises his glass when his talent is toasted, bowing his head at just the right time to accept the compliment with grace. "Thank you. With such grand expectations to exceed, I plan to do my best to make this an Arena to remember." He has drank to his promise, there can be no going back.
As Gamemakers thrived in a climate of mystery, the group of masterminds disband without another word, and Sigma is urged not to linger long. Flanked by two peacekeepers, he figures he can, at least, finish his champagne with unwanted company safely filtered out.
...Indeed, it was scandalously unbecoming that he got along best with his Tributes compared to fellow Capitolites. Fortunately for his reputation, this was a place that, by nature, repelled Tributes... but in a culture without privacy, one could never expect to hide for long.
WHAT | Sigma makes a guest appearance for good publicity's sake and Tabris has a promise to keep.
WHEN | A few weeks before the last Arena.
WHERE | At the Tesserae bar.
WARNINGS/NOTES | Sigma and Tabris have rebel intel to pass on, disguised by faux flirting between two people with a huge age gap.
Sigma's internship, so to speak, was finally over. The next sounding of the gong would herald the start of his career as a full-fledged Gamemaker, and with it came the chance to bare his fangs.
Today the Doctor finds himself at an exclusive pre-Arena party, one of several brief, scheduled appearances while their Arena waited like an open trap. Zero raises his glass when his talent is toasted, bowing his head at just the right time to accept the compliment with grace. "Thank you. With such grand expectations to exceed, I plan to do my best to make this an Arena to remember." He has drank to his promise, there can be no going back.
As Gamemakers thrived in a climate of mystery, the group of masterminds disband without another word, and Sigma is urged not to linger long. Flanked by two peacekeepers, he figures he can, at least, finish his champagne with unwanted company safely filtered out.
...Indeed, it was scandalously unbecoming that he got along best with his Tributes compared to fellow Capitolites. Fortunately for his reputation, this was a place that, by nature, repelled Tributes... but in a culture without privacy, one could never expect to hide for long.
no subject
So the two of them went. Tabris had a part to play, and luckily, it was simply acting like what the Capitol seemed to think of her, anyway. She made sure to show up in a dress that revealed plenty, without showing too much. Just classy enough to squeeze under the Capitol's rigid eye regarding fashion. It still made a statement, though, and she did her part in living up to it, drinking plenty and flirting with the various partygoers. The elf could be charming when she wanted to be, and right now, she needed to be. There was little room for faltering here.
She wanted to glance over to Shepard, to know that she was doing a good job, to ask her what she thought. It was so tempting to turn to try to feel a little more reassured by reaching out to the other woman. But a job was a job, and Tabris has done worse than this. She'll put on her big girl pants (or big girl minidress) and handle herself.
It's not until Sigma finishes his speech, and most of the eyes are off of him, that Tabris approaches. Her gait isn't staggering, because Tabris isn't some kind of sloppy drunk. It's relaxed, though there's a certain confident swagger to the way she swished her hips as she moved, drifting up to the man. This was where the main act began, and she couldn't help but feel like she was truly, more than ever, on a stage with the world watching. And poor Sigma was right in the middle, but no one told him that it was a play, and he wasn't given a script.
"Heeey, so you're a real live important person now?" His personal space was invaded, Tabris leaning in closer than was strictly proper for their positions. A coy smile played across her face as she tilted her head at him, angling her head just right so that she was peering up at Sigma through thick lashes. "Congratulations are in order! Knew that you could do it. But I could be biased, I suppose. Don't tell anyone."
no subject
In the following breath she is practically draped on him, and Sigma is too stunned to stop what happens next. The elf is barely allowed to finish her piece before his Peacekeeping team swarms them, armored hands hovering behind her, unwilling to play nice. There is no time to consider a strategy. If he held his tongue, would the Peacekeepers make an example of a Tribute who dared to approach a Gamemaker in public? Would it make his work safer if they did, or would it foster more hostility between himself and the Rebellion?
...Sexy dress or not, Sigma liked Tabris. It is hardly a decision. In his long line of mistakes what was one more chink in the chain?
"Wait." His word is law to them, and the Peacekeepers immediately return to their places like statues acting on his enchantment. He turns his attention back on his guest, eyes meeting hers quizzically. A sudden invasive thought cuts through his concentration - how long has it been since he'd enjoyed such positive attention? Drunken flush deepening, he gets a grip on himself long enough to lean away, just enough to feign good manners. Even Sigma Klim, master of caring too quickly and doubting too little, has to wonder if there isn't some ulterior motive, here.
"Biased, you say? How flattering," he goes along with her game for her sake, for now. "If only I'd been aware of your feelings... Perhaps I would have invited you as my guest, today." There are several connotations there. To those not expecting Tributes, he's reaffirming that she was not originally intended to be here. However, here is also a concession that her presence is not unwelcome...
no subject
But Sigma gets the Peacekeepers to back off, and she instantly relaxes. "Remind me not to throw you any surprise birthday parties." She murmured to Sigma, smoothing down her dress. "But thank you." She doesn't seem to notice his attempts to get any kind of personal space, staying right in his bubble.
"Oh, well, what can I say? There's a lot to admire about you. But don't you worry your head, I can get into any party here I want. Especially if it's for...someone as interesting as you." Here, if Sigma thought Tabris was close, well. She's got one hand on his hip, and as she starts telling him that he's interesting, she pulls herself closer, until there's scant inches between them. She flutters her eyelashes at him, a playful grin on her face. "If you ever want to...talk," And here, fingers slip to grab the paper wedged between a bangle and her wrist, and Sigma can feel a tug at his pocket as the paper is subtly slipped in. A wink accompanies this, though for those watching, it'd seem that the wink was more for the 'talking' part. "You know where to find me. Just drop me a line."
no subject
Not yet, Tabris. Easy. This is where the Doc shows his colors; where they learn if this is really worth the risk. Shepard likes to pride herself on her ability to judge character, and they're both rewarded when he pulls back the attack dogs.
It could still be an act, of course, but Shepard's bet more on less. They both have. The note she's passed Sigma is a simple one, a soft white feather pulled from downy pillow, and the words 'Thanks, father.' A death sentence, just the same, but he'll be careful. She trusts him to be careful.
Across the room, through the press of bodies and the stir of the crowd, Shepard smiles over the rim of her glass, and for just a moment catches Tabris' eye. Well done.
no subject
Then something is slipped into his pocket and his pleasure is erased by the thought he's been discovered. His teeth suck in air as his cybernetic eye churns, a rogue machine, too rattled to command it. He struggles to make sense of her wink with a brain full of static.
...Yet for all of his shock he does not suspect that she has slipped him anthrax. Like Shepard, Sigma considered himself a good judge of character (though, in contrast, he possessed no evidence to prove it). The truth was that he hoped far too easily for a Gamemaker and wonders if Tabris hasn't thrown him the lifeline he'd been waiting for. Either way, to withdraw it here would be assisted suicide, and instead he settles his hands on hers as his senses return. Physical contact was not something that came easily to him and he hopes she might understand his trust. With a nod he watches her affectionately, a perfect cover for their situation, but genuine in its own way.
"I think I will," he decides. His hands linger a moment longer before they slide gently away and she is free to compose herself. Without a god in heaven he prays he has not made a mistake.
no subject
Though she was slightly alarmed when Sigma looked unsure if he wanted to accept her invitation, or have a heart attack. She knew he was on the...older side, but she hadn't thought that having a smoking hot woman all over him wouldn't be that shocking. The idea that he might suspect her of some kind of subtle attempt to assassinate him or whatever didn't even occur to her--Probably because if Tabris wants you dead, you are usually well aware of that fact.
But he seems to get the idea quickly enough, judging from the way that his hands go over hers, lingering, before sliding away. Good, he's willing to play along. She gives him a dazzling smile, one that evolves into a grin as he agrees to meet with her. Hopefully he's caught on that there's something else going on here, and she's not actually trying to hook up with him.
Although she does take the time to look him over, and mentally shrugs. Eh. Could do worse. He'll figure it out once he looks at his pocket, anyway.
"Excellent. I'll be looking forward to it." And with that, she pulled away with a final wink. "Now, I have to get back to my friend before she gives me a hard time. But I'll see you later." Tabris will then sashay off to Shepard, looking incredible pleased with herself. It would look like one thing to anyone watching, of course, but she knew why she was swaggering like that. The mission wasn't quite complete, of course, but the hard part was over. Time to see if the media would buy it, and if Sigma would trust her.