etcircenses: (Default)
Panem Events ([personal profile] etcircenses) wrote in [community profile] thecapitol2016-02-10 08:41 pm

A Bloody Valentine: Dance Auction!

Who| Everyone in the Capitol!
What| Dance auction!
Where| The top of the Romulus Hotel in the Capitol
When| February 14th, in the evening
Warnings/Notes| None at the moment

It's the Valentines day gala come again, and moreover, it's been over two months since Capitolites have gotten to get up close and personal with their favorite Tributes. With all the curfews and restrictions and fear suddenly cropping up, everyone's due for a little time on the town. And you, the lucky soldiers (and hostages), get to take the briefest of breaks from the battlefield and get away from the Detainment Center for a few hours.

There is a catch however. Two. The first thing is that there can be no mention of war whatsoever to the Capitolites. None. Talk of war will result in talk of execution. Your execution. The second catch is that a number of you have been signed up for dancing auction! You will be expected to dance with your assigned partners (some people may buy dances for an offworlder to dance with another offworlder!), be respectful, and at least slightly enjoyable. Most of all, you are to be a distraction. These people cannot know there is a war going on.

Some years ago, a similar dance auction was held. On top of the tallest hotel in the center of the Capitol, there's just as much scuffle as back then to fit into the elevators, maybe even more so after the long absence of Tributes. Just as back then, the sky has been artificially cleared of clouds, with more stars projected upward in their place. It's chilly out here in the early month of February, but the very floor has been set up with a heating system, keeping the rooftop nice and cozy. The Games are aired and the narrators are nostalgic.

There's something tense about the party. Everyone is smiling too hard, trying their best not to seem nervous or cast too many side-glances over unspoken worries. Small talk is taken up with intense gusto, everyone more eager than ever to forget all worries and woes. What lies are told about what the Tributes have really been up to in their absences are swallowed entirely.

"Ladies and gentlemen," a booming female voice announces from nowhere, "Celebrus Magazine, in conjunction with The Romulus Hotel, are delighted to host the third annual Hunger Games Dance Auction for charity! As a matter of decorum, let us remind you of some ground rules. A guest's actions reflects on the hotel, and the Romulus reserves the right to remove anyone in any position of authority from the premises for any reason, including going beyond the boundaries of a dance auction. Any unseemly, fraudulent or presumptive action on the part of the guests will lead to their immediate dismissal. These Tributes volunteered for charity, and their wishes should be respected.

"You may bid as much as you like, on however many Tributes you like, but please don't promise more assi than you have on-hand. All donations will be taken at the time the winning bidder is announced. Get excited, but don't get too excited!

"And now… may the bidding begin!"

At no point does Celebrus Magazine indicate what sort of charity any of the money generated is going towards. It will be a good hour and a half before the bidding closes and the pairs are announced. In the mean time, everyone is welcome to mingle. And... should a few people slip away from the party for a little while, using the crowd to hide themselves, well, who would really notice? Be sharp and keep low and you may just get away with it. The rest of you may just have a new meaning to the job of being a distraction.
beckstitch: (You can read all about it)

[personal profile] beckstitch 2016-03-03 11:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Being a pacifist offworlder doesn't, Beck almost says, but bites it back. It's true, might even be politically valid - most Capitolites don't like even the thought of war, and pacifism might be frowned on, but it's infinitely better than rebellion - but it feels dangerous to say here, now. Instead, she gives him a dazzling smile and wraps an arm around him. "Well, I for one love spending time around you, Signless, honey. You're a delight."
69problems: <user name="roachpatrol" site="tumblr.com"> (xtra | I'm not here looking)

[personal profile] 69problems 2016-03-06 11:21 am (UTC)(link)
"You're one of the ones I missed most." He doesn't exactly come out and say while I was stuck in District Thirteen with the dirty rebels, being what could alarmingly be interpreted as a dirty rebel myself', but it's implied. He thinks she's smart enough to pick up on it; he certainly knows she's smart enough not to believe that no talk of a war means one isn't happening.

"Once this is over and I've got all the bobby pins out of my hair we should find time for a long talk."

If he doesn't get himself shot in an hour or so. Details.
beckstitch: (When you need to smile)

[personal profile] beckstitch 2016-03-06 03:17 pm (UTC)(link)
She smiles, shaking her head. "Come 'round to mine," she suggests brightly. "I'll take the bobby pins out, and we can have a drink together. Give some company to the other drinks I'm definitely downing tonight."
69problems: <user name="sxae" site="tumblr.com"> (xtra | Oh let me save you)

[personal profile] 69problems 2016-03-10 04:57 am (UTC)(link)
"You have no idea how much I'd like that. You're much better at getting them out than I am anyway. You would think the claws would help!"

But they don't, because they're kept dull and painted instead of sharp like they grow naturally. Oh, sure, they're left in points but those points are rounded and very much for show.
beckstitch: (I just need you to confide in me)

[personal profile] beckstitch 2016-03-10 05:03 pm (UTC)(link)
"Ah, it's not about claws." Beck waggles her own fingers, with their acrylic nails stretching out about as far as the Signless' claws. "It's just about practice. And being able to see the stupid things. Trust me, I'm not nearly so good at getting them out of my own hair."
69problems: <user name="paperseverywhere" site="tumblr.com"> (xtra | The memories ease the pain inside)

[personal profile] 69problems 2016-03-16 01:34 am (UTC)(link)
"We'll help each other, then," he says decisively. "That's what a good team ought to do anyway."

He really did luck out, he thinks. So many Districts have been torn apart or shot in the foot by their own staff (he'd pour one out for poor District Six if he had a full glass of something alcoholic with him), but he's never had to worry about that since he took over as Mentor. Even what happened with Tony wasn't enough to set them back too much, horrible though it was.

"I'll find you afterward? I'm sure I'll have a few dances at least."

Steve is here and that means he's guaranteed at least one. Whether it's with Roland or Steve himself remains to be seen.
beckstitch: (You try to remember)

[personal profile] beckstitch 2016-03-16 02:07 pm (UTC)(link)
"Sure." She smiles, and reaches over to adjust his hair just a little. "If you need me to bail you out of a conversation again, just look desperate at me and I'll be over in a moment."