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thecapitol2016-02-10 08:41 pm
etcircenses) wrote in 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.
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.
no subject
"I'm not talking publicity now am I?" he argued back, "We live in troubling times." As much as the Capitol wants people to believe that spending assi and showing patriotic pride will make the big bad rebellion disappear, they both know that's a bold-faced lie.
"Have you been in combat yet?"
no subject
It occurs to Signless with a force not unlike being hit by a speeding train that Leonidas Cora is trying to look out for him. This dance isn't just a publicity move for him, it's a chance to touch base in a way they can't most any other time.
He nods, nose almost brushing Leo's cheek. If they're lucky this will be read as another flirtatious gesture and not the affirmation it actually is or, at least, as affirmation of something totally different.
"Yes, several times now. It's ... I'm alright. They've patched me up well enough."
no subject
"Are you and Roland set to head out again?" he had to ask, "For charitable and diplomatic purposes, of course." There's always the matter of Roland's safety.
no subject
Roland's seen real war before, for one. He was taught real diplomacy, for another. Signless is just an angry grassroots organizer who was brought to Panem before the war he accidentally started really picking up steam. All the hardness he has now he picked up in the last three years. God, Panem's done a number on him.
"And you? What are you doing these days?"
Will he see Leo on the battlefield one day? Will he have to watch him die?
no subject
Snow was looking more like a target than a leader and he could bet good money the troll and his not-husband would agree.
"Mostly making sure the guest at the tower stay in line and in shape." Patriotic duty and such.
no subject
It sounds like flattery, but he means it. Leo must know he's potentially giving the other side weapons to use against the Capitol; the more the tributes know how to fight, the more they might turn those skills on their hosts.
He wonders if that's the point. Leo is the most patriotic staffer he knows, but anyone can change given enough incentive. He saw it happen on Alternia and he wouldn't rule out seeing it here.
no subject
And to be perfectly honest, neither would the former coach. His loyalties laid with his home District and nothing more. That was no secret: Two was his home and his lifeblood. To have the others fall and the Capitol leaving their citizens to die, it simply proved a horrible truth: Snow was only looking after his own skin and his power.
"They'll know what to do when they take off running."
And running they will, ready to defend Panem.