gamemakers: (Default)
The Gamemakers ([personal profile] gamemakers) wrote in [community profile] thecapitol2013-09-02 11:22 am

The Crowning of Maximus Decimus Meridius

Who| Everyone
What| Maximus' crowning
Where| Victory Hall
When| Today
Warnings| Violence.


Prior to the Crowning, the Stylists and Escorts were given information: the color scheme for the Crowning is brown and gold, the theme is fire, and for Tributes, Games Staff and Victors in the Capitol alike, attendance is mandatory. No exceptions.

The Victory Hall has been completely refitted to the theme. Great brownstone pillars reach up from the floor, now made of polished marble. Rose petals and dying embers flutter from the ceiling like confetti, and long panels of fabrics embroidered with Maximus' kills pour down the walls. Rather than tables, Tributes are given wooden chairs to sit around fire pits in groups of four, where pigs and sheep are roasting whole, tended by attentive Avoxes. The smell of charring flesh and rosemary wafts through the hall.

In the center of the hall is a pit, fifteen feet deep, ringed with brick and filled with sand. Torches line the inside wall, casting light in every direction. A circular screen up above lets those not close to the edge view the contents of the pit in real-time video.

Maximus' private table has a theme of anachronisms; Tributes from 'less-developed' timelines and worlds are seated around a long table, facing the gladiatorial ring where, at the moment, a full-grown, well-fed Bengal tiger paces. Compared to the muttations of the Arena, it may seem positively demure, up until it bares its fangs and reveals that it's been modified to have saber teeth gilded in gold. Occasionally an Avox will dangle something into the pit and jerk it away if the tiger looks bored and lays down.

Occasionally, with fanfare of music pumped in to announce it, a challenger enters the tiger ring - a hologram of one of the Tributes who were cuffed and marked by the Capitol. The hologram must be affixed with smell, too, as the tiger takes note and attacks like a kitten following a laser pointer, making dramatic roars as it does. The holograms put up valiant fights, and their deaths are brutal, illusory blood flying and the sounds of death rattles and bones cracking coming from speakers embedded in every table.

"A speech," Maximus' Escort says to Maximus. "The General must give a speech."

Tributes who attended Wesker's Crowning ceremony should notice a remarkable increase in security. Visibly armed Peacekeepers lurk behind the panels of fabric, and bulbous, obvious cameras dot the ceiling. Even the Avoxes seem shiftier than usual, and are equipped with discrete tape recorders pinned to their rough-hewn tunics.
doc_holi: (worried)

[personal profile] doc_holi 2013-09-03 06:58 pm (UTC)(link)
It wasn't like Holiday could blame him for not wanting to wear it. She had taken to becoming their doll for whatever they wanted to dress her up in... so far, at least. There was bound to be a moment where she was going to snap.

"Hey," she greeted Chris in return, not really letting up on her stature, but still giving him a tired look.
big_badass_hero: (Default)

[personal profile] big_badass_hero 2013-09-04 05:44 pm (UTC)(link)
If he had wanted to be a doll, he was pretty sure he would have still let his sister dress him up for Halloween. Instead he'd happily protest against the outfits he didn't like. Yeah it was part of the reason he had the band on his wrist, but hey he liked being himself, not a toy.

"How you holding up?" It was the only thing he could think of asking about. Though he could tell the tired look. At least he wasn't the only one who didn't want to be there.
doc_holi: (worried)

[personal profile] doc_holi 2013-09-05 02:02 am (UTC)(link)
"As well as ever," Holiday answered him, looking back across the crowd. "By any chance, have you seen that guy named Punchy around tonight?"

She didn't even want to talk about the tiger right now.
big_badass_hero: (dressed up)

[personal profile] big_badass_hero 2013-09-06 12:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Chris tried to remember if he had seen Punchy. "Come to think of it there's a few faces missing." He shook his head. "It's still early though, if I see him I'll tell him you're looking for him if you want."
doc_holi: (smile)

[personal profile] doc_holi 2013-09-07 05:13 am (UTC)(link)
... He's right. It is still early. Holiday gave a small smile and nodded to him. "You're right. Thank you, but don't worry too much about it."

Considering it best to get off of the subject, Holiday adds, "Didn't enjoy the recent fashion style?"
big_badass_hero: (relaxed)

[personal profile] big_badass_hero 2013-09-07 06:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Chris nodded and gave a small grin at her comment about his outfit. "Was too shiny to begin with. I just told the stylists it would be better with some dents."

Okay so he threatened to hit one of them, and turned hitting the breast plate instead. They just humored him with it. "Looks a lot better than before in my opinion."
doc_holi: (smile)

[personal profile] doc_holi 2013-09-07 08:04 pm (UTC)(link)
"If you say so," she chuckled. "How have you been? I haven't seen you around as much as I would have liked."

Now that she has two arms again, she's much more relaxed, of course.
big_badass_hero: (Default)

[personal profile] big_badass_hero 2013-09-07 09:34 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yeah, been avoiding people lately. I'm sorry." He sighed a little.

"Though you're looking better than the last time I saw you. You worried me kiddo."
doc_holi: (warm smile)

[personal profile] doc_holi 2013-09-08 02:07 am (UTC)(link)
She just shakes her head. "It's okay. I understand.

"I'm sorry for worrying you. Honestly, I lasted a lot longer than I thought. Someone even made the ridiculous notion that I could have won. Could you imagine that Victor Party?" Sounded quite unpleasant to her.
big_badass_hero: (Default)

[personal profile] big_badass_hero 2013-09-11 09:48 pm (UTC)(link)
"Thanks." He patted her shoulder.

"Hey, I'm better if I'm keeping an eye on someone in there. So yeah you worried me, but kept me focused." He shook his head. "To tell the truth I'd rather stay in the arena than have to deal with being the focal point of one of these things."
doc_holi: (worried)

[personal profile] doc_holi 2013-09-13 10:08 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yeah," she sighs, looking out to the party. "It makes me wonder if the winners are the ones who lived... Before I mean. They were children, after all, even if some of them were trained. I'm an adult who's seen disgusting, terrible things in her lifetime and I'm still drinking myself under the table."

First step is admitting it, she supposes, but it's not like it's a secret. It's also not the primary point here.
big_badass_hero: (Default)

[personal profile] big_badass_hero 2013-09-13 10:47 pm (UTC)(link)
"I've met Peeta, and well, Cal's one. I don't think they'd handle our worllds, but they're tough kids." He did want to keep both of them safe if possible, Calico more than Peeta, but he knew they were adjusted at least.

He patted her shoulder lightly. "Well, please tell me you're not drinking alone. I've been doin' that since I got out of the Air Force, it's not a good habit."
doc_holi: (warm smile)

[personal profile] doc_holi 2013-09-16 02:06 am (UTC)(link)
That was true, Holiday supposed, but she also figured that they put on a different mask in the public's case, much like she would do.

Holiday smiled to him. "I find company when I can. They're not always good influences, though."
big_badass_hero: (Default)

[personal profile] big_badass_hero 2013-09-16 11:53 pm (UTC)(link)
"Well, you know if you want better influences I'm a decent drinking buddy." Okay he's not, but at least he'd be a gentleman and not try to get into her pants when she was shit faced.
doc_holi: (sneaky smile)

[personal profile] doc_holi 2013-09-19 01:34 am (UTC)(link)
She gives him a big smile. "Maybe if nothing explodes tonight, we can grab a few drinks once they release us."

Finding Punchy was something that was on her mind, but she told herself that he was just fine. He might have been a bit of a techy, but what she had considered was a long shot.
big_badass_hero: (Default)

[personal profile] big_badass_hero 2013-09-20 10:16 pm (UTC)(link)
"That would be great. Go ahead and look for your buddy, we can catch up later." He grinned.
doc_holi: (warm smile)

[personal profile] doc_holi 2013-09-22 06:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Holiday nods to him. "All right. I'll see you later. And try to enjoy yourself this evening. It really annoys them."
big_badass_hero: (Default)

[personal profile] big_badass_hero 2013-09-22 09:52 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh I plan to, as soon as Maximus has had some enjoyment out of it. And I've had more alcohol in me." Drunken antics from a soldier? Damn straight, now if he can only get over to change the music to something worth dancing to.