thecapitol | (no subject)

Who| Everyone
What| A chance for the teams to meet, mingle, and, lets be honest, for goodbyes to be said.
Where| The common area.
When| Evening before the attack, about a day after Creuntus' network announcement.
Warnings/Notes| Time is going to be a little ~~more~~ wonky then normal, if you haven't noticed. They will be going out to attack "tomorrow" but that thread will not, likely, be posted tomorrow, to give people time to play in this one, etc.

There is food and drink, plenty of it, but no decoration, and it is clear this "party" is no sort of celebration. There is the small spattering of Peacekeepers still in the Capitol, those not on duty at the edge of the boundary.

A long table at the front has a set up for each team. Everyone has a folder with who is in their team, who is watching their team, a list of the various weapons they will have. On the list is a flame thrower, a handful of small explosives, and an automatic weapon for each team member. There are no weapons laid out for the Tributes to handle, however - those were waiting for them elsewhere, for when the mission truly started. Nor does the folder mention that the weapons all switch off outside of the combat area, but it's also not a secret, or a surprise.

Each folder also includes the rather useless stats and images they have of the creatures-the photos are blurry, the stats mainly stack up to "they are very deadly" and a collection of the various bits of information put forth by other tributes who seem to know more then the Capitol. Last, a detailed map of both the neighborhood, and the tunnels for them to study.

Another table has folders for the intel, with much of the same information. Last, a third table is set up for those that are staying at home. Those folders contain some basic first aid information, and a list with what sort of basic medical supplies and food stuff is in the training center.

Each table set up has an Avox or two to hand out the folders. Creuntus is no where to be seen, and you would be lucky to catch any of her team. She knows where she doesn't want to be. The furniture has been dragged to facilitate the conversation of small to medium sized groups. Say, about the size of a team and their Intel.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Maybe that was the point, Wyatt thought suddenly. It wasn't an idea he wanted to entertain, but with all the underhanded plays the Capitol had made, it was hard to ignore, once realized.

"They sent me a boy," he sighed, shaking his head in commiseration. "A child who ain't even old enough to shave yet, an' a couple of strangers."

How was he supposed to trust them with his life, when he didn't even know them?

Blue eyes turned on Max, a weighted stare, even if the words might have been mistaken for joking.

"I'll be expectin' ya to whip yer team into shape, General, an' be back here in one piece."

Edited 2013-09-28 17:33 (UTC)

"A bo--," He cut himself off, abruptly, pulling a face. It was one thing sending children into an arena where they could return to the Capitol, undamaged. But he did not think the would be so willing to return them from this.

He let out a hard breath through his nose, and met Wyatt's eyes with his signature 'someone will be stabbed for this' look.

"We'll manage. As I expect you to, as well."

"Seen one'a the Capitol's monsters," he drawled, a promise missing some his usual ease, but trying nevertheless. "Seen 'em all."

They were normally able to keep their pets better in hand though.

"On the bright side, once we get back, I'll actually be able to join ya for a drink again."

That really, their word that they'd remove his cuff, was one of the reasons he'd even agreed to stick his neck out for these people.

He wasn't so easily pacified, but he did his best to appear as though he was, and offered Wyatt a tight smile.

"I look forward to it. Somehow I have the feeling that I will need one, or ten, when all of this is over. It is good to know someone will be able to drag me home."

He worked idly at the cuff, pulling his fingers back when the metal tightened and threatened to catch them under the band.

"Or to the nearest park?" The words were teasing, but his eyes were fond - if a might worried - as they shifted, eyeing him sidelong.

Reaching out (the other wrist shook, shackle rubbing against the bone) he clapped Max on the shoulder, grip lingering.

"We get through this, round's my treat."

He seemed to be stirred from thought by the touch, and turned his head to look at Wyatt, the tight smile still on his lips.

"Park sounds better," He admitted. "And if it's your treat, I'll be sure to make it ten." He reached out to put a mutual pat on Wyatt's shoulder.

"We will do what I can. But they should know better, when so many of us served in the army, that perhaps we may have an idea of what we are doing." He knew Wyatt had never been in the actual army, of course, but considered him a combat veteran all the same.

He snorted, head shaking wryly as he gave Max's shoulder a squeeze.

"But that'd mean recognizin' that we're good for more than dyin', an' what fun would the games be then?"

His hand fell away, cuff jingling softly.

"They'd have to admit what they're doin'."

"About as likely as watching the sun rise in the West," Maximus murmured.

He let out a breath and frowned, looking down at the piece of paper. "Wyatt, I don't like it. None of these weapons are ones I am accustomed to - I am not sure how one would throw flame, for example. Greek fire, maybe? But that is like enough a danger to us as to anything we would fight."

Max's words spoke to the worry tangling in his chest. Even he, who knew what a rifle was and how to use one, was lost when it came to the Capitol's weapons... what were those like Max going to do when their trained soldiers were no match for these strange creatures.

"You an' me both. Even their guns are strange to me..." He glanced over a Max's pages, then away, mouth twisting unhappily. "An' it don't look like we're gonna get any time with 'em before."

A chill washed up along his spine, thinking how apt they'd be, there in the dark and the confusion to take a bullet in the back.

"...This ain't gonna end well. Not for everyone."

"No," He agreed, letting out a hard breath and meeting Wyatt's eye.

"It won't. But we have hardly had our lives guaranteed, here." He tsked loudly, before grumbling darkly, "I was worth more as a slave in Rome."

"This is different though, Max. In the arena, chance's are good you'll be comin' back, out here...."

He stared back, blue eyes searching Max's.

"You be careful. I mean it - this ain't Rome, this ain't yer war. Don't you go dyin' for them."

"You worry too much," Maximus said, with a smile, though there was no humour in his eyes. He bumped Wyatt's shoulder with his own.

"When I die, it will mean something. I promise you." He caught his eye. "That time is not now." He let out a breath.

"Besides. Someone has to keep you out of trouble," He reached out, taking Wyatt's wrist and shaking it slightly, the bangle glinting in the light. "Keep you from getting another one of these."

He didn't resist Max's grip, or try to pull away. His just slanted the Roman a look across the metal between them.

"You don't worry at all, somebody's gotta pick up the slack."

And he couldn't keep them safe. Couldn't do anything really, pressed beneath the Capitol's thumb. It one of the few freedom's left to him.

Worrying, and caring.

"An' knowin' my luck," he drawled a beat later, pulse beating steady beneath callused fingers as he nodded at the cuff. "They'll take it off, then find some trumped up charge to put it right back on again."

He let go of Wyatt's wrist, giving him a sardonic look.

"They had best not," He murmured flatly. "I was promised my ten drinks. I expect to get them."

But he smiled as well as he can. "I'll be as careful as I can manage, but the odds aren't stacked against us well. When we're done, meet me in the common room? We'll take our night of leave from there."

There were no guarantees, no true promises they could make.

But the chance would be enough.

"I'll be there, Max." His head tipped, digging up the best smile he could, just in case it would be the last. "Try not to keep me waitin', huh?"

Then, with another clap on the back and the approach of someone Wyatt could only figure as one Max's teammates, with withdrew to leave the man to it.