(no subject)

[gamemakers]

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.

Comments

[saisamour]

The fact that Marius barely even paid attention to the tiger as he strode towards Maximus was probably an overt hint as to how unnerved he was. He had presented himself, once the Capitol had asked for volunteers to exterminate the alien creature within the tunnels, not because he had realized within him a sudden loyalty to his captors or concern for the Capitol citizens, but because he had seen this as a chance to find an escape route for Cosette.

He was not entirely sure how he was to execute it, but there was too little time to think his plan over. Now that the reality had sunk in, though, he knew that there was a possibility that he would meet his death. If he did, then who would care for his beloved? To make sure she was safe, that no harm will come to her?

"Monsieur!" He stopped before Maximus, one hand resting over his heart as he made an attempt to catch is breath, a fierce determination in his eyes as he met his mentor's. "Monsieur, I have a very significant favor to ask of you."

Well, there was the answer.

[gluteus]

"Marius," Maximus said, his eyes widening as he was approached, an eyebrow arching.

He shifted until he faced him completely, giving him his full attention.

"What is it you need of me?"

[saisamour]

He swallowed and then inhaled deeply, before straightening himself and hardening his jaw in determination. "I... I volunteered for the tunnels, and we both know I might not..." But his voice began to tremble when he thought of his Lark being alone, so he paused for a moment to collect his bearings. "Not return."

He stopped for a second or so again. Now that he had said that it seemed as if a great burden had been averted from him. He was willing to die for Cosette, that had not changed, but saying it to someone brought with it a sense of finality. There was no longer an option to turn back.

So his voice was stronger and steadier when he said, "But Cosette will need protecting, and I plead for you to care for her, if I die."

[gluteus]

He raised an eyebrow, somehow able to keep the amusement from his face and his voice when he spoke.

"Cosette. Your daughter, or your wife?" He said, teasing in the flattest tone possible. He knew the feeling though so he offered Marius a small reassuring smile. "I am also going into the tunnels, but I think between the two of us, we can secure her safety. Who is she?"

[saisamour]

A deep shade of red crept up Marius's cheeks and neck, and he returned the smile timidly, eyes darting to the floor. He had always wished for Cosette to be his wife, ever since the day they first met, and simply thinking about her set him off on one of his flushed, bumbling states. "S-She is not my wife yet, no, but—"

But on the ground was a tail and striped fur and oh Lord. His eyes widened in shock and he took a step back. "Monsieur, you have a tiger!"

Delayed reaction, do forgive him Maximus.

[gluteus]

He wet his lips, hiding the smile that threatened to appear upon them, when Marius abruptly changed the topic. He arched an eyebrow and glanced down.

"Ah, yes. This is Ferox." He reached out, fingers gently scratching into the scruff at the tiger's neck. "He will not harm you, you have my word."

The tiger raised its head, pulling back its lips to show two enormously long gilded teeth.

[saisamour]

Although Marius might have calmed down after a word from one of his mentors, that display from the tiger did not really do well to calm Marius's nerves. His adam's apple bobbed as he gulped, keeping a wary eye on the tiger in case it abruptly decided that it was famished, and that Marius might be mostly flesh and bones but food was still food.

"I... Forgive my rudeness, monsieur, but it appears ready to devour me!"

[gluteus]

The smile finally did reach his lips, however much he tried to smother it down, and he raised an eyebrow while looking down at Ferox.

"He is a dangerous beast. Built to kill." He raised his eyes back up to Marius. "But so am I. We both give our word not to harm you, so there's no need to be afraid."

[saisamour]

Marius pursed his lips and tried his hardest to chase away the worry in his expression. Although, now that Maximus's remark about being built to kill began to bother him, the result was not as believable as he'd wished. His brows were still drawn together a little as he wondered what that meant; perhaps Maximus was a soldier of the Roman legions, or a general, even?

But he thought it rude to pry, so instead he gave a short bow, shifting his gaze to the ground. (And firmly avoiding eye contact with the tiger.) "I-I understand. I apologize, then."

[gluteus]

Maximus waved a hand - there were no apologies necessary. Ferox did not have feelings, after all. But he still thought it would be best to change the topic of conversation.

"Tell me about your Cosette, so I will know her when I see her."

[saisamour]

"Oh!" Marius's entire being seemed to brighten up at the question, and before he could even put a stop to his words they have already rushed out of his lips in crests and waves.

"Monsieur, she is a most kind and lovely person. Falling past her shoulders are golden locks that seem to painted by the sun itself. Her eyes are as blue as the ocean on a fine summer's day. She is shy, somewhat, but she is very polite and well-mannered, and carries herself with an aura of feminine dignity about her. She is this tall," and he raised his hand to the level of his chin, "and she often wears simple dresses. Her hands are the daintiest in the world, and her face is white and radiant. Ah, but if you could only meet her, monsieur! She is like an angel descended from heaven to grace us all with her pure and ethereal presence."

[gluteus]

He tried to smother the smile on his lips but it threatened to spread, amused at youth's obsession with itself. But the smile faded, as he thought of his own wife. Or as he tried to. Her face, now well past three years since he had seen it, was harder and harder to bring to mind. Though he could still picture her dark eyes, her dark hair. The knowing smile. But what had her nose looked like? Her lips?

He pushed the thought away as hard as he could manage.

"Ah... I can see you care for her very much," He said carefully, wondering just who else would describe her with an 'ethereal presence'.

[saisamour]

"Why, indeed I do, with every vein and heartbeat and element of my being." As Maximus might be able to tell by the stupid, blissful grin plastered on his face. "I would marry her, if she allowed me."

But his eyes widened upon noticing his mentor's disappeared smile, and a hand rose to his mouth to cover his slightly parted lips. "Oh... Forgive me, monsieur, if I had inadvertently caused you grief."

[gluteus]

He waved a hand, dismissively, disturbed that he had let the grief slip enough into his expression for Marius to notice.

"... It is nothing. I simply remember being young, as well. You should cherish it, while you can. And marry her, if she'll allow you."

[saisamour]

Oh, did Maximus say anything else? The very moment he reminded Marius of the thought of marriage, his mind began to drift away again and he failed to hold back another smile. "If I survive, perhaps I would, but..."

But he would give his life to find a way out in the tunnels, for Cosette to escape to. The smile faded, and he bowed once more. "Thank you, for seeing to her safety. She is most kind, and gentle, and charming, and there is no doubt in my mind that you would like her."

wrap up? c:

[gluteus]

Maximus nodded, an eyebrow raising slightly but he could not quite smile the way he had before.

"I am sure I will," He murmured. "And you have my word that I will protect her."

yes! :3

[saisamour]

"You are a good man, monsieur. Again, you have my thanks." A final bow, and a smile of utmost gratitude, and he took a backwards step to extract himself from the conversation.

And then jumped slightly once more at the sight of the tiger, as if he had forgotten it was still there. Feeling a sense of embarrassment at that ungainly display of anxiety, he turned and darted off, scanning the area once more, this time in search of Cosette.