randomizing | [action] A decade's worth of Games ago

[there was an arena like this once. ten, eleven years ago? there were horrible sand-dwelling snake muttations on an isolated chunk of beach, and the tides grew worse and worse with every passing day. naturally, the victor had been from District Four, and Effie's tributes -- she couldn't help but think of them as hers, even though it made it difficult to watch them die -- hadn't made it past the first five hours.

[so when she wakes up atop one of these rocky guys right here, she thinks, for a minute, that she has been transported to that old arena and left there by some cruel tour guide.

[she is ignoring the instructions on her communicator right now because there is a much more pressing problem to be dealt with: getting off this rock and onto the beach proper without ruining her pretty dress and shoes and hair and-- well, you get the idea.

[if you're around, you see her taking little steps to the edge, peering down at the water, trying to judge the distance between herself and the shore. (hint: she would not make that jump if she had a running start and good, sturdy flats.) very soon, she goes from frustrated to upset, pouting, batting her butterfly eyelashes as if she's about to unleash a rain of glittery tears.]

Oh, this won't do! Is there anyone who can help? [very quietly] I can't swim.

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Oh, pardon me for not knowing it!

[good job, Tony. bothered her enough that she's forgetting her manners. well, ignoring them.]

[ seriously it's a talent ]

You're excused. I've been getting a lot of that around here, so I'm almost sort of used to it now.

Tony Stark. Should I just call you Miss Moppet, or?

[just when you think he couldn't get worse!]

[full-effect lilting accent ahead]

My name is Effie Trinket!

I see... [So her too, huh. What a strange situation.] Maybe that's the case for everyone here. I haven't spoken to others much yet, so I admit I couldn't quite say.

[Offers a small smile again, though.] My name is Robin.

[a pleasant smile. Effie really isn't that bad! as long as you're polite.]

Robin? That's such a lovely name! Mine is Effie. Effie Trinket.

Oh. That's very kind of you to say. It's my pleasure, miss Effie.

What will you do now? [since seems like the task at hand in this island is no joke, at least...]

And the important thing is that, if there are any dogs on this island, they have now been informed.

[oh my goodness. are there mutts here?? oh my goodness! she has to get out of here. katniss and peeta need her!]

[she's just going to sit down and think about that now. and not cry. she has held herself together in worse situations, after all!]

Well, I don't know. [pulls out her communicator, squints at it. there have never been times tasks in arenas (at least, that the tributes were informed about), so she doesn't think this is quite as intense as that.)] I don't really know how to build shelter or... anything that is being asked of us.

[when the full weight of that hits her, she gulps. goodness, what has she been pulled here for?]

Several. [you don't get retitled from goddess of harvest to goddess of war without a suitably impressive list of accomplishments on your resume. and Sif is proud of those accomplishments. and she is going to show whoever brought them here how she earned them]

[soon. for now, she reaches the rock and then pauses, and reaches up her arms] I'll carry you above the water level. [no problem]

[a moment of hesitation, but it passes quickly. getting to dry land safely is priority #1 right now. quite daintily, Effie settles in for the ride. she may be a little embarrassed, too, but she's also impressed. a goddess!]

A reenactment of those feats would make quite the interesting show, I'm certain. Are they regularly televised, by any chance?

Televised? [somewhat puzzled, but she starts back to the dry sand]

[he's reached her rock by now and turns so that his back is to her]

Make sure you hold on tight. I don't want to drop you into the surf and ruin your pretty dress.

Why, yes! For people to see and know of your achievements, to witness them in some way.

[there may be a little bit of clinging as Effie glances down at the water]

I'm so sorry about your lovely shoes.

[no need to tell her twice! she grabs on, avoiding choking him]

Oh, this is so kind of you to do!

[ he gives her another minute, and then starts toeing off his shoes. ]

Seriously, it's not even that deep. You could wade to shore, easy.

[she does not like you. at all. .......... but who is she to refuse what seems like an offer of getting to shore without getting wet?]

[with a hand on her wig] Getting down from here by myself would result in utter chaos. I'd-- I'd slip, and I'd fall!

And then you'd be damp.

We're gonna be here for six days, so if I were you -- after I came to terms with this incredibly depressing turn of events -- I'd probably resign myself to chipped nail polish and smudged makeup.

[ still taking off the shoes, though. and undoing the cufflinks on his shirt cuffs ]

[from where she's standing, those look like very nice cufflinks, she'll give you that.]

I-- six days?

[that's the sound of her heart shattering]

[ he doesn't wear anything that isn't nice. even the sneakers and sunglasses he pairs with his suits are expensive and comfortable, UV-filtering, all that jazz. ]

--Yeah. That's how one hundred and forty-four hours translates. [ all too cheerfully ] And that's assuming we get to leave when the deadline comes up. Maybe we'll be here longer!

[she'd pass out if she weren't so afraid of getting sunburnt and/or falling face-first into the water.]

To think that this is what the tributes must feel...

[well, no, because they all know what will happen, and they get to train for it. but still-- maybe--?]

[those very dangerous thoughts. shoo, away with them!]

Tributes? [ conversational. shedding the sports jacket, then the button-down underneath it.

so, enjoy that glowing power source in the center of his chest, Effie. ]

[it barely fazes her. she's seen people with stained glass in their eyes, so the arc reactor is about normal!]

Yes. Does no one here know anything? [shakes her head] That is a very interesting piece you have there, by the way. I love how it lights up!

I see. You may not be alone in that respect, if there's many others also stuck here.

A good idea could be to group together.

[ your world is weird. has he mentioned that yet? no? he will. but his lips twitch up, just a little. ]

I know some stuff.

[ he'd totally say more, elaborate on just a few of the many unlikely things he knows all about, but uh that comment catches him off guard a little in spite of himself.

it's not like he forgot it was there, obviously. really pretty much can't. among other things, it's a continual weight that, despite his best design efforts, occasionally shifts ever so slightly, jerking his nerve endings around.

but this is definitely the first time anyone's ever complimented him on it quite like this. ]

Thanks. I picked it out myself. Goes great with the furniture in three of my living rooms.

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[action] A decade's worth of Games ago

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assuming that picture's pretty accurate. if not, lemme know!

yeah, it's accurate. it could stand to be a bit more shallow, even~

<3

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