[action] A decade's worth of Games ago

[ijustlovethat]

[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.

Comments

[ijustlovethat]

[ohmygoodness, someone is here to help! oh, goodness, goodness, goodness!]

Well, I don't know! I just-- woke up here, and I think it's a very unpleasant joke to play on someone!

[her accent gets pretty bad when she's upset. or excited. or ... pretty much doing anything. err, sorry, Sif!]

[as Sif approaches the water] Oh, goodness, your costume--! Won't it get ruined?

[that is a tribute parade costume, isn't it? maybe District One or Two? this armored woman looks like a sure winner! oh, maybe this is a reenactment! even if this woman doesn't seem like she's from Four.]

[actlikealady]

[muttering a little] That's the second time it's been called a costume.

[then, at a more normal volume] It'll dry. [although that comment makes her realize that the woman in the very ornate clothing herself might... not want it ruined] [ugh, women, amirite] I take it you need help getting to shore.

[ijustlovethat]

[it will dry, yes, but probably it will wrinkle and possibly stain a little and smell like salt!]

[but she will not be distracted from the offer of assistance!] Oh, yes, I do! Anything you can do for me will be greatly appreciated.

[actlikealady]

[sigh, alright. she might as well help. she nudges off her boots and strips off the metal pieces of her armor efficiently]

Hold tight. I'll be right there.

[ijustlovethat]

[she can't help clappin a little. too happy to be saved, shoes and all!]

Oh, thank you so very much! You are so gracious, helping me out even though it isn't your job! ...what is your job, if I may ask?

[actlikealady]

I am Sif, the shield-maiden of Asgard, attendant to the Queen, and... [stepping up to the water, hands briefly on her hips as she considers it. it looks warm] ...goddess of war and the hunt.

[then she wades into the water to go retrieve the fussy-looking mortal woman in the elaborate gown from the rock]

[ijustlovethat]

Asgard? [she's never heard of it. must be another country that survived the big, terrible wars from way before the Dark Days.]

Goddess? [now that's just impressive.] Is that-- Did you earn that title through a feat of great skill, courage, and honor?

[Sif seems very... tall. oh, dear. perhaps it's good that Panem has been so... isolated since everything happened. but she seems kind enough! Effie will take it!]

[actlikealady]

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]

[ijustlovethat]

[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?

[actlikealady]

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

[ijustlovethat]

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.

[actlikealady]

I'll just -- carry them until I've dried. [it's nice to have them called lovely though?? she doesn't have a lot of... female company. or any company that concerns themselves with such things. dreams of befriending the other girls didn't last long for Asgard's most renowned tomboy]

Stories are often told about heroic feats, but we do not witness them once they have passed.

[ijustlovethat]

Oh. That's different. Where I'm from, if someone is there to record something spectacular, we play it again and again so that everyone can see it. [some part of her doesn't understand why you wouldn't want it that way.] For example, this wonderful thing you're doing right now -- we would show that on television so people could see how strong and generous you are. [which is exactly what she thinks you are~]

[actlikealady]

[her lips quirk up a bit, and she offers] I think no one would call you a liar if you simply told them the story. [it's not one of her more heroic feats. still, she's glad to put the other woman down on her feet on the sand once they're out of the water, carefully]

Now you know my name, but I still haven't gotten yours.

[ijustlovethat]

[she daintily straightens her skirts once she's standing, smiling up at Sif] Oh, how rude of me not to introduce myself! My name is Effie Trinket, and I am so very, very, very grateful for your help!

[actlikealady]

Well, you're quite welcome. We're all in this together, so... [she shrugs a little bit, straightening out her tunic. might as well work together, take advantage of everyone's skills, not alienate people, etc]