[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

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

[ijustlovethat]

[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!

<3

[cleanedslate]

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 ]

[ijustlovethat]

[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]

[cleanedslate]

[ 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!

[ijustlovethat]

[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!]

[cleanedslate]

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. ]

[ijustlovethat]

[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!

[cleanedslate]

[ 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.

[ijustlovethat]

[she may not really like you yet, but you sound like a lot of the people she knew back home. that helps your care quite a bit!]

Oh, that's wonderful! Does the light change colors also? Oh, that would be so lovely if it could. You'd always be on trend, and it would go with everything!

[cleanedslate]

I'll keep that in mind. Right now, if I want it to look different, I pretty much have to put on a different shirt.

[ okay, rolling up his pants legs a little, and now he starts into the water ]

[ijustlovethat]

So versatile! I've never been one for surgical alterations, but I certainly see the appeal!

[cleanedslate]

Oh, yeah. Well, you know. Have to keep it fresh. [ smooths a hand back through his gelled hair, case in point ]

[ lucky for you, Effie, that Tony's not a believer in social Darwinism, because otherwise...

getting closer to the rock now, sloosh sloosh. ]

[ijustlovethat]

Yes, exactly! [more softly as he draws closer, as if it's some super secret. or maybe she doesn't want to embarrass either of them] You aren't so bad after all, are you?

[cleanedslate]

Try not to spread it around.

[ so let's give this a shot. he's close enough to reach her now ]

[ijustlovethat]

[she stands and moves closer to the edge of the rock, nodding at the short distance between them before crouching again and leaning over to grab onto him.] Oh--is this all right?

[cleanedslate]

Might be easiest if you picked up your skirts. [ he gestures a little; gather them in one hand, then put the other on his shoulder? he's no Captain America, but he's pretty sure he can lift you. ]

[ijustlovethat]

[she's light! you'll be fine~]

[rather awkwardly following his mimed directions, and there you go, an Effie to carry to shore! what a superhero you are~]

[cleanedslate]

[ yeah, he's saving the world from evil, one silly aristocrat at a time. he carries her back to shore, and sets her down on the sand, with a grin ]

There you go. Service with a smile, and everything.

[ bending down to recover some of his clothes. it's a little warm for the whole layered look, but no sunscreen, so probably he should just keep the jacket on but leave it open and his chest bare ]

[ijustlovethat]

[smiling like she's known all along just how generous you can be~ ...or maybe she's just glad she got you to help her out. who knows? either way, dry sand! yay!]

Why, thank you very much! I'm afraid I can't really return the favor, though.

[the best she might be able to do is, oh, make some exfoliating sand scrub, but she's not sure you're the type. she's not sure anyone she's met is the type.]

[cleanedslate]

That's okay, we get out of here and I'll send you the bill. [ said with a straight face ]

[ijustlovethat]

[she is no longer inclined to take you very seriously.] And I'll see to it that it's taken care of.

[cleanedslate]

[ and he breaks into a grin! ] Care of SHIELD, of course. All my official superheroing goes through their office these days.

[ not even a little bit, but he does enjoy the idea of Fury getting an invoice that says CARRIED TO SHORE BY IRON MAN ]

[ijustlovethat]

Duly noted! [you remind her a lot of some of people from home, now that she isn't upset with you. congratulations! if your hair were green, you'd fit right in!]

[cleanedslate]

[ whoo hoo! just what he always wanted, to fit right in to the self-absorbed elite of a hellish dystopia ]

You said your name was Effie?

[ijustlovethat]

[dreams do come true~!]

That is correct. [nodding, adjusting her wig]