[video / mingle]

[everwalking]

Video
[morning of day three. there are clouds out and Allen loves them. he's pretty much given up on shirts and is just grimly bearing with his bright pink sunburn. the video shows him, and what he's working in his hands -- one dark red and exoskeletal -- is some thick grass, weaving several strands together to make a rope. he has a pretty decent amount of it. he's been working on it since the first day]

I feel really strongly that we should make a net so that we can catch more fish. [so that he can starve less. paaaause] But it's taking longer than I'd like. I don't suppose anyone else has any rope to contribute... [he trails off, staring at the water. it looks so cool and blue and inviting. and full of fish]

...You know, never mind. [shoving himself up and steeling his pink-and-red shoulders] Does anyone know how to hand-fish?


Mingle
[It's time for playing in the water!! Whether you're fishing, swimming, sunbathing on the sand, or just goofing off, let's get our beach on!]

[Feel free to respond to Allen's video post here, to make your own comment threads for mingling, or both!]

Comments

[actlikealady]

[Sif is stripped down to what amounts to scraps of fabric -- a thick strap of cloth tied around her chest, and a short skirt, with her hair caught back in a braid. There's no need for armor on this island, as has been made clear to her, and it's been hot and uncomfortable over the last two days, and her clothes are not in the best of shape by now, so she washed them and left them to dry. But some people are lucky, and rather than burn in the sun, she's developing a lovely glowing tan. She looks like the cover of a brochure instead of a stranded kidnap victim.]

[She mostly lounges on the beach, watching the action and taking a break from her own endeavors. When she goes into the water, she will snatch up fish. She knows what she's doing.]

[cleanedslate]

[ when she catches the fish, it'll be to applause! half-serious, half-Tony applause. ]

[actlikealady]

[she straightens up, slanting him only a second's glance, and then says lightly] Catch, Stark. [and tosses the thrashing fish at him]

[cleanedslate]

[ he throws his hands -- up, away from the fish, but it strikes him in the chest, and then he's darting back and rubbing his chest ewwww fish ]

Five second rule says it's still good for another four seconds. [ pointing at the fish, which is flopping around like crazy, while still being full of visible ew ]

[actlikealady]

[a laugh, shaking her head] You're useless. Keep it from flailing its way into the water, at least. [she's busy getting another one]

[cleanedslate]

Only in select circumstances. [ totally useful at other times. he considers the flopping fish, though, and after a beat he has a reasonably sturdy twig and he's poking the fish away from the water, like a fascinated little kid. look at it flop! ]

Do you think this qualifies for cruelty to animals? PETA is just about the only group I've neer had on my ass before.

[actlikealady]

We're about to kill it. [just, pointing that out. she's already back elbow-deep in the water, holding still]

[cleanedslate]

That'd upset them, too. [ amused. he doesn't pick up the fish, but he does keep it from flopping in the wrong direction, pinning it to the stand with his stick ]

[actlikealady]

Then they would be invited not to share in my catch and mind their own business while they're at it. [completely disinterested in the offense of these ridiculous-sounding people]

[cleanedslate]

[ he snickers, shaking his head ]

I think they might actually rather starve. Do you know how to catch tofu?

[actlikealady]

Whatever that may be, it sounds quite unappetizing. They can fend for themselves. [briskly]

[cleanedslate]

Well, you're not wrong. [ wryly ] Tofu is what you eat when you hate yourself.

[actlikealady]

Then it seems they'll be just as well off not eating, doesn't it? [laughing, and then she snakes her arms deeper in the water, seizing another unsuspecting fish and yanking it out. this one escapes her while she's trying to get a better grip]

[ijustlovethat]

[well, aren't you just the ideal! you are also someone Effie knows is helpful, so she approaches you. her exposed skin (which is pretty much all of it save where she is wearing underwear) covered in drying mud. it's sunscreen, improvised!]

Hello there, Sif! Are you-- you don't burn? How lucky! I saw a tribute cover himself in mud once, and it occurred to me today that it's a good idea. Otherwise, I'll be stuck in the shade all day!

[and being in the shade all day would mean very few people to talk to, and Effie does like talking to people!]

[actlikealady]

[she straightens up as she sees Effie coming, with a small smile that becomes puzzled quickly. but she admits] That might be a clever idea. I see a lot of people are having trouble with the sun, though it has never been a concern of mine.

[maybe Asgardian skin is just too tough for pesky UV rays! maybe Sif is just too accustomed to a millennia of adventuring to be slowed down by a star millions of miles away. or maybe she's just a genetic lotto win]

Do you think it's working?

[ijustlovethat]

[lucky goddess, that's what you are, Sif! another reason Effie thinks you'd be a sure winner in any Games!] It seems to be! It doesn't yet feel hot, but if it does--why, the water is just over there!

[we are making the best of this uncomfortable situation, yes indeed!]

[actlikealady]

You have such high spirits. [even covered in mud to protect herself from being burned by the sun, and stranded, and helpless... Sif's lips quirk up reluctantly] 'Tis a rare gift, finding the bright side of things.

[ijustlovethat]

[it's the only way she gets through year after year of watching perfectly nice but utterly inept tributes get killed, dashing her hopes of a promotion (amon other, far less governmentally-sanctioned dreams]

[shrugging] That's what I do! One mustn't lose sight of the fact that we're alive, right? Our own little alliance! [no matter how useless Effie may be, alas] And we are so lucky to have people like you in it. I only wish there were more that some of the rest of us could do.

[actlikealady]

This trial will only last for six days. [she squints up at the cloudy midday sky] ...After that, we may find ourselves somewhere else -- or with other tasks, that I may be less suited for.

But this, travel and danger... I have known this all my life.

[ijustlovethat]

[possibly it's because "travel" and "danger" occur in very controlled and ultimately life-threatening circumstances in Effie's world, or possibly it's because she remembers thinking Sif would be a sure victor in any Games-- but to hear that this has been Sif's entire life saddens Effie. she imagines Sif on the run from wild beasts out to kill her, betrayed by allies, and narrowly avoiding being struck by very deliberate lightning bolts. well, there goes some of her cheer]

Oh, my. That's... well, you certainly seem stronger for it. [trying. trying so hard not to fawn over Sif like she is a tribute. it would really not help matters that Sif is so much taller. it wouldn't work very well!] And you've been marvelous here. Why, having you around makes me feel very safe indeed!

[actlikealady]

As you should. No terrestrial threat will harm us so long as I draw breath. [loftily]

[obviously the current situation... concerns her. but she's keeping it well under wraps, trying not to think about the magical power required to nullify and transport and isolate them all; trying to focus on the possibility that Thor, now that he is not here, will manage to rally efforts at home to help her. she is confident in her ability to handle anything that might threaten a human, and most things that might threaten Aesir, so while it is not inconceivable that there will be a threat she can't master, she is confident nonetheless, straightening her shoulders]

[ijustlovethat]

[shows of confidence count for a lot, so Effie relaxes a little. surely Sif can handle whatever these... Gamemaker types throw at them] And if there's anything, however small, that I can help you with-- well, that's what I do, attend to the small things so people like you can think about the important things.

[actlikealady]

I'll keep that in mind. [she leans over her knees again, tilting her head as she watches Effie] What is your work, precisely? [she makes herself sound like a chamberlain, but she seems more like a noble herself. maybe the lady of a household in her society manages her own affairs!]

[ijustlovethat]

I am an escort for the Hunger Games. I ensure the tributes from my assiged district make all their appearances, eat and present themselves well, and make a good impression. I work with a team, but I have the most time with them. [it's more work than it sounds like~]

[actlikealady]

I see. A handler, of sorts. [she's not unfamiliar. it sounds like someone who might work with an ambassador or foreign dignitary. but] What are these "Hunger Games"?