Maybe headed to the games.

[forgetfulmind]

I can't believe you! So I have a famous face-twin. So what? I was here first! And -- not to mention -- that doesn't mean you have an excuse to toss me into a fight for the death.

Where's Caroline? I bet she'd have a thing or two to say. Or she'd teach me something useful about surviving. Oh, yeah, souping up a Mustang, that's gonna be real handy in a freezing cold mountain arena!

I am so dead. You know that, right? I'm actually, literally dead. Already. I have such a low chance of survival -- ugh.

I am so mad at you.

Comments

[memory_of_fire]

Dying only hurts for so long and you're guaranteed to come back to life here!

[forgetfulmind]

Oh my god! That's like saying "oh, sorry your leg was broken, but it'll heal, so it shouldn't bother you at all". Hello? I'd still be dying!

[memory_of_fire]

Well I just mean you shouldn't be so afraid. Maybe I'm a little biased about death though.

[forgetfulmind]

I reserve my right to be completely out-of-my-mind terrified.

[memory_of_fire]

Oh fine baby-pop. I guess I wouldn't want to go through it again either. Getting burned alive isn't really pleasant.

[forgetfulmind]

This is like one of those horrible questions. How would you rather die, burning to death or drowning? Which would you rather lick, a nest of wasps or three-week-old mold?

[memory_of_fire]

Probably burning again. Drowning is a really helpless feeling I think and then if you die from it you're found by someone you may not even know weeks later.

Also probably the mold, it wouldn't chase me.

[forgetfulmind]

This is really morbid.

[memory_of_fire]

You're the one that asked. Oh by the way I read the book so I guess I can give you a piece of advice. DO NOT go near the wasps.

[forgetfulmind]

...why not?

[memory_of_fire]

Their stings will probably kill you and if you don't you'll be having horrible hallucinations for a LONG time.

[forgetfulmind]

I hate my life!

[memory_of_fire]

Maybe your other game will be nicer?

[forgetfulmind]

My life is never nice. Never ever. There's a torturer at the wheel, if you know what I mean.

[itsaboutwhynot]

Amy, dear, what sort of awful trouble has that girl gotten you into this time? A fight to the death? Who even does that anymore?

[forgetfulmind]

Caroline! Oh, thank God. It's in this arena, and they throw everyone in and they don't let you out until there's one person left alive. It's a game.

[itsaboutwhynot]

They call that a game--someone read Battle Royale one too many times. Well, that's settled. We're getting you out of there.

[forgetfulmind]

And how do you plan on doing that?

[itsaboutwhynot]

I'm sure I'll be able to figure out a way. We don't have the interdimensional research lab for nothing, after all.

You'll have to take care of yourself in the meantime, though, since there's no telling how long it'll take. A fine young mind like yours would be a terrible thing for humanity to lose.

[forgetfulmind]

So is it a problem if I look like the girl who won the Games last year?

[itsaboutwhynot]

That's... interesting. Theory on alternate universes hasn't been adequately explored, but that's interesting, yes. I wonder if there's a way to use this to collect data on that— Perhaps there's a way to use it to your advantage—distraction, maybe, or a way to catch people off-guard—although it might get you more attention than you strictly want. Hm. If only I could send you some equipment...

[forgetfulmind]

I'm going for the 'more attention' theory. She isn't even bringing me in from a point where I know that I'm a ghoul.

[tree_puncher]

What's so bad about death? I mean, far as I understand the Game Worlds aren't Hardcore Worlds so you'd just need to respawn after you die.

[forgetfulmind]

Oh great, so it's totally not a problem to drown or freeze to death or get torn apart by ravening wolves, I'll just shrug it off and keep on playin'!

[tree_puncher]

Um... Yes? I've drown to death before under an ice sea, felt so stupid when I did that... And don't think getting killed by wolves would be all that different then being killed by a pack of Zombie Pigmen... So yeah... I just don't get what's so wrong about dieing? You just respawn afterwords good a new, right? I'd love to hear what is the big deal about this issue. It really perplexs me deeply...

[Where Steve? comes from Death is nothing but a slap on the rist and pain isn't really that big too...]

[forgetfulmind]

It's, I don't know, really traumatic?

[tree_puncher]

I'll.. Just take your word on that... And I'm not sure what else to say other then I'm sorry if it seemed like I was trivializing your trauma... I did not intend mean that one bit.

[forgetfulmind]

Normal people don't shrug off a broken arm that fast. Much less dying.

[tree_puncher]

I still don't understand what you mean by that... But again... I'll just take your word on that topic.

[moveswithoutsound]

{One Katniss with blonde hair is kind of blowing his mind so forgive his staring for a few moments. But words come through clear enough.}

Is your mun insane or just a rabid fan of the Games like the Capitol?

{Give him a moment to get over the whole blonde Katniss thing, he may actually have useful advice here about the Games.}

[forgetfulmind]

She's sadistic. And mean. [ Check out these awesome insults from the sharp-tongued teenager here. ] And ... well. I was going to say dumb, but I guess she's actually pretty sharp, so, that would be inaccurate.

[ She hugs her arms to her chest. Really, she's just scared. ]

[moveswithoutsound]

Look, first thing you want to do when you get in there if you've got no fighting skills is get away from the Cornucopia, forget getting any of those supplies. Find a good spot that you can have a good vantage point and shelter to keep yourself hidden. If you can make a basic trap to catch some kind of food and find water, that is key. Keep low the other tributes will take each other out and you might have a chance.


{Most everyone is before they go into the arena and Gale has to say he is glad his mun has not yet shoved him in a version of them.}

[forgetfulmind]

I'm not... good at any of that. I'm useless. I mean, give me a car and I can do incredible things with the gas mileage, but setting traps? I haven't lived a day of my life in the wilderness. Seriously. I've never even gone camping.

I think.

This is ridiculous. I am the worst choice -- I had a tiny, minute advantage just from being a ghoul, but they're going to take even that away.

[moveswithoutsound]

{Okay, she does sound like she is doomed. And the sad face gets to him a little only because kldjsfalskdfj that is Katniss' face. His mun is terrible for doing this to him and conflicting Gale so much.}

You have to stop thinking like that. When you get in that arena it is you or them, survival is all it's about. The Capitol wants a show, entertainment, they are not going to give you an advantage. You have to make one, even if it is as simple as laying low and hiding out till the others kill each other off. You wouldn't be the first one to survive by pure luck.

But if you go in thinking you're going to lose then you might as well just stand there at the beginning and let them finish it. Don't give up.

[forgetfulmind]

[ Strangely enough, it's the encouraging words that actually get to her. She ducks her head, covers her eyes with her palm, and her voice is shaky, barely restrained. ]

I wish my dad was here. He's a Mekhet, he could just hide until it was all over.

I mean, a vampire. He's a vampire. The kind that can turn invisible. He's really good at it, and I miss him, and I don't know what I'm supposed to do without him, and I...

[ Her voice tightens and stops, suddenly, as she holds in any further emotion. ]

[moveswithoutsound]

{These things would probably shock Gale, except he has been with the mun long enough now to know that strange things such as vampires and that exist. However her emotional response makes him feel even worse. Because what can he say really, she is headed for a place Gale knows will not be easy. And she is ill prepared.}

You make him proud {It is what Gale strove to do with his own father lost in the mining accident.}

You survive, you're his daughter so you have to have some of his strength in you.

[forgetfulmind]

Well, he got made a vampire after I was born, so...

[ She laughs, and it's a sound that has almost all of the humor drained away from it. ]

Who are you, anyway?

[moveswithoutsound]

Gale Hawthorne. I'm the best friend of that Face-Twin you were saying you had. I've been watching those Games all my life. {And that last line is dripping with distaste, he loathes the Capitol for forcing them to watch people they love fight for their lives.}

[forgetfulmind]

So... you don't even really care about me anyway. Great. I am the least sympathetic Tribute ever.

[moveswithoutsound]

{He actually makes a pained expression.}


Don't care? What do you think I am some sick Capitol freak? Of course I care, I;m sick of them taking kids and forcing them to fight to the death. I've watched someone I love survive those Games, it's not easy. So yes, I care a whole hell of alot that people get out of that arena and the Capitol does not get what it wants.

{The flames of rebellion are strong within Gale and this only incites them more. He takes a breath, she probably barely understands his rant.}

Look, you definitely garner sympathy, you're already making me feel like a big jerk and I've barely met you.

[forgetfulmind]

[ And a little, tentative smile, at the last part. ]

You're not just saying that 'jerk' thing to make me feel better?

[moveswithoutsound]

Nope, if your mun knows anything about me ask her, I'm not the guy to say something just to make you feel better.

{He does not smile, but his expression does seem a little more gentle. His smiles are rare commodities outside of his AU's}

[forgetfulmind]

Great. Maybe my wonderful tactic will be to monologue at the cameras about my dad. That'll be sure to win them over. I'll talk about the Superbowl and his six and a half layer dip, and how dumb he is about Mustangs. And how he has this stupid little scratchy beard no matter how often he shaves it off because that's how he was when he was Sired.

[moveswithoutsound]

{What do you know, that earns a slight smile.}

Use that in your interviews before hand and it'll definitely get you sponsors. But once you're in there, I mean it, find water, any food you can and stay low.

[forgetfulmind]

I'll keep it in mind.

[moveswithoutsound]

Good, I'll be rooting for you.

{From the sidelines, he hopes, even if his mun is lingering on pages he wishes he was not right now....}

[forgetfulmind]

Maybe the next arena will have some old cars or something. Then I could work miracles.

[moveswithoutsound]

You're optimistic at least. But don't count out that you can't morph what skills you have with cars into survival mechanisms in the arena. You'll do alright.