==BE SOLLUX CAPTOR==
You are going to throw up.
The hallway is filled to the brim, all chairs occupied, but still, the overwhelming silence is nearly suffocating. The girl from district Two walked out a couple minutes ago, and they've made the boy from district Four wait, because, apparently, the mess she has made is taking a bit to clean up.
You can see the boy shivering. You feel for him.
The last day of training had passed well- you and your teammates had spend the entire time tying nooses, talking. You lean back, thinking back on the conversation- you could really use something to divert your attention right now.
Aradia had long, thin fingers, and waited patiently for Terezi to show her how to tie the strongest nooses, copying the movements as well as she could. Karkat had some troubles with making his little fingers co-operate, but managed just as well- your noose wasn't as good as it could've been, but you found yourself more immersed in the conversation than you had anticipated yourself to be.
The subject swerved off the casual rode after just half an hour, and before you knew it, you were discussing the Dream Conscience theory.
"You're basically saying that we all exist, on some subconscious plane-" Karkat was in his usual, loud, angry element. "And that we can continue existing like that once we're killed?"
"I'm just saying, it's a possibility." You said, somewhat defensively. He rolled his eyes.
"I don't think it's that far fetched." Aradia muttered quietly. Karkat rolled his eyes again.
"Of course you wouldn't." He busied himself with the ropes again. "Terezi, help me out here."
"While the idea is silly," She started, mastering another noose. "If you happen to die before me, I will make sure to kiss your corpse."
The conversation pretty much died off there.
You flinch when the doors close again- the district Four boy has had his turn, and now Feferi is walking over to the doors, chin up high. Everyone is staring, but you suppose she's used to it.
It is the last day before the interviews. Today, each Tribute will present themselves to the Game Makers, and show what they can do, and be rated accordingly. You know your district rarely gets high scores, and you need to make yourself an exception- Terezi says she is going for a three- "I'll just walk around and tell them what things are, they'll be impressed enough"- and you need to score at least a nine, to make up for her feigned inability and make your district just a bit fearsome. Your hands begin to sweat, and you furiously wipe them off on your trousers.
"Nervous?" Aradia walks over from her seat and pops down on the one next to you. Karkat quickly occupies the one across yours, and Terezi sits up straighter, giving them a smile.
"Hello."
"Hi, Terezi." Aradia smiles, before focusing on you again. "I know I am."
"We all are." You nod.
"I'm not." Terezi takes off her glasses and gives them a little sniff. You roll your eyes.
"Well, the rest of us won't get points just for not tripping over their own feet." Karkat snaps, but it is clear from his voice he doesn't mean it- you are impressed with Terezi's skills, all of you, and have limitless respect for everything she does.
Feferi exists. District eight boy lazily pops onto his feet, giggling to himself. You all give him a wary stare.
"He scares me." Karkat mutters. You nod.
"What are you going to show them, then?" You ask, just to switch the subject. The small talk goes on until you get called in.
The room is large- very large. The Game Makers are on your right, thick glass protecting them from any potential attacks, and you think you saw someone sip wine but they wouldn't-No, they are definitely sipping wine.
With a sigh, you walk over to the cold weaponry and pick out a handful of Shurikens, and then return to the middle of the room. You look up, and don't move an inch before one of the Game Makers meets your gaze, and then wait until they are all staring at you, before making a little bow and starting your show.
You fling a Shuriken into every target you can see, do it with your back turned, do it from one knee, you even lie down and fling a star blindly, and the impressed murmur tells you you've managed to hit the target. You then stand up and wait patiently for them to give you permission to go.
Terezi gives you a brief squeeze on the shoulder as you pass her in the hallway, and you return the gesture by squeezing her hand. Karkat and Aradia flock you make it down the hall, and you just murmur something about thinking you've done well, before excusing yourself to go throw up.
***ooo***
Terezi is taking a while- well, there are probably a lot of things in there that she has to name- and you nervously fiddle with your sleeves, chewing on your lower lip. Aradia has went to get some water from the machine down the hall, and you are on your own now, nothing but your thoughts to pester you.
"Calm down."
You look up in surprise- you know that voice- and are met by a pair of shaded eyes. Dave Strider smirks- smirks, the little shit- at your surprised expression, before leaning back in Sollux' chair. You don't reply, and he lets out an irritated huff.
"You are seriously going to ignore me, aren't you?"
You cross your arms against your chest and pointedly stare down, making a point of ignoring him completely. He laughs.
"Angry pout." He says, before getting up and walking back to his district partner. You momentarily correct your face- you do not pout. "It's cute."
Blood rushes to your face, and you angrily run your fingernails into the stretchy material of your shirt.
Fucking asshole.
***ooo***
The wait for the scores in a long, awkward one- the dinner takes forever, little clatter of the eating utensils the only sound to be heard. Once you've all accepted no one is getting a healthy meal in tonight, you all settle down around the TV, Roxy with her arms wrapped around Rose, you sitting next to them, fingers barely brushing, Bro sprawled across the only chair, Kanaya standing behind you, fingers digging into the leather backrest.
The broadcast finally starts. District Two is shown first- Vriska and Equius both got a 10, surprise, surprise- and then district Four, where the boy got a 3 and the princess an 11. You know it's the highest they could have given her without marking her as a sure target, so you don't worry about it- no one is objectively about the royalty.
District eight is up next, and the girl gets a steady seven, while the boy gets a ten. You gulp. As if his face paint wasn't unsettling enough, he's a good fighter too? You feel Rose stiffen next to you, and you grip each other hand, eyes glued to the screen.
District ten is no surprise- the blind girl gets a four, while the boy gets a nine- you've seen him with the shurikens, and he's every bit as good as Bro, so it's no surprise- then district eleven, where both tributes get a nine. You're up last, and you suck in a deep breath.
Rose gets an eight- she managed to gather up all the ropes and climb up all the way to the Game Maker's glass, where she winked at them before descending. It probably amused them, and you are glad for the good score. You are up next, and you don't know what to expect- Dirk had warned you multiple times about not showing them you can use the swords because if you do there will not be a sword in the arena I am not kidding Dave this is serious okay do not use the swords- so you busied yourself with your mean climbing skills, some basic upper body strength flaunting, and just being a little shit a Strider is expected to be. But then again. You volunteered. Rose gives your hand a little squeeze, and then your result is shown.
12.
There is a moment of silence, and then Dirk leaves the room, and with a small mutter Roxy rushes after him. Kanaya plops into the freed seat and squeezes Rose's shoulder.
"It's a threat, isn't it?" You whisper. "I mean. Not only that everyone has to go after me now, but also-"
"Twelve." Kanaya nods. "District Twelve is gone."
And you will be soon. The words hang heavy over your heads, and you just need some air, so you mutter an apology and make a run for your room, past the kitchen and the very confused Roxy. Not seeing Dirk with her should have probably rung some alarms, but, hell, you were upset, and you weren't really thinking straight and-
Dirk is in your room.
You come to a halt, breathing heavy, and that's when you realise your eyes are wet, and you stop yourself from wiping them off, because then Dirk will know, and he might not know yet because your Strider face is good and your aviators are big. But when Dirk looks up, there are wet, glimmering trails going down his cheeks, and a loud sobs wrecks your entire frame, and you don't even know how it happened, but you are now sitting in your brothers lap, arms wrapped around his strong torso, sobbing into his collar bone, just like John did that little eternity ago, and his arms are comforting and rubbing circles in your back, and he is crying too, and you both just sit there, until you eventually doze off.
You expect Dirk to be gone when you wake up, but he's not- he's asleep, glasses off, and of his arms is still on your shoulder, and you are still sleepy enough to confess to yourself that, yes, you've missed your big brother, and yes, you're snuggling against him, and yes, you are scared, and you allow yourself to doze off again- because Dirk leave, and that, in Strider family, means a whole fucking lot.
***heh***
The interview day is what you fear the most- even the actual arena sounds less scary, because, hell, you get to be rude in the arena, and you get to slice at the annoying people in the arena, and if you fuck up in the arena you will only die- if you fuck up the interviews, god knows what the Capitol might to do you.
Kankri can sense your nervousness, and gives you quite a lecture on it- you reply with short, snarky comments, and he is more than little displeased.
"I have given your interview a lot of thought." He says, leaning back against the wall, as the same group of paedophilic make up assistants mess with your hair. "You have made a good impression in the chariot ride, and have quite a good score, although it's not as good as it could have been, if you don't mind me saying."
"Knock yourself out." You mutter. He doesn't hear you.
"So far, the Capitol sees you as an angry, capable fighter. Damara and I have agreed to keep up with the aforementioned image."
You frown. "Isn't it, I don't know, triggering?"
"It most definitely is." Kanrki either doesn't catch your sarcasm or doesn't care. Probably the latter, but there's no way to tell for sure. "We are going with the triggering image. It will put the sponsors off, but maybe it does the same with the tributes, who'd know."
"I think Karkitty is very adorable." Says one of the make up artist. You stare up- karkitty?!- and she chuckles through her fake whiskers.
"Excuse me?" Kankri is eyeing her warily. She giggles again.
"Karkitty is like a little ball of anger." She ruffles your hair. "It's adorpawble!"
You give Kankri a panicked look, and he just smirks.
"Triggering." You say. His smirk doesn't flinch, but at least the make up girl shuts up.
"So, what do I do?" You ask. There is no use in pretending you are not nervous- it's quite obvious you are like a step away from rolling up on the floor and screaming. Kankri knows it, so he doesn't give you any more of his cryptic smirks, and instead gets to the point.
"Be honest- the Capitol is too busy being angry with Dave Strider to bother with you, and as long you don't meddle with him, you should be fine." An angry blush reaches your cheeks at the mention of the Strider, but Kankri is too caught up in his monologue to notice. "Napeta here- excuse me, have I gotten your name right?" The girl nods, with another face-splitting grin. "Seems to like you well enough, hopefully somebody else shares the particular taste in Tributes."
The answer is not overly satisfying, but at least you don't have to pretend to be nice- it probably wouldn't have worked well either. With another sigh, you close your eyes, and let them do their thing.
This is going to be a long day.
***hhh***
The evening comes far too quickly for your liking.
You are standing in the elevator next to Terezi, watching the numbers change, an early countdown to the feared tomorrow. She is hardly recognisable, with the pale, powdered face, dark violet lips, blind eyes framed with thick fake lashes and more than enough eye-liner, little hat equipped with a lacy veil that offers little cover to her unseeing pupils. She is dressed in a tight fitting corset, equally tight leather pants, heavy boots reaching up to her knees, and a small cape that reveals more than it hides. Her gloved hand is gripping yours, and for the first time since the Games have unofficially begun, you know she really needs it.
You, yourself, are dressed up as well- your glasses are still here, thank god, there will be enough time for the Capitol to marvel at your oddly coloured pupils later, your hair thick with the massive amount of product they've put in it to make it look casual, your bi-coloured suit tight fitting and a bit uncomfortable. You appreciate the hand as well.
You meet up with Aradia and Karkat the moment you exit the elevator- she is dressed in a floor length crimson dress, lips red, eyes black, face pale, hair straight and silky, and he is dressed in a pair of black trousers and a silky shirt, with a bright red tie, hair somewhat less tousled than usually.
"Sollux is all tense and erectile here." Terezi sniffs the air. "What a time to be blind."
You roll your eyes, not really embarrassed- Terezi says things like this all the time, and if you really are 'all tense and erectile', well, they won't think she's right.
That's when the Capitol staff rushes over to get you to your places, and before you know it, you are sitting on the stage, enough out of the spotlight to not have a panic attack, but close enough to the audience to feel one coming.
The older Ampora leads the interviews, and Vriska Serket is up first, all dolled up in her high blue heels, short blue dress, with the addition of longer leathered gloves with iron spikes that somehow make the entire outfit work for her. Her lips are blue too, and the grin doesn't come off her face as she answers all the questions- she is very excited for the games, especially for the part where she gets to spills some high royal blood, she loves the Capitol because they are all so colourful and do not cower in fear, as do her fellow tributes- the applause that follows here is loud and makes your stomach clench. Of course they'd love her –she's blood thirsty and inappropriate and still managed to compliment them.
Fucking district Two.
Her district partner is much less gracefull- he is wearing a dark blue shirt and a simple pair of trousers, hair straight and neatly combed, but he keeps sweating profusely and answers questions with simple 'yes' and 'no'es. You wish you could get away with that sort of behaviour. Hell, you probably will either way. You are really bad with public talks.
Feferi Peixes looks as amazing as anyone has expected- she is wearing a long, puffy dress of rich velvet, pink and gold, her hair is braided, and she has a diamond-coated tiara in her hair. She takes it off when the interview is over and hands it over to Ampora- "Watch over this for me, I'll want it once the Games are over"- and that little remarks wins her all the sympathy her bubbly personality already didn't.
District Four boy is scared as awkward. The applause is pure pity, and you feel really bad for him.
District Eight girl is dressed in a cute, baby blue dress, with a matching bow in her short curls, and she is all smiles and giggles. Audience likes her well enough, because they do applaud her as she walks off the stage, and then Gamzee Makara is up- he is stoned as fuck, and he gives vague answers, but he scored an eleven, and everybody wants to know more about him, and the lack of answer drives even Cronus off the edge.
You are starting to like the guy.
It's Terezi's turn now. She was given a walking cane- pearly white, with a dragon's head- and she walks over with confidence. She gives Cronus her usual grin and gives the crowd some cryptic answers. They like her, you realise with relief, and then it's your turn and you have just enough time to take in a deep breath before you're walking up to the stage.
You don't speak much. He asks to see your eyes, and you refuse- "I'll only remove them for the Victor crowning" and that gives you a few cheers, and Cronus really does help you to make a good impression, and if you feel a bit dizzy as you walk off the stage, you hope nobody notices.
Aradia is up next, and you focus on her- the audience loves her from the moment she appears on the stage, and she keeps on with her mystifying smiles and could-be-flirting answers. You don't know where she's learned that sort of behaviour, but it works for her- and you give her a thumbs up when she walks down from the stage.
Karkat is up next, and you are all holding back a laughing fit thorough the interview. He is as rude as ever, he gives snarky replies, and when asked how he's finding the Capitol, he tells him he wishes he'd have gotten lost "I don't know what the burnt down districts look like, but they can't be as bad as continuous molestation and those fucking leather pants."
Cronus looks somewhat offended, but the audience loves him. He slumps back in his chair after the interview, and flips you off, and it's only then that you realise you're grinning.
Rose Lalonde is up next. Her hair is held back with small diamond pins, her lips are as black as her eye-liner, and she is wearing a tight fitting red dress, held in place with a thick black belt. She quickly takes over the control, and manages to get Cronus to answer her question- he blushes when he realises what she has done, and the crowd gives her a deafening applause. You now wish her district partner hadn't volunteered- she'd have made a great ally.
Dave Strider is last up, and everyone is silent. He is wearing a red felt suit, his signature shades, and his hair is carefully styled. He pops down in his Chair, lazy grin on his face.
"Still sticking to the shades, I see." Cronus says, as an ice breaker, and Dave's smirk grows.
"Yeah, well, man." He gestures at the audience. "Don't want to be blinded by all the beautiful people in here."
Well.
Cronus eventually asks about John Egbert, and he sighs.
"He is my best bro." He shrugs. "But man, he wouldn't last a day in Capitol."
"Can you elaborate on that?" Cronus frowns.
"Sure, man." Dave sits up straighter. "John is all bucked teeth and stuttering. You'd love him. We'd never get him back."
"You don't think we'll want to keep you?" Cronus smirks. Dave smirks back.
"Aw, man, with the two Striders, I'm sure we'll find a way to make everyone happy."
He didn't fuck up, quite the contrary, it seems, and you wonder if maybe that alliance is not completely out of the question.
Today's not the day to think about it, though. You first need to focus on surviving the bloodbath, and if both Rose and Dave are still in the game- well, Games- you can bring it up again.
The thought of the bloodbath makes you nervous again, and Aradia leans over to squeeze your hand, and you give her a grateful smile.
Dave Strider walks over, and you are all asked to rise, and the applause is loud, and you wait for a couple of minutes, and then you're allowed to go.
*A/N* Trying to get as much writing down as possible because GUESS WHO'S PARTICIPATING IN THE GISHWHES 2013 FUCK YEAH
But every time I try to write /anything/ this happens
Well
Enjoy
Because people are going to start dying soon
If you have any suggestions or anything to say oh wow look at that review button