|
Post by Seryna on Jun 6, 2012 16:50:36 GMT -5
Conrad recieves a letter at his door. It is short, to the point and very worrisome. Potential rule change for HG #25. We need to discuss how its going to affect our tributes. Come to training center tonight. Apple
|
|
|
Post by Aeon The Phoenix on Jun 6, 2012 16:55:29 GMT -5
Conrad read the note, a furrow of worry rippling across his brow. If he'd had any plans for tonight, they'd have been canceled immediately. As it was, he was free regardless to meet up with Apple.
|
|
|
Post by Seryna on Jun 6, 2012 17:00:16 GMT -5
Entering the training center, Conrad feels unsettled. Only half of the lights are on; lending long, dark shadows to the cavernous room. As he's surveying the quiet hall; he notices a form that startles him. Apple is lounging against a pillar; reading a piece of paper. At seeing Conrad; she waves him over.
"We may have a problem." She states flatly, handing Conrad the paper. Glancing at it; it appears to be a transcript...
Gamemaker 1: President Snow has told us to look to the big groups for our story. The career pack - the Big Alliance... we need to generate conflict between them. President Snow doesn't want stories of friends weathering adversaries. Gamemaker 2: I hear he's given us leave for a rule change. 1: He has. We have to decide the best way to make this Games exciting, unexpected - and get some truly memorable fates for the tributes. Gamemaker 3: This says we can allow an alliance to survive. Not a six member alliance; I assume. Gamemaker 1: No. We have to decide on a cut off number. Gamemaker 2: Shouldn't it be two? Thrall and Kale. Jace and Lallek. Rory and Jasmine. Gamemaker 1 Maybe three. Rory also has Tank and Rowan at her back. We also have a prime number staring at our face - three. Three District 4 tributes. Three District 7. Three District 11. Gamemaker 3 The Big Alliance definitely will be split at hearing that only three can survive... Gamemaker 2 Thats right. So will the Career Pack. Gamemaker 1 I wonder if the District 7 will crumple at that. The Seven seems pretty close to Jasmine; but there's already conflict between Rory, Jace and Lallek. We need to push that. Gamemaker 2 When do we make the decision? Gamemaker 1 We watch them for the night... Gamemaker 3: This is a perfect time to use the puzzle boxes. Gamemaker 1: Oh, yes. Prepare some...
End Transcript.
|
|
|
Post by Aeon The Phoenix on Jun 7, 2012 3:01:54 GMT -5
Conrad read the note with disgust and anger apparent on his face. Was this the kind of discussion the Gamemakers had when they threw a shark at his Alliance?
"We need to warn them." Conrad declared immediately.
|
|
|
Post by Seryna on Jun 7, 2012 4:52:56 GMT -5
Apple inclined her head; agreeing immediately. "We do; with the very next shipment. We can probably scrawl a short message on the underside of something; but we'll have to choose our words wisely." She let out a breath. "You had a better rapport with them. You may come up with something that they could decipher that the others wouldn't."
Oh yes; the others in the alliance. If two or three was the only option; would Jasmine - longtime friend of the District 7 - be excluded?
|
|
|
Post by Aeon The Phoenix on Jun 16, 2012 14:02:39 GMT -5
"If we send a medkit as one item and hide it in the bandages somehow... I'll have to make it something only our tributes can decipher and trust them to share it with whom they see fit." Conrad responded.
|
|
|
Post by Seryna on Jun 21, 2012 8:57:08 GMT -5
"Thats a good idea." Apple replied; nodding. "We need to warn them. The Gamemakers clearly are trying to divide the alliance. We need as many people on District 7's side as possible..."
Suddenly; you see a shadowy form. Its that of a man watching from the door way that you had just walked through.
|
|
|
Post by Aeon The Phoenix on Jun 21, 2012 9:00:04 GMT -5
"Who's there?" Conrad called to the shadowy figure. "Come on out."
|
|
|
Post by Seryna on Jun 21, 2012 9:06:04 GMT -5
The figure steps forward and Conrad has to squint. He still doesn't recognize the man in the dim light. Yet Apple does.
"Bran," She greets the newcomer. One of the District 11 mentors. "- you trying to scare us to death?" "Seems like you're plotting enough death." Bran replies; taking another step forward. "Couldn't help overhearing. I don't suppose you're plotting for three district seven winners. But I can't help thinking it would work out better if you think of District 11."
|
|
|
Post by Aeon The Phoenix on Jun 21, 2012 9:18:14 GMT -5
"I won't lie, we were hoping to get our District's tributes all back home alive but then everyone looks after their own first." Conrad responded.
"It's still early days as far the Game is concerned giving the number of remaining tributes, but I have been watching the others who sided with our district so far. Loyalties look like they're starting to fray, but your Jasmine seems to have bonded well with our District. If it's possible, I'd like to see her back alive as well, but ultimately that judgment is down to the tributes. We have no right telling those children fighting for their lives who should live and who should die."
|
|
|
Post by Seryna on Jun 21, 2012 9:21:09 GMT -5
"Your Sorrel and Odin aren't a concern of ours." Apple stated flatly. She jerks her head towards Conrad. "We have three tributes out there that we need to get home."
"But Jasmine concerns you, doesn't she?" Bran counters.
"Then hear me out. The alliance has already weathered a mutation and several conflicts. If our districts unify; we could both have victors for our district. She's already protected your tributes. Fought side by side with them when others ran."
|
|
|
Post by Aeon The Phoenix on Jun 21, 2012 9:28:37 GMT -5
Conrad paused, considering the proposal before coming to a decision.
"Have you seen this transcript yet?" The male asked, holding up the sheet of paper. He could have hidden it, claimed the Gamemakers were thinking of saving 4 tributes yes... but that wasn't how Conrad did things.
|
|
|
Post by Seryna on Jun 21, 2012 9:32:06 GMT -5
"I heard you discussing it." Bran admitted. Honesty for honesty. He accepted the transcript and looked it over. He hid his shock well; lowering it. "This is a hard number for you. I know that you're thinking of three people coming home. But that might not happen. Things go bad in the arena. Your tributes would have a better chance at coming home with Jasmine at their side."
Bran encourges.
"You've seen her side by side with your Rory. Fighting alongside Tank, Rory and Rowan; all."
|
|
|
Post by Aeon The Phoenix on Jun 21, 2012 9:40:55 GMT -5
Conrad grimaced.
"It's not easy for either of us... I am determined to get them all home if I can, just as any mentor should for their tributes. I won't claim they have a bigger right to live over Jasmine any more than I'd claim Jasmine does over them, but if our tributes carry on working together, I will promise I won't take any action that will impair her chances to come home."
|
|
|
Post by Seryna on Jun 21, 2012 9:44:55 GMT -5
"That's all that I'm asking." Bran replied. "I'll be encouraging Jasmine to stick by your sides; to keep helping your district along. You know that isn't in my best interest. I could encourage her to find Sorrel and Odin." His tone was harder. "That would increase my odds of getting someone home. But - our tributes have a connection. I'm going to try and foster it. I hope that you'll do the same-"
His eyes narrow. He takes a step forward; then two. Hostility is in his eyes and you have to wonder if he's going to attack.
"Whose there?" He calls. A door to the far wall slams as someone hurries away.
|
|
|
Post by Aeon The Phoenix on Jun 21, 2012 16:57:47 GMT -5
As Conrad heard the door slam shut he bolted for it as top speed, throwing it open as he stared out into the night looking for any signs of a figure fleeing the premises. Conrad Miles rolled 8 dice to "Footchase (+3)" 5,6,3,4,7,3,9,2 (1 success)
|
|
|
Post by Seryna on Jun 22, 2012 10:51:29 GMT -5
As Conrad rushes through the door; he sees only the back of a man twenty five paces away. The man is quick. Perhaps too quick for Conrad to catch. As the man turns around a pillar; heading for the Salon; Conrad realizes that he recognized the athlete. The eavesdropper was none other than Nettle; the victor from district four.
"Conrad!" Apple bursts out of the door; pausing beside him.
|
|
|
Post by Aeon The Phoenix on Jun 22, 2012 12:38:05 GMT -5
Conrad spared only a precious second for his fellow mentor, long enough to utter "Nettle." before... he sighed and turned back to Apple as harsh reality hit Conrad square in the face. This wasn't the Games... and even if he did catch the District 4 Mentor, what could he do? If Nettle disappeared , it certainly wouldn't go unnoticed.
"Security around here stinks..." Conrad muttered under his breath. This only served to complicate matters now. Somehow he would have to warn his tributes of both the puzzles and the danger now posed by District 4.
|
|
|
Post by Seryna on Jun 22, 2012 12:45:12 GMT -5
"Luckily for us." Apple reminded; somewhat wryly. She sighed; pulling the door shut and effectively closing Bran off in the training center. For the moment; the district seven victors were alone. She glanced towards Conrad with a frown.
"District four has just as much of a chance for benefiting from this as we do. They have three tributes still in; and Lallek seems close to Jace. We have to assume that Nettle will contact Lallek. We just have to hope our people can outwit him."
|
|