"Barbie" (Dale Barbara) (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
baaarbie) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
makinglies2014-02-11 06:24 pm
baaarbie) wrote in makinglies2014-02-11 06:24 pm
Entry tags:
It's all downhill from here
It was one thing to 'know' you were still in peak condition and entirely different thing to have that knowledge tested. As far as Barbie was concerned, he'd passed with high scores.
The second that countdown had hit '0' and the bombs around the pedestals had deactivated, he found himself bolting from the starting line and straight for the cornucopia. The first thing his hand had found was a long, viscous looking blade and that was what he used to chop down anyone who tried to get between him and a pack of supplies and then again when he made for the tree line.
Despite the misgivings he'd developed over the years from his first time in the arena, he was remorseless in taking out anyone who made for him. His plan was to take them all out, but this wasn't the best tactical time to do that. 'The environment will do most of the heavy lifting and the less blood on my hands the better.'
He wasn't going to hold back--this time his competitors would be fine, a little traumatized but alive and well after their deaths--but he also didn't want to be a butcher. That wasn't him anymore.
So he headed East, hoping that would take him to a river or something before he maybe found himself a little cluster of rocks to lay in wait and set up traps. That was the plan, anyway, he had no doubt the gamemakers would do what they could to try and kill him. He wasn't supposed to come out of this alive, after all, the government was through with him. 'Works for me. Luckily, the government never does anything right.'
He'd win this and then he'd disappear and not even damn President Snow and his Peacekeepers would be able to find him.
The second that countdown had hit '0' and the bombs around the pedestals had deactivated, he found himself bolting from the starting line and straight for the cornucopia. The first thing his hand had found was a long, viscous looking blade and that was what he used to chop down anyone who tried to get between him and a pack of supplies and then again when he made for the tree line.
Despite the misgivings he'd developed over the years from his first time in the arena, he was remorseless in taking out anyone who made for him. His plan was to take them all out, but this wasn't the best tactical time to do that. 'The environment will do most of the heavy lifting and the less blood on my hands the better.'
He wasn't going to hold back--this time his competitors would be fine, a little traumatized but alive and well after their deaths--but he also didn't want to be a butcher. That wasn't him anymore.
So he headed East, hoping that would take him to a river or something before he maybe found himself a little cluster of rocks to lay in wait and set up traps. That was the plan, anyway, he had no doubt the gamemakers would do what they could to try and kill him. He wasn't supposed to come out of this alive, after all, the government was through with him. 'Works for me. Luckily, the government never does anything right.'
He'd win this and then he'd disappear and not even damn President Snow and his Peacekeepers would be able to find him.
no subject
...And it was almost depressing to Apollo how he couldn't manage to feel too surprised that this was happening. Almost.
He got it. They probably noticed his apathy in mentoring lately, probably wanted to give him a friendly reminder of why it was so important to train the Tributes, because look, look at what they're going through, now you have to go through it again too because clearly you don't remember, you don't remember how much it hurt last time or all those sleepless nights and bloody nightmares but maybe you'll remember now if you relive it for real-
...Of course, he was thinking that with the assumption that he wouldn't have to worry about his death here being permanent (or so they claimed). But that didn't mean he particularly wanted to tempt fate, either, nor did he want to kill anyone if he didn't have to. So it would be like the last time he was in the arena years ago: he'd leave the Cornucopia to the bloodthirsty and hide himself away as much as possible, making do with his environment and letting the others wet their own hands with each others' blood. He didn't want any part of it, not now, not ever.
He'd retreat through the woods, just like before...only this time, he was wiser, and there was no comforting hand tightly gripping his. There was no one to hide with, no one to watch his back...no one to fail to protect except himself. He preferred it this way, if only to save himself from needless hurt.
Yet somehow, those thoughts didn't stop him from becoming curious when, as he stopped to pick up a decently sized rock he could use for protection, he saw a familiar face retreating behind some nearby boulders. That was fellow mentor Barbie, wasn't it? Apollo wasn't close to him or anything, but he knew enough to know that Barbie had some anti-Capitol sentiments. Perhaps they were being taught the same lesson here...or being disposed of together as some sort of example. The thought made Apollo feel quite unpleasant, but that feeling of surprise was still one that was hard to come by.
Nevertheless, the young man found himself slowly approaching...but not as he would have blindly done years ago. He stopped a safe enough distance away to be heard and yet still have a chance to escape should Barbie be hostile - Apollo wasn't about to repeat any mistakes here - before he called out, "Barbie?"
no subject
A good tactic in his opinion.
Next was a need for shelter and the rock cluster he stumbled upon was perfect. He ducked in behind their cover, unaware of anyone else around him, and began to go through the pack he'd snagged more thoroughly. The sound of his own name made him pause. It took a moment to place it, but once he did a wave of unease crept through him. 'Of course, this couldn't possibly be easy, could it?'
The older man kept his back to one of the rocks as he slid around it to actually see his fellow mentor. Once he did--a respectful distance away, very smart--a bitter smile twisted his lips.
"Hello, Apollo. I assume you're not here for the sight-seeing." Barbie hadn't even noticed him among the others on the starter pedestals, he hadn't looked at any of them, his eyes had been on the prize and they hadn't wavered.
no subject
(Pathetic, Justice. Just pathetic.)
"Ha ha, well...even if I was, I've already seen all I need to see," the young man replied with the hint of a bitter smile on his face. He neither continued to approach nor retreated, only giving his surroundings a very quick glance. Never hurt to be too careful. "I take it you're not here for vacation either, huh?"
He should be backing away slowly and finding another place to hide...why was he still talking?
no subject
What was the better move here? If it were anyone else, he'd say take them on as an ally and then take them out painlessly as soon as he needed to--where was the harm when they'd just come back?--but that was the kicker: there was no guarantee either of them would come back from this. They weren't foreigners, after all.
But allies was what he was taught to utalise, it was what he was used to and maybe it would turn out okay. 'Or the sky could turn purple, one or the other.' Still...
"I notice you didn't take your chances at the cornicopia-" If he had, Barbie might have sliced him down without even thinking. "-I'll share mine until you can get your own, if we can agree to watch each other's backs. For a little while, at least." Apollo wasn't stupid, he'd know just as well as Barbie that their time as allies was likely to be short.
And Barbie had watched Apollo's Game. He'd seen what had happened with Fulbright; he'd hardly blame the younger man for thinking twice about his offer.
no subject
(*sigh*... I'm really going to hate myself for what I'm about to do...but I don't really have a choice, do I?)
"Yeah, sure," Apollo agreed, his bitter smile giving way to a frown as he allowed himself to cautiously make his way over to Barbie. He might be an idiot, but he might also be winning himself some supplies here at the very least. And...who knew? He might actually find some use in this guy.
Wouldn't that make Bobby proud.
...No. Even as just a passing thought, it quickly made Apollo sick to his stomach. Dragging his mind away from that direction of thinking, he continued his approach, rock in hand in case Barbie decided to try anything funny.
no subject
"I think you'll find this is much more effective than a rock." He gave a bit of a sigh, his eyes flicking out to the forest before going back to Apollo's face. "Look, we both know this isn't likely to end pretty, but for at least the next couple of weeks, you can trust me not to kill you in your sleep, much less right in front of your face. Believe it or not, I need your help about as much as you need mine."
Barbie could handle himself, but he wasn't so stupid as to believe he was infallible and the fastest way to get to a man was to get him alone. If they weren't alone, they were less likely to die early. Plus, Barbie wasn't stupid by a long shot, but he was definitely the brawn to Apollo's Brain in comparison.
no subject
...And yeah okay, sure, a dagger was totally better than a rock any day.
Now close enough to his new makeshift ally to no longer be considered a 'safe distance away', Apollo stared at the other man intently, trying to read him (while continuing to internally berate himself for being in this situation in the first place). "I believe it, alright," he finally responded, intentionally being vague on whether that was meant to be sarcastic or honest. "...I suppose it makes the most sense that we stick together. We're not here for the same reason the others are."
He doubted he needed to elaborate further on the matter. Besides, they were both well aware that their every word and action was being watched closely.