trinkett | Fourth Dispatch: It's Not What You Think. Voice.

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Fourth Dispatch: It's Not What You Think. Voice.

Dear Fellow Residents of Luceti,

Wouldn't it be entertaining to put on some Games here in Luceti? Not that the Cultural Fair wasn't amusing, or any of the other activities going on here -- but true gladiatorial games. The pitting of one creature against another! Think of the thrill and drama and the release that goes along with that sort of entertainment! And here in Luceti we are ideally suited for a very exciting Games indeed.

Who would you sponsor or volunteer for this entertainment? Or would it all be...

[There is a pause here.]

Pokey-mans? I find human beings MUCH more interesting to watch, personally.

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[Oh. Is that what she thought it was? Well, this is awkward. Um...]

Yeah well, hitting someone's chest gets you nothing but bruised knuckles. No point trying to punch the part of the body designed to protect what's inside.

[Was that diplomatic enough?]

Cute name. Any particular reason?

It sounds strong. And brave! Jason led the Argonauts.

[That had been required reading in school.]

Such a better name than "Loki". [She adds that last part almost to herself. Stupid Loki, freaking her out over absolutely nothing at all. Shadows. Hmph.]

I will take your word for that.

[Classical literature had not been too high on his list of priorities.

What she says next though, that catches his attention.]

Loki. Yeah, most names would be better than his.

Do you have that skill?

[She follows this up quickly:]

It's only because today I thought...I thought I heard a baby.

[It's cool, Clove. Effie still respects you as a District 2 Tribute.]

They certainly don't! Nor do they understand any kind of organized entertainment. Even athletics! You would think that even the once-celebrated, now-antiquated TEAM sports would garner SOME interest.

...Someone tried to explain "soccer" to me. It sounds like a waste of time.

[Because yay new topic. So she can at least bury the evidence of the crazy from the Capitol person.]

You know him? [She asks that very quickly, then continues:] Because I can't...I won't speak with you anymore. If you're of his kind. Always lying to a woman! And the manner in which he speaks! Just...

[Her face flushes beet red.]

[There is no better topic than soccer for burying the crazy.]

I have been researching in the library. Apparently "soccer" involves falsifying injuries to an absurd extent whilst trying to kick a ball into a goal.

It could be interesting....

There are... five? people per team. Or something. I think two teams. Kicking a ball back and forth between their group and trying to get it into a goal? While the other team does the same thing?

I just... don't get the point. What do you get if you win?

In some versions a human head is used?

[DOES THIS HELP, CLOVE?]

...I don't anyone here would go for that.

[Or even her, for that matter.]

Yeah, I know him. Mores the pity. Not many people I'd rather see with an arrow through their eye, gotta admit.

Probably right about that. [Because gross, human heads.] In another version, the players are on horseback and a goat carcass is used.

[Curious, Effie leans in a bit -- trying to get a better read on Clint's face.]

Why don't you just....do it?

[Because she's never met an assassin who would hold back when the death was desired on their part.]

[Clint is pretty much unreadable. He's had a lot of practice.]

Because he'll come back in a week, pissed as hell. Because in a place like this, you can't afford to act on murderous grudges.

[She freezes up a little at that. Because if an angry Loki concerned someone like Clint...]

Is he dangerous? Can he...can he read minds?

[She immediately feels stupid for asking that second question. Of course he can't read minds. That's impossible.]

[Clint gives her an intent look.]

He's one of the most dangerous people I've ever met. And no, not like you're thinking. But he can read people, their expressions, their voices, body language. So it might as well be the same sometimes.

[Crap.] What does he do to them? After he reads them?

[Though secretly she's hoping that he's had his fun with her and she might now be able to escape his attention. Lie low for a little while, like politicians did after attempted lynchings by the Opposition.]

Screw with your head for his own amusement. That, pretty much. He's a master manipulator.

Oh. [Was that all?] I thought it was going to be MUCH worse than that, from the way you built him up!

[She's actually relieved. Her mind was going to really scary places, there.]

I'm not that easily manipulated.

[Har har har. Your whole life is a lie, Effie.]

Lady, you're an open book to him, I guarantee it. I'm pretty sure that if he wanted to, he could drive you insane, have you looking over your shoulder, jumping at every sound. Hell, I managed it and I'm just a solider.

My NAME is Effie. Not "lady." Not sweetheart. EFFIE. And you have NOT driven me insane.

[Hmph.]

You only managed it because you made me come in HERE and then all those...

[Booted feet. Fast approaching. She trails off.]

I didn't make you do anything. You walked in here of your own free will. And you've been looking at me like you're ready to bolt ever since. Might be the first sense you've shown.

It was only because someone needs to teach you how to have a civil tongue in your head, sir.

[It had been her pride at work, really. She'd held it so important to keep up that veneer of not backing down.]

Won't you feel silly when we end up tournamenting with goat carcasses!

Edited 2013-06-29 00:02 (UTC)

[Something that he's sort of suspected--the use of the word "gladiatorial" earlier was definitely worrisome, but maybe it would be a little hypocritical of us to be too quick to judge yet...]

Hm...well, I don't know if there are enough of us here that would want to participate in a large tournament, but I'm sure organizing public matches between whichever trainers are interested could work. In fact, I daresay it could even be fun, getting to show off the unique flavors of our Pokemon to the people of Luceti! [...And, truth be told, he does kind of miss being part of, or even having an audience when it comes to Pokemon battles, rather than just training or battling with the others in the Battle Dome.]

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Fourth Dispatch: It's Not What You Think. Voice.

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