Round 03. [Text]

[districttwo]

What are things that pre-collapse children did for fun between the ages of 12-18.

The Collapse: During the 2nd attempted occupation of the countries of Iraq, Iran, and the middle east the United States efforts to enforce a world-wide dictatorship with themselves at the head were met with resistance. Nuclear retaliation by the countries of the United Arab Emirates and their allies along with dwindling resources led to the dissolution of the congress at NORAD and any attempts to unite Humanity.

Occupation was considered a necessary evil due to the wildfire devastation that destroyed most of the western coast of the continental united states as well as the earthquakes that split the country. The capitol, harvesting the brightest minds from the think-tank known as Hollywood brought them to NORAD and inland to create a shining utopia of creative thought and ideas.

Due to the greatness of the people brought from the government think-tank Hollywood, they were able to bring back several things and bring a degree of normalacy to displaced refugees who flocked into the areas eventually known as districts.

Basically when everything blew up and the great ones from Hollywood founded the capitol. What did children do for fun.

[PRIVATE TO CASHMERE. Video.]

[Cato has a half-healed cut over his eye] My warden died for me. [He's not sure how he feels about this at all and he wants reassurance it was a bad thing.]


[ooc: Yes folks. Cato's world was founded by HOLLYWOOD~ and reality TV. because when the world ends you're going to grab all the actors and actress but honestly how else do you explain a roman-esque society founded on high fashion?]

Comments

[districttwo]

If I had not been selected as a participant in the games I would be married in two years and expected to produce children for the capitol.

[long pause]

You're the second guy to mention this High Guard. My warden talked about it.

[truth_is_cold]

My children certainly were never property of the state. That's a ridiculous amount of power to give someone over you.

Yes, I know. He was my Captain before I left the High Guard. ["Left" is a careful way to put it.]

[districttwo]

I'm property of the state. S'what my mom says better that then be one of the stoner kids. The stone mason kids in the district.

My parents were part of our High Guard. They were peacekeepers. Why would you leave that's the only way you get food.

[truth_is_cold]

I personally think that's a ridiculous way to regard your children. You made them, whether intentionally or circumstantially. You carry them to term. They are yours to teach and yours to better. In handing over your children to the state you are handing over a physical part of yourself. It's abominable.

[Don't hold back Rhade. Obviously you're showing too much restraint.]

The only reason I joined the High Guard was I enjoyed the challenges it gave me. If that were a requirement for life, I would make my own food.

[districttwo]

Don't talk about m mom like that she was a saint. it was my father who lied. We have to help the capitol they need us.

[He frowns offscreen and switches to video.]

My family has a long history of being peace officers. It's good work. They have a long history of working with the police ever since before the collapse. It's good work. Why wouldn't you..

[He looks confused. Disgusted mildly] You had power.

[truth_is_cold]

I will talk about any parent that uses their child as currency. There are two quotes by our progenitor that I find invaluable.

One is Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Which is a problem. If one does not have power. It means two things. That when you earn absolute, unquestionable power, you are blind to the needs of others. And the other, that when absolute power is obtained those without power will be made to stay in their place.

You were foolish out there. You acted as if you belonged, but there was no benefit to you, your family, or anyone. You welcomed them taking advantage of you and all of your own kind.

[districttwo]

[Cato frowns] Maybe what they were doing made sense. The strong have to take from the weak. At the very least they were providing support.

If you're weak you have to have someone to rely on.

[truth_is_cold]

You don't understand. The strong take from the weak, but you were the weakest and rejecting the only things you had to rely on. Limited sustenance to prolong your eventual death is not survival or strength. And of those that wanted to help you, two people died and another was taken back while you were busy romanticizing your captors. [Rhade is still pretty pissed over that whole ordeal.]

[districttwo]

...Have you ever been hungry? [Cato's expression is dangerous] Have you ever had to fight for everything you have? Face extinction?

There's no time for anything but allowing people...to have power over you.

[truth_is_cold]

No, because like I said I would make my own food. You seem to be under the impression that you get something out of it down on that planet. You don't. Like I said, you were even less than currency. There was no honor it. No esteem. You weren't a celebrity. You didn't earn pity. No one got more food from it, no mercy, no extra attention. You were an ant under a magnifying glass, a fleeting moment of entertainment at no expense to them and no benefit to yourself. I was the most idiotic act of blind altruism to an undeserving party that I've seen in a long while.

[districttwo]

[Cato frowns at him]

You make due with what you have!

[truth_is_cold]

You had nothing. They weren't out to keep you, they were out to kill you. Kill you like they did the others. And if I hadn't dragged you away, they might have.