One. ~ Audio. then video.

[districttwo]

[There's a sudden click on the forge and then there's the sound of heavy breathing. Then a shock-a noise-and then a rustle-like clothing moving around. Then a mad scramble and suddenly barge-there's a face.

It's a young face. An attractive face, belonging to a powerfully built young male with short blond hair-matted-absolutely matted with blood and gore. His gaze is wide-eyed.]

...Where's 12?

[he hesitates] Why am I back in my room? Is this-is this another test? Another arena? Or..

[The next part is said half-hopeful, half horrified. Deep down he knows it's not true, and it won't be a particular shock. Still.]

...Did I win?

Comments

[wedonot]

[Hnnng Cato don't make him read you that is usually not a good way to start off with people.]

Your uncle isn't here. You've been brought to a ship called the Barge, it's an interdimensional ship where people come to get a second chance. [This sounds way better than PRISON SHIP, YOU'RE DEAD AND STUCK HERE.] Can you tell me what you were doing before you came here?

[districttwo]

[Now he looks scornful.] I was in the games. Obviously. Haven't you been watching?

[wedonot]

No. Whatever games you were participating in don't exist in my world, and they weren't being broadcast on the ship.

[districttwo]

[He frowns] the Hunger Games aren't broadcast somewhere?

[He frowns, and frowns.] ...No Capitol? No Panem?

[wedonot]

I'd guess there are things from my world you've never heard of as well.

[districttwo]

...if it's pre-collapse it'll all be gone by my time anyway.

[that's 18 year old kid for "I'm curious tell me more." but it's hard to translate. :( ]

[wedonot]

[Maybe not. Mutants were potentially pretty sturdy in the face of different kinds of apocalypses. But he's not going to launch into that just yet.]

Collapse?

[districttwo]

[If there were. They're in the capitol's clutches. they're in the muttations, the dogs, the animals, the monsters they pit children and rebels against.

Cato looks confused.]

2015. You can't-be serious. Waters rise? Purge happens? The fight for resources leads the United States to declare it's dissolution? They re-unite with Hollywood under the Capitol's bunker...?

[he grimaces] I should know this. Norad. that's it. Norad. They re-united under Norad and directed the great wars before the districts were formed.

...None of this sounds familiar?

[wedonot]

No, I'm afraid it doesn't. I'm from 1962, and I'm afraid you'll find not everyone is from your world and won't know what you're talking about unless you explain it to them. There are people here from all sorts of realities and futures, that are all quite different from each other in usually significant, but sometimes subtle ways. Thus interdimensional.

[districttwo]

[big words make Cato sad. His face falls.]

...So there are places where things didn't collapse.

...what do you all do all day? I-

[He rubs at his head] It must be boring.

[wedonot]

We find ways to keep busy. What's your name?

[districttwo]

Cato. [has something changed? yep. he has an ally now. So he seems distinctly more relaxed.]

From District Two.

[wedonot]

And you're sure you're not hurt? [He knows people usually come on board with their injuries healed, but it never hurts to check.]

[districttwo]

[He lowers his gaze.] she shot me in the throat. That's how I died.

[wedonot]

Who did?

[districttwo]

District twelve. Everdeen.

[He grimaces.] With a bow and arrow.

[wedonot]

So, the Hunger Games are basically a fight to the death. For children. [:|]