Blacker Than Black

[trinkett]

Who: Effie Trinket and anyone who wishes to join in the melee. I mean festivities.
What: Black Friday
When: Begins Midnight, Friday, November 29th.
Where: In town with all the shops. And the bakery.
Summary: You know the deal. Shopping. Violence. Bickering over consumer goods.
Rating: PG-13?

Effie never went to bed on Thursday night. She knew, by now, that Jack Horner was gone. Vanished. Not in Luceti anymore. At least, that was what she gathered after extensive questioning and the realization that all of his things were gone. Effie found herself alone in an apartment that did not feel anything like home. Maybe she would move out. Maybe she had to move on, now.

She kept busy on Thursday drinking wine. Lots of wine.

At midnight, she stumbled to the fountain in the center of town, semi-sober and dressed in typical Capitalista fashion. There were supposed to be bodyguards here. And fellow participants, to be sure. Hopefully no one will cause TOO much trouble.


(((PLEASE feel free to mingle, threadhop, dance the springle-ring, jingle some bling, anything. It's wide open.))))

Comments

[stopmjolnirtime]

True to his word, come midnight, Thor made his way to the plaza for his duty as an escort. He'd rested for a few hours earlier, collected his cloak for the weather and strode to the fountain for lack of a proper mark of meeting. The elaborately dressed woman he meets there must be the Lady he agreed to guard. He saw no large crowd just yet nor any true cause for alarm, but come he did all the same.

"Lady Effie?"

[inyourfavor]

Effie was HOPING this was Thor. "Thor?" She hurried toward him, heels clicking on the pavement. "Is that you?"

[stopmjolnirtime]

"Aye, Lady." He extended his arm to her with an easy smile. "It is. And you are the good Lady Effie I trust?"

[trinkett]

"I am." She took his arm. It was so much EASIER when men had manners. "I am SO glad you came. One never knows what will happen on Black Friday!" Although the town is pretty quiet right now...

[swordprincess]

It was unusual for Karla to be out at this ungodly hour. Still, she remained true to her word. She was especially worried about Effie now that she'd heard that someone had hurt her. Karla had failed as a bodyguard, and she didn't want that to happen again.

She then approached Effie at the plaza.

"Effie?"

[inyourfavor]

"Karla!" Effie hurried toward the other woman. It is COLD out this early. Effie hadn't really banked on that. She was definitely underdressed. She still had no warm winter coat. "You made it!"

[swordprincess]

Karla wasn't exactly dressed for winter either, sporting her usual white gown with the slit on the side, exposing her leg.

"Yes. Have you waited long? Where do we go from here?"

[trinkett]

"Not too long!" Effie looked Karla up and down. Hmm. "Shoes, I think. First we'll go find some shoes. Or in your case, thigh-high leather boots. You can't let legs like that go to waste!"

He's such an old man

[tea_lover64]

[Iroh had arrived wearing some of the Fire Nation style armor and clothing which was quite comfortable for him. If there was to be some sort of melee, it was better to be prepared. It was primarily in fall colours, mostly subtle reds. His beard is also tied to be a little neater.

He had taken a sleep earlier on and woken up at night. He sits by the fountain cross legged and sipping some tea he had brought along. It wasn't after all very much of a festivity if it there was no tea involved]

HE'S THE DRAGON OF THE WEST, MAN.

[inyourfavor]

"Iroh?"

Effie called out to the older man sitting by the fountain. She was ALSO wearing fall colors! But her reds were not subtle, her oranges assaulted the eyes, and her yellows threatened the integrity of the sun.

"Is that you?"

So he's West side?

[tea_lover64]

"Hello, it is nice to see you this evening Effie."

He commented with a bow. He noticed the colours she had chosen. It wasn't something he would choose, but he had never been a particularly showy dresser. He had known a few though. Bumi of course came to mind.

"You seem very, ah, colourful this evening."

He gave a little smile. He certainly still had it.

[all7seas]

It is time to rob the bakery blind. Rapunzel is GONE. And Jack can blame it ALL on bears. Bears and this Effie-whoever-she-was and her "Black Friday." Black Friday actually appealed to Jack. It seemed like the most piratical thing that had happened in Luceti in ages -- perhaps even since he'd arrived.

So, yeah. He's going to be sacking the bakery! Calloo-callay! All hands on deck!

[the_dead_pool2]

Well Captain Jack, you are having a bit of company when it comes to sacking the bakery. After all, if you can't gorge yourself on cupcakes, muffins, and cookies, what is the point of Black Friday?

"That muffin is mine!"

To extenuate the point he drew his blades. Couldn't forget about threats and unnecessary violence. It just wasn't Black Friday without that. Granted should the muffin be just given to him he probably would be happy. It was the last double chocolate one from what he could see though, stakes were high.

[all7seas]

Oh, no. No costumed-up superhero was getting Captain Jack SPARROW'S muffin. Especially not one armed with blades. Jack drew his own sharp sword, though he didn't particularly want to fight. He just wanted the muffin. It was double chocolate. Black on black.

Just like his wicked, wicked heart.

"You scurvy blighter!" he piped up cheerfully. "No one's gullet is going to have its way with that muffin 'cept my very own. So THERE." And he went for it.

[stillplaying]

It doesn't matter that she had told Effie she wouldn't make an appearance. That she found the whole holiday absolutely appalling. It was nothing more than another example of the Capitol's greed and wealth. The things she had fought against. The qualities she hated being reminded of.

But Effie had no family here. Hadn't been here long enough to form those relationships that Katniss somehow possessed. Maybe, in some way, she was the closest thing Effie had to a friend.

It was a frightening thought.

Come midnight, she makes her way to the fountain. She's dressed in her normal hunting clothing. But she's there. And that has to count for something.

[tea_lover64]

Iroh was sitting there already with a cup of tea in hand, his portable pot nearby. It was a nice strong green tea, good for energy. This was a bit later than he was accustomed to doing. He imagined at some point he would be having a nap. It didn't seem like it would turn into a large brawl from what he saw. For one there wasn't much around, and the amount of people also seemed relatively small.

When Katniss approaches, he gives her a smile.

[stillplaying]

She hadn't really planned on talking to anyone else. The only reason Katniss came out tonight was because a part of her felt as if she owed Effie. That the woman had been there for her during the Hunger Games. Albeit, in her own strange way. But the woman had no one here.

No one except her.

But when she sees the old man sitting there, she can't bring herself to avoid him. In District 12, growing that old would be an honor. To survive all the starvation, all the suffering, all the illness. But none of the elderly in District 12 would bother going out this late. After one conversation on the journal, she's not certain what to make of him.

Awkwardly, she smiles back and waves.

[trinkett]

"Katniss!" Effie runs gleefully toward the girl, holding up two shopping bags full of things. "I've already gotten started! There are SO many things!"

[stillplaying]

She's spent a lot of time within these stores since arriving in Luceti. A lot of hours spread over a lot of days. It's interesting to see the different objects that arrive from people's homes or from the Malnosso. The different sorts of foods and goods. And all of it's free. She never thought that could even be a possibility. Anywhere.

But she's never, ever left any of these stores with two full bags like Effie has in her position. Her eyes go wide and all she can do for a moment is gawk. Where did she even find half these things? Who do they really belong to? What would she even do with all of it?

[swordprincess]

At least Katniss wasn't the only person Effie had as a friend. Karla arrived on the scene with the promise of protecting Effie from anyone who attempted to harm her. Karla had been thinking since their last conversation. She hadn't made many friends in Luceti either, and she recently came to the conclusion that Effie may be the only friend she's made so far. All the more reason to protect her.

She recognized Katniss and attempted once again to make conversation.

"Hello...are you here for the...'Black Friday', too?"

Open to all

[fashionably_strong]

Luceti really isn't the kind of place where one could really shop until they drop, but that didn't mean Bulla was unwilling to celebrate the holiday with Effie. She'd had a nap after Kate's Thanksgiving dinner, and now she was wearing a red sweater dress and winter coat in anticipation of being out in the cold. At the very least, she was prepared for the weather.

It was probably a good thing that she had a Saiyan metabolism. Otherwise, eating two large dinners in a row might have posed a problem. As it was, it was actually only a little more than she normally ate. She, her father and her brother all had generous appetites.

[tea_lover64]

The cold wasn't a particular issue for Iroh who exuded warmth from his person. It was all a matter of the breath. With the right training a good firebender could keep warm even in the harsh Arctic tundra. It was a skill Iroh believed should be emphasized early on.

He wasn't familiar with her, but he certainly noticed the hair. It was amazing the variety of hair colours which were present in Luceti.

"Ah, hello. All ready for the festivities?"

He inquired with a smile.

[fashionably_strong]

"Totally," said Bulla with a smile. "This is my kind of holiday. ...minus the part where people go overboard and anyone gets hurt. But a big meal and a day filled with shopping? What a great way to spend a day!"

She had no idea that the friendly older man was actually her friend's uncle. Zuko had once helped her when she temporarily had fire powers and she'd encouraged him when he was frustrated with his attempts at bending lightning.

later, toward dawn

[trinkett]

"I think I need a milkshake." Effie groaned, setting down her six large shopping bags full of Things. "I'm starting to tire. How are you faring, Bulla?"

[fashionably_strong]

"A little tired, but not too bad yet," Bulla replied. "All that training with my dad has done wonders for my endurance."

She was up much later than she was accustomed to, and she'd probably sleep like the dead for a few hours once she came home, but it took quite a lot to actually exhaust her now. She was grateful that her father was on a mission and couldn't put her up to any training when she got home from this outing, though. That would have been miserable.

"Do you need a hand carrying anything, Effie?"