BATTLE ROYALE EVENT: ISLAND

[sailmods]

[Friday's cheerful voice comes over the morning announcements, requesting that everyone who signed up for the shore excursion gather in the atrium to board the tender. when they have assembled, she leads them over,

the door shuts. there is a noise, like air coming from a nozzle. they lose consciousness shortly after that.

they wake up on a cement floor; solid, with none of the sway they'd grown used to with weeks on the sea. there are quite a few things they could notice first. perhaps the fact that, whatever they were wearing before they got into the tender, they are now wearing school uniforms. perhaps they notice the collars around their neck first: metal, tight enough to be a nuisance but not enough to choke. they could notice that there are no windows, but that there is a door, sealed though it is.

and maybe they notice the TV set up in the front of the room, playing despite not seeming to be plugged into anything. but, they'll definitely notice the very familiar face on screen, even though she's not dressed as she usually is.]

Welcome, Serena Eterna passengers, to your first shore excursion! I'm Gal Friday, your friendly cruise director, and I'm here to explain the rules!

[her voice and manner are, somehow, even more artificial-sounding than they usually are.]

You are currently on a completely deserted tropical island, with no fresh water or sources of nutrition outside of what we're going to give you! Over the course of the next few days, you are all going to engage in a no-holds-barred battle to the death! Only one of you can come back to the ship alive, so do your best to make sure you're that person! I'll be there to pick up the winner in the morning!

Now, I'm sure some of you are going to be very upset that you'll have to kill people - but, that's okay! After all, we need people to die, too, right? That can be you! Of course, if all of you decide to not kill anybody, that's a bit of a problem... [her shoulders droop dramatically, but then she brightens up again.] That's what the collars are for! If nobody takes a life by midnight on the first day, the collars will activate, like...

[there is a noise like an airgun being fired. Friday's body jerks, but then returns to normal.]

That! The collar will also activate if you attempt to take it off, or if you attempt to leave the island! Not that you can, anyway; the barrier is very much still active!

You have all the weapons and powers you brought with you, and a special bonus: Along with some basic survival gear, and enough food and water rations for three days, you will also get a random weapon! It could be something very good, or very bad! It's just a matter of luck!

[Friday lifts a duffel bag up to the camera, visibly struggling to hoist it onto a nearby table. she unzips the bag, pulling out an AK-47.]

Oh, I guess I got lucky! I'm sure you guys will be, too! Now, be sure to do your best, but be mindful of the time! We only have three days until we leave port; if you guys haven't finished by then, the collars of everyone remaining will--

[a violent spasm sends her collapsing to the floor. she pulls herself up once more, but can't seem to vocalize anything beyond choking noises. eventually, she falls again, and the tape continues to run with little more than agonized yelps and desperate attempts to breathe. it will continue to play for another two hours before going silent, but they're not likely to stay for that. shortly after she falls, the door opens.

it is early morning on an unnaturally quiet tropical beach. when everyone exits what appears to be a sort of bunker, the door slams shut again. on the white sands before them are a series of duffel bags, branded with the Serena Eterna's logo and embroidered with everyone's name.

Welcome to Battle Royale.

I'd run.]

Comments

i.c

[fonomena]

[Clarke's frantic attempts at accosting others up and down the beach don't go unnoticed. Jade might end up inadvertently dodging that initial approach himself, between his own belated exit from the bunker and his preoccupation with other things, other people, in the process of acquiring his own duffel bag. But eventually...he does spot her familiar features off to the side, just as he's getting about ready to head for the line of trees marking the island forest proper, and...he does find himself opting to shift his steps more towards her direction, in the end, even if he wouldn't be able to properly explain why.

Not exactly like he can afford to spend too much time delaying in retrieving Rita from her abrupt storming-off into the jungle. Not exactly like he's got some sort of convenient solution for this current situation already in mind, either. Not exactly like he could even aim to offer anything in the way of comfort, particularly--hardly his strong suit. But Jade can already hazard a guess as to what might be going on behind the stormy closed expression on Clarke's face, as her eyes scan up and down the thinning crowd on the beach, and...well, it's relatable, if nothing else.

So here Jade is, idly making his way over with...two duffel bags? Yeah, two duffel bags, it would seem. His demeanor not exactly full on cheery, at least, though the lines of his posture are still fairly deceptively relaxed, and the expression on his face is a neutral sort of inquiry, when eye contact is made. More as if this were a pass-by encounter back on the ship's deck, and not the brief exchanged word before a decidedly violent future that this is all probably going to end up being. --But, well, panic never really is something that tends to surface as an outward expression for Jade. His surprise awakening all that time back in cabin 109 may remain the most openly unsettled Clarke sees him for awhile yet. (....At least until all those enthusiastic close-up camera pans of the fights and deaths--including his own--become a Thing To See on the ship proper, anyway--)]

Well...nobody can say you didn't try, at least. [A remark as he closes his approach; not at all actually mocking in tone, though, and accompanied by a humorless sort of smile.] How do the prospects look, with our fellow passengers?

[You know, the shape of the ratio? Open killers to frightened wildcards to overtly stubborn sorts...]

LATE bc i SUCK

[skaikru]

( it doesn't have to be actually mocking to be a painful reminder of her most recent utter failure at diplomacy. they all ought to be splitting off in different directions, and yet clarke's still stationary and gnashing her teeth for long enough to be momentarily waylaid by jade. her mind is an unpleasantly shapeless buzz of anxiety and desperate attempts to circumvent slaughter. it's like being shoved right back into her own world where death was the rule and life the exception, but still resoundingly worse now it was all meant to be entertainment for their captor. at least on earth, the struggle had been real. the fight had been honest.

and if the masses ignored her plans, it was usually because they were actually too scared to listen to reason — not bloodthirsty and competitive.

jade gets a tortured sort of side eye upon his approach; tight lipped, hard eyed, any trace of her own fear folded into the homogenous mix of frustration on her features. to his question, there's the slightest shake of the head from side to side — mournful before the blood's even been shed. )

I think we're going to make it all three days.

( not all of them, of course. probably not even most. but the sentiment remains — clarke absolutely believes people are going to die in the first 24 hours, and this isn't going to come down to a matter of mass murder by collar. )

gently takes ur hands and presses starbucks into them......u good fam

[fonomena]

[The pained shake of her head is met with a slight nod in turn; not nearly so visibly anguished by comparison, but matching readily enough to the more somber sort of neutrality settling upon Jade's features now, at the words that follow. His own glance drifts briefly back over the beach that sprawls out beside them, groups of passengers scattering into clusters or lone figures as duffel bags are acquired and harried courses of action are taken. Some would call Clarke's immediate assessment a thoroughly pessimistic sort of way to view it all, but...

Well, does it really count as pessimism when it's honestly closer to objective fact? The limp fall of Clarke's very visible and audible appeals to that crowd had spoken for itself; Jade doesn't need to be thoroughly familiar with every face to draw a conclusion that really falls just the same. Forced into circumstances like these, with a clearly established ultimatum that now sits uncomfortably tight and metallic about all their throats--]

...I think you may be right. [The agreement's nearly sighed out, in the end, some note of vague resignation coloring the weariness already heavy in his tone. Perhaps it's not necessarily appropriate, a true reflection of the magnitude of things--but, even now, such overt displays of panic or despair still just don't really occur easily to Jade. Clarke's very visible flagging of spirit all but fills it in for the both of them anyway, all told. --But it's not that Jade doesn't understand it, evident in the grim shape of his words as he continues now.] If there is anything to be quantified as a bright side, in all this...it's that any survivors will have ample time to try and divine other paths, perhaps. Alternatives, to the options given.

[Though that does require surviving, doesn't it? And simultaneously requires death, too, more's the bitterness of it all. There will likely not be much in the way of luxury of choice...

Jade slowly adjusts one duffel bag strap on one shoulder--and then the second duffel bag strap on his other shoulder, an idle and automatic movement of hands. One would almost think it were some sort of nervous gesture, if it weren't being accompanied by the calm he still seems to carry. (Truthfully, though, maybe it is one--just a bit--) He returns his attention fully to Clarke, the frustration and mourning mingling so clearly on her face. It almost feels unnecessary to ask, as obvious as the answer is doubtless going to be...which is perhaps why it ends up coming out as a statement of fact, in the end:] You're not going to play regardless, I imagine. ...Or are you?

BLESS U caffeine bringer

[skaikru]

( pessimism is safe.

assume the worst of any situation, and you can't be disappointed; your stop measures can fully encompass even the worst case scenarios, and be tempered back to an appropriate level as you go. pessimism is a survival tactic; always assume you're running from absolute death and destruction, and you'll run far enough to keep yourself (and maybe even everyone you care about) safe enough to see another day. jade's parsing out a silver lining for whoever manages to survive long enough to find a way to fight back, and all clarke can manage in return is a choked hmm. begrudging agreement, while still looking at the fleeing figures on the beach, and assuming those lasting long enough to fight won't be the sort to fight back. )

I don't want to kill anyone.

( that's not a no. clarke recognizes that's not a no, and how much that undermines her own pacifism speech. but at the same time she glances just to the left, towards natsuno and mizuki who keep looking between her and the tree line, and knows anything more convicted would be a lie. if enough of them were going to play, what's the line between the game and self defense? if clarke ever apologizes for slaughters perpetrated in order to protect the people she loved, it never means she wouldn't do the exact same thing again if the situation arose. )

And I don't want to be a source for the Captain's amusement. But we don't always get what we want, do we?

What about you?

[fonomena]

[Indeed that sure isn't a hard no, and indeed it does sit misaligned against the words Clarke had plied so imploringly to others on the beach only minutes prior. ...Still, Jade doesn't begrudge her this, takes in the answer with a slight nod of his head and little change in the neutrally pensive set of his expression now. The glance towards Natsuno and Mizuki doesn't go unnoticed, after all, and when one considers the overall situation over their heads with objective practicality in the end...well, defense of self and others may very well end up necessary. Whether or not that does play into the game--which is probably, in the end, entirely dependent on just how entertaining the captain finds it in turn...

Still. We don't always get what we want--]

No, I don't suppose we do. Or else we wouldn't all be stuck here dealing with this tenuous definition of a camping trip, now would we? [Entirely rhetorical sort of question, considering they both know the answer quite well. ...But Jade's actual answer holds no hesitation or apparent second thought, at least, as he responds in turn:] I'd quite prefer not to kill anyone either, even if it wouldn't be an unfamiliar thing. ...This isn't a war's battlefield, or combat with purpose of any sort; hardly a game I care to win. A departure by collar seems quite unpleasant all around, but... [Well. If there is lack of any other options, in the end--] Hm, I'd like to focus on confirming all possible routes first, at the very least. Or at least investigating the area. ...And getting this returned to Miss Mordio, first and foremost...

[Here, a slight and indicating sort of heft of the second duffel bag, where a proper look would indeed reveal Rita's name embroidered. In much the same sort of energy with which Clarke surveys her own planned charges...so, too, does Jade have his own. If only because Flynn and Yuri have already broken off, in some sort of argument, and goodness only knows how far Rita's strayed into the trees already--]

I'd take a guess that you're going to group up with some others as well, quite shortly. [Not an unwise choice. Even if they all know groups can't be sustainable forever--not by the rules of the game. Not unless they all resolve to wait it out until the collars strike, perhaps. But for the meantime...they probably both ought to get moving soon, and there's a slight pause that could be easily filled by one or both of them breaking off to their own paths accordingly. ...Yet...something seems to give Jade just a bit of pause anyhow, in the end. A thought that seems to occur to him, for a moment, visible in the slight and wry smile that tugs at his mouth as he regards Clarke a bit longer.] ...But you know. Before we do part ways, in this rather depressing sort of fashion. I don't think we ever did do any proper introductions, did we?

[skaikru]

( look, situations change at the drop of a hat. priorities shift just as quickly. and this isn't the first time clarke's been shoved into a situation where she'd tried to make peace, only to be immediately smacked in the face with strife and bloodshed. darwin had been right, one adapts or dies — and in situations like this, dies spectacularly, for literally no good reason. her own hypocrisy is fully recognized, and doesn't need to be pointed out by jade in this moment — it stings plenty all by itself.

but. it's not hard to die for your people.

it's even easier to kill for them.

she absolutely clocks his admission that killing wouldn't be new ground broken, and maps it back to the pristine form with which he'd leveled that spear at her throat despite uncomfortable, cramped, and unconventional circumstances. it's a good thought, honestly, that he wasn't something unskilled and entirely unable of managing the situation they've been thrust into. where they disagree is on the concept of the combat here being noble. for a purpose. because he's looking at the treeline for rita mordio, and clarke can't help but hope he succeeds in keeping her safe at least.

she's ready to nod, give a silent goodbye with the intention they're both about to chase after the people they've deemed worthy of protecting, but. a pause. one more questions, and the appropriate amount of surprise that it's coming up. again. now.

they might not extend hands to shake here — all four hands occupied with duffles and weapons — but. she inclines her head. and for a second, every pressing concern erases itself from her features, and she looks every bit as eighteen as she actually is. )

Clarke. Griffin.

( and because she'd like to know him as more than natsuno's roommate — even if osmosis proclaimed him to be jade — )

And you're...?

[fonomena]

[It'd certainly be...something, wouldn't it? If he could keep her safe. Really, though, even if they were to delve on that topic any further--Jade isn't so certain he'd be so ready to call such an inclination "noble" even then. It simply feels...obligate? Habit worn in after over a year dealing with exactly Rita's brand of reckless teen decision-making, really, sharply as many of the younger passengers on the Serena Eterna remind Jade of his travel party back home. (Granted, he might not be going through half the trouble he does now, if he were the same sort of person he'd been before meeting and bonding with that particular travel party either....but that's not a perspective Jade's very good at leveling, yet. Still needs reminders, all the time...but--) Even Clarke sets off the same sort of impulse, in some way, headstrong and relentless as she tends to be--

--Which is perhaps the real reason Jade had asked that question, in the end. As if introductions would do anything at all to soften the blow of any of this--the impending game, the entire situation. The outcome that seems inevitable. If anything, it'd probably only sting a bit more later, to have a proper name to attach to a discovered death....but it's been some time since that initial prickly encounter in cabin 109, after all. Since their mutual avoidance of drowning, during Jenny's invoked hurricane on the ship. Jade...does not really know much about Clarke at all, to be honest, but she really does look her age when she stands there and inclines her head and states her name like that. --And now he does know her name, so...this, perhaps, could be a start. Hopefully not an end. Whether they indeed awaken back on the ship or not, after all this, if they (when they) die...

Jade offers an incline of his own head in turn, a faint and dry sort of smile touching upon his features again in response.]

Colonel Jade Curtiss, Third Division, Malkuth Imperial Forces. --To be formal about it, you know. ...I suppose it's not so nice to meet you as it could be at the moment, Miss Griffin. But there is some saying about being better late than never with these things, I think...

[skaikru]

( his best attempt at a smile — maybe to cut the tension, maybe to offer comfort, maybe to apply an additional layer of social salve over their rocky initial impressions to smooth out the playing field and allow them to meet on even ground — is admirable. clarke would mirror it if she could, but can't even nudge the impending dread in her chest over enough to allow for one of those awkward, huffy sighs of appreciation. it's all business, this is just a business exchange, right?

meanwhile, the absolute mouthful of a name — title, rank, position? jesus — is less admirable. gosh, honestly? what a waste of air, that's five seconds of her life she's never going to get back. but it's nice they've gotten to this step. )

Just call me Clarke. And I'm going to just keep calling you Jade.

( another space in the conversation where she could offer a sad sort of smile. but the mask is unmoved. )

I don't think the situation calls for much formality. ( past him, in the background, she can see mizuki waving animatedly at her, and natsuno no doubt looking impatient to get going, and while a handshake wouldn't be entirely uncalled for here, instead she just fists her fingers tighter around the strap of her duffle. right, they have to move. )

...Sorry, I need to go.

[fonomena]

[Not everyone can be so capable of smiling in the face of quite this level of adversity, after all; Jade's not about to begrudge Clarke the lack of reciprocation on that front. It takes an odd sort of person, anyway--a person more detached than not, in some ways--and while that may come in moderately handy here and now, it's hardly a quality he'd actually recommend in anyone. No, the grim set of Clarke's features is the real gauge of the situation here, and acknowledging it firmly in this sort of way is a legitimate thing in its own right.

But look, formalities can be important! Formalities are standard on the job, anyway, a mindset Jade has continued carrying around ever since his arrival on the Serena Eterna, quite in rejection of a written letter's insistence on this being some sort of vacation. To start with the titles had been a shorthand manner of trying to gauge for any recognition of Malkuth in anyone at all aboard the ship, but nowadays...

Well, there's times like this. Even if Clarke thinks it's rather more uncalled for--]

No, it assuredly doesn't. Which is all the more reason to tap into it--but I suppose that's just me. [There'd be more of a sardonic lilt here, maybe, but overt humor is difficult to muster with things all told; it comes across more as an increase in dryness, and Jade's straightening to readjust the weight of the duffel bags on his own shoulders one last time. Easy enough to divine where Clarke's glance drifts behind him, even without having to look himself.] Just Jade is fine, anyhow; I'm still not so accustomed to my family name anyway. And I shall call you Clarke, since it's all the same to you. When we do meet again.

[When, not if--]

No need to apologize, hm? We all need to be heading out about now, I think. ...Good luck, in finding what you can out there.

[Reference to the island, or reference to the passengers now currently on it? It could just as easily apply to seams potentially discovered in their location as it might others perhaps cooperative enough to reject this game--for all the difference it might make, in the end.

Either way, Jade doesn't clarify. Instead his own attention is shifting to the tree line in turn, and with another short nod in Clarke's direction he's setting off himself.]