Voice testing

[neclectus]

For helping me get a good firm grip on Timaeus's voice for the Games! I'd love to try him out with either tributes or capitol citizens. Here's what he's going to post to the network-

[Timaeus is seated on a very comfortable and opulently decorated chaise-lounge on the deck of an extremely expensive-looking superyacht, jewel-encrusted sunglasses pushed up onto his forehead, a rich-looking fruit-based cocktail in hand. He smiles into the camera warmly, his eyes sparkling in the bright light.]

Friends and patrons of Nadir Yachts both past, present and, dare I suggest, future- it is my pleasure to announce, after an unfortunate but thankfully short hiatus, the latest in our ever popular series of Cornucopia Celebrations, right here on the lake!
This, our newest and most luxurious superyacht and first of our new Ascendant line, the Victoria Ascendant, has been fitted with every modern convenience I could think of- and trust me, friends, I can think of many- and is ready to host the most spectacular evening of dining, dancing, gaming and spectating we've undertaken yet. We will of course be taking her out for her maiden voyage together, and my good friends the Phoenix Fire Company will be providing a wild demonstration of their most ambitious fireworks to date- and anyone who’s seen their previous offerings knows exactly how much of a treat that will be. Invitations will be sent out later today, though I’m reserving space for prospective buyers too, so don’t hesitate to call my office. Oh- and of course, no Cornucopia Celebration would be complete without a guest of honour! As usual, Nadir Yachts will be bringing you a past arena Victor- though don’t ask me to reveal her identity yet, I simply can’t tell you, it’s a surprise.

[He raises his glass in a companionable salute to the camera, about to take a sip- and then laughs, seemingly at his own forgetfulness.]

Oh! And the theme. The theme, of course. The theme is-- The Titanic. But don’t worry, we have plenty of lifeboats- and there’s not an iceberg in sight. I look forward to seeing you there!

Perhaps your character is invited to the party, as a tribute guest or as a former/potential customer of the company? I'm also completely open to entirely different scenarios, whatever goes :)

Comments

[the_marshal]

In keeping with the theme, Wyatt had been dressed in a navy colored suit for the party - "double-breasted they called it, some fashion from after his time - but all things considered, on the scale of terrible things he'd been forced to wear, this one was surprising normal.

Tonight he lurked by a wall, not because he felt he had to due to some ridiculous getup, but merely because he wanted to.

He felt safer with his back against something solid. Being able to see and size up strangers as they approached was a comfort. A luxury, after being in the arena.

[neclectus]

Timaeus weaved artfully through the crowd, radiating pleasure at another successful party, his smile broad and welcoming. In the morning, he'd decide he'd hated the whole affair- but for now, he was riding high on the appreciative nods and comments of guests, the approval of his peers and the knowledge that news of his achievement would reach his father's ears long before he'd have any need to announce it himself. Wonderful.

Just at that moment, as he was enjoying his congratulatory inner dialogue, he caught sight of the fascinating Tribute with the exotic accent leaning against the wall and made straight for him.

"Mr. Wyatt Earp, isn't it?" he offered brightly. "Timaeus Nadir. I really should have taken time to welcome you aboard sooner, my apologies."

[the_marshal]

Wyatt saw him coming and he briefly considered slipping sideways and into the crowd, having learned from past experience that when most Capitol folks looked at you with that sort of gleeful determination that nothing good was headed your way. But he held his ground in the end, trying as he did to give each of them an individual benefit of the doubt. Not all of them were terrible after all; some, like that fluffy escort from 12 were well-meaning enough, if awfully confused.

Besides... their eyes had met and there was no discreet way of disappearing.

"No apologies necessary, Mr. Nadir." He passed the hat in his hands from his right to his left and held out the former gamely. "Fine shindig you've got goin' here."

[neclectus]

"Shindig."
He echoed it as if trying to remember a new word, his smile bright as he shook Wyatt's hand firmly. A businessman's shake.
"Thank you. It's not often I have the privilege to host a such a well attended shindig, and that's all thanks to you and your fellow Tributes. It's an honour to have you here. Have you been served? Whiskey, isn't it? I had some brought specifically."

[the_marshal]

A steady, strong handshake, but Wyatt couldn't help but notice how well-tended Timaeus' hands were. Smooth with neat, trim nails. Whereas his own were scarred and callused. A working man's hand.

They were worlds apart in more ways than tribute and citizen, past and present.

He wondered, if he hadn't been fighting and dying in the arena, if the pair of them had just passed each other by on the street, would Mr. Nadir have bothered to offer even a simple 'how do?'

It made him sad to think about. Tired.

"There wasn't no need to go through special trouble for me," he replied, dipping his head politely and taking his hand back. "But I do appreciate the thought; thank ya."

[neclectus]

"Oh, no trouble at all," he deflected neatly, summoning an avox over with a wave and sending her off to fetch them both a whiskey. "I've found I've quite the taste for it. Fiery at first, then smooth. Usually I prefer something a little sweeter, but I think it's important to try new things."

He glanced over the party, surveying his kingdom thoughtfully. New things, indeed.

[the_marshal]

Wyatt followed his gaze out across the party-goers, wondering if the man was looking at something in particular, then turned back.

"The burn's the best part," he offered idly, figuring that was safe enough for the going on with. "Whatever else is goin' on, thing's that've gone wrong..." people that had died, "-you take that drink and for a minute they don't even matter. That fire's gotta a way of burnin' the edge off things."

[neclectus]

Timaeus shook himself out of his reverie, nodding sagely as Wyatt spoke. It was always interesting, hearing these new Tributes speak- especially in more intimate settings, like this. They might be in a crowded room, but everything Wyatt was saying was for him. He liked that.

"Of course. Perhaps next time you're in the Arena, I'll send you some, if you'd like- ah. Here we are."

He smiled, accepting the two glasses of whiskey from the avox and dismissing her, passing one to Wyatt.

"To a pleasant burn and a smooth finish."

[the_marshal]

Wyatt couldn't help a wry sort of smile and low, gravel like chuckle as he took his glass.

"I'd say it'd certainly be the fanciest gift I ever got." He tipped his head and held out his glass to clink it gently against Timaeus'. "Cheers."

[neclectus]

"Cheers."

He knocked back the whiskey with a grimace, wetting his lips and letting his expression melt back into the smile from before- though this time, there was a certain warmth in his eyes that hadn't been there before.

"Not that I have the faintest idea if that's a good whiskey or not," he confided, swirling the remnants around the glass.

[the_marshal]

Wyatt would've bet - not his badge, but certainly his fancy new hat - that a man such as Timaeus wouldn't have allowed anything below standard anywhere near his guests, much less actually served it to them, but he played along.

He took his time with it, hissing against the burn and savoring the heat of it. His eyes narrowed thoughtfully and his mustache twitched. Then he nodded sagely. And smiled again.

"For someone who claims not to know any better, ya have good taste, Mr. Nadir. I do believe she'll do just fine."

[neclectus]

His grin only spread wider at that. Yes, he liked Wyatt. He liked his good manners and his slow, old-worldly charm, the slightly tired smile hiding under his mustache and the hint of caution in his eyes. He could imagine Wyatt accepting an offer to visit him at his home, teaching him how to play cards, and the idea appealed immensely.

"Wonderful. And there is, of course, plenty more where that came from. Please, be my guest- it won't drink itself."

[gruesome]

Some's stylist had threatened to fashion him like a victim of the sinking, all frost-tipped fur and ice-blue streaks. He had threatened to shave himself and go that way. They had settled on him just wearing an officer's hat instead, with bands of gold braid around wrists and ankles. He wouldn't admit to it, but he liked the look.

It was, in fact, the first time in his life that he'd been aboard a boat, and he kept creeping to the rail, holding it with his forefeet and leaning far out to see where the water met the hull.

[neclectus]

"I never get tired of seeing what they come up with for you," Timaeus declared brightly as he joined Some by the railing, leaning over the side himself with a satisfied smile. She was, if he said so himself, beautiful- and whatever else he might feel about yachts, he genuinely loved being out on the water.
"Your style, I mean to say. I think this is my favourite so far. How are you enjoying my shindig?"

He liked that word, he'd decided. Much more exotic than 'party'.

[gruesome]

"They work hard at it," he conceded, turning one of the braid bracelets on itself. It was about as complimentary as he felt at all towards his stylist crew.

"Is shindig a word for the boat or the party?"

[neclectus]

"The party, I believe," he replied politely, his eyes bright with amusement. "Though I hope you are enjoying my yacht, too. That is what she's here for, after all. Have they brought you food or drink?"

[gruesome]

"No, but I asked them not to." He'd had enough strangely-colored and flavored waters at these things. "I don't come to these to eat," he added, with a grin that showed all his rows of teeth.

[neclectus]

"Ah. Of course." He smiled back, seemingly unaffected by the far too many teeth Some had displayed for him. "Come to think of it, I don't think I, or anyone I know, actually, has ever seen you eat. Outside of the Arena, that is. Do you?"

[gruesome]

"Ah... They make me a substitute," he admitted. "Some kind of paste. It's food," he shrugged, though for him, it wasn't. Not enough. "My escort calls it catfood. Not very much like party treats."

[neclectus]

His mouth twisted into a mildly disgusted shape for a moment, his hands gripping the rail.
"Well, that hardly sounds very appetising. They could at least make it look a little more exciting than serving you a paste. With all our technology..."

[gruesome]

"I think it is on purpose. They would rather I reserve my appetite for the show, I think."

Perhaps he shouldn't have said that. But it was out now.

[neclectus]

The show. Timaeus offered a mild smile, attempting to hide his distaste as well as possible. He didn't enjoy peeks behind the curtain- it tainted the Games, somehow, like noticing the strings on a marvellously crafted puppet.

"Yes, of course. Adds a certain exciting element of danger, I imagine, for everyone else, and a compelling incentive for you. Quite brilliant."

[gruesome]

Some didn't precisely have eyebrows to quirk, but he'd assimilated the human gesture anyway and he used it now, all eight eyes fixing on his host.

"It isn't an incentive. At all."

[neclectus]

Timaeus frowned. He did have eyebrows, very neatly groomed ones- and he raised one quizzically in response.

"You don't get hungry?"

[gruesome]

"No, I get very hungry." In for a pebble, in for the cliff. "I get so hungry I can think about nothing but biting and blood and filling my stomach. About the chase and sinking my claws into-"

He made a point of deliberately relaxing his hands, folding all four arms neatly across his skinny chest.

"But I would rather eat the paste."

[neclectus]

He laughed, clearly delighted, leaning back into the railing with a broad smile on his face.

"A flesh-eating monster with principles. Of course- how wonderful, they really have outdone themselves, with this new wave of Games, haven't they? Quite extraordinary. Bravo."

[gruesome]

He sighed, a bit dramatically. "Why is it that I'm the monster? You are the ones consuming us."

[neclectus]

"Well, my friend, let's just say that of the two of us, you certainly look the part," Timaeus joked companionably, gesturing to the Grue's extra limbs. If he'd registered the social commentary, he made no mention of it.
"It's not an insult- please, don't take it like that. I think you are quite a magnificent monster, actually- and added to your apparent moral code? Well. You were exciting to watch before, but now, I'm inclined to watch a little more closely."

[gruesome]

"My kind don't look like monsters, your kind only sees them, so I do not see how it isn't insulting. It says very plainly that I am something to be feared and not trusted, all in one word."

[neclectus]

Timaeus looked a little puzzled, briefly- but he still smiled. It was obvious that he certainly wasn't afraid of Some. Why would he be?

"I imagine being feared is quite useful in the arena, isn't it? But if you'd prefer another word, perhaps you should talk to your team about it..."

[gruesome]

"It would be useful in the arena if I were a hunter. I'm not," he said bluntly. "I am a hider and a runner, and if I ever win, it will be because I have hidden well enough that everyone forgets about me and kills each other off."

[aphroditus]

Nicostrate never went anywhere without looking regally lavish, but a ship was another occasion all together. Dressed in a deep navy uniform, cut and tailored in a 19th century military style, with lavish amounts of gold lace on the edging and tiny shimmering filaments of gold woven through the fabric of her sleeves and the tails of her jacket. The same gold filaments were painstakingly painted up one side of her face and curling into her hair - as if they had leapt from her clothes to her skin. Her eyes were a piercing, unnatural blue (a much lighter shade than the navy of her uniform), her upper lip shimmering with a gentle gold.

She looked every piece a Prince.

Carmenta, her half sister and 'twin' was not at her side, but couldn't be far - likely taking in the life of the party while Nicostrate watched with a discerning eye instead.

[neclectus]

Now that was something. Timaeus admired the outfit from a distance for minute before approaching in full triumphant host mode- a broad smile on his face. A hot new stylist choosing his party to debut such a stunning outfit could only be good for business, which could only be good for him.

"Evening," he greeted her warmly. "Suddenly, I feel remarkably under-dressed."

[aphroditus]

Nicostrate didn't quite smile, but she bowed her head in a tight nod. She knew him, of course, though they had never met. It would never suit going to a party without doing one's research on who was hosting it.

"You're welcome to contact me, Mister Nadir, if you should ever wish to rectify the problem."

[neclectus]

"I may well take you up on that," he said, decisively, his eyes flicking over her outfit once more. "I've yet to find a stylist that agrees with me, as I'm sure my mother's fond of telling anyone who'll stand still long enough to listen. Would you care for a drink or a canapé? I'd say I chose everything on the menu myself and can recommend it all heartily, but that would be a heinous lie."

[vissernone]

Eva always resented Timaeus' parents. Granted, she'd rather deal with children than with older male Sponsors, but every time she toted the little Nadir boy around she couldn't help but feel as if time was being divided from her own baby, who was sitting at home with the Avoxes crying for her. She'd come home from a bidding session and sit with her own toddler and have no sympathy left for his squalling, all her motherliness bought away from her by the Capitol. And she hated the Sponsors for it.

But she never resented the boy. He was sweet, at least as far as Eva knew. His mother stopped bidding on her when Timaeus was about eight.

The face she sees now at the party is not sweet. It's pure Capitol.

Eva's dressed up in a black bodysuit with a hoop skirt made of painted bone, showing structure but no fabric, like something intentionally half-made. Her makeup is severe and monochromatic, all black, white and blood red around the eyes and mouth.

"Please tell me you haven't booked Bickle as your surprise Victor."

[neclectus]

He laughed, really very pleased to see Eva and all the more delighted with her dry sense of humour and willingness to put voice behind her thoughts. He liked that about her a great deal.

"I really can't say," he chastised playfully, taking a moment to admire her outfit. "But unless he's had a particularly interesting set of body modifications done recently, I don't think the dress I saw the stylist lay out will suit him particularly well. How are you, Eva? It's been far, far too long."

[vissernone]

Well, the voice behind some of her thoughts.

"I don't know, I think I'd pay handsomely to see him in a dress. Such a pity no one gives me all the wealth I want to put Victors in funny outfits." She smirks a bit. "I'm the same as I always am, Tim."

She'll never afford him his full name, really. That's the benefit she gets of having fixed up his scraped knees and wiped his nose. And she'll never say she's doing well.

"Your old man's still hobbling around."

[neclectus]

His smile thinned a little but never fully vanished.

"Not even hobbling, actually. He went hiking last weekend, of all things. I'm half convinced the man's immortal."

Ah. A little too far, a little too much plainly said. He laughed, beckoning an Avox over to bring them drinks- a glass of wine for Eva and a multicoloured cocktail for himself.

"Perhaps the next time I throw one of these shindigs I could tell his stylist it's the theme- you know, everyone in dresses-- and neglect to tell anyone else."

[vissernone]

"Capitol medicine. The miracles it works." Eva raises her eyebrows, but doesn't comment any further because suddenly there's wine, and Eva does love some wine. It's always good at these sorts of functions. She takes a sip, batting her eyelashes for some nearby cameras. Victors and Sponsors are nowhere near the level of celebrity of Tributes, but the media here does pay some attention to socialites.

"Please do. I'll alert the paparazzi. It would be hilarious."

[neclectus]

"Miracles indeed," he agreed brightly, raising his glass. "Though I doubt I will have much time for organising theme parties once my father retires. Perhaps we should drink to his continued health- someone has to organise the humiliation of Billy Bickle, after all."

[vissernone]

Eva takes a deep drink. "Are you sure you're ready for a full-time job? A real one, that is? I don't see any reason for you to go rushing into the adult world."

[neclectus]

He wasn't entirely sure whether that was meant to be a jibe or not. Keeping his smile carefully in place, he took a moment to breathe before responding as calmly as he could manage.

"Beyond my age? No, probably not. Dry work is for dry people, after all."

[vissernone]

"Well, I wouldn't know the first thing about dry people!" Eva says, downing another drink. "Wherever you work, make sure the bar's fully stocked."