the gauntlet discussion

Walking around with a lantern, and pissed as ever -- was Pierce. He had been told about this tunnels by a number of his family members, and they told him they helped a lot with the competitions. And that's what Pierce needed, right? Help with the competitions. The first one had just happened, and after seeings his rank he couldn't be more angry. Not only was he not in the top five, but he was 7 seconds away from it. Every time he remembered that one specific fact, he was even more angry than before -- and how was that even possible? So he was here, walking around and trying to figure out how these crusty and murky tunnels were supposed to help him with that.

He sighed loudly, but it wasn't like anyone would even around to hear it. He didn't even know where the hell he was. It was super curvy down here, and more than once he had rounded a sudden corner, or run into a wall if he wasn't paying attention. The wall had stained his shirt a dark red from the rock, and he was pretty sure something slimy had dripped down onto his neck from the roof of the tunnel. It was truly disgusting down here -- he wasn't even sure why he had believed his family members, they would probably just trying to pull his chain.

To be completely honest, Ophelia was still dazed over the results of the first competition. She was merely considering herself lucky to be in the race, at the Academy, but second place? That was as good of a place to be in as any. And it hardly occured to her what that kind of attention could mean at a place like this, where the stakes were so high for so many. That individualized training too - she wasn't sure if she should be excited or terrified? Maybe a mixture of both?? No, no maybe about it - it was definitely a mixture of both. Somewhere in the cloud of her own thoughts, Ophelia had began wandering the campus again, intent on knowing all little nooks and crannies. Which was how she found herself immersed in the tunnel, completely and utterly unprepared for the total darkness surrounding her.

Well, poo. Mistakes had definitely been made.

Hands searching in front of her, feeling for the wall, her fingertips found the rough, grainy brick and she took an uncertain step forward. Had she come in this way? Or was it the other way? Ophelia had never realized how suffocatingly stiff the dark was, like an immobile force surrounding her. Was this what it would be like with the blindfold during the Gauntlet? As she rounded the corner with shuffling steps, the sudden light source was near blinding. Blinking as her eyes struggled to adjust, she took in the figure holding the lantern and - oh. It was Angry Food Man. And he looked just as angry as before, if not more so. "Oh, you were smart. Brought a light with you." Laughing softly, she pushed her unruly curls back behind her ears. "I hope I didn't ruin your shirt too bad with our last encounter. Was water able to get the stain out?" What would he look like, she couldn't help but wonder, if he smiled? Did he smile?

If Pierce was one of those skittish people, he probably would have shouted or at least jumped at the sight of Ophelia. One second he could only see about three feet in all directions with the light of his lantern, and in the next he was rounding a corner and a small figure was thrown into existence in front of him. His heart definitely skipped a beat, but he had trained for moments like this, so the most he visibly reacted was to crouch a little lower and tense up to throw a punch. Of course he didn't need to throw fists, however tempted, he just needed to keep walking.

He continued on forward, ignoring her soft little voice and quiet laughter. How she remained optimistic and good natured in all situations completely boggled his mind, was there something about his face that invited her to speak to him like they were friends? Pierce was pretty sure his face rested at a contained level between irritated and not welcoming conversation at basically every moment of his life?

And of course what other person could it be besides small little ginger girl. Annoying. "I threw it away, excuse me." he said, sidestepping her with every intention of leaving her in here to die behind him. What did she think would be down here besides darkness, solar lamps that worked with absolutely no sun?

Ophelia couldn't help but notice the way he reacted, the tension building in his shoulders and hands clenched in fists. Not that she blamed him - she'd crawled out of the pitch darkness like some monster creeping out of a nighttime ghost story. She would definitely be surprised too if the situations had been reversed but his expression hardly softened when he realized she wasn't actually a tiny creature from someone's nightmare. If anything, he was looking at her like that's exactly what she was, much to his expectation. That didn't dim her own smile though, eyes falling back to the light, like a beacon in the damp darkness.

But then he was stepping around her, telling her he'd thrown the shirt away, the guilt made itself very known. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I have a bad habit of not watching where I'm going, which is kind of how I ended up here, actually and-" And she was rambling and she laughed, forcing herself to stop. "I just, do you think I could walk back with you, maybe? Since I wasn't really planning on landing myself down here, I didn't come with a light." See and the thing was, normally, Ophelia was a very optimistic person. But staring up into his stoic face with nothing but the light from the lantern dancing across his hard expression? She suddenly wasn't feeling very optimistic about her near future.

"I understand if you're in a rush or - you'd rather not. I'm sure the exit isn't too far." The thought of grappling blindly at a wall, lost completely alone in the pitch black, though? Her heart was doing this panicked fluttering thing at the thought.

How could you not watch where you are going so much that you end of in a labyrinth of tunnels? Pierce almost had to roll his eyes -- how could this tiny little creature, who from his observations, had no brain at all, get second place in the competition last night? She had to be playing some kind of game where she made people think she was extremely ill-equipped, and then like whip out some witchcraft to win the whole Gauntlet. Yep. Because that was completely plausible, right?

He turned around after she was done rambling, holding his lantern up to her face. If she was playing up the "please, underestimate me" card, she probably would be able to get out of here by herself, or she was following him so she could kill him or something. But if it wasn't an act, there was a chance that she could get lost down here for a really long time without being able to get out. And could he let that be on his conscience? Yes, yes he could. "I'm not slowing down for your short little legs, so if you're coming you're following me, quickly, and without complaint." Or any other speaking, that would be preferable.

Pierce turned back around, trusting her not to stab him in the back for some reason. "Second place, huh? How'd you manage that?"

'Short little legs?' Ophelia couldn't help the way her eyes immediately glanced down at her legs. They weren't that short . . . Were they? They always seemed proportional to her body but now she was second-guessing everything. Though she shouldn't. It was perfectly within his right to think whatever he wanted about her. Brushing back her hair from her face, she looked back up at him, smiling brightly as her heart rate simmered a little. Being alone in the dark tunnels had not sounded like a very good time - but she didn't want to burden him either because she'd failed to think to bring a light. "Thank you so much. I'll keep up, don't worry." She'd learned a long time ago that it was better not to complain anyways, but rather to pick out the good in every situation. Not that there was anything she could complain about here even if she wanted to: he didn't owe her anything. He didn't have to help her like he was now.

At his question though, she found herself biting her bottom lip, worrying it between her teeth for a moment while considering how best to answer. "You know, I'm honestly not sure. Running has always felt . . . Natural, though." Smiling to herself, she shook her head, curls falling over her shoulder as she looked up at him. "As you could probably guess looking at me though, that's all I've really got. No special secrets hidden up my sleeves, I'm afraid." Searching his face, her smile brightened. "You know my name, I'm assuming because of the first competition But, I have to be honest . . . I don't think I know yours. I know I haven't really done anything to deserve it after the food incident, but can I know your name anyways?" Hopefully she wouldn't offend him by not immediately knowing it - she hadn't been by the gallery, so she wasn't familiar with anyone aside from those she'd already talked to.

He wasn't worried about her lagging behind, she could get lost for all he cared, really. Pierce still wasn't sure how sold he was on letting her follow him in the first place... he made the case to himself that he was letting her tag along so he could measure her out as the competition -- he wanted to know if it was really an act, or if she was that naive, trusting, and simple minded. He kept the lantern in front of him, keeping a long stride as if he was walking by himself. He didn't care if she had to jog a little bit to keep up, if speed and all that jazz was on her side, she'd be fine.

No special secrets hidden up her sleeve? That seemed like something someone would say who must certainly had something to hide. And who said that he knew her name? Had she told him? Piece knew her as second place, that was about it. But to save himself for any kind of embarrassment if he saw her again, because with his luck, he knew he probably would, he made a mental note to check the gallery to see what it was and commit it to memory this time, because he as sure he had read it. Because obviously her name couldn't be ginger girl, which is what he called her in his head.

Pierce glanced back at her, almost sizing her up, before muttering a quick "Pierceton VanKent."

As Ophelia moved at his side, it suddenly occured to her how much taller he was compared to her. His legs dwarfed hers in comparision and he basically looked like he had never had to stretch on tiptoes a day in his life. Lucky him. Keeping up with him and his confident stride wasn't hard though. He was one of those people who walked with confidence, -there were a lot of those here at the Academy- but something about his walk in particular stood out. Pulling her gaze away, she looked up at his face instead, watching the light from his lantern flickering across his features with a smile. "Pierceton, hi." Breaking away from admiring? watching his face, she instead focused straight ahead.

Which was probably for the best, as otherwise she'd no doubt walk into the tunnel wall given time. "VanKent, huh? So I guess this training thing isn't really new for you, then?" Yeah, she'd heard a little bit about the VanKent family, as apparently they had quite a history with the Gauntlet. Of course, she didn't know too terribly much, just as she was sure many who assumed to know his life didn't know the actual reality. Most wasn't what it seemed on the outside. "Does it get easier? You know what, never mind. That was probably a stupid question." Laughing softly, she shook her head, thinking about all intimidating training equipment, half of which she had no inkling as to how to use. But it would all work itself out . . . Right?

Pierceton had to give her a side glance, more than a little confused by her reaction. Not suddenly acting weird? Running away in fear? She literally had no sense of survival instincts about her person whatsoever, did she? The way she addressed him just by his first name, it was almost like she saw him as another person -- not just the next model for a statue in the Guardian hall of fame. Pierce wasn't sure if she just didn't know his family, or if she just didn't happen to care. Either way, on some level deep, deep down... he appreciated her for it. Deep though. Real deep.

"Training is not new, just different." he replied, turning his attention back to the tunnel ahead of them. Pierce was starting to rethink this whole 'I am the manly man, I would lead the way out of this hell hole' and starting to realize he might just be a little bit lost. He had figured if he had kept turning right, he would eventually find an exit... that logic was proving to be... illogical? He shook his head, letting his frustration show just a little. Why was she laughing? Focus. "Uh, no, not if you're doing it right."

He was going to get stuck down here with her. God, if you exist, please give me strength not to smack her.

As Ophelia was completely focused on trying to watch her steps, making sure she didn't walk into one of the many cornered turns that seemed to jump out of nowhere, she was completely oblivious to Pierce's confusion. Not that she likely would have been able to read it across his expression even if she had been paying attention - even though his face was nice to look at, she was by no means an expert on reading him. Or anyone, for that matter. But as it was, he seemed to be a little bit of an extra difficulty. Which is why she wasn't really trying, he didn't seem like the type to appreciate prying either.

"But you're familiar with some training? That probably comes in handy around here. I know I can't even pretend to really know what I'm doing." Wasn't that the truth? Grinning, she finally looked back up at him, eyes searching his in the dim lighting. Catching the sharp little shake of his head, she bit her bottom lip, smiling slightly. "Oh, so it only gets worse from here on out then?" Well crap. That didn't sound to promising. Realizing they'd stopping, she glanced over at the tunnel walls. Taking a step one way, her hand reached out, touching the damp wall, fingertips tracing a particularly large engraved notch.

"I think I came in this way. I remember feeling something like this. So maybe - we go out this way?" Looking over her shoulder at him, she smiled, stepping away from the wall again and closer to his light. "Unless you know a faster way? It's crazy down here, now I understand why it's so rarely used."

"Can't pretend to know what you're doing, yet somehow manages to get second place? Not buying it, sorry." he remarked, being somehow of a snot. Pierceton didn't play well with others, it was probably written into his application to Ainsley. He still couldn't figure out why she was so determined to annoy him, like what was she honestly getting out of it? If she was trying to get him to share over some VanKent training secrets, she was shit out of luck. Their family training strategy was to micromanage into complete fear. Nothing to promote doing well like knowing you'll be disowned and most likely killed if you don't preform in the top ten.

"I honestly don't know if it gets worse, I can't imagine anything more terrible than what I went through at home -- but believe it or not, this is actually my first week here too? So I have no fucking clue." he snapped, getting sick of all of her questions. Ophelia was right, he didn't appreciate when people pried into his life. It was annoying, and not welcome in the slightest.

Pierce turned around to face her, most likely looking like one of the most menacing creatures she could wish not to encounter in these tunnels, "If you know where you're going, then stop following me."

Ophelia understood why he doubted her sincerity - it was hard to imagine, that anyone competing could land such a high score on the first round but be completely hopeless with anything else. The desire to win made people weary of one another and she got it, she really did. But if he was looking for a wolf in sheep's clothes, he definitely wouldn't be finding it in her. Smiling, she shook her head. "That's okay, I probably wouldn't believe me either." Well, that probably wasn't completely true - the redhead believed just about anything. "My next ranking will speak for itself though." She wasn't being pessimistic either, it was just something she accepted.

Noting the sudden sharpness in his voice, she bit her bottom lip, smile turning a bit sheepish. "You're right, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound like I was - grilling you for insight or anything." Of course, she caught the mention of home and the implication that things hadn't been great and she had half of a mind to say she was sorry. Something was telling her though, that Pierce? He wouldn't appreciate her apologizes. Not that she could blame him, it's not like they would help him now. "This just - isn't really my realm of expertise. None of it, actually." She laughed softly, cheeks beating up.

And when he turned to her, looking non-to-thrilled, to say the least? Her blue eyes widened, staring over at him from the wall. "No, I don't want to leave you, I just thought - well, the light helps, but it's still prett confusing down here. If we put our heads together though, it shouldn't be too bad, right?"

In his scrutiny of her, Pierce's eyebrows pulled together in confusion. He usually thought he was pretty good at reading people, but this girl was just an entirely different level of crazy. He did not understand her one bit, and that was incredibly frustrating to him. He would just say a few words, and she would read through his implied meaning in under two seconds. All he had to say was not buying it, and then she would be like 'no threat here, I am little lamb' and tell him exactly what a normal person would expect to hear. But she just babbled so much, it was hard to determine which part of what she had said was important, if any.

He watched her blush, still holding the lamp up to her face. "Your face is turning into your hair." he commented, completely disregarding everything else she had said as unimportant. Pierce could have said something else about how she wouldn't be leaving him, since she was the one needing his assistance - que, he had the light - or something about how he worked better alone than he did in teams, but he decided not to. Being as optimistic as she was, she would probably just take it the wrong way anyways.

"Here." he handed her the lamp, his fingertips brushing hers for a millisecond. "I don't want it, I'm going this way, you go though way. If I don't make it out of here, it's because I'm not meant to be a Guardian and it's survival of the fittest or something. If you don't make it out, you're even stupider than I thought, since you have the lamp. I'm going this way, you go that way, see you around... maybe." And with that, he walked off in his respective direction, disappearing rather quickly beyond the radius of the lamplight.