She squinted when the lights flashed on, barely making out the faces of the Gamemakers in the window. Just as she adjusted to the light, it flickered out again. She became acutely aware of how cold it was. She shivered but kept her jaw clenched to prevent her teeth from chattering. Despite knowing that the Gamemakers had eyes on her using their infrared glasses, the darkness made her feel safe. Not being able to see her judges made them feel as if they weren't there at all. She faced where the Gamemakers would be and bowed deeply, hoping her respect would win her their favour. /You've got this./ She told herself. She had rehearsed for this. So why was her heart still beating so hard? It must have known how important this was. Raising herself, she found that her vision had somewhat improved. She could make out a weapons rack, which she approached. The floor was like ice. She could feel the warmth escaping her through each breath. Her eyebrow raised at the discovery of more supplies next to the weapons rack. It clicked for her. She knew what she would perform, and it wasn't in her script. She spoke loudly, for the Gamemakers to hear. "I had prepared a show for you. I have no problem wielding any weapon." She picked up some throwing knives and hurled them with all the force she could gather towards the other side of the room. She couldn't tell how they flew in the darkness. "But you're too clever for me. You can only see heat-- only see me. You can't properly witness how I use my weapons. A shame." She was pleased to find the materials she needed beside the weapons. She continued talking as she dragged armfuls of dry sticks out into a pile nearer to the Gamemakers. "How boring it must be for you, to only see the cat, and not the weapon! How unfair it is, to have to judge on, well, basically nothing!" She had worked quickly, making a huge pile of sticks resembling a bonfire. "Please give me a moment. It will be worth your while." She had spotted a can of petrol and poured its contents over the wood. She then returned to the equipment pile, eyes seeing the outline of a box and touch confirming that they were matches. Back to the weapons rack. Searching quickly, she found what she was looking for. Blow darts. "Gamemakers," she said, striking a match. She held it at the end of a dart, so that it caught fire. "I've worked out your clue." She loaded the dart into the blowgun. It began catching on fire as well. She took a deep breath and launched the dart towards the pile, which outline she could just make out. /Please work./ Her heart jumped when huge flames burst to life, reaching for the ceiling and illuminating the entire room. Viper was beyond relieved. She walked over to stand beside the bonfire, adding the blowgun into the blaze. The warm flames felt like the inside of an oven. She faced the Gamemakers, which she was pleased to be able to see. They had removed their goggles and their eyes were fixed on the fire. She hoped that behind their poker faces they were stunned. "The arena is tundra-like, isn't it? Did you think this reptile wouldn't be able to cope? Well, there's no need to worry about me. I may be cold-blooded, but I'll be far from freezing." She bowed, and began to exit through the door she came in from. She suddenly stopped, and looked back. "By the way, the knives are here." They laid on the floor beside the entrance, having crossed nearly the entire room's length. She traced her paw over three dents in the wall, and she exited.
