we're about to explode

Ah — don’t touch those! They’re filled with something you really don’t want to accidentally impale yourself with.

She had just been folding some clothes - the usual grey colored clothing issued to everyone in Thirteen. Everyone blended in, but the color scheme wasn’t too different from Six, which was something she didn’t have to get used to. Maylee brushed back a few strands of hair, tucking them behind her ears, brown eyes focused on the task at hand until she heard the door open. Her heart stopped; no, she wasn’t scared, but there was a mass of emotions that knotted itself in her throat as she finally turned around, pair of pants falling from her hands as she saw him standing there, “Aston..”

Aston knew they hadn't been apart for long, two weeks and some odd days wasn't that bad. But between the rebellion plans, preparing Keely and Gear for that arena and surviving until the rebellion began, the things he had to do to get them things, it had felt like years. A relieved noise escaped him, it was a mix of a sigh and a cry, as he moved across the room. His hands reached up and cupped Maylee's cheeks in his hands as he pulled her into a kiss. 

A thin hand rubbed over a slightly extended belly - she was only three months along, but being how naturally thin as she was, her three month infant showed more than on more plump women. A ruckus was heard some levels above, but Maylee didn’t pay it too much mind, merely focusing her attention on tidying up the room to keep her mind from running to her constant thoughts of Aston. But, her hands were busy, so she was distracted - for the moment.

It was a relief to be in Thirteen finally. Though, Aston knew he'd miss his home back in the Victors Village back home. It was cozy after so many years spent living in it with Maylee and practically Bula. No. He wouldn't think about Bula right now, he had to wait until he was alone and was sure things were good before he freaked completely out over that. As he was handed his handbook and room assignment, his eyes landed on Maverick Family + Keely. With a burst of energy, Aston quickly made his way to his room after Keely started to get her wrist looked at. His brisk steps carried him to the door quickly and as the door opened there she was. "Maylee," he felt like he shouted her name, but it came out soft as he stepped into the room.

"Why would you do that?"  She didn’t care about a rebellion.  She was too young to fully understand the concept.  "District Thirteen was destroyed.  Everyone knows that," she said as though Aston was stupid for thinking otherwise.  Of course she didn’t think that, but he left behind Bula and Gear.  She wouldn’t even be alive right now if it wasn’t for gear but he was left behind.  She looked down at her wrist then and reluctantly nodded.  "It really hurts."

It stung to hear Keely ask that question with that tone. Aston could feel the confusion and betrayal like a slap to the face. If she wasn't so young, Aston would have been offended by what she said about Thirteen. "Thirteen does exist Keely. The Capitol was coming, they would have killed all of us on this hovercraft if I had stayed to get Gear. I don't know why Bula didn't make it...but Keely I will get them back." As he looked at her wrist, he was grateful that whenever Bula tried to teach him some basic medical knowledge he could tell her wrist wasn't broken. "Good thing it's only severely sprained. They can fix that right up in Thirteen." At least he hoped they could. And he hoped that Bula and Gear were still alive...

There were tears in her eyes as she tried to comprehend what was happening.  She’d been taken from the arena.  That much she knew, but where was Gear?  When she looked around she saw Aston, the Careers from District One, and their mentors.  Keely subconsciously put as much room between her and the Careers as possible.  The mentor, the one she’d seen with Aston before, kept looking at her and it made Keely feel anxious.  When Aston came before she bit down on her lower lip, still keeping her wrist cradled against her chest.  ”Where’s Gear?  Where’s Bula?  What’s going on,” she whined.  Nothing was making sense and after the hell of the arena, it would take a lot to make less sense than volcanoes and avalanches.

The tears in Keely's eyes were killing Aston. All he wanted to do was make them go away, but he knew he wouldn't be able to. Her questions made that shaky breath in his lungs dislodge and escape and he looked down at the floor for a moment. "I...had to leave them behind," he admitted as he looked back up at Keely. It sounded worse saying it out loud and left a bad taste in his mouth as he said the words. "But we're going to Thirteen now, to the rebellion. We'll be safe there and then I can go back and get Bula and Gear. Can I look at your wrist?"

Silver didn’t know what the hell was going on, she was possibly still out of it due to the jabberjays. But there was a loud screeching sound of metal on metal, she went out of the Cornucopia to see what it was then — Well, here she was being shoved down onto a seat in a hovercraft. It was disorienting to say the least. She knew she wasn’t being pulled out of the Arena because she had won. Merlot was still right there. So, what the hell was going on? If her head was clearer maybe she would have understood more, but that was unlikely. 

Aston was about to make a beeline for Keely when Silver's voice made him pause. Right. Glitter did mention she didn't trust Silver as far as she could throw her, so Silver had no idea this was coming. Not like Gear and Keely to an extent. Turning to face her, Aston's voice was calm and firm as he spoke, "A rebellion that's what. We're heading to District Thirteen." His eyes flickered over to Fitz or Glitter in hopes they'd finish explain things to their tribute. 

[It was wrong that beneath the stress he was excited. He felt like he’d been working for this for five years now. He managed to contain that as he spoke.] Hm? Oh — Yeah! I’m sorted and ready to go as I’ll ever be. [Booster took the glass and looked at it for a moment before lifting it to his mouth to take a drink — a split second later he spit it back out into the glass and set it to the side.] Wow. That’s horrible… 

[ Aston nodded when Booster said he was ready. Good, they all needed to be as ready as possible. When Booster spit out the drink though, Aston couldn't help the hearty laugh that escaped his lips. ] It is, but it takes the edge off and leaves me sharp enough to save my kids when I need to. Calms the nerves though, which is all you really need it for. 

[Booster walked over to Aston, and shook his head.] I probably shouldn’t. [But he still motioned for an Avox to bring him whatever Aston had been drinking anyway. He jerked his head towards the television screens so anyone over hearing would think he was talking about the games.] I’m sure today will end up being rather pretty interesting. ‘You have things sorted out… for them in there?

[ At this point, Aston didn't care if they weren't being careful. Watt just got hauled off and he was pretty sure Watt wasn't heavily involved. As long as they got those kids out, well that's all that mattered. ] It'll be interesting no matter what happens. [ He looked down at his drink as the avox set the two glasses in front of him and Booster. ] As sorted out as they can be. How are things on your end?

Come on… [Booster hissed under his breath checking his watch. Leave it to Watt to give more reasons why he was stressed out today. Today of all days. And when he spoke again he spoke to the room at large.] Is it too late in my life to start drinking? 

[ As if things weren't already stressful enough, Watt goes and gets himself arrested. With a sigh, Aston pinched the bridge of his nose and counted backwards from ten. At least Watt wasn't one of the pilots, if he had been they'd be screwed. Looking over at Booster he snorted. ] Not at all, you want one? [ He asked gesturing to his recently emptied glass of something strong enough to take off the edge but not enough to mess him up completely. ]

It doesn’t even seem like they want a victor this round. I don’t even want to think like that with so much at stake right now. Especially not what they could do to our loved ones.

There's always a lot at stake every year, but this year more than most. I -- yeah, that's not exactly a pleasant thing to dwell on. So, just try to focus on what's happening here and now and trust that our loved ones will be safe. There's already too much to worry about.  I'm sorry about your kids though...I really thought Barely would make it.

Their list of choices is dwindling a bit by now with all the shit they’ve pulled. But whatever comes we’ll just have to pull together and work together no matter what, yeah?

Well, considering that mountain is a volcano that's the next thing that'll probably happen. Which if that's the case, I don't know what the Gamemakers are thinking - that's too fucking much, too far. That's the only way it'll work, if we don't work together - then I don't think any of us want to survive long enough to see what the consequences will be. 

Not with all this, no. Everyone seems to be coming together and closer right now. It’ll be a good thing, I hope. Easier that way at least.

Yeah, well lets pray it's a good thing and that the Gamemakers don't pull another disaster out of their asses. I never count on things being easy, not when the Capitol is involved. 

I can’t imagine. I mean, three days feels like a lifetime already.

It does..when there's this much going on. But some years after the bloodbath tributes hide until the Gamemakers force their hand. Obviously that's not their agenda this year.

How much longer can this last?

A while, unfortunately. There was one year they lasted almost two weeks.