✘✘ BURN MY DREAD;

Dale let out a loud, genuine laugh. “Rory, I think people might question my intentions if I was to bring you clubbing” he was still laughing, a rarity for Dale. “But if you do go clubbing, you have my number, if anything were to happen” he said, and it was a little more serious, because life was tough for eighteen year old girls, life was scary, he knew that much. “Good” he smiled. “I think you’ve proven yourself enough to move up from the intern position, if you’re interested” he offered. “During the break of the games, obviously, if you’re still wanting to go with that for now”

“I’m going on a date,” she said, her cheeks warming just to say it. “So no work, no. I’m trying to have a bit better work-life balance, at least for now. The last few weeks before the Games will be more difficult, surely.” But she was trying to turn a new leaf, being a mom now, something she hadn’t expected.

“You are a little boring sometimes though, Rory” he shrugged, as if it wasn’t an insult. “Don’t worry, I’ll teach you how to live a little” Dale said with a smirk then, as they walked. “Lead the way” he said easily, and it was nice, to let go for a little bit, let someone else have control, even if it was just for a lunch. “How are you getting on at the office?”

She had known Rory would be good, but she was always worried leaving Olympia alone with anyone else, the stress from the attack that had taken Oly’s mother’s life still bleeding through her life. She had a feeling she wouldn’t rid herself of it for quite awhile. Olympia raised up another block and very slowly, very carefully attempted to balance it on the little tower. “Me too,” she said, “I’m a bit of a workaholic myself. You’re young though, you should be doing other stuff!”

.

“You’re always welcome if you need time away. Somewhere safe.” She didn’t like much that Rory worked with the Gamemakers, but she didn’t really have the impression that it was something Rory particularly liked. In a way, she could see it being a move to protect her own safety. “For what it’s worth, I haven’t been to One since my Victory Tour, I think. I don’t travel much either.”

“i mean..” she drew her bottom lip between her teeth, because that was an offer she couldn’t quite respond to. this did feel safer than the capitol did these days, somehow. hestia’s house seemed this tiny bubble of familiarity in a bigger and scarier world, and rory wondered for a moment if she’d feel this way in her own home more too, if there were more people there, more laughter. “i get car sick. i was surprised i was okay on the train, to be -- to be honest !! i’d.. like to come back here though, after this, sometime, if that’s -- if that’s okay.”

“A little” Dale said with a snort of a laugh before he moved towards the door. “It’s not something I’d usually go for” he admitted then, and he wasn’t health conscious, but greasy food wasn’t something he allowed himself very often. “I guess we can get cheese fries today” he decided then, as they left the building. “Where’s good for cheese fries then?”

.

“Just wait until there’s a meltdown, you’ll change your mind. What do you think of Twelve so far? Compared to home?” she asked, genuinely curious what Rory might think. Rory’s upbringing was as big of a mystery to her to get her mind around as Hestia’s probably was for her. She wouldn’t consider Rory aloof or judgmental by any means, but Twelve must be quite different from her upbringing between One and the Capitol, an only child of two high-profile parents. Then on top of that, her busy, cluttered little house, although she was glad to hear that the activity (and noise) levels of the kids didn’t seem to be getting to her just yet. 

“it’s.. different, isn’t it ?? it’s very.. different.” all of it was, the busy house, the less-than-glamorous streets, the people that seemed to be able to tell she didn’t belong here from a simple glance ( she was rather wide-eyed though, she definitely gave herself away in that regard ). rory didn’t know what she could say that would put into words better that it was rather overwhelming an experience. but not unpleasant, not in the slightest. “i like it here, though,” she felt the need to clarify, “it’s.. um. it’s nice to see different districts. i’ve never really been past one.”

Olympia did as she was asked, handing Rory another block, this time with both hands, because if they were building a tower, this was truly becoming a very serious endeavor indeed. Colette bit back a smile watching them. It was these types of moments she thought she might be able to do this mom thing, though she hadn’t yet built up to thinking of herself as such. “More work?” she asked. “That seems unfair. But then, I can relate. Building an Arena’s more difficult than running it.”

“Thank you for helping out this week.” She handed Rory a cup of tea, settling onto one of the couches across from her with her own mug cradled between her fingers. “I owe you. I know this isn’t the Capitol, but…” She glanced around at the somewhat cluttered living room, which seemed perpetually untidy no matter how often she picked up toys, books, hoodies, just about anything else imaginable. “Slate and Reyna would be happy to hang out with you too, I’m sure, if you get sick of me or too many kids.”

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“i mean.. no worries, right? i’ve -- i’ve always wanted to come see twelve. if anything, you’re doing me a favour here,” rory spoke from behind the rim of her mug, hiding a somewhat awkward smile behind it. she felt unusually at home in hestia’s living room, especially when nowadays, either everything made her feel uncomfortable or embarrassed. but there were toys everywhere, people walking in and out, this house was being lived in, truly, and it was oddly comforting. “i like kids, i really do, i don’t think i’ll get like.. sick of it. still can’t believe i don’t have any siblings, i’d have been a great sister.”

Colette laughed a bit. Even though she was generally stressed out, Olympia did have the occasional ability to relax her, and today was one of those days — once she’d gotten the sitter worked out, of course. Olympia handed Rory two blocks very seriously. “She’s a little architect,” Colette said, “very businesslike. As are you — what’s all that?” She gestured to the paperwork stack.

Dale moved to sit on the edge of her desk, in a strangely good mood, for no particular reason, and hummed a nod. “Wherever you like” he called after her as she walked away. Rory was a good little assistant, and he hadn’t done much for her since she’d started at the firm. Also, he was meant to be having lunch with his father, and he’d do just about anything to avoid that, so this was a good distraction. “What’s your favourite food?” he asked when she returned, holding out her jacket.

He couldn’t help but laugh at her rosy cheeks. It was always the same, no matter how many women went through his office with the blinds closed, she always got just as flustered, and he found it hilarious really. “Ah– the lunch is with you” he said then, remembering all of a sudden. “Get someone else to drop the letters off, get yourself ready, it’s in twenty minutes, right?”

“Oh you will,” she assured her. “Olympia’s good with women usually. I don’t know why, must be because she was around her mom mostly for the first year.” She stepped forward, crouching down on the floor next to her. “Oly, you want to meet Rory? She’s going to watch you for a bit.”

“No, I have some time,” she assured her quickly, taking in her slightly flustered look. “But it’s not… I mean, I’m not really a parenting expert, so you might know as much as I do at this point.” She was all-too-aware of her own flaws when it came to Olympia. If Rory had plenty of babysitting experience then she almost definitely was better with kids than Colette herself was. “You haven’t met her yet, have you?” Some of the Gamemakers had, when Livia had brought her daughter in to work. She led her into the living room, which was now just the play room and had been taken over by toys. Olympia was sitting in the middle of it all, a kids program on TV and alphabet blocks in her hands.

Dale opened his office door, and a lanky blonde snuck out, giggling as she tripped over her feet, and he rolled his eyes as he fixed his collar, clearing his throat to get Rory’s attention even though he knew she’d been watching out of the corner of her eye anyway.

“What’s on my schedule for the rest of the day?” He asked her after he’d made his way over to her desk, leaning on the solid oak. “Anything important?”

@aurorasnowluxe​

Colette was very new to everything about being a parent. Olympia was 16 months, which meant that she was walking well, babbling a lot, and throwing tantrums. It wasn’t too surprising; she had only just been separated from her mother a few months prior, and getting used to someone totally new was bound to be difficult.

Colette just wished that she’d focused on child psychology in school rather than adults.

For her own psyche, though, she knew she needed time away. Olympia went to day care during the week when Colette had to work, but on the weekends and every night, it was just the two of them. She was getting tired of stacking blocks and reading cardboard picture books with little other adult human interaction. She had a date with Luca, but her usual sitter had cancelled, and so frantic, she’d texted the next person who she thought might come over in a pinch: Rory.

She opened the door with one hand, putting her earring in with her other. “I am so glad you were able to come on short notice, Rory,” she said.

@aurorasnowluxe​

rory snow luxe, 125th victor’s ball