under the moon

"What do you think of your competitors?" he questions, trying to gauge her confidence in herself. Did she have confidence in herself and her own abilities?

She listened intently to the Sponsor's response to her question before pondering his own posed question. "I think there's some really strong contenders. Career and non. I think it'll be a good show. Though..." She paused before continuing "...without underestimating my competitors or getting overly confidant, I do trust that I will be crowned at the end of it."

He'd come to the after party as both a means to keep an eye on Natalia and to possibly garner information about the tribute's first hand. He was looking over a display when movement in the corner of his eye caught his attention. His gaze turned to the side and he paused, watching her for a moment. Rosmarinus. He'd only seen her in passing in the last twentysome years - catching glimpses of her along the beach in Four - respecting Natalia's wishes and keeping his distance. But this very well could be his last chance at getting to know her herself, past the stories and praises Natalia had sang over their child over the last two decades.

He stepped away from the display and towards Rose. "It's... it's Rosmarinus right?" He questions despite knowing exactly who she is, despite having a picture shoved behind the identification card in his wallet - a picture of he, Natalia and Rose when she was just a few months old. "A ten, that's pretty impressive." Recalling her training score, it was something he'd bring up with any other tribute.

"Yes sir, Rosmarinus Morrissey." Offering a genuine smile, but still be modest she nodded. "Thank you, I think the viewers will really like what they see when I launch tomorrow. I don't have any intention of letting my supporters down." She tried to test the waters to see if she thought he had any interest in sponsoring her during the Games. "You liking what you're seeing out of this batch of Tributes?" She asked curiously.

When: July 15th, 75 ATT

Who: Rosmarinus Morrissey and Fletcher Cresta — @bloodmoonriising

While heading to the fish traps both Fletcher and Rosmarinus had set up earlier in the day, a twig broke under the weight of his footfall, but he dismissed the crisp snapping sound and kept his gaze glued to what was in front of him. Alert and apprehensive, he had to remain exceedingly conscious of his body and his surroundings. Every brush of a leaf against his skin, every sharp breath he took, and even every scent—be it the pungent brines of the waves or the rusty iron of blood—had to be immediately recognized for what it was; otherwise, it would become a fatal distraction. Ultimately, each sense he detected and anything associated with it must be distinguished between being lifesaving or life-threatening.

Although the hyper-vigilance kept him secure for the time being, it was overwhelming and took quite a bit of his energy to remain so aware of himself and his environment, causing him to more easily fall into paranoia and despair. Dehydration made matters worse, but with the welcome addition of Rosmarinus’ spile, hunger was the next limitation to overcome.

Fletcher thought about the high probability of him dying in the arena and, more woefully, all the loose ends he would leave behind if he did. Letting his concentration stray for a moment, he looked over to Rosmarinus and squinted his eyes in disdain, but not at her as a person, but at a choice she made. She chose to be in this harrowing predicament. Was one of those followers blind with devotion who volunteered seeking glory. Xander was just as foolish. But he reminded himself that both Xander and Rosmarinus were only kids. Impressionable. A victim to a ruling power that wouldn’t care if they lived or died. At least she carried determination and conviction on her back, making her more likely to be victorious. If Rosmarinus were the one to survive the Games in the end, maybe she could deliver Annie one final message for him. He did not want to think so negatively, but he had to be prepared for the worst.

Rosmarinus was a bit in front of Fletcher but still well within eye and ear shot when he had asked about her mother. Pausing her walk, Rose turned back to look at Annie's father. "She's great." Rose replied quietly before beginning to walk again. "She's everything I wanted to be growing up. Intelligent, deadly, compassionate, and she won't take anyone's shit." She hesitated for a second almost adding more but deciding to bite her tongue instead. Who know Fletcher's reasoning for the question, he could have been trying to distract Rose to take her out. Still, she couldn't help but wonder what Natalia was thinking as she watched her daughter in the Arena. Was she proud?

hand goes to belt as the sound of twigs breaking and leaves crunching approach. he's ready to use one of his knives if he needs, but the face is familiar. it's the woman from four: rose. she's another volunteer. in his forties, she looks like a child. god forbid he ever has to fight her, even if she seemed primed for the hunt. it'd be like going after cadence or clove. " it's been quiet tonight. i think i heard a wave a bit ago, which just tells you how quiet it is," he offered. hunger hasn't taken him yet, but his throat is dry. he also feels a layer of uncomfortable sweat condensating onto him. " having trouble sleeping ? "

She considered sitting down for a moment but then continued to stand. "I doubt the Gamemakers will do anything this soon. It's mainly the other Tributes we need to be looking for at this point." Rosmarinus wasn't sure she'd call the jungle of screaming and buzzing insects quiet but she knew what he meant. During daylight she thought she had heard a bird on multiple occasions. If she had to guess, somewhere there was jabberjays. How could they not have them after the whole Katniss and Rue heartstrings scene that had played out last year.

At Ezra’s question Rose hesitated a moment before nodding. “Yeah, I guess my body is still feeling the adrenaline from Launch or something.” She shrugged.

 “Been thinking about our next moves when light comes some.” Moving to sit finally so it’s easier for them to talk, Rosmarinus starts to explain.. “Water is definitely a top priority no matter what else we do…” She pauses “Or whoever tries to be the ‘leader’.” She air quoted but then went back to the topic at hand. “The water around the Cornucopia was salt water, so obviously we need to find a source of freshwater.” She looked up at the tree canopy above them. “Best case, one of us gets some purifying drops. Worst case, we boil it. Absolute worse case, we don’t purify or boil it and we all get sick and die shitting our brains out.” It was early for Sponsor gifts but perhaps one of the Career Mentors had smoozed enough money out of a Sponsor already. It’d be a whole lot better than basically giving everyone their coordinates by lighting a fire.

She was quiet a moment before the sound of the Panem's anthem echoed through the house. Natalia rolled her eyes as she moved towards the living room to see a hologram of the president. She didn't say anything, quietly observing as the announcement of the Quell was drawn out in Snow's typical fashion. She took a deep breath, trying to wrap her mind around what had just been announced.

Her eyes found her daughter as Snow continued with his speech. Suddenly Rose's future wasn't so secure. "Well kiddo, doesn't look like Waking up with the Whitvales is in store for you anyway." Her voice sounded a lot lighter than she felt. It felt like a pit had formed in her stomach, a pit that would drag her down and drown her. "Go get ready." Fuck this all to hell.

Rose let the silence continue but it wasn't long before the Panem's anthem began. Part of Rose was excited to see the twist for this year's Quarter Quell but a bigger part was still heartbroken she wouldn't be there Mentoring. Grabbing her coffee, she followed her mother towards the living room. She watched silently in a state of shock mixed with determination. Her mind was already made up, she would volunteer. And this time? No one was going to do it before her.

"Apparently not." Rose scoffed in disbelief at her mother's statement. Was she dreaming? Was she really about to get another shot after all that she went through in the past four years? She wondered who would volunteer for the male tribute, hopefully no one older and more experienced than her but considering the age range of possible Tributes, she had a feeling she wasn't going to get her hope met. "I won't be long." She responded before starting towards her room.

She luckily had done everything except put her make up on. Once she picked an outfit out for the Reaping and done her make up, Rose headed back downstairs. "I'm ready when you are." She was trying not to think about the Reaping until they got there and the ceremony started, otherwise she risked alerting her mother to Rose's plans.

but still she can muster a smile by focusing on rose's own. her smile has always been warmth inducing. right now, she reminds annie of her son's namesake the day before the seventieth games. " hey was wondering where they were keeping you, " she responds friendly. " congrats on your score by the way. i didn't expect anything less from you. " it's one up from fletcher, but that doesn't matter at the moment. it can go unsaid. rose is her friend too, long before she was a tribute in all this.

"Thanks, Annie. I'm just glad I started working out and training again. Can you imagine if I hadn't been in fighting condition? I wouldn't have been able to volunteer!" Rosmarinus surged forward to hug Annie. "Thank you for helping me get here." She spoke quietly before letting go of Annie and stepping back. "Fletcher did well really well too." She tried to encourage her friend back. She wasn't sure what Fletcher had done for his skill presentation but it must have been impressive. God she hoped she didn't have to kill Fletcher, she'd never be able to face Annie or Finnick again.

The museum party was lovely, and she was enjoying looking at some of the exhibitions. She had seen a couple of her designs from last year, and it made her smile to see her things on display. It made her very proud. She'd been a little distracted, thinking of that when someone spoke to her. "Oh...." She had just about caught about what the woman said to her. She briefly could remember her from the reaping, even if she couldn't remember her name. "They really do. but you get used to them. They are very yummy."

“Were you born here in the Capitol?” She asked curious but also just trying to make some small talk since she did address Portia first.

“I know most stylists are from the Capitol but every once in a while you find someone from the Districts who made it.” Would Portia have made it if Peeta hadn’t won? Rose didn’t know and it was not really of her concern.

“Oh! I’m Rosmarinus Morrissey, one of the Tributes from District Four.” She added, realizing Portia very well may have no idea who Rose was. After all, it was her mother that had the claim to fame. Until just a few days before, Rose was just some ex-Academy kid that would forever have to live in her mother’s shadow. But now Rose had a chance to make her mother proud and to show that she had everything it took to be a Victor too. 

She was lost in her own thoughts when Rosmarinus joined her in the kitchen. And it was from those thoughts that she was pulled at the sound of her daughter's voice. Glancing up, she offered a smile and turned to set her mug on the counter.

"Morning, darling," she murmured softly, moving to grab a plate which she served an omelet from a still warm skillet onto. "There's coffee still in the pot," she informed, sliding the omelet towards Rose.

She was quiet a moment as she retrieved her coffee and moved to the small kitchen table. "I'll have to leave shortly," it was a matter of fact, though one she didn't like broaching with Rose. She knew Rose still mourned her lost opportunity of volunteering, but Natalia couldn't deny the relief that her daughter would not have to know the inside of an arena.

Cup now filled with black caffeinated liquid, Rose began pouring a generous amount of cream into her coffee. Her spoon stopped stirring at her mother’s announcement, a slew of emotions Rose did not want to even begin to address hitting her like a spear to the gut, before resuming again its rotations again.

“Cool.” She nodded as turned to face Natalia “I think I’m just gonna take a self care day. Just watch some old episodes of Waking Up with the Whitvales, eat junk food, maybe even paint my nails?” She added, raising her eyebrows with a forced but hopefully believable smile despite the fact she hadn't been able to paint her nails since picking up the nervous habit of picking and chewing at her fingers and nails.