Felix Shea

Lysander his brows as he watched the man got up from the couch. Honestly, the man changed his attitude around him like a bipolar. Maybe he was one. He did hear that bipolars tend to change their mood every so often. It sounded like a girl on her period to him than a real disease, but whatever. “I don’t do sentimentalities, sweetheart, you should know that by now,” he replied, sipping on his beer slowly. If the man was looking for a shoulder to cry on, then he had the wrong person for it. Lysander had a heart of stone; he never cared for anyone else except for his own and Annie, because Annie was family. And that was it.

“I never give anything into granted. Anything and everything can happen inside the arena.  You just get a general idea about what their behavior will be there…but once inside their inner monster came to the surface…that’s where the fun comes from.” 

He let his lips tugged into a smirk as he listened to Felix’s words. There was always something about a confined space and the threat of killing or getting killed dangling in front of the tributes that managed to bring out the primal instinct to survive in them. That was what made the Game entertaining for the Capitol, he supposed.

“I would…but there is a problem.  I don’t like being seconds, Sander. I like being first […]  “I don’t know who you are shagging right now, but I’m pretty sure you are,  and there is nothing bad about it…but it’s not my style […]“And don’t tell me you are not shagging someone because we know you are” 

He raised his brows as he cocked his head to the side, looking at the man funnily.  “Well, isn’t that quite a request,” he commented. It was known to everyone that he always slept around, always a different warm body beside him as he fell asleep. He changed his partner like people changed their clothes, simply because he didn’t like getting attached. What Felix was requesting seemed impossible for him to fulfil, since he was never in a relationship, and he wasn’t planning to. “In that case, no. I don’t do exclusive, sweetheart. Besides, there’re too many people I haven’t had the chance to meet yet,” he said, his tone playful and his lips tugged into a smirk.

“And well, this is the beauty of the games.  Kids magnify their emotions.  They are the best show anyone could beg for” […] “You should take it lightly. It’s just part of the show.  The most probably thing is that he’ll get kill in the arena.”

“Well, I hope the kid gets killed soon after they step off the platform. He’s annoying to look at,” he muttered casually, getting up to dispose the empty bottle. He would’ve gone and finished the kid if he could, what with that secret that he held. Who knew what sort of information he managed to find out. He was more worried about Annie then he was for himself, as he didn’t have anything to lose. It was a different story with Annie altogether. She had someone she loved, and he was willing to let Hell loose if something ever happened to her.

“I think that’s why you and I get along very well.  We say the things that are in our minds”  He commented casually as he leaned against the wall. There was a moment of silence where Felix looked at his friend attentively.  He didn’t show any emotion.  He looked more like he was analyzing a complex piece of art that was cryptic,  but there was a smile in his eyes that clearly indicated it he enjoyed it.

“I never said you were stupid.  I just said that I didn’t have any idea where your penis has been before…and that is true, isn’t it?”  He said giving his friend a look that could only be translated in English into ‘you-know-I’m-right’.    “But anyway, I’ll leave your promiscuous sexual life aside and focus on our job” He added with sarcastically.  “Yes, I know you do not like to work, but at least we have to pretend to”  He added seriously.

Now that, that made Celia have second thoughts. She didn’t hide it either. “That’s gross.” She told him as he walked off. “I mean, fuck whoever you want.” She quickly reassured him, just in case he got the wrong idea. “I’m pretty sure you have a line of people waiting for you and I’m not gonna be the one to get in their way.” She laughed. Celia had her own line, and she knew it too. Her line just wasn’t attractive enough. Besides, she wasn’t gonna sleep with a guy just cause she knows she has one waiting for her at any time of the day. Unlike some mentors, she could probably hold off of sex for years. She’s held off it for a year already. “I’d just appreciate it if you… Didn’t do it while I’m wondering around in here.”

She couldn’t believe she was the one setting a rule like that, especially when he was the one inviting her to stay. But he’d have plenty of hours with the room alone. She usually wakes up, showers, and leaves. She doesn’t return unless it meant she was eating dinner and then going to bed for the night. 

“That’s what they all look for.  I’m not the kind of person they would take home.  I’m just a mere fantasy for them.  That’s all”  He commented using such a casual tone of voice that it was more than obvious Felix was more than used to the thought.  “But you wouldn’t believe how easily they do what you want if you know what button to press”  He explained as he discreetly inspected his rug trying to spot bread crumbles;  luckily, it seemed there was not.

“You are a woman.  You will be more desirable for them than I am…that’s why you need to be smarter.  I would like to protect you all time, but I know I can’t…”  He said difficultly because he was not the kind of man who used to speak about the way he felt.   Felix looked at her and then looked at the ground.

Lysander his brows as he watched the man got up from the couch. Honestly, the man changed his attitude around him like a bipolar. Maybe he was one. He did hear that bipolars tend to change their mood every so often. It sounded like a girl on her period to him than a real disease, but whatever. “I don’t do sentimentalities, sweetheart, you should know that by now,” he replied, sipping on his beer slowly. If the man was looking for a shoulder to cry on, then he had the wrong person for it. Lysander had a heart of stone; he never cared for anyone else except for his own and Annie, because Annie was family. And that was it.

“I never give anything into granted. Anything and everything can happen inside the arena.  You just get a general idea about what their behavior will be there…but once inside their inner monster came to the surface…that’s where the fun comes from.” 

He let his lips tugged into a smirk as he listened to Felix’s words. There was always something about a confined space and the threat of killing or getting killed dangling in front of the tributes that managed to bring out the primal instinct to survive in them. That was what made the Game entertaining for the Capitol, he supposed.

“I would…but there is a problem.  I don’t like being seconds, Sander. I like being first […]  “I don’t know who you are shagging right now, but I’m pretty sure you are,  and there is nothing bad about it…but it’s not my style […]“And don’t tell me you are not shagging someone because we know you are” 

He raised his brows as he cocked his head to the side, looking at the man funnily.  “Well, isn’t that quite a request,” he commented. It was known to everyone that he always slept around, always a different warm body beside him as he fell asleep. He changed his partner like people changed their clothes, simply because he didn’t like getting attached. What Felix was requesting seemed impossible for him to fulfil, since he was never in a relationship, and he wasn’t planning to. “In that case, no. I don’t do exclusive, sweetheart. Besides, there’re too many people I haven’t had the chance to meet yet,” he said, his tone playful and his lips tugged into a smirk.

“And well, this is the beauty of the games.  Kids magnify their emotions.  They are the best show anyone could beg for” […] “You should take it lightly. It’s just part of the show.  The most probably thing is that he’ll get kill in the arena.”

“Funny thing, I was just going to say that he reminds me a lot of you when I saw you the first time…” He added in such a way that it was difficult to difference if Felix was being serious or joking.  The colossal man seemed to have the ability to make you doubt about what he really meant because he used his tone of voice was flat and serious.   “I don’t know what the deal between your and him is, but there must be something really serious to make you wish someone kills him soon.  I mean, I’m not a saint. I’ve sometimes wanted to screw with people’s plans, but I’e never wished someone’s death…that openly”  He added smiling.

Oh well…

So he wouldn’t notice her sudden unsure mood, she smiled at him teasingly and rose an eyebrow. “Too scared some pretty girl is gonna come in here and wanna have sex with you next?” She teased as she got up. She snorted as she sat down next to him, tucking a leg underneath her and pulling the other to her chest. “Like you’d hate that.” She mumbled, shoveling another spoonful into her mouth. Celia smiled and nudged him with her elbow so that he’d know she was joking. “Sure.” She answered, all joking aside.

Felix chuckled when he heard Celia’s comment because he knew she was right.  There were people who usually looked for him, but they usually wanted to fulfill a fantasy and nothing else.  They usually left him one night after.   “I’m complicated, Celia.  People are usually afraid of me or they got the wrong idea about who I am” He commented casually as he brought her a dish and napkin before crumbles ended on the ground.  He had something about seeing things on his carpet that made him feel uneasy.

Backing away from the door, she let him close it as she leaned against the wall. She didn’t look at him though, when he looked at her. She was trying to think of what to do. How was she suppose to feel? Was she suppose to thank him? Maybe he was gonna be angry with her. Or worse, give her a lecture. Getting scolded by Felix like he was her father didn’t really sound fun. Celia got her answer though, when he spoke again.

“If you don’t mind…” He made a small pause.  “I would like you to live with me”  He said difficultly as he made his best effort in order not to look like a fool, but he miserably failed because he was not the kind of person who knew how to express his feelings.  Well, he knew how to express many feelings but not the kind of feelings he was feelings towards her.

Especially now, hearing someone knock. Felix. And some peacekeepers. Oh no. Celia wiped her cheeks and cleared her throat and sped walked towards the door. She glanced at the peacekeepers as she said: “I would think everyone would know you live on this floor.” Hint, hint. If the peacekeepers didn’t understand her, they were pretty bad ones not to know victors. Besides, she wasn’t going to start liking the peacekeepers now. I think that would seem odd to… Well, everyone.

She turned her attention on Felix and her shoulders sagged once again in relief. She spoke calmly towards him, with a hint of worry. “I was worried about you.” Celia said. It helped that she was deflated now; all that panicking and crying and just… Everything had left her drained. “Are you alright? What happened?”

“Hey, I took my time because I didn’t know what to get you for breakfast, and I had some problems when I got it. It seems a guy had an accident and slipped through the stairs.  That’s all”   He said using a sarcastic playful tone of voice that he only showed with the people he appreciated.  Felix acted naturally; he seemed to be more concern about Celia’s well-being rather than what it was going on out of their apartment.   “I mean, I didn’t know exactly what you’d like to eat.  So, I brought a little bit of everything” He said showing a recipient he still had with him.

It was not only until the moment she hinted the guards they were victors from previous years that they finally recognized Felix, he simply smiled at them and decided to play the part because he knew that if he didn’t it may look way suspicious.  He signed couple of autographs, answered some questions hoping the peacekeepers got satisfied by their answers.  Once they did,  Felix got inside and locked the door.   He looked at Celia and for the first time in an hour, he relaxed. It seemed they had got away with it.

When he looked up at her, she gave him a slight reassuring smile, to show him that she was back in her own head and fine. 

Felix got closer to the crowd as he pretended to take a look as well.  He started asking questions about it as he didn’t know who the man was or what he was doing in the building.  In matter of minutes, the peacekeepers arrived and started asking questions.  Obviously,  Felix was interrogated as well.  The officers didn’t seem to believe him, but he asked them he lived in the building with Celia, his partner.   He asked them to come with them upstairs so they could verify with him that he was telling the truth.

“You may think my glory days have already passed, and perhaps you may be right, but you should take into account that I’ve spent two thirds of my life in this.  If I decide to do or not to do something is because I think it’s for your well-being” He commented seriously.  “In other words, I am silent because I want you to stay focused on your objective.  It’s not the proper time or the place to let your mind wandering about a future that it may not happen to start with” He decided to be honest.

“if you decide to ignore my advice, you are free to. I cannot force you to do anything you don’t want to; however, take into account that I’m the best friend you can have right now”  He responded taking a deep breath.  “I am the lousiest, shittiest, and angriest ally you can have.  There are twenty two other mentors an twenty three tributes that want you dead…” He made a pause.  “And in all honesty, I don’t think any of them will be that noble to sacrifice their life for yours”  He added as he got up to the fridge to get some fridge.

“Wrong, Marcus”  He made a pause indicating the boy to sit because they haven’t finished their talk.  “They are afraid of you, but you are not afraid of them.  They practically wet their pants just to see you getting inside the room”  He looked at his eyes.  “At first sight, you may think that’s a good thing because you intimidate them and make them weak…”  He said as he walked to grab a glass of water.  He needed to drink something to get the alcohol out of his system.

“Something funny happens when people are afraid. It’s basic biology, you know?”  He said as he served some water in his glass and offered some to Marcus. “Fear causes the organism to seek safety and may cause a release of adrenaline, which has the effect of increased strength and heightened senses such as hearing, smell, and sight”  He spoke seriously so Marcus so there was a point coming.

Her eyes followed his every moment, as if she was expecting him to suddenly just pull out a knife and turn his back on her. She pressed her lips together, to keep herself from saying anything, and just nodded, quicker this time, as if she was in a rush now. It toke Celia a second to reply but she finally croaked out an 'okay' before scurrying off to the bathroom.

“Okay, what did  I teach you before you were sent into the arena, honey?  Say it aloud, say it clear and strong for me”  Felix said hoping she remembered he told her several times that whatever it happened, she should never lose the control.  Otherwise, everything was lost.  “Now, whenever you fight someone there are part of skin and hair that are usually left on the person’s body.  That’s why I told you to cut your nails and clean them very well”  He said checking out the man if he had an scratch or something under his nails. Apparently, Celia didn’t even give him time to squeal.  Felix had taught him well.

“The first thing I’m going to do is to remove your fingerprints from his body”  He commented seriously as he started rubbing the corpse’s wrist and neck to clean it from possible evidence.  He looked at Celia hoping she was calmer;  he would need her for what he had in mind.  They needed to work together to make this work.  Otherwise, they would be doomed.

“I want you to call the manager in 5 minutes.   Tell him that you listen to something falling down the stairs and someone screaming. Okay?”  He said looking at her eyes.  “5 minutes, Celia. No more, no less.   Let the doorman to do everything.  Do not move a finger.  Do not get out.  Just open the door when I knock and pretend to be surprised and ask me what happened”   He spoke as he carried the man out of the penthouse and asked her to check her watch.