❛ ╱ ig'zists

𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐄𝐒

*  𝙷𝙸𝙳𝙴𝙾 𝙸𝚃𝙾:  he / him,  thirty - three,  district  three,  mentor.

❛ hmm ? oh , sorry , i ⸺ ❜ she desperately tries to recall what the topic of conversation had been before she'd zoned out . something about the games , maybe ? that'd make sense . or was it the food ? the training ? oh there were too many things and not enough space in her head to remember them all !! ❛ that color looks great on you by the way ! ❜ there . topic change . that was easier than she thought . ❛ you should totally wear it more often . who's your stylist ; i can totally let them know later if you want . ❜

she  blinks,  looking  around  her  for  a  moment  to  check  if  the  pretty  lady  was  referring  to  her.  she  points  at  herself  with  her  free  hand  as  her  other  hand  balances  a  drink  tray  expertly.  

“Well, admittedly, as sad as I was to hear he was stepping down, I was honored to be chosen to take his place as a mentor. I just hope I can live up to his example. He’s part of what got me through my own Games, and I’m eternally grateful.” Nicki nodded along, having been roped into a conversation about his new position with a potential sponsor. He hadn’t gotten well acquainted with this year’s tributes, but from what he’d heard whispers of so far, it might be up to him to get them any sort of help out there. So he’d play the part, same as always. 

When the sponsor finally leaves the bar, his shoulders sag. He flags down the bartender and orders, sipping the drink for a moment before dropping his head into his free hand, elbow propped up on the bar. Hearing someone else approach, he doesn’t look up, but gives what he hopes comes across as an embarrassed laugh as the mask slips back on. “How much would I need to bribe you to forget you found me a bit out of sorts? The games…They really never do get easier.”

he  snorts,  shaking  his  head  a  beat  later.  “ that’s  you  and  me  both,  i  suppose. ”  his  words  come  out  as  a  murmur  as  he  situates  himself  on  a  stool  a  seat  away  from  him.  “ still,  not  really  looking  all  too  well  if  you’re  here. ”

“I always forget how impressive the view from up here is.” It’s a rare moment for Gloss, their words almost soft as they gaze out on the Capitol, just taking in all the people bustling and lights flashing. Outside of their mentoring duties, there’s no reason to even approach this building, and even now they don’t really want to be here. So, here they are, taking in the view and ignoring the urge to walk out the front doors and never come back. 

Turning their head to gaze somewhat behind them, their eyes drift to the other person. “What, you running from the attention already? I at least gave a few interviews before I ducked up here. Bit of effort wouldn’t hurt the rest of you.” And there’s the Career embellishments. It’s almost second nature by now. 

and  just  like  that,  his  bubble  of  contemplation  bursts.  there’s  no  point  in  trying  to  ignore  that  it’s  started  (  even  when  the  announcement  of  the  games  itself  was  already  the  beginning  ),  not  when  it’s  slithered  in  between  conversations  as  well.