respice finem

( * haymitch abernathy. / d12 mentor. )

( * diana plinth. / capitol socialite. )

"well don't you look stunning," it's rare that those words mean much coming from diana's lips, but there was something about the way gabriel designed that drew her to his talents. soon she simply began to enjoy his company, finding some kind of solace in the distance they both had put between themselves and their families. one topic she was never quite sure how to approach though was his feelings regarding the tributes past and present, feelings weren't her greatest strength by any means. but she did like to show that she cared. whatever way that ended up coming across, it was there. "you've done a beautiful job this year, as always. do you... do you get to talk to them much?"

"i'm starting to think i'm too old for this shit," haymitch had long confided in annie, seeing her as someone who truly understood the lost... somewhat absent feeling in his mind. he's been learning each day to choose his moments better, be a little more coherent in moments that are now calling for that but damn did it get harder the longer the stress of losing people laid on his shoulders. "it's been so long since i've had to put myself in this-." the stresses of mentoring completely by himself for years had taken a toll on him, tributes scoring low or unbelievably high as of late throwing wrenches in what he had previously planned, and the kids, it was just... heavy. "- and now it's not just random people, is it? they just had to drag me back in." leaning forward on his elbows, he finally catches a glance of annie's expression, "how are you feeling about it?" maybe he needs to hear something other than his own circular thoughts.

it was rare julian got much of a break during the day. but he'd been on shift for longer than anyone had anticipated, stood outside a door with familiar faces passing by him and shoved much further inside than he'd ever be allowed. he can't help but be curious about what happened, but he would keep his mouth shut for his own good. twenty years here wouldn't be too bad if he could keep it together. "hey!" he's not exactly sure if yelling to people here was good etiquette or not, but he'd already called out before that crossed his mind. spotting caius felt like destiny, a lull in his mind just what he needed right now. "do you want to get a drink with me? i haven't slept."

julian may be new to the capitol, but if there was one thing the boy was good at so far it was using his free time to sus people out. within a week he'd known the who's who of the capitol's namesakes, even drawn in one or two along the way. maybe this stint with the peacekeepers wouldn't be too bad if they didn't relocate him after the games. after the games. he'd noticed emerald the moment she walked in, eyeing her momentarily before returning to being nudged and squawked at by his bunk mates. after such a horrible week of repetitive tasks, maybe he could use a little stimulation. far too confident for his stature, he approaches her without hesitation, "nice dress, does the stylist dress you? or are you soley to blame for looking this good?"

it had been a hell of a long time now since diana had relied on priam for much of anything. for years she'd felt alone, pushed aside and sheltered from the reality of her birth. her family wanted great things for her, not only was she a plinth, they had chosen her with the intent of making her perfect.. who would've guessed their friendship would blossom from that shared weight of expectation? at least for a while she might've allowed herself to think that was the case, that they were truly friends and not just bound by paperwork and a name. she'd certainly not been so close to his brother. maybe it was the contrarian spirit, the tendancy to reject what was in store for them, or perhaps the failure to live up to it. maybe for a moment she thought she wasn't alone in all this mess. but priam had chosen his path and she was teetering on the edge of hers nervously and unequipped, right back to feeling like that lost little girl. "you two are just adorable, aren't you?" the alcohol had a fifty-fifty chance of loosening her tongue or keeping her silent, but tonight she'd live up to one family member at least. seeing his life so seemingly perfect made her question every choice she ever made, "truly, how do you do it? i'd love to know."

"well don't you look lovely, i enjoy this whole-" he motions in her general direction, not picking out anything in particular, "-colour, situation." in all the time he'd spent with effie over the years he'd argue that he'd gained an eye for... whatever she had an eye for, or at least he understood it more than he had back in the early days. "how are you feeling? about the scores." he'd soon be venturing to chew out the tributes, assuming something akin to the worst if he knew anything about their nature. beneath the shiny new suit, the firm grip on his glass, he can't hide the nerves he's feeling as things progress. giving up mentoring was supposed to be his opportunity to relax, to let go of the reigns and focus on what really mattered. but now he was at risk of losing what he wanted so desperately to protect.

"so... are we going to talk about scores tonight or would you rather deal with me hungover?" he'd been searching for katniss, but in his haze managed to spot alex across the room. it took him back to his early days of mentoring, the very reason he'd resigned to pushing tributes away for so long. he couldn't help but take a swig of his drink, hoping to ease the familiar pit in his stomach. "is there something i should know or... is this just how it's gonna be this time?" it seemed maybe katniss had an easier go of this the first time around, or maybe haymitch was just getting too old for this shit.

@reblrths !

"is there a reason for that or is it more of a general statement?" this isn't the first time he'd heard those words from peeta's mouth and he's fairly certain it won't be the last. it was one of those nights he'd completely overdone it, barely able to stand on his feet anymore. leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, he throws them out in exasperation, "kid, if you wanted a kind ear you should've gone to effie." lifting his glass to his lips and finishing it in one motion, he then gestures in the direction of the door, "i'm going." maybe he'd been too blunt once or twice tonight but if he was anything it was piss drunk and a realist.

"you know what-" as usual, without invitation, haymitch had begun a conversation with whoever happened to be seated next to him at the bar. noting cashmere's presence making his curiosity overrun any social graces he managed to maintain. he'd watched the reaping as he did every year, on his couch with a scotch in his hand. this time though, he actually had memory of it. with people he very much cared about in the pool once again, as well as his mentor duties, his interest in the other tributes and victors only grew stronger. he wonders if gloss is coping with the training, if cashmere was as affected by the situation as he was. "i gotta ask- did you want to volunteer? or think about it?" if haymitch had an opportunity to pick cash's brain without gloss around, he certainly wouldn't pass it up.

"darling! boy am i glad i ran into you tonight," never the one for subtlety, estelle had most definitely gone out of her way to bump into auriela at at least three events now. though each time she seemed to be interrupted before she got the chance to actually propose her ideas (including that awful party a few weeks back.) with the tribute parade close approaching, she needed to throw her name in the hat if she was to get what she wanted. "i just wanted you to consider hiring me as your usual after the games. i mean, with your name and my talent, we'd be bringing gold to the next level, don't you think? anyways, would you like something to eat or drink? my treat, for your consideration of course." she'd keep it simple at first, outdoing sylas was a long game that she was more than willing to play.