#ttwstart

There was a twisted and harsh kind of beauty to the capitol that intrigued her. The people all dressed in garish colors and mixed fabrics and then the buildings behind them all steel. It was like she’d been living her life thus far colorblind and only now seeing the full array.

The crowds cheering, their peering faces, were half for the new victor and her mentor Aspen. She’d avoided the girl on the train, too pissed at the obvious rigging to do more than glare at the ornate ceiling. After being plucked, bathed, brushed, bathed again, and shaved she was released by her stylist and found herself wandering down toward the reaping recaps.

There was food in every conceivable corner and she filled a plate with chocolate cookies and grabbed a stem of champagne before plopping herself down on the gold couch. They ran through the districts in order, broadcasting pictures and stats and commentary. She shook her head when they got to her. “Scrawny? Why don’t they grow up on day old bread and molded cheese and see how they grow.”

The journey to the Capitol was uneventful.  Waverly was a little fussy, Marina chatted with her tributes in an attempt to get a feel for their abilities.  But then she watched the reaping and saw what happened in Twelve.  Well....that wasn’t good.  There was a piece of Marina that was angry knowing Jackson lashed out, but she understood why.

The District Four train arrived and when she stepped off, Marina made sure to keep her infant daughter close to her chest, snug in her baby sling.  After what happened, she couldn’t be too careful.  Marina was suddenly very acutely aware of the fact that this tiny person was something that could be used against either one of them.  The wrap held Waverly against Marina’s chest, allowing the infant to snuggle closer.

She pressed a kiss to the top of the girl’s head when she whined.  “It’s okay, starfish.  Mommy’s got you.  We’ll find Daddy.  I know you’ve had a big day.”  However, focusing on her daughter, Marina wasn’t paying attention as she made her way through the tower lobby, she adjusted the diaper bag over her shoulder and accidentally brushed someone with it.  “Oh gosh,” she half laughed.  “Sorry about that.”

These events had been a lot easier a decade ago. Back then she could live off of two hours of stunted sleep, a few cups of coffee, and a cheese danish. Now as the night dragged on and sponsors dragged her into dances or conversations, she felt the strain of a sleep lost to nightmares. The alcohol was only making it worse and she was itching for a cigarette. (but she’d promised Leo she’d stop and she wasn’t going to give up after three days without one).

She found herself the quietest place possible on the terrace and dropped to the cushions with a sigh, barely nothing anyone in her presence. “I’m getting to old for this shit.”

─────    ‘ I HATE TO SOUND LIKE A DISTRICT ONE CLICHE,   BUT I DO APPRECIATE THE FINER THINGS IN LIFE. ’     her voice raised an octave as she mimicked what she’d heard glee sound like in others.    iunia lips did that rare thing that very few had seen happened.  they formed a smile.    she batted her eyelashes & walked with a suave confidence that made her blend in next to the capitol sponsor she’d seen lurking.    she was doing well.   iunia could tell by the way they were looking at her,    feeding off her every word.   mother would be proud.

her fingers ran across an gold plated statue that tied the room together,    before she found a way to excuse herself from the conversation.   ‘  unfortunately now,   i promised my time to my mentors.  i sincerely hope we can continue this later.   you  MUST  tell me more about the diamond  crockery. ’     she excused herself with the subtle tilt of a head,  waiting until she was completely out of sight of sponsors  & capitolites until she let the facade drop.  

But she knew she needed a back up in case she didn’t get an axe in the Arena. Something that would be a good substitute. So she found herself at the hand-to-hand combat station, stretching to warm herself up before she would find a sparring partner or a free trainer. Ashten started to head toward the mat when she spotted someone approaching. “Got any tips for throwing a decent punch?”

@ttwstarters

It felt different being at the Victory Ball now after Pixel had won the year previously.  She no longer felt the pressure and the focus from being in the winning District.  It was nice, actually.  Echo felt like she could step back and do things on her own terms.  These parties could be boring, but it was a better excuse to be in the Capitol than the Games were.  That much was painfully obvious.

Echo had been sipping a drink while speaking to a sponsor.  She pushed the bright pink strands of her hair back over her shoulder and excused herself from dealing with them.  Capitolites required less attention during this time of the year and honestly, Echo didn’t have the patience for them.

She stepped away, glancing up when she felt another person nearby.  “I swear if I have to fake laugh at another stupid joke I’m going to lose it.”  She brought her drink to her lips and sipped it.  “Hope you’re having more fun than I am.”

Maisie Fields might have been reaped, but Aspen Fields had won the Games. “Oh, hello!” She greeted the person that had come to a stop behind her. Aspen hadn’t actually made it into the party yet, there had been too many reporters and interviews to do, but she was heading there now. At least she thought that was where she was supposed to be? Her escort had rattled off her scheduled appointments and important people she needed to meet so fast.

“Please don’t tell anyone I don’t know what I am doing,” she admitted softly with an shy laugh.

@ttwstarters​

Except, of course, the winning-the-games part. But that had been a fluke, at best. 

So when Jules Churchill arrived to the training center, she picked a spot in the corner of the room and watched. Alone. Quiet. Until someone got a little too close, and Jules was suddenly that Capitol darling again, glittering smile, bubbly laugh. “How’re things looking out there for you and yours? Bringing home a winner this year?” 

@ttwstarters