wiress

“Wiress!” Lael’s face brightened and she hopped up from the couch towards the Three mentor. She’d forgotten just how nice and lovely Wiress was, and perhaps distance made the heart grow fonder but the victor was always very nice to her.

She reached her arms out, then paused, remembering that Wiress had particular preferences towards things that Lael didn’t usually think about. “Do you mind if I hug you? I’ve missed you.”

The day had been long with all of the paperwork to do for Max and Briella, and to see a face that wasn’t just interested in seeing her for the sake of meeting someone that had been on television before was incredibly refreshing. And Wiress was just about the last person that would bother talking with her about the Birchelor or any kind of reality-television-related subject. At least Lael figured not.

Wiress smiled warmly, her eyes softening as Lael asked for permission to hug her. She’d come a long way since first joining the Tower as an escort, and Wiress could not be more proud.

“Of course you can. Thank you for asking.” It really did mean a lot. Capitolites especially seemed to struggle with the concept of boundaries, especially with their victors. Apparently winning the Hunger Games meant people could reach out and touch her whenever they wanted.

“How’s Two treating you?” she asked. “I know Echo thinks highly of Fell Vasile, but I’ve barely spoken to him in years.”

“Maybe a simple splint that’ll work in most cases,” Aspen mused out loud, because Wiress made a good point. Until she had cracked open a couple books in her spare time (ones she couldn’t afford previously) she hadn’t known the difference herself. “Arm splints aren’t too bad. Should we do it with sticks and stuff they might come across in the arena?”

Aspen thought about all of it a moment. “I mean, what should I be teaching my tributes?” It was certainly something she wanted another opinion on. “I can’t teach them anything about weapons, that’s probably better left to the trainer.”

Wiress smiled. “That sounds perfect. Most arenas have sticks, or at least something stick-like.” Aspen’s jungle probably had sticks. She was sure one of the stores in the Mall of America had something stick-like that could be used in a pinch. “My arena had pencils,” she noted.

“You don’t have to teach weapons,” she assured her. “You might pick a few up over the years, but you don’t have to teach anything you’re uncomfortable with. That’s what the trainers are there for.” It was a good thing, too, as otherwise most of the districts outside of One, Two and Four would have even less of a chance at victory. The victors from outlying districts were rarely experts in weaponry, whereas the trainers were, well, trained.

“Survival skills are just as important. Maybe more so, depending on the arena. Exposure can be deadly.”

Task 004 // Welcome to Starbucks

For Wiress, her coffee order must have two things: it must be full of caffeine, and it must be sweet enough that she forgets she’s drinking coffee. Her favourite is a cocoa cloud macchiato, but she isn’t opposed to ordering an ordinary mocha with lots of cream and chocolate syrup in a smaller cafe if it means she gets to drink it in a quieter environment.

Being the escort for District Two was an entirely different experience from Three, Lael was quickly learning. It turned out that when your tributes had prepared for this kind of thing their whole lives, there wasn’t much corralling and herding them places- all they needed were some simple directions and they’d be off to the training centers. No getting lost and finding themselves halfway out a window in the faculty restroom (though maybe Pixel had just been a little too direction-averse for Lael’s sanity).

There were a lot more sponsors to handle, though, and Lael had camped herself out in a viewing room to handle the paperwork while a television personality ran through the statistics and probabilities of each tribute. The curtain of the room was drawn to avoid any unwanted attention (it turned out being on a popular reality show invited more cameras into her life than expected), and Lael felt her heart drop into her stomach when she heard the door open behind her. 

“Oh hi,” she said, painting a smile onto her face as she turned around. As soon as she saw it wasn’t some paparazzi or Capitol influencer, though, she felt herself relax. “Don’t mind me. Just getting some work done.” // @ttwstarters

Apparently Three’s boy wasn’t in the training centre, so Wiress had volunteered to go searching for him. She wasn’t as much use in that environment as most of the other victors were anyway. She suspected he was hiding from their new escort, and had politely but firmly insisted she be the one to search for him when the overly exuberant woman tried to protest.

She decided to start at the bottom of the Tower and work up. Most of the rooms on the ground floor were deserted, but the sixth door she opened revealed a familiar face. Wiress was overcome by a rush of emotion. Lael really was a wonderful escort, and she missed having her around now that she was gone.

“You look good,” she commented. “Healthy, happy.... Tired, though. How’s Two?”

Aspen gave Wiress a soft smile, thankful for the company and the chance to look less loss than she felt. She recalled meeting her fellow Victor on the Victory Tour. District Three had been Demzela’s home. Either way, she was glad for the company and direction.

“I would like that. Splints are probably a good thing to know how to do.” Especially since they had no idea what kind of arena would be awaiting the tributes. If it followed the pattern that seemed to play a role the past few years, it would be an indoor type arena. The island had been horrible, but Aspen was kind of glad she didn’t have to deal with the dolls in that Capitol like mall. “Are we going to do basic breaks or something more complicated like a compound fracture?”

“It’s up to you,” she decided, after quickly running through a few possible combat scenarios in her mind. Wiress had seen enough Games to know that, while the arena changed annually, the fights were often similar at their core. “I don’t know how many of the tributes this year would be able to tell the difference between a fracture and a break without a medical professional there to help them, but we might be able to get away with it anyway.”

She felt like she’d heard somewhere that the Everdeen girls’ mother ran an apothecary in Twelve, but she wasn’t one hundred per cent sure of that.

Aspen stood there just inside the door of the training center a moment praying she didn’t look too lost. She hadn’t felt this lost at the start of her own training, but then again, no one expected tributes to know what they were doing. Mentors however, they were supposed to know these things. She wished she had someone to ask, but District Nine’s other mentors were quite old and had elected not to make the trip to the Capitol now that they had someone to take their place. Right, she could figure this out.

“Hey…” Aspen said to the person next to her. “I was thinking of heading over to the first-aid or camouflage station, did you want to come?”

@ttwstarters​

When Wiress had heard the news that Nine’s older victors wouldn’t be making the trip to the Capitol this year, her heart had gone out to Aspen. She would never have dreamed of leaving Echo alone for her first year. There was so much to learn that could only be taught by a more experienced mentor.

So when she saw the newest victor looking a bit lost, Wiress was walking towards her before she even fully realised what was happening. “Those are both wonderful ideas,” she said, smiling. “We could give the tributes a little demo?” she suggested. “We could pretend I’ve broken my arm or something, and then go over the proper way to treat it in the arena.”

Task 003 // Paint Me Like One of your Capitol Girls

For Wiress, I chose The Princess Diaries II by Fabian Perez. The piece depicts a woman engrossed in a book, and I immediately thought of Wiress. While she’s much more likely to be reading on the Panemian equivalent of a Kindle, she is definitely the sort to cosy up in bed and just lose herself in another world.

@wircss

The return to the Capitol was always a highly anticipated event in the Rosseau household.  Not because of the Games, but because it meant Glitter and her children could see Wiress in person once again.  Their video calls had become a staple of their relationship, but Glitter missed the comfort of having her girlfriend curled up next to her, or the ability to just go give her a kiss whenever she wanted to.

So Glitter had set off to find Wiress not long after arriving in the Capitol.  Both Emmy and Sterling shared in Glitter’s excitement and demanded to tag along, Sterling still clutching the stuffed dinosaur he’d made last year at Make-A-Mutt with Wiress’ assistance.

While Glitter was the first to spot Wiress, both Emmy and Sterling ran ahead to give their other mom a hug.

“Careful,” Glitter laughed as she watched her children rush her girlfriend.  “You’re gonna knock her over.”  She moved closer and pressed a chaste kiss to Wiress’ lips.  “Missed you.”

Wiress had already determined that Three’s team wouldn’t be able to use their usual choice of sponsors for Ripley; or they could, but they’d need to bring their most persuasive tactics to the table. Terra McClain was always a good choice, and she’d always liked Wiress...

She was flicking through a catalog of sponsors for the 79th Games on her tablet when she heard quick footsteps coming in her direction. Glancing up, she immediately set her tablet aside and rose to her feet, catching Emmy in a hug with one arm and reaching with the other to stroke Sterling’s hair as he latched onto her legs.

“If I fall over, it was probably inevitable,” she laughed. “I’m too clumsy to even walk in a straight line most days.” She looked at Glitter and smiled warmly. “I missed you too. Now are you gonna come in here? It’s not a family hug without you.”

Over the past few months, Aspen Fields had become good at one thing and it was smiling. As the newest star of Panem, there was people demanding her attention at every turn. Twelve Districts, twelve parties and tonight was the grandest of them all. At least the mansion looked beautiful in accents of gold, blue, and white. It brought a smile to her lips for another reason.

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​

As wonderful a mentor as Vivian Schultz was, Nine was a quiet district in terms of victors. And although she wasn’t from Three, barely had anything to do with Wiress at all, she found herself seeking Aspen out anyway to offer her her sympathies. Congratulations were, she knew, probably not what the girl really needed just then.

“None of us know what we’re doing, to be honest with you,” she assured her softly. “So much of adulthood is just making things up as you go along.” She smiled kindly. “I’m Wiress Neville, District Three. I wanted to ask if you were alright?”

Her mentors were right when they said it didn’t get better as the years went on. 

At least Pixel wasn’t the newest victor anymore, even if she was still the youngest victor. She’d turn sixteen in a few months, and while Sponsor’s Weekly and other gossip blogs were beginning to guess at blossoming relationships for the teenager, Pixel didn’t feel any different from how she did when she’d been pulled out of that pile of rubble a year and a half ago.

“It was hard losing them, but Aspen is lovely, and I’m so happy for her,” she answered a reporter who had asked about mentoring her first time around. If there was one thing Pixel Delaroux was good at, it was keeping up an act. But that didn’t mean it was particularly fun, and she saw a figure approach from behind her and decided to take the opportunity. “Thanks so much, but someone’s been waiting for me.”

Pixel spun around as the journalist made his way to another young victor that had made an appearance and let out a sigh. “Sorry to put you on the spot like that, but… I needed an out.” // @ttwstarters

Wiress stopped regaling a prominent reporter with a blatant lie about her life in Three (”did you know I bathe in a tub of baked beans every Sunday? It’s how I keep my skin so youthful”) when she noticed Pixel looking a little uncomfortable. Fearing the worst, she pulled away and made her way over to her youngest victor.

“You can always use me as an excuse,” she assured her. “That’s what mentors are there for. Goodness knows I put Beetee on the spot all the time when I was your age.” Her eyes scanned Pixel’s face. “Are you alright? He didn’t say anything uncomfortable, did he?”

@ttwstarters

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.”

As the night wore on, Wiress began to grow more and more restless. She could handle social events quite well for a few hours, but after that she became tired and withdrawn. Feeling it happening and recognising it for what it was, she asked for a coffee at the bar and took it somewhere away from the main party while she gathered herself.

“Don’t say that,” Wiress said with a tired smile. “If you’re old, I must be absolutely ancient.”

@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.”

Wiress was having an easier time at this year’s victory ball than she had had at the last one. With all eyes on Aspen, few people wanted to talk to her about the events of last summer’s games. She was free to pick at the buffet, keeping an eye on Pixel, Echo, and Dorian while she waited for a chance to talk to her girlfriend.

“Don’t fake laughter, then,” she suggested. “Earn a reputation as a cold-hearted bitch. Work it.” She lifted her chocolate martini to her lips. “Actually don’t. Some people like a ‘challenge’.” She rolled her eyes.

Glitter felt lucky.  Just looking at Wiress and seeing everything she had pulled together for them, not many people would do something like this for her of all people.  Glitter wasn’t blind.  She knew she wasn’t always easy to get along with and it felt like a miracle to know Wiress was there and willing to put up with everything.

“That sounds absolutely incredible,” Pepper told her as she moved towards the picnic spread, reaching out to grab her girlfriend’s elbow when she tripped.  Even clumsy, Glitter still loved her.  Wiress was…everything Glitter needed and she didn’t know how she won the girlfriend lottery.

Glitter moved to sit before she spoke again.  “The kids are good.  I think they know the Games are getting close to being over so they’ve gotten a little antsy.  We should make sure to do something special with them before going back home.  Sterling has been bugging about that make your own plush store.  Thankfully he still has no idea about the Arena last year.”

“Make-a-mutt!” Wiress gushed. “I’ve been wanting to go for years, but it’s one of those things adults don’t do without being judged.” Granted that didn’t always stop her, but Three’s team had rarely left the public eye since Echo’s win in 73. She didn’t want to risk making the rest of the team look incompetent just because she wanted to indulge in a soft toy.

“They’re doing dinosaurs at the moment. Maybe that has something to do with it?” she suggested. Wiress knew that Sterling was still well into his dinosaur faze. “The t-rex looks just like Quill. You know, if Quill were bipedal.”

She hadn’t even been watching hen Ashanti died.  She’d been in the training center with Emmy.  Despite not wanting the girl to volunteer, she’d be damned if she wasn’t going to be the most prepared kid in Panem.  She’d seen what had happened to Ashanti on the recaps later.  It hurt.  District One’s losing streak was something she took personally.  It wasn’t something Glitter was used to.  After all, within three years of her own victory, she’d already helped bring home two victors.  Going from that to this was…difficult to wrap her mind around.

She was sad, but it was less about Ashanti herself and more about lost potential.  So many girls full of potential in the last few years and they were all going the same way.  It sucked.  But that thought was pushed from her mind when she got the text from Wiress.  At least her girlfriend’s tributes were still alive.  That had to count for something.

Meeting her on the roof was an odd request, but when she got there and saw everything Wiress had set up, Glitter smiled brightly.  “What’s all this?” she asked as she approached her girlfriend.  Honestly, Glitter wasn’t used to romantic gestures being directed at her.  It felt nice though, knowing Wiress wanted to do this for her.

Wiress smiled brightly, going to meet Glitter and reaching for her hands before leaning in to kiss her softly on the cheek in greeting.

“It’s dinner!” she explained excitedly. “I ordered pizza, so you don’t need to worry about my terrible cooking. And there’s chicken poppers and...” she glanced behind her at the picnic spread, “brownies. Pizza and chicken and brownies.”

She led Glitter towards the table-cloth. “Oh, and champagne,” she added, after almost tripping over the ornate glass bottle.

“How are the kids?” she asked, hoping Glitter hadn’t noticed the blunder but knowing it was probably too obvious to avoid.

When Jules Churchill watched the games, mostly she just  s t a r e d. 

It’s not like she was in much position to do anything else. Gathering money from sponsors, talking them up, whatever, whatever, whatever. At the end of the day, all she could really do was stare. Watch as they fought, as they died, as they played the game. Jules sighed, leaning back into the ridiculously plush chairs they put out for sponsors and mentors to sit in as they watched the games from the tower. If she were a different person, she might have wanted a drink.

“The lovers are still alive. That’s something, at least. Both of them being still alive. It’s almost impressive, I would say.” Jules scrunched up her face anyway, to let them know it was mostly a joke. “Wouldn’t you?” // @ttwstarters

Wiress assumed that Jules meant the District Seven lovers, and not Ember and Royce- who had managed to catch her completely off-guard, she wasn’t ashamed to admit. Honestly though, they could have been conducting a full-on wedding ceremony in Three’s suite and she probably would’ve remained none the wiser. Noticing other peoples’ relationships wasn’t exactly a strength of hers. As it was a sponsor had to point theirs out to her, otherwise she would probably still be in the dark.

“It’s very impressive,” she agreed. “To have both tributes make it through the bloodbath is a big enough feat, but then to have both make the top 12? You’re doing well for your second year.”

She leaned a fraction closer, dropping her voice to almost a whisper; “Are you alright?” she asked gently.