calofhearting

[calofhearting]

Nobody wanted to acknowledge the situation that Calista had been forced into when the rebellion started. She had never asked to be left in the Capitol, just like she had never asked to be invited in the first place. Every choice that Calista had made was to ensure that she survived and that her family survived. She could still remember how terrified she had been when she met President Snow and every subsequent time they interacted. Had she enjoyed herself? Sure. But she had never asked to be there in the first place. Just like she had never asked to be brought here, to Thirteen. Calista wanted to be home in District Two with her parents. She wanted to forget everything.

"How was I supposed to know that?" Calista retorted, her voice defensive. Cadie said it like Calista should have any idea of what was really going on. They certainly didn't tell her things while she was locked up in here. Calista felt guilty that the people from her District had been treated so terribly while she was free to roam the Capitol. But that wasn't her fault, either! Deep down, Calista had suspected something had been off from the whispers she heard in Domi's home, but still, she wasn't ready to face that. "Do you think that they would have told me that?"

"I didn't even...I didn't even know that there was a rebellion until things happened," Calista said softly. Again, she had been kept out of everything and somehow expected that she should have known that something was happening. Calista shook her head. "I don't think that they're ever going to let me out of here. Not while my parents are still working for the Capitol." Did her parents even care that she was locked up here?

Cadence knew she should turn around and not bother Calista. She was just angry. And bothering her former friend was better than storming the hospital, and ending up in a cell next to Calista. As she looked at the blonde she wondered how life had taken from on such different paths. She supposed she could well be in Calista's position had she not been a victor. But she was a victor. And she'd faced the torment and the consequences that came with being a victor. She supposed that was what made their opinions different. Calista didn't know the trauma that the Capitol could put on a person. She wondered if Calista would even believe her if she told her what the Capitol had done to her over the years.

"You think we all left you?" Cadie laughed, rolling her eyes. "Enobaria and Thea were right with you in the Capitol. Only they were in cells whilst you were flouncing around. Thea was half dead when Ezra found her." She knew she probably shouldn't be telling her. But she didn't care. Calista had to know what they'd been through. She had to understand. If only so that it might make things easier for herself in the long run. And as much as Cadie was hurting, and angry right now, she didn't like seeing Calista down here. The girl was still from 2. She was from Cadie's home, and that meant she automatically cared, even if they were maybe not on the same side right now.

"The rebellion isn't bad Calista." It wasn't all that great either, but she didn't need to know that. "They're better than the Capitol at least. We just want a better life for everyone Cal.... nobody else should have to go through what we have.... nobody else should have to be tortured, or lose their family..... " She didn't know if Calista would believe her, but it was the truth. "The sooner you agree with that.... the sooner you'll probably be out of this cell."

[calofhearting]

[Caesar, pre-04] My dear, you look radiant tonight! A wonderful ensemble for the fifth day of the Quarter Quell! We have ten tributes left in it. It can really go anyway. I'm still reeling over Ambrosia's sudden death last night. No matter! How are you? Any predictions of where the Quell may go? Have any favorites? [He winks]

It had gotten less terrifying, appearing on Caesar's show with each interview she did. A lot of them were quick, which was nice. It still got a little bit overwhelming, all of the people staring at her. She wasn't particularly interesting, and she wasn't used to the attention. The people back at home had always been more interested in Cato rather than her.

"Ambrosia's death was a shock," Calista agreed. "I really thought that she was going to go so far."

It was what she was supposed to say. Ambrosia had been from District Two after all. "I'm doing well. I've been enjoying my time in the Capitol and getting to experience the Quarter Quell. It's been so exciting to be here! Are the Hunger Games usually this exciting here?" Calista asked. "There are so many parties and things to do I feel like I can barely keep up," she laughed.

"Oh, I hope that Ezra wins. Not just because he's from District Two, but because he seems like such a strong tribute. I'm surprised by how fast things have been going! It feels like the Games could be over at any moment."

[calofhearting]

Cali: [Caesar, pre-04] I spoke to Cato at my afterparty last year. My god, he was always a delight! He spoke of you, you know? Only good things, of course. Something tells me he would have bragged about being in The Capitol to you. Would I be wrong? Well, look at how the tables have turned! [Laughs] Will you indulge by telling us about a memory you have with him? So many of us were moved by his valiant effort in the arena last Hunger Games. I'm sure a lot of the audience feels as though he's their brother as well. Don't we? [Audience cheers]

Calista never knew what to say when someone in the Capitol said things like that about her brother. Cato had been so important to her and to her family, but for people in the Capitol to feel like he was their brother? It felt disrespectful, somehow, even though she knew that that wasn't their intention. She thought that they were trying to be kind. But just talking to Cato for a few minutes when he was a tribute...that wasn't any way to actually know him, or to know what he was like. Cato wasn't the person that he had appeared to be in the Games. Or more specifically that wasn't all of who he was. There had been many sides to him, and the Capitol didn't know that.

"Oh, he definitely would have," she agreed with a small laugh. "I know that he was so honored to get to come to the Capitol as a tribute last year."

There were so many memories with her brother that she could talk about, but most of them were private and she wasn't willing to share with Caesar and the rest of the world. She was sure that they wanted to hear about her family's last night with Cato before he volunteered. Calista supposed that that made it easier for them. They had known that he was going to volunteer and they had been as prepared for it as they could. What did it feel like when your name was pulled from the Reaping Bowl and you hadn't trained for years? What was it like in the other Districts when you didn't have the confidence going into the Reaping Day that even if you were chosen someone else would more than likely step up to volunteer?

Unless the chosen volunteer didn't like you, that is. Calista had heard of that happening before.

"There are so many memories I could choose from," Calista mused with a smile. "The first one that comes to mind is when we were ten and it was a Reaping Day. It was a day off for my father and my mother was excited for the dinner that we were hosting later that night. She had made a cake, and Cato and I snuck a piece of it that morning," she laughed. "Our mom was so mad at us, I don't think I've ever seen her so mad. The mayor was coming for dinner, so there was a lot going on, you know? But we didn't know any better. Or...we did, but Cato really wanted that piece of cake and I was just along for the ride," a sad smile formed on her lips. "He had been the best brother, I was so lucky to have the time with him that I had."

[calofhearting]

Cali: [Caesar] What went through your mind when you became a Lottery Recipient this Quell, my dear?

Calista knew better than to be completely honest. When she had been told that she was a Lottery Recipient, she hadn't wanted to go. It had all felt too soon after losing Cato to go to the Capitol, but Calista had known that she couldn't say no. Her parents would never allow her to turn down the Capitol. And she knew that her parents were in no position to go either. Her mother barely functioned since losing Cato and her father...she wasn't sure that he could handle it either.

So it had been best that she went.

"Oh, I was so excited!" Calista lied, smiling at Caesar. "I had always dreamed of getting to go to the Capitol, you know? It was such an honor for my family that I was a Lottery Recipient. Especially this year. It was so special that I got to come to the Capitol. And during a Quarter Quell too! I felt like it was such an honor that didn't go to just anybody. I'm very happy that I got to be here to witness history."

[calofhearting]

Cali: [Caesar] Did the amount of rebels from District Two surprise you, my dear?

"It did," Calista replied without needing to take a moment to think. It had been shocking when she realized how many people and victors from Two were apparently rebels. When she read the names of the rebels it had felt like her world had shifted a little. Some names had been less surprising than others, but Calista felt like so much of what she knew was a lie.

"I never imagined a rebellion to begin with, but to see so many victors are apparently rebels? That was shocking to me, Caesar. And so upsetting. It feels like a betrayal to our District and more importantly to my brother, you know? Cato dreamed of becoming a victor and to find out so many are apparently rebels...it doesn't make any sense."

Especially Brutus. Brutus, who Cato had practically worshiped and spent so much time training with. Brutus, who had finally convinced her father to let her stop training because he didn't want to waste any more time on her. It made no sense! Calista would never understand it.

[calofhearting]

[Interrogation] You have regular sided with The Capitol and their totalitarian regime. What's to say that the Rebel forces could possibly trust someone like you? Your complicity with terror and murder speaks volumes.

It hadn't been that long ago that Calista had been taken into a Capitol interrogation room where she spent hours being asked questions about the Rebels. Questions that she had had no answer to because she had known nothing about them. The interrogators had realized very quickly that Calista knew nothing and was innocent and she was let go.

Calista knew that this time would be different. She had spent the past few days locked away in a cell in District Thirteen. How had this happened to her? How had things turned out like this?

"I wasn't...I wasn't complicit," she protested, her voice soft. But deep down she knew how it could look like that. "I didn't have a choice... I was scared. I was stranded in the Capitol and I didn't know what to do. I didn't want anything to happen to my family!"

But what would happen to her family now that she was in Thirteen? Would President Snow kill them? Did Domi think she had gone willingly? That she had been a secret rebel this whole time? The thought terrified her. She already lost Cato, and as complicated as her relationship with her family was she didn't want something bad to happen to them.

"I don't know how to answer that. I don't...I didn't do anything wrong. I just was trying to protect myself and my family. I'm not...I'm not asking you to trust me. Just let me go back home to Two. I promise I won't do anything. I won't say anything. Just let me go be with my family. Please."

Let's talk about your family. Your brother was taken from you cruelly, and yet you spent the last few months gallivanting around The Capitol. Why is that?

Calista had no answer for that. Hadn't she felt guilt every time she enjoyed something in the Capitol? Hadn't being in the Capitol been a reminder that her brother was dead and it was all the Games fault? Well, also Clove's, but she didn't say that part out loud.

She had been trying so hard to forget what had happened. Calista knew she would never forget her brother, she didn't want to forget him, but she wanted to forget the way that she felt about it. Calista just wanted things to go back to normal. But they couldn't go back to normal.

Things were never going to go back to normal.

"I don't know," she whispered. "You have to understand...I didn't know what else to do. I was stuck there. I was scared. I didn't want to die like my brother. I didn't want something bad to happen to my parents. I thought it would be easier to go along with it...I thought...I thought that I was doing the right thing. It was a mistake."

[calofhearting]

It was hard for her to wrap her mind around how things had changed so drastically and in such a short period of time. Calista knew that her parents and their work with weapon manufacturing had got her locked up too.

What were the odds that she talked about that on Caesar Flickerman that night and then she ended up in a cell after being scooped up off the street on her way to a party? She should have taken a car instead of walking. That had been her biggest mistake. It was ironic, really, that she ended up here after she had worked so hard in the Capitol to not end up in a cell there.

"I don't think they like what my parents do either," she admitted, looking over at her. "I'm Calista...by the way. I'm originally from Two but I was staying in the Capitol with Domi. Do you know Domi?" She asked, glancing over at her. Calista thought that she probably did. It seemed like most people in the Capitol knew each other.

Slander. A whisper of a snort came from the blonde's throat. Slander seemed to be district thirteen's excuse to lock away innocent Capitolites. It was an easy crime after all; one that could be twisted and turned and justified any way they liked.

The logic of it all had been lost on her. Their argumentation senseless. How could it be slander when it was the truth? The victors she had mentioned had lied to the people of the Capitol. They had betrayed her; made her an outsider of their rebellious plots. Deceited her in that sense. How was that a lie? And if it was the truth, how could it be slander? The Capitol had not hurt her - but the rebels did! So far, there was nothing but the truth.

"Slander." the escort responded, followed by a soft shake of her head in disbelief. "But it's not slander. It's the speaking up part that angered them, I think. We haven't done anything wrong.."

[calofhearting]

Why had Cadence come to see her? Calista was tired. She had barely been sleeping since she had been thrown in the cell. Between the cries of the woman in the cell next door and her own fear and anxiety about her family, it was hard. Did Cadence want to make herself feel better by making Calista feel worse? She suspected that that was the case, and it made her angry. Maybe it was the Capitol and their poison, but Calista blamed Clove for Cato's death. If Clove hadn't been so stupid as to volunteer maybe her brother would have been alive, and maybe they all wouldn't have ended up like this.

Calista narrowed her eyes. "What choice did I have?" She snapped. "I was left behind after you and the rest of our District left. I had no choice, Cadie! I was afraid. They brought me into a room and interrogated me for hours because of you and the others. And then I was stuck there. What other options did I have?" Calista had tried to make them see that, but nobody would listen to her. Nobody believed that she had just been trying to survive. Calista was terrified of what was going to happen to her, and hearing Cadie's words, angry and scared tears burned in her eyes. She didn't want to let them fall and give Cadie the satisfaction. "If you're just here to gloat you can go."

Cadence knew it wasn't fair for her to take her anger out of Calista. It wasn't her fault that she wasn't allowed to see Thea or Enobaria. But Cadence knew that shouting and getting annoyed at Calista wasn't going to end up with her locked in a cell next to the blonde. If she shouted at who she was really angry with, she was likely to get all her privileges revoked, and end up back in the cell. Cadence was scared of that happening again, and it was why she was trying to stay in control. It was hard. Cadence wasn't good at controlling her emotions. She either hid them too deeply, or she let them bubble out of control. Right now it was teetering towards a huge explosion.

"I don't think a shit." She mused, rolling her eyes as she looked at Calista. That was mostly a lie to be honest. She was feeling like this because she cared too much. And the people she cared about were being kept from her. Or more so, she was being kept from them. Cadie should have just gone back to her room. But the reckless part of her had won, and she'd ended up down here. "Enjoying the Capitol were you?" She had no idea really. She didn't even now where Calista had been when she'd been picked up in the Capitol. But considering she was in a cell now, Cadie knew the rebellion didn't trust her. "Pretty different to this cell right? They suck. Trust me. I spent 6 days in one. But I've got a feeling you'll be in here for a bit longer than that. What a shame."

[calofhearting]

Calista suspected that wherever Portia had been before she went on that stage was probably not a nice place, she had heard enough from the whispers around Domi to have an idea that things were happening, but Calista didn't want to know. She didn't want to ask Portia about where she had been, that would be rude for one, and her mother would be horrified if she did such a thing, but she also just...didn't want to get into trouble herself. She was scared of something happening to her. If something happened to her, what would happen to her parents?

"It is," she agreed. She grabbed the gown that she was going to wear tonight and draped it over her arm. "Domi is very kind. She knew that I had nowhere else to stay so she offered a place in her home." She glanced at Portia. "Are you designing anything in particular?" She asked curiously.

To be honest Portia did not want to be social. If she talked too much she might say something that might incriminate her. Portia knew that whilst she was free now, that she was going to be on a short leash for a while. She might be innocent, but she knew she looked guilty but just whom she had previously associated with. Who knew how far her declaration against them would go to make people believe. So Portia had wanted to hide away. Of course, she supposed that someone close to Domi wasn't that bad. Portia just smiled at her. She recognised that last name, but she couldn't be bothered to think about it too much.

"That's kind of her." Domi was kind. Or well, she had been kind to her anyway. Domi hadn't had to come around to see her last night when she'd called but she had anyway. Portia was quite grateful for Domi. "Oh... cool." She mused with a smile. "Domi is good."

[calofhearting]

It was still strange to run into President Snow. Even though she had met him a handful of times she never quite got over how nervous she felt when she was around him. Did that go away after a time? Did Domi still get nervous when she was around the President? Or had she never been nervous around him? The people that surrounded them didn't seem to notice that President Snow was there besides some head nods on occasion. Was that just how it was when you grew up in the Capitol? Would she have been different if she had grown up in the Capitol instead of District Two?

"You are very right, sir," she agreed. It must have been difficult for him being in this position with the rebels. "I am sure our times of woe won't last," she offered. It did amaze her that the Rebels had lasted so long already, though. She had thought that it would be ended quickly. "I'm glad that you are doing well, sir." She nodded her head. "I'm so grateful to Domi. She took me in when she didn't have to and she's been a very kind hostess. Everyone in the Capitol has been very kind to me. I feel very lucky."

the president cannot find a means to speculate that calista hearting could be amongst the rebel insurgency. if she was, her lack of a poker face would evidently be her downfall. embarrassment lingers on delicate features, features that make her almost appear like a capitolite. domitila must of been dressing her and teaching the young woman poise. underneath the glaring district demeanor she's cursed with having, calista has also acquired a newfound city slick. such a shame what happened to cato. it's more apparent than ever now. the hearting family could have been quite a spectacle in their own right. coriolanus could have certainly utilized it.

surgically enhanced teeth and smile is bright in faux friendliness. slithering snakes must hunt cleverly, don't they ? society is part of the reason he's retained his power. ( poison, figurative and literal, is the other half of the means. ) " even in times of woe, bright eyes find a light in the tunnel, " he offers. " i'm doing well myself, miss hearting. i have been told you've been residing with miss domitila. i am certain her hospitality has been nothing but boundless. " company you keep is everything. had the hearting family long learned this, he wonders.

[calofhearting]

Calista couldn't stop worrying about her family. What had happened to them? Were they okay? Did they know where she was? Was someone going to come and rescue her from this? Or was she going to be stuck here until they decided what they were going to do about her? Calista was terrified of what the future was going to hold for her and her family. Or...was there no future? Was she going to spend the rest of her life in this cell? It still didn't quite feel real that District Thirteen wasn't destroyed like they had been taught, but had apparently been working on the rebellion. How did that happen? How did any of this happen? Calista had a thousand questions but no answers.

She had been curled up in her bunk, trying to forget about where she was when she heard Cadie's voice. Calista wasn't surprised that Cadie was here, but Calista didn't want to face her. For a moment she thought about ignoring her, but then she sighed and sat up. She glanced over at the other end of her cell. "You don't need to take your anger out on me. I'm not the one stopping you from seeing them."

Where: District 13 Cells,

When: Day 65

Who: Cadence and Calista ( @calofhearting )

At first Cadence hadn't wanted to go down to the cells. She didn't want to see Calista. Maybe she was just being overdramatic, but Calista had said some nasty things. Of course, Cadie probably would've done exactly the same if she had been in her shoes. She was also not blaming Thea for the things she'd said about the rebellion. But Thea had been locked up and tortured. From what she could gather Calista had had it pretty easy. And so, she felt justified in blaming her. And with all that in mind, she had not wanted to go see her. But with each time she went up to the Hospital Wing and was turned away, she was getting more and more frustrated. And so, she'd ended up down in the cells. More specifically, she had ended up in front of Calista's cell.

"It's funny...." Cadie mused, not evening saying hello as she stood by the bars. "They won't let me see Enobaria or Thea. But they'll let me see you" She was frowning, as she looked at Calista. "I think we all know who is more deserving of my time and attention." It was bitchy, and mean, but Cadie was hurting, and she just did not care right now.

[calofhearting]

If there was something that she had grown to like about Domi it was the way that she didn't push her to open up about what she was feeling. She would accept Calista's words at face value and. that somehow seemed more important now than when they had first met. She had never imagined that she would be standing here that day when they met in front of Cato's armor in the museum. Her stomach sank at the thought of her brother. She hadn't thought about him nearly as much as she had before and she was flooded by the guilt. At Domi's question, she shook her head. "It's a nice party but I feel like the one we went to last week was nicer," she told Domi, her voice hushed, hoping nobody would overhear.

Calista didn't protest when Domi took hold of her arm and started to steer her elsewhere. She furrowed her brow briefly at Domi's words. They didn't quite sound like the Domi that she had met that night, and her mind went to Cinna again. Had Domi and Cinna been friends? They were both stylists, after all. But Calista would never dream of bringing that up with Domi. She had already learned that some things you didn't talk about in the Capitol. "You have been really busy," she agreed. Underneath all of the makeup, she could see that Domi looked tired. Calista's stomach dropped at the implication in Domi's voice. Her mother had been telling her to find someone nice in the Capitol that would marry her, but Calista had no intention of finding 'someone nice'. "It's okay, I'm ready to go home too. It's been a long day."

domitila has no intention of seeing beyond calista's façade, and she hopes that is also the case for everyone else. one good thing about the capitol is how self-centered most people can be, distracting them from seeing beyond their own issues — in an exclusive party like this most of all. "i'm glad. anything new or anyone fun who stands out to you?" it is asked more out of habit, though she wouldn't deny there was always a bit of a curiosity there too. domitila wouldn't admit, but she has missed hanging around with her victors, as they often bring something different to the table; affection towards district people, however, is not entirely encouraged right now, though calista has made a fine enough job pulling herself away from the stain that accompanies the rioters.

proving herself to be just like her own kind, domitila is quick to take a hold of calista at the girl's good natured announcement, already guiding them towards one of the exits. "as good as it can be," which is only partially a lie. the party is wonderful, but she hasn't been able to enjoy it as she usually would. "but i think i've been spending too many nights awake with the prepping," there has been a lot of broadcasts, more than she's used to during the off season. that in itself can be draining enough, but is is so much worse when some of the clothes she makes are put on half-corpses, either fresh for torture or ready to slaughter. "you could stay, if you wanted to. i'm sure there must be plenty of people eager to take you home if I were to abandon you." she clears her throat, though her hands do not leave the other's arm.

[calofhearting]

When Calista had received the invitation to appear on Caesar Flickerman's show, she had wanted to say no. She didn't like the attention, and even though she and Domi hadn't talked much about the work that she was doing, Calista wasn't dumb. She heard enough around Domi's apartment and studio to know that something was happening with the victors that they kept parading on that stage. She had watched the way that Peeta seemed to become more unhinged by the interview, the way that Thea Ellis had completely broken, and Cecelia Whitvale no longer had the sparkle about her that she had before the rebellion. Calista had noticed the way that Domi seemed different lately, too. She was trying to hide it, but Calista had always been observant. She wanted to ask Domi what was happening, but she knew better. And truthfully? Calista wasn't so sure that she wanted to know what was happening. If she could go back to being ignorant to it all she would in a heartbeat.

But in the end, she had been convinced by Domi and her mother to do the interview. Her mother had been horrified when Calista had told her that she wanted to decline, and her father had gotten on the phone and told her that she needed to do it. She tried to play it off like she was nervous about the crowd, but really she was afraid of something bad happening to her. Cinna had been executed on tv, and then Peeta's interview had shaken her. Thea's interview had shaken her. But Domi had said that it would be good for her to do it, something light in all of the terrible things happening, and she trusted Domi. So she said yes.

But now that she was there, she was nervous again. She was wearing a beautiful dress that Domi had designed, and she felt pretty, but she couldn't shake her nerves. Calista kept getting up and pacing the room, and she was just about to pace again when Domi spoke. "I did," she nodded her head. "She knows that I'm the last one that goes on tonight, she's really excited." At the suggestion that they call her, she shook her head emphatically. "I would rather not if that's okay." Her cheeks turned pink, embarrassment on her features. "I just...I mean...." she trailed off and sighed, sinking into the chair that she was sitting in. "I don't want to talk to her," she finally admitted. At Domi's suggestion, she eat something she felt her stomach turn. "I don't think I can eat...I'm sorry. I'm just...I'm really nervous. I know...it's dumb."

setting : before calista's interview on the 60th day after the arena breakout, in caesar's studios. with : calista hearting @calofhearting

the longer this rebellion drags out, the more unsettling becomes her job. while most of the outfits she's designed have been returned to her after wear, peeta's have not. the only ones of the sort have been thea's and cinna's, and the speculation of what links these three — a corpse, a woman in a mental breakdown and a boy beaten in front of the cameras — make no good objects to her imagination. one good thing to have come out of that horrific interview is that the capitol has finally retaliated at the root of the problem, and that seems to have done it. at least, that's what she tries to keep in mind as she works on more gowns, none of which for the hostages whose whereabouts she is ignorant of (and somewhat eager to know of). she comforts herself with the one day of freedom and salacious gossip as a capitolite and a victor announce their relationship which seems almost symbolic as the possible union of the capitol and the districts again, but all throughout the interview, she busies herself with sketching and measuring and picking at the right fabric for what seems to be one of the lightest and most pleasants interviews of the season.

the promise of calista hearting's interview is like a cool sip of fizzy drink after a long day. there has been some dark moments in caesar's studios for the past two months, but calista has nothing unpleasant to share, only the beginning of a fun life in the capitol, some anecdotes from a brother that, had he lived, everything would be different, and a beautiful dress, which domitila is not one bit humble about. it's easy to be hopeful for a good night for a change, one she will not spend behind the stage in worry for a wrong slip of the tongue from a rebel sympathizer, and one that, after all of that, can end wonderfully, perhaps even in one of the couple of parties that can still be considered a rager (something that seems to be slowly going out of fashion, if only because true delicacies are becoming more expensive by the day).

well, so are her hopes, at least. domitila would tell anyone that, after two months living with the girl, she had more than enough faith on calista hearting. of course, that doesn't mean calista has as much faith as herself but domitila wants to believe that's no matter. caesar has interviewed worse in that same stage, after all. "have you told your mother you'll be live? she can't miss it. i can call her if you want. or i'm sure we can borrow a phone from around here." she turns her head as if in search of just that, only to stop when she realizes she isn't sure talking with mrs. hearting would do much for calista — it certainly wouldn't for domitila. "or you can have some last meal before they come to touch up on your lipstick. what are you feeling like doing?" running away is not an option, she almost adds.

[calofhearting]

Location: District 13 cells, day 63 @fatefought

How had this happened? It wasn't the first time since Calista had been pushed into this cell that she had asked herself that. Everything had happened so quickly. One moment she was sitting on stage with Caesar Flickerman, an entire night ahead of her, and the next moment she was on a hovercraft, handcuffed, barely comprehending how it had happened.

They said that she was a traitor to the rebellion and Panem and she had slandered them. She had only been doing as she had been told! What other options had she had? Calista didn't want to die. She didn't want to be turned into an Avox by the Capitol.

Calista had had no choice.

And now...now she was locked up in a cell in District Thirteen. What had happened to her parents? Did they know what had happened to her? And Domi...did Domi know she hadn't wanted to go?

"Calista Hearting," a voice suddenly interrupted her thoughts.

She had been lying on the cot in her cell, facing away from the door and she hadn't noticed someone walk in. Calista forced herself to sit up and turned to face the newcomer. She recognized him as Beetee Latier, victor, but never someone that Cato or her father particularly respected. They had always respected a tribute with strength rather than a tribute with a brain.

"Are you here to tell me that this has all been a mistake?" She asked. She was doubtful but she could hope, right?

[calofhearting]

Calista didn't notice how Annie reacted when she agreed with wanting something a little bit quieter. The Capitol was still far too new to her, and she was still distracted by all of the little things that were happening around them. Growing up in District Two, she had always wondered what the Capitol was like but had never been invited. Until now.

"I've never seen so many things to do in a day," she agreed with a shake of her head and a small smile. She knew that the moment that she got home her mother and friends would want to know about everything that she had seen and done while she was in the Capitol. The mention of the cookies somehow turned her stomach. She wondered...had they done something similar for the games last year? Had her brother's death...had they done a special cookie dedicated to the games that took her brother from her? But instead, she just smiled. "That sounds rather creative." At her mention of needing to get to the victor's lounge, she nodded. "It was so nice to meet you too. Thank you for the suggestion."

there's a relief in the woman from two's response like a theoretical breath was released from lungs. in part, it's due to the fact that cresta didn't want to overstep. the other ? well, you never want to seem ungrateful in the city. words can so easily get twisted, and annie isn't unaware of the fact that when they do, sometimes lives follow. wanting something of a quiet spot isn't a critique on the capitol, until someone else is willing to paint it as such.

it seems annie got a good read on the other after all. " there's never a shortage in the capitol of things to do, that's for sure. " there's a slight smile on her face. doesn't matter if it's a little forced, nobody needs to know. " they currently have a special on mint chocolate chip cookies shaped like turtles. a little nod to the quell actually, " she adds lightly while imagery of the games remain on the oversized holo in the park. " well, i really ought to make my way to the victor's lounge. it was really nice meeting you, calista. i hope to see you again sometime during the festivities. " and at least that was truthful.

[calofhearting]

It was hard to know how long it had been, but she didn't think that it had been that many days since she had been plucked from the Capitol and thrown into this cell. The hours went on forever, though, the only way that she knew that time had been passing was when the guards let someone in with food. She thought that it happened rather regularly, but she couldn't quite be sure.

Calista wished that Cato was there. He would know how to get them out of there. He would attack a guard or something at dinner time and they would be free. She could hear his voice in her head telling her what she needed to do to get out of there. But Calista had never been brave. Not like Cato. Not like her father. What did her parents think? Did they know that she was locked up in District Thirteen? Or did they still think that she was with Domi. Domi had to have called them, right? When they found out...a broken part of her wondered if they had been glad. Calista wasn't Cato, after all.

A voice from the cell beside her startled her. She sat up on her cot and looked over at the occupant of the other cell. Calista had listened to her sobs for days she was surprised that they had finally stopped.

"They said I slandered them," she replied, her voice hoarse after not using it for so many days. "They mentioned my family too. Why...why are you here?"

plotted starter for @calofhearting

Never in her life had she been this physically uncomfortable. Fear she knew. She had been frightened before. It was not that long ago she had sat in front of the President, thick tears rolling over her cheeks, leaving a trail of red, convincing him of her good intentions. All he had offered her were reassuring words. Kindness. She had misunderstood it and fear lingered. Looking back now, it had been foolish to believe their generous leader would bring her any harm. She had forgotten about the true enemy. Perhaps it was karma that led her here. Perhaps this was her punishment for her mind having subconscious doubts in the President's integrity.

Fear she had known. Loneliness as well. It had driven her to do well. To be bubbly. Social. Kind and inviting. To work hard for others. To be a cheerleader. But she had been betrayed by most she had put her faith in. Having to live in these primal conditions after all those years of luxury was something that seemed so very unbearable. And she cried until she had ran out of tears - not even noticing in first instance that privacy was scarce and there were others lurking through the bars.

"Why are you here?" she dared to ask eventually, her voice still strained by her previous sobs of despair.

[calofhearting]

"Oh, it's okay. She doesn't exactly know that I'm here either," Calista admitted with a sheepish smile. "I'm borrowing a dress she designed so I thought I would save her the hassle of coming back to get it herself. She's been so busy lately." She paused. "I'm Calista Hearting."

Of course, she already knew who the other woman was. Portia Lux. Calista was still surprised to see her out and about after what had happened. But maybe...maybe it was a comfort to be somewhere familiar. Calista couldn't imagine what it had been like for her, up on that stage. The thought...it made her sick to her stomach. How terrifying it must have been....but of course she didn't say anything about that either.

She was quickly learning that there was a lot that you didn't say in the Capitol. "I've been staying with Domi recently," she offered as an explanation.

It felt good to be back in a studio. Of course it wasn't hers. Portia didn't even know if her studio even existed anymore. She was trying not think about it too much. She'd poured so much of her heart and soul into that studio, and to think it might be all gone, made her heart hurt. Luckily she kept a lot of things at her apartment. She'd set up a little mini studio in there. It had worked well since she tended to design and make late into the night. She supposed she should be grateful that that place still existed. She would ask about her main studio at some point. But first, she just wanted to feel more like herself.

Thankfully Domi was a great friend, and so, she felt relatively safe in her studio. She froze though when she heard someone else walk into the room. She knew it wasn't Domi. And well, she didn't exactly want to see anyone else right now. But she could tell that the other woman was not from the Capitol, and well that made her feel more at ease. She also figured that if she was here, she must know Domi, and well, that made her feel a little more at ease.

"Oh....yeah...." She shrugged, not really sure what else to say. "She said she didn't mind if I came here...." Maybe she'd forgotten?