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[riiseandfall]

hunger games trilogy || starters

oftrcgedy.

veilled.

feel free to change pronouns , tenses , etc .

❝  it takes 10 times as long to put yourself back together as it does to fall apart .❞ ❝  why am i not dead ? i should be dead .❞ ❝ having an eye for beauty isn’t the same thing has having a weakness .❞ ❝  i wish i could freeze this moment , right here , right now , & live in it forever .❞ ❝  no one really needs me .❞ ❝ remember , we’re madly in love , so it’s all right to kiss me anytime you feel like it .❞ ❝  i am not pretty . i am not beautiful . i am as radiant as the sun .❞ ❝  you love me . real or not real ? ❞ ❝  ally . friend . lover . victor . enemy . fiancee . target . mutt . neighbor . hunter . ally. i’ll add it to the list of words i use to try to figure you out.  ❞ ❝  here it’s safe , here it’s warm .❞ ❝  i’m not like the rest of you . there’s no one left i love .❞ ❝  i’m very hard to catch , & if they can’t catch me , they can’t kill me .❞ ❝  stupid people are dangerous .❞ ❝  you don’t forget the face of the person who was your last hope .❞ ❝  you’ve got about as much charm as a dead slug .❞ ❝  my nightmares are usually about losing you .❞ ❝  for there to be betrayal , there would have to have been trust first .❞ ❝  destroying things is much easier than making them .❞ ❝  here’s some advice . stay alive .❞ ❝  they’ll either want to kill you , kiss you , or be you .❞ ❝  you’re not leaving me here alone .❞ ❝  well , i don’t have much competition here .❞ ❝  you here to finish me off , sweetheart ? ❞ ❝  i stand by what i said . do you want me to lie about it ? ❞ ❝  because i’m selfish . i’m a coward . ❞ ❝  you & me , we’re even . no more owed . you understand ? ❞ ❝  if we burn , you burn with us .❞ ❝  what ? do you find this distracting ? ❞ ❝  i can still rip your throat out .❞ ❝  where’s loverboy ? ❞ ❝  i’m the kind of girl who , when she might actually be of use , would run to stay alive and leave those who couldn’t follow to suffer and die .❞ ❝  the kisses have the opposite effect , of make my need greater . i thought i was something of an expert on hunger , but this is an entirely new kind . ❞ ❝  hope . hope is the only thing stronger than fear .❞ ❝  a spark could be enough to set them ablaze . ❞ ❝  kind people have a way of working their way inside me and rooting there .❞ ❝  whatever breaks you .❞ ❝  i am in pain . that’s the only way i get your attention . ❞ ❝  i’m not going anywhere . i’m going to stay here and cause all kinds of trouble .❞ ❝  imagine thousands of your people , dead . your loved ones , gone . ❞ ❝  i hate being so alone .❞ ❝  don’t make me sorry i restarted your heart .❞ ❝  they will kill us .❞ ❝  you know , you could live a thousand lifetimes and not deserve him .❞ ❝  please feel free to take this personally . ❞ ❝  at some point , you have to stop running & turn around and face whoever wants you dead .❞ ❝  aim higher in case you fall short .❞ ❝  some walks you have to take alone .❞ ❝  whatever breaks you .❞ ❝  well , you’re a piece of work , aren’t you ? ❞ ❝  isn’t it strange that i know you’d risk your life to save mine , but i don’t even know what your favorite color is ? ❞ ❝  you are my life .❞ ❝  i’m here to help you make an impression .❞ ❝  you have no idea . the effect you can have .❞ ❝  if desperate times call for desperate measures , then i am free to act as desperately as i wish .❞ ❝  so when did I become so special ? ❞ ❝  you’re not afraid i’ll kill you tonight ? ❞ ❝  technically , i am unarmed . but no one should underestimate the harm fingernails can do .❞ ❝  i doubt they’ll figure out our plan , since we can barely understand it ourselves .❞ ❝  mess with us & we’ll do something worse than kill you . we’ll kill your children .❞ ❝  you’re kind of squeamish for such a lethal person .❞ ❝  you’re not going to die . i forbid it . all right ? ❞ ❝  i thought we had an agreement not to lie to each other. ❞ ❝  closing my eyes doesn’t help . fire burns brighter in the darkness . ❞ ❝  jealousy is certainly involved . ❞ ❝  what is the worst pain ? to me , it’s always the pain that is present . ❞ ❝  i’ve been down by the stream collecting berries . would you care for some ? ❞ ❝  may the odds be ever in your favor .❞ ❝  what i need is the dandelion in the spring . the bright yellow that means rebirth instead of destruction . the promise that life can go on , no matter how bad our losses .❞ ❝  ____ ? maybe some pants ? ❞ ❝  i can’t tell what’s real anymore , & what’s made up . ❞ ❝  i knew you’d kiss me . ❞

[riiseandfall]

𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝑵𝑶𝑵𝑽𝑬𝑹𝑩𝑨𝑳 𝑷𝑹𝑶𝑴𝑷𝑻𝑺 .    (  a  collection  of  100  nonverbal  action  prompts .   mature  and  potentially  triggering  themes  are  present .   add  “ + reverse ”  to  swap  assigned  roles . )

∗ o1﹕ sender  tucks  hair  out  of  receiver’s  face . ∗ o2﹕ sender  offers  receiver  a  bite  from  their  fork . ∗ o3﹕ sender  places  their  feet / legs  in  receiver's  lap . ∗ o4﹕ sender  offers  receiver  an  earbud  to  share  their  music . ∗ o5﹕ sender  comforts  receiver  in  the  aftermath  of  a  nightmare . ∗ o6﹕ sender  gives  receiver  company  in  the  hospital . ∗ o7﹕ sender  wraps  their  arms  around  a  hysterical  receiver  to  calm  them . ∗ o8﹕ sender  shows  up  at  receiver’s  home  late  at  night . ∗ o9﹕ sender  falls  asleep  leaning  against  receiver . ∗ 1o﹕ sender  wields  a  [ gun / knife ]  at  receiver . ∗ 11﹕ sender  runs  their  fingers  through  receiver’s  hair . ∗ 12﹕ sender  invites  receiver  to  dance . ∗ 13﹕ sender  takes  a  [ picture / video ]  of  receiver . ∗ 14﹕ sender  places  their  head  in  receiver’s  lap . ∗ 15﹕ sender  and  receiver  make  eye  contact  across  a  busy  room . ∗ 16﹕ sender  pushes  receiver  against  a  wall  to  kiss  them . ∗ 17﹕ sender  and  receiver  cook  together . ∗ 18﹕ sender  comes  to  receiver  after  being  injured . ∗ 19﹕ sender  sits  in  receiver’s  lap . ∗ 2o﹕ sender  lifts  receiver's  chin ,  invoking  eye  contact . ∗ 21﹕ sender  overtakes  receiver  in  combat . ∗ 22﹕ sender  finds  receiver  [ injured / bloodied ] . ∗ 23﹕ sender  straightens  an  article  of  receiver’s  clothes . ∗ 24﹕ sender  crawls  into  bed  with  receiver . ∗ 25﹕ sender  rolls  their  eyes  at  receiver . ∗ 26﹕ sender  lights  receiver’s  [ cigarette / joint ] . ∗ 27﹕ sender  is  caught  wearing  receiver's  clothes . ∗ 28﹕ sender  strikes  receiver  with  a  pillow . ∗ 29﹕ sender  writes  a  note  on  receiver’s  skin :  [ note ] . ∗ 3o﹕ sender  wraps  a  blanket  around  receiver’s  shoulders . ∗ 31﹕ sender  runs  and  jumps  into  receiver’s  arms . ∗ 32﹕ sender  shoves  receiver  out  of  anger . ∗ 33﹕ sender  hovers  over  receiver’s  shoulder  as  they  complete  a  task . ∗ 34﹕ sender  is  found  by  receiver  somewhere  they  shouldn’t  be . ∗ 35﹕ sender  curls  up  against  receiver  in  their  sleep . ∗ 36﹕ sender  is  found  drunk  by  receiver . ∗ 37﹕ sender  throws  an  item  of  sentiment  bitterly  at  receiver . ∗ 38﹕ sender  joins  receiver  in  the  shower . ∗ 39﹕ sender  is  caught  following  receiver . ∗ 4o﹕ sender  traces  one  of  receiver’s  [ scars / bruises ] . ∗ 41﹕ sender  twines  their  fingers  with  receiver’s . ∗ 42﹕ sender  barges  into  receiver’s  home  unannounced . ∗ 43﹕ sender  kicks  receiver’s  shin  beneath  a  table . ∗ 44﹕ sender  aggressively  shoves  past  receiver . ∗ 45﹕ sender  kisses  receiver’s  [ forehead / cheek ] . ∗ 46﹕ sender  pulls  receiver  out  of  harm’s  way . ∗ 47﹕ sender  is  found  sobbing  by  receiver . ∗ 48﹕ sender  locks  receiver  out  of  their  room . ∗ 49﹕ sender  brings  receiver  [ coffee / tea ]  in  the  morning . ∗ 5o﹕ sender  rests  their  forehead  against  receiver’s . ∗ 51﹕ sender  plays  a  song  for  receiver  that  reminds  them  of  them :  [ song ] . ∗ 52﹕ sender  takes  a  [ punch / stab / bullet ]  meant  for  receiver . ∗ 53﹕ sender  buys  receiver  a  drink  at  a  bar . ∗ 54﹕ sender  needs  receiver’s  help  getting  in  the  bath . ∗ 55﹕ sender  and  receiver  cross  paths  in  the  kitchen  late  at  night . ∗ 56﹕ sender  twists  receiver’s  arm  behind  their  back . ∗ 57﹕ sender  winks  at  receiver . ∗ 58﹕ sender  is  found  collapsed  by  receiver . ∗ 59﹕ sender  prevents  an  injured  receiver  from  getting  up . ∗ 6o﹕ sender  claps  a  hand  over  receiver’s  mouth  to  silence  them . ∗ 61﹕ sender  cages  receiver  against  a  [ wall / the floor ]  with  their  arms . ∗ 62﹕ sender  storms  away  from  receiver  during  an  argument . ∗ 63﹕ sender  is  found  by  receiver  sleeping  in  receiver’s  bed . ∗ 64﹕ sender  [ applies / touches up ]  receiver’s  makeup . ∗ 65﹕ sender  throws  receiver  into  a  wall  during  combat . ∗ 66﹕ sender  dances  sensually  with  receiver . ∗ 67﹕ sender  strikes  receiver  across  the  face . ∗ 68﹕ sender  places  their  hand  on  receiver’s  leg  while  driving . ∗ 69﹕ sender  pulls  a  chair  out  from  under  receiver . ∗ 7o﹕ sender  catches  receiver’s  wrist  when  they  turn  to  leave . ∗ 71﹕ sender  leaves  an  intimate  mark  on  receiver . ∗ 72﹕ sender  beats  receiver  in  a  video  game . ∗ 73﹕ sender  and  receiver  stand  in  stunned  silence  after  a  fight . ∗ 74﹕ sender  cares  for  receiver  while  they’re  sick . ∗ 75﹕ sender  and  receiver  go  on  a  hike . ∗ 76﹕ sender  is  caught  snooping  in  receiver’s  things . ∗ 77﹕ sender  and  receiver  cuddle  while  watching  television . ∗ 78﹕ sender  throws  something  aggressively  at  receiver . ∗ 79﹕ sender  creeps  up  behind  receiver  to  scare  them . ∗ 8o﹕ sender  and  receiver  go  shopping  together . ∗ 81﹕ sender  helps  receiver  [ dye / style ]  their  hair . ∗ 82﹕ sender  draws  receiver  into  a  kiss  by  the  back  of  their  neck . ∗ 83﹕ sender  is  discovered  having  a  panic  attack  by  receiver . ∗ 84﹕ sender  accidentally  injures  receiver  during  sparring . ∗ 85﹕ sender  grabs  receiver  roughly  by  the  hair . ∗ 86﹕ sender  brings  receiver  to  their  knees  during  combat . ∗ 87﹕ sender  shows  receiver  evidence  of  a  lie  they  told . ∗ 88﹕ sender  winks  [ seductively / mockingly ]  at  receiver . ∗ 89﹕ sender  yells  at  receiver  to  put  their  hands  in  the  air . ∗ 9o﹕ sender  helps  receiver  patch  up  a  wound . ∗ 91﹕ sender  holds  receiver  as  they  cry . ∗ 92﹕ sender  silently  and  angrily  points  receiver  towards  the  door . ∗ 93﹕ sender  gestures  for  receiver  to  sit  down . ∗ 94﹕ sender  pulls  receiver  into  their  lap . ∗ 95﹕ sender  cradles  receiver’s  face . ∗ 96﹕ sender  tackles  receiver  out  of  the  way  of  danger . ∗ 97﹕ sender  has  hidden  an  injury  from  receiver ,  and  receiver  finds  out . ∗ 98﹕ sender  confronts  receiver  about  their  unhealthy  behavior . ∗ 99﹕ sender  proposes  to  receiver . ∗ 1oo﹕ sender  has  just  died ,  receiver  finds  out .

[riiseandfall]

it isn't fair. the revelations they've had since stepping forward to volunteer—the existence of a sister that he's never known, one that he may now never get the chance to know. this love he's found, how they cling to it with greedy hands, savoring each kiss, each second he gets with apollo. scared of which one could be his last. they had stepped forward so easily, volunteered almost as soon as they were told they could—and they had been unafraid of what would await them in that arena. but now?

they're terrified of what they might lose.

it is what has them almost clinging to apollo now, feeling the way their eyes sting as they try to hold back tears, try to be strong as best they can. but in truth? they're so scared. it shows in the way their hands tremble slightly as their forehead rests against apollo's, in the uneven tempo of their breathing. that tender kiss has something in them break, tears slowly rolling down their cheeks and alex can taste it as they kiss apollo back, "i love you, apollo. don't you ever forget that, okay? no matter what happens in there. i love you so much and—" they sniffle, give a half-hearted smile as dark eyes open to look at their fiance. "...you're one of the best things to ever happen to me, okay? i need you to know that."

alex is a tenderness he can't allow himself to hold onto too tightly . he's is terrified to open his eyes , wondering which kiss might be the last , if he will never feel that brush of their thumb against his cheek again . with a sigh , he presses his lips tenderly to alex's , marvelling in the fact that he can do that now outside of the daydreams which once whisked him off to sleep .

with their promise , apollo opens his eyes once more . they're alight with . . . everything . hope , love , the blind optimism which has dragged him through this life , helped him to survive it all . " you can , alex . you're gonna make it out of there , i know it . " but what does that mean for their sister ? or for gill and finnick , for the friends he will watch climb into that arena and fight one another to send their siblings , their children , their family home . it's too much horror , and he turns from it , terrified . " i'll be waiting , " he murmurs , brushes his lips tenderly across alex's , the person he is determined he will marry one of these days . " it took this long to get you , i'm not letting go of you tonight . "

[riiseandfall]

effie had always had a way of calming alex down, of easing those racing thoughts and making them feel seen and heard when so many among the capitol had once simply...looked over them. before they walked out of that arena, of course. now things were so...complicated and hard and alex felt so lost and small again—until effie speaks. they stutter out a laugh, sniffling as they wipe at their eyes, brows raising as they nod, "i have never been small, effie. we both know that." but alex knows what she means. effie had always felt like something closer to a mother than just his district's escort. and he so desperately wants to believe what she says, that somehow? they all get that happy ending. that peace. but it feels so...unrealistic to hope now. but effie was right, she had never broken a promise. and he knew that if she, for whatever reason, decided to start? it would not be now. he nods along with what she says, only to still at the final sentence. they both knew of the rebellion, how could they not? but there's a flicker of fear in alex's eyes at her words as he moves to gently take her hands. "stay safe, please. both of you. i know that—" there's only so much they can say and they both know it. the capitol had eyes and ears everywhere. "—no matter what happens, promise me that you all will stay safe? and promise that...that you'll get him out. if it gets bad and i can't—" he pauses, takes a shaky breath, "—i just need to know that everyone i care about will be okay, effie. so, promise me that?"

this was their child as if effie had watched their first steps, monitored the small inhale of little lungs and twirled fingers through peach fuzz. it didn't truly hit effie in the chest until staring at them, staring at the ring that meant this was no child anymore even if alex the wild feral lizard of a human being had been one when they first met. even then they hadn't been small. The hug is nearly enough to make the woman who insisted on proper manners and etiquette wondering if this was the exception to sobbing in public? Seeing Alex's own glisten with tears a gentle finger moved to brush away errant droplet that moved to make lines on cheeks. "This would be the one and only time it would be acceptable to ruin my dress because you are my small one. I will do everything in my power, everything humanly possible to make this happen. You my dearest love, my sweet alex - you deserve love and happiness and I may not know all the things but we will see that day. I promise you this and when have you ever known Effie Trinket to break one of her promises? No. Yes was the right answer because in any other world we'd have all the time to plan and I would throw the most wonderful party to announce it. I would curl your hair for your wedding and Jett would make the most beautiful outfit for my child.. Haymitch and I have plans. I don't know exactly how but you will get to say I do"

[riiseandfall]

"ten...ten years..." it doesn't feel real. and in truth? alex isn't sure how to feel. part of him wonders if there should be some deep grief or mourning for what he's lost—a father he never knew—but if he should, he doesn't feel it yet. it hasn't hit. it doesn't feel real. they try to remember their life ten years ago, young, just after the games. their only concern had been aster and staying alive. very little had changed, it would seem.

to think that their father had lived and died and alex had been none the wiser. it is...a strange feeling to say the least. they stammer for a moment before huffing out a breath, looking up at prudence, "...i'm sorry for your loss. i know what it is like to—" to lose a parent. alex was far too young when their mother was taken from them, aster even younger. that grief still ached so much in their chest. he knows how that pain lingers. maybe, if things were different, alex could have been there to help prudence through it. instead they were left to only hope it wasn't something she had to go through alone.

her joke gets a faint smile out of alex, one of the few since they had volunteered that were not brought out by anyone from twelve or his now fiance. "kind of a broad spectrum of questions there, isn't it? i don't think i would know where to start." he points out with a quiet laugh, shifting his weight from one foot to the other as his gaze turns to the floor. there's a moment of silence that passes, alex thinking before they look back to prudence. "do you, uh," they gesture behind them, to the apartments of district twelve, "i feel like we should sity down for a conversation like this. or, um, there's food and...i don't know about you but i could use a drink or, um, you could—i mean, aster is here if you wanted to...meet her."

When Prue had lost her parents, she'd figured that was it. They were the only family she'd ever known, and she didn't imagine she would ever have another shot at it. Sure, she'd figured that she must have relatives, somewhere. That maybe there were people her parents had left behind in District Twelve – but she knew that she would never have any way of tracking them down. That her parents were as good as ghosts, phantoms that only existed in her memory.

When Alma Coin had informed her, not only that she did have family out there, but that she had a living, breathing brother, Prue had thought it was a joke, too. She'd been hesitant about leaving her life behind, about diving headfirst into the rebellion and getting on a train to the Capitol, possibly to never return. There had been an awful, cynical moment where she had thought maybe it was a ruse to get her to go along with the plan. But Coin was nothing if not prepared – with birth records and blood tests, all of which proved inconsequential when Prue saw a picture of Alex. When she recognised his smile – recognised her father in their features. It had been like something out of a film – an instant recognition. She wonders if Alex feels that now, looking at her.

"He... our dad, um... he died, about ten years ago." She says quietly. Even though a decade has passed, the reality of her words still do not sting any less. Even now, they trigger a deep ache in her chest. "I don't... I don't know whether he knew about you." She likes to think that he didn't, that her father wasn't the kind of man to willingly leave behind his child. "But... I'm sure he would have wanted to know you, too. If he had the chance." Empty placations now – for Alex, who never had a chance to know their father. Instead, they are left with Prue, a sister as a consolation prize.

Prue cannot help but laugh as Alex does – an equally disjointed, broken noise. Born partly out of their half-hearted attempt at a joke, and partly out of sheer relief that, not only had Alex believed her, but they say they want to know her. That they're family. It warms up the place in Prue's chest that has long been reserved for grief. "Yeah," She chokes, "I guess I need to work on timing, huh?" She shakes her head, feeling some of the tension she'd been carrying for the last few days dissipate. "I, uh... I know it's unorthodox, but if there's anything you want to know – you know, about our dad, or me, or, like, anything... I, uh... I want to tell you."

[riiseandfall]

god, she is such a fucking pain. the one thing dante is thankful for? katniss shot him in his left shoulder as opposed to his right. nevermind the fact that she still shot him. part of him is more sensible, pointing out that much like dante had katniss dead to rights? so did she with him. that part is drowned out by the pain in his shoulder and his ever growing annoyance. shaky breaths hang in the air before disappointing and the sheer fatigue dante feels is not a good sign, but he chalks it up to the cold. hopes it is just the cold. the clearing put him on edge—far too much open space for his liking. and as if to prove that point, someone else joins him and dante is quick to stand at the ready, injured shoulder held back as he readies his spear...only for a familiar voice to greet him. "art?" well, shit, maybe my luck hasn't run out yet. he chuckles a bit, spear lowered to his side and yet eyes remain alert to the treeline. "been better." he keeps his voice lowered, moving to lean against a tree next to him, watching behind art—to the side of them. more concerned of others than he is of them. "if i don't die...i'm going to have a...very long conversation with peeta about his wife." he pauses, finally glances at art, brows furrowing slightly. "...no diana?"

where: the hunger games

who: art and dante | @riiseandfall

it was strange the way time worked in the arena, not even a full day had passed and yet it somehow felt like a mixture of ten minutes and five days. it's getting darker in the arena and with it, mostly likely getting colder to. the ability to correctly feel temperature had been lost of artemis hours ago, now all they had was a numbness. after their encounter with caius they stumbled through the arena, mind still focused on finding her cousin before the day was up. they stumbled through a clearing in the trees and quickly spotted the figure waiting for them. she draw her axe immediately, ready to throw, until she noticed who the figure belonged to. "dante!" she called out loud enough for him to hear and hopefully nobody else. even though they'd agreed to stay away from each other in the arena, going over to see if he was okay couldn't hurt. "dante are you okay?" they ask walking closer, axe still in hand.

[riiseandfall]

dante had seen red since the moment he stepped on that life. the moment that the tube enclosed him and—and—kaleb. hands shake and it isn't from the cold, dante exhaling sharply as he tried to shove the memory from his mind, focus on the arena. he can't be...stop. he's worried, but in the arena? he can't afford to be. the games had started and on top of everything else?

darius was nowhere to be found.

dante knew the kid, knew he could handle himself. but the fact that all those family members were simply not here? it set him on edge even more. perhaps it is that heightened feeling that has him drawing short as he hears the soft crunch of snow being trodden underfoot—and the sound is not coming from him. he stops, waits and listens before he turns—everdeen. and she's not alone.

katniss is wrong. dante's aim is true—he was just never aiming for her. he had reacted before his mind could catch up to perhaps issue a warning to the trigger-happy archer from twelve. a mistake he's quick to realize as an arrow buries itself in his shoulder, knocking him off his feet with a pained shout.

fucking dammit, everdeen! he breathes deeply, trying to keep his breathing steady as he starts to sit up, eyes clenched shut at the wave of pain the movement brings, eyes opening as his back settles against a tree behind him. only to focus on the arrowhead aimed directly for him. always a handful this one.

dante frowns at the question, resisting the urge to fire back with his usual levels of sarcasm. the pain does not help with that. "would've hoped the fact that you're still...breathing would be enough." dante didn't know much about the rebellion, but he knew one thing for sure. katniss was important. and besides that? katniss was important to peeta. he groans, a hand raising to the arrow in his shoulder, a quick breath—in and out—before he snaps the shaft, "fuck!" he falls back against the tree. "c'mon now, everdeen...we both know if i wanted you dead you would be. i rarely miss." he glances behind her, but the other tribute is long gone. "this...how you thank everyone who tries to...save your life?"

@riiseandfall . the arena , day one

she has taken to the woods , to something resembling familiarity following a day of hiking through a snow-swept arena and grieving the life she was handed twenty years ago . two beautiful children and a husband she never deserved , a house with lace curtains and wooden floors , with a fireplace where she would sit with peeta , let them brush her wet hair until she gave into the softness of it all , leaned against them . she would put the hunter away for the night and pull her babies into her lap .

the foolish girl with the arrested development , she is here alone , searching for her son , for something to kill and feed to finnick odair . she is thankful for the snow though it seeps into her skin , the clothes meant to protect her dampening her skin anyhow . at least there's no repeat of her first games , the sandpaper tongue and a desperate search for water .

her guard is high and katniss walks with an arrow notched . gentle footsteps across the snow , soft as she can go as she comes to terms with the absence of rye , all that she has to make up for before she can bear to say goodbye to him .

lost in thought , her head snaps up with the presence of another . she sees dante after he's thrown the spear , and though it's clear his aim is not true , will not hit her , katniss shoots without hesitation . the oncoming spear has thrown off her aim , hit his shoulder , and she's surprised to hear the footsteps of another tribute darting away from behind her . who was he aiming for ? both of them ?

katniss focuses on dante , approaches him and his bleeding shoulder , another arrow notched and she aims for his eye . " give me one reason not to shoot . "

[riiseandfall]

@victoriams

it is...surprising—seeing livina at all. they had seen her at work a handful of times, spoken in a purely professional setting—all too brief and curt. but there was always distance between the two since...

well, since.

but after the events of the day, lysander lowers his guard, even if only slightly. even if they still bristle slightly as they see their cousin—there's a noted softness around their eyes as they look her over. "...it is nice to see that you're...alright after everything." it was unexpected. even lysander didn't know the rebellion would strike so harshly and so soon. they had allies in the capitol...it left him questioning some things. but those were thoughts for a different time.

"does it truly take an attack for us to speak nowadays?"

[riiseandfall]

@exitio

there's a slight grimace on their face as they pace throughout their manor, a hand holding their shoulder, feeling the bandages under their shirt-bandages that went down their arm, across their chest—bandages that itched and irritated with every movement. but ari kept from complaining too much—after seeing the destruction left in the wake of the rebellion? he knew things could have been much worse for him. even his home had missed the worst of it, thankfully. he just had the bad luck to have been on his way home from work when the attack happened—ari just got caught in the crossfire.

their tablet is in their hand, but they aren't working, instead firing off a message to izzy, letting him know they were okay when the knock on their door makes them pause, brows furrowed. it's late—later than he would have expected for guests. biting down on the inside of his cheek, the tablet is tucked under his arm as he moves to look through the peephole and sighing loudly. don't answer it. leave him out there just go to BED. a moment passes, another knock before ari mentally swears and opens the door—only slightly, looking atlas over for a moment before leaning against the doorframe, flinching slightly as he makes contact with the wooden frame. "...what do you want, atlas?"

[riiseandfall]

he's trying to get under their skin-they know that from the moment ari refused to move--the moment they refused to listen. did atlas really think it would take one phenomenal roll in the metaphorical sheets and they'd be wrapped around his finger again? hardly. eyes roll at the kiss, even as his grip on that pencil tightens, teeth clenching for just a moment as he speaks, an undeniable edge to his words as he eyes the woman over, "yes, i can see why you would think you need to improve in that regard..."

'princess'. the pet name gets a pointed glare out of icarus before they move back to their sketch, wanting little to do with it now. stupid thing to be drawing anyway. it was an old habit...one they should have left in the past. much like the subject of said sketch. "nothing you need concern yourself over, go back to your little party, hellthorne." icarus scoffs, turning a page in their book to work on a new drawing, head buried in it as they tried to focus solely on that. until their own date for the evening came back, drink in hand, and icarus smiles as they take it, tucking their sketchbook to the side, "aw, you're a sweetheart, truly." a kiss is placed to icarus' cheek and they throw a glance to atlas, that unmistakable glint in icarus' eyes that atlas had seen many times before their attention is back on the man who takes a seat next to him, "keep this up and i'll be swooning by the end of the night, my dear."

atlas eyes the sketchbook curiously, he could have sworn ari was looking at him before he even noticed the other's presence. interesting. what exactly was he drawing? "the only thing i have horrid luck with is my taste in partners. that could definitely do with some fine tuning." atlas comments lazily with a soft roll of his eyes, like even the thought of arguing with his ex is petty and beneath him even though it's blatantly obvious that he's trying to rile them up.

"your loss princess." he smirked, turning to the woman sat next to him. she was a pretty thing and he knew from her being at the party that she had money but besides that she was incredibly unremarkable. still, he pulls her in for a kiss laughing at the way she melts into it. when he pulls away he leans back on the couch and turns his attention back to ari. "what are you drawing over there?"

[riiseandfall]

annie agrees and io nods, setting down her cup of warmth and moving about the kitchen to get what she needed, setting an empty cup on the counter as she turned to watch her friend's signing, brows furrowing as she worked to keep her hands busy--milk, need the milk. did someone move the milk? she feels restless, like there's too much energy in her with nowhere to put it. it makes her hands shake slightly--io tapping each fingertip to her thumb as she looks around to hopefully burn some of that energy off.

it wasn't really working. but it felt nice to try.

annie's question still went unanswered until io is finished making the drink, sliding the hot mug over to her friend, 'careful. still really hot. i think we have marshmallows...somewhere?' she sighs, runs a hand down her face, head shaking softly, 'i...don't know. i don't think i will be able to sleep. but i keep watching the clock countdown and...' she huffs, reaching for her own mug again, '...i don't remember my games feeling like it took this long for it to start. the waiting is still the worst part...'

Annie hadn't expected anyone to be up when she ventured down to District 3's floor. She fully expected to be the only anxious soul wandering the area, but she was relieved to see Io was just as restless. Perhaps that's why the two were best friends--- their thoughts and emotions had a way of syncing up and connecting the two intimately.

She smiled softly at her friend's comments. Annie always had a tough time when it came to the Capitol, but Io's presence calmed her down. Io and Finnick are her two anchors to reality, the other half of her heart. ❝I would love some hot chocolate.❞ The victor signed, moving to sit down at the kitchen table. She sighed a bit as she watched her friend wander around the apartment, content with merely watching her exist as she let her mind try and settle down. ❝I think my mind is convinced that if I don't sleep, tomorrow just won't arrive. Are you feeling the same?❞ 

[riiseandfall]

he sighs, goes back to how he was sitting, arm draped over his eyes--even auggie couldn't complain if he messed up the makeup, there were no cameras around now. "you never listen to me. how many years have we--" been friends? not exactly. not in a way where they ever admitted it. but auggie was one of the few who had seen dante. not just the victor--but him. the pause lingers for a second too long before his head shakes with a sigh, "--worked together? you never listened. not a once."

he doesn't want to see her hurt. if she played her cards right? she could make it out of this just fine. but she wouldn't let dante do that.

"you say that like we haven't been protecting each other ever since we met." dante points out, his tone deadpan, tired in a way--a bone deep way. they never talked about it, the little things they did for each other--the little ways that they looked out for each other. they never had to. it always just happened. the way that dante would gently remind auggie of things he knew she'd forget, the way she always knew when to keep his hands busy so his mind wouldn't go dark again--the way dante would always be there with a cup of coffee when it had been a rough night for her, the bruises she had covered on him--they never talked about it, but they always took care of each other. they had always protected each other.

"so--why don't you let me do it now? might be the last thing i can do for you and you're being so selfish with the martyrdom, auggie." he chuckles, something dry--if not a little broken as he moves to sit up. "...i'm probably going to die in the next couple days, least you can do is let me make sure my fr--" he catches himself, sighs, "--my favorite stylist is okay."

there had been a point in time auggie had cared about her siblings, had been able to show that care. she'd helped teach max to tie his shoes, showed livinia every trick she knew to memorizing her times tables, gone along with their weird little make believe games even when she didn't entirely get them. it wasn't something she learned, definitely wasn't something modeled for her. she just...did. but that sort of thing isn't what makes a good heir. so she'd let it go, dropped it in favor of the cutthroat games they'd played most of their lives now. for a long time, her family felt more like a shitty roommate situation until they all left and barely looked at each other.

so maybe that was why she cared so hard about her victors. they were hers. she'd spent practically her entire apprenticeship and career styling dante & artemis, most of her adult life trying to reign them in and deal with their bullshit. and they'd had to put up with her bullshit all the same, so. she won't drop the f word, but. she cares about them. so she definitely cares that she lost sight of both of them when the elevators had been deemed functional again. and knowing the defiance both of them had shown this time --okay, all three of them, but auggie at least didn't do it in full view of the cameras-- she had to, like. be sure.

her shoulders definitely don't relax when she sees dante sprawled on the couch, because they weren't tensed in the first place. she scoffs, shrugging. "got an earful about it from livinia, but. with our mother gone i guess there's a vacancy in the nagging bitter lady niche, y'know?" she shakes her head. she won't hear it. "you don't need to protect me. i can handle myself. besides, i, ah... kinda made sure if he's paying any attention, it's to me, anyway."

[riiseandfall]

they're quiet, simply watching auggie as she speaks, slightly mismatched eyes as alert as ever. "well..." they huff out a sigh, reaching for their drink again, "...at least you know it isn't a good thing." for either of them. but lysander only really cared about one of them. they were seldom one to mince words, even with family. sometimes especially with family. but...they held a soft spot for their cousins. perhaps auggie chiefly among them. after what happened with his father? auggie was the only one who cared to even associate with lysander.

not that he really blames the others. just misses them.

"so, you will slap a target on your back before they can do it for you, is that it? some misguided attempt to--" he huffs, waves a hand in the air before moving to make auggie a drink, nevermind that she didn't ask for one. "--'go out on your own terms', i imagine?" they hold out a glass to auggie, a brow arching, "do i have the gist of it? you know me, i like to make sure i know the full story before i chastise you for doing something undeniably reckless."

auggie shrugged. her relationship with lysander was, admittedly, everything she'd wanted it to be with her siblings. she didn't feel like she had to hide every facet of who she was around him --hell, half the time it felt like he just knew, anyway-- for fear of any of it being used against her at the first opportunity. she'd never questioned his motives when he showed concern. she...trusted him? close enough.

so she doesn't completely lie to him now. "it's not." she sighs. "but i've made my choice. if i back down now, that won't fix anything. it won't stop whatever's coming, and something is always coming, this isn't..." she shifts her weight from one foot to the other and back again, an uneasy shuffle. "i'm not trying to change the fuckin' world here, lys. i'm just...i...shit, i don't know, if it's gonna happen, i don't want to go out like--" like she'd thought she would five years prior, scared and screaming and begging for mercy "--like a little bitch, y'know?"

[riiseandfall]

everyone was trying anything to get the games to stop--to get them cancelled. and io can't blame them, in fact? she is hoping one of them works. that the capitol gets so worked up that they have no choice but to call it all off. a far-fetched dream? maybe. but it is one she clings to. but if the games went on? they had plans for that. they'd get them all out. 'it has certainly been...eventful. you will like a lovely addition to that wedding.' io offers, attempting to lighten the mood. at the mention of solara, io sighs and turns to search for her daughter. it is little surprise that she is right at gill's side. 'scared. for him. for the others. she's been almost inseparable from gill since we've gotten here.' but the sight of the pair gets a soft smile out of io before she turns back to effie. 'and what of your children in district twelve?'

'to think if i were how blown away they all would be. i would be the envy of every other stylist, but i would make sure you were the most spectacular-looking woman alive, second to myself.' Effie teased before responding again, 'surprised at the proposals, outbursts even by those who know what awaits them, the way Flickerman has been out of pocket. especially that last one and how some game makers circle our tributes and victors like vultures. how is solara'

[riiseandfall]

that glare sends a shiver right through them, but it only takes that one word to have them feel like they might melt on the spot. they were angry with him, they hated him. this was just pleasure, it didn't prove anything. 'angel'--the way it made his cheeks flush and his heart damn near skip several beats didn't prove a damn thing. the way their breath catches in their throat as atlas sinks to his knees, the way that shuddered gasp slips from parted lips as his mouth wraps around him? it didn't prove anything. even as long fingers move to tangle in atlas' hair, the other slamming against the wall to keep ari standing. "f-fuck--" a shared pro and con of dating atlas? that damn mouth of his. it seemed that time didn't change that fact either, icarus so desperately wanting to arch their hips, to chase the feeling of him--only to be held in place is frustrating. his breathing catches in his throat as fingers trace over that scar--and the situation is all too familiar. it brings back memories of when things were good and has blue eyes fluttering open to look down at atlas for just a moment before they look away again, cheeks growing darker. don't go down that rabbit hole. don't fall into him again. "god-you still f-feel--" their mind is already turning to static as fingers grip atlas' hair tighter with an annoyed whine. "this isn't--what you p-promised me..."

the way they whine his name is music to his ears, the sound making his pants feel slightly tighter than they had seconds before. "hmm don't play innocent it doesn't suit you." he winks running his fingers through the beautiful curls. his smug expression quickly turns to a glare as their positions are reversed. if there was one thing atlas hated it was losing the upper hand. "it isn't the first time i've ruined one of your designs angel and we both know it wont be the last. you're usually too busy moaning to be quite so annoying about it though." the shirt he was wearing is quickly discarded, it was one of the few items of colour in his closet but he could afford another hundred of them if he felt like it. the knowledge that they were now both going to have to walk out of this room shirtless makes him smirk. if the massive hickey on the side of his neck didn't make it obvious to his date what he'd been up to, the lack of a shirt would seal the deal. atlas takes a second to look at icarus, their positions which has unfortunately been flipped. he had to take control back in one way or another and if that way was on his knees, so be it. he sinks to his knees and looks up at ari with all the innocence he does not possess. in record speed atlas pulls down their pants and takes them into his mouth. there's one thing atlas knows with the utmost certainty, that he's incredible at this, that he'll have icarus begging in minutes. one hand holds their hips still, making sure that him and only him is in control. the other lightly traces the ah still carved into pale flesh from when they were together. a flicker of surprise crosses his features that it's still there but he masks it quickly, pressing down on the area instead.

[riiseandfall]

the question had been asked and alex had answered and the rest of the night felt...blurry. like it wasn't real. like he would wake up any minute and the day would start anew--as if none of this really happened. but that band around his finger felt so heavy, this had to be real. effie is talking to them and running through wedding plans and alex can't help the quiet laugh, the way his eyes sting. effie had been nothing but supportive of alex--from the moment he stepped onto that train all those years ago, she had been in his corner in her own way. and as soon as it is their turn to speak? the first thing they do is pull her into a tight hug. "i know you would." they pause. "sorry--sorry, your outfit, i know--" they immediately pull back again, wiping at their eyes. "uh, the ring, yeah, right." they hold their hand out to show off the band that glistened in the low light. "i'm--" happy? in a way. not the way he had hoped but in a way. "--i don't think i can do this, effie. i love him, what if i don't--" they wouldn't stop the games, he knew that. "--should i have said no? i don't want him hurt..."

WHO: Effie Trinket & Alexander Gray @riiseandfall

WHERE: somewhere after the interviews ( tbd )

Thus far Effie had spouted off her excitement to everyone in some form and it was hard to contain as an escort didn't often have something so essential to plan in such a short amount of time. Effie had been so overjoyed about it Peeta's comments had not hit her fully and other events that had transpired did seem secondary for the moment Effie had not even asked to start such plans. It might be all there was to distract her from the fact in a short while, the world would change forever wedding or engagement party notwithstanding."My son- we can get you married in a hurry. A quick ceremony could be easily put together, Jett could make you and Apollo something and I would make sure your curls were the most immaculately styled and our friends could come. Something small on our floor even or Apollo dearest and - are you happy my child? I would've liked the opportunity to make it as grand as I know you are worthy of but I will make it wonderful nonetheless. Can I see the ring?"

[riiseandfall]

it is more than difficult, it feels impossible. it feels like the wind-up to some last final joke that the universe is pulling--here is family, watch us take you away from them. but looking at prue, alex knows that she is telling the truth, they can read it in her eyes, in the tone of her voice. she's being honest.

and that is somehow so much worse.

it feels like the wind has been knocked out of him, taking any words he might have said right along with it. his mouth opens and closes several times, a short huff escaping him as a shaky hand runs through that mess of curls.

"y-you have nothing to apologize for..." they point out with a quiet, albeit dry laugh--but when they look at prue, their expression soften. eyes scan her features, looking for any sign of him in her, for that connection. it doesn't take long for him to see it in her eyes, her hair. he can't help but wonder if her father--their father--held these traits too. can't help but wonder what he was like, if he ever regretted alex...if he was alive, would he have accepted them?

answers he won't ever get and now a sister he might never get the chance to know. it still feels like a bad joke.

"...the timing on this really sucks, huh?" it's a bad attempt at humor, complete with a broken laugh as alex looks to prue, that brief smile not quite reaching their eyes. "want nothing to do with--you're joking, right? i'm just sorry that-" he exhales sharply, head shaking. "-i'm sorry that i don't have more time to get to know you before...well..." it isn't fair. "of course i want to know you. you're family."

Prue isn't entirely sure how she had expected this to go. In every iteration of this conversation that she had played out in her head, Alexander had reacted differently. Sometimes he yelled, sometimes he cried, sometimes he embraced Prue's words – embraced her – and sometimes he didn't. Each time she played out this conversation in her mind, she became more and more nervous – because the truth was, she couldn't know how Alexander was going to react, because she didn't know him.

Not beyond what she had seen on television. Not beyond what Alma Coin had told her. Not beyond what she'd managed to gleam from watching them during her time in the Capitol, during her time in the tower. Not beyond the memories that she had of her father – not beyond the eyes and nose and hair they both shared.

And something twists in her stomach at that – at the realisation that she has a brother, that he is standing right in front of her, living and breathing and real – but that this world, this system, this place, had taken that opportunity away from her. First, when her parents had needed to flee District Twelve. And again, right now, as she stares down the possibility of losing Alexander in that arena, right when she had finally built up the courage to reach out to them.

There's a sense of relief that comes with the fact that they don't immediately push her away, dismiss her story entirely. Prue wouldn't have blamed them if they did. She manages to make her bright, glistening eyes meet her brother's – and she nods once, resolutely. "It is." She says, "I'm sorry... putting all this on you, I know it must be difficult to hear... and I know you already have a family, so I understand if you want nothing to do with me, but..." Prue sighs, "I've never had any siblings before, and I couldn't let you go into the arena without ever telling you."