thecapitolrogue

[thecapitolrogue]

Closed | Self Para. | The Capitol: Kyan's Apartment | Day 72

“You’re an asshole, you know that?”

The image of Gleam is hazy, blurred by time. Her biting remarks had stayed with him as if the words were scars upon his skin, but they were never so sharp. Far from a joke, yet hardly an attack. An observation between friends. He couldn’t deny the accusation.

“Never said I wasn’t.”

Kyan was never one to dwell on the past. What’s done is done, the world pushing them ever forward, but he was helpless against the cold shock of dread and panic. He’d give anything to be there again, 15 years old and tossing insults while they perfect their knife work. He’d give anything for one more back alley meet up, hiding from suspicious officials. He’d give anything for them to take it back, to say they’d been confused, that this wasn’t her fate. 

The holo’s remote shattered as it hit the wall. He hadn’t even been aware he’d thrown it. For the first time in his life, Kyan’s hands trembled as the usual cold front he maintained crumbled to dust. Was this devastation? Desperation? 

“I’ll be fine.” 

The dusty back room of the Justice Building was sweltering as he saw Gleam off on reaping day, foolishly jealous that her name had been pulled and not his own. Her arms crossed over, expression hardened as if his farewell had been an inconvenience. 

“I dunno, you were pretty pathetic at target practice last week.”

If he were being honest, he had never once doubted her ability to reach victory. They’d spent years sparring, trading blows as freely as they had cutting remarks, and even if Kyan had spent years mocking her technique, Gleam was a more than capable fighter. 

Was.

But she’d never been good at controlling her anger, never made an effort to keep in line. Gleam was loud and unapologetic, refusing to fit the mold they had cast for her. They should have known it would be her downfall.

The Capitol pinned hit on the rebellion, but Kyan was smarter than that. Her years of nonconformity was a danger to no one but Snow and, of course, herself. There was nothing the President hated more than an unruly victor who threatened the system. Gleam had never been one to let someone hold power over her, and Snow refused to be painted a fool. It was only natural for him to get the last word in whatever war they’d been waging.

Kyan was under no illusion this had been a message for the rest of the District 1 team, as well. There was no doubt Snow had known about their secret meetings or the pretend romance with Helios. Gleam’s death was a warning — a promise — that with any misstep, they’d be next. 

Their conversation from just a few days prior came back around. The remnants of the morning’s storm pooled around them in shallow puddles on the back alley’s cobblestone. Kyan hated the rain, but he had gone for her. Because she had asked him to. When Gleam told him of the threat, of how going home to One seemed like a trap, he thought the war was getting to her. His words were not of warning, but of exhaustion.

“Would it kill you to just do what you’re told? For just once in your life?”

Neither of them could have predicted an ending such as this. Killing a victor had been unprecidented before the war, after all, and while she was difficult and incisive in private, the public only knew her to be devoted to the Capitol. It was his fault then, for encouraging her to just go do the damn thing. 

The bottle of whiskey must have apparated in his hand, because Kyan couldn’t recall reaching for it. He took a swig regardless, inviting the burn of the liquor to ease the pain of the sky falling around him.

[thecapitolrogue]

Roswell, New Mexico S02E11 “Linger” ► Are we stress eating?

[thecapitolrogue]

The very last thing Kyan Maddox wanted was a cookie from Haymitch Abernathy, one so surely covered in bacteria not yet studied by humanity. He couldn’t imagine what mischief the victor and his grimy hands had gotten into that evening, and seeing him clumsily reach for another helping almost made his skin crawl. Kyan watched him struggle for a moment, studying his drunken fumbling in judgment. He cleared his throat before speaking as if it would resolve the disgust he felt creeping up on him. “No,” he refused the offer. “I do not.”

Narrowing his eyes, the gamemaker wondered if the man before him was really so dense. Setting aside the fact that scurvy was a non-communicable disease (he knew District 12 struggled, but were they all so poorly educated?), and contrary to whatever Haymitch seemed to be suggesting, Kyan was from the districts. He had grown up in One, relying on his father’s business connections to make it to the Capitol after he’d aged out of the Games. Kyan decided to ignore the comment, choosing to instead match the other’s snide remark. He’d never been one to prioritize deescalation. “I’m not sure what the going salary is for victors these days,” his tone was just as smug, “but if you’re in such dire need of an orange I’m sure I have some spare change here.” He crosses his arms over his chest, gaze critical. “And I won’t even make you beg for it. Maybe.”

" no, " he practically scoffs, even though haymitch abernathy had mentioned it just moments ago. " i stay 'ere, " eyeroll is apparent as hand vaguely gesture towards the tribute center. it's short, as soon hands are fumbling with the cookie box. attention focuses on an indulgent, chocolate chip dessert. conversation gets paused as he helps himself to it. bitter glow mellows some as he enjoys the cookie. it doesn't take away the fact that there's a two - three ? - headed gamemaker before him, but it makes all more tolerable.

" want one ? " he asks, clumsily extending the container towards the other. make no mind, it isn't a peace offering. one of his favorite pastimes is being mouthy to capitolites. he isn't aware that kyan is from one. but those from career districts are as cappy as the people from the districts come as far as the man from twelve is concerned. " as long as ya'ur not 'fraid of gettin' scurvy from somebody from the districts, " there's a nonchalance about it but annoying smug smile finds itself on abernathy's features. like somehow he'd pulled out something witty. ( ignore that's not how scurvy works as far as haymitch knows. ) chaff would find it funny. fuck, where is that big lug now ?

[thecapitolrogue]

Whatever moment of peace Kyan thought he had secured instantaneously crumbled at the sight of Haymitch Abernathy. A drunk Haymitch Abernathy. As if there were any other kind. The thought was unkind and unforgiving, a fact not lost on Kyan, but he couldn’t help the irritation rising within him. As a Gamemaker, he was acutely aware of the victors’ plight — the whole unfortunate lot of them had endured far more than deserved, something he knew he was partly responsible for. This redemption arc Kyan found himself working through was a weak attempt at reconciling with the evil he had created. There’d never be penance, but something was better than nothing.

The foul smell of overindulgence wafted off the victor, but he remained as cool and unbothered as ever. He’d never been a particularly expressive man, even less so in the early hours. “That so?” Would it be the end of the world to just leave him to figure it out on his own? Kyan entertained the thought for a moment. With the stolen file tucked into his bag, ditching the man in favor of retreating to the safety of his own apartment sounded far more appealing than helping Haymitch sort himself out. But something about it didn’t feel right. Maybe Kyan did have a conscience after all. “Living on the streets now, Abernathy? Pity.”

if there was anything tolerable about the capitol, it was their food and the abundance of such. haymitch abernathy, a glutton by nature, was never known much by his appetite. however, sometimes he took his business out of the penthouse and to seedy bars. the latter frustrated him for that dang desire to appear poor and like you're slumming it. the victor had been on both sides and those with wealth could never not find a way to make his salt and pepper lined jaw drop due to unreasonable levels of stupidity. good whiskey numbed him from the pain of losing his mind from that.

and so he finds himself wandering the nearby street with a lilac colored box, filled with overpriced cookies. there's no curfew in the capitol ; chilly air feels good against his overheating skin. he doesn't intend to be talking to anyone. can't that silly little gamemaker realize that he's bringing down the mood ? " i don't care to take no advice from a man with two 'eads, " he speaks too confidently for a man whose whiskey breath permeates like a wasted dragon. " besides i stay 'ere, " ignore the fact they're in the street, and not within tribute center.

[thecapitolrogue]

It wasn’t as if he had been intentionally avoiding Helios. Kyan was never so malicious or petty, especially when the man had done nothing to earn it. It was possible, however, that he had unintentionally found himself creating some distance between them. With the war picking up and the demands for insider knowledge, he was being run ragged trying to evade suspicion from the higher-ups. It might not have been fair to the other, but there were few alternative routes. He felt guilty regardless. The war had been hard on all of them; if he was feeling the heat, surely Helios was as well. Perhaps he owed it to the younger man to entertain whatever antics he was trying to rope him into. Kyan conceded.

“Never had a man fight for my attention before.” There was the slightest indication of humor, one he was sure Helios — and only Helios — would have the skill and experience managing his nonsense to pick up on. “Hate to say it, but I’m not too sure calling me dark and brooding is earning any points in your favor.” Something reminiscent of a smile finds its way to his face, but it’s faint. Helios always had brought out the best in him. Between the two? He was the better man — far more well mannered than Kyan had ever been. “Can’t say I’m too fond of being so predictable, either. I’ll have to work on that. Surely you weren’t really out looking for me?”

Loneliness wasn't a feeling he would ever admit to or even acknowledge. So despite the way that he found himself missing the fellow Victors he now realised had become his friends, he refused to concede that it was loneliness that he was feeling. But as the hours dragged out it was becoming harder to pretend that nothing was wrong so he chose to see it as nothing more than boredom.

That was what had lead him to seek out Kyan, hoping that his guess that his friend might have been working late proved correct. Hands held up in mock surrender ( one of the few people that would ever see that gesture, even light-hearted, from him ) at the other man's tone when he was proven right and their paths crossed. "What, can't a guy stop by his best friend's place of work every now and again?" Hand went to his chest as if the very idea that he couldn't drop in on Kyan whenever he wanted pained him.

For a brief moment he considers sulking in the shadows and attempting some kind of poor imitation of the other man. But in all their years of friendship he'd never quite been able to master mimicking Kyan's demeanour for more than a few moments, inevitably breaking only moments in to the impression. "You've been avoiding me, I had to do something to get your attention. Figured you might like me more if I went the dark and brooding route like you." Even as he speaks a wide grin stretched its way onto his features.

[thecapitolrogue]

Open starter | @eventidestarters | The Capitol

Between Capitol strategy meetings and his own personal business, late nights were not uncommon for Kyan. He routinely worked well into the early hours, watching the clock creep up on midnight, and then past one, then onto two. Years ago this lack of work-life balance would have driven him insane, but now? He wouldn’t complain, not when there was real work to be done. And that’s how he found himself there now, walking the dimly lit halls of the tribute center as he found his way to the door and out onto the street. 

The cool air embraced him as he stepped out into the night. Neon lights illuminated the sky, concealing the stars. It was quiet, almost peaceful, and Kyan allowed himself to relax for just a moment. He deserved it, after all; he had managed to smuggle that file out undetected, and even the smallest of victories deserved to be celebrated. 

But the calm didn’t last long. Kyan rounded a corner, turning onto the next street, only to find himself face-to-face with this unfortunate soul. What business did they have wandering the city at this time of night? Didn’t they know it was dangerous? Kyan froze, doing his best to maintain his unbothered demeanor despite his surprise. 

“What are you doing?” His tired voice had an edge. “Don’t you think it’s a bit late for you to be hanging around here?”

[thecapitolrogue]

CATCHING FIRE (2013) SENTENCE STARTERS

feel free to change pronouns / terms / tense as needed!

❛ You’re okay. You’re safe. It’s okay. You’re here with me. ❜

❛ It’s only a few weeks. I’ll be back before the snow melts. ❜

❛ A lot can happen in a few weeks. ❜

❛ I did what I had to do to survive. If I didn’t, I’d be dead. ❜

❛ If you wanted to be babied, you should’ve asked [name]. ❜

❛ You are a strangely dislikeable person. But you do have your virtues. ❜

❛ Such bravery. Such spirit. Such…contempt. ❜

❛ My dear, I think we can make this so much simpler if we agree not to lie to each other. What do you think? ❜

❛ What is to prevent, say, an uprising? That can lead to revolution. And then, in a fraction of time, the whole system collapses. ❜

❛ You should imagine thousands upon thousands of your people dead. This town of yours reduced to ashes. Imagine it gone. ❜

❛ Tell me. At what point did he realize the depth of your indifference towards him? ❜

❛ I don’t want to kill you. I want us to be friends. But if not friends, then allies. ❜

❛ That was nice acting. Almost thought that kiss was real. ❜

❛ All you need to do is give a few speeches, wave to the crowds, and enjoy your time in the spotlight. ❜

❛ I’m really not in the mood for a lecture. I’ll apologize to [name] later. ❜

❛ You don’t have to apologize to anybody. Including me. ❜

❛ If you can stop looking at me like I’m wounded, then I can quit acting like it. ❜

❛ I’ve never been very good at friends. ❜

❛ She was too young, too gentle. And I couldn’t save her. I’m sorry. ❜

❛ Wait! No! Leave him alone! ❜

❛ I never meant for anyone to get killed. ❜

❛ I’m sorry. I didn’t know what to do. He threatened to kill my family. ❜

❛ Well, I have family, too. Okay? People that I need to protect. ❜

❛ Come here. You’re gonna be okay. I promise. ❜

❛ It was just a dream. I’m sorry. ❜

❛ Will you stay with me? ❜

❛ We could get married. ❜

❛ Eyes bright. Chins up. Smiles on. I’m talking to you, [name]. ❜

❛ Everybody who’s anybody is here. And they all want to meet you. ❜

❛ It’s appalling. Still, if you abandon your moral judgment, it can be fun. ❜

❛ Well, maybe it was you who inspired me to come back. ❜

❛ She’s not who they think she is. She’s not a leader. She just wants to save her own skin. It’s as simple as that. ❜

❛ I agree she should die. But in the right way. At the right time. ❜

❛ It’s moves and countermoves. ❜

❛ It won’t work. Fear does not work as long as they have hope. ❜

❛ They’re gonna hate her so much they might just kill her for you. ❜

❛ If we leave right now, we can be far away from here by tonight. ❜

❛ [name] threatened to have you killed. ❜

❛ You know how I feel about you. But I can’t think about anyone that way right now. ❜

❛ The only thing that I can think about every day, every waking moment, is how afraid I am. There’s no room for anything else. ❜

❛ You haven’t hurt people. You’ve given them an opportunity. They just have to be brave enough to take it. ❜

❛ We have to go before they kill us. They will kill us. ❜

❛ People are looking to you. ❜

❛ I don’t want anyone looking to me. I can’t help them. ❜

❛ Look, you’re new here. Trust me, I’m trying to help you. ❜

❛ Thought you’d be gone by now. ❜

❛ I’m not going anywhere. I’m gonna stay right here. Cause all kinds of trouble. ❜

❛ How can we live like this? How can anybody live like this? ❜

❛ You understand that whatever I do comes back to you. I don’t want you to get hurt. ❜

❛ You don’t have to protect me. ❜

❛ If you cannot contain [name], then I will have to terminate her. ❜

❛ And you’ve come to, what? Ask me to… die? ❜

❛ What’s it say that [name] was here 45 minutes ago begging to save your life and you only just now show up? ❜

❛ You could live 100 lifetimes and never deserve that boy. ❜

❛ There are survivors. There’s no winners. ❜

❛ Do whatever you can. [name] lives. Not me. Promise me. ❜

❛ How could any of us even trust each other? ❜

❛ It’s not about trust. It’s about staying alive. ❜

❛ You look pretty terrifying in that getup. ❜

❛ I haven’t dealt in anything as common as money in years. ❜

❛ I’m an open book. Everybody always seems to know my secrets before I know them myself. ❜

❛ So what do you think? Now that the whole world wants to sleep with you? ❜

❛ I guess we just try to figure out who we trust least and work our way backwards from there. ❜

❛ There’s always a flaw in the system. ❜

❛ How are we gonna kill these people? ❜

❛ God! Does anybody actually believe this? ❜

❛ You know, I’m getting totally screwed over here. ❜

❛ Well, you know what? Fuck that! And fuck everybody that had anything to do with it! ❜

❛ Just be your usual self. Actually, be your happier self. ❜

❛ Make him pay for it. ❜

❛ We’re a team. Aren’t we? ❜

❛ You both deserved so much better. ❜

❛ Any last advice? ❜

❛ Stay alive. ❜

❛ Remember who the real enemy is. ❜

❛ I don’t want to be with anyone else in there. Just you. ❜

❛ Look at this. They’re holding hands. I want them dead. ❜

❛ Good thing we’re allies, right? ❜

❛ Well, I guess we’re not holding hands any more. ❜

❛ I don’t care about any of them. ❜

❛ Be careful. There’s a force field up there. ❜

❛ Oh, my God. You were dead. Your heart stopped. ❜

❛ Someday I want to love someone that much. ❜

❛ We should set up camp. Take turns sleeping. I can take first watch. ❜

❛ That thing I did back there for [name]? That was called “saving his life.” ❜

❛ If I wanted to kill either of you, I would’ve done it by now. ❜

❛ Don’t worry about anything else. I’ll be right here with you. It’s okay. It’s okay. ❜

❛ She sacrificed herself for me and I didn’t even know her name. ❜

❛ They know they’re outnumbered. I doubt they’ll attack again. ❜

❛ They can’t hurt me. There’s no one left that I love. ❜

❛ Love is weird. ❜

❛ I don’t want to be the one that shoots first. ❜

❛ They’re not gonna make that same mistake again. ❜

❛ You know and I know there’s only one person walking out of here. ❜

❛ If you die and I live, I’d have nothing. Nobody else that I care about. ❜

❛ See, this is why no one lets you make the plans. ❜

❛ We couldn’t tell you with [name] watching. It was too risky. Better for you to know nothing. ❜

❛ You have been our mission from the beginning. ❜

❛ This is the revolution. ❜

❛ You promised me that you would save him over me! ❜

❛ You promised me! You’re a liar. ❜

❛ You’re okay. You’ve just been asleep for a few days. ❜

[thecapitolrogue]

{Words by Oscar Wilde from the picture of Dorian gray/Tracy K.Smith, from "Don't You Wonder, Sometimes? Life on Mars}

[thecapitolrogue]

Purple: When did Kyan last cry?

Kyan doesn't really cry. He is much more likely to get angry and yell than feel sad. It's not because he thinks it's weak or anything like that, either. He has always had a tendency to close himself off from his emotions rather than feel them, even as a child. As he got older and became a gamemaker, the apathy was easier to cope with than the guilt he faced over buying into something as horrific as the Games.

If you were to ask him, he likely wouldn't be able to answer this question, but if I had to determine when the last time he cried was, I would say probably 6 or 7 years ago when he finally realized what he had done. It would have been in the middle of the night, with no one around, and lots of alcohol, and he has never acknowledged it since.

[thecapitolrogue]

Kyan: [Caesar, pre 04] The arena is heavenly this Quell! My good sir, which portion of it has been your personal favorite?

It was gross. Sitting behind the anchor desk with Caesar to provide commentary on the Games was gross, and as the studio lights beat down on him, he wondered how he done all those years without wanting to vomit.

Kyan did what he did best and shoved his feelings down. There was no space for feelings as a gamemaker. No space for humanity. Instead, he forced a camera-ready smile.

"Thank you, Caesar. I think we're all very proud of how everything's come together. Having the opportunity to work on the team designing an arena for a Quell has been a remarkable experience," he answered in a convincingly diplomatic tone. "What I like most about this particular arena, out of all of the ones I have worked on in my career, is the variety of challenges we've given the tributes this year. This arena is so full of surprises, I promise you all, this Quell is going to be nothing like we've seen before."

[thecapitolrogue]

Kyan: [Snow] Yes actually, Mr. Maddox. I suppose we can jump right into it. Did you suspect Plutarch or others within the gamemakers station to have less than ideal loyalties to Panem?

And there it was, Snow's motive for calling him in.

Kyan had suspected that the higher ups would be looking for dirt on Plutarch or anything else that may help them identify other rats feeding information to the rebels. Rats like him.

The question seemed straight forward, a simple yes or no, but he knew that whatever he said could have some serious implications for himself and others later down the line. Telling the truth certainly wasn't an option, but after working alongside Plutarch as a Gamemaker for years, denying any inclination of his allegiance wouldn't be believable. Once again, Kyan would have to bury his answer somewhere in the grey area between honesty and deception.

"I suppose I always figured it was a possibility," he began, voice even and unbothered, like he were stating the obvious. In his defense, espionage had always been an essential component of war-time strategy, even in the before times. "It would only make sense for the rebels to want someone on the inside." He paused for a second as he took another sip of his coffee. "Now if you're asking me about Mr. Heavensbee in particular, I'm afraid I can't offer much assistance. Our conversations were almost always about work-matters, and there is very little room for speculation when there are Games to plan for."

[thecapitolrogue]

Kyan worked hard. He always had, but the past few months had been particularly demanding. The weeks leading up to the Games were typically busy, and even though he was assigned to the planning team tasked with designing future arenas and the horrors lurking within them, he routinely found himself getting pulled in to consult on things outside his usual jurisdiction. And then the dominos fell and it sent everyone in the Capitol reeling as they tried to figure out what the hell had just happened and how the rebels had managed to infiltrate the arena. To say that things had gotten hectic would be an understatement. It was no longer a rare occurrence to be working into the early hours of the morning, fueled by countless cups of black coffee and the stress of having the higher ups breathing down his neck.

Having the night off then was the most cherished gift Kyan had ever received. Or it should have been, had it not been for the horribly grating noise coming an apartment down the hall. At first he tried to ignore it, as if his glass of whiskey would be sufficient enough to drown out his neighbor's hysterical wailing, but it just seemed to get worse.

He had finally had enough. Whatever so-called crisis this person was going through could happen quieter. Annoyed, Kyan shoved his feet into the pair of leather loafers he had kicked off at the door when he arrived home from work not an hour ago before padding down the hall, following the horrible sound. He stopped in front of the door it appeared to be coming from and knocked. The door had barely cracked open when he spoke.

"If it's not too much to ask," he said in a snide tone. "Would you mind keeping it down?"

a plotted starter for @thecapitolrogue

She couldn't keep track any longer of how many panic attacks she had in the past couple of hours. President Snow had shown his displeasure. Not in a direct sort of way. No, he was from high society and knew how to wrap a bow around bad news or disdain. And Sara wasn't completely daft. She knew what he had meant when he asked her how long she had walked around with the knowledge she shared during her interview.

Gosh, she was such a silly goose. Her father had scolded her after she had ran to him, sobbing, echoing the President's words. She was basically disowned. How could she be so daft?

It was only a matter of time she got.. executed for treason? Would the execute her over this? Was it really treason? The thought alone pushed more sobs from painted lips. Her breath was all the way up in her chest and rapid. It was an ugly sort of cry. One that could not suppress the whine of desperation. And her make up.. well, let not talk about the make up. It did hit some of the redness that was caused by the many cries, but nothing no longer was on the place she initially put it. Such a mess.

A knock came at her door and she could help but sob even louder. She hid her face in her knees as she was crouched against her dressing drawers. Arms wrapped around her shins as if that would comfort her. Sarah was sure there were peacekeepers at the other side of the door, ready for her execution.

[thecapitolrogue]

There was something about Gleam that was just so incredibly irritating. Was it her refusal to back down? The way she was never afraid to push back against him? Her ability to say just the right thing in just the right way to get under his skin? However aggravating Kyan may have found it, it offered a strange reassurance that, despite everything — the lies, the secrets, the pressure — there were still some constants. And he supposed he was grateful for that, even if that constant was just Gleam being her usual stubborn, incisive self. Her smirk and condescending tone was met with a halfhearted glare.

"I'm happy to head right back to work if that's how you want this to go," he threatened, using his thumb to briefly gesture behind him. It was an empty threat, and he knew that she knew as much, but it still brought him a small bit of satisfaction. "Go ahead, try me. Some people have actual jobs, Gleam."

Or two, if you counted the whole intelligence for the rebellion thing, but he wasn't about to throw that out there. Not yet, anyway, it was far too dangerous, and despite the annoyance Gleam caused him, Kyan wasn't about to throw her into the deep end. Not when there was so much at stake, and he knew what happened to those the Capitol deemed untrustworthy.

He sighed. Would he be watching the interview? Of course he would; even while working, avoiding it wasn't really a choice with the near constant stream of Capitol propaganda in all government buildings. But Kyan had known Gleam long enough to understand that she wasn't asking for the sake on conversation, there was something she wanted him to hear. "Of course," he answered smugly. "As if I would ever miss an opportunity to watch you kiss Capitol ass and suck up to our good friend Mr. Flickerman. They'll have to pry me away from the screen for meetings."

"If I were obsessed with you, my mood wouldn't turn sour the moment I saw your face." She retorted coldly; her arms crossed tightly over her chest. Her irritation stemmed from what seemed to be deliberate tardiness, and she was convinced he had orchestrated that purposefully. The back alleys offered a convenient escape from the prying eyes of the capitol citizens, allowing her to somewhat blend into the public without being recognized in an instant. Everyone loved a victor from District 1, and she happened to be a crowd favorite. Although, Gleam couldn't quite fathom why she was so adored. Fame and fortune had never been welcoming companions to the blonde; instead, she met them with a defensive demeanor and a sharp tongue.

Her heels echoed on the cobblestones as she gracefully positioned herself to face him. "You know, this is the third time this week you've shown up when I've called, like a well-behaved dog - Maybe it's you who's obsessed with me." Gleam quipped with a sly smirk, her hands slipping into her pea coat pockets. Her stylist had begged her not to leave, especially with a morning meeting looming on her schedule and the meticulous work they had put into her appearance. Gleam had been styled to perfection for a series of interviews and photoshoots that day. Despite her disinterest in complying the capitol's demands, she realized that no compliance could be a matter of life or death. 

"Will you be watching my interview tomorrow? The blonde arched her eyebrows as she posed the question, her words measured and deliberate. She was acutely aware that they were never truly alone, especially within the confines of the Capitol's walls.

[thecapitolrogue]

Are they a listener or a talker? If they’re a listener, what makes them talk? If they’re a talker, what makes them listen?

Who have they forgotten about that remembers them very well?

Who would they say ‘yes’ to if invited to do something they abhorred / strongly didn’t want to do?

Would they eat something they find gross to be polite?

What belief / moral / personality trait do they stand by that you (mun) personally don’t agree with?

Answers | @fatefought

46. Are they a listener or a talker? If they're a listener, what makes them talk? If they're a talker, what makes them listen?

Kyan listens; even before the rebellion, he was always trying to gather information about the people around, just in case. It's not that he doesn't talk, but he usually refrains unless someone is directly engaging with him. He likes to observe.

47. Who have they forgotten about that remembers them very well?

I don't think he's entirely forgotten about her, but he doesn't think about Lyah unless he absolutely has to. The 59th Games were his first working as a Gamemaker, and he always thought they would be memorable, however he resented the fact that she was such a pacifist. She was sick and weak and never should have won. He was disappointed, almost as if he finds her victory to be illegitimate. Of course, he can't entirely forget about Lyah, living in the Capitol and all, but she thinks about him way more than he ever thinks about her.

48. Who would they say 'yes' to if invited to do something they abhorred/strongly didn't want to do?

Gleam.

No one, Kyan is independent and makes his own decisions.

49. Would they eat something they find gross to be polite?

It depends on the company. It's all about playing the game when he needs to. If he's working, absolutely. He has a job to do and he isn't going to let his own personal taste risk upsetting someone and compromising a situation that might lead to valuable information. In an informal setting, with friends? Absolutely not.

50. What belief/moral/personality trait do they stand by that you (mun) personally don't agree with?

Kyan is always going to assume the worst. He's very skeptical, and he is quick to judge/place blame. In contrast, I'm always willing to give someone the benefit of the doubt unless they give me reason not to.

[thecapitolrogue]

What’s something that makes them laugh every single time? Be specific!

What do they feel guilty for that the other person(s) doesn’t / don’t even remember?

How do they respond when someone doesn’t believe them?

Answers | @aspenxbarros

12. What's something that makes them laugh every single time? Be specific!

Kyan recalls his time at The Academy very fondly. He felt challenged, respected, he performed well. It was fun for him. Even looking back on it now, many years later, it still makes him happy. Passing stories back and forth with Gleam and perhaps even Helios about sparring as they grey up would make him laugh (except for when Gleam brings up all the times he failed to win against her). Aside from that, I think Kyan has a pretty dark sense of humor/is a fan of shock humor.

23. What do they feel guilty for that the other person doesn't/don't even remember?

It takes a lot for Kyan to feel guilty. He's very stubborn and headstrong, and he usually stands by whatever decisions he makes. It takes a lot for him to ever want to take something back, such as glamorizing the Games and allowing his relationship with his sister become so strained, so it's a little difficult to imagine there would be something he feels guilty about that's mundane enough for someone to forget.

I think one thing he does feel incredibly guilty about, though, is letting things with his sister devolve into what they are now, which is essentially nothing. Kyan doesn't really know Thalia or what she is up to aside from what he hears from his parents. Looking back, he probably feels guilty for picking on her so much as a child because while it was not what caused them to drift apart, it definitely contributed to her negative opinion of him as a person.

29. How do they respond when someone doesn't believe them?

He most certainly gets annoyed, but he will not try to convince anyone of anything. You can take him at his word or not, it's your choice, but he isn't going to waste his time on it. He has better things to do.

[thecapitolrogue]

50, 45, 40

Answers | @incaensio

50. What belief / moral / personality trait do they stand by that you (mun) personally don’t agree with?

Kyan always has to have the last word, he is easily annoyed and angered, and he is not afraid of confrontation. He's aggressive. I, however, am usually very good at pausing, taking a step back, and letting go when I need to. I'm much more inclined to give those I disagree with the benefit of the doubt, and I try to avoid confrontation if I can help it.

45. What’s something unimportant / frivolous that they hate passionately?

Being interrupted. It's one of his biggest pet peeves. Try it once, and he'll probably just glare, but try it a second time? There might be some issues.

40. How do they respond to a loose handshake? What goes through their head?

Kyan judges people for just about anything, and he judges hard. How they enter a room, how loud they talk, how they make use of their time, and of course, how they shake hands.

I don't think it's any secret that he has some kind of superiority complex. He has to have the power, and he has to show it to others. Kyan subscribes to the belief that a handshake says a lot about a person, and that a weak handshake equals a weak person. I think that if he were to shake hands with someone and it wasn't up to par, he would start thinking trying to identify their other flaws.

[thecapitolrogue]

WEIRDLY SPECIFIC BUT HELPFUL CHARACTER BUILDING QUESTIONS

What’s the lie your character says most often?

How loosely or strictly do they use the word ‘friend’?

How often do they show their genuine emotions to others versus just the audience knowing?

What’s a hobby they used to have that they miss?

Can they cry on command? If so, what do they think about to make it happen?

What’s their favorite [insert anything] that they’ve never recommended to anyone before?

What would you (mun) yell in the middle of a crowd to find them? What would their best friend and/or romantic partner yell?

How loose is their use of the phrase ‘I love you’?

Do they give tough love or gentle love most often? Which do they prefer to receive?

What fact do they excitedly tell everyone about at every opportunity?

If someone was impersonating them, what would friends / family ask or do to tell the difference?

What’s something that makes them laugh every single time? Be specific!

When do they fake a smile? How often?

How do they put out a candle?

What’s the most obvious difference between their behavior at home, at work, at school, with friends, and when they’re alone?

What kinds of people do they have arguments with in their head?

What do they notice first in the mirror versus what most people first notice looking at them?

Who do they love truly, 100% unconditionally (if anyone)?

What would they do if stuck in a room with the person they’ve been avoiding?

Who do they like as a person but hate their work? Vice versa, whose work do they like but don’t like the person?

What common etiquette do they disagree with? Do they still follow it?

What simple activity that most people do / can do scares your character?

What do they feel guilty for that the other person(s) doesn’t / don’t even remember?

Did they take a cookie from the cookie jar? What kind of cookie was it?

What subject / topic do they know a lot about that’s completely useless to the direct plot?

How would they respond to being fired by a good boss?

What’s the worst gift they ever received? How did they respond?

What do they tell people they want? What do they actually want?

How do they respond when someone doesn’t believe them?

When they make a mistake and feel bad, does the guilt differ when it’s personal versus when it’s professional?

When do they feel the most guilt? How do they respond to it?

If they committed one petty crime / misdemeanor, what would it be? Why?

How do they greet someone they dislike / hate?

How do they greet someone they like / love?

What is the smallest, morally questionable choice they’ve made?

Who do they keep in their life for professional gain? Is it for malicious intent?

What’s a secret they haven’t told serious romantic partners and don’t plan to tell?

What hobby are they good at in private, but bad at in front of others? Why?

Would they rather be invited to an event to feel included or be excluded from an event if they were not genuinely wanted there?

How do they respond to a loose handshake? What goes through their head?

What phrases, pronunciations, or mannerisms did they pick up from someone / somewhere else?

If invited to a TED Talk, what topic would they present on? What would the title of their presentation be?

What do they commonly misinterpret because of their own upbringing / environment / biases? How do they respond when realizing the misunderstanding?

What language would be easiest for them to learn? Why?

What’s something unimportant / frivolous that they hate passionately?

Are they a listener or a talker? If they’re a listener, what makes them talk? If they’re a talker, what makes them listen?

Who have they forgotten about that remembers them very well?

Who would they say ‘yes’ to if invited to do something they abhorred / strongly didn’t want to do?

Would they eat something they find gross to be polite?

What belief / moral / personality trait do they stand by that you (mun) personally don’t agree with?

What’s a phrase they say a lot?

Do they act on their immediate emotions, or do they wait for the facts before acting?

Who would / do they believe without question?

What’s their instinct in a fight / flight / freeze / fawn situation?

What’s something they’re expected to enjoy based on their hobbies / profession that they actually dislike / hate?

If they’re scared, who do they want comfort from? Does this answer change depending on the type of fear?

What’s a simple daily activity / motion that they mess up often?

How many hobbies have they attempted to have over their lifetime? Is there a common theme?