ka_sera_sera: (old general lean arms crossed)
Roland Deschain ([personal profile] ka_sera_sera) wrote in [community profile] thecapitol2015-01-15 08:23 pm

we walk in love but fly in chains

Who| Roland, the Signless
What| gift giving and figuring out what 'going out on a date' actually entails
Where| vague places around the Capitol
When| recently, a little while after the space arena
Warnings/Notes| none likely, will update if any are needed

The thing about Panem - aside from the imprisonment, the death, the bloodsport and the perpetual, crushing lack of options - is that it is predictable. Once Roland had started to get a feel for the place, for the way the Capitol's attention moves, shifting from one imagined drama to the next but always locked solidly onto their 'tributes', he'd realized the attention felt familiar. Being known as the heir of Eld and son of the Lord of Light, in meaning, could not be more different from being a tribute of this strange, cruel land. In effect, however, the similarities are clear, no matter how little he likes to think on them. 

Which is to say, when one knows the time of an interview, but not the name of the news-man doing it nor the place it'll happen, those latter are not so difficult to figure out. The reporters of this place fight for attention and fame the same way nobles and lesser diplomats used to tear into one another in those old, gone days to the same purpose. If one has been keeping track of the appearances made by his - well, his quadrantmate is probably the best word - and knows the pattern in which Panem's 'TV personalities' tend to tear into one another, then one can figure out where that quadrantmate is going to be with a minimum of fiddling with one's holo-gram wristwatch machine that one has not yet precisely figured the use of. 

So it is that Roland crouches behind one of Panem's elaborately designed, perfumed dumpsters with a fair view of both the front and back paths out of this particular news-building. As vantage points go it was not his first choice, but so long as it keeps him out of sight of those few fans who've followed the same thought-path as Roland himself, he will stay in this spot and be grateful. He watches the two exits, ignroing the flakes drifting over his hair and shoulders because the snowfall is sparse and not a problem yet. Of course, if Signless is wearing a hood against it it might become one, but the shape of the man's body is plenty familiar. If a short, squared figure starts out either path, he'll have to risk leaving his cover to check. 
69problems: <user name="flowertea" site="tumblr.com"> (xtra | Just watch these walls)

i figure roland can just gently intercept him before he gets too far

[personal profile] 69problems 2015-01-19 12:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Signless is feeling, on the whole, just a little overwhelmed. This is more interest than anyone's shown in him in the past year-and-a-half combined and he's still adjusting to it. It's exhausting being in the spotlight, keeping all of his answers charming and interesting but also vague and unlikely to result in unexpected fallout. It's with relief that he steps out of the building, intent on heading back to the tribute tower and sitting somewhere quiet for a while.

He pauses outside to re-arrange his scarf and flip up the collar of his coat (black with fake black 'stones' sewn on in swirling patterns, meant to evoke thoughts of his assigned district). This is his second winter in Panem but the cold is still not exactly his favorite thing about the place. He's even given in and worn real shoes.
69problems: <user name="roachpatrol" site="tumblr.com"> (xtra | I'm not here looking)

[personal profile] 69problems 2015-01-27 02:15 am (UTC)(link)
It says quite a lot about the Signless and what his relationship with the Disciple was like that he doesn't seem too surprised to find his quadrantmate appearing out of thin air unexpectedly. If anything he'd expect to be pounced on and tackled to the ground, but it's something of a relief when that doesn't happen (and Roland doesn't seem the type, anyway). He doesn't fancy the thought of falling face-first into the snow.

"Luckily for both of us, I'm done for today." He catches sight of a group of Capitolites (a few of them in fake horns and gray makeup) advancing on them and decides he wants absolutely none of that. Time to make a hasty escape.

"Walk with me?"
69problems: <user name="robokatar"> | <user name="everking" site="tumblr.com"> (10 | Hold tight!)

[personal profile] 69problems 2015-02-02 02:34 am (UTC)(link)
"I can't say anyone has," he says. As far as he knows he smells no different today than he always does. "But thank you."

"Well they should have," they say, snapping a second picture. By now the rest of the group has caught up with them -- mostly young women, a few young men, and one very out-of-place middle-aged man. Many of them sport horns, and none of the horns are the right colors.

"Are you on a date?" asks one of them, eyes wide. The others all perk up, clearly interested in the answer.

"Are we?" he asks, looking past the mane of bubblegum pink hair (out of which poke a pair of curly purple horns) that separates him and Roland to give the other man a look.
69problems: <user name="always-procrastinating" site="tumblr.com"> (xtra | 'Cause this is his body)

[personal profile] 69problems 2015-02-05 06:03 am (UTC)(link)
Signless has a very quiet, fierce internal battle for all of half a second over whether he should correct the vast amount of incorrect assumptions in those few sentences. He decides that it's probably not worth it. Instead he returns Roland's look with an almost imperceptible shrug.

"He'll get evil when he finds out his boyfriend's been stolen by some old--"

"Excuse you--"

"Shut up, Steve, you know it's true--"

"He does already know," Signless points out in an attempt to stop this squabble from getting out of hand. He has not yet been up close and personal with his fans when they decide to argue amongst themselves and he would like for that to continue being the case. "And he approves. Thus-far it hasn't been an issue at all."

Then something occurs to him and his brows draw down in confusion.

"Troll boyfriends?"
Edited 2015-02-05 06:14 (UTC)
69problems: <user name="sylphee" site="tumblr.com"> (xtra | In the final hour)

[personal profile] 69problems 2015-02-22 03:08 am (UTC)(link)
Signless, sensing that Roland is perhaps out of his depth, decides to put the brakes on this train before it rolls itself into a ravine. He has more than enough experience with keeping groups far larger and more dangerous than this under control.

"You keep it," he says. "Initiate is the musical one. You ought to give it to him. Personally." Sorry, Kurloz. The boy, apparently satisfied with this, sets his pack down again. The fanmix remains safely tucked away.

"But we are on our way somewhere and we really ought to get going. If you want any last pictures you should take them now."

A few other members of the gaggle crowd in for pictures. One demands that he sign her horn. While they're distracted holding up their devices next to each other and comparing photos, he takes Roland's hand and starts walking away at what he hopes is a pace both slow enough to not draw attention and brisk enough for a hasty escape.
69problems: <user name="robokatar"> | <user name="karkinophile" site="tumblr.com"> (6 | You know it's worth the fight)

[personal profile] 69problems 2015-03-03 04:16 am (UTC)(link)
"I've dealt with groups far larger and more insistent than that," he says. It's not something he really thinks of as notable, but then he wouldn't when it was such an ingrained part of his existence for so long. "And I've had a lot of practice."

He considers, briefly, giving in to curiosity and saying he doesn't mind the alley in order to see whatever it is that Roland has for him sooner, but then he remembers the fresh snow on the ground and their easily-followed footprints and thinks better of it. He can wait.

"We could always do what they assumed we were doing and go out somewhere. There are plenty of places to choose from -- and I haven't eaten since this morning." It's a marvel to think that his body has grown used to eating regularly instead of on a schedule of careful rationing, and that it won't unlearn that with his next death. He isn't going to die again.
Edited 2015-03-03 04:16 (UTC)
69problems: <user name="roachpatrol" site="tumblr.com"> (xtra | I'm not here looking)

[personal profile] 69problems 2015-03-06 05:13 am (UTC)(link)
"I've never really been on one," he admits. "Meulin and I made do with what we had, but it wasn't as though we could walk around freely in more populated areas if we wanted to have a day out. Many of our dates were just finding a private place where we could be sure of not being bothered."

Which was harder to accomplish in the vast empty desert than it sounded, and even harder once they started wandering through forests, and completely impossible when their journey took them out to sea in that damned little boat.

"I think the truly important thing is doing something enjoyable with the person you're with and not so much the specifics. I don't know where we'd find a chaperone right now anyway and frankly I don't think I'd enjoy the intrusion."
69problems: kotijumi @ deviantart (xtra | And you keep it inside)

[personal profile] 69problems 2015-03-06 10:01 am (UTC)(link)
Signless gives himself a few moments to answer, busying himself instead with choosing the direction they take (he picks left). The few moments aren't to decide whether he wants to talk about her or not -- why wouldn't he, when she meant so much to him and still does and probably always will? They're just to decide how to begin.

"My Disciple. You've probably heard me call her that more often, it was the title that she took. Meulin was the name she hatched with, and we were close enough that she allowed me to use it. I think you would have liked her. She had that way about her that made it hard not to."
69problems: <user name="robokatar"> | <user name="wraithlike" site="tumblr.com"> (13 | Anyway)

[personal profile] 69problems 2015-03-10 06:24 am (UTC)(link)
"There's quite a lot to tell if you wanted to listen -- even about him." He smiles, though his eyes are elsewhere, scanning the storefronts they walk past (and carefully not meeting the eyes of any of the native humans around them). Surely he'll find somewhere that looks promising.

"He told me that you threw a sword at him. I think it made a good impression, though it takes quite a while for him to open up to anyone."

Finally a place catches his eye. It's a little less over the top compared to most Capitol restaurants (though that's saying very little), but what draws him to it is the massive fish tank visible through the windows, brightly-lit against the low lighting of the dining room. Seafood is one of those things he had very little of on Alternia: even on the boat they ate mostly dried meats and fruits and nuts and other things that would keep for the long journey. He's also as a consequence grown quite fond of it in Panem.

"What about that one?"
69problems: <user name="tubbsen" site="tumblr.com"> (xtra | Love is our resistance)

[personal profile] 69problems 2015-03-12 03:37 am (UTC)(link)
"He wouldn't have been. The more he likes you the less polite he gets."

With the Psiioniic it's always difficult to tell the difference between genuine derision and fond teasing. It takes a practiced eye, something only gained with time.

"He'll have appreciated your bluntness, if nothing else."

As they step up to the marble desk the host titters excitedly. Heads in the dining room turn. The Victor, here, and with his lover? How interesting.

They don't even have to wait or ask to be seated. Another host in a suit with bright glowing inlays made to look like jellyfish markings trots up holding two menus and beckons for them to follow, looking both excited and curious. They're led past the desk and through an archway built into the grand fishtank which separates the dining room from the foyer. As it turns out, the fishtank is the majority of the restaurant -- not only does it line the walls of the circular dining room but the floor and cieling as well. All of the light comes from the tank, which throws the dining room into a shimmering mottled blue and green twilight. Tables with pearly white tablecloths are set out on circular black platforms and booths are built into depressions in the glass around the back wall. They're led to one of these.

The table itself sits on another raised black platform, ringed by a seat made of black leather. Signless sits when their host indicates he should, his black coat blending with the black seat while the inset stones gleam. For as long as he's been in Panem he's avoided spending too much time in Capitol locales, but this might not be so bad. There are no screens playing footage from the last arena. The only sounds in the air are the soft murmurs of the other patrons and light piano music coming from everywhere and nowhere at once. No screams.

On the table, instead of a candle -- no need with the ambient lighting -- is a tall straight glass with a single betta fish inside.
Edited 2015-03-12 04:57 (UTC)
69problems: luzerna (xtra | Hear the soldier groan)

[personal profile] 69problems 2015-04-03 11:52 am (UTC)(link)
Signless's expression is not blank like Roland's is, but there is a certain fixed quality to his polite, patient expression. Perhaps if they make their decisions quickly they won't have to deal with too much overeager hovering. He doesn't hold it against her, not really, but that doesn't mean he enjoys it.

"Drinks sound excellent," he says decisively and she turns to him with a smile that looks just a little grateful. "I would prefer something lighter, personally, though I admit I'm not well-versed in wine."

"I'd recommend this one, then," she says, tapping on an expanding one of the images. The screen fills with information about it that he doesn't bother to read. "The White Fence Chardonnay. It's one of our most popular, pairs well with our entire menu, and is a very good introductory wine."

"That one, then, please."

She seems pleased in the same way a mother might be when their child takes their first wobbly steps. Look, the Victor is assimilating as we speak! He's becoming civilized right before our eyes! I'll go get the camera! But at least it gets her to leave for the moment.

"Now," he says, dropping the fake smile for a more genuine one. "You were saying?"