And you can preen and dream and scream and shout

[confidentially]

Who| Jessica and You!
What| District 3's M.I.A. mentor makes her triumphant return to the Capitol in time to see several of her tributes die.
Where| Some Capitol viewing party.
When| Week 4
Warnings/Notes| Possible frank sexual discussion.

She walked into the party like a death row inmate shambling to meet her maker. There was no mistaking the unhappy look in her eyes, though she feigned indifference Jessica had never been a decent actress. Still, the other guests gushed and gawked at her like she was some rare, wild bird, caught and caged and on display. After nearly a decade of this crap, she was pretty well used to it.

Freshly returned to the Capitol from an extended stay in District 3, she had on a most eye-catching ensemble, with hair teased high enough to catch everyone's attention. She was a sight to behold and she was accustomed to the attention, even if a year out of the spotlight had done very little to dispel her rage over the changes in the Capitol. She'd always been mercurial, loathing change unless she was the one making it, and these alterations to the way things were did not sit well with her in the least. But after being sent away for some... reeducation, she was prepared to keep her mouth shut and smile for the cameras.

At least until the liquor ran out anyway.

With a ridiculously fruity cocktail in hand, she slid into an empty corner which provided a decent view of the television monitor, sipping her drink as she watched the highlights of the Arena on TV.

"It's like they're not even trying. I swear to god."

Comments

[splendid_roman]

"Perhaps they're not." Ian had seen the woman come in, but couldn't see anything special about her. It didn't help that he didn't particularly want to be here, but it had been a mandatory party and there was only so far he could push it. It did mean that he was a bit grumpy.

"If they die all that happens is they come back to life here, so they might not see a reason to try."

[confidentially]

That was her line of thought too, though she was careful to try swallowing back her hostilities. Jessica had to at least pretend she'd learned her lesson about speaking up when her opinion wasn't solicited. The lesson wouldn't ever really stick, of course, but she had to try. For awhile.

She eyed the man with a guarded look, recalling that she'd seen him before, in the Arena. He was a Tribute, she remembered, though she hadn't paid any attention to his name before. None of the new Tributes had mattered before. They may as well have been nameless, faceless nobodies as far as Jessica had been concerned. After her "rehabilitation" though, it was important that she make an effort to at least recognize who they were.

"That's because they don't give a crap about the Districts at all. If they were invested in us, they'd care about winning for us." She used the word us quite liberally, considering her appearance was that of an extravagant Capitol citizen. She took a long sip of her drink and rolled her eyes. "The whole point of the Games has been lost on everybody."

[splendid_roman]

"It's hard to fight for a place you don't know well. It would be different if it was for our freedom or our homes." Although the trouble with that argument was that they'd just visited the districts they were representing and met the people who wanted them to win.

"And when you've been doing it for a while it doesn't feel like you're ever going to get anywhere," he added, with a sip of his drink.

[confidentially]

Jessica didn't think a week long vacation could do much in terms of honest and actual investment in the Districts, but she held her tongue and fidgeted with her straw.

"See, that's what I'm talking about. You're disillusioned, or whatever. You barely even care about living, let alone winning. Right?"

[splendid_roman]

"That about sums it up," he said, with a wry smile. "It's hard to care about anything you do in the arena when it all just gets reset when you come out." Once he would have worried about what he said, but he didn't really care about that any more either.

[confidentially]

"If I were in charge, you know the first thing I'd do?" She sat up, looking Ian square in the eyes. "I'd get rid of the Tribute center here and send everyone out to live in the Districts between the Arenas. They've got the ability to do it. I don't know what's stopping them."

She glanced over her shoulder then, just in case anyone important was listening in. She knew she was being watched, but she didn't need to take unnecessary risk. "Live with us for a month or two. It'll change your opinion."

[splendid_roman]

"I'd quite like that," Ian said thoughtfully, sitting up as he warmed to the idea. It would stop friendships between tributes, except ones in the same districts. Although they weren't likely to be any freer there than here, but any prison was still a prison. "I liked District 3 when we visited it a few weeks ago."

[confidentially]

"District Three?" Jessica perked up, suddenly taking an actual interest in him. "So you're one of mine after all. Good. I can work with you. You're open minded enough. And tall. That's important, you know."

She gave him an appraising nod, then smiled slyly. "We haven't met. I'm Jessica Wakefield. I'll be your mentor starting like, yesterday."

[splendid_roman]

He blinked, wondering how height came into anything. He relaxed and smiled when she introduced herself. "I'm Ian Chesterton and I'm probably more trouble than I'm worth to mentor."

[confidentially]

"I'm pretty sure my mentors thought the same thing about me." She seemed rather amused then, setting her drink aside on a nearby table. "It just goes to show that anybody can be a victor. You just need to work on your strategy, that's all."

[hotelcicero]

Velma was all smiles. All sharp teeth and blood red lips rather than warm and welcoming, granted, but still a smile. Most people in the Capitol never could tell the difference, anyway. She was curled in her own overstuffed chair nearby, wine in one hand, smoking cigarette holder in the other. Her high heals had been kicked off for now, resting haphazardly on the floor in front of her as she opted to tuck her feet up under her body. Because no matter how utterly annoyed she was to be back on the victor side of the party room, Velma Kelly was never one to look putout at a gathering. Better to leave the sulking- and any semi-honest opinion- for when the camera was off.

Her smile turned slightly more sharp as she turned to her fellow victor, offering a small salute with her wine before replying.

"Now, don't pout, honey. It's only a game."

[confidentially]

Jessica was torn between wanting to enter Velma's orbit and wanting to stick it out on her own and let the satellites come to her. She held the other woman in a special sort of esteem, having a special fondness for the beautiful and glamorous victor. She'd even tried to emulate Velma with all of her charm and beauty. That had been a long time ago though, back when Jessica had first exited the Arena and she needed to establish the sort of victor she would be. Now she saw Velma for what she really was: a shark with pointy teeth and a vicious streak that put even Jessica Wakefield to shame. She was something to behold though, and a charismatic one at that. Even the blonde, in all of her finery and splendor could still be awed and become a giddy young fan at the sight of Velma Kelly. No matter that they'd been in each other's spheres for years now, she still felt a bit starstruck around the veteran star.

"I know that," she huffed, pout still firmly in place. If Velma was the picture of cool sophistication, Jessica was the epitome of the wild child, driven by her feelings to a fault. "I just want my kids to win."

[hotelcicero]

"Oh, but then you'd have to talk to them."

She paused for half a beat, tagging a drag on the cigarette. Then laughed. Just joking, see? Clearly she wouldn't be complaining about new victors joining the herd. Even if those victors were, to her way of thinking, just playing pretend. A real victor didn't get a second chance, after all. It was win or die. These Games were just that now. Kids playing.

What was said out loud, of course, was a different story all together.

"Or maybe there's one or two you wouldn't mind sharing the suite with, hm?"

[confidentially]

It was comforting, in a way, to know that somethings hadn't changed. Velma was still Velma, and the veteran victors were still themselves. It was also strangely comforting to know her reputation was still in tact, no matter how her handlers had tried to intervene.

"The only one I'd bother with up and married one of yours." Which was a terrible pity, not that she needed to be dallying with Tributes. Victors, perhaps, but certainly not Tributes. She was above all of that by this point in her life.

[hotelcicero]

"Oh, and wasn't that darling?"

Marriage. Ugh, what a terrible concept. She'd watched the entire joke play out from the comfort of her own (boyfriend's) apartment. They seemed actually serious about it, which just ruined the entire show for her. Being clever was one thing, just blundering through the darkness in the name of love another.

"Though after that district 12 show, I though the love story was a little played out. But you can't argue with the crowds."

[confidentially]

"They fall for it every time." It wasn't just those particular Tributes either. She'd hadn't been back a day or two before the stylists and escorts had her caught up on all the latest gossip about the recent batch of victors fooling around with some of their Tributes. It seemed to be quite the scandal, at least for anyone who believed it was real. "And what about you, Velma? Any gorgeous hunks of man catch your eye lately?"

[quiteliterally]

A little later in the night, Chris and Champion come to sit by her, and the taller of the two gestures to Jessica and her drink. "That is the third one you've had, and with your stature and alcoholic content in mind... Another could literally kill you."

He throws an arm around the back of the couch across from her so he can regard her somewhat blankly, though she is very beautiful of course. Champion takes a more headlong approach, dropping his head into her lap and looking up at her with his big doughy brown eyes.

[confidentially]

Jessica looked up at him slowly, blue eyes rolling in an expression that screamed about just how little she cared. This wasn't her first rodeo, she knew how to handle herself. She'd been attending these sorts of parties since she was sixteen. Besides, if she wasn't a little bit wasted, she might actually feel something inside.

"Maybe that's the point. Did you ever think of that?" The snark in her voice was tempered only by the smile on her face. That smile only faltered when Champion looked up at her with those puppy dog eyes. It was hard to stay angry with someone so cute. Jessica couldn't help but ruffle his fur. "Oh my gawd! Baby!"

[quiteliterally]

"That is, overwhelmingly depressing if you intend to die tonight." And he will not stand for it!!! "And I am not a baby; in fact--"

Oh. She was talking about the dog. He sighed, human interaction was not going his way tonight. "I am forty-four years old." God he hates his life, and himself.

[confidentially]

Forty-four? Ugh. He could practically be her father. Not that she was paying much attention to Chris anyway. Instead, she was fully distracted by the cuteness that was Champion. Still, she paused from petting the dog to level the man with a look. "I've let a depressing life. Don't pretend you haven't noticed."

[quiteliterally]

"I have noticed, and it isn't depressing so much as--" Can he spin this? Isn't he supposed to be able to spin anything? He's the spin master, dammit. He looks up at her with an entirely renewed resolve, arm dropping back to his side. "Uplifting. Yes, uplifting. Your district tells the untold story of the underdogs."

[confidentially]

"Oh please. You know no one likes me outside the Capitol. They all think I'm a whore." Her voice sounded bitter, but her expression didn't change, and she resumed petting the dog. "What's his name?"

[quiteliterally]

"Oh, I'm certain they could never think that about someone so wonderful." His voice is soft, but sincere before his face opens out in a bright but slightly more genuine-looking smile. "His name is Champion."

[confidentially]

He couldn't really think that. Not really. Anyone who spent more than ten minutes with her found her to be insufferable and mean. It wasn't her fault, it's just how she was wired. It was how people reacted to her. She couldn't help it.

Pouting, she looked back at Champion. "You remember my arena. You know what they broadcast."

Splices of scenes, playing up her alleged seduction of her fellow Tributes. Nothing explicit for the viewers, mind, but enough to cause a stir.

[quiteliterally]

"Yes, well, as much as I do enjoy the games... I know sometimes they can get a bit personal. What you do outside of the arena should be no business of theirs. Or mine."

It doesn't change my opinion of you, he wants to say, but that's too close. That makes it sound like he knows her, even if he feels like he knows everyone from the constant coverage. It's a complicated emotion, and the way Champion tries to crawl into her lap speaks volumes: even he knows she needs a hug right now. What a brilliantly smart dog, Chris thinks.

"Your opinion of yourself is the most important one. Actually, it's the only one. Do you think you're a whore, Ms. Wakefield?"