thecapitol | (no subject)

Who: Topher and OPEN
When: Week Six and Seven
Where: Out and About
What: Reunions and tears. Probably not many tears

It was strange returning to this place. Strange, but not as frightening as one might think.

Okay, the whole death arena thing was kinda scary, but if Topher just ignored that whole issue, then coming back wasn't so bad. It certainly made things that happened back home easier to forget. Whiskey, Claire, whoever was a giant headache. Run around and trying not to die? Only a small headache that was easily soothed by juice boxes and cake.

One frustration was wandering around in a constant state of deja vu. Everything was familiar and yet sometimes he had zero idea why he knew a thing or person. He was normally not one for going outside under the best circumstances, but with this awkward memory thing he tried to at least take time out to wander around and jog his memory.

The more he wandered the more he was annoyed by how many people there were and how they all wanted to talk to him only to become offended when he stayed silent. Socialization was for chumps and Topher was no chump. What he was, was hungry, so he braved the line of some brightly decorated monstrosity of a cafe and ordered an extra large slice of whatever had the most chocolate. He sat at a table in the corner and tucked into his own chocolate profiteroles cake.

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Chris recognized him instantly, Topher Brink. One of his favorites this cycle, of course, just like all his other favorites. But oh my word what was he eating. Without any pretense whatsoever, he slid into the booth across from Topher and sipped his protein smoothie.

"That is literally the most unhealthy, most delicious-looking thing I have ever seen."

Topher stops mid bite to glare at his unwelcome company. "That's sort of the point. Life is too short to deny yourself the good stuff."

He takes his bite with a bit of smugness. Health nuts. Of course the Capitol would have creepy health nuts. This place was basically Los Angeles on acid.

"What a delightful motto. Especially for an accomplished Tribute such as yourself." A bright grin as Chris leans across the table a bit to get a better look at the thing. "And what do they call this sugar coma waiting to happen?"

Was this guy serious? Topher would have looked around for cameras, except he'd be more surprised not to find any than to see them flying around like mosquitos.

"Death by chocolate? I don't really pay too much attention to the fancy names when I'm in a carb mood." He nodded to the silverware that laid next to the guy's arm on the table. "Join in, I promise you don't get diabetes from one bite of heaven; usually it takes, like, three."

Chris blinked down at the fork next to his elbow, like he didn't know what it was or what he was expected to do with it. "I know you're joking, but 'death by chocolate' is an ominous title..." Especially for something so unhealthy. Did he dare...? "You go on, maybe I'll join in later."

Was it hot in here? Chris felt hot. He moved to loosen his collar a little, glancing around as if he'd find the answer written somewhere in neon. Was the Capitol not the city of excess? He raised his fork, but didn't move towards the cake, realizing he skipped over an important part of Topher's speech. And it wasn't 'diabetes.'

"A carb mood." Maybe he wasn't so far out of his element with tributes, after all. "Have you ever tried kale chips? They are literally the most satisfying carbohydrate on this earth."

Was this guys a priest? Who had that sort of self control around chocolate? Topher took his next bite as slowly as possible. There was some serious chocolate seduction going on. Come on, man, join the chocolate side.

He licked his lips and frowned at Chris. "No, see, carbs are suppose to be delicious and no where near healthy. It's no fun if it's good for you."

"Fun isn't really the point of... eating. Food is fuel, and whatever you put in your gas tank -- well. Have you ever heard the expression 'you are what you eat?' I would not like to become a chocolate cake, as delicious as that would make me."

"You're kidding, right? Don't you think things are boring enough without breaking out with the inappropriate starches?" He took another large bite and added a large sip of his strawberry milk to wash down the cake. "If turning into a delicious chocolate cake is my destiny then so be it. You," he pointed at Chris with his fork, "will die healthy and unhappy if breaking into chocolaty goodness doesn't happen in your life now and again."

He scowled as he looked at the cake. Was that true? Would he die unhappy? It certainly seemed that way of late, and he didn't want something so simple to stand in his way. Not when being happy was an even higher priority than being healthy. "Even if it shaves a year off my life?" He paused a beat, fork raised in a hover over the cake slice. "I suppose 149 is still an admirable age to... stop living."

Seriously? This guy needed some R&R before he imploded. Topher nudged the plate closer to Chris and waited for him to take a bite. "Dude, live dangerously, eat more cake!"

"Okay... If you insist." With an expression of most serious resolve, Chris forked a small bite of cake and popped it into his mouth. Damn, that was good. He sighed and closed his eyes. "That is literally the greatest thing I have ever eaten. I would gladly turn into a chocolate cake if I could be that chocolate cake."

"Hey Sally, it's just cake." He took another bite. Sure it was good, but this guy was acting like he...oh yeah. "This is why you should indulge now and then, so you don't have a joy-gasm every time you bite into an inappropriate starch."

"I'm not Sally, I'm Chris!" He giggled delightedly at the obvious mix-up, shaking his head. "It isn't just cake. Someone baked a great deal of effort and love into it, I can taste it."

"Dude, they need to offer you guys more movies in this place." Not that Topher was recommending 'When Harry Met Sally,' but one had to respect the '80's. "No, what you're tasting is sugar and processed flour, not to mention too much butter for one heart to handle alone." Perfection.

O-oh, when you put it that way... Chris' fork clattered to the table as he tried to convince himself his heart wasn't beating faster just from ingesting the cake. No, that was just the nerves of impending death. He could breathe through this. Maybe. Closing his eyes only brings to mind various ways in which his organs could be failing him at this exact moment in time.

"I guess it's a good thing I didn't let you eat it alone, then," Chris finally managed, uncomfortably, looking like he might actually want to throw up.

Topher stared at him as Chris suddenly looked like he was going to keel over and die. What a drama queen. Topher rolled his eyes and continued to eat the cake until there was nothing left but crumbs.

"Yeah, I could have been left all by my sugar laden self. Me, chocolate, and quiet. Horrible." He would never admit that he sort of liked the company, just like he never admitted to using the Dolls for personal reasons. Hey, if an Active wanted to hang out and play video games, who was he to argue?

Chris put an elbow against the table and pillowed his chin on his hand, watching Topher once he was able to push down his own fear and nausea. "Does it remind you of home?"

Topher eyes him as he finishes off the cake. "Oh yeah, I really love all this forced socialization just to get a slice of carby goodness." He licked the fork for any stray crumbs before putting it down and leaning back in his chair. "There is nothing like home here. Home is where my heart is...and my bed. Home is where I'm a very important person while here I'm one of how many Tributes? Not even cake reminds me of home."