thecapitol | [closed-ish, PM for thread starters?]

Marius thinks it unfair that he be disallowed from living with his wife. They are married, after all, (though technicalities such as the legality of it has been shoved into the darker corners of his mind, to accompany the events and emotions he would much rather avoid thinking about, for as long as he can,) so it is only appropriate that the next step be creating a home, as much as a "home" can really be created in this wretched world.

So when he is not with his lark, he occupies his time writing letters of love, or wandering the Capitol streets in search of a quiet, secluded shop or cafe he can bring her to when they meet next, or going through photographs of their wedding, such as he is doing now.

Cosette in her blue and pink-floral wedding down, walking down the aisle with starlight in her hair and mirth in her smile... It's all he's ever dreamed of, his purpose in life known to him the moment he glimpsed her and thought: this must be what it's like, to fall in love. The tiniest tremble of a smile crosses his face as he flips the page with his bandaged hand and his eyes land on an image of them, her dainty hands in his, her smiling up at him. At him! As if he's special, as if he's extraordinary.

And he doesn't think he is, not at all. But when she looks at him like that he thinks it's all right if no one else thinks he'll ever be worth something, as long as he's special to her.

Edited 2014-03-22 05:29 (UTC)

Ian was on his way in when he passed Marius looking at a photo album. He couldn't see from here what the photos were of, but they were obviously special to Marius. "Is that something from home?" he asked, standing nearby. He didn't want to interrupt, but if he had had some contact from home he wanted to know more.

Marius's shoulders tensed visibly, the question startling him enough to sweep him away from his thoughts and daydreams and dump him unceremoniously back to the present. He blinked, then turned to the sound of the voice.

A faint blush crept up his cheeks as he shook his head. "No, monsieur." After a brief pause, he added, almost timidly, although he made no move to retract the photo-book should Ian—for he knew vaguely of him, despite never speaking to him until now—wish to view it, "These are images from my wedding."

"Oh," Ian said in understanding. He remembered hearing about the wedding at the time, but since he didn't know the bride or groom he hadn't gone. "How's married life?" he asked, curious about why anyone would think getting married would be a good thing here.

"It is..." He snapped his mouth shut for a moment; the ever-present fear that had been made more prominent ever since the last arena prevented him from saying what he truly felt. That the lavish wedding's purpose was not for the union but the entertainment, and that nothing had truly changed save for the silver band he now wore on his finger.

Eventually, and with measured tone, he said, "It differs from what I had imagined married life would be. For one, we do not live together."

Edited 2014-03-31 16:06 (UTC)

"Ah. That is different," he agreed. Being married just wouldn't be the same if it didn't involve living together. And this wasn't the sort of place that would give those sorts of concessions.

"Then why get married at all?" Ian asked frowning.

His face turned even redder, if that were possible. He ducked his head and rubbed the back of his head with one hand.

"I-I suppose..." Despite the embarrassment, a tiny, dreamy smile formed on his lips. "I had been carried away in that certain moment I had proposed to her during Enjolras's crowning. It was a dream, and yet it seemed so real, and flowers bloomed all around her and she was so beautiful, and so..."

He drifted off there, his smile turning bashful.

Ian could understand that and he smiled slightly. "It sounds very romantic." He had once hoped he'd feel like that one day, but not here.

"You're not worried about the Capitol using her against you or vice versa?" That was his biggest worry, although perhaps Marius was less of a problem for the Capitol than he was.

He was still smiling, for indeed, it had been romantic—but the smile froze at Ian's frank question.

He cast a hasty, alarmed glance at him before his gaze drew back to the album, which he then slammed shut rather abruptly. He sputtered, then: "I... I do not think..."

His face paled and a mild tremble grew in his hands, so he folded them on top of the album and pressed them together. Yes, he was scared. He was terrified, and fear was the greatest motivation for him to remain silent about his obvious distaste for the Capitol, or engage in open protest. "They would have no reason to."

"That's good," he said, but he felt guilty. "I'm sorry, I didn't meant to worry you."

It was for the best that it was something Marius considered, he thought. When their every move was being watched and everything they said was heard it was best to be careful. Admittedly, Ian didn't care that much any more, but then he wasn't married and he didn't have anyone else he needed to worry about.

The apology, in turn, made Marius feel a bit guilty himself, and so he hastily shook his head. "N-No, it is fine."

He wanted to say so much more. That he was certain Cosette had been brought here to silence him. That maybe it was even a punishment for speaking against the Capitol so openly, back when he first arrived. That he will never believe that any of them are truly safe.

Instead, he raised his eyes back to Ian and said, "I do not believe we have been formally introduced yet. My name is Marius Pontmercy."

"Ian Chesterton," he replied, dropping the subject. "Do you miss her, not living together?" He thought he knew the answer to that, especially given that Marius was looking through photo albums, but talking about that might take his mind off worrying what the capitol could do to her.

Marius nodded at the introduction and uttered a polite, well-practiced, "A pleasure," followed by a pause and a melancholy smile at, "I miss her whenever we are parted."

He truly wished they could be a wedded couple. Not just getting married in as extravagant a way as possible, but a true wedded couple, spending each day waking up together, immersing themselves with conversations about plans for a new house, a family, perhaps a pet... Will they ever have that kind of life at all?

"Do you know that feeling, monsieur? The need to spend every single moment with the person you love."

He shook his head. "Once perhaps, but not for a while. I count myself lucky, given the circumstances we're living in." It would be even harder to be here and be missing someone that much.

A silence passed Marius then, and he stared at his hands with a thoughtful look. After a moment, he said, "Maybe you are."

And it might have been wrong for him to find happiness with Cosette in a world like this, when she instead should not have been brought here at all.

"Funny sort of lucky, but things could be worse." Things could nearly always be worse. "At least she's unharmed, even if you can't be with her all the time."

Marius often meanders along the streets of the Capitol whenever he's not spending time with Cosette, but even then his thoughts find their way back to her. More often than not, this absent-minded daydreaming of his leads him, unknowingly, to establishments and places he had not quite been to before. And so this is how he managed to eventually impress the secret twists and turns of the streets in his mind.

It so happens that he is on one of these wandering moments that he catches a familiar person from the corner of his eye. He pauses, squinting his eyes to get a better look, and widening them when he recognizes Ian. Ian, who happens to be stumbling out of a bar and looking very much intoxicated.

With a sudden surge of concern, he rushes towards him, making hasty apologies to people he brushes against to get to the younger man. "Gallagher!"

Ian had been out since the early afternoon, a party at dinner, an after party, hitting the clubs after that. The list had gone on and now he was leaving a club, planning to go to another when he heard his name being called.

He looked around for the source and broke into a grin when he saw the man, "Marius! Hi."

"Hello."

Marius cast a glance at the signboard of the establishment the other man had emerged from; it was one of those gathering places with music and dancing that people termed a 'club.' He himself had never been to one, but only because he never quite understood the pleasures of dancing while inebriated.

So it concerned him all the more, where Ian had been. Cautiously, and so as not to offend, he dared to ask, "How are you tonight?"

And inebriated Ian definitely was, he swayed as he made his way over to Marius. He was glad to see him, he hadn't since they had met in the arena. But he was happy to see Marius looking healthy at least, though who knew if he was actually okay.

"Alright, you? You been out?"

Marius gave an almost distracted nod. "Yes, I have."

The swaying was most definitely a cause for worry. "Do you... perhaps need assistance?" And he almost added 'walking' to that query, but he halted just in time.

"Naw I'm fine." He grinned and swayed again, "Company would be nice though, if you're not busy."

Normally, Marius would have been convinced, but he had been around long enough with intoxicated people to tell that Ian was currently one of their kind.

And aside from his growing worry for his friend, he had to admit that he did wish for company. So he nodded, casting a glance around before returning his gaze to Ian. "Company, I can offer. Where is your destination?"

"Not sure," He shrugged, "I didn't have a plan, was just going to wander until I found somewhere interesting." He shrugged with a small smile.

Marius paused at that, his lips pressed into a thin line as he glanced around in an attempt to pull from his memory a place without alcohol, or a large crowd.

After a few seconds had passed, his face brightened almost abruptly, and he rested a hand on Ian's shoulder. "There is a place I rather like, if you would wish to see it."

Ian nodded at him, "Cool, lead the way." He was happy to go anywhere, even if it wasn't another bar. He thought he had probably had enough anyways.

Marius nodded, then used his hand on Ian's shoulder to gently nudge him out of the crowd and into one of the narrower streets, completely oblivious to the curious stares following them. "It is this way."

The tea shop was a place he had discovered accidentally, when he had been wandering in a completely opposite direction, got distracted with daydreams and reverie, and missed one or two turns. It turned into a welcome error, however, as the much less crowded place quickly became a favorite haunt of his.

It was to this hole where he led Ian, praying that the younger boy not express opposition on the way there.

Ian let himself be led down the streets vaguely aware that if he were sober he would be a bit more cautious. Not that he didn't trust Marius, the guy seemed nice enough and Ian had spent time with him in arenas without being killed.

He raised an eyebrow at the place though, "A tea house, seriously? People go to these?"

He doesn't expect to find Pruna in the ice cream parlor.

In retrospect, he should have deemed it a possibility, for Pruna is still a child regardless of her impressive, almost fear-inducing competency in the arena. It is simply that the thought of coincidentally being in the same place as her had never occurred to him. He tries to make a hasty exit—for he still feels a little offended about Pruna stabbing him in an attempt to rob him of his belongings in the arena—but a rather loud waitress screams, "Ceasar's Tits, if it isn't Marius Pontmercy and Pruna in the same shop!"

Shamelessly, she pulls Marius by the sleeve of his jacket and drags him closer to Pruna. "Can I get a picture with both of you?" Molly—according to the swirly lettering on the pin of her uniform—pleads as Marius's entire face turns a deep shade of red.

And all he wanted was to purchase a cone for Cosette, so he can watch the way her face lights up as if the sun lives inside her.

Edited 2014-03-22 14:42 (UTC)

Pruna was just sat quietly with duck (she had finally won that fight, and duck was allowed in as long as she didn't let him make a mess or annoy anyone) when the waitress shouted her name. She blinked at Marius and wrinkled her nose, she hadn't seen him since X5-452 had stopped her attacking him.

She blinked at Molly and then Marius, "If he do be wanting to be having one." She said finally, some people acted all mad angry if she had attacked them in the arena.

And Marius had never been the type to decline a lady, so after a nod, excited squealing from Molly, a flash of a camera, and several hasty utterances of thanks, he found himself sitting beside Pruna rather dazedly.

It took a while for him to recuperate from the shock (yet again) of being recognized as a celebrity. Once he did, he glanced at her, awkwardly, and mostly in an attempt to start a conversation. "Um. Might there be any ice-cream flavors you could recommend?"

Pruna smiled, because she had learned fast that that was what you did when people pointed the things with the buttons at you. Not attack like she had tried to do in her first few days, she had gotten into trouble for that.

"There do be being lots I can be recommending, do you be liking fruit or chocolate?"

Given that no one has attacked anyone else yet, Marius would think that this chanced encounter was going well so far. He paused, staring curiously at the duck for a moment, before deciding that a duck was far better than a tiger, like what Maximus owned.

So he tore his eyes off Pruna's pet and glanced at the board menu, wide-eyed and a little bewildered at the choices. "Chocolate, I would think. But not for myself; rather, it is for my wife."

Duck, for his part seemed very uninterested in this new person, more bothered with trying to see if Pruna had any food for him.

"Your wife?" Pruna had been at the wedding, though she didn't know Cosette very well. "Why do she no be being here? She could be choosing for herself, there do be being so many and do you even be knowing if she do be wanting sprinkles?"

Marius stared at her, wide-eyed, as if grasped by a sudden disbelief that this very same child was truly the one who had without hesitation nor conscience attacked and stole from him during the last arena.

He hastily blinked the shock away, however, and smiled. Genuinely, now, because despite all, Pruna was still a child. "It is a surprise, you see. She would like it." He paused, before adding, "Would you suggest sprinkles?"

"A surprise?" Se wrinkled her nose but then nodded. She could accept that. Hopefully he would know his wife well enough to make a good choice.

"I do be suggesting sprinkles, I do be suggesting all the sprinkles because they do be being delicious."

"Oh." He stared in bewilderment at the wide assortment of sprinkles. He might need to purchase a particularly large serving of ice cream to fit them all in. "Thank you."

And with that conversation now at its apparent and logical conclusion, he found himself fidgeting in the brief, awkward silence that followed, before asking, in haste, "Would you want one, as well?"

Pruna grinned at him, glad that he was taking his advice. She nodded, because of course she wanted ice cream, she always wanted ice cream.

"I will be buying them though, for me, you and your wife. Because you did no be killing anyone and so that do be meaning you do no be having no money and you will be owing whoever do be owning the card things."

She might not understand this credit thing much, but she knew she had money because she killed people and those that didn't had nothing and she had been sent to kill or scare enough debtors to know the consequences.

Marius pressed his lips together, fighting back his disapproving frown. He already knew from earlier conversations (and actual arenas) that Pruna would kill without hesitation, but he never once simply accepted it. How could he, when she was but a little girl? She was just a child and yet she had already killed more than he.

"Thank you, but that is not necessary." He had managed to keep his tone steady enough and devoid of any trace of displeasure, but only after a few silent seconds had passed between them. "I may not have killed, but I have enough to buy ice-cream for all of us."

"How can you be having money when you do no be killing anyone?" Pruna wrinkled her nose at him, as far as she knew that was the only way. And anything else was just borrowing off the cards.

Unless Marius had stole some money, but he didn't seem like the type to be able to. She couldn't imagine it anyways.

"I buy only the things I need, or that Cosette desires," was his quick, rather proud response. He had learned how to live with the bare minimum back in Paris, after all, and the thought of consuming money that came from the Capitol still unnerved him somewhat.

It did right now, he noted, but he contented himself with the thought that it could make his wife and this little girl satisfied.

Pruna sighed annoyed that Marius didn't understand, "But when you do no be killing anyone you do no be having any money. The card do no be being real money, if you do be using it then you will be being in the Capitol's debt. And then they will be wanting it back."

[closed-ish, PM for thread starters?]

For Ian C.

Re: For Ian C.

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For Ian G.

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For Pruna

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