thecapitol | Conscientia

Entry tags:

Conscientia

WHO| Open
WHAT| Night life at the Speakeasy
WHEN| Evenings this week
WHERE| The Speakeasy
WARNINGS/NOTES| Feel free to use this party post style, or however you like if you would like to set any threads here.

The speakeasy was a classy joint. Wood panels, and soft velvet, and usually some kinda of live music, something mellow and easy to relax to. It was big, with low ceilings and with many back rooms, some easy to access, others less so. Easy to get lost in. And it gave off an air of class, of comfort, and being a part of something a little different from the rest. The kinda place where everybody knew your name, and everybody knew to be discreet about it.

It was the perfect place to grab a drink, sit, talk, and relax. No one over heard you, no one got in your business, but everyone was glad to talk if you wanted to find a friendly face. The owner, Conscientia, made her round every now and then, saying hello to her regulars, welcoming those who were new.

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"You're going to help me."

He didn't know why, but something told Blaine he could trust Cinna. Blaine had always been too trustworthy. Sebastian had proven that. But, Cinna was no Sebastian.

"Yes, as much as I can," Cinna repeated. "That won't be much. I represent District 12 and I have to look out for my Tributes first, but I don't see any reason not to help you out too. First thing, you have to get sponsors. They'll be able to send you supplies in the games. If I were you, I'd spend my time outside of the arena working on getting as many people to like you as possible. That doesn't seem like it would be that hard for you, but it is vital that you do what you can."

His voice was low, clearly not wanting people to overhear him. While most people here would know what he was doing, if someone who wasn't aware overheard the fact that the Stylist for 12 was giving advice to another Tribute could cause scandal.

Blaine listened. Carefully. What it was about Blaine that told Cinna he was likable even when lamenting his life alone at a table, he didn't know. But, he had never had problems getting people to like him. A lot of times, people liked him too much.

"What kind of people? Just... get my face out there?" he asked, finally lowering his voice as well. "Noticed?"

Cinna had been guessing based only on Blaine's looks. He had a classic sort of beauty that could be presented in such a desirable light. Even if Cinna wasn't Blaine's Stylist, he could think of ways to make the best of the material in front of him.

He nodded, confirming Blaine's guess. "There will be televised interviews," he explained. "You need to be charming during them. Usually, Stylists and Mentors will come up with a persona for you to embody. Dedicate yourself to it and do what they say. Some Stylists don't care about helping their Tributes survive, but all care about getting sponsors for their work. Don't fight them unless you honestly think that they're not helping you. Keep in mind that they know more about what the average citizen likes. Until you get a better idea of our culture," he said the word with a little hint of disdain, as if he didn't feel the Capitol had a culture worth noting. "You won't be as good a judge of what sponsors are looking for."

"And all of this - it helps inside the arena." He leaned in then, hanging on every one of Cinna's words. "Sponsors help. They root for you?"

"Yes. When you're freezing their money will allow your mentor to send you a blanket. When you're dying of hunger or thirst, they'll send you water or food or even the means to get food or water. You go into the arena with no supplies, having sponsors will definitely help you."

"Make a name for myself," he said, nodding, knowing he could do that. He put the Warblers on the map - except, in this case, the Warblers were one for all, all for one. This was every man for himself. How was that fair?

"Why are you giving me this advice?" he finally asked. "Do I look like I need it?" Like he was the first to die in a horror movie? Because, if the cliche were true, he wouldn't be. He wasn't a slutty girl or a beefed up jock. But, he wasn't a virgin anymore so he was fair game after that.

"You look like you're new. That means you can use all the help you can get," Cinna replied. "Let's just say, that being someone raised in the Capitol I'm looking to make up for the way my culture has treated the children of other places."

"That's good of you," he said, meaning it. "I - I can hardly imagine what it's actually like growing up here. It must be --" He couldn't help but think about it. Even if you weren't a part of the hunger games, you witnessed them. Violence in the media. It did terrible things.

"People here are jaded to it. They need a wake up call," Cinna said after a moment. "But you need to make sure you're okay. You can start by focusing on everything I've told you."

"Desensitized," he nodded, agreeing. "I will. Thanks." He smiled.

Cinna nodded. After a moment he added, "I mean it about the credit, try to use it only for emergencies. If you find yourself needing to go out to get away from your suite, I understand, but it's not a good idea to let yourself get into debt here."

"Okay," he replied, taking that in. "I'll try not to use it. They provide food for us, don't they?" he asked, raising his eyebrows expectantly.

"Everything you get in the District Suites should be free to you. It's provided to you because you are a Tribute." Cinna hopes that doesn't change now that Tributes don't die in the Arena.

"How good of them, real selfless," he says, completely unable to hide the sarcasm that time.

Cinna makes a small gesture in his shoulders that shows that he agrees with Blaine's sarcasm.

"We used to take children from the Districts. From what I understand, most of them don't have enough to eat. It's meant to show what an honor it is to be chosen." He clearly doesn't think much of this 'honor' of it, but he doesn't say anything openly against it.

"And now, you take them from... everywhere," he said, an understanding settling into him. "Endless tributes to their heart's content."

"The last one didn't end very well for the Captiol. They had to change it to keep people interested," he sounded a little tired as he said it. "I suppose that doesn't help you much, does it?"

"I think any information helps." But, he didn't know. He still didn't know if he could trust Cinna. He sure thought he could. It'd been a pretty successful conversation so far. "But, not in any... helpful way, no."

Cinna winced slightly at the recognition of the lack of usefulness and then nodded. "Sorry about that. If I could offer you more help, I would."

"Don't apologize. You've done a lot, already." Really, Cinna, he was grateful. "And, as far as I can tell, you didn't have to. So, thank you. Again."

Cinna nodded. "If you take my advice and have any questions about our history, I'll be here to answer them. I spend a lot of time in District 12's suites if you need to seek me out."

"Okay," he replied. "I'll remember that."

"Do you want anything else for now? Maybe something to eat?"

He shrugged. "I guess I'm hungry." It was easy to forget things like that here.

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