thecapitol | Until You Come Back to Me

Entry tags:

Until You Come Back to Me

Who| Nasir and Open
What| Nasir thinks Agron might be dead. He also potentially lost his two friends here. He's going to do a lot of lip wibbling about it.
Where| District 2 Suite, Commons
When| Throughout week 6, after Nasir dies
Warnings/Notes| Grief, wanting to burn down the whole Capitol, language.

When Nasir woke, he was himself again. The scars he'd had before were still there but the ones acquired in the Arena, as well as the injuries, were gone. His hair was back, his skin a healthy bronze. But for some time he found himself too weak to move.

Agron was dead. Or perhaps it wasn't him perhaps it was... he didn't know. Agron could be dead, killed by Gannicus in front of Nasir. He hadn't thought there could be anything worse than to lose Agron but having him die in front of him had corrected him. Nasir's heart still beat in his chest but he couldn't feel it. He pressed his hands to his face, still flat on his back in his bed, and brushed away the tears that fell from his eyes.

He would not do this. Not even in the privacy of his room. He would not weep. He had survived Agron's death once. And if he was indeed still alive and this was nothing more than a trick, then he would have to focus on finding a way to return to him. To free him, if the Capitol still held him and his brother. And then he would burn the whole fucking place to ashes.

Agron might be dead.

When Nasir pulled his hands away from his face, he could see nothing through his tears.

The District 2 Suite, the first few days

It was some time before Nasir could collect himself and when he did, he couldn't force himself to do much. He didn't leave his room most of the time. When he did, it was only to eat. He would sit at the table for meals. For someone who had gone for years with barely enough to fill his stomach (and sometimes none at all), one would think he would have a greater appetite but he had lost it. This time he sat, stared at the food, and then pushed it away.

The Commons, after the anonymous post

Days after he'd woken, Nasir had learned more under the guise of anonymity. He didn't know if he could trust it but he wanted to because then that meant that Agron was alive. Worry still ate at him. Agron did not hold much sense. He could easily-- so easily-- provoke the Peacekeepers into killing him. Nasir had more faith in his brother but Agron? A part of him felt guilty for admitting it, but he cared far more for him.

That made it even more important to find this Etienne Combeferre as he'd been told. If it was a trap then it was a trap. He would live with the consequences and beg that Agron and Faizan not be harmed.

So he approached any of the Tributes he recognized, nodding when they looked his way to catch their attention. Words seemed to stick in his throat but he would have to find them.

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Maximus had barely left the training center. He was furious, and it was obvious - a cold, boiling rage behind every blow against the practice dummies. He ripped into them with a fury and a vengeance that had not yet been seen from him - his need for revenge higher than it had been since he had gotten there.

He wondered: when had he started to consider the district his people?

When Juba had told him he was free?

Or before that...?

He noticed Nasir a full few minutes before he finally stopped the vicious attack - breathing hard, sweat running down his back. He raised a hand to wipe his brow and turned to the man.

"Nasir."

Nasir read the anger in Maximus's eyes. He wondered if his own held the same no matter how hard he tried to bury it along with his grief.

Nasir stood as he had the last time he met Maximus, wearing the same clothes and necklace only absent a shirt. He did not care for the feel of fabric over his chest and he was not in a mood to tolerate it.

"Maximus." He had recovered from the hands that had been at his throat so his voice sounded strained for another reason entirely. "It has been some time since last we laid eyes upon each other. You have spent time in training?"

"I have done nothing but train," He said, tightly, the anger rippling just beneath his voice. He was similarly undressed - the top of his tunic instead tied around his hips.

He slammed his sword into the dummy - sinking the blade up to the hilt - before he released it with a low growl and wiped the sweat from his hands.

"I assume you've heard."

Nasir watched as Maximus unleashed his fury-- a familiar sight, to see a gladiator so enraged. He did not move closer.

"I have heard much that gives cause for anger and concern," Nasir said. He tried to keep his voice even. "A matter upon which I would speak."

"I would not silence you," He said firmly, his eyes meeting He was all too willing to listen - all too willing to have someone else fan the flames of his fury.

"Though I am sure others would try." He knew they would, in fact. But - an idea struck him. He gestured Nasir over. "Perhaps a spar will loosen your tongue." And keep them close enough to not be overheard.

Nasir stepped closer. "Scales stand balanced against me if you keep blade. Shall we fight without weapons?" He followed where Maximus was going with this. They needed to be close if they wanted to speak freely. "I am in need of more instruction-- if you would teach."

And now another excuse for their mouths to be seen speaking if they could not be heard.

"Forget the blade," Maximus said easily, letting it remain where it was buried.

"I am happy to teach you, as long as you're willing to learn," He said, taking a steady wrestling stance, eyes locked on his opponent.

"Why don't you begin by showing me what you already know."

Nasir took a similar stance, though one that left him balanced so that he could move faster, relying on his agility. This was not something he favored although he could throw himself into it with a relish few possessed. The trick was in not letting his opponent's more powerful build bring him down. It wouldn't be easy to accomplish.

Nasir circled Maximus, sizing him up, trying to pinpoint a weakness in his balance. Then he grinned and lunged forward, attempting to grab Maximus's arm quickly, give it a light twist, and shove him with his other hand. A test to see how far they wanted to push the limits of this.

"Break words and I will listen," he said as he moved.

He let it happen, if only to have the excuse of closeness. It wasn't exactly a heavy hitting blow, after all. He struck out with his other hand, quite a bit more firmly, a solid blow aimed right for Nasir's side.

"I refuse to sit still any longer," He growled darkly in the man's ear. "The time is coming."

Those were words Nasir would have rejoiced to hear had they come earlier.

Nasir winced as the blow fell but the way he slumped and clutched his side was an act, designed to keep close a moment longer. "I would gladly kill all if I could keep those held captive from harm."

In a move that would ensure his fall in a true battle, Nasir grasped Maximus's shoulder while went to punch his stomach-- halting just before it impacted-- in an attempt to force him to the floor. Another excuse to remain near.

He caught the intention easily enough, buckling over as if he'd been struck, but he kept upright, their heads close.

"Then we know where we must strike first, but we don't have time to wait."

He slipped an arm around Nasir's torso, grappling as he dug his heels into the mat.

"They will hold their lives over our heads to cow us, otherwise, and we will not even truly know their fates."

Nasir resisted and their bodies were locked together, each one determined not to give ground.

"How will we tell where they are being held? How will we strike in time to free them before they are killed?" Nasir wasn't trying to dissuade Maximus. He wanted an answer. He wanted a way to act on the desire he'd held ever since he'd been taken captive. "I will gladly fight but not at the cost of Agron and my brother's lives."

"Are you certain they still have them?" He asked darkly, his grapple tight and hard as he tried to force the man to the edge of the mat.

"There are contacts. On the outside. I've spoken to one, in person. They uncover the location, and strike while we do." He grunted as he shifted his weight, hip pushing right up against Nasir's to gain leverage. He didn't know who Argon was, but he didn't need to. Any bond strong enough to make a man kneel was one he wouldn't question. "And if you were in Argon's place? In your brother's? What would they do then?"

Nasir dug in with his feet but no matter how hard he pushed back against Maximus he was driven close to the edge. Then he got his foot between Maximus's leg and swept it to the side to hopefully knock him onto his back.

"They would see me freed and this place burned to ground."

At least Agron would. Nasir imagined that his brother would not have the means or the drive.

Combeferre could be found -- well, likely wandering about taking note of things. It was best to get ones' bearings in a still relatively new place, after all; and it appeared he would be here for the foreseeable future. He was, however, unaware that someone was on the hunt for him, but as a general rule he was willing to meet new people.

Nasir knew many of the Tributes by sight and yet some still managed to escape his notice or at least his recollection. Combeferre was one but Nasir could tell that he was not from the Capitol. He was not dressed in that style nor did he seem altered.

Nasir approached him. "I have not laid eyes upon you before. Do other matters require attention or may we break words?"

Certainly he was not. He would likely never do so even if asked, he tended to ignore fads and the like in general, at home.

In any case, Nasir received a polite smile and a nod on his approach. "That would be because I am newly come to this place. ....Well, recently so, anyhow. What did you wish of me?"

Nasir would normally return the smile but he was taken by other concerns, ones he hoped to ease.

"I am searching for a man called Etienne Combeferre." Of course, having only seen the name written down and with no experience with more recent French, he did not do a good job at pronouncing the name.

That's alright, he had grown rather used to it throughout his time in the Capitol. After all, no one was perfect, were they. So he mostly hides the faint look of amusement before he gives a slight bow, and offers a hand. "You need not search anymore, in that case, I am Combeferre. What did you need of me?"

Nasir did not take Combeferre's hand. Rather, he clasped his forearm and tried to bite back the eagerness that threatened to take hold of his voice. He did his best to hide the anxiety too, at what might be revealed.

"I am called Nasir. Is it true that you came as visitor with other ones held close to the Tributes?"

"For a brief time, yes." This was certainly an -- enthusiastic greeting, but he'd certainly had worse in Paris; generally from over-eager friends of friends.

"Why, what did you need?"

"There are two people known to me still held captive. I wish to know how you were treated so I may know if they are well. I seek only the truth." Nasir's words were earnest as was his gaze no matter how much he tried to remain expressionless.

"I was treated -- well enough, I suppose, no harm came to me. I arrived here a short while after." His words were equally earnest; he has no reason to hide anything whatsoever.

"I am sorry that I cannot give you much more than that, it was certainly a surprise to find myself here."

"That is all?" Nasir couldn't hide his disappointment. He'd searched for something more substantial and was given only an assurance that it had been fine. "Was it as it is here in Panem or were you kept as prisoner?" He continued to press, still hopeful there might be more to be revealed.

"It was -- as it is here, we were not imprisoned or anything of the like." He looked away, a little awkward; feeling sorry for the fact that he could not be as much help as this person was clearly in need of.

"As I said, I did not stay long, it may have been different the longer one stayed."

Nasir gave Combeferre the smallest of nods. "Then there are no more words to break." Not today anyway, perhaps later when he wouldn't feel the sting of disappointment so keenly. "Gratitude. Knowledge does bring comfort."

"You are welcome, of course. I am sorry that I could not be more help." He gave the other man a small nod in return. "Perhaps we will see each other another time, in a happier moment."

Edited 2014-08-13 06:56 (UTC)

It is likely they both recognize each other, at least vaguely. For about half a sweep, the Initiate had been going to district two's floor to see his moirail, the lisping troll with bi-colored eyes and four horns instead of two. The Initiate, all walking hellmurder every other moment, would curl around the other troll and purr like no one was there to hear him. And then his Moirail, his first real friend, his first real love, was no more, and so, the Initiate stopped showing up on two's floor --but not before a dramatic blow up.

Naturally, he would've seen other tributes from district two. He would know their faces, maybe even some of their voices. But not much more.

He'd thought to go... somewhere. Anywhere. There wasn't really anywhere to go, but he didn't want to crawl to Terezi just yet. Maybe he's just hoping for some kind of sign, a gift from Messiahs, a hole in the Capitol system he can step through. A miracle. But when he winds up in the commons, all he finds is a bunch of people-- ones who recognize him and the havoc he caused here, damage that had required much replacing-- looking to flee. They replaced the couch, he finds. And the chair, the table... they seem to still be working on the walls. He touches the cracked bits, surprised they ain't punished him for it. But then, they'd already seen to that before he'd started.

And then he turns to leave, and if Nasir were to catch his eye, he might find a seemingly endless fury hidden there, all wrapped up in a hurt. Or he may just find a blank of indigo set in gold.

Nasir had been in the arena during the time of the Initiate's explosion so he had no memory of him beyond seeing him in passing. Normally, Nasir would have avoided him, in his mind he resembled too strongly a creature from Hades. But he would end his search and so he overcame his own hesitation.

"Apologies," he said as he approached, not letting any of his caution show. "I have question and would see it answered, if you hold knowledge of it."

A creature from Hades could well be an apt description.

The Initiate's head lifts some more as Nasir speaks to him and then proceeds to draw closer. It's strange for others to greet him as such. Especially so motherfucking politely. He can forgive not being able to go nowhere now yet. He tilts his head, curious.

"ASK THE FUCK AWAY THEN MOTHERFUCKER. What passes a pan?"

It was not the swearing that startled Nasir but the sheer volume of the statement, followed by one that was entirely incoherent.

...What passes a pan?

Nasir took a small step back to maintain distance. Feeling he was speaking to someone unhinged, he continued speaking.

"There is someone I seek by the name of Etienne Combeferre."

"ETIENNE COMBEFERRE?" He repeats, his brow furrows and he wracks his own pan for if he's met anyone like such. Nothing. The name had a certain ring to it, like how Capitol names had a particular sound. "If he ain't one of Capitol, he'd suppose them as to be one of them... french, he believes it was as to be called? ONE OF THEM MOTHERFUCKERS. One of them should be as to know, I ain't met no one as such."

He pays no mind to how Nasir steps back. Or even the look he gets when he initially starts speaking. They're pretty much always surprised at him. No point in getting worked up over it his ownself after all these sweeps.

"YOU NEED HIM FOR SOMETHING UP IN PARTICULAR?" He'd paid close eye to that network post. He's not oblivious to the fact that name was dropped. But he makes to keep casual in the Capitol's eye.

"Quiet voice!" Nasir hissed. He was not blind to the fact that he had learned this information where he shouldn't have had. He was taking a chance with the Tributes he asked. He knew that. He would not see risk raised.

"I must break words with him and that is all that is your concern. Do you know where the-- french-- may be found?"

Like the flick of a switch, he is furious. His body goes all tense and he looms. A growl forms in his chest and throat. His teeth are bared.

"I can't," He snarls slow through his teeth, just so it's real clear. "SO FUCK THAT NOISE FIRST OFF." Even if he could, he would not take kindly to being asked for silence, not knowing his past self all a tongueless mute. "Second, there ain't nothing what all any of us may say, no matter how quiet, what ain't recorded and overheard so there ain't point anyway. IF YOU AIN'T LIKE IT ASSIST HIM TO FIND PAPER."

Nasir, on the other hand, did not care for any attention gathered here. He was too used to being fawned over at gatherings and, while he did not mind drawing note in a rebel camp, having it here was another matter. One that was too familiar to him.

He rolled his eyes in response. "Apologies. Gratitude for your assistance," he said flatly before turning to leave.

It takes, every last ounce of his strength not to slam this motherfucker to a wall and end him, for the mere eyeroll. Mituna could calm it out of him but Mituna ain't here. He promised though, he swore, and would he really ruin everything for this one singular ingrate? The temptation is there.

But instead, he says, with every intonation of 'go fuck yourself', "May what you seek be so then seized in coming time." Or perhaps more like he'd fancy it seized by the throat.

And just in case it all wasn't clear enough, he flips the bird to Nasir's turning back.

Nasir turned in time to see the gesture. It meant nothing to him but he could guess the meaning.

"Do not believe you can so intimidate me. Fault lies with you for argument and not my own." He didn't pause this time and left to find someone else of more help.

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Until You Come Back to Me

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and so he was too big of a jerk to do recruiting, sorry |D Nasir can get the phrase throwback or go

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