thecapitol | This ain't a song for the broken-hearted

Who: Sandy Marko, Duck and open to all
What: Sandy's on the rebound
When: Two weeks after Effie leaves the Tribute Tower
Where: District 12 Common area, The Training Room, around the city

There comes a time when you've cried all you can possibly cry.

For Sandy that time finally came. Despite the best efforts of those who care about her she would not be cheered up before the time was right. She trained a little if only to give her body something to do when she got angry, but it never lasted long. The anger always left her feeling burnt out and hallow inside.

And so lacking proper grieving experience Sandy made do as best she could. She ate too much, slept too long and generally became a mess. Any other stylists would have been in tears over the state she was allowing herself to sink into but the District 12 stylists were more sympathetic then most. It helped that they had known Effie and Pruna.

Today felt different though. After two weeks of bouncing back and forth between anger and depression Sandy's head felt clear. Her skin on the other hand felt like an oily, greasy mess. And so after a long hot shower where she spent at least half the time fooling around with the fifty or so different options the shower offered to her for jets and soaps and shampoos Sandy emerged fresh faced and chin up once more.

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Pruna would have been so upset with Sandy if she'd known just how long Sandy had gone without a proper and long training session.

Finally feeling like she was in a state where she could get back to work Sandy arrived in the training hall wearing her embroidered District 12 jump suit.

Passing along the different work stations she considered if she should try and learn a new skill or polish up her old ones.

It surprised her when she realized just how many of the work stations she'd tried at least once. Had she really been in Panem that long?

One of the only things Sandy might ever thank the Capitol for was her hover cycle.

It was custom designed with a District 12 logo and a paint job that resembled a pattern of stone like the bike had been chiseled out of a mine and dragged to the surface. It was a dark color like coal but held a sort of shine to it that allowed anyone who saw it stopped to see all the little details.

While Sandy was not strictly old enough to drive in her own world, this bike had been a gift as reward for coming in second place in a big race. She had further earned the bike by acting in some promotional commercials.

The bike barely made a sound as it glided down the streets, more like a wind blowing past then a machine. It's turns were more of a drifting sort of thing then a pin point sharpness but Sandy had learned to compensate.

While she couldn't go as fast as she'd like without risking getting in trouble and having it taken away, it was still an amazing feeling of almost freedom to see the colorful citizens on the streets flash by. Cruising through town the air washing over her kept her cool despite the summer heat.

But as relaxed as she was, she always kept her eyes open for people she knew.

Soon enough, Sandy would find someone she'd recognize. She was walking by, hair tussled in the wind, wearing all dark and purple hues. Even in the summer, she seemed completely nonplussed by it.

She saw the motorcycle glide up the street, and she flipped her hair.

"Ah." It was more to herself, than to Sandy. "A nice cycle."

Sandy slid to a stop gracefully so she wouldn't breeze past Homura and smiled gently. She probably should have been wearing a helmet but life in the Capitol made it harder to fear death.

"Thanks! I won it in those races a few months back. Not bad for second place right?"

"I see." Homura looked down at the bike again, then back up at Sandy. "Where were you going on it? Or were you simply riding?"

"Just taking a ride." She smiled softly "It feels really good you know? It's almost enough to make me forget about...well everything."

That list of things she'd like to forget was growing far too long.

Patting the seat behind her she nodded.

"Wanna come along?"

Returning just before dinner time Sandy had another shower to cleanse herself of the summer heat and the dirt of the day. Lounging in a shirt that proudly declared "I will take your fucking eyes" she sat on the sofa with a notebook and was trying her hand at sketching.

It was different then painting in the way you had to work your pencil instead of a brush but she was learning as she went along. Duck served as her model sitting on a bowl of fruit dipping his beak into a bowl of applesauce and making a mess of things.

Her muscles still ached but it was a good sort of tired that was now building inside her. She hoped that tonight she'd be able to sleep without Effie's special drugged tea.

But then again, maybe it was better to just take it anyway and avoid the risk of further nightmares.

This ain't a song for the broken-hearted

Training hall

Driving around town

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Back in the District 12 common area.