The moment Albert grabs his shirt, Julian goes tense, pressing himself as close to the couch as he can get. He’s tempted to growl, but he’s learned from experience that it only comes out sounding stupid here in the Capitol with no powers. “Let me go right now!” he orders instead, but he’s already being hauled up, so he focuses most of his energy into standing with as much dignity as possible.

“No, it’s not.” Julian answers, glaring back at Albert and holding his head up high with as much defiance as he can muster. “I’m from… another District.” A part of him isn’t sure he wants Albert knowing exactly which District he’s from, even if Julian insists to himself there is no reason to be intimidated.