dead_black_eyes: "This Night" (There are rules I had to break)
dead_black_eyes ([personal profile] dead_black_eyes) wrote in [community profile] thecapitol2015-02-18 10:53 pm

There is no peace here, war is never cheap, dear

Who| Linden and YOU
What| Catch-all for District 6's famously drug-addled Mentor, with a twist: he's been sober since the staff retreat. If you're District 6, staff or Tribute, it's a good time to get CR with your Panem-native former Victor!
Where| District 6's suites, various other places.
When| Starting at the end of week three and continuing up through after the end of the arena
Warnings/Notes| Mentions of drugs/alcohol, withdrawal, some language probably



Scenario 1: District 6 Suite

Over the last odd decade, Linden has gotten used to living his life on a certain wavelength. The sharp, inquisitive, quick-witted boy who'd won the 63rd Hunger Games hasn't been seen in years; rather, he's been replaced by a jagged wraith who's grown increasingly neurotic and difficult with each passing arena. He's worked to the best of his waning ability, but even if he'd beaten a Career for the crown in his Games, he's not done so well against the Mentors of Districts 1 and 2. They tend to be concerned with upkeep and image, whereas Linden's consistently backslid, resting dazedly on his laurels and saturating his mind and body with dust and rot. If the plan was to shudder out of existence before 30, he's been doing a fine job, but something has shifted lately. Those who watch him with any attentiveness might have noticed him watering down his drinks and tapering himself off Morphling after the crowning of The Signless, and following the staff retreat, he's been... different.

Bored, of course. Adjusting to this new, sober wavelength is a lot like what Linden imagines infants must feel like when they're pulled from the warm and safe darkness of unbeing and flung into a bright, loud, and unforgiving world for the first time. Everything is colder, clearer, and a lot more painful, and that's how you'll find him today, through the worst of the withdrawal but still on a hairtrigger when it comes to the tetchiness that goes hand-in-hand with drying out. He's in front of the television, but rather than being splayed sleepily on the couch, he's hunched forward over the coffee table, grinding his teeth, mumbling to himself indistinctly as he moves both sides of a marble chessboard. The process is a lot looser and less rigid than an actual game, but he seems to be taking it very seriously; the frost and rust crowding in his intellect are starting to fall away, and it's left him restless and malcontent. It's not how President Snow likes to see him; he's starting to resemble, for the first time in a long time, the type of man who could actually challenge the status quo.

Though he might seem as prickly and unapproachable as ever, he's craving stimulation beyond what his solitary strategizing can provide him with. Anyone who wants to speak with him had better be absolutely certain that they're prepared to weather the redirection of his needle-sharp focus, however.

Scenario 2: Training Center

Linden is still not hale or anything even resembling hearty; in fact, he looks pale and drawn beyond what is typical for him, as if he's been ill lately, which isn't far from the truth. Morphling withdrawal is a bitch, not to mention the effects of practically subsisting exclusively on alcoholic calories and then ceasing to. That being said, he's clean and well-dressed, even if clothing that should be fitted hangs on a hollower frame. He moves quickly from station to station; he's not here to work out, but to keep an eye on those Tributes who are out of this Arena's running and preparing for the next one. His attention isn't solely limited to District 6's prospects, though; he's certainly giving other Tributes (and Mentors) sidelong glances, sizing them up, considering their strengths and any areas he can suggest that his competitors exploit.

If you watch him very carefully, you can see him making quick exits occasionally to deal with bouts of withdrawal-induced nausea, but otherwise, he's surprisingly present and diligent. He especially has an eye out for any sponsors who might be here to size up Tributes; they will not escape without getting a detailed explanation of why Clementine and Karkat are worthy of gifts in the arena, so concise that it might as well be bullet-pointed.

Scenario 3: Around the Capitol

Morphling has a way of making the hours melt together or disappear altogether. It's one of Linden's favorite side-effects, actually, and he misses it fiercely now that he is forced to honestly deal with time again. He had few reasons to leave the Tower before, his needs being limited to anything that could chemically lock him snug and safe in his own mind. He's freshly clean, and he knows that this is the part that's the hardest. The longer he goes without his favorite vice, the better he knows it will feel when he welcomes it back into his veins and his life.

It would be so easy. There are viewing parties everywhere, painted faces that have an intimate knowledge of him and the handful of things that he loves. This city has destroyed him, but it's also given him the adoration that every Victor is due. It's almost impossible to go four steps without running into a champagne flute or a pill offered like a talisman, with a wink and a nudge.

There have to be other things to do. Learning how to enjoy actual nourishment again in the form of the rich food the Capitol has to offer, a brisk walk, seeing a bawdy, raunchy live show... but fresh through withdrawal, scarcely clean and still weak on his feet, Linden could use a few suggestions. Otherwise, the music and laughter of reveling drunks and users threatens to drag him under.

bravelyplucked: (profile)

[personal profile] bravelyplucked 2015-03-28 02:49 pm (UTC)(link)
"There would be a considerable amount of scandal, I'm sure...especially if it were to happen outside." It privately makes Torin wonder if the Gamemakers screen these offworld Tributes just to make sure that has a higher chance of happening. More scandal is more distraction, after all.
bravelyplucked: (snap)

[personal profile] bravelyplucked 2015-04-02 01:27 am (UTC)(link)
"I think what happens outside the Arena to them is just like what happens to the rest of us in the Arena." Torin shakes his head. "No one's coming back from that...though I don't know much about what would happen inside the Arena. They'd probably stop things before it got that far."
bravelyplucked: (ah well you see)

[personal profile] bravelyplucked 2015-04-03 10:17 pm (UTC)(link)
"The Games change as the tastes of the audience change, I suppose." Torin is glad that getting away with such things isn't something they'll stand for, though he can understand Six wanting a win through any means necessary.
bravelyplucked: (hat tip)

[personal profile] bravelyplucked 2015-04-05 11:18 pm (UTC)(link)
"It wouldn't surprise me. But the sponsors seem to have other interests at heart now--Tributes' long term marketability wasn't as much of a concern in the old days." No, because most wouldn't live as long...
bravelyplucked: (profile)

[personal profile] bravelyplucked 2015-04-09 02:29 pm (UTC)(link)
"At the rate they're going..." Torin shakes his head. "Perhaps they might deem it necessary to send the Tributes over there to remind them what they're fighting for. It may be the best we can hope for, under these circumstances..."
bravelyplucked: (snap)

[personal profile] bravelyplucked 2015-04-17 02:22 am (UTC)(link)
"And perhaps if it were Mentors from more than one District bringing up the idea..." Torin trails off thoughtfully. "It could work."
bravelyplucked: (snap)

[personal profile] bravelyplucked 2015-04-18 04:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Torin nods. "I'd be willing to do that for 2, yes. You'd be willing for 6?"
bravelyplucked: (neutral)

[personal profile] bravelyplucked 2015-04-22 04:35 pm (UTC)(link)
Torin nods in approval. "Then perhaps we should get a more concrete plan together. Some of the other Mentors may be interested in making such a proposal with us, as well."
bravelyplucked: (profile)

[personal profile] bravelyplucked 2015-04-24 07:57 pm (UTC)(link)
"In this environment, permission's easier," Torin comments dryly. "It exists." There is a very long pause. "I am not certain I could say the same for forgiveness."
bravelyplucked: (profile)

[personal profile] bravelyplucked 2015-04-26 10:31 pm (UTC)(link)
"It's been some time since I've had to make much of a proposal for anything, but I'm sure something could get worked up easily enough." Torin thinks for a moment. "Asking some of the others to go in on it couldn't hurt, either."
bravelyplucked: (satisfied)

[personal profile] bravelyplucked 2015-04-28 02:11 pm (UTC)(link)
"I'd be happy to help." Torin smiles. He can understand why keeping busy might be one of Linden's priorities right now. "You have my support, and I can stop by later and help with the editing, if that sounds good."
bravelyplucked: (neutral)

[personal profile] bravelyplucked 2015-05-02 04:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Torin gives him a nod. "Understandable. Go, get some rest."