thecapitol | [Open] Aguas Blancas

Entry tags:

[Open] Aguas Blancas

Who| Leo and Open
What| Random Arena Capitol party for the Victor announcement,
Where| Lux 4
When| Arena Finale
Warnings/Notes| Pitchblack humor, Arena discussion and he's wallowing in misery

Leonidas tried his best to behave himself, be a walking District 2 billiboard during this little shindig over at the Lux4, but the way the alcohol flowed into his glass meant that this? This was Staffer hell all over again. It was saddening to say that the Tributes, with all their flaws and biases (looking at you Loki), were more fun than the Capitolites he was forced to mingle with. More so when he had to explain to some of the Sponsors about the final week of the Arena and why his Tributes had not come along and done more. To their credit, Leo did recognize and made very clear that they had done what they could to survive and pulled through as best they managed. That was as close to a compliment as they'd get from the man.

Maybe it wasn't to the Sponsors' liking but Cora would not really care about it. He was here mostly to market the tributes for Post-Arena activities, raise awareness of what disasters could've been avoided had they been as incompetent as others. Leo would be heard saying:

"Yes, I believe Thor had the highest kill ratio, did you see him in the Cornucopia? So sad we lost him." Norse Gods be damned, that was a disturbing display, almost didn't give the others a chance to run.

"Felicity did very well, she lasted so long. I stand corrected in my earlier assessments," he was a proud man, but humility was marketable, especially for a Career that never made it into his own Arena. "Her loss is something to be remembered.

But when asked about Jet, Leonidas had consider what he'd said about alliances, even if that practice was subversive to the Games. He smiled at the Capitolite, and told her with the most honest tone, "His alliances brought results in the long-run. It was only fitting that the Capitol nipped anything that would corrupt of the Hunger Games." Spoken like a District 2 citizen, loyal from birth, and loyal to the end. What made it worse? He believed in it. He believed in that every element in the Arena was useful and if friends had to kill each other, so be it.

This party was proving to be boring all over again and all Leo wanted to sit down and quietly numb the pain he shared with Jason Compson: so nearly there, so close to having a Victor and then…

"Another," he growled as he sat at the restaurant bar with his drink. Anyone getting between him and the wine should tread lightly.

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Felicity herself may have been limited in the places she can go and the influence that she wields, but her mother was another story. Candy Yoshida (formerly Byrd) had been wasting little time since her family's arrival in the Capitol, and had been busy making new social connections and re-establishing old ones. The end result of all this hardcore schmoozing, pandering, and blowing sunshine up people's butts was an invitation to this very fancy Arena viewing party. Well, two invitations. But since her darling Peacekeeper husband had to work, and didn't care much for this sort of thing anyway, Felicity was dolled up and hauled along.

Not that this was bad, no, no. She was a veteran at being hauled to parties because of family connections. This was a different than being tiny and being mostly concerned with stuffing herself with whatever snacks were available, but she could adapt. She could smile and sip sparkling juice and 'ooh' and 'aah' when exciting Arena things happened, and even be a little inconspicuous and listen for stray bits of interesting Games-y gossip. What she couldn't do was hold her tongue when, darting past the bar on her way to grab yet more cocktail shrimp, she spotted Leonidas. Leonidas Cora. Leo. The most frightening 'coach' that she'd had during that very, very short period that her family had her doing combat training.

"Leo!" First, she's startled. "Leo?" Then, she's concerned. Wow, he's really taking District 2's finish line failure hard. She stops, then starts to carefully shuffle-step back towards him. "I-I-I mean, Mr. Cora?" Yes, yes, let's be respectful, here. This is a guy she'd watched totally humiliate (and also fold, spindle, and crumple) guys twice her size and ten times her talent.

Had Felicity not come over, this party would have been a mess not even Snow's presence couldn't saved. But the moment he recognized that voice and smiled, "I hope to whatever deity is out there that your uncle knows you're here. You're definitely not here on a diplomatic mission, am I right?" That, or he'd verbally bust the next person who tried to argue why Tony Stark was a better Tribute than the younger Loki.

Felicity had been one of his sassier students, as she had a quick-fire wit about her, especially during her family's brief period in creating another Career Tribute like Torin. Two sessions in and maybe another student's arm later, and he put that dream to rest. Sorry Candy's husband but if a five-foot-nine man could make mince meat of your bodyguard, best heed his advice.

"It's been far too long, Felicity," he welcomed her.

Years of following her parents to important Capitol parties were finally paying off. China wasn't the most social of people, but she'd learned to fake it.

After escaping from one conversation, she caught Leo's... rather unhappy-sounding voice from across the room.

She didn't rush, because China just doesn't do that. And it was hard in these heels and this tight skirt. But she did increase her pace as she approached the bar and studied Leo.

"Oh my... Are you all right, dear?"

All Leo had to do to answer China's question was point to the screen, "I'm all right but...that happened. In its' entirety."

District Twelve won this Arena...shit. Then again, it was a spectacular finale and Cora appreciated the spectacle. But Thor, one of the strongest Tributes they had? Gone. The Arena? Destroyed.

"The Sponsors are going to display our heads at this rate." Better than District 7, that was a clusterfuck.

Edited 2015-03-18 04:14 (UTC)

She followed his gesture to the screen and frowned. She hadn't really expected a Victor out of hers, but the pain of seeing someone else win was still there. "It is a disappointment."

Perhaps his last sentence wasn't quite a joke, but China smiled, amused, as if it were. "If we live to see it, there will be another chance. I'm certain this loss doesn't reflect at all on your abilities."

"It'll reflect poorly on District 2's standing but you already knew that, as did every District that survived this long without the prize," Cora rubbed his forehead then grabbed his drink, "But, if anything, you've settled into your new role as escort quite nicely."

Whether or not that was a flirtatious comment on his part is up for debate among the partygoers but hey, they were the Arena losers.

This has been a hard Arena. Once more, they were back to losing people, to having the dead stay dead. Between that and the fact that the meteor shower earlier in the week had triggered all sorts of bad memories for Torin, Losing the Games themselves was just rubbing salt in the wound. He'd much rather be back in his apartment, trying to forget everything while he built some of his watches or tiny clockwork dinosaurs. But no, he's got to at least put in a good appearance at this party. District 2 needs to present a united front.

But that doesn't mean he's going to get hammered at the bar, as tempting as it might be. He'll make sure everyone gets home safely. He can do that, even if he's failed at getting anyone home safely from the Arena. Dying and coming back doesn't count, and some of them didn't even get that lucky.

He makes no move to get in between Leo and the wine, and he's nursing his own ginger ale. "They put forth a valiant effort this time. Definitely an improvement."

Perhaps District Twelve's last victor is not exactly highest on the list of people Leo wants to talk to right now, but at least Signless has no intention of getting between him and his wine so much as existing next to the both of them. He knows he can no longer afford to avoid Capitol parties as much as he might have in the past, but mingling as someone born and bred to do it might is still not his strong suit. He orders something loaded with syrup (and comparatively not very much alcohol) and slides into the chair next to Leo's.

"I see the night isn't treating you so well." Which is understandable. Two's had the rug ripped out from under it, from being one of the strongest contenders to practically out of the race entirely.

Leonidas had heard something about Torin having a moment of weakness, but the man understood what happened. "If you say so...that was obscenely close even for previous arenas. How screwed over is District 2? How screwed over are we as staff?"

The better question is how do they will try to explain how one of their strongest, if not the strongest Tribute in their roster went with the Arena. "Can't imagine Calendius right now. It's not going to be pretty when the dust settles...who do we have left?"

"I'm surprise you're having an awful time, Signless," Leo shot back half-heartedly. The wine was doing wonders for his temper at the moment, but if Signless were to ask anything about the Arena, he'd know why his nickname back in District 2 was the Small Lion.

"Your District won, you should be out there with the news casts and interviews with Caesar about how Stark pulled this Arena out of his ass. I know I want to hear that."

Still vicious as ever.

Edited 2015-03-20 04:50 (UTC)

Alright. That was a fair response, considering Signless's greeting wasn't the most diplomatic one he could have chosen. Feeling a little cowed (his ears droop noticeably), he took a sip of his drink before he responded.

"I'm very happy for Tony and pleased at a second victory for Twelve, but that doesn't mean I can't offer my condolences. Your tributes put up a good fight this round and that should be acknowledged."

Despite being happy for the actual people of Twelve who must have been elated about two victories in a row and all the food and supplies that would get them, a part of him worried that two victories in a row for Twelve would make his district a target. The last thing he or his tributes needed was the other districts having a fiercer interest in taking them out to stop them from pulling off a hat trick.

"Hopefully neither of us will have to deal with that for too much longer." She wasn't too certain of that, but, hey, she should show some optimism for the cameras. At least the large number of Arenas allowed for the heightened chance of a win. Even if said win would be shorter than normal.

She tossed her head and laughed at his remark. It was definitely appreciated, considering she hadn't done enough to merit a win. "Please, don't flatter me. You'll make me blush."

Leo rolled his eyes and sipped his drink again, "If that's what you're going to tell the reporters, you might actually want to believe the shit you're saying. I thought you were a sort of speaker, I saw your Coronation speech. Can't think anything on the fly?"

Yeah no, he was going to make sure District 12 would work harder next Arena, that was a guarantee. District 2 was banking on so many of their tributes, they knew they had this one in the bag. And then that happened.

"Try again, impress me," the venom spewed out of the Districter.

"A blush would suit you just fine, Miss Sorrows," Leo retorted China's statement, "It'll probably be one of the few nice things I'll have seen all night."

That and watching Tony Stark struggle to get his win. He was vindictive, yes, but he had no shame in admitting that he could be a horrible human being if he felt like it.

"Hard to say. We came so close, it may not be quite so bad." He gave a heavy sigh. "It's not like everyone died the first week in. We just need to keep up this level of competition."

As for who was left..."I'm not sure. I know we've lost Thor and Felicity, but I haven't yet been able to personally check on everyone else as of yet. No one has notified me if the others haven't returned."

Hearing that, China almost wished she could oblige. Instead, she glanced away and seated herself at the bar beside him.

"You are far too sweet for your own good. I'm afraid to ask how many girls you must have charmed with that tongue."

"Shit, shit, shit," Leo groaned, trying to make sense of everything that has happened in the last six hours. "I can only hope this sponsorfest winds down soon, we need to get back in there and see what kind of damage we have."

He berated himself, "I couldn't manage that many of them, the gifts...shit. But who would know that the Arena just exploded into the next continent?"

Edited 2015-03-22 23:16 (UTC)

"Sweet has not been a word historically associated with me."

Arrogant, bloodlust, and more were along his usual style, but Leo wasn't one to dismiss a compliment. "A few women have come and gone...they had no complaints."

"Perhaps we need to rewrite history, then."

Her teeth showed in the widening of her smile, nearly turning to laughter. "Is that so? I'd be pleased to hear the good reviews, then. If you don't mind my being so forward."

China was quickly becoming Leo's saving grace in all this, not only lightening up the conversation but also giving the appearance of a gracious loser in one of the most surprising upsets he'd seen in a while. And here he thought the previous Arena was bad.

"We'd have to set up an occasion somehow, Miss Sorrows."

Yes, that was him asking her on a date.

Torin nodded in agreement. He was ready to be done with this party. "Try not to drink too much. It may help with the moment, but in the morning, it'll only make things worse." Even if it might have been a little late for that advice.

"There's no way we could have predicted any of this. Things...aren't as regular as they once were." Which was an understatement, really.

"I don't know if you've ever heard this...but you're late to the punch," Leo wasted no chance in pointing out the obvious, "I'm quite buzzed."

But the lamentation came with Leo's own nod. "It's not just the Tributes. The Arenas is changing the Districts as well. At least they're motivated."

"Would we, now?"

Well. She did like it when people cut to the chase. And he was better company than she'd had for most of her life...

"I'm surprised a man as busy as you would have the time for me. But I believe I can accommodate such an 'occasion'."

Invoking her uncle gets her pressing her lips together to stifle some laughter. Uncle Torin was the famous one, but the responsible one, too? Well, when you took a long look at her mother, it becomes obvious that Torin is the level-headed one in the family. "Maybe? But mom knows I'm here, and that's got to be good enough." And then she taps her lips thoughtfully, eyes rolling briefly, theatrically about. "I don't know... is this something that needs a diplomatic mission?"

It looked like it. It sort of might. It's entirely a possibility.

"Way, way too long! Ahahaha, but you have a lot to keep you busy! So there's reasons. Yeah."

"Shall I say a restaurant before the Crowning? I will be busy but if you're so intent on finding out what I'm like off hours," Leo smirked, "I can make time."

He paused for a moment. The next question slips out of Cora's mouth without shame or the buzz,

"You're not married are you?" He'd hate to run into the same problem as Calendius has with his own liaison.

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