thecapitol | Closed

Who| Leonidas Cora and China Sorrows
What| Hanging out, possible
Where| Glacialis
When| Shortly after the Binding plot and Jason’s post
Warnings/Notes| None for now!

Between working with her Tributes and coworkers and meeting Sponsors, China’s social life is more active than it’s ever been. She would have looked upon such a future with trepidation and weariness just a few months ago, but she finds she’s actually enjoying herself. While she’s still far more charmed by the world of the book, the people she’s encountered outside aren’t uninteresting.

And because this is one meeting she’s actually looking forward to, she arrives promptly and with a hint of honesty in her smile.

She slips into the dining area. The cold has her wrapped up more warmly than usual, a fitted coat over her dark suit. “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting, Leo. How are you?”

It's a tense time, given the recent attempts at rebellion and the resentment that may have been stirred up over Jason's network post. Even she's been feeling it and she just hopes that this can be a relaxing time. Or at least interesting.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Delighted, China cast him a grateful smile and curtseyed for their audience before turning back to him.

"Could you? I can't deny it may be some help."

"That would leave me owing you a favor, though--what could I do for you?"

True to form, she didn't make any specific offers; if she left people to figure out what they wanted by themselves, sometimes they never asked. She didn't mind not having to pay her debts.

Of course, she wouldn't be surprised if this one actually followed through.

Leo took a shot with this offering with a grin, "Keep it for now. We'll both be overworked and having a favor lingering over your head will distract you from the Games themselves." That didn't mean Cora wouldn't hold her up to her end. A Capitolite's word was as good their actions as if China could dance with a disgraced Districter as she promised, there was a chance she would follow through. Always with caution, always.

"Shall I escort you back?"

"You're so kind." She had a feeling she wouldn't be able to forget it, though. She would bet quite a few shelves of books that Leo had a record of everything owed to him stashed away in his brain.

"I believe the escorting is supposed to be my job, but if you wouldn't mind..." She offered him her hand again, ready to walk.

That list starts with the Universe and it owes the man a damn crown or an honorable death as a Tribute. Leonidas is not the healthiest of the Staffers for that obsession but he's softened somewhat by being the man behind the scenes and producing the Tributes to get that elusive symbol.

He took her hand and gave it a bow, to remember his place, "I would be honored, after this lovely evening and a waltz out of the blue."

She shook her head, dipping in a curtsy in return. "You're going to make me blush."

She looked into his eyes then and something changed in her smile as her voice grew even softer. "Thank you, Leo. I don't get to say this honestly too often, but I've had a wonderful time."

For all their playing politics and shooting barbs at each other, Leonidas had to admit that he had a great evening with China Sorrows. It’d been a while since his last actual date and not wining and dining some Capitolite. This gave his answer, however simple, a lot of weight, “Likewise, China.”

He then added as they walked, “I can only hope there will be another occasion we can pull each other away from work, if to talk about the state of affairs.” In other words, to gossip about the lives of others and keep their Tributes fed and supplied.

"As would I. Our lives aren't so busy--at least mine isn't." Though she did have to admit that the schmoozing up to Sponsors, while very much her area of expertise, did make the days somewhat tiring. She didn't want to neglect her library at all. ...But then again, she'd hate to forgo his company.

"Even if they are... we can always rub shoulders at Crownings, parties, and the link." She paused, then added, "And if you ever want to help me reorganize my library, you're welcome."

Leo takes that invitation to heart, adding, "If you need a handyman to repair the shelves, you know where to find me."

There was a divide, as much as they literally danced around it, and Cyrus Reagan's legislation prevented anything to go further. When the Tributes have more rights that the Districters, becoming closer to Capitolites, inevitable bitterness will arise.

"Thank you for the time. Even if you're not busy, your time is valuable." As it was anyone's who worked in the Games.

She laughed. "Perfect--coincidentally, I may have just been having some problems with them." No, she hadn't at all. "Yours will be the first number I try." And why not? It would be a good excuse to hang out.

"I do believe so myself, but it's nice to hear it observed. Thank you."

"I'll have to give you a heads' up," Leo then admitted in the best, nonbiased way he could, "I think you've inspired something in me. Might get a tattoo, or two." Or a full sleeve because hey! You only live once and even if he wasn't able to be in the Arena...he wanted something to remind him every day to be that good.

He gave China a final bow and tipped his head, "See you around, China. May the odds be in our favor, yours and mine."

"Do you? I imagine you'd look very fetching--please let me know if you need any recommendations."

She laughed and gave him a curtsy in return. "Goodbye, Leo. And the same to you--take care of yourself."

There were few people she'd miss--she didn't even miss her "beloved" grandmother--but she felt she might dislike his absence were he to get in trouble.

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