"What I said to you when I was dying..." He sighs. "Truth is, there's no reason to why they bring some back and why they don't. Whim, so far as I can tell. Politics, probably. The most you can do is try to keep things interesting and hope. I was a hypocrite to tell you otherwise, but I- I wanted to believe." Roland studies Alain a moment, and one corner of his lips quirks up. "And here you are."

Roland had wanted to believe Alain would be here, that he'd see his dear old friend again. And here he is. Even in the midst of all their dark talk, that much is still a gift. "Just look at Signless," he goes on, "a pacifist. And he outlived Cuthbert, who loved these things, in his way." Roland shakes his head, his other lighter expression gone again. "This isn't war. If you believe the Capitolites, it's what these people do to prevent one. There's no need to sacrifice your own morals, usually. You do what you judge necessary, gunslinger. It'll have to be enough."

"That said, if there's a part of these arenas you do need my help with, I'll gladly give it. Ought to be the duty of your district's mentor, but some of 'em have other concerns." He says it dryly because, though Roland is not really the most social soul in Panem, there is one mentor he does know quite well and he has heard stories.