ka_sera_sera: (old general vest frown)
Roland Deschain ([personal profile] ka_sera_sera) wrote in [community profile] thecapitol2015-07-08 08:04 pm

mostly open

Who| Roland Deschain and the Signless; Roland and you
What| nothing big, just roland waking up
Where| central commons, district twelve, district four
When| week five, a little bit after Roland's death
Warnings/Notes| no warnings that I know of. I hope the way I did the prompts is clear, but if not just have your character meet Roland anywhere.


The room Roland wakes up in is well familiar by now. The worry he wakes up in, though, that's new, and for a moment it shoves the more normal questions of where and when and what into the back of his mind. He wakes with Alain's name on his lips, already half-sitting up and looking around - but no. Alain isn't here, is he. That wolf is dead. Killed before it could do Alain any damage. This does not mean that Alain is safe.

He lets himself fall back, runs a hand over his jaw and stares at the ceiling. But there is nothing he can do for Alain, not anymore. His old friend will be interesting enough to bring back after this arena, or he won't. Roland steels himself to this, to the waiting, and then sits up, breathes. Heads out.

The lobby of this building is as busy as it usually is, newsmen and hangers-on and sponsors, people in all manner of outfit with all manner of things to say. It's strange after the isolation of the arena, life and movement all of a sudden everywhere, and for a moment Roland simply stands near the center of the room, not caring whose way he's standing in. (A)

After that he makes his way to the bar, spends some time leaning on the counter even after he's gotten his coffee. Just looks around, less focused on whether he accidentally makes eye contact with anyone (though that ought to be a real concern on this particular level of the tribute tower) and more concerned with stirring in a good amount of sugar. More than he'd usually use but, though his body is refreshed, Roland's mind is still certain it's spent the last few weeks sleeping badly, and it isn't as if this place doesn't have the sugar to spare. Witness Roland Deschain, indulging himself. (B)

Once he's got a better feel for this place he heads up. All the way up, almost, and doesn't bother to explain himself to any residents of district twelve who may see him wandering around there. He peers into the common room, the kitchen, then heads to the mentor suites and opens one of its doors with nothing more than a brief, brisk knock. This particular room is one he's been in many times, and the way in which the Signless has it decorated is intimately familiar. The most familiar part of that room, though, is missing, and Roland still does not bother to explain himself as he heads back out of it. Surely anyone living on this floor will be familiar enough with the sight of him. (C)

Finally, to the level for tributes of district four. Given all the floors are arranged the same and the avoxes quickly clean any identifying clutter, there's little reason for the familiarity that greets him here. But the fish in their little bowls all around the common room are familiar, the view outside is familiar. He spends a moment in just standing there and then snorts to himself, more focused on his thoughts on that familiarity than on explaining to anyone who may be around to hear. (D)

(closed to Signless):
The tea sitting in the kitchen cupboards too, thankfully, is familiar. There's more coffee up here, but he's made tea so often in this room that that is where his hands first head, and he lets them. That is, until the metal teapot slips out of a loose grip, bounces off the counter, and clatters onto the floor.

"Shit," he says, and the frustration in his voice is not at the noise nor at the spill, although he does watch the water spread for a second, lifting up his right hand and running his fingers under the small metal box sitting where his lack of fingers used to be. The skin there is red and inflamed, and the hand's two mechanical fingers don't curl as the other ones do, instead sticking out from the metal all still and stiff.
revvinguptheharley: (Harleen: snarky comeback)

B

[personal profile] revvinguptheharley 2015-07-09 05:56 am (UTC)(link)
"Wowzers, and here I had you pegged as one of those gruffy scruffy types who only took his coffee black."

Harley Quinn, currently wearing a professional looking suit...or what passed for one in the Capitol complete with glittery fake gemstones sewn into the fabric. She adjusted the pair of glasses she had perched on the tip of her nose and studied him curiously as though seeing him for the first time.

And with how much time had passed since they'd been imprisoned together, it might as well be the first time. Since Susannah had vanished into District 13 Harley hadn't felt a particular need to speak with the stiff man, but this might be an interesting test for her.
revvinguptheharley: (Harley: iharley)

[personal profile] revvinguptheharley 2015-07-09 07:59 pm (UTC)(link)
She relaxes visibly, as if she had been expecting him to...at best throw a punch or at worst storm off without speaking to her.

"Three shots of espresso, four sugars, with whipped cream, cinnamon and caramel on top. They call it an Espresso Kaboom." She chuckled. "And if I'm feeling really needy a shot of whisky or some other foul tasting alcohol that blends well with coffee."

Funny how that had become more frequent lately, she blamed the Capitol.

revvinguptheharley: (Harley: Smolder pucker)

[personal profile] revvinguptheharley 2015-07-10 07:06 pm (UTC)(link)
She actually laughs when she realizes what he thinks and does in fact move forward to place an order.

"I appreciate the permission, but that's not why I'm bugging you. I...actually wanna know how you're doing."

She doesn't give him long enough to react before adding "I know, it's like...why should I care right? Well I'm trying something new and that means trying not to irritate the hell out of people who lack a sense of humor who I would previously have gone out of my way to annoy."

So far she was not off to a great start.

"That and...well you're the only other friend of our dearly departed I know so I wanted to make sure you were holding up alright."
revvinguptheharley: (Harley: Sulking like a child)

[personal profile] revvinguptheharley 2015-07-14 08:23 pm (UTC)(link)
"Well..." She seems to consider for a moment where to start. "It might have been how I was on this blind date with a Capitolite and she stormed out on me because I made a joke about the Capitol that she thought sounded traitorous. Or it might have been when some horrible rebels almost got us all killed while you guys were in the arena, I tried to help fix that problem and got more then I bargained for there."

Her drink arrived and she took a sip trying to let the sweetness take the bad taste out of her mouth.

"Or it could be the fact that everyone I was close to last year is dead and gone and the only people left either hate me or just don't care. So since I can't change the world anymore...I figure I might as well try to change me."

One of the benefits of having psychological training is the ability to self diagnose with some reasonable amount of insight.

"I never thought I'd actually miss being in the arenas. At least there I could work out some of my frustrations."
revvinguptheharley: (Harley: hanging head)

[personal profile] revvinguptheharley 2015-07-16 09:32 am (UTC)(link)
Harley wasn't entirely sure Roland believed her. Heck she wasn't sure he even cared. But he wasn't trying to escape so that helped. She couldn't help but offer a rueful smile.

"Yeah I guess I did make it pretty clear how much fun I had. But I mean...I guess it's a matter of hindsight. Because on the one hand." She held up a hand as if she could indicate more clearly that way "You've got adventure, battle, sweat and tears and drama. Real human emotion. On the other hand, going pee outside and starving. Plus the inevitable dying thing which is only cool if it happens fast and flashy like when I saved Babs or took out Shepard after she clotheslined me. If it's slow and painful like...well both times that Susie Q put me out of my misery? Not so fun."

"Honestly? I don't even know. It's like...maybe I'm the one who needs to change right? But then if I do am I betraying everyone who died before me? Am I betraying myself by letting this place turn me into something different?"

Clearly she had too much time on her hands if she was thinking of things like this.
revvinguptheharley: (Harleen: Double life)

[personal profile] revvinguptheharley 2015-07-17 05:06 am (UTC)(link)
It was always of fascination to Harley how sometimes the truth can seem so obvious when someone else says it, but when you're alone it simply can be seen.

"You've got a point. I once knew a guy, he used to say the greatest power humanity had was it's ability to change." She smirked nostalgically. "Funny thing was this came from a guy who wore the same five polo shirts every week to class because it provided him with stability. I guess we all cope with stress different ways."

But back to the topic on hand.

"Someone asked me real early on in all of this to do what I did best back home. Turn things on their head. Be baffling and weird and annoying. Drive everyone around me as nuts as possible. Sounded easy at the time but the only people I've done that to are other tributes. So I guess I'm afraid if this place changes me I'll never go back to that girl who used to run circles around the best and brightest back home by being looney tunes."

"And lets face it, I dunno who I'm gonna be. And people are always afraid of what they don't know."
revvinguptheharley: (Harleen: Pleased with the results)

[personal profile] revvinguptheharley 2015-07-20 12:22 am (UTC)(link)
She smiled once more and it spread into a full grin.

"How'm I doing so far? Should I throw in more serious gazes and self deprecation? Maybe an anecdote about how you remind me of a professor I had once or how Susie forgave me in the Mall arena?" Unless he'd already seen that on the recordings of course.

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And /end <3

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69problems: <user name="robokatar"> | <user name="everking" site="tumblr.com"> (10 | Hold tight!)

[personal profile] 69problems 2015-07-11 04:09 am (UTC)(link)
Signless, not wanting a repeat of last arena where he and Roland managed to miss each other for days after Roland made it out, has taken to checking periodically in District Four ever since he watched Roland's death unfold on the television. As arena deaths go it wasn't as traumatic as some; he doesn't think he'll need to run much damage control. His concern is more along the lines of wanting to be there to provide damage control should Roland decides he wants it.

And, alright, there's a secondary motive. The strange illness that afflicted the tributes at the ball still weighs on his mind. In particular that hollow feeling it gave him has haunted him. It had disappeared with the rest of the symptoms but the memories it stirred up -- already at the forefront of his mind thanks to Celebrus and some very stressful conversations -- hadn't. He wants to talk about that with someone more removed from the situation and whose reactions to it won't be based on such an intimate investment in what happened. He knows Roland is the last person who will judge him for past crimes.

"Here," he says, stooping to pick up the teapot and set it back on the counter along with the oven mitt he was smart enough to wear. "Is your hand alright?"

He can't pretend to know the first thing about technology that delicate. He can't tell from a glance if anything is wrong, but Roland might be able to.
69problems: debonairbear (xtra | While your family dies)

[personal profile] 69problems 2015-07-11 06:41 am (UTC)(link)
There aren't any whatsoever. For someone used to kissing far more regularly, five weeks without is a long time. He shifts up onto his toes and meets Roland halfway, resting his hands on Roland's chest because there's not really anywhere else for them to go unless he lets them hang awkwardly at his sides. It's nothing so mindblowing as books and movies would have one believe but it's warm and intimate and nice. It's something purely sweet and comforting after weeks of watching his friends and his tributes suffer and die, weeks that have been marked by ups and downs on both sides of the arena wall.

"Missed you too. I didn't leave you waiting long, I hope?"
69problems: zorrin @ deviantart (xtra | This is as good a place to fall)

[personal profile] 69problems 2015-07-14 06:31 am (UTC)(link)
"Nothing urgent, no. I just didn't want to leave you alone for long." There's an unspoken I didn't want to be without you there, if one squints hard enough at the spaces between the words. Given the choice to be with Roland or be alone, he knows which he prefers. Unconsciously he lets himself lean into that hand, reaching up to cover it with his own.

"I had some things I wanted to talk about-- just some leftover worries. I thought having someone else to listen and stop me from thinking in circles might help."
69problems: <user name="paperseverywhere" site="tumblr.com"> (xtra | Now I know why)

[personal profile] 69problems 2015-07-14 07:40 pm (UTC)(link)
He was expecting just to sit somewhere -- probably in Roland's room -- and talk over tea. A pile hadn't even occurred to him and yet now that the idea's been presented he's realizing exactly how much he needs one. There's something comforting about it that nothing else can really replicate.

"It is. It's not necessary," he adds, in case Roland needs an out. He knows some troll customs are still strange to him. If Roland is going to spend more time trying to puzzle out how to pile properly than he'll spend actually discussing things it might not be the best idea. "But it would help. I haven't had a pile since..."

Since the makeshift pile the Psiioniic made out of half of Roland's closet and that, in his opinion, is far too long -- and that wasn't even a proper pile.
69problems: <user name="always-procrastinating" site="tumblr.com"> (xtra | Why won't you)

[personal profile] 69problems 2015-07-16 08:37 pm (UTC)(link)
So far his setup consists mostly of all of the sheets off Roland's bed, which is now stripped down to just a bare mattress. He takes the towel and adds it into the pile, which is now starting to resemble a circular nest: high walls, a comfortable dip in the middle large enough for two. For three, really, because he's used to building a pile large enough to fit the Initiate and wants to be sure that this one will fit Roland's long legs.

"It's coming along well, I think. If you could get me any of your clothes that don't have too many sequins or buttons on them, I'll add them in and then it should be ready."
69problems: niuniente (xtra | Every spark)

[personal profile] 69problems 2015-07-21 10:33 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh, no," he says, adding the shirts in with the same fussy delicacy of a mother bird arranging her nest. With the shape the pile is taking it's fairly apt. "That was an emergency -- piles are meant to be reclined in, but you couldn't have moved me then."

He's guessed -- correctly -- that so far Roland's only experience with piles has been the hastily-made one the Psiioniic threw together after his breakdown. It served its purpose well-enough but it was hardly exemplary of what a pile could or should be. This will be a chance to show him how piles usually go.

"Here. Climb in." He settles himself back in the dip in the center, leaving enough room next to him that Roland will (hopefully) be able to arrange his leggy self comfortably.

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