reach down your hand in your pocket

[mediumdrip]

Who| Blaine and OPEN
What| Back in Tribute Tower
Where| Common Areas
When| After his death.
Warnings/Notes| Blaine is looking for Kurt in particular, but he won't be opposed to stopping to talk to friends. He's just going to be a little antsy until he sees Kurt.



It was tempting to stay in his room and never, ever leave. After what had happened in the Arena he was almost hoping for that option, but he couldn't. He couldn't just hide without knowing what Kurt was doing. If he was back...

He had to be. If Kurt had turned out to be one of the few who never returned Blaine didn't know what he'd do with himself. That was why when he finally got up and got dressed went straight down to look through common areas of the Tower, searching for Kurt.

He still didn't look completely okay. While his clothes were put together and his hair was perfect, there was something a little wild in his eyes. The impulsiveness that drove him to Alpha's line of sight still lingered in the back of his mind. The sense of having nothing at all to lose had settled in him after watching Kurt die and he wasn't sure when it would start to fade.

Comments

[mediumdrip]

Blaine moves to shake her hand. "Thank you," he says politely before pulling his hand back. "Do you know where he is?"

[vissernone]

"In his bedroom. I imagine he's recuperating. He's putting up a brave face, but I'm sure you recall that the first resurrection is never easy." She shakes. Her grip is firm and confident.

[mediumdrip]

Blaine frowns at that. "Can you tell me a little about how he's been handling being back?"

[vissernone]

"Well, he made an indignant post on the network, and then I brought him some food because he mentioned he hadn't eaten." Her eyes are kind and warm, but it's clear her goal isn't helping Blaine so much as keeping her Tribute safe.

[mediumdrip]

Keeping Kurt safe and sane is also Blaine's goal so he doesn't have any qualms about that. He nods.

"Indignant? Did anyone important notice?" How much danger did Kurt put himself in just by being himself, unable to tolerate injustice without offering his own take on it?

[vissernone]

"Probably, but I wouldn't worry about it. They'd run out of Tributes entirely if they punished everyone who snapped at them after a resurrection. They'll chastise him, and he'll feel a little better knowing not everyone in this City agrees with the powers that be." She blinks. "You still haven't told me your name, by the way."

[mediumdrip]

"Oh right. I'm sorry. I'm Blaine. I know Kurt from back home." He seems a little embarrassed by this oversight. He had just be so focused on Kurt. He realizes he isn't sure if this woman watched him and Kurt make out in the Arena, but he hopes that her asking his name means that he's spared that embarrassment.

[vissernone]

"A pleasure, Blaine. You two are close, aren't you?" Eva shoots that hope down. "Your display in the last Arena made you some fans. It could pay off for you if you play your cards right."

Eva doesn't exactly approve, but she has just enough tact to keep from sounding judgmental. She can't help but associate homosexuality with Sponsors; it's been her only encounter with it.

[mediumdrip]

"My relationship with him isn't something I want to exploit for sponsors," Blaine says without thinking about it. Then, after a moment. "Unless it's for his benefit," he adds, frowning a bit. Then he moves a little closer. "Maybe we can work together? If enough people like him, he could win."

[vissernone]

Eva pauses. A sour look crosses her face, one not directed at Blaine but towards something else, something she can't see. "It can be for his benefit, but if you care about him you may not want him to win."

[mediumdrip]

"Why not?" Blaine asks, uncertain. "It means he's not in the Arena anymore, doesn't it?"

[vissernone]

"I'm not allowed to talk about it, but trust me on this one." Her voice is very serious. Her face just looks dead. "If you want an example, some of the past Victors had their tongues cut out, and I'd consider them lucky."

[mediumdrip]

Blaine looks at her very seriously. "If you had the choice, would you go back into the Arena?"

[vissernone]

"If it meant not being a Victor? In a heartbeat." She sighs. "If you want my advice, play to survive, but don't play to win."

[mediumdrip]

Blaine thinks about that and then nods. "Thank you," he says. "I appreciate the advice of Victors." That was at least completely sincere.