thecapitol | Closed

Who| Emily Finch and China Sorrows
What| Horseback riding and congratulations
Where| A stable in the Capitol
When| Backdated to before the Crowning
Warnings/Notes| None as of now, will update as needed

Filthy as they are, China harbors a secret adoration for horses. Whether it’s their beauty, their power, or the fact that they can’t whisper insipid nothings into her ear, she’s always enjoyed being close to the creatures. That’s a fact that few know about her, Emily being one of the few people she’s shared it with.

It’s been longer than she’d like since she really spoke with the Mentor, especially given the woman’s recent ascendance in status, so China looks forward to their planned engagement.

She’s already decked out in her riding gear when she meets Emily at the stable—fashion is, at least, probably one of the few things you can expect Capitolites to be reliable about.

“Hello, Emily. Before anything else, I believe congratulations are in order. Few deserve that honor more than you do.”

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It had taken her a while to find riding gear in the plainer colours that she feels more comfortable in rather than bright, garish hues or tartans. She's quietly rather pleased that it suits her, since horseback riding has long been a dream of hers, but it's taking a little while to get used to the way the material clings.

She offers a smile that's more genuine than the ones she usually allows herself as she greets China, one born from her excitement at the prospect of riding and the smell and feel of the stable - something the Capitol couldn't cover up and that felt as natural as anything back home.

She corrects herself, slightly irritated. The Capitol is her home now.

"Thank you. I have to say, I was pretty surprised when I found out."

"I imagine you were; not everyone is so lucky. But, then again, I would say that we're just as lucky to have you."

Unlike so many things China says, she means this. With the vast majority of humanity being near worthless and incredibly frustrating to be around (at least in her mind), the exceptions much be cherished. It's better to have them in the Capitol than anywhere else.

She smooths back her hair and beckons for Emily to follow as she strolls in front of the stalls. There are quite a few horses to pick from, of course, ranging from the normal to the modified.

"And was your family pleased as well?" There's probably only one way the next question can be answered, assuming they'd both like to live. It's not the answer alone she's interested in, but any little details that might spill out with it.

"I..." The question takes her by surprise, and she fumbles to find an answer that would be appropriate, thinking of the special call she'd been allowed to place out to Seven, of the resigned, dead tone in her father's voice and the indignant fire in her brother's - he'd stopped just on the right side of the line when it came to telling her exactly what he thought of her abandoning Seven, just as Leo had, and she still felt guilty over it. "They were delighted, of course. Having a daughter elevated to Capitol citizenship is more than most parents can dream of."

China's eyes widen slightly when the answer isn't immediate, a rather plain indication that she's noticing that fact.

"Of course they would be. Few could hope for such an impressive daughter." A pause. "I apologize, perhaps I shouldn't have brought them up. You must miss them. A family that you can actually miss instead of dread is a treasure."

She has the decency not to smile at her own ill-timed joke as she reaches over to place her hand on Emily's shoulder. What is a friend to do but offer comfort?

"I've been in the Capitol so long now, I thought it would get easier," she admits, offering a small, grateful smile at the hand on her shoulder. "I'm not sure it's a good idea to visit them, at least not yet. I feel I should take the opportunity to fully benefit from the Capitol now I'm able to, instead." That plus she was fairly certain she'd be met with accusations of selling out if she returned to Seven now, as a Capitolite.

"I suppose we all deal with absence in different ways. It's a shame that the proof that you truly love them must be so painful." China squeezes her shoulder before letting go.

"There's much for you here. I wish I could promise you that it all will be here when you return, but you know by now how quickly things move..."

Even not knowing all that Emily does, China can still imagine a few reasons why she's right to delay a return. For one, it could seem an insult.

She turns from Emily to brush her fingers across a horse's muzzle.

She's never been this close to an animal this big, and Emily's eyes widen in awe as China pets the horse, betraying the naive Districter at her core even after so many years in the Capitol. "Is it really all right to touch them like that? They won't bite?"

“Oh, but of course.” Would anyone let Capitolites around an animal that would harm them? That would just be inhumane. “They’re very tame and gentle. I believe they’re bred for it specifically and then further trained. Perfectly safe. And they have simply the most velveteen fur. Feel for yourself.”

She steps aside to allow Emily some space, though she keeps one hand on the animal’s flank.

The horse doesn't seem perturbed at all as she tentatively reaches a hand out to brush her fingers against its muzzle. Emily feels the sort of wonder she's sure she must have as a young child, before the hardships of the District and the brutality of the Games knocked it out of her. "Oh, isn't he lovely?"

It's a sweet tableau that China watches with interest and a gentle smile. It pleases her to see Emily and the horse get along, with neither shying away. Then again, it's not as if Emily hasn't faced much more intimidating things.

"He is. Would you like to be closer to him? So long as you don't stand behind and spook him, I'm sure all will be well."

"I'd love that." It felt odd, being able to show her enthusiasm so openly, to have found something within the Capitol that made her feel good rather than running her down. But as she moves closer to the horse, running her palm against its fur and feeling it nuzzle into her hair, she finds something of a sense of peace, which is gone as soon as she realises it was there in the first place, making her feel introspective and vulnerable all over again.

"How on earth do they have the patience to cart people around all day?"

She laughs dryly at the question. "That is a great mystery. They're much more impressive than the people with whom they're often burdened, are they not? Strong, patient..."

China's admiration for the horses could almost be described as unabashed. She's finding more temptation to be open in this setting--it feels rather nice.

"We could learn a lot from them," Emily agrees, reflecting only after she's said it that that's as bold a condemnation of the people she's surrounded with in the Capitol as she'd have the courage to say here.

China eyes her a moment, wondering if any more introspection will come from that statement. She's curious, as such a thing could have a variety of implications. "That we could."

She sighs, knowing that her next words must be picked carefully. "Who knows what burdens the future could thrust upon us, after all? If we aren't willing to bear them, I'd hate to think of the consequences."

She has to bite her tongue to keep her from responding that most Capitolites wouldn't know how to shoulder their share of burdens, with how wrapped up they were in their own lives and petty problems. Instead she nods toward China. "At least there'll be two of us prepared."

"Prepared? You overestimate me." Here, on this subject that isn't going to personally offend the Capitol leadership, she decides she can be a bit more honest. It's freeing, in a way.

"Knowing intellectually what will come and truly being prepared for it are very different things, dear. I have yet to fully reconcile myself with the thought of actually putting my hooves in the mud, as it were."

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