Party Time! (Oblivious Valeria is Oblivious): Open

[electriccandlelight]

WHO| Open to anyone who can find the place
WHAT| Val is rejoining society
WHEN| Sometime in the fourth week of the Games (a bit before the acid rain begins)
WHERE| The roof of the building where her workshop is located, in the Stylist part of town?
WARNING/NOTES| Party post, tag as you like!


[The video turns on, showing an old-fashioned vanity and a thick curtain with electrical lights flashing in a fetching pattern wired through as a backdrop. Valeria is sitting at the vanity, artfully posed. She smiles at the camera and waves when she realizes it’s on.]

Hello, my darlings!

[She blows a kiss]

As I’m sure you’ve realized, this is Valeria Rushlit, Stylist for District 3 and absolutely smashing party host. Which is the reason that I’m making this post!

I have been absolutely swamped working on, oh, this and that, and I just know you have all missed my sparkling presence. This must be rectified!

I could, of course, simply drop in on one of the many wonderful get-togethers popping up to share in the fun of the Games. But why should you do all the work? It’s only fair that if I’ve been depriving you of my lovely self I should be the one to fix it! And fix I shall, my darling dears.

Tonight if you show up on the rooftop of the building where I keep my workshop—[She leans in, winking at the camera and speaking in a loud whisper.] and if you’re a friend or a fan you’ll know exactly where that is, and who else would I want at my party?—you’ll find yourself at the party to be at this evening. The party that’s all. About. Me!

[She throws her hands in glee, smiling wide, and the camera switches off in response to a preprogrammed cue.]



Valeria looked over the room with a satisfied smile. She'd definitely been working too hard, been too focused on showing up Cinna and the rest of the Stylists when these Games ended. She'd been so cooped up in her workshop she'd failed to keep up with even the barest minimum of Games activity, though since she would have been alerted had any of her own Tributes been kicked out of the Arena she didn't berate herself too much for this.

No, what was far more important was how much she had missed in the Capitol. For the Citizens she was used to this was a downright subdued crowd, though this might be less due to some event Valeria had missed and more because the Games had become stagnant of late, she judged, glancing at one of the many screens posted around the rooftop.

This was a genuine Rushlit bash, as anyone could guess from her favorite decoration, a fountain that shot off miniature fireworks at random intervals. Everything else had more of an electrical theme, in deference to her position and ongoing Games, which was also the reason she'd included the screens. Subdued was never a word to be applied to a Rushlit party. Valeria straightened her pink and white party dress, adjusted her hair, teased into a tower over a foot tall, and prepared to mingle her ass off. Truly there was no person better suited to spreading joy than Valeria Rushlit.

Comments

[mannersmatter]

Effie though a party might be just what she needed.

Now she was here she was wondering if maybe, perhaps, a party was a bit more than she needed. But! Too late now. She was here, fashionably late, and she certainly wasn't going to leave unfashionably early.

[electriccandlelight]

Valeria stopped short at the sight of Effie Trinket, the enemy. Well, alright, technically Cinna was the enemy if anyone but her dislike of the man was so intense that it spread to his associates, his District. Valeria was all set to move past Effie with nothing more than a cold nod, when a thought occurred to her.

If she could get some hints about what Cinna was planning for the next public appearances--were any of the 12 tributes out yet? Or new ones brought in?--of his tributes... Valeria had meant for this to be a distraction from work, but her competitive nature couldn't let this opportunity slip by, so she sucked it up and approached Effie with a smile.

"Ms. Trinket, darling, I hadn't dreamed to hope to see you here!"

[mannersmatter]

"Oh, hello Ms. Rushlit!"

Effie put on a wide, happy face for the hostess. Oh, she knew how Valeria felt about Cinna.But she was not Cinna, and it was easier to be polite when you clearly had the upper hand.

"How are you doing, my dear?"

[electriccandlelight]

"Wonderful as always," said Valeria cheerfully. "Overworked of course, but aren't we all? And I must confess I'm loving it. I've found the stress and new deadlines to be just the most wonderful motivators for creativity, haven't you?"

[mannersmatter]

"Well, they certainly do help you...find new ways to do things."

Creativity wasn't exactly the most valuable commoditiy for an escort, but she'd found herself relying on it more and more.

[knottherapy]

Finnick arrived looking sharp and dashing as usual in a sleek black suit with blue highlights. There is a charming grin set on his face as he nods to everyone he passes, making a b-line to snatch a drink and start socializing. He knew of Valeria through years of being a victor and seeing her work worn by District 3 tributes. He respected her, as he did all the stylists who worked ridiculous hours to dress the tributes and victors in a cutthroat city as the Capitol. Contrary to the beliefs in the districts, it was no walk in the park-job.

Sipping his bright red drink he eyes the crowd. He was told there would be potential "clients" at this party and to keep his eyes peeled for opportunities that higher up Capitol citizens might approach him. Of course there was to be an expected mingling for sponsors for his surviving tributes in the arena.

[electriccandlelight]

Valeria continued with her mingling mission, still hoping to liven up the place after her brief detour to dig up dirt on the competition. And who should catch her eye but a Victor she recognized, though she tended to lose track of tributes and Victors she didn't personally work with. Finnick however she knew as a fellow serial socializer and she approached him with a wide, genuine grin. "Mr. Odair, my absolute favorite seafarer," she exclaimed, not entirely sure if that was the proper terminology and not really caring if it wasn't.

[knottherapy]

Finnick welcomed Valeria's approach with a grin his sea-foam green eyes locked onto hers, "How do I know you're not just saying that?" he teased with a wink. "And that you don't tell all the tributes and victors from Four."

He didn't hide his eyes that looked her up and down, checking out her outfit that she no doubt designed herself, "Looking beautiful, as always." He spoke so casually you'd swear they were old friends.

[electriccandlelight]

"I'd never admit to it," Valeria declared, her smile only widening. "Wild dogs couldn't tear it from me, or however that goes." She preened under his gaze, equally flattered if he was checking out her outfit or her body. "It is part of the job description," she said without even an attempt at her comment with any sort of false modesty. Valeria responded to Finnick with a tone in kind. Everyone was an old friend of Valeria as far as she was concerned, even if they didn't know it. Or agree. "Should I be complimenting your Stylist or just your fabulous self for your lovely look tonight, hm?"

[knottherapy]

Her attempt at phrases made him chuckle again, amused at how clear it was that she was definitely from the Capitol. "Then you do your job well, I might add." Finnick sips his red drink allowing his gaze to still watch her over the rim of his glass.

With one hand in his pant pocket, Finnick leaned closer now as he spoke, his eyes now locking onto hers. "A little of both," He muses. "I have years of visiting the Capitol to have adopted a style that seems to be up to par with that of the beautiful and talented." Quite a true statement that he isn't afraid to make.

"So I imagine you must be busy with this fast flow of new tributes." He gauges her opinion of the new style of Games the Capitol had recently adopted.

[punchdrunkvictory]

He'd been dragged here against his will. Why did he have to go to these bullshit parties anymore, even he knew no one really wanted him here. Even Effie had shoo'd him away the moment they'd stepped through the door.

He made his way to the refreshments, getting a glass of whatever drink was being served, adding a healthy splash of his own special mix from his flask. After finishing, he tucks the flask away, turning back to the party with his drink and frowning.

Wonderful.

[electriccandlelight]

Valeria has always been rather fond of Haymitch, though after several years of fringe interactions with him she was starting to suspect he didn't feel the same towards her. Or perhaps he just wasn't a party person. Yes, that made far more sense.

Regardless, when she spotted him by, of course, the drinks, she couldn't resist going over, grabbing a glass of her own and shoving it in his face. "A little dash of flavor for your charming host?" she asked cheekily, shaking the glass a little. Even if she hadn't seen him add to his own she would have simply assumed he was packing.

[punchdrunkvictory]

He was never particularly attached to Capitol citizens outside of his own district, and even only that went so far depending on the day...sometimes the hour of the day and how much alcohol was in his system. It wasn't that he necessarily hated everyone else-

Well maybe a little.

So when Valeria came up, his thoughts immediately went to 'I need more alcohol for this'. However, when the extravagant women asked for something a little..extra, an eyebrow quirked up. Unexpected. Many in Capitol knew he had his own special additive to their drinks, but none had ever asked him.

He reached into his vest pocket and pulled out the flask, still unsure about the woman. But now, he had the slightest ounces of respect for her, "You sure?"

[electriccandlelight]

"My darling, I am never unsure of anything," declared Valeria and held out her glass even more determinedly.

[punchdrunkvictory]

Haymitch could respect that too. Anyone who saw their choices through was someone he could respect, even if that respect was minimal.

He pulled the flask from his jacket and unscrewed the lid. And when he poured the alcohol in her drink he was rather generous. Probably more generous than he should have been.

"Good?"

[galaxyherder]

She's here only semi-reluctantly. It's mostly the dress and the hair and the makeup that she hates; the party and the mingling is... well, she's dealt with crap like this before that she didn't exactly love, but it didn't kill her either. And given how she avoided that already for all of them to see, she's pretty sure she can handle it.

Fame isn't something new to her either. Not to such an intensity, and certainly not for the same reason, but attention isn't something Shepard feels the need to shy away from. In fact, she has no problem using it to get things she wants.

Right now. Gathering information seems to be the best use of her time, and high society parties are always a good way to gain that. Being Arena 01's victor, invitations were practically guaranteed.

[electriccandlelight]

Not even Valeria was out of touch to enough to not recognize this particularly party guest, not when, as the most recent Victor, she's had her face plastered all over the Capitol. Right up until the next Games started, of course, which made her wonder of this Shepard woman resented not having the time to bask in her hard-won glory like the Victors past.

But then, she wouldn't really know what she missed out on, so Valeria shrugged off that line of that and continued her mingling with renewed purpose. "My dear, I am so glad you made it to my little bash!" she said, making a beeline towards Shepard. "You must be so busy, though no more than myself of course, I am happy to finally meet you."

[galaxyherder]

"Oh, no, the pleasure is all mine," she says with her best convincing smile and is internally hoping to God she can actually remember this woman's name if the time calls for it. Shepard's been informed on who she is at the very least. Some big deal stylist who works with one of the districts Shepard herself has no association with. Two, or Three, she thinks it might be, but she can't keep them all straight.

"I'm just happy that you even considered to have me as one of your guests."

These people love flattery, she's learned that fast enough. Feed a bear enough honey and they'll be easy enough to catch...

[electriccandlelight]

"Everyone who's anyone is invited to my parties, darling," declared Valeria and really that wasn't exactly true. She didn't care who came to her parties so long as they were fun and appreciated her skills appropriately, whether those be her work or otherwise.

"But a Victor, the newest Victor, you must just be absolutely swamped with invitations, and yet you chose little old me. So sweet of you, really."

[galaxyherder]

"I manage," she tells the woman with a grin and a shrug. "But I dare say that it's a change of pace that I can get used to."

It's a joke that isn't really a joke at all. She'd rather be here than inside the Arena. But probably not for the reasons most would suspect.

"I just love your dress by the way," she decides to lay the compliments on thick for now.

[slowlydrowning]

The fireworks startle her far more than fascinate her, and she's doing her best not to cry.

It's the first time that she's been out of the suite in days. Her escort practically bullied her here "You're supposed to be setting a good example; how are you supposed to do that if all you do is hide in here? Come on now darling, it's just a party. It will be fun!" and Annie knows she wouldn't have said those things if Finnick had been there at the time. And no amount of her saying she didn't want to stopped them from dressing her up and shoving her out the door.

Her dress is a vivid electric blue, swirled with iridescent pinks and greens and her long dark hair is twisted and knotted in such a complex manner she'll have to have someone help her take it down before she can sleep tonight. Annie has a feeling she's been shoved into the complicated get up as a way for her stylist to show off rather than because she thinks this is something Annie should actually be wearing tonight. But as ever, it isn't as though she has much of a say in it.

[electriccandlelight]

Valeria knew the girl, vaguely. The names and faces of people she didn't interact with on a regular basis tended to flow out her mind like water, but there was something about this particular Victor that stuck with you, though Valeria couldn't actually recall having a complete conversation with her. If that was actually possible.

Still, a hostess had her responsibilities and so she straightened up and walked over, pasting her usual showtime face on. "Angie, sweetie," she said loudly, taking a stab at her name. "I am just so pleased that you could make it, I feel like we hardly see each other anymore!"

[slowlydrowning]

Annie is momentarily terrified that the woman is actually going to try and hug her. People in the Capitol had a habit of doing that, and she was never very fond of it.

"I... um... yes. It's good to see you too. They keep me very busy these days," she says in an almost-lie, and tries her best to put on a smile that might be appropriate. It probably just comes off as nervous.

Angie is close enough to her name that she doesn't bother to correct her. Largely in part because Annie isn't certain that she knows the other woman's name at all.

[electriccandlelight]

"We're all busy these days, aren't we darling, rush, rush, from one Game to the next," said Valeria, not going so far to hug the girl but getting a bit closer than personal space usually allows. She leaned in with a faux-scheming grin on her face, one hand blocking out the crowd as she whispered at a volume only marginally softer than her usual speaking voice.

"Wouldn't want to swap some secrets would you dear, a little something under the table, Mentor to Stylist?" She was joking, mostly because she didn't believe she needed to cheat, this was simply Valeria's idea of breaking the ice.

[slowlydrowning]

The look of almost-panic never quite leaved her face, but a pink tinge comes rushing to her cheeks without her being able to stop it. "I... well, I don't know that I know very many secrets, I don't think."

None that she would dare share with Valeria, at least. None that she would share with... anyone, really.

"Do you?" she blurts it out without really wanting to. Or, maybe she does. Just a little. Harmless curiosity was good now and again.