it's never ever too late [open]

[buildingreality]

WHO| Ariadne and whomever wants to visit her
WHAT| Ariadne is musing to herself on the various occurrences of the Arenas.
WHEN| the night of the closing ceremonies.
WHERE| the training centre rooftop.
WARNINGS/NOTES| none right now.

Ariadne still wasn't entirely sure about all of this. All of this...killing, and maiming, and the fact that they were all brought back. What was she supposed to think of that? About the fact that somewhere out there in the world, someone was more than likely concerned with where she had disappeared off to; about the fact that she had curb-stomped a man to death on the opening day of the second Arena.

It was like everything that the Games were was suddenly rolling up on her, crushing her with implications and accusations that she had changed; that if she hadn't already, she would. There was a lump in her throat as she stared out at the glittering abyss that was known as the Capitol, hot tears barely pricking her eyes and refusing to fall.

Comments

[retrieverchef]

Eliot walks through the roof garden, coffee mug in hand. He just needs to get away from everyone. Except the others. The ones who were there. They'll understand. At least the garden's peaceful.

He sees a familiar figure by the railing and smiles. "Ariadne," he greets, walking over to her. That's when he notices the look on her face. "Hey, are you all right?"

[buildingreality]

It's the most human she's been able to be in a while. But even so, there are some things she doesn't want to broadcast. She knows there aren't any cameras facing her - there's one behind her, and she's probably be watched for the sheer novelty of not being out celebrating - and takes advantage of that to blink her eyes wide for a second, exhaling sharply as she hears Eliot's voice beside her.

"Eliot," she replies, making sure her voice is steady - even cheerful - when she speaks, glancing over towards him. "I was just...thinking."

[retrieverchef]

He walks over to stand beside her. "Yeah," he says quietly. "You're not the only one. It takes a lot out of you. Killing, that is."

[buildingreality]

At the very least, Ariadne is rather glad she hadn't broken down before he got there; it would have been a lot harder to hide, even if she didn't think it was that likely anyway. She just nods, glancing back out over the Capitol's skyline with a frown. "And being killed. Most people don't really have the chance to dwell on their own deaths, let alone more than once."

[retrieverchef]

Eliot's eyes widen. "This wasn't your first time in there," he breathes, laying a hand on her shoulder. "Oh, Ariadne. I'm sorry."

Damn it. Until now, it hadn't seemed real that he'd be going back into the Arena. It had been easier when he thought he'd kill a few people, die, and his life would be over.

'Cause it ain't a party until it gets hilariously awkward

[the_marshal]

From off to one side came the sound of rustling and footsteps: Wyatt coming through the garden.

He was trying to avoid his stylist; apparently there was some big to-do and the clothes-maker was runnin' about like a headless chicken. That could only mean another night of being pranced around like a show pony and Wyatt, for as long as he could get away with it, was having none of it.

Spotting the woman last minute like, he stopped, surprised, and politely removed his hat.

"Sorry, Ma'am. Didn't mean to intrude."

Awww yeah, nothing like hilariously awkward things

[buildingreality]

She didn't really expect to be left entirely alone up on the rooftop; it's as public an area as any, and it's the only one that doesn't remind them of the Games themselves. She manages to steel her expression at the sound of footfalls, briefly rubbing one eye before looking up at her companion.

Before tensing, as she realised - even in the dark - exactly who it was.

"You weren't," Ariadne tried, keeping her voice quiet and unconfrontational, in case he held a grudge against her. In the back of her mind, she could easily justify why she did what she did, but that didn't really change the fact that the last time she had seen this man - barring the time his picture was on the upper screen - was when he was lying dead in the mud.

[the_marshal]

He knew she was another like himself - a tribute. He's seen her, like the others, on the inescapable screens, but other than that....

All he saw was a pale face and haunted eyes.

Good sense said she wanted to be alone and that he should leave her to it - she was a stranger after-all - but his up-bringing held him in place.

"Is... is everythin' alright?"

[buildingreality]

It was probably a good sign that he hadn't attacked her on sight; all she could think of was the vendetta so many had against Tate, all the opportunities they would try to make just to kill him in reality if it was possible. Ariadne relaxed somewhat, loosening her grip on the railing as she tried to think of what to say.

"I- Wanted to apologise."

[the_marshal]

He blinked, and his brow slowly furrowed, neat little creases forming across his forehead.

His eyes twitched, glancing this way and that quickly, wondering if there was someone else here he hadn't spotted yet.

"I'm sorry?"

[cowardfacinghappiness]

Momoko avoided the Training Center usually, even more now that she had a much more personal reason to want to avoid spending any extended time with Tate. This night, however, the building itself was welcome respite from the rest of the Capitol, who were carrying on as usual (perhaps a bit more subdued, actually, but not nearly subdued enough for Momoko). She was glad for the chance to wander aimlessly in the quiet without concern of running into some annoying, gushing Capitol citizen--and then she spotted Ariadne, for the first time since they'd both died, and found herself surprisingly happy to see her as well.

There weren't many people whose company Momoko was tempted to seek out and so she hesitated to reach out now, not sure how to do that, exactly. "Hello," she tried carefully. "Did you want to be alone?"

[buildingreality]

She had doubted from the first moment that she would be allowed much respite from people; it was pleasant that she had been left alone for as long as she had, really. When she heard Momoko's voice, familiar even for the short period of time when her voice had been stolen from her, Ariadne turned to confirm her companion.

"Um. No, it's all right," she replied softly, glancing away but briefly to dab at her eyes, dry as they were, with the edge of her sleeve. "How are you?"

[cowardfacinghappiness]

"It's fine if you wanted to be alone," said Momoko, just in case Ariadne was just trying to be nice, which was apparently something people did. "I much prefer it myself." Her attempt at tact for the week complete Momoko shrugged and moved to sit near to Ariadne, crossing her ankles primly and folding her parasol to rest next to her.

"Better than this time last week," she said in response, because how else could you answer that question?

[buildingreality]

"I can't see being alone going very well right now," she explained simply, figuring that Momoko would either leave it be, or understand and then leave it be. She tucked a loose lock of hair from her face, sitting up a little bit straighter as she cast a glance around the gardens. "That makes sense. The Arenas rarely lend themselves to anyone enjoying themselves, I find."

[cowardfacinghappiness]

Momoko smiled, small and wry. "There's not much chance at being truly alone, anyway," she said, Ariadne's comment going mostly over her head. "I'm pretty certain there are more cameras in this city than the Arenas combined."

She looked out over the Capitol. "And the Capitol is all about making sure we enjoy ourselves."

[galaxyherder]

It's a miracle she's able to get away. All of her tributes had long since been out of the running, but as the most recent victor of the games, she was still being shoved around, expected to make appearances; talk to reporters; play nice. Frankly, they could all go to hell, she thinks. So when she finally felt three seconds away from punching someone, she decided it was enough.

'If you will excuse me.' She had made the excuse of wanting to return to her room for a moment to refresh herself. But when she gets in the elevator, she doesn't hit 9. She hits the button for the rooftop, and then, as she slides out into the air, she makes sure every single button has been pressed for the elevators return trip down. She doesn't care it its childish, it makes her feel better.

She doesn't expect anyone to actually be up here. But when she sees Ariadne, she finds it's actually a welcome sight.

"Hey," she says before approaching her much closer. She doesn't want to startle her and she isn't sure if the girl has seen her yet.

[buildingreality]

Her eyes are locked out on the cityscape before her, a bit grateful for the glittering sight that could be just like home if only she squinted. It's just about as close as she can get to Paris, considering everything else looks nothing like it ought to. And besides that, she has no one else to talk to; she has allies, she has the odd person she's spoken to more than once, but they're all busy.

So she had thought, at least.

Ariadne glances over her shoulder at Shepard when she hears the other woman's voice, looking momentarily surprised before offering a small smile. "Hi," she replies quietly, turning to face her properly. "It's been a while."

[galaxyherder]

"It has," Shepard agrees. "I wasn't expecting anyone else to be up here. Do you mind if I join you?"

Ariadne could say the word and she would find anther retreat, of course. Shepard knows that alone time in this place is a rare treat at times. But in all honestly, she won't mind her company. She actually likes Ariadne, and that makes a huge difference in it all.

[buildingreality]

"Not at all," she invites, making room at her railing though there was more than enough to go around. Literally, considering it went all the way around the rooftop. Tucking a loose lock of hair behind her ear, Ariadne tips her head curiously at Shepard. "How was the Capitol with all of us gone?"

[galaxyherder]

Shepard approaches the younger woman and stands by her side at the railing, but when Ariadne asks her question, she can't help but make a face. "A joke," she answers with a shrug. She doesn't feel quite like she has to watch her words around Ariadne. "Glad you're back, to be honest."

A million year later, jump in whenever you two like.

[nofunandgames]

Elias had come up to find Wyatt, but when he saw him talking with Ariadne, he hesitated at the edge of the roof, letting out a discreet.

"Am I interrupting anything?"

[punchdrunkvictory]

Normally Haymitch didn't come up here. But there was a part of him that may have been looking for the two missing victors from his district. Did he think he was going to find them? Maybe. Really though? Not at all. Where ever they were, they were going to be kept at.

So really, Haymitch had come up here to drink.

When he arrived on the roof though, there was someone else. His eyebrow quirked up. Guess there still were surprises to experience here.

He approached the girl, flask already out as he took a seat next to her, not talking.

[buildingreality]

She barely flinched when she realised she wasn't alone. Her eyes twitched to the side, curious as to who her latest company was without being overly obvious about it. She wasn't sure he wanted to chat.

At least, that's what the flask in his hand suggested to her.

Granted, Ariadne had never been terribly good at taking those sorts of social cues, even if she recognised them; too much curiosity. "Is there a reason you're drinking up here, instead of down at one of the parties?"

[punchdrunkvictory]

"Too stuffy," he replied, looking out over the Capitol. He was never suited for the Capitol, even when he'd first been reaped. He took a long drink from the flask before tucking it away in his coat pocket.

He turned his head to look at her. He'd never paid much attention to the new tributes beyond his own, but he recognized that she'd been there from the start, "I'd ask why you aren't down stairs celebrating, but I got a pretty good idea why."

Being killed again and again wasn't exactly something worth celebrating, was it? And yet here they were in the Capitol, where they lived it up every moment they could.

[buildingreality]

She nodded simply, understanding that notion well enough; there were numerous reasons why she wasn't down at the parties, and she tended to actually manage them well enough most of the time. Though she couldn't claim to know Haymitch all that well, she had heard the odd murmur about him, not that she would judge him based on something as simple as that.

Ariadne cracked a half-smile for a moment, meeting his gaze for a moment before shrugging a little. "I suppose it's fairly obvious. Similar reason, actually. I've never been that comfortable at the parties around here."

For some reason, she felt the need to explain. She didn't really know why.