thecapitol | (no subject)

WHO| Anyone in the Capitol. Mentors, dead tributes, and the new future tributes (if you like)
WHAT| Game viewing party
WHEN| Ongoing, as long as the weather holds and the Game's don't end
WHERE| The roof of the mentor's headquarters
WARNING/NOTES| none right now.

The roof lavishly decorated, dripping with flowers, brilliantly colored blown glass bubbles and fountains that cascaded down into a small wading pool that ringed the roof. Cabana's were dotted here and there, surrounded by flowing curtains for privacy, and lounges covered with large, ornate pillows made sure there was plenty of places to sit.

Along one edge was a buffet covered with delicacies, all finger foods geared toward the warm weather. Rare fruits chilled on ice, delicate sheets of raw fish curled up on tiny piece of bread, chilled dips and many more. Iced, fruity drinks flowed freely, with a handful of Avoxs around for any needs the guest may have.

TV's were everywhere, and a guarded door lead back into the mentor's headquarter's, in case they needed to slip back in to help their tributes. If they have any left.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Derek was so focused on what was happening in the Games that he did not notice anything else happening around him until the plate shattered and sliced his feet.

However the physical pain was nothing compared to the mental anguish he felt as he watched his best friend - his Emily - die again.

He watched her eyes fluttered, beads of sweat sliding off her forehead and her hands covered in her own blood. It all came rushing back to him. History has repeated itself and once again, he could not save his friend.

Momoko wasn't sure what to focus on: her shock that she--fragile, unathletic Momoko--had actually made a throw that sort of hit it's target, her slight (very slight) guilt at hurting someone accidentally, or the outrage at her offense at being ignored.

She settled on outrage.

"Hey!" She stomped over, carefully avoiding the sharp shards of the plate that were already being swept away by the delightfully silent servants. "Hey," she said again once she'd reached the man. "You should apologize!"

Honestly, she didn't care that much about the dress. Again, it wasn't Baby, but not only was she angry at her whole situation and perfectly willing to unleash her stress on someone, it had occurred to her at some point that appearing tough and unwilling to back was a trait that sponsors would appreciate. Might as well start the performance now.

'Apologize?' Derek thought. He had apologize several thousands times for the past seven months. He had come to realize that out there in the field sorry doesn't bring people back.

In his trance, he managed to move his feet; maneuvering through the crowd and away from party. He desperately wanted to get rid of the image of Emily lying there in the wilderness, covered in blood and gasping for air.

"Emily..."

"Hey--hey! Don't just walk away from me!" Impatiently shoving away a servant trying to dab at the stain on her dress Momoko strode after him. "You can't just ignore me." Too late she noticed they were moving away from the other people. She frowned. She'd been counting on the presence of others to keep things from getting out of hand. Now she found herself alone with a strange man who said nothing except a name.

"Emily?" Momoko repeated. "That woman who was just stabbed?" Had he known her somehow? Weren't they all supposed to be pulled from different places? Or maybe he was a Citizen who had really liked that tribute. Fanboys could be strange like that.

He turned on his heel and stood his ground, finally unable to ignore the girl any longer. He leaned in close and said dangerously, "I'd really appreciate it if you could give me the courtesy of leaving me in peace with my grief!"

Momoko cast a nervous glance back towards the party but stood her ground. If nothing else, she could certainly scream loud enough when necessary. "What do you mean grief?" she snapped back. "So she died--that's the Game, isn't it? We fight, we die, that's the whole point. Grief does nothing but waste time."

"I said, leave me alone," Derek growled and then pushed her aside.

Momoko stumbled when he pushed her, so angry she nearly lost her balance entirely. Once stabilized she turned on him, scowling. She wanted badly at this point to stomp off with some shreds of her dignity intact, but couldn't leave him with the last word. "It's ridiculous," she sneered. "Grief is always a waste of time and effort, but to grieve over someone who's just going to come back in a few days anyway? Pointless!"

She whirled around and started moving back to the main part of the party. Next time she tried to intimidate someone it would have to one who wasn't so stupid.