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iza was difficult for a pleathora of reasons. but oslo was struggling to match their logic, their disdain. he didn't want to think about it too much. or how honest this conversation was. it lead to feeling attached, and that was what he was trying to avoid at all costs. at the same time, it wasn't in oslo's nature to sit there pessimistically and not help. "iza..." he began, slumping forward and and resting his head in his hands.

"i truly am in no position to tell you how to play the games. i've never been in them. it's why you have a mentor. i'm merely here to get you acquainted with the capitol and our customs." oslo rolled his lips though, indicating there was a catch. "but, you don't have to ally with satin simply because he's from home. you have to talk to people and see who will really help you get to the end, if that's what you want suppose." he looked at them like he was always mourning, "i don't know, you don't know for certain they'll prefer satin either." oslo put a hand on iza's shoulder and through his haze, found their eyes. "i'm not permitted to sponsor anybody, but after this conversation i..." like your odds. "i might."

are you? iza wondered, looking oslo over with a scrutinizing gaze. probably not, but he possessed enough grace to somewhat- slightly- believably profess as much. iza could appreciate that, they supposed. the comment about barbarism had their eyes widening-- but they fought to bury the reaction. interesting. "futile alliances that will get me killed, instead of futile escape routes that will get me killed. got it," iza said, sardonically. at least if they died like that, their fathers wouldn't have to watch it happen. their siblings. ty. they heaved a sigh and cast oslo a look, but took a seat beside him without needing any further invitation.

they fell quiet for a moment before bitterness burst forth. "i mean, really. alliances." they laughed, but it was a helpless, choked sound. "with who? potential sponsors? or other tributes? because i have a deal with satin, and that's only because we're from the same district... i don't think he'll make any alliances outside that. so by extension, it's hard for me to team up with anyone else, unless--" unless the deal was to turn traitor on satin when it got down to the wire. "but i shouldn't be talking to you about that, should i?" while oslo perhaps arguably had some sort of loyalty to the two of them, as the district he was escorting-- he didn't have a reason to be loyal to iza over satin. and if satin got the faintest idea that iza would betray him, then it was game over.

iza didn't know if they could, anyways. maybe they had it in them. maybe they didn't. the thought of it turned their stomach.

"and sponsors. i guess i could go charm the pants off of someone in there, but who's really going to give me a second look with a district- mate like satin?" they turned to look at oslo, eyes scanning his features as if to try and determine how honest his potential answer would be. "would you?"

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"i don't think you're trash." oslo cut in sharply. in fact, he'd been in trouble more than a handful of times for feeling otherwise towards tributes. "you're simply meant to be enjoying the night, not nursing someone who's simply indulged in too much drink." he accepted peter's anger, and wouldn't stand there and tried to dissuade him. oslo thought he had every right to be angry. instead, he answered genuinely, "there is no persona. and i'm very sorry i can't send you back to them." he couldn't imagine. tail between his legs, oslo took the water, drank some, and spit out the rest before looking at peter, "everyone has an appearance to uphold tonight, wouldn't you say?"

"is this a you simply musn't accept my help because i'm just district trash? or is this more about your own wounded pride and not wanting to appear weak in front of district trash?" peter's head tilted a little, as he lifted the still half full glass of water in his hand, shook it just enough that a few drops scattered over the lip and ran down his fingers. despite the inherent harsness of his words, there was a playful tone attached to them, and he moved a little closer to the capitol boy, oslo, if he was to be believed in this state. he extended the glass of water silently, didn't offer it again in anything but gesture.

"do you talk like that all the time? or is that your escort persona?" he wondered his thoughts aloud, hoping beyond hope that the other was far too drunk to remember the minor jabs he was taking. "i'm peter. not exactly a name to remember, but unless you can put me on a train back home to my 87 year old abuela and my two kid siblings, i'm afraid i'm unaccomodatable. drink the water, oslo. or at least slosh it around in your mouth and spit it back out. your breath isn't exactly the nicest, and i assume you've got an appearance to uphold."

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"my apologies for ruining your fun." oslo told his brother stiffly, refusing to meet his eye. of all people who could've discovered him out here, this was the worst and by far the most embarrassing possibility. "what do you think i'm doing?" he quipped. he wasn't usually a difficult person, but he couldn't help it around orion. it wasn't his brother's fault, oslo really should learn to be less resentful. but laid bare and drunk in the open, it was difficult to hide it. the mention of their uncle was enough to make oslo sigh deeply, "as if he'll make an appearance tonight. you know he prefers to watch from afar the first couple of nights." their uncle disappeared from topic of conversation as he cut in-- "do not take me home."

Orion shrugged. His brother seemed off lately and there was definitely hints of it here at the mansion. The drinks. The stumbling. He adjusted his jacket and cleared his throat as he followed his brother into the backyard.

"Well... I was enjoying myself." He stated with a serious tone. "What are you doing, Oslo?" Orion asked his brother. He hated seeing him like this and while he didn't want to control his brother, he was worried about him.

"If uncle sees you like this, you know he's going to be upset." Orion said instead. He didn't want to say that he would be disappointed in him, Orion didn't want Oslo to think he didn't support him and his lifestyle.

"Do you need me to take you home?" He asked in a more comforting tone.

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oslo was thoroughly perplexed by satin's change of heart. perhaps it was the adrenaline from the party. or maybe something stronger. he wasn't one to judge...or assume, he himself had a fair bit to drink that evening. with a grimace, he raised his arm to pat satin's back, then pull away. the tribute was so excited, thrilled even. how would oslo feel if he allowed himself to get close, then saw his face dead in the sky weeks from now. "i'm afraid there's not much to know about me." he said curtly, then shamelessly guzzled from a flask. "the most valuable information you can learn is from your mentor...i insist...there's not much i can teach you." hopefully the simple statement would dispel him back to a night of fun.

Maybe Satin had been a bit of an ass with his Escort on the train, he just didn't see what the rich, pretty boy had to offer him. He was younger than him and had probably never had to fight for anything a day in his life. Sure charisma would get him sponsors, but so would his good looks, and of course his natural ability to win the games. Still, he supposed he'd have to see him for a while before the arena and maybe he should make nice with him, to make the other man happy.

Going out of his way to find him at the ball, Saitn smiled when his eyes finally landed on the Escort, he wrapped an arm around his shoulder as if they were old friends, despite the fact the other probably already hated him......yet Satin understood appearances mattered here in the Capitol.

"Oslo! Maybe we got off on the wrong foot on the train, we should take the time to actually try and get to know one another, be a team, all that.....important stuff."

@nep0b4by

[nep0b4by]

"ethelia, hello." oslo said grimly, pulling her in for a hug. as was customary between friends in the capitol. as they parted he left ethelia with a kiss on her fair cheek, "it's lovely to see you, really." though his excitement paled in comparison to hers. this whole lead up to the games felt like a cruel and prolonged funeral. usually he was able to forge his way past it, but not this year. "ethelia, please." he modestly looked down at the body length furs that blended with his suit. "i'm afraid i don't remember, i purchased this forever ago from a very small shop in the city. i never asked the designer." knowing his answer was unacceptable, oslo appeased his friend by adding, "perhaps after the games we'll spend an afternoon there. just you and i."

𝐖𝐇𝐎: ethelia wildbloom & open

𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓: ethelia - 1. personal boundaries - 0.

𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄: the gala

Ethelia Wildbloom adored games season. The fashions were amped up tenfold, the food was always divine, and the parties were beyond compare. Not that they ever lacked any of the such in the Capitol, but there was an ambiance that made it all worthwhile. Like there was reason for the galas.

She had spent to night mingling with friends, droning on in conversation, and drinking various beverages and desserts. It was Ethelia's first year being more than a mere spectator during the games and she took every opportunity to gloat about it.

Ethelia turned her head to glance around the room when she spotted the most marvelous outfit. With a gasp, she grasped her hands around her full-length gown and tacked it up to her hips as she scurried over. "Oh my! Don't you just look ravishing?" She grinned from ear to ear, her hands dropping her skirt as she placed her hands on the other's shoulders, never one to be coy. "You have to tell me who designed this, immediately."

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most tributes fell into one of two categories. total excitement elicited by the first time of reaching the capitol, or complete fear. thimble seemed to walk somewhere in the middle. naturally curious and very brave. his respect was immediately earned. oslo shook thimbles hand and introduced himself far less suavely than he would've liked, "my name is oslo copperhead and i...." he looked around then admitted, "i am from here." his head swirled while thimble talked around him. oslo didn't mind though. her takes were new and exciting. he felt drawn to listen and when she finished, to let her know, "i think you're miles ahead us here in the capitol." on cue with thimble, oslo's attention was pulled upwards, "no, those are real." the skies were enough to make anyone wistful, comforted. he thought about how there were no real stars in the arena, and considered how in a few short weeks, thimble would be there. how would she fare? oslo knew he was only supposed to care about his own tributes, but he just couldn't. solemnly, he dropped his head from the heavens and vowed to thimble, "if you need anything while you're here, please don't hesitate to seek me."

"well secretion discretion is the most important kind." thimble took the moment to appreciate the rhyming wordplay and giggled. a quick effort was made on her part to scooch over so that the towering figure had plenty of room to sit and even stretch out his legs if he liked. "who am I?" that was a loaded question. "hm." the real answer was probably hard to put into words, and it wasn't really what he wanted to know so she settled for just addressing the intention there instead. "I'm called thimble viridian rinaldi, and I am from little cove in district 8." she offered a hand as introduction, mimicking his own question like a mockingjay. "who are you?"

"leveled. ha." this time her laugh was deep and deprecating. "no. no, not really." it was quite the opposite, if anything. "I do not know how to not be in the moment. sometimes that means I'm bubbling with exuberance, sometimes I'm a mischievous little shit who wants to give into my first impulse, and sometimes I just talk in circles because it is easier to think out loud than organize my thoughts in my head, and it annoys everyone in the room. while sometimes I am lovely and bat my eyes and flirt, sometimes I'm irascible with pointed tricks up my sleeve. but right now, I am reflecting on this little respite... I just feel what I feel; wear each emotion like a new set of clothes. does that make any sense?" thimble sighed. frankly, she felt overwhelmed by herself lately. "it's not something I could level out even if I wanted to. oh, I'm babbling, aren't I?" she shook her head and looked back up at the sky again.

"I am trying to enjoy everything as much as I can, but it has been difficult, I guess. that's why I stopped here." the admission was earnest. quiet. "I could never see the stars at home. there was too much light, but I would sit on the roof or at a window and try for hours and hours." everything could change in a heartbeat. so why not try, right? "I thought you wouldn't be able to see them from here, but then I looked up. I mean, even if they're just projected twinkle lights to make people who live here feel better... aren't they pretty?"

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without judgement, oslo answered asena easily, "it's a fish. my uncle's favorite. he thinks them wise, likes to look over them swimming and mull." mulling himself, he stuck the nail of his thumb in his mouth-- gnawing. he much preferred it to the taste of vomit on his tongue. he thought about the fish and added, staring directly ahead, "there's ponds scattered all over the capitol, i must admit i'm surprised someone as observant as you hasn't noticed." it didn't matter though. there were more harrowing things to attend to when asena mavi made her way up to the capitol. "between you and me..." oslo began, turning to face asena. "you can complain. i assure you it will stay here." he thought that she had every right in the world to complain. but he dare not say it. dare not express disapproval for the games for the repercussions would be nasty. he shrugged, "you didn't ask for it either." and as far as the quell went...well, he knew nothing, and had he not been as drunk as he was, his lips would've been sealed. uncharacteristically bitter, he sighed, "you'd have better luck getting my brother to bark about the quell."

she eyed him as he came close, she had never been comfortable with physical intimacy she didn't explicitly invite herself and even then she struggled. she had always been a person who craved it but she had also never been good at it, in any way and thus it lacked in her life. oslo wasn't her favorite person, but then maybe she didn't even have a favorite anyway, at least he wasn't terribly insufferable like some. the sympathy comment makes her bristle a little but she quiets her angry ribcage with a long inhale of breath, letting it out slowly as she looked over at the koi pond she hadn't even noticed before. it made her grin, it was so out of place "an odd choice, yes. what's a koi?" she figured it was the name of the shiny fish inside the pond but beyond that she had no point of reference and she had never been ashamed of her lack of knowledge in certain areas, everyone knew schools in the districts were subpar at best. and besides, one of the few things she took advantage of here in the capitol was the abundance of knowledge, the answers at the ready for every question she had.

"it isn't the obligation that bothers me though." she said softly, looking out at the darkened path in front of her. "can i really even complain?" she knew what her answer would be but she didn't trust oslo with it. "i always thought you enjoyed the spotlight trained on you, but then it isn't like you have much choice." dangerous words maybe, but she was unafraid. she finally turns to look at him, take in the state of him and wonder if he was curious for an honest answer or an interesting one, perhaps both if he was bold enough. "this year is opulent, it's next year that i find my thoughts drifting to, quarter quell on the horizon that will make anything that happens this year pale in comparison. it's just another year." she didn't feel that way, every year was harrowing and traumatic for her but oslo wouldn't understand.

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"friendly as ever of you, valor aurelius." oslo chimed, pressing the button for twelve. he needed to have a word with their male tribute. strictly personal business, but nobody needed to know that. "are you unhappy with your prospects this year?" he asked, though had an inkling the victor was simply being himself. nobody asked oslo to check in on all the things he did, but while orion was busy rising in the ranks of importance, he tried to busy himself with making people feel comfortable. especially those who didn't have a death timer ticking above his head. "can i get you anything? i hate to see you so..." he gestured to signal, like this.

location: the tribute center participants: valor aurelius grout & open

valor aurelius waited anxiously, or perhaps, a better word for it was impatiently, for one of the many elevators to return to the ground floor. he'd made a direct beeline for the elevators upon arrival, but it seemed that everyone else had the same idea. which it shouldn't have been much of a surprise, but that didn't stop him from letting a loud, frustrated sigh escape from his lips as he cast a brief glance at the crowd forming around him. fortunately, it wasn't long before the next elevator arrived, but the familiar ding of the doors opening sent everyone moving forward, "don't even think about it," he growled as he forced his way into the elevator, jamming his finger into the button for the second floor.

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oslo was surprised at the gentle voice beckoning from behind them. with raised brow, he turned around to size them up. he was silent for a long time, thrown off by their kindess. he had grown to know kindness as a suspicious act. "thank you for your discretion." he said slowly, sitting on the steps as well and slowly inching towards them. when oslo arrived by their side, having refused to watch the reapings, felt obligated to ask, "who are you then?" thimble's offer was accepted silently as oslo tilted his head up to gaze at the tiny specks, "are you this levelled, always?" it was curious to him. he often felt too much of one thing, and not enough of another. balance, unfortunately, didn't exist in many parts of his life. while staring upwards still, he felt compelled to ask them, "were you enjoying it? before the puking at least?"

"oh, well that's okay." thimble assured him gently from their seated position on a step then pointed to a bush on the other side. "I hurled in that one like twenty minutes ago, but that's between you and me now, right? it's going to be our new spew buddy secret, because it's not a cute look for us." eating everything on the craft table was, in fact, impossible to do, but damn it all if thimble had not given it an earnest try.

they glanced over their shoulder towards the party. why had they decided not to go back yet? the festivities had been enjoyable enough before their stomach turned. well, enjoyable to the extent that anyone can enjoy an impending murder carnival. "I don't love being pigeonholed to one or the other, actually." thimble decided. "I wanted to look at the stars. care to join and cool off from all the absolutely normal and not at all pukey behavior?"

[nep0b4by]

"then i apologize still-- and for the worse." oslo said solemnly, dragging the weight of his body down the railing and then to eventually sitting on the steps. he extended an arm to the girl, "you're welcome to sit if you'd like." with how the train ride over had gone with his tributes, he wasn't expecting her to take him up on the offer. but he'd welcome any company right now, especially company that didn't know him, and wouldn't ask about the games. "you're not hogs..." oslo groaned, hanging his head. far more expressive than he might've been sober. "i find you all very brave, you're taking part in a sacred ritual of our great nation." from him, it was a compliment. he found tributes to have much sturdier resolve than he. oz only wished that it weren't under such polarizing circumstances. he scooted closer to the girl, "what's your name?" oslo asked curiously, then levelled with her, "how are you liking it? here in the capitol?"

As the hours ticked by, Willie started to break out of her shell. Well, not fully, but enough to start talking more. Enjoying herself. She knew that this would either be her life from now on or that it would stop in that arena. She had to enjoy it, at least in small increments. She had a drink and some food. She didn't overindulge, but she ate enough to feel like she was walking on a comfortable cloud.

She began to feel stifled. In her dress and in the gala with an array of people. Willie shuffled out a door, leading her to the backyard. "Don't," she held up a hand and shook her head to let him know it was okay. "I've seen worse," she said, to make him feel better. She had seen grown men puke before and, well, she thought she'd see it happen again but perhaps he would be the last. "I haven't decided. I was mostly just getting," she shrugged her shoulders and looked back at the door, "you know. Being one of the prized hogs and all."

[nep0b4by]

they had given him hell on the train. never in oslo's years of being an escort had he had such disrespectful tributes. part of him wondered if this was karmic, or it was just as simple as his patience wearing thin. oz supposed it truly didn't matter once he was found by iza. he'd be in for an earful, that was for sure. and oslo wasn't sure he was sober enough to wrangle his tribute chivalrously. "iza..." he said strained, quite literally have to bite down on his tongue as he considered his next words. "i'm glad to see you're enjoying yourself." oslo said tersely, looking him up and down. oh iza. oz mentally sighed. what was he going to do with them? "there's a gate lined with peacekeepers, you'd never get past it, and you'd be shot before you could even see them." oslo said, blunt and solemn. "i hate such barbarism." he spilled, thanks to the copious amounts of liquor in his system. as the horizon began to blur and shake, he sat on the steps, looking up at iza. "come sit." oslo offered him, patting the step beside him. "tell me, have you forged any alliances? you do know that's what this event is for, correct? not futile escape routes that will get you killed?"

⋆

iza had always loved a good party.

honestly, if they closed their eyes, took a breath, and focused hard on the burn of alcohol on their tongue-- they could almost fool themself into thinking this was just another party. just another normal night. nothing new. nothing stomach- turning. just another sea of faces, warm bodies... and there was where the illusion started to unravel.

the first half of the night was spent with water and a coy grin, flitting through bodies, cozying up to a few deep pockets and keeping an eye on what faces might have anything to betray. not a whole lot to be gleaned, really, but that didn't come as a surprise. to iza, this party was a pretty ribbon tied in a bow holding the shell- shock into something that resembled one piece.

and then came the liquor. probably the best part about this whole damn thing. one became two became iza wasn't really sure how many, until their stomach started doing acrobatics, a swell of acid biting at their tongue. the first hit of evening air did a little to dissuade the nausea-- at least, until words met their ears, a somewhat- familiar person materializing at their side.

"oslo."

a statement more than a greeting, and iza stared for a moment. then, their lips curled into a pointed smile-- something almost 'v' shaped-- and they reached out to nudge his shoulder playfully, humor bleeding in to their tone. "here i was thinking you wouldn't know a good look if it bit you on the behind," iza teased, "but this is actually a rather flattering one for you, i think." vomiting in the bushes. something iza may have come out here to do themself, not that they could now. they'd sooner strip naked and hang themself from one of the chandeliers inside than throw up in front of anyone here.

"how far do you reckon i'd get before someone caught up to haul me back?" they mused aloud, that same smile turning a little steely as their eyes drifted to the horizon.

[nep0b4by]

"excess and indulgence." oslo hummed, bouncing back rather quickly. better out than in he thought. asena and him weren't particularly close, but they'd crossed paths a handful of times. he appreciated how she always filled a room without revealing too much. always. it was artful. and in oslo's opinion, a sign of a true intellectual. which trust him-- he'd been around plenty. the amount of academic circles he felt obligated to run with was exhausting. but not this. asena was a naturally occurring talent and no amount of drink would prevent oslo from prying at it. attempting to get close to it if he was really bold.

oslo hurried to stand by her, drunk and eager to let her know, "i truly sympathize." he sighed, shaking his head and searching for the right word, "these obligations...they can be so stuffy. i much prefer it out here-- tacky koi pond and all." he breathed in the thick, night air. oslo thought amount before he got to poking the bear, "how are you--?" oz quickly amended the question by adding, "finding everything?"

after hours of torture at the party her throat felt sore and her head was full of pressure and exhaustion. the games were the only time of year that she had to be this social and it was a tougher workout than anything physical she'd ever done. but the physical challenges she had put herself through came a lot more naturally than the social gauntlet she had no choice but to participate in and even after all these years she was still not adept at it all. she did enough to keep her name on people's lips but not knocking at her door and that balance was important but not her sole focus. she thought she'd found a quiet spot for some reprieve when another stumbled by.

she hadn't expected to choose a spot used for that purpose but she wasn't really bothered either, she'd been witness to a lot worse. she forced herself not to shrug, it wasn't common here but it was a difficult habit to ignore. "it's a product of excess and indulgence, nothing more." she didn't intend it as an insult but realized it came out sounding that way. she knew who this was, how could she not? still, her desire for self preservation wasn't as strong as her natural personality. "yes, enjoying ---- from a distance." that much seemed obvious to her, why come to a dark, empty corner if one was truly enjoying the event?

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oslo wiped his mouth and turned around to curiously cock his head at the voice. his hand travelled down to his chin which he stroked thoughtfully once. "i suppose i'd never noticed." he responded, still quite puzzled. "you don't think they resemble me?" oslo wasn't sure why that sentiment upset him so much, the thought of so many seeing him through a misrepresented lens-- portrait or otherwise. he sighed and dramatically slumped back into the railing and begin to untie his tie and unbutton the top couple buttons of his shirt, "it's fucking hot." he slurred, stomach churning like he may empty his stomach again.

he ran his hand through his hair a couple of times, vigorously shaking his head like some mutt, daring to dispel the nausea. oslo examined the little thing that had approached him and he fully scratched his head. confused why he had stopped him in the first place, "is there something i could help you with?" oslo couldn't imagine why someone unknown from the districts would find himself occupied with examining portraits and patrons than enjoying the party, he knew for a fact it was a luxury he'd never seen before. why wasn't he enjoying himself?

this greatly troubled oslo to the point he pushed himself from the railing and rallied to stagger a few steps towards the other. "are you alright?"

Nero spotted him almost immediately. He was hard to miss, honestly, in the sea of feathers and rhinestones-- the unmistakable Copperhead brow, a head above the rest. If anyone was confused about who occupied slots in the Presidential family, of course, they could reference one of the many portraits hung throughout the mansion.

Nero's drink sloshed over the golden glass edge as he weaved through the crowd, keeping the bobbing head of the youngest Copperhead nephew in sight. He'd be a helpful ally, true, but he was also fascinating. Nero had been keeping a close eye on the other tributes, filing away observations for later-- and yet, none of them seemed half as miserable as the Copperhead. Well, maybe the morphing.

He watched intently as the nephew gripped the stairwell and emptied his stomach. Nero took a step closer, arms crossed over his chest as he studied the other. "They didn't get your chin right. The portraits," Nero said, instead of answering the other's question. "It's a misrepresentation."

[nep0b4by]

"yes, entirely demented." oslo huffed bitterly at her, "forgive me, i've just had...a time with my tributes. they both completely resentment and i've hardly talked to them this year." by all things oslo had been taught, tributes from district one tended to be easier, more excited to compete. while that had been true some of the time, it definitely wasn't this year. well-- with satin perhaps, but he hadn't taken too kindly to oslo either. oz couldn't help but wonder if maybe they were entirely justified. and the wondering alone left him with a weight of guilt.

"mmm, yes, their are quite a few pretty ones this year." his response came automatically, without much feeling. in fact, oslo stared past des, winding his pinky nail between his teeth as he thought. though he perked up at more chatter of desdemona's tributes, "is mr.dreadnought uncomfortable?" he asked, forehead wrinkling. oslo was of the belief that it was the least the capitol could do to spoil the tributes before they were slaughtered. the truth was, oslo wasn't getting along with either of his tributes, but perhaps that was because of his own design. to do what he could to help, but stay far, far away. and if he'd done this to himself, he didn't want to worry des with any of it. "it's merely a bump in the road, worry yourself not." oslo eyed the drawing pad on the table, shifting their conversation, "i know you're dying to show me."

In a rare, unpolished state, Desdemona sat cross-legged on her floor, new leather-bound notebook open on the refreshment table in front of her. She'd been sketching concepts and ideas for a month, and now that she could put a face to her two tributes, Des was not eager to put it away. They were striking individually, Aphrodite and Loch, but as a pair? Gods, she'd gotten lucky.

When the door clicked and Oslo pushed inside, Des looked up with a bright smile. "Ozzie," she gushed, standing up and draping an arm around his neck in greeting. She sighed at his request, though Desdemona knew his tone well. Perhaps the only trait Oslo shared in common with his family was his stubbornness. Hardheaded as an ox. So she flicked the screen off and settled next to her oldest friend on the couch.

"Is it entirely demented to confess I am excited?" she queried, holding her breath until further study of his expression. Des knew Oslo had... conflicted feelings about the games. She knew, of course, his concerns-- but what else were they to do, honestly? "Oh, Oz, they're so lovely. Striking," Desdemona gushed. "I do hope Mr. Dreadnought adjusts well." A brief flash of concern danced across her features.

With a frown, Des reached over to card a hand through Oslo's hair, pushing it back out of his face. "How do you mean? You don't get along with him?"

[nep0b4by]

oslo was soft in nature. uncle cal had sniffed that out in him like some prized hunting hound since birth. he masked it through liquor, jewelry, nice clothes, taking way too long on his hair-- partying like a shameful ghost of his parents. he despised how the eyes of the portraits and the public followed him as he stepped through the mansion. even out here on the steps, in the breeze, he felt far more bare than he'd care to be. he only felt worse at the sight of a tribute-- he had to be a tribute, and by the looks of his capitol couture, he was from the tenth district.

his guilt overcame him, and he drunkenly rose from the railing, "no, i musn't accept your help." oslo slurred, waving his hand in the direction of the other. he staggered over to him and extended a wobbly hand, "i'm oslo. and i sincerely apologize--" oslo burped behind closed lips and continued on, "i do deeply sympathize with your overstimulation. it is very showy, isn't it? and i do apologize your journey here was tumultuous." oslo slipped his arm around peter, as if it were the easiest thing in the world, "please, is there anything i can accommodate you with?"

light and sound was overwhelming, and though peter had wandered about and shaken hands, picked up and nibbled at anything he saw that looked unfamiliar in the least uncomfortable way, and had a few sips of drinks that were both far too sweet and more bitter than he could ever imagine, he was nearly ready to call it a night and wondered when the hell they would be let out of this pony show and sent off to bed to sleep for the evening.

wandering outside was a bit of an accident. he could still smell the overly purfumed air swirling around in the cool breeze, and barely noticed the figure seemingly jerking over the railing until they stood to their full height, and he blinked for a moment and lifted a hand in surrender. "s'all a bit more showy than i'm used to, if i'm being honest. do you want some water? wash that taste out of your mouth? i threw up on the train on the way here, i know that it lingers."

[nep0b4by]

𝐖𝐇𝐎: oslo copperhead & open 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓: obliterated giant at a party 𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄: uncy's mansion!!!

something about the tribute gala felt so sickening. like they were plumping up livestock for the slaughter. oslo was unable to escape the reality that in a few short weeks, most of the fresh faces around him would be airlifted from the arena. throughout the night, he nursed at least one drink, sometimes two. the only way he was going to survive this evening was to cave into absolute belligerence.

the clock ticked past twelve and the gala was still raging as oslo stumbled into the backyard, stomach gurgling as he gripped the railing of the extravagant staircase as he emptied his stomach into the bushes. sweating and gasping for air, he turned around to feel the cool night on his face. he swiped the hair from his forehead and apologized to the figure that was stepping down beside him, "my apologies, how unbecoming." oslo recovered quickly, rising away from the banister and approaching, "are you enjoying the event or trying to make a quick getaway"