#alexander.threads

[riiseandfall]

@victoriams

alex huffs, as soon as he's off the stage, he's pulling jewelry off and tossing it to the side. somewhere safe, they swear they won't lose anything. but every bit of it felt stifling now and they just wanted it off. the lights, the cameras, caesar's blinding smile—it all reminded him of how much he hated the interview process. it was much easier when he was just coaching others through it. less so when he was the one on stage.

but that annoyance slips away when he spots prue nearby. the two of them had spoken only a handful of times but...he was already oddly endeared by her, enough so that her presence even gets a small smile out of him. "hey...uh, if you're looking for your district i think they are over there?" they point over their shoulder. "you did a good job, by the way. they look fantastic. you must be proud."

[riiseandfall]

~

"you and the hair -- it is always the hair, i am filing a restraining order against you and my hair." alex mutters, having half a mind to pull his hair out of the ponytail it had been gathered into, just to spite max -- even if only playfully so. dark eyes narrow into a half-hearted glare as max speaks, dropping to that glass as he takes a drink of his own. giving a low hum, they move to take a sip, still grumbling. only to pause and now fully glare at max. did they really think that he poisoned them? of course not...but capitol drinks could be...bizarre at times. "you better be fucking joking, max--" that damn smile is so smug and it doesn't almost get a smile out of alex right back, of course not. the fact that they're shaking their head and turning away doesn't prove a damn thing. "i hate you. i hate you so, so much. why do i hang out with you? why do i let you talk me in to hanging out with you?"

maxim laughs as alex pushes him away. he shrugs lightly, a small grin maintained on his lips. this is good -- alex could distract him with enough harmless banter to forget the fray in his nerves. "well, i had to be sure you understood -- i know some things tend to fly over that raggedy little head of yours. your stylists did an amazing job at taming that hair, by the way. I'll have to send them a thank you, seeing as i personally requested them to," he teases, resisting the urge to tap the other on the head with a manicured index. he laughs again as alex inspects the drink. "just drink it. if i wanted to poison you, it wouldn't be in front of the entire capitol," he jokes, then takes his own glittering blue drink and takes a drink himself. "see? harmless," he waits until alex takes a sip to continue. "just be sure you're in the district 12 apartments by midnight, otherwise when the side effects start in a few hours, you'll hardly be able to walk straight." he says seriously, taking another calm sip as he takes in the crowd for a moment. he looks at alex with a straight face that gives way to a smile after an excruciatingly long moment. "kidding."

[riiseandfall]

@gladiatefm

they had tried to shield aster--tried to keep her from seeing what snow wanted everyone to witness. aster insisted she was fine, threw up a smile and was ready to walk right into that party. but alex could see it in her eyes--he hadn't been fast enough.

but she was learning the game well, had split from their side to mingle, to make friends and charm and do everything she had to in order to get an edge in the games. alex would have been proud...if it were any other circumstances. for the longest time, alex had lingered close by, concerned only for his sister--even above himself. but as time passed, they became increasingly aware of concern for someone else.

apollo.

it's why he found himself trying to track down the other victor, scanning the faces of those in the party for him. he had to be here...where is he? he finally spots apollo, weaving his way through the crowd to grab his arm and pull him to a quiet spot--away from the capitol, away from the cameras and those too big smiles. their hand doesn't leave apollo's arm, even as they speak, their voice a low whisper just between the two of them.

"i know you're not okay, i can tell you aren't. so don't try to bullshit me and say that you are just...talk to me."

[riiseandfall]

@damagedflames

the interviews happened only a couple of hours ago and yet it felt like it had been days. the elevators were up and running and alex had spent the better part of fifteen minutes trying to pace a hole right through the floor of his own room. they were restless. the games were close and it was this time that was the worst—it felt like you were just waiting to hear that first cannon.

and alex looked half ready to crawl out of his own skin already.

so, when he got his first chance to attempt to sneak out? naturally, he took it. he just didn't expect to run into prim-and that much is clear from the wide eyed way he looks at her. "uhh....where are you going?" deflection. always a great tactic. nailed it.

[riiseandfall]

@empyrcals

the elevators were broken. that's all they had really been told. but alexander knew. they may not have been told every detail of the plan—but they knew this one. although they would have appreciated being told just what was going to be displayed on those screens. it hit him hard the first time he watched those deaths...the second time wasn't any easier. he had slipped away, just slightly past where the peacekeepers were watching—solely to light up a cigarette in the hopes it would ease his nerves. only for alex to jump nearly a foot in the air when he sees that familiar white armor—his panic giving way to minor annoyance when he notices who is wearing it.

"...i liked you better when you weren't a peacekeeper..." he grumbles, eyes rolling as he takes a drag, "here to drag me back?"

[riiseandfall]

it isn't fair. the revelations they've had since stepping forward to volunteer���the existence of a sister that he's never known, one that he may now never get the chance to know. this love he's found, how they cling to it with greedy hands, savoring each kiss, each second he gets with apollo. scared of which one could be his last. they had stepped forward so easily, volunteered almost as soon as they were told they could—and they had been unafraid of what would await them in that arena. but now?

they're terrified of what they might lose.

it is what has them almost clinging to apollo now, feeling the way their eyes sting as they try to hold back tears, try to be strong as best they can. but in truth? they're so scared. it shows in the way their hands tremble slightly as their forehead rests against apollo's, in the uneven tempo of their breathing. that tender kiss has something in them break, tears slowly rolling down their cheeks and alex can taste it as they kiss apollo back, "i love you, apollo. don't you ever forget that, okay? no matter what happens in there. i love you so much and—" they sniffle, give a half-hearted smile as dark eyes open to look at their fiance. "...you're one of the best things to ever happen to me, okay? i need you to know that."

alex is a tenderness he can't allow himself to hold onto too tightly . he's is terrified to open his eyes , wondering which kiss might be the last , if he will never feel that brush of their thumb against his cheek again . with a sigh , he presses his lips tenderly to alex's , marvelling in the fact that he can do that now outside of the daydreams which once whisked him off to sleep .

with their promise , apollo opens his eyes once more . they're alight with . . . everything . hope , love , the blind optimism which has dragged him through this life , helped him to survive it all . " you can , alex . you're gonna make it out of there , i know it . " but what does that mean for their sister ? or for gill and finnick , for the friends he will watch climb into that arena and fight one another to send their siblings , their children , their family home . it's too much horror , and he turns from it , terrified . " i'll be waiting , " he murmurs , brushes his lips tenderly across alex's , the person he is determined he will marry one of these days . " it took this long to get you , i'm not letting go of you tonight . "

[riiseandfall]

@victoriams

it was a miracle that alex hasn't paced a hole right through the floor, given that they had been walking back and forth for the past half an hour, it certainly wasn't for lack of trying. he didn't like how many new rules were being introduced in the games this year--no volunteers and then victors could volunteer and now they were being trained separately? it only added to his nerves.

they were so lost in their internal bitching thoughts that they almost didn't stop in enough time to avoid running over some poor soul who happened to wander into his path. almost. arms were outstretched to steady her, "shit...sorry--i was, uh...." yeah, they didn't really have a good excuse for almost running someone over. "--stylist, right?" not one for twelve but alex is fairly certain he saw her fixing outfits for...eleven maybe? during the parade, "please say you aren't looking for jett because then i have to help you find them and i'm kind of avoiding them at this current moment."

[riiseandfall]

@reblrths

alex had been--to put it bluntly--avoiding peeta ever since the volunteering. or avoiding him as much as they possibly could considering the shared penthouse apartment for district 12. rather uncharacteristic of him considering that the two were rather good friends but...

when he volunteered, he hadn't thought about anything but keeping aster safe. hadn't thought about how both rye and katniss would also be in that arena--how only one person was going to walk out this time. the more time that passed, the more alex thought about what was going to happen...the more guilt he felt at what could happen in that arena.

it tormented them enough that when they saw peeta at the party, they turned on their heel, fully planning to disappear into the crowd if it weren't for that hand on their shoulder that drew them short. "hey--" alex turns, all to ready to flash a smile in case any interviewers were nearby or anyone else they needed to bullshit.

"--how's, uh, how's the kid doing?" no point in asking how katniss was doing--not like she was about to tell either of them.

[riiseandfall]

@damagedflames

false smiles were thrown up for the party--for those cameras that saw everything. it was a stark contrast to the way his stomach twisted, a stark contrast to the way he gripped the glass in his hands just a little too tightly. and aster? god--he wanted to get her as far away from this as possible. but the peacekeepers at the elevators were all too happy to remind everyone how mandatory this party was.

it shocks him when he notices prim here. not in the capitol--unlike katniss, alex had known that she was here for a while now, sworn to secrecy and after everything prim did to help him? to help aster? they couldn't say no. but he does grab their arm lightly, voice lowered as he gently pulls them to the side, "what are you doing here?"

[riiseandfall]

that gets a wry laugh out of him, brows raising, "i know, right? so excited to represent my district. again. that whole arrangement about not going back to the games? overrated." volunteering twice, they were certain the capitol citizens were going to have a field day with that. he catches the lighter easily, but shaking hands means it takes him a couple tries to get his cigarette lit, taking a long drag as he hands the lighter back. "thanks." he exhales, watching the smoke spiral for a moment before glancing at the other, "who'd you volunteer for?"

𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐎 𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐋 . poetic , and entirely too true . maybe if he was alone , and maybe if she wasn't depending on him to bring home food , clothes , money . maybe he'd be more accepting of the situation . but he wasn't , so the best he could afford to give the other is a short scoff . ❛ guess i'm just weird . yeah , you're positively beaming at the idea . ❜ fingers went to venture in the pocket of the far too extravagant jacket the color is making him sick and fetched out the lighter he'd bought from a peace keeper . ❛ catch . ❜

[riiseandfall]

@cfcannons

they had thought they had gotten used to it--losing people. from his own games to being a mentor...he had seen death more closely than he ever truly wished to. but it was different this time. he had grown to anticipate those deaths, they were part of the games--but he never expected to lose three victors like that, never expected it to be flaunted in their faces--he never expected to lose triffel.

their hand trembles as they pull the cigarette from their lips, blowing smoke into the air and watching it spiral, they had hoped the nicotine would help calm their rattled nerves. so far? they were doing a shit job of it.

as evidenced by the way alex damn near jumps out of his skin when he notices gloss nearby, "fuckin' christ--a warning, gloss! a damn warning would be nice...a bell or something." he scoffs and looks out over the city, moving to cross his arms over his chest, hoping it would hide those shaking hands. "shouldn't you be in there?" their head jerks to the party that roared on behind them, "capitol darling and all that?"

[riiseandfall]

@bludline

alex rarely got along with peacekeepers--even back in twelve, even before his own games. they may have had something of a point given that alex's choice of profession back in twelve wasn't exactly what one would call 'legal'--but they failed to consider some very important facts...namely that alex didn't care that it was illegal.

he had gotten rather good at evading peacekeepers and yet not here in the capitol it would seem. although there was the slight issue of alex being somewhat familiar with this particular former peacekeeper.

"so, uh---" they give a quiet chuckle, expression somewhat apologetic as they look at marcus, "--no hard feelings about that punch, right?" in their defense, it was years ago. and... they hadn't known it was marcus under that helmet.

[riiseandfall]

@cfcannons

they could still hear the sound of that whistle, as if someone was doing it now. ever since aster's name had been called, ever since she walked to that stage? alex had hoped the rebellion would do something to intervene--something to stop the games.

he wasn't expecting such a bold show. even now it felt like the peacekeepers were watching everyone in the training center that much closer. there were eyes everywhere in the capitol, which means alex couldn't afford to slip up now. not with aster here.

there had been...a slight scuffle. a peacekeeper who got a little too rough with aster and alex pushed back. he was mostly fine, after all, he was a tribute again. had to be careful to not hurt the capitol's playthings. and while aster returned to the apartment, alex made his way right to the bar, wouldn't be too many more opportunities to have a drink and they damn well needed one now.

they hadn't expected for gloss to also be there, a quick glance thrown to those around them before alex made their way over, drink in hand, "i want you to know that the only thing keeping me from calling you an idiot is that i would have to call myself one too." they point out, "hope you don't take it too personally if i say i fully plan to avoid you in that arena."

[riiseandfall]

effie had always had a way of calming alex down, of easing those racing thoughts and making them feel seen and heard when so many among the capitol had once simply...looked over them. before they walked out of that arena, of course. now things were so...complicated and hard and alex felt so lost and small again—until effie speaks. they stutter out a laugh, sniffling as they wipe at their eyes, brows raising as they nod, "i have never been small, effie. we both know that." but alex knows what she means. effie had always felt like something closer to a mother than just his district's escort. and he so desperately wants to believe what she says, that somehow? they all get that happy ending. that peace. but it feels so...unrealistic to hope now. but effie was right, she had never broken a promise. and he knew that if she, for whatever reason, decided to start? it would not be now. he nods along with what she says, only to still at the final sentence. they both knew of the rebellion, how could they not? but there's a flicker of fear in alex's eyes at her words as he moves to gently take her hands. "stay safe, please. both of you. i know that—" there's only so much they can say and they both know it. the capitol had eyes and ears everywhere. "—no matter what happens, promise me that you all will stay safe? and promise that...that you'll get him out. if it gets bad and i can't—" he pauses, takes a shaky breath, "—i just need to know that everyone i care about will be okay, effie. so, promise me that?"

this was their child as if effie had watched their first steps, monitored the small inhale of little lungs and twirled fingers through peach fuzz. it didn't truly hit effie in the chest until staring at them, staring at the ring that meant this was no child anymore even if alex the wild feral lizard of a human being had been one when they first met. even then they hadn't been small. The hug is nearly enough to make the woman who insisted on proper manners and etiquette wondering if this was the exception to sobbing in public? Seeing Alex's own glisten with tears a gentle finger moved to brush away errant droplet that moved to make lines on cheeks. "This would be the one and only time it would be acceptable to ruin my dress because you are my small one. I will do everything in my power, everything humanly possible to make this happen. You my dearest love, my sweet alex - you deserve love and happiness and I may not know all the things but we will see that day. I promise you this and when have you ever known Effie Trinket to break one of her promises? No. Yes was the right answer because in any other world we'd have all the time to plan and I would throw the most wonderful party to announce it. I would curl your hair for your wedding and Jett would make the most beautiful outfit for my child.. Haymitch and I have plans. I don't know exactly how but you will get to say I do"

[riiseandfall]

they aren't sure how long they'd been sitting on their bed, knees curled against their chest, thumb running across that band around their finger, lost in thoughts that they couldn't even recall if they were asked about them. their thoughts were too rapid and jumbled and he couldn't keep track of them--the knock at his door was quick to pull him out of it.

when it opens, he wasn't expecting to see haymitch on the other side of it, and their mouth opens to fire off some sarcastic quip as they were known to do, until they catch sight of the 'incentive' in his hands. alex's expression falls slightly, lips pursing as they grab a cookie before haymitch can say shit about it. "...bribery is below you, abernathy..." alex grumbles, moving back to their spot on the bed, knees curled against their chest again--but the door is left open as alex picks at the cookie, turning it in his hands. "did you get peeta to help you with these? or did you swipe them from another floor?"

haymitch abernathy ft. alexander gray ( @riiseandfall )

haymitch was really bad at pep talks. before, when it was just him, he had simply not given the pep talks a bunch of scared kids from twelve probably needed. he felt guilty about that, for sure, but at least the kids now have some pretty good mentors up their sleeves -- and it's not time to dwell on the past. he had to muster up all his courage, but he thought he might be able to do a little something now.

alex was a tribute again. and that meant they might need a pep talk. haymitch should probably leave it to someone a little more experienced in the field -- but he was trying. a knock on alex's door & a deep breath in. "hey kid, wanna talk ?" he's holding a whole bunch of cookies & cakes in his hand, as incentive.

[riiseandfall]

~

it was an...uncomfortable feeling, knowing that you're living on borrowed time. each second that passed them by did so far too quickly since the moment he stepped forward and uttered the same two words that altered the course of his life the first time--i volunteer. it was all too familiar, following that training schedule again--picking up that bow and feeling the weight of it in his hands. all too familiar in a way that made his stomach twist.

but they would have still have made the same choice, they knew what it was like in that arena, that horrible sense of dread that hung off of every single second. the loneliness, the fear. they knew all that---so how could they ever let aster go in alone?

they had separated volunteers from tributes when it came to training, aster was already running behind--the previous night had been another one filled with nightmares, it took alex a good while to get her calmed down again. if it were up to them, they would go down to the gymnasium with her--but it wasn't up to them. instead they were lingering by the elevator with her, running over the game plan--'don't overlook the survival skills, okay? you know the plants back in twelve, use that here. make sure you know how to forage so you don't rely on just sponsors. you're good with daggers but keep that hidden, okay?' she nods, focused as she listens to what alex says, her hand gripping his tightly and he can feel the way it trembles. 'you're strong, you'll be fine--' his sentence is cut off as the door opens, blinking as he moves to stand a little straighter, looking the rather unexpected guest over.

"...twine?" the confusion registers clearly, "um, go on--you're already running late." arms wrap around him tightly and alex holds aster close for a second before pulling back and ruffling her hair, pushing her towards the elevator. it is only when those doors close again that he looks to prudence. "sorry about that. anyway, you need...twine. is that a stylist thing or...?"

ᴡʜᴏ: PRUDENCE WARREN & ALEXANDER GRAY ( @riiseandfall ) ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ: TWELFTH FLOOR, TRIBUTE TOWER ᴡʜᴇɴ: MORNING, TRAINING

Growing up, Prue didn't know much about her parents' lives in District Twelve. She knew that this is where they had come from. She knew that the district was stricken by poverty and hunger. She knew that they had fled to try and give her a better chance to live. She knew that, deep down, both of them wished they could do more do help their people. She knew that their connection to that place had influenced their decision to assist District Thirteen in the rebellion efforts. She knew that their attachment to their people had led to their deaths.

She thought their lives in District Twelve had been left behind when they fled. She thought that any family she had there was long forgotten – her parents had never discussed their distant family with her, and so Prue had grown up with the assumption that they simply didn't exist. That her parents had nothing to leave behind. This assumption, she would later find out, was wrong.

Three years ago, she had volunteered to follow in her parents' footsteps and assist with the rebellion effort. Two and a half years ago, she had been informed that she would be sent to the Capitol as a spy. Two years ago, Coin had pulled her aside and told her there was something she should know before heading to the Capitol.

The conversation is still something of a blur for Prue – I wouldn't be telling you if they weren't going to be in the Capitol, too – Coin had said, before explaining that Prue wasn't the only child her dad had fathered. Before explaining that the 'distant' family in District Twelve wasn't quite as distant as Prue had always assumed – that her father had left behind a two-year-old child when he had fled to District Thirteen. That the child had grown up and been sent into the games. That the child had never known where they came from.

Prue had felt sick – but she'd swallowed the bile in her throat and gathered her resolve enough to utter, quite simply – thank you for telling me.

She'd sat with that knowledge for two years, unsure exactly what to do with it. Alex had been in and out of the Capitol with the games seasons – but she'd never gotten close enough to tell them. She wasn't sure if she should tell them. Coin insisted that retaining their cover was the most important thing, that the rebellion should be the top priority – and Prue had done her best to abide. She'd left it alone, telling herself that telling Alex now wouldn't do any good. That she couldn't even get close enough to tell them. That if she did, it could get them both killed. That there would be opportunity after Snow was overthrown and they had their freedom.

Then the twist to the games had been announced. Then Alex had volunteered to go in with his other sister. And Prue had felt like crying. Crying for a brother she didn't even know. It was then that her resolve was broken – she decided that, no matter the cost, she wouldn't let Alex go into the arena, possibly to their death, without speaking to them. Even if she didn't tell them, she wanted to know them – at least a little bit. They were the only family she had left.

She finds herself pressing the elevator button for the twelfth floor without a game plan. She couldn't just go right up to them and say hi, I'm your long-lost sister – that would be ridiculous. But she also couldn't be up here without a reason. Shit. She's starting to panic, pressing buttons to try and get the elevator to stop, when it opens up on to the twelfth floor with a ding – and she peers out to see none other than ALEXANDER GRAY staring back at her. "Twine." She says – her voice coming out strangled and odd, "I'm here to borrow twine." Nailed it.