[He settles back, looking at her with eyes slightly hooded. It's . . . maybe inappropriate to look at someone like this after the trial, but on the other hand, it's not like doing it Tuesday night or whatever will make it that much better.]
[He doesn't say it cruelly-- there's no glee or amusement in his gaze-- but rather neutrally, the same way one agrees that the weather looks cloudy today, sure.]
And us acting sad isn't gonna do much good. Not for us, and definitely not for them. Won't stop what's coming on Thursday night, either.
I might have five days left to live. I'm not gonna waste time.
[Her instinct is to respond with don't say that, at least to the last thing he says - but he isn't wrong. Still, there's concern in her expression as she glances his way.]
Maybe. [But.] I don't think anyone would blame us for being upset at a time like this, though.
[It's nothing to do with sex, not anymore. He's asking her frankly, pointedly, because he sure isn't-- and she isn't exactly fighting back tears, is she?]
Every year, twenty-four kids are picked by lottery. Two from each district across the country, a boy and a girl, eleven to eighteen. They're picked out to represent and remind us all of the last time people rebelled against the government.
They get prettied up. Get a good meal for the first time in their lives, get to sleep on the softest beds . . . and in the morning, they get interviewed, so the Capitol people can get to know them. If they're funny or flirtatious or shy or scared, if they're appealing or not . . . if they want to root for them. That's how they get funding, see?
And they need it. Cuz pretty soon they're put in a special arena with a million cameras all over, and they're given weapons, and told that whoever's the last killed gets riches and comforts beyond all their wildest dreams. Even the district benefits, getting food for a year.
So they kill each other. And when you win, you get to mentor the next year's tributes.
[It's not hard to guess, from his profile, to the things he's told her before, and to the things he's saying now, what all of that information implies. Still, it doesn't change the way she looks confused, then horrified - her hand reaches up to rest on her mouth, shocked. She'd wondered what he'd been through, but she didn't expect it to be this.
After a few moments pass:]
And you... [No, not won.] You made it out. Haymitch, that's...
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2019-10-27 05:30 am (UTC)Wow. That might be the weirdest compliment I've ever received. At least, I think that first part was a compliment?
no subject
Date: 2019-10-27 05:54 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2019-10-27 05:56 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2019-10-27 06:27 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2019-10-27 07:11 am (UTC)[Joking aside, it’s not difficult to tell from her expression that she’s flattered.]
You aren’t so bad yourself, you know.
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Date: 2019-10-28 03:14 am (UTC)[It's drawled out, a gently prod to see if she'll push back.]
Can't take em and can't give em.
no subject
Date: 2019-10-28 03:14 am (UTC)[It's drawled out, a gently prod to see if she'll push back.]
Can't take em and can't give em.
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Date: 2019-10-28 04:15 am (UTC)You're right. I'll have to call you halfway sane and say I wouldn't be happy if you died, that's much better.
no subject
Date: 2019-10-28 04:24 am (UTC)[He settles back, looking at her with eyes slightly hooded. It's . . . maybe inappropriate to look at someone like this after the trial, but on the other hand, it's not like doing it Tuesday night or whatever will make it that much better.]
no subject
Date: 2019-10-28 04:32 am (UTC)Not to be an asshole or anything, but - have you drank anything tonight?
no subject
Date: 2019-10-28 04:35 am (UTC)You want me to walk in a straight line? See if I can sing the alphabet?
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Date: 2019-10-28 04:37 am (UTC)[She gives a noise that's half sigh and half laugh, but all self conscious.]
Sorry. I mean, it's just a little surprising, I guess.
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Date: 2019-10-28 04:39 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2019-10-28 04:43 am (UTC)[But then she backtracks, still self conscious.]
It's not that I mind. I just... wasn't expecting it.
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Date: 2019-10-28 04:45 am (UTC)I have eyes. And I'm not that much older than you.
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Date: 2019-10-28 04:48 am (UTC)[But then she breathes out, shaking her head.]
Not that that matters so much, I guess. What's a difference of a few days when we have to do this every week?
no subject
Date: 2019-10-28 04:56 am (UTC)[He doesn't say it cruelly-- there's no glee or amusement in his gaze-- but rather neutrally, the same way one agrees that the weather looks cloudy today, sure.]
And us acting sad isn't gonna do much good. Not for us, and definitely not for them. Won't stop what's coming on Thursday night, either.
I might have five days left to live. I'm not gonna waste time.
no subject
Date: 2019-10-28 05:00 am (UTC)Maybe. [But.] I don't think anyone would blame us for being upset at a time like this, though.
no subject
Date: 2019-10-28 05:01 am (UTC)[It's nothing to do with sex, not anymore. He's asking her frankly, pointedly, because he sure isn't-- and she isn't exactly fighting back tears, is she?]
no subject
Date: 2019-10-28 05:06 am (UTC)[She looks towards the ground, leaning against the kitchen counter.]
There are, like, a hundred things about this situation that are awful, and unfair, and - she deserved better than what's going to happen to her.
[It's sincere, at least, now that she's expressing it.]
no subject
Date: 2019-10-28 05:12 am (UTC)[He studies her for a few long seconds, then scoffs again, rubbing at his mouth with one hand.]
Maybe I've known too many people who deserved better and died anyway.
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Date: 2019-10-28 05:16 am (UTC)[She remembers the evasion from last time. Conversely, though, her tone makes it clear enough she wouldn't mind if he did want to tell her.]
no subject
Date: 2019-10-28 05:26 am (UTC)Every year, twenty-four kids are picked by lottery. Two from each district across the country, a boy and a girl, eleven to eighteen. They're picked out to represent and remind us all of the last time people rebelled against the government.
They get prettied up. Get a good meal for the first time in their lives, get to sleep on the softest beds . . . and in the morning, they get interviewed, so the Capitol people can get to know them. If they're funny or flirtatious or shy or scared, if they're appealing or not . . . if they want to root for them. That's how they get funding, see?
And they need it. Cuz pretty soon they're put in a special arena with a million cameras all over, and they're given weapons, and told that whoever's the last killed gets riches and comforts beyond all their wildest dreams. Even the district benefits, getting food for a year.
So they kill each other. And when you win, you get to mentor the next year's tributes.
no subject
Date: 2019-10-28 05:32 am (UTC)After a few moments pass:]
And you... [No, not won.] You made it out. Haymitch, that's...
no subject
Date: 2019-10-28 05:42 am (UTC)[Which would have made him sixteen when he won. He says that firmly. Not coldly, but stopping something before it begins.]
Forty-two kids I mentored. You gotta stop caring after a while.
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