mmidnight

Beyond a Fire's Embers

It was strange to think that a place could be so beautiful, and hold such ugly secrets and practices at the same time. From below, the city was alive with light and color as the after parties raged on. Vaguely, Prim could make out the sound of music, the soft thud of a bass line that had floated itself all the way up to their suite. The blonde didn't understand how the Capitol citizens could be celebrating when so many would soon be dead, or how they could sit idly by and mistake murder for entertainment. Seventy-five years ago, something had gone terribly wrong and Prim had never considered just how bleak and terrible the world could be until she had been Reaped for a second time. Fate had to be accepted, and Prim knew that she could no longer ignore the circumstances that currently surrounded her.

The warmth of Gale's hand on her was surprising, enough to dull her somewhat dangerous thoughts. His hands were so much bigger than hers, rough and calloused from all of his time in the woods. She was used to seeing them with a scrape or two, and had come accustomed to the scar on the side. That was all gone thanks to the Capitol and Prim understood where he was coming from when he spoke. Slowly, her fingers moved between his, touching his skin, committing the feel of him to memory as her heart jumped inside of her chest. “You know it's there,” she said, referring to his newly healed scar. Prim didn't want Gale to feel bad about this, to feel like he was losing part of himself or that the Capitol had the final say in who he would be.

In a way, Prim understood the loneliness he felt, but she wished with everything in her heart that Gale had never volunteered. When they had discussed in months ago, Prim had wanted him to stay for the most selfish reasons, but now she just wanted him to be safe. Gale was a good person, and a very vital part of what kept the people in the Seam fed. If he wasn't there when Katniss couldn't be, they were going to starve to death come winter. Then there was his family to think of, how his mother must miss him terribly, how Posy who would never know just how wonderful her big brother truly was. It made Prim teary-eyed just thinking of it and subconsciously, she found herself giving Gale's hand a squeeze.

“You got a hair cut, Gale,” she finally told him, laughing softly. “You're still you and they can't take that away.” Prim looked up at him, the side of Gale's handsome face was bathed in the softness of the colorful lights below them. He was perfect, but she couldn't stop herself from disagreeing with his words. “I wish you hadn't volunteered.” It wasn't meant to be mean, and it wasn't out of anger, it was just the truth. “You're too good for this.” They all were, Katniss, Haymitch, every former Victor and unnamed tribute who had been stolen from their families over the years. No one deserved such cruelty.

Again, his hand had found hers and their fingers twined once more. She may not have been glad that he volunteered and got himself into this mess, but it wasn't all bad. “I'm glad for this moment, though,” she paused, “if that makes any kind of sense.” She laughed and shook her head, cheeks flushed as she chanced a glance at Gale.

The air in the living room had felt incredibly tense, but all of that seemed to melt away with the sound of Katniss's laughter. She had a way about her, for being so incredibly strong, the moments when she allowed herself to be vulnerable, when she relaxed, were the times she was most likable. It was those times between them, each moment added up, that Haymitch had finally acknowledged the truth that he had been avoiding for nearly a year. Everything about the situation was incredibly unfair and Haymitch knew that he would have to keep himself all the more guarded until he died. Katniss didn't need to know.

Relaxing, Haymitch found himself laughing at the dark-haired girl's joke. Johanna was intimidating, but Katniss needed to realize that they had more in common than just a bad attitude. They could use each other in the thick of it, and once he, Prim and Gale were gone, she would need someone to get her all the way to the end. “She's really not as bad as you think,” he insisted with a small smirk, and didn't protest as Katniss took hold of his arm.

It was too late for him to speak up before Katniss was already wiping off her make up on his sleeve. Effie was going to love this, that large black stain on such expensive fabric—it was sure to be the only topic of discussion come dinner time. “You're the worst person I've ever met,” he said once Katniss had released his sleeve, although his tone did nothing to back up his words and he even found himself laughing again. Although most of her make up was now gone, there were remnants of black mascara stubbornly clinging to her skin, but she looked like less of a raccoon.

“I looked good in it until you used it for a rag,” he corrected, although he wasn't all that bothered. She continued to speak, though, mentioning Johanna again and Haymitch vaguely wondered if Katniss had been jealous. Perhaps Peeta's participation had nothing to do with her storming off of the elevator, or the way she had snapped before going to change. Had they been back home, out in the woods or in her living room in front of the fire, Haymitch might have allowed himself to read deeper into her actions. But he was going to die, and accepting that finally felt unfair.

Running a hand through the hair that had been saved from the scissors earlier, Haymitch shrugged his shoulders lightly. “I didn't let them cut it the first time, and I wasn't going to let them do it this time,” he explained. “They can only change you if you let them.” Because that was what the Capitol liked to do, it was what they were good at.

Haymitch reached over and gently rubbed away a stray streak of black below Katniss's right eye. “You looked nice tonight. I don't know if you believed me before.” He meant it, though and he meant it now too; smeared make up, no make up, it didn't matter.

Beyond a Fire's Embers

ugh, 4-1. My kids got the business handed to them. Poor things. They played okay for a while but I guess it just wasn't their night.

Haha, one more thing to include at Peeta's birthday party! Ugh, steak sounds good. I had chicken wings.

I could definitely see that happening. Maybe the group is split on whether or not to trust Coin? 13 is going to provide for a lot of conflict if we choose to use them, but I can't think of how else they would get back to the Capitol and to Snow. Nooo, Prim is happy with him and his advances <3 she's just not happy that he's in the situation. You'll see when I'm done. She's very into the hand holding and totes wants to kiss his stupid face uwu

Beyond a Fire's Embers

Haha, maybe. They scored again. I think it's my fault for watching the game. I usually watch until they get scored on and then I change the channel. When I flip back, the wings are always winning. I made my team lose D;

Those Edible Arrangements always look so good. I went to a fondue restaurant once and they have fruit with their dessert course and ugh, it was so good. And yaaas, candles are my shit. I light them all the time during fall and winter.

Yeah, I think that could work too. At some point I feel like we're going to have to deal with 13 because Coin is pretty crazy, but we don't have to have them necessarily join up with the cause. I don't mind having long posts at all c: it's all so cute right now, so we can keep it up for as long as you want. Although Prim isn't as sappy as Gale for some reason.

Beyond a Fire's Embers

I think we're going to lose I: they scored again like right after I posted, haha.

Have you tried those chocolate covered blueberries and other berries frommmm Brookside, I think? They're so good. Yeah, idk what I want either. I usually just say perfume, or candles. I love candles, but there's not much that I really need.

Oh, that's right. Blah, I'm dumb. I thought when you mentioned Beetee going to 13 or being captured that 13 was back on the table. Misunderstanding! I'm almost done with Prim's part and then I'm going to start on Haymitch and then you'll have your post!

Beyond a Fire's Embers

OT is such a pain. If you can't get shit done in sixty then just go the fuck home. Because if it goes to OT, both teams get a point and if no one wins OT, then it goes to a shoot out and then the game has no winner because shoot out wins don't count toward play off points. My boys are doing pretty well this year though, so I have some faith in them <3

Let me know how it works out c: and ugh, I love those griddle pans, they're so useful. I also have no idea what to get my mom or anyone. I keep asking and everyone is just kind of like, OH IDK. And now it's almost December and I have no list.

Yeah, that would be a good idea. I would think they're going to have to run from people trying to catch them more than once. Like, there's no way they're going to be totally undetected once they get out of the wilds and keep moving. The goal is to get back to bombed 12, right? And then move onto 13?

Beyond a Fire's Embers

Yep c: hopefully it won't go to overtime, though.

You can. I take a slotted spoon and just swirl the water around so when you drop the eggs in, the whites fold over on themselves instead of spreading out or sinking to the bottom. I think there's a pan specifically made for poaching. It comes with the little cups and you fill the bottom with water.

Poor Peeta -takes a shot- but srsly, I never thought I would get into these pairs the way I have, haha. I just want everyone to be together and be happy but they're going to go through so much pain ;n;

Beyond a Fire's Embers

5:10 left in the second :3 and you're welcome!

What do you do now? I like to use a shallow pain and get the water swirling in like a whirlpool before i drop the eggs in. A little vinegar helps harden up the whites a little faster so you don't end up with like, egg soup. And yes, I'm very tempted, haha. I'm addicted to this RP and it's your fault!

Beyond a Fire's Embers

We just tied it up :3 and good luck with school!

Poachedddd. Poached eggs are so fun c: and I'm starting on a reply now because I really can't resist. All this hand holding and make up wiping needs to be followed up to.

Beyond a Fire's Embers

I know that feel. My mom doesn't want to retire either. I really hope your mom keeps getting better though <3

Yaaas, shirtless men. That will be something to break up all of the angst, haha. It's fine, we're down by one right now so I'm trying not to pay too much attention in case that jinxes us. Whatever you want to do is fine with me. Tomorrow is Sunday and I try my hardest not to go anywhere on Sunday. But I think you should make bacon and eggs because reasons.

Beyond a Fire's Embers

That's good. At least she's moving around and making progress. Although if she's in this much pain some surgeries really aren't worth it D;

You knowww, there's going to be a point either in the arena or when they escape when haymitch and gale can be shirtless >__> js. That's good c: I might try and get something for you now but I'm not making any promises. The hockey game is on, but you'll definitely have something for when you get back tonight.