Another Broken Child

Cassia Hunt. Eighteen years old. District 8 Mentor. 73th Hunger Games Victor. **WARNING: This blog may contain mature content**

[sabfans]

[alaricshultz-deactivated2020062]

Questioning Fate || Alaric and Cassia

[cassiahunt]

Victors. Those that have successfully fought their way to survive though the brutal, gruesome Hunger Games, winning the sole prize of keeping their once undisturbed lives. That is why there was never total anarchy against the Games. Because even if you were reaped and the odds were astronomically low that you would survive you could always somehow keep hope that there was some way to fight your way through the Games and come out on top, come out safe, never having to enter the Games again.

A promise made to protect those victors that had worked so hard to get where they are today. The promise that although burdened with the memories of their games however horrifying and vivid, that a victor would never have to return to the Games again. This promise was ripped from the hearts of victors in one split second at the hands of an old man with his tantalizingly frightful grin.

And now Cassia was stuck. Stuck in a sort of gray area between reality and horrid fantasy. With the thought of having to be thrown back into a new Games Cassia’s mind was flooded with the faces of her fellow tributes: Rowan, Tipper, Vixen, Steam. Were their lives worth nothing anymore? Did they die for absolutely no cause? If the Capitol wants to send the victors back into the Games, than what was the point for all the previously won Games? There will be a clean slate of victors and those that prevailed once, will simply end up like the tributes they surpassed before.

Cassia’s shock suddenly turned to anger and she got up from the floor and began to scream. She could no longer handle the thought of being surrounded by a room filled with things provided by the Capitol in reward for her win. She grabbed anything in sight and just started throwing things against the wall. First a vase filled with flowers went flying across the room and smashing into a hundred glass shards scattering the floorboards. Then a candle holder flung from her hands, landing with a loud thump and adding to the pool of glass at the opposite side of the room.

Then her hand landed on a picture frame and before she knew what she had grabbed it was flung across the room breaking against the wall and finding its new home in a pile of glass along with the other carnage. Just as the frame landed with a smack on the floor did Cassia realize it was a picture of herself as a child.

“Oh shit,” she mumbled under her breathe before stopping her rampage and walking over to the photograph and crouching down to pick it up. She nicked her finger on a stray piece of glass but ignored the little drop of blood falling from her finger as she stared at the image. She fell back on her heels and closed her eyes knowing that no matter what she had had done in the past to get her to where she was now, taking multiple lives in order to survive in the arena, finding a stray companion in Alaric along her journey through the Capitol, selling her body in exchange for her sister’s safety, it was all for nothing. Absolutely nothing. And now the doe eyed girl staring back at her in the photo would be another tribute added in the Capitol’s brutal collection of lost innocence. 

[alaricshultz-deactivated2020062]

Alaric may have remained rooted to his seat for an undefined amount of time, but once the noise had begun from upstairs he was finally snapped out of his state of shock. Wails, shattering glass, bangs and booms from unidentifiable objects being thrown this way and that across the bedroom. He waved off her parents as they made the move to go attempt to comfort their hysterical daughter, instead heading up the stairs himself. For if anyone understood what Cassia was feeling right now it would be him. Her parents were safe from the wrath of the Hunger Games and had been for years. No amount of consolation from them could do any good. 

It seemed the room had fallen into a sullen silence once Alaric reached it, anticipating another object to be launched at the door as his knuckles carefully drummed against the panels. When no retaliation seemed to come he parted the door from the frame enough to stick his head in and survey the damage. Glass shards of random objects were strewn across the flooring, flowers from what once was a vase lay tattered in the carnage. Beside it knelt Cassia, a rather young and fragile Cassia, with her hands clenched around a broken picture frame, cheeks dampened with tears of anger and anguish. 

He let her sit and collect herself for another moment or two before stepping all the way into the room and awkwardly lowering himself to the floor beside her. Truthfully Alaric had no idea what to say or do in order to bring her any sort of comfort. Comforting had never been his strong suit by any stretch of the imagination, not to mention this was a difficult situation to begin to pretend anything was okay. The odds were in neither of their favors. The only positive outcome wasn’t positive at all; watching his mentor go into battle once more, watching the victors who had long outlived their duties to the Capitol be brought back in for battle…

Watching his friends, those he had come to know so well over the years, be reaped and punished once more. Having to face off with them in life or death. The thought was making him feel sick.

So what words of consoling could he really give? Maybe she was fortunate to have won only two years prior. She didn’t personally know any of the others well enough, wouldn’t feel the pain of their loss. Maybe she would be lucky to avoid this whole mess, that the other female victor of their district may be reaped instead. There had to be another, though he didn’t recall much about district eight’s victors prior to his own win. There hadn’t been another between him and Cassia. 

But maybe, just maybe, the odds would be in their favor for once.

[cassiahunt]

Just as Cassia set the frame on the ground she was snapped back to reality just long enough for Alaric to step in the room and crouch down beside her. She instinctively wipped her eyes and sniffled a few times before she looked over to him with heavy eyes. She had mixed emotions seeing his face for she was appreciative that he was the first person to see her in a time like this because who knows what kind of reaction she would have given her family had they come and checked on her.

But at the same time how could she look at him knowing that he was going through the same exact thing she was. This was no time for pity or condolences but what else were they left with besides the utter realization that they were both being gravely screwed over. Cassia drew her knees to her chest and nervously ran her hand through her thick hair. She opened her mouth to say something but her breath fell short and she just let out a short bitter laugh.

She shook her head slightly, “Well…we are preeeetty fucked aren’t we?” she threw her hands in the air in defiance. There was no better way to word how she felt. Even if by some miracle Cassia wasn’t reaped to go back into the Games, Alaric could be. Her mind tried to sort through the houses that were inhabited in District Eight’s victor’s village but she couldn’t place a face to a single victor even though she knew some had to exist.

All Cassia was sure of was that she would most likely have to be a tribute once more and she simply couldn’t live with the fact that she would be maliciously thrown back into an arena. She sighed and looked back at her previous mentor, “I just can’t kill any more people, Alaric. I don’t have it in me.” Just the thought of having to take a life made Cassia sick to her stomach. Then again the odds that she would even be able to take one of the victor’s lives was slim. The new potential tributes had won their Games, some more brutally than others.

She slid closer to the only other person in the house that knew what she was going through and took Alaric’s hand in hers, “I love you, you know that right?” She lifted her finger before he could interject, “Now shut up and let me finish, okay? I’m not trying to make this some dramatic gushy moment but I want you to know that what you are going through, you are not going through alone and whatever happens at that reaping, I love you and nothing is going to change that.”

[alaricshultz-deactivated2020062]

Questioning Fate || Alaric and Cassia

[cassiahunt]

Cassia wasn’t worried about the opinions of her family in regards to Alaric coming over for the viewing. The fellow mentor had mingled with her family before in the past and nothing was ever put into question about the relationship the pair shared simply due to the fact they casually kept things to themselves. Although Cassia was quite comfortable with the situation, she did like watching Alaric fumble around awkwardly whenever he came into contact with her parents. It was endearing in a way.

She lifted her finger, playfully warning him as he left a kiss on her forehead, and then scurried into the other room. She made her way to sit beside her sister clutching on hope that her old deal with Snow would still hold true about protecting Gabriella from the reaping. Especially with the new twist soon to be revealed regarding the upcoming reaping. Although Snow hasn’t made any house calls recently in terms of their deal, she wasn’t exactly complaining and there was no falling out between the President and herself that would warrant the deal of Gabriella’s protection to be revoked. But that didn’t mean she wasn’t constantly dreading the thought of having to go back down that road, but for her sister she would.

The screen cut to Snow and all eyes watched in anticipation.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is the 75th year…of the Hunger Games.

It was written in the charter of the games that every twenty-five years there will be a Quarter Quell. Now, on this the 75th anniversary of our defeat of the rebellion we celebrate the third Quarter Quell…as a reminder that even the strongest cannot overcome the power of the Capitol.

On this the third Quarter Quell Games the male and female tributes are to be reaped from the existing pool of victors in each district.

The room fell silent. As Cassia stared blankly at the screen she felt the eyes of her family staring back at her as she tried to make sense of the whole situation. Snow continued explaining on the screen, but all Cassia could hear was an ever increasing ringing in her ears as her body sat frozen in place. Her eyes gazed at the screen and watched as an almost unnoticeable grin appeared on the President’s face and Cassia couldn’t take it anymore.

She jumped up quickly nearly knocking over the coffee table that stood in front of her and stormed off up the stairs and into her room slamming the door behind her. Her hands trembled as she breathed harder and harder and could practically feel the blood coursing through her veins when she collapsed down on the floor in a heap of sobs. She couldn’t clear her mind of a single thought:

 I am going back into the Games. 

[alaricshultz-deactivated2020062]

As much as their relationship shouldn’t be viewed strangely - as mentor and former tribute, bonded with mutual experience - Alaric still felt a little strange being under the eyes of Cassia’s family. Particularly with the way he and their daughter treated one another in private, lacking in the more formal, outward relationship. 

When president Snow appeared on screen a hush fell over the former low buzz of discussion of the family, leaving everyone with eyes trained firmly on the screen. Alaric’s mind was racing through all sorts of different and torturous possibilities; the numbers were endless. He took a sip of his beer as the words began to spill from Snow’s lips. 

Now, on this the 75th anniversary of our defeat of the rebellion we celebrate the third Quarter Quell…

It was awful how easy it appeared to be for Snow to stand up there, seemingly without one worry, as he withdrew the card clearly marked with a ‘75’ on the envelope. Peeling it open with care, scanning the letters written there…

As much as Alaric had come to respect the Captiol for numerous things he still couldn’t ignore the horrors the games put people through, the torment and destruction, the marks if left on each and everyone of the victors whether they bore them proudly or hid them behind lock and key…

…as a reminder that even the strongest cannot overcome the power of the Capitol…

There was a static electricity brewing in his flesh, racing like wildfire through his veins. The anticipation was killing him.

On this the third Quarter Quell Games the male and female tributes are to be reaped from the existing pool of victors in each district.

There was a sickening twist to Snow’s smile, a disgustingly growing grin at the idea of what had just been read off the card. It was as if it gave him joy, the revelation he had just made. 

It’s effect on Alaric wasn’t immediate. The male and female tributes were to be reaped from the existing pool of victors in each district…his brain had processed it, understood it, but his heart hadn’t accepted the words. His ears were set ringing with a rapidly growing noise that threatened to pull him under, blocked out all other noise in the room though a part of him knew they were all frozen in stunned silence. Because he couldn’t stop staring, couldn’t stop watching that ever growing grin hidden in a white beard. 

He remained ever so still even as Cassia launched into motion, as the girl flew in a whirlwind to brush past him and scale the stairs. 

Reaped from their existing pool of victors. District eight didn’t win many games, and far fewer victors were alive to this day. They couldn’t have more than maybe 5 occupants in Victor’s Village these days, though Alaric had never tried that particularly hard to keep count. If anything most were elderly, senile…

The realization fully set in then, that it was highly possible that he would return to the games this year. Alaric Shultz, a name that was no longer supposed to be written into one of those thin write strips of paper was going to be coupled with fewer than three names, possibly less.

He couldn’t go back in the games, he couldn’t. 

A tremble began in his hands, the bottle slipping from his fingers and dropping to the floor with a thud and roll. His head felt as if it were filled with cotton, ears still ringing with a sound so loud it seemed to obliterate everything in his surroundings. 

He jumped at the touch on his shoulder, Cassia’s father looking at him with eyes that seemed pitying, and he swallowed hard, sucking in a breath. “I- I’m uh - I’m sorry,” Alaric murmured, finally moving to grab the fallen bottle and set it with a trembling hand onto the coffee table. A part of him thought to move and check on Cassia, knowing that her mind was along a similar roller coaster of emotions, and yet he couldn’t get himself to move, to stand, to accept this fate as reality. It took an excruciating amount of effort to cup his hands together in an effort to calm the blasted tremors, the symptoms brought on by fear.

[cassiahunt]

Victors. Those that have successfully fought their way to survive though the brutal, gruesome Hunger Games, winning the sole prize of keeping their once undisturbed lives. That is why there was never total anarchy against the Games. Because even if you were reaped and the odds were astronomically low that you would survive you could always somehow keep hope that there was some way to fight your way through the Games and come out on top, come out safe, never having to enter the Games again.

A promise made to protect those victors that had worked so hard to get where they are today. The promise that although burdened with the memories of their games however horrifying and vivid, that a victor would never have to return to the Games again. This promise was ripped from the hearts of victors in one split second at the hands of an old man with his tantalizingly frightful grin.

And now Cassia was stuck. Stuck in a sort of gray area between reality and horrid fantasy. With the thought of having to be thrown back into a new Games Cassia’s mind was flooded with the faces of her fellow tributes: Rowan, Tipper, Vixen, Steam. Were their lives worth nothing anymore? Did they die for absolutely no cause? If the Capitol wants to send the victors back into the Games, than what was the point for all the previously won Games? There will be a clean slate of victors and those that prevailed once, will simply end up like the tributes they surpassed before.

Cassia’s shock suddenly turned to anger and she got up from the floor and began to scream. She could no longer handle the thought of being surrounded by a room filled with things provided by the Capitol in reward for her win. She grabbed anything in sight and just started throwing things against the wall. First a vase filled with flowers went flying across the room and smashing into a hundred glass shards scattering the floorboards. Then a candle holder flung from her hands, landing with a loud thump and adding to the pool of glass at the opposite side of the room.

Then her hand landed on a picture frame and before she knew what she had grabbed it was flung across the room breaking against the wall and finding its new home in a pile of glass along with the other carnage. Just as the frame landed with a smack on the floor did Cassia realize it was a picture of herself as a child.

“Oh shit,” she mumbled under her breathe before stopping her rampage and walking over to the photograph and crouching down to pick it up. She nicked her finger on a stray piece of glass but ignored the little drop of blood falling from her finger as she stared at the image. She fell back on her heels and closed her eyes knowing that no matter what she had had done in the past to get her to where she was now, taking multiple lives in order to survive in the arena, finding a stray companion in Alaric along her journey through the Capitol, selling her body in exchange for her sister’s safety, it was all for nothing. Absolutely nothing. And now the doe eyed girl staring back at her in the photo would be another tribute added in the Capitol’s brutal collection of lost innocence. 

[alaricshultz-deactivated2020062]

Questioning Fate || Alaric and Cassia

[cassiahunt]

After the 74th Hunger Games had come and gone, Cassia was reluctantly leaning back into everyday life in district eight. Temperatures were dropping drastically as winter rushed though Panem with fervor. The days were getting shorter and shorter and Cassia found herself spending most of her days at home.

On the bright side of things, Cassia had reconciled with her mother within the past few months and now her family seemed whole once again with everyone living under one roof. With more people supporting her, her depression hadn’t been giving her nearly as many problems as it had in the past. But just as things seemed to be taking a turn for the better, the threat of the Games was never too far.

Today was the national announcement for all the goodies the 75th Quarter Quell had in store for this year’s round of tributes. If the Games weren’t already traumatizing enough the quell allowed for a new dramatic twist to be added to the reaping every twenty five years. The Capitol would broadcast the announcement in every household nationwide with President Snow at the helm giving the news as if it were some big celebration, which it probably was for the Capitol’s citizens.

Nonetheless it was an important announcement in the eyes of a mentor so Cassia invited Alaric to come over and watch the big reveal with her and her family. She figured whatever the twist was they could talk it over together and try to develop a game plan for the upcoming Games. As the broadcast loomed closer, the Hunt family began to gather in the living room for the big reveal. Just as Cassia was about to call Alaric to remind him to head over, she heard the doorbell ring.

“I got it,” Cassia called out as she walked towards the front door. Just as she opened the door a burst of cold wind blew in and she found Alaric standing before her wearing almost nothing to protect him from the cold. “Oh come inside you idiot, do you even own a scarf?”

She stepped aside to allow him to walk in just as Gabriella scampered down the staircase, “Hey, Alaric!”

Cassia smiled as her sister ran past the two of them and into the living room, Cassia playfully slid her arm around his waist and squeezed, “Ready for some family time?”

Just as the television was turned on she quickly let him go and walked back towards the rest of her family as they awaited the announcement. 

[alaricshultz-deactivated2020062]

Perhaps the announcement didn’t spell good fortune for their tributes, but there was a plus side to all of this. It seemed Cassia’s family had come back together as one functioning unit, Snow was no longer tormenting her with the sexual desires of the Capitol public, and Gabriella was as safe as she possibly could be from being reaped into the games given Snow’s assurance in Alaric’s deal. The depression Cassia had sunk into last year after her victory had been hard enough for Alaric to watch. It was good to see a lightness in her step again, a smile on her face. 

It didn’t matter if he was being subject to Snow’s demands in her place; he’d spent enough years under his thumb, it made no difference. 

Besides, his decision was reaffirmed each time he saw that smiling face of hers. Even at the prospect of spending the afternoon with her and her parents. “It’s not that cold out, sweet cheeks,” he answered, his voice a soft hum as he shrugged his shoulders a bit to bring the jacket a little more firmly around him and stepped into the home. “But yes, I believe I do own a scarf, I think.”

He would’ve made a move to press a kiss to her forehead if Gabriella hadn’t come scampering down the staircase at that particular moment, rushing past in a whirlwind of movement. ‘Hey, Gab -” he began to respond with a half wave of his hand, but she’d already disappeared before he got the entirety of her name out.

Alaric watched her run off before Cassia’s arm slide around his waist and he pressed a brief kiss against the top of her head. “Not exactly,” He assessed, lifting the beer bottle that was held in his other hand, “but I brought reinforcements in case things get too serious.”

With that Cassia had spun on her heel and headed in the direction of the living room where the television had just been turned on and the Hunt family had gathered. He lifted a hand to give a wave to each of Cassia’s parents. He’d met them both on a few occasions and they seemed nice enough; but that didn’t make their family matters get together any less awkward. As far as they knew him he was just the less than stable mentor that happened to get lucky at pulling their daughter out of the arena. 

Still, he shook her father’s hand, gave her mother a hug - the usual awkward family greetings. Then President Snow appeared on the television with the anthem blaring behind him to draw attention to the television screen. Alaric perched himself on the armrest next to where Cassia had settled to listen.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is the 75th year…of the Hunger Games.

It was written in the charter of the games that every twenty-five years there will be a Quarter Quell. Now, on this the 75th anniversary of our defeat of the rebellion we celebrate the third Quarter Quell…

[cassiahunt]

Cassia wasn’t worried about the opinions of her family in regards to Alaric coming over for the viewing. The fellow mentor had mingled with her family before in the past and nothing was ever put into question about the relationship the pair shared simply due to the fact they casually kept things to themselves. Although Cassia was quite comfortable with the situation, she did like watching Alaric fumble around awkwardly whenever he came into contact with her parents. It was endearing in a way.

She lifted her finger, playfully warning him as he left a kiss on her forehead, and then scurried into the other room. She made her way to sit beside her sister clutching on hope that her old deal with Snow would still hold true about protecting Gabriella from the reaping. Especially with the new twist soon to be revealed regarding the upcoming reaping. Although Snow hasn’t made any house calls recently in terms of their deal, she wasn’t exactly complaining and there was no falling out between the President and herself that would warrant the deal of Gabriella’s protection to be revoked. But that didn’t mean she wasn’t constantly dreading the thought of having to go back down that road, but for her sister she would.

The screen cut to Snow and all eyes watched in anticipation.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is the 75th year…of the Hunger Games.

It was written in the charter of the games that every twenty-five years there will be a Quarter Quell. Now, on this the 75th anniversary of our defeat of the rebellion we celebrate the third Quarter Quell…as a reminder that even the strongest cannot overcome the power of the Capitol.

On this the third Quarter Quell Games the male and female tributes are to be reaped from the existing pool of victors in each district.

The room fell silent. As Cassia stared blankly at the screen she felt the eyes of her family staring back at her as she tried to make sense of the whole situation. Snow continued explaining on the screen, but all Cassia could hear was an ever increasing ringing in her ears as her body sat frozen in place. Her eyes gazed at the screen and watched as an almost unnoticeable grin appeared on the President’s face and Cassia couldn’t take it anymore.

She jumped up quickly nearly knocking over the coffee table that stood in front of her and stormed off up the stairs and into her room slamming the door behind her. Her hands trembled as she breathed harder and harder and could practically feel the blood coursing through her veins when she collapsed down on the floor in a heap of sobs. She couldn’t clear her mind of a single thought:

 I am going back into the Games. 

[alaricshultz-deactivated2020062]

Questioning Fate || Alaric and Cassia

The frigidness of winter had fully embraced district eight, leaving a crisp chill to the air and tinging everything in a dusting of early morning frost. Alaric had never been a fan of the cold; he would gladly accept high temperatures and shedding of clothing than the requirement to layer thick material one over another. Fortunately it wasn’t too terrible come midday; a sweater, slacks, and a light coat was sufficient when venturing outdoors.

The weather was the furthest from Alaric’s mind today, however. Today marked halfway between the 74th and the 75th Hunger Games - also known as the 3rd Quarter Quell. The victor had been very young during the last Quarter Quell but over the years he had become familiarized with what exactly the 25th anniversaries meant. It gave the Capitol an excuse to throw another curve ball into their death matches, to subject the tributes to some new form of punishment. The 50th games featured double the number of tributes than average, a whopping 48, four from each district, being thrown together into the lion’s den. The 25th featured another dastardly bonus feature - tributes weren’t reaped but instead chosen by their district and offered as tribute. Alaric could hardly fathom what might be coming this year.

An allowance for expanding ages of tributes, resulting in those who had previously thought safe having another crack put against their odds? Or perhaps the reaping confined to families, siblings, parents, children pulled into the arena together. To serve as a reminder that none of them were truly safe, to remember those who perished in the uprisings, to instill fear of the Capitol into the hearts of citizens again and again. 

It was still early but the prospect of what was to come required a drink.

Having promised Cassia that he’d meet her at her house across the way in Victor’s Village for the revelation of what extra horrors their tributes would experience this time around, Alaric grabbed a bottle of beer from the fridge before slipping on a jacket and trudging across the pavement. He’d finished half the bottle by the time he’d reached the nearby door step, jabbing a thumb into the doorbell and waiting for a response.

[cassiahunt]

After the 74th Hunger Games had come and gone, Cassia was reluctantly leaning back into everyday life in district eight. Temperatures were dropping drastically as winter rushed though Panem with fervor. The days were getting shorter and shorter and Cassia found herself spending most of her days at home.

On the bright side of things, Cassia had reconciled with her mother within the past few months and now her family seemed whole once again with everyone living under one roof. With more people supporting her, her depression hadn’t been giving her nearly as many problems as it had in the past. But just as things seemed to be taking a turn for the better, the threat of the Games was never too far.

Today was the national announcement for all the goodies the 75th Quarter Quell had in store for this year’s round of tributes. If the Games weren’t already traumatizing enough the quell allowed for a new dramatic twist to be added to the reaping every twenty five years. The Capitol would broadcast the announcement in every household nationwide with President Snow at the helm giving the news as if it were some big celebration, which it probably was for the Capitol’s citizens.

Nonetheless it was an important announcement in the eyes of a mentor so Cassia invited Alaric to come over and watch the big reveal with her and her family. She figured whatever the twist was they could talk it over together and try to develop a game plan for the upcoming Games. As the broadcast loomed closer, the Hunt family began to gather in the living room for the big reveal. Just as Cassia was about to call Alaric to remind him to head over, she heard the doorbell ring.

“I got it,” Cassia called out as she walked towards the front door. Just as she opened the door a burst of cold wind blew in and she found Alaric standing before her wearing almost nothing to protect him from the cold. “Oh come inside you idiot, do you even own a scarf?”

She stepped aside to allow him to walk in just as Gabriella scampered down the staircase, “Hey, Alaric!”

Cassia smiled as her sister ran past the two of them and into the living room, Cassia playfully slid her arm around his waist and squeezed, “Ready for some family time?”

Just as the television was turned on she quickly let him go and walked back towards the rest of her family as they awaited the announcement. 

[sabfans]

[baykennesh-deactivated20151026]

[cassiahunt]

Pssssst I too miss you guys

(apparently Lila and I are on the same wavelength)

But just wanted to say I miss you guys also!!

-sending all my love your way-

[cassiahunt]

Before It All Freezes Over

[alaricshultz-deactivated2020062]

"Cocky has nothing to do with it," Alaric spoke, "Given I was a victor at twelve and one of District 8s most recent victors, I can’t see why you wouldn’t have at least heard my name." The elder victor smirked, elbowing Cassia gently in the ribs right back. "Sweet cheeks you probably knew my name when you were in diapers. Don’t remind me how old I am," He complained sourly, pouting at the thought. He’d turned thirty that past year and was rapidly approaching 31, something he wasn’t looking forward to in the slightest. His victory had been in the 57th Hunger Games and they were now closing on the 75th - it had almost been twenty years since he won his games…

Shaking his head a little at the thought Alaric blinked when she stopped him, looking over towards the square that they were approaching before shifting his gaze towards the younger victor. “I could care less what they all think of me. They’ve got their own opinions already and I get the sense it’s hardly positive in my direction.” He was wondering a little if Cassia knew the rumors that surrounded him. He was sure there people that considered him heartless, considered him broken, or considered him a player. Besides he was assuming there was some sort of awareness of their relationship out there. Things that occurred in the lives of the Capitol’s victors rarely if ever went unseen. 

Yet he still felt a hint of hesitation at the thought. What would they think if they’d seen their two victors arm in arm with one another, in a situation that almost appeared relationship-like? Did he care more than he said he did?  "It doesn’t matter," He murmured again, though after a moment his arm unlooped with hers a bit and he ruffled his hands playfully through her hair. "You care what other people think of you?" 

[cassiahunt]

She smirked at his response, for she should have known he didn’t give a damn what people thought about him. But there was no harm in asking. Sadly enough, unlike in the Capitol, these citizens had a lot more to worry about than the gossip surrounding their two victors. With the ever growing poverty levels looming around the district it would be rather silly to be concerned with such petty things. But at the same time she felt a small pang of concern that she never really acknowledged what her fellow district members had thought of her. Did they think she was a determined competitor that fought her way back home? Or did they see her as just another Capitol trinket to be used and abused as a symbol for the Games? Either way she knew she would never get a clear answer from anyone if she asked so she might as well not bother herself with those thoughts.

They continued walking towards town and she rolled her eyes as he messed up her hair, “No I don’t, I was just making sure you didn’t either. I think you kind of throw out caring what other people think about you when you kill kids on live television,” she joked knowing that after mentoring the Games for twenty years you learn to take those jokes lightly while others might still be sensitive. And maybe that’s unnerving, but it’s still the truth.

They finally reached the town square, which in comparison to the Capitol’s streets looked like a run down, overgrown wasteland, but to Cassia it breathed a familiar sense of life that she had missed for a long time.  Although the shops and trading centers along the road seemed very worn and needed repair, it was the sense of community throughout the square that gave it character. A slew of children ran past the pair of mentors, kicking up dirt in their path, and an abundance of men and woman behind tables of miscellaneous fabrics and handmade items waiting for a kind shopper to walk by. It brought back old memories of Cassia and her sister sent out on missions to buy this or that from each of the different storefronts and trade tables.

“It sure is different from the Capitol. I forgot how much I missed it.” Cassia only had some spare money in her pocket but wanted to give back to the community as best she could. She stopped by a booth selling mismatched hats and gloves and items of the like, grabbed a grey plaid scarf,  and looped it around Alaric’s neck. Holding onto the ends of the scarf playfully, she tilted her head with pouty lips, “Don’t you look dashing.” She handed the elderly woman behind the table all the money she had, which was clearly more than the scarf cost but it didn’t matter. “Come on, let’s explore.” 

[cassiahunt]

Before It All Freezes Over

[cassiahunt]

Cassia knew in the back of her mind she must have been worrying Alaric with her silence, for lots of times she seemed to talk too much, but she couldn’t explain how she felt out loud so she had hoped he wouldn’t pry. The way he wiped away her tear and pulled her close to him reminded her of what her mother used to tell her when she was a little girl, “Men are fixers; they see something wrong with their girl and they try everything they can to mend the broken pieces.” Alaric lived up to the expectation.

Cassia never saw it as a bad thing, and still didn’t, but sometimes things can’t be magically healed. Girls are fragile and every now and then they just have to cry it out. Whether it solves things or not. But he let her cry silently as he held her close and that’s all she could have asked for at a time like this. Even when the memories stung like the acid that once riddled her skin in pain, Alaric always seemed to be there when she needed him.

Once he spoke up again Cassia was beginning to feel a bit better than before so she nodded in agreement and the pair stood up. She brushed off her pants from the dusty water’s edge and looped her arm with his. She hadn’t been to the town square in a few days and it seemed like a fine idea.

The two began the journey back towards the Victor’s Village, stepping through the makeshift path of dead grass. But before they were too close to civilization, Cassia stopped and stood in front of him. She placed her hand on the side of his face while her thumb gently traced his jawline, “Thank you.” She let her hand fall and enveloped him with a hug.

They stayed that way for a while before she let him go and continued towards town, “Tell me about the time we met.”

[alaricshultz-deactivated2020062]

She wasn’t wrong; Alaric had absolutely no idea what he was doing in the department of mending emotions. He had enough trouble keeping his own, namely anger and frustration, pulled in and kept together. How could he begin to consider mending another person’s troubles when he had never fully been able to heal his own? All he could really do was be there for her, for comfort or to listen, or whatever it was she ended up needing. 

He was glad that she agreed to his proposal of heading into the district square, at least to get them both back up and moving out of this cold that lightened his cheeks in a rosy hue. He stood along side her and brushed off his own clothing before offering his arm as she reached for him. It wasn’t long before they were trekking off side by side back into the heart of the district they were brought up in and considered home.

Tucking his hands into the pockets of his jacket as they walked he considered what they had both been through over the past year. Two tributes who had fallen in the games despite their training. A Quarter Quell on the horizon with a twist that had yet to be revealed and would certainly make things even more difficult. Tributes voted into the games by their own district members, the number expanded from two to four to represent each individual district…there could be anything thrown at them this time around. There wasn’t any preparation for such a threat, they would simply have to wait until Snow revealed what his next big plan would be.  Coming to an awkward stop as Cassia stepped in front of him Alaric smiled gently, letting his arms loop loosely around her as she stepped into him. “You don’t have to thank me,” He murmured, “I didn’t even do anything.”  At her question he furrowed his eyebrows, a gentle smirk curling on his lips. “Well, I believe it would be when I called your name.” He still debated on if that was a good thing or not. She had been through so much because of him, because he had pulled out that simple piece of paper with the two simple words, ‘Cassia Hunt’, printed on it in thick black ink. But they had met because of it. She was a fighter, he knew that. “Though I’m thinking you knew my name long before I knew yours.” 

[cassiahunt]

Cassia was still getting used to managing her newfound depression. Although she was a bit more reserved before being reaped for her games, she had never fully experienced such lows in her mood. Of course such atrocities like the ones she had experienced during her games would for sure trigger a sense of wariness in anybody; she still wasn’t accustomed to the sudden pitfalls. Even though her low moods seemed to be highlighted in the cold winter weather, it gave her hope that once winter passes she might feel a bit better.

And having Alaric next door was always a help. It wasn’t a one way street either, for he too had his problems and setbacks, but the pair of victors played on each other’s strengths and weaknesses by taking each day one at a time. They both knew with the third quarter quell rearing its ugly head in the near future; they had a boatload of things to worry about. As terrible as the games were every year, these quarter quells could really kick you when you were down and there was no telling what President Snow had in store next.

Yet with all these things they had to consider on a daily basis, it was nice to just clear their minds and visit the main town they both had grown up in. The pair had reached solid ground and found their way back to the victor’s village and continued on towards the markets. Cassia laughed at his response, “Oh a little cocky aren’t you,” she jested and elbowed his side. “Well yes I suppose I did know your name before you knew mine. But you were just the pretty face I saw for all of about twenty minutes a year. Before my games, that is.” It was the truth that Cassia never really paid all that much attention to the reapings each year, because she had made it so long without being called.  “And not to mention how odd it is to realize I was in diapers when you won your games.”

As the pair neared the square, Cassia had remembered she was still linked arms with Alaric. She knew how she looked to her fellow district members didn’t mean a thing for nobody usually cared, but the more nervous side of her knew that rumors spread fast. She slowed her pace a little bit to address the situation, “Uh…Alaric I know we don’t really have any labels for us, and that’s totally fine, but do you care that we look sort of together.” Her face flushes a bit rosier than it was before and she almost hides her face with her hair. “I mean…I just want you to be comfortable and if you wanted to be more cautious about…us, then I mean you can. But…what do you think?”

[cassiahunt]

Before It All Freezes Over

[cassiahunt]

It wasn’t long before Cassia regretted her rushed choice of clothing, her long sleeved flannel and leggings offered little protection against the sharp winds coming off the water. She found herself playing with the bracelet Alaric had mistakenly left in her room the night before her games and she had kept ever since. It’s usually her go to thing to distract herself with when she’s trying to clear her mind. There were a lot of memories tied to the small leather band and she still felt a sense of safety when she held it.  

She heard a shuffling behind her but she didn’t move, her eyes glues to the horizon though not looking at any one thing in particular. She wasn’t frighten to hear a voice for she knew only one other person seemed to know about the pond. Alaric. She was going to say something but didn’t exactly have anything to say so she just stayed still, watching the small ripples on the water.

He sat down beside her when she finally realized she had been crying. It wasn’t rare to find her resorting to tears whenever times got hard but she knew it never seized to worry him anyway. But this time she wasn’t crying to be heard or be analyzed, it was a sort of silent cry the one where you cry because you just can’t stop it from coming. She looked at him after he spoke again and just shook her head and shrugged.

It was just one of those harder days to get though, the ones where the faces of tributes just seem to be fixed in your mind. And sometimes it just gets to be too much. She sighed and rested her head on his shoulder silently. She wasn’t much in the mood for talking because it wasn’t anything new. Just the same fears that haunted her for what it would seem like forever. 

[alaricshultz-deactivated2020062]

It only served to increase the elder victor’s concern when Cassia didn’t even give a response to his approach. Instead she remained stated on a stone cold statue type of manner, eyes facing forward to look over the rippling surface of the pond. He stood beside her for a moment wondering if something had simply caught her eye and she hadn’t wanted to lose the image but it wasn’t long before he came to the simple conclusion that she just wasn’t aware of her surroundings. Instead she had folded in on herself.  Setting down at her side he let his eyes turn towards the young victor, lifting a hand to brush a tear away with the back of his finger. He had noticed something off about her - perhaps it had been something that existed within her since her survival through her own games. Depression, maybe. A sadness that even he couldn’t manage to cut through. Being such a can do kind of person it was hard for him to suddenly feel so useless. Especially in something he cared so much about.  Carefully he looped his arm around her when she shrugged off his questions without any response, pulling her gently against him and rubbing his hands over her upper arms smoothly until her head came to rest against his shoulder. Then his arms simply came to rest around her, fingers lacing loosely with one of her hands. There weren’t words to be exchanged really. It was just the stress of the Hunger Games striking again.  Pecking his lips softly against the top of her head he sighed softly. There was a long stretch of time where he just silently held her, letting her cry it out. It was better that way than otherwise. Soon he drew in a soft breath, squeezing her hand in his. “What do you think about taking a walk in town?” It might make her feel better being surrounded by home, by normalcy.

[cassiahunt]

Cassia knew in the back of her mind she must have been worrying Alaric with her silence, for lots of times she seemed to talk too much, but she couldn’t explain how she felt out loud so she had hoped he wouldn’t pry. The way he wiped away her tear and pulled her close to him reminded her of what her mother used to tell her when she was a little girl, “Men are fixers; they see something wrong with their girl and they try everything they can to mend the broken pieces.” Alaric lived up to the expectation.

Cassia never saw it as a bad thing, and still didn’t, but sometimes things can’t be magically healed. Girls are fragile and every now and then they just have to cry it out. Whether it solves things or not. But he let her cry silently as he held her close and that’s all she could have asked for at a time like this. Even when the memories stung like the acid that once riddled her skin in pain, Alaric always seemed to be there when she needed him.

Once he spoke up again Cassia was beginning to feel a bit better than before so she nodded in agreement and the pair stood up. She brushed off her pants from the dusty water’s edge and looped her arm with his. She hadn’t been to the town square in a few days and it seemed like a fine idea.

The two began the journey back towards the Victor’s Village, stepping through the makeshift path of dead grass. But before they were too close to civilization, Cassia stopped and stood in front of him. She placed her hand on the side of his face while her thumb gently traced his jawline, “Thank you.” She let her hand fall and enveloped him with a hug.

They stayed that way for a while before she let him go and continued towards town, “Tell me about the time we met.”

[cassiahunt]

Before It All Freezes Over

There is a certain kind of sadness that seems to never have a source. It can come in an instant or sort of steep and build up over time. There is no clear or systematic reasoning behind it therefore it will commonly surpass the pity of those around, considering it isn’t a sadness easily fixed. It will grab you along for the long haul and keep a tight grip. For it thirsts on defeat.

It hadn’t been too long since the seventy fourth Hunger Games had come to a close. Another beat up, utterly traumatized kid had his moment of artificial glory before he was thrown into his new house to let him fend for himself in a world of depression and anxiety. But, in due time, the new little victor would move on just has the penultimate victor Cassia Hunt had.

The months between games had been going relatively smoothly back in district Eight. Cassia was getting back to her routine of unwinding from the garish festivities and moving on with her everyday life. She spend many days alongside the company of her neighboring victor Alaric Shultz, for the two had grown very close over the past year or so. But as the season grew colder and the sky seemed to always be coated by a dull colorless grey, Cassia’s mood began to swing some too.

There was no one thing she could attribute her low mood for; it just seemed to be looming around her regularly. Today was a particularly bad day in terms of this unwelcome depression. Memories from her arena days seemed to cloud her mind constantly today and she just couldn’t seem to snap herself out of it. She figured some fresh air would do her some good so she threw on the first clothes she could find and headed out.

It wasn’t a big surprise she found herself wandering towards a little spot she had stumbled upon a while back and grew to love. It was a sort of hidden pond nobody but her seemed to know about. She had taken Alaric to it a few times back when the water was warm enough to swim in but she hadn’t been to it in a few months. The path was rather untrimmed, but she still managed to remember where to go. After a bit of a hike, she managed to find the opening in the dead grass where the water began.

As the temperatures dropped, most of the animals had scattered away to prepare for the winter ahead. Only a few fish could still be seen swimming around. She slumped down on the hard ground and just stared at the cold water. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, letting the crisp air fill her lungs. She felt a few tears fill up her eyes but she just let them fall, not even in a clear enough mindset to even notice them.

And she just sat. 

[alaricshultz-deactivated2020062]

The time between the end of the 74th Hunger Games and now had been rather busy for Alaric. Perhaps not quite as busy as it had been the year prior when Cassia was crowned victor and thankfully not as busy as he could have been if he were back in the Capitol. But Snow definitely knew how to keep his newest prized possession in the loop of his “booming business,” and boy was it easy to lure in potential clients with such a pretty faced mentor.  He spent as much time as he could with Cassia for numerous reasons. She had no idea what he sacrificed in order for her to be relieved of her previous duties - and he wanted to keep it that way. Along with that he missed spending time with her when they were apart and he wanted to be sure she was alright. She had had a rather rough time adjusting to the life of a victor and he was seeing to it that her adjustment went better this time around.  What he hadn’t been expecting was her low moods that seemed to swing in randomly without cause. Perhaps it simply came with the territory; some victors simply did not recover from their time in the arena quite as smoothly as others. Some weren’t made to be victors at all; not built for the fame and fortune. Maybe Cassia wasn’t right for the position but she was still alive and safe at his side - and that was enough to make him happy for the time being.  Knowing she had been feeling off Alaric made an extra effort to check on her today, crossing the paths that separated the small distance between their homes in victors village. He invited himself in - which had become somewhat customary at this point - but found her home to be devoid of persons, specifically Cassia herself. He moved about the building in one quick swoop, calling her name to see if she would respond. When no answer came back to him he began to worry the slightest bit.  What if something had happened to her?  Clamping his teeth into his lower lip Alaric turned on his heels and stepped out the front door, glancing about the small cluster of homes. His fingers wracked through his hair, disheveling the golden locks, before an idea struck him as to where she may have gone off to… If he recalled correctly she had found herself a nice little quiet spot to camp out and took him to it a few times. If she was not out in the district picking up groceries or something of the sort than she was most definitely there. Generally she wouldn’t go into the center of the district without him as of late, either, so odds were…  There was only a slight hesitation in his step before he moved in the direction of the hidden pond. He didn’t think she was making trips out that way since the weather had begun to go chilly, but it wouldn’t hurt to look - though perhaps the hike wouldn’t treat him all that well in the end if it were for nothing. Fortunately he found that the tall grass blades seemed to be folded over by a recent passage and was hopeful that it was Cassia’s trip that created the pathway rather than some deer passing through.  Loosely his arms looped around himself, not having dressed particularly well for the given weather conditions, as he approached the small clearing. A breath of relief escaped him when he found Cassia sitting at the water’s edge and after a moment he slowly moved in her direction. "Whatcha doing all the way out here, sweet cheeks?" He questioned, his tone almost teasing as he studied the young girl at his feet. When no response came immediately he pursed his lips before carefully stooping down to sit beside her, leg sprawled out before him while his good knee propped up to his chest. Curious eyes cast in the direction of the younger victor, worry intermingling in the color as he gently bumped his shoulder to hers. “Cas, what’s wrong?” 

[cassiahunt]

It wasn’t long before Cassia regretted her rushed choice of clothing, her long sleeved flannel and leggings offered little protection against the sharp winds coming off the water. She found herself playing with the bracelet Alaric had mistakenly left in her room the night before her games and she had kept ever since. It’s usually her go to thing to distract herself with when she’s trying to clear her mind. There were a lot of memories tied to the small leather band and she still felt a sense of safety when she held it.  

She heard a shuffling behind her but she didn’t move, her eyes glues to the horizon though not looking at any one thing in particular. She wasn’t frighten to hear a voice for she knew only one other person seemed to know about the pond. Alaric. She was going to say something but didn’t exactly have anything to say so she just stayed still, watching the small ripples on the water.

He sat down beside her when she finally realized she had been crying. It wasn’t rare to find her resorting to tears whenever times got hard but she knew it never seized to worry him anyway. But this time she wasn’t crying to be heard or be analyzed, it was a sort of silent cry the one where you cry because you just can’t stop it from coming. She looked at him after he spoke again and just shook her head and shrugged.

It was just one of those harder days to get though, the ones where the faces of tributes just seem to be fixed in your mind. And sometimes it just gets to be too much. She sighed and rested her head on his shoulder silently. She wasn’t much in the mood for talking because it wasn’t anything new. Just the same fears that haunted her for what it would seem like forever. 

[cassiahunt]

Before It All Freezes Over

There is a certain kind of sadness that seems to never have a source. It can come in an instant or sort of steep and build up over time. There is no clear or systematic reasoning behind it therefore it will commonly surpass the pity of those around, considering it isn’t a sadness easily fixed. It will grab you along for the long haul and keep a tight grip. For it thirsts on defeat.

It hadn’t been too long since the seventy fourth Hunger Games had come to a close. Another beat up, utterly traumatized kid had his moment of artificial glory before he was thrown into his new house to let him fend for himself in a world of depression and anxiety. But, in due time, the new little victor would move on just has the penultimate victor Cassia Hunt had.

The months between games had been going relatively smoothly back in district Eight. Cassia was getting back to her routine of unwinding from the garish festivities and moving on with her everyday life. She spend many days alongside the company of her neighboring victor Alaric Shultz, for the two had grown very close over the past year or so. But as the season grew colder and the sky seemed to always be coated by a dull colorless grey, Cassia’s mood began to swing some too.

There was no one thing she could attribute her low mood for; it just seemed to be looming around her regularly. Today was a particularly bad day in terms of this unwelcome depression. Memories from her arena days seemed to cloud her mind constantly today and she just couldn’t seem to snap herself out of it. She figured some fresh air would do her some good so she threw on the first clothes she could find and headed out.

It wasn’t a big surprise she found herself wandering towards a little spot she had stumbled upon a while back and grew to love. It was a sort of hidden pond nobody but her seemed to know about. She had taken Alaric to it a few times back when the water was warm enough to swim in but she hadn’t been to it in a few months. The path was rather untrimmed, but she still managed to remember where to go. After a bit of a hike, she managed to find the opening in the dead grass where the water began.

As the temperatures dropped, most of the animals had scattered away to prepare for the winter ahead. Only a few fish could still be seen swimming around. She slumped down on the hard ground and just stared at the cold water. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, letting the crisp air fill her lungs. She felt a few tears fill up her eyes but she just let them fall, not even in a clear enough mindset to even notice them.

And she just sat. 

[cyrus-alderate]

Harder than Stone 웃 Cassia & Cyrus

The man’s feet padded forward in a relentless traipse towards the District Eight apartment.  After evacuating the elevator, his mind reeled at the idea that had been churning in his mind for too many days now.  Uncharacteristic to seek help, Cyrus was disgusted in himself as he kept making U-turns outside the apartment in the hallway while contemplating what exactly he wanted more at this point:  solace or retribution.

Which was completely pitiful to even consider the first option.  In fact, Cyrus was certain that if Alaric saw him in this state the other would laugh right in his face.  It’s what Cyrus would do to him if his comrade had somehow fallen off the deep edge and landed into a passion so intense that ceasing the emotion felt impossible. 

Yet Alaric was the only one he trusted enough to confide in at this moment.  He’d known the man for close to fifteen years now and knew much more about the Victor from Eight than many others.  But not enough.  Which, in another set of pathetic levels, was another reason that Cyrus dreaded talking with Alaric about Keegan.

Though as his feet slowly began to halt their pace and his azure gaze was finally plastered on the door to Eight’s flat, Cyrus found self-loathing to be at an all new high.  Regardless, his hand pulled back and struck the frame four times as per usual.  Hesitating before dropping his balled fist, the man thought of leaving now before embarrassing himself further.  But no, his own mantra kept his feet plastered to the very ground and his incredibly phony smile began etching itself onto his lips once impatience washed away with the sight of…

Curly brown hair?

All too soon Cyrus’ smile dropped and his eyes fell upon the face of someone so familiar but someone the victor hadn’t cared to acquaint himself with.  But either way, this newest nuisance wouldn’t get in his way.  “Hi sweetheart, would you happen to know where your co-mentor is at the moment?  I’ve need to talk with him over some,” he paused, forcing a pleasant smile upon his lips, “Well, rather personal matters.” 

[cassiahunt]

Cassia kicked up her feet in her sweat pants and a tank top to relax for a calm night in after hunting for sponsors with Alaric all day. He had something to get done tonight so she was fine with being back in the apartment alone to unwind. She clicked on the screen to see the update of the chilling arena. As traumatizing as her personal arena was, this haunted mansion sent shivers down her spine. The arena definitely reminded her of how happy she was to be in her well lit fully, stocked apartment.

Catching up on her one remaining tribute, she had to admit she was very impressed that Zane was staying so strong with the circumstances. She had to live through some sandstorms and dry spells but her arena was never thrown upside down and left with shrapnel scattered and floors torn apart. Two kids were sacrificed to the hiccup and Cassia was glad it wasn’t her boy.

Then again there was a key to Zane’s strategy that Cassia specifically remembered telling him to avoid. Making alliances. He didn’t only blatantly ignore her warning; he threw it out the window by paring up with a small. Weak. Fourteen year old child. She knew Zane was unconventional but this was just plain idiotic. In no way, shape, or form was this child going to be anything but baggage for Zane, especially if he gets down to the final few tributes. Did he really have the gall to kill this cute boy when it came down to it? He clearly cares about him…and caring about the fellow tributes was a red danger territory that she tried to warn Zane about.

Hopefully he would stay strong and keep his mind clear and focused.  

Just as she was about to turn off the screen and prepare for bed a strange sound rang through the room. Was that a…knock on the door? Who would be here to knock on her door? Alaric was out and she knew he would knock when he returned so maybe it was just an avox with some new towels or something. She lazily moved from the couch to see what the issue was.

“You know you don’t have to—“ she started, then her face lifted to meet a face she definitely didn’t expect. Simon? Cyrus? Whatever his name was she had no idea why he was knocking at her door at such a late time in the day. She quickly crossed her arms across her chest, realizing she wasn’t exactly dressed for guests. “Um…well you’re not an avox.” The man seemed to be let down with her presence and she rolled her eyes at his condescending comment. “Well sweetheart Alaric isn’t here at the moment. So you’ll just have to tell him about your latest manicure tomorrow.” She said with a smirk and began to close the door. 

[cassiahunt]

Lunch for Two to Talk With You: Cassia + Alaric

The large hand crafted wooden doors swung open to reveal the full wardrobe that overflowed with an array of colors and textures. Cassia knew she could never possibly be able to wear all of the different apparel during her short time in the Capitol but she did sometimes like to try on as many outfits as she could just to occupy her mind for a little while before returning to her day’s work. She let her eyes search through the abundance of fabrics before deciding on bright teal shorts and a flowy electric blue top.

After being stuck in bed with a nasty cold the first few days of the arena, Cassia was ready to take charge and be a supportive mentor to her remaining tribute. She managed to keep up to date with all that was going on in this year’s horrific arena, while still managing to fight off her illness. She hadn’t allowed Alaric in her room in fear that her cold might spread, and besides their district needed one strong, able mentor out their fishing for sponsors while she was stuck in bed.

But now she allowed her body to fully recharge itself and was ready to go out and help her co-mentor find sponsors for Zane. With Lili quickly eliminated, quite the parallel to Cassia’s district partner in the previous games only with the genders reversed, Cassia knew she had her work cut out for her to be able to sell Zane’s reserved, corkiness to a crowd that prefers bloodthirsty, sadistic children.

But nonetheless she was eager and ready to go meet Alaric for a casual lunch to talk over their tribute’s progress and potential sponsors. She slipped on her new baby blue heels to complete her look and walked out the district apartment into the city with a vibe of joy she hadn’t had in some time. Not only had she conquered her minor sickness, she hadn’t had any phone calls from Snow about their little deal in quite some time now. And she was in no way going to even try to wonder why. She was happy to just accept her freedom and roll with it.

Once she reached the restaurant planned for the mentor’s rendezvous, Cassia was guided to a quiet corner in the back garden so they could talk over their plans in private. The garden was very elegant, without many other tables occupied around. She thanked the hostess and asked if she could guide her co-mentor back to the table when he arrived. The hostess agreed graciously and scurried on back to the front of the restaurant. Cassia waited patiently at the table, carefully taking in the beauty of the flowers that surrounded her. 

[alaricshultz-deactivated2020062]

With Cassia having fallen ill and Alaric’s wager with Snow taking immediate affect after they’d spoken, the mentor of district eight had become increasingly busy over the past two days of the arena’s opening. When he wasn’t fulfilling the requirements of taking his place for Cassia he was trying to get Zane sponsors – even if the boy didn’t deserve it. He was exhausting himself. Once Cassia was feeling better the elder mentor was excited though. He needed to talk with her about the fact that he had gotten her freed from her deal with the President…with a few minor details left out of the equation. Plus he needed her help with sponsors. People would be much more willing to discuss things with the new found victor rather than the elder mentor. If they were going to support district eight then it was likely they’d rather speak with Cassia than Alaric. Zane wasn’t the ideal tribute to gain support from the Capitol citizens – but he might gain sponsors through fascination with Cassia at the very least…Everyone was crazy for a victor. Rolling his sleeves to his elbows and loosening his tie from his throat as the mentor approached the restaurant Alaric greeted the hostess at the front doors and a moment later was escorted to the gentle, pleasant back garden where he would be meeting Cassia. There was still a subtle limp as he walked from the injury sustained from their rebellious tribute himself, another thing giving him trouble for the past few days. Fortunately the Capitol remedies were doing the trick and the injury was almost fully healed – soon enough there wouldn’t be anything but a memory of the foolish tribute’s actions. As they rounded the final corner and Cassia came into view the elder mentor couldn’t help but smile the slightest bit. A familiar face was welcomed after such a taxing few days. “So you’re finally feeling better, sweet cheeks?” Alaric greeted as he took his seat at the table with her. 

[cassiahunt]

Cassia knew she had arrived slightly ahead of schedule but she was glad to have simply gotten out of the apartment and into some fresh air for once. After having a stuffy nose for two days straight she was delighted to be able to smell the vibrant flowers that surrounded the table. Bright yellows and pinks cascaded down from the trellis close by and they reminded her of what natural beauty looks like. Or at least as close as she would get in this concrete jungle.

She picked off a lively purple dahlia flower and twirled the stem around a few times between her fingers. She knew Gabriella would die to see a garden as magnificent as this, for she was always a tad girlier than her big sister. Maybe one day she could have the opportunity to take her baby sister to the Capitol. As long as it wasn’t as a tribute…but if Cassia upheld her deal then that would never have to happen.

But before her mind could wander too far, a familiar face turned the corner and sat down across from her. She hadn’t seen Alaric in a few days due to her illness and had to admit he was looking well put together. She was so used to seeing him in a t-shirt and sweats that his button down and tie made her take a double take. A warm smile ran across her face at his comment, “Absolutely! I feel like a new person. And might I add, pretty boy brought his a-game today. You look nice.”

A bubbly waitress arrived to take their order and Cassia quickly ordered a coffee so the woman could leave and the two could get back to important things. Well…important things exactly the right word but she hadn’t seen Alaric for a few days and had…missed him. So she wanted to be able to have him to herself as much as possible. And the two mainly kept low profiles at the Capitol building so the less nosy capitol citizens the better.

The woman returned with their order promptly and Cassia thanked her so she could move on. The woman stood to take one last star struck glance at the victors and hurried away. “Now I remember why I don’t leave the house,” she said with a roll of her eyes, still mindlessly twirling the flower in front of her. “But anyways what did you have in mind? Looks like our little white rabbit has managed to survive the first few days. I’m proud of him.” 

[cassiahunt]

Cassia out to hunt for sponsors

[cassiahunt]

Lunch for Two to Talk With You: Cassia + Alaric

The large hand crafted wooden doors swung open to reveal the full wardrobe that overflowed with an array of colors and textures. Cassia knew she could never possibly be able to wear all of the different apparel during her short time in the Capitol but she did sometimes like to try on as many outfits as she could just to occupy her mind for a little while before returning to her day’s work. She let her eyes search through the abundance of fabrics before deciding on bright teal shorts and a flowy electric blue top.

After being stuck in bed with a nasty cold the first few days of the arena, Cassia was ready to take charge and be a supportive mentor to her remaining tribute. She managed to keep up to date with all that was going on in this year’s horrific arena, while still managing to fight off her illness. She hadn’t allowed Alaric in her room in fear that her cold might spread, and besides their district needed one strong, able mentor out their fishing for sponsors while she was stuck in bed.

But now she allowed her body to fully recharge itself and was ready to go out and help her co-mentor find sponsors for Zane. With Lili quickly eliminated, quite the parallel to Cassia’s district partner in the previous games only with the genders reversed, Cassia knew she had her work cut out for her to be able to sell Zane’s reserved, corkiness to a crowd that prefers bloodthirsty, sadistic children.

But nonetheless she was eager and ready to go meet Alaric for a casual lunch to talk over their tribute’s progress and potential sponsors. She slipped on her new baby blue heels to complete her look and walked out the district apartment into the city with a vibe of joy she hadn’t had in some time. Not only had she conquered her minor sickness, she hadn’t had any phone calls from Snow about their little deal in quite some time now. And she was in no way going to even try to wonder why. She was happy to just accept her freedom and roll with it.

Once she reached the restaurant planned for the mentor’s rendezvous, Cassia was guided to a quiet corner in the back garden so they could talk over their plans in private. The garden was very elegant, without many other tables occupied around. She thanked the hostess and asked if she could guide her co-mentor back to the table when he arrived. The hostess agreed graciously and scurried on back to the front of the restaurant. Cassia waited patiently at the table, carefully taking in the beauty of the flowers that surrounded her.