hold me like a grudge

Helios Argent, 36, District One. Victor of the 55th Hunger Games.

[thecapitolprincess]

Closed starter | @heliosxargent | The Capitol | Day 36

If Lyah had learned anything in her 16 years living in the Capitol, it was that the city never stopped. Even now, with a war raging in the districts and anxiety building within the city walls, the streets buzzed with music and intoxicated party-goers. It came as no surprise, then, when the charity gala invitation had found its way to her mailbox. Offering Helios a genuine smile for the first time, however? That was unexpected.

"I caught your interview," she said, coming up beside him to observe the table of hors d'oeuvres. The spread was, just as most things in the Capitol were, superfluous. "The one with Caesar." Lyah plucked a perfect, ruby red strawberry from a gold platter. "All things considered, I think you handled it very well."

[heliosxargent]

So often he found the Capitol events tedious, mostly blurring into one no matter what the event was. He was so rarely entertained and even less surprised by their goings ons, he was even bored of having the same recurring thoughts about how little there was to capture his interest. There'd been little hope that this gala would be any different, even if the charity aspect was a slight divergence from the norm it still wasn't enough. At least it hadn't been until the voice at his shoulder was one of the last he'd expected to hear.

It was a surprise when he and the other Victor had never sought each other's company before but he decides that it might be a pleasant one - at least compared to his other options that evening. Hardly high praise but still, praise. "Well, I do like to think I'm always unmissable - glad that was the case." There's a flash of a grin sent her way before his features lose some of his usual confidence, dialling it back so it he looks a little less armoured. "Thank you, I did wonder if my pleas for peace would carry too much irony but I'm glad they rang as sincere as intended."

[perfectaches]

They don't do this — or at least, Thea rarely does. Her relationship with most of her colleagues is kept to strictly business, hardly ever going beyond the scope of their shared duties. They work together when their tributes form alliances, work separately when it's time for them to part. Some of them share kind pleasantries and quick condolences when the kids they've sent to slaughter eventually die, but at the end of the day Thea doesn't think of herself as friends with most of them. Bonded by trauma and shared experience, perhaps, but not by friendship by any sort of normal standard.

It's because of this that Thea nearly convinces herself that she doesn't owe this kid anything. Helios has other mentors from One he can turn to if he's on the verge of breaking down, and she's certainly never been great at giving comfort to anyone. But she sees the way he's dissociated from everything that's just happened — hell, she knows that look in his eye, the one that tells a tale of sudden realization. When he asks her if it gets easier, Thea can recognize that he isn't just talking about the loss of tributes or the late nights or the Games themselves — he means the life they've been forced into, the one they'd all been told was something to aspire to. He means victorhood.

And because Thea isn't completely heartless, despite her reputation, she couldn't possibly let him stew alone over all of that.

She watches him for a moment, letting the silence between them stretch beyond his question and the heavy weight behind it. Because truly, what can she say here? How can she explain to him that it won't get better, that they're simply expected to endure it and it isn't at all fair, when there are cameras on them and other people milling around? Thea briefly looks toward the door of the lounge, the cameras in every corner and then back at Helios, willing him to understand why she's about to ask what she does. "Would you, ah — would you like to go for a walk? Clear your mind a bit, maybe?"

[heliosxargent]

The silence weighed heavily on him, making him question whether he'd even said anything, and giving him even more time alone with his thoughts. Everything seemed to echo in his mind with numbness and an overwhelming mix of the emotions he always tried so hard to keep in check taking their turns with him. They came in wave after unbearable wave, disorientating him enough that he didn’t know which to focus on and could only feel himself slipping deep and deeper into the depths of his mind.

Then she started to speak and his eyes opened wide, fixing on her as he waited to see whether she’d play the saviour or leave him to drown. She tossed him a lifeline ( a surprise and one he’s not sure he’s done enough to deserve ) and he grasped hold of it, standing up quickly. He can’t say anything more, not yet, but he’s beginning to feel like he can breathe again or at least start to come up for air. There’s a curt nod given to her, his usual way with words evading him when he could barely string together a coherent thought let alone form a sentence.

Throat is cleared and eyes shifted towards the door, eyeing the exit like it's some sort of salvation. He'd feel better once he was out of this room, right? It was just stuffy in there, nothing some fresh air wouldn't cure. "Sure, not like I've got anything better to do." Voice is gruff and he practically scuffs his feet over the floor, acting the part of the brooding teenager he'd never really been. It's a thought that made him consider once again how much he might have lost by being so fixated on glory, one he's quick to swallow down.

It's not a thought he wanted to keep turning over in his head so he started to move towards to door, finally finding it in himself to voice some kind of gratitude. "Thanks. I'll try anything."

[thecapitolrogue]

Open starter | @eventidestarters | The Capitol

Between Capitol strategy meetings and his own personal business, late nights were not uncommon for Kyan. He routinely worked well into the early hours, watching the clock creep up on midnight, and then past one, then onto two. Years ago this lack of work-life balance would have driven him insane, but now? He wouldn’t complain, not when there was real work to be done. And that’s how he found himself there now, walking the dimly lit halls of the tribute center as he found his way to the door and out onto the street. 

The cool air embraced him as he stepped out into the night. Neon lights illuminated the sky, concealing the stars. It was quiet, almost peaceful, and Kyan allowed himself to relax for just a moment. He deserved it, after all; he had managed to smuggle that file out undetected, and even the smallest of victories deserved to be celebrated. 

But the calm didn’t last long. Kyan rounded a corner, turning onto the next street, only to find himself face-to-face with this unfortunate soul. What business did they have wandering the city at this time of night? Didn’t they know it was dangerous? Kyan froze, doing his best to maintain his unbothered demeanor despite his surprise. 

“What are you doing?” His tired voice had an edge. “Don’t you think it’s a bit late for you to be hanging around here?”

[heliosxargent]

Loneliness wasn't a feeling he would ever admit to or even acknowledge. So despite the way that he found himself missing the fellow Victors he now realised had become his friends, he refused to concede that it was loneliness that he was feeling. But as the hours dragged out it was becoming harder to pretend that nothing was wrong so he chose to see it as nothing more than boredom.

That was what had lead him to seek out Kyan, hoping that his guess that his friend might have been working late proved correct. Hands held up in mock surrender ( one of the few people that would ever see that gesture, even light-hearted, from him ) at the other man's tone when he was proven right and their paths crossed. "What, can't a guy stop by his best friend's place of work every now and again?" Hand went to his chest as if the very idea that he couldn't drop in on Kyan whenever he wanted pained him.

For a brief moment he considers sulking in the shadows and attempting some kind of poor imitation of the other man. But in all their years of friendship he'd never quite been able to master mimicking Kyan's demeanour for more than a few moments, inevitably breaking only moments in to the impression. "You've been avoiding me, I had to do something to get your attention. Figured you might like me more if I went the dark and brooding route like you." Even as he speaks a wide grin stretched its way onto his features.

[thecapitolprincess]

The man’s gentle teasing was rewarded with a few blinks. Lyah found his choice of referencing the nickname Captiol media had bestowed upon her to be an interesting one. Was he making fun of her? Or simply trying to make conversation? His posture and tone seemed so casual, but his words felt almost provocative.

Helios was something of a mystery; perhaps not to everyone, but certainly to Lyah. Though their respective Games had only been four years apart, they had never been close. He had always come off as so confident and so self-assured, Lyah had to admit she found it intimidating, though she was unable to pinpoint exactly why. It wasn’t as if she lacked either trait; she knew how to carry herself, and she always performed well, but when comparing herself to Helios, she almost felt inadequate.

She was confident, sure, but where she was soft smiles and a delicate presence, he was calculated and stoic. Lyah, who had become something of an expert at understanding body language, could never get a read on him. They weren’t friends, and yet he joked with her as if they were. How was she supposed to act around him when she could never figure out what he was thinking? It was all bit confusing.

There was a brief pause before she offered him a small, polite smile. It was rehearsed, a little uncomfortable. She was trying, but nothing felt right. Lyah blamed it on him, his dry humor, and his unbothered tone.

“Not at all,” Lyah answered. Her brown eyes fell to Helios’ precarious hold on his glass and she pretended it didn’t bother her. The woman took quick sip if her drink, pleading for the alcohol to ease the tension just a little bit. “You’re more than welcome to join me, I don’t mind.” 

There was another biref pause as she debated answering his question. It would be rude not to, but would admitting to needing a break come off as weak? Would he judge her for it? Why couldn’t she stop overthinking? She cursed his nonchalant attitude and easy smile. 

“The party is wonderful, it’s just getting a bit loud,” she explained after a moment. “Needed to step out for a little break.” Lyah couldn’t help but feel as if she’s simultaneously said too much and too little. Her solution was to remove herself from the spotlight and turn the conversation to Helios’. “Are you enjoying yourself?”

[heliosxargent]

While he maybe hadn't exactly been bred to be competitive, he'd most definitely been raised to be. It was almost impossible for him not to see the world in front of him as a giant challenge that he had to emerge triumphant over. Everything a game or a race or a battle to him. Something to be won or gained ( never lost only because he refused to lose ) from every interaction he had, no matter how small.

He supposed that it might have been considered unfair of him to feel such a sense of triumph that he was so clearly the one in control in this conversation, his words seeming to put her on the back foot despite how well she hid it. But her discomfort hadn't been his goal nor had any of that he'd said been intended to be malicious or personal. She was just a casualty of his own imaginary war. After all, it could hardly call it friendly fire when he'd never considered them on the same side.

The temptation to press his advantage was strong as he listened to her give him vague responses ( if he was being honest he'd expected her to be more polished than this, it was interesting to see that perfect façade almost cracking ) but he'd never considered himself cruel. There's no offer of retreat from him or an adjustment to his languid posture to give her a chance to take a breath, inside he just refrains from going in for the kill.

Smirk played over his lips as he rolled the glass between his fingers, watching her with keen hunter's eyes as she took a drink from her own. He doesn't bring it to his lips, not needing the clarity that so often came along with its burn. Nothing cleared his mind quite like a new challenge or a victory within his grasp.

He hummed lightly in vague acknowledgement of her words but not quite agreement. "These things can be overwhelming, for some." Words are nonchalant enough but the light emphasis on 'some' makes it clear that he doesn't consider himself to be one of those people.

Shoulders roll into a lazy shrug and it's then he chooses to take a quick drink. "There's food, drink and company - some delightful, some passable - what more could I ask for?" There's a wryness to his tone and his smile doesn't quite reach his eyes, potentially exposing his true views on such things. If it had been a Capitolite he'd been speaking to naturally he wouldn't have shown such a break, even a fleeting one. But perhaps it did it as sort of an olive branch. Not quite a ceasefire but he'd made her crack, maybe it was only fair he let something slip.

[xdecadencex]

Where: A party in the Capitol Who: Cashmere & open When: The day after Cinna's execution

It was late, but in true capitol fashion the party was only just ramping up. It amazed her how the people of the capitol were able to throw a party and carry on as if someone hadn't just been executed. She couldn't say she felt any certain way about the stylists from Twelve. She'd had seldom interaction with either of them, but seriously? A man had just died and yet here she was, surrounded by capitolites that lived as if nothing wrong were happening in the world.

All of her doubts and worries are shoved far to the back of her mind, hidden behind thoughts that almost mirrored those of the the capitol citizens. Maximillian's suit was sure loud. The Missus' necklace was dazzaling. I really need another glass of champagne. Is Emerald really wearing that? It's so outdated. She'd played the part too long, too well. She often lay in bed wondering if she was loosing herself, but she'd wake up the next morning and forget all those worries.

"Good lord, did you see what Ursala is wearing," she asked of the person next to her, paying no mind to who that person might just be.

[heliosxargent]

It had been years since the Capitol had truly surprised him. When he'd always suspected them capable of anything, it was almost easy to process each new execution as within their capabilities. So the fact that life continued on as normal ( or as close to it as the Capitol ever got ) in the wake of a stylist's execution was exactly what he had expected. He was desensitised to the way that they could all be so casual over the loss of life by now. Maybe he should have felt more deeply about the loss of life but the purge of his fellow Victors had done far more to unsettle him.

His easy smile was quick as ever, his words charming and smooth as he mingled throughout the party. This part had never been difficult for him, not when it was always so obvious what they all wanted to hear. He played his part well, moving around the room until he found himself next to a familiar blonde. Tongue clicked in mock disapproval ( it wasn't as though he hadn't thought the same, or worse, about fellow attendees to events over the years ) before he spoke in faux chiding tones. "Does no one get points for effort anymore? She's clearly trying to match the pastries." Ironic words when he himself only ever valued outcome and success over simply trying. "We can't all be resplendent by name and nature."

[goodnightmemes]

CATCHING FIRE (2013) SENTENCE STARTERS

feel free to change pronouns / terms / tense as needed!

❛ You’re okay. You’re safe. It’s okay. You’re here with me. ❜

❛ It’s only a few weeks. I’ll be back before the snow melts. ❜

❛ A lot can happen in a few weeks. ❜

❛ I did what I had to do to survive. If I didn’t, I’d be dead. ❜

❛ If you wanted to be babied, you should’ve asked [name]. ❜

❛ You are a strangely dislikeable person. But you do have your virtues. ❜

❛ Such bravery. Such spirit. Such…contempt. ❜

❛ My dear, I think we can make this so much simpler if we agree not to lie to each other. What do you think? ❜

❛ What is to prevent, say, an uprising? That can lead to revolution. And then, in a fraction of time, the whole system collapses. ❜

❛ You should imagine thousands upon thousands of your people dead. This town of yours reduced to ashes. Imagine it gone. ❜

❛ Tell me. At what point did he realize the depth of your indifference towards him? ❜

❛ I don’t want to kill you. I want us to be friends. But if not friends, then allies. ❜

❛ That was nice acting. Almost thought that kiss was real. ❜

❛ All you need to do is give a few speeches, wave to the crowds, and enjoy your time in the spotlight. ❜

❛ I’m really not in the mood for a lecture. I’ll apologize to [name] later. ❜

❛ You don’t have to apologize to anybody. Including me. ❜

❛ If you can stop looking at me like I’m wounded, then I can quit acting like it. ❜

❛ I’ve never been very good at friends. ❜

❛ She was too young, too gentle. And I couldn’t save her. I’m sorry. ❜

❛ Wait! No! Leave him alone! ❜

❛ I never meant for anyone to get killed. ❜

❛ I’m sorry. I didn’t know what to do. He threatened to kill my family. ❜

❛ Well, I have family, too. Okay? People that I need to protect. ❜

❛ Come here. You’re gonna be okay. I promise. ❜

❛ It was just a dream. I’m sorry. ❜

❛ Will you stay with me? ❜

❛ We could get married. ❜

❛ Eyes bright. Chins up. Smiles on. I’m talking to you, [name]. ❜

❛ Everybody who’s anybody is here. And they all want to meet you. ❜

❛ It’s appalling. Still, if you abandon your moral judgment, it can be fun. ❜

❛ Well, maybe it was you who inspired me to come back. ❜

❛ She’s not who they think she is. She’s not a leader. She just wants to save her own skin. It’s as simple as that. ❜

❛ I agree she should die. But in the right way. At the right time. ❜

❛ It’s moves and countermoves. ❜

❛ It won’t work. Fear does not work as long as they have hope. ❜

❛ They’re gonna hate her so much they might just kill her for you. ❜

❛ If we leave right now, we can be far away from here by tonight. ❜

❛ [name] threatened to have you killed. ❜

❛ You know how I feel about you. But I can’t think about anyone that way right now. ❜

❛ The only thing that I can think about every day, every waking moment, is how afraid I am. There’s no room for anything else. ❜

❛ You haven’t hurt people. You’ve given them an opportunity. They just have to be brave enough to take it. ❜

❛ We have to go before they kill us. They will kill us. ❜

❛ People are looking to you. ❜

❛ I don’t want anyone looking to me. I can’t help them. ❜

❛ Look, you’re new here. Trust me, I’m trying to help you. ❜

❛ Thought you’d be gone by now. ❜

❛ I’m not going anywhere. I’m gonna stay right here. Cause all kinds of trouble. ❜

❛ How can we live like this? How can anybody live like this? ❜

❛ You understand that whatever I do comes back to you. I don’t want you to get hurt. ❜

❛ You don’t have to protect me. ❜

❛ If you cannot contain [name], then I will have to terminate her. ❜

❛ And you’ve come to, what? Ask me to… die? ❜

❛ What’s it say that [name] was here 45 minutes ago begging to save your life and you only just now show up? ❜

❛ You could live 100 lifetimes and never deserve that boy. ❜

❛ There are survivors. There’s no winners. ❜

❛ Do whatever you can. [name] lives. Not me. Promise me. ❜

❛ How could any of us even trust each other? ❜

❛ It’s not about trust. It’s about staying alive. ❜

❛ You look pretty terrifying in that getup. ❜

❛ I haven’t dealt in anything as common as money in years. ❜

❛ I’m an open book. Everybody always seems to know my secrets before I know them myself. ❜

❛ So what do you think? Now that the whole world wants to sleep with you? ❜

❛ I guess we just try to figure out who we trust least and work our way backwards from there. ❜

❛ There’s always a flaw in the system. ❜

❛ How are we gonna kill these people? ❜

❛ God! Does anybody actually believe this? ❜

❛ You know, I’m getting totally screwed over here. ❜

❛ Well, you know what? Fuck that! And fuck everybody that had anything to do with it! ❜

❛ Just be your usual self. Actually, be your happier self. ❜

❛ Make him pay for it. ❜

❛ We’re a team. Aren’t we? ❜

❛ You both deserved so much better. ❜

❛ Any last advice? ❜

❛ Stay alive. ❜

❛ Remember who the real enemy is. ❜

❛ I don’t want to be with anyone else in there. Just you. ❜

❛ Look at this. They’re holding hands. I want them dead. ❜

❛ Good thing we’re allies, right? ❜

❛ Well, I guess we’re not holding hands any more. ❜

❛ I don’t care about any of them. ❜

❛ Be careful. There’s a force field up there. ❜

❛ Oh, my God. You were dead. Your heart stopped. ❜

❛ Someday I want to love someone that much. ❜

❛ We should set up camp. Take turns sleeping. I can take first watch. ❜

❛ That thing I did back there for [name]? That was called “saving his life.” ❜

❛ If I wanted to kill either of you, I would’ve done it by now. ❜

❛ Don’t worry about anything else. I’ll be right here with you. It’s okay. It’s okay. ❜

❛ She sacrificed herself for me and I didn’t even know her name. ❜

❛ They know they’re outnumbered. I doubt they’ll attack again. ❜

❛ They can’t hurt me. There’s no one left that I love. ❜

❛ Love is weird. ❜

❛ I don’t want to be the one that shoots first. ❜

❛ They’re not gonna make that same mistake again. ❜

❛ You know and I know there’s only one person walking out of here. ❜

❛ If you die and I live, I’d have nothing. Nobody else that I care about. ❜

❛ See, this is why no one lets you make the plans. ❜

❛ We couldn’t tell you with [name] watching. It was too risky. Better for you to know nothing. ❜

❛ You have been our mission from the beginning. ❜

❛ This is the revolution. ❜

❛ You promised me that you would save him over me! ❜

❛ You promised me! You’re a liar. ❜

❛ You’re okay. You’ve just been asleep for a few days. ❜

[heliosxargent]

aspen || helios || esme

[heliosxargent]

Mockingjay: What is/was Helios' relationship with their parents like? Who in their family do they turn to for a shoulder?

Growing up he was incredibly close to his father, Hyperion, and his father very much saw him as his greatest achievement. They spent endless time together, with his father determined to make him in his own image and for Helios to reach the dreams that he felt were denied him. He was more distant from his mother but their relationship was still healthy enough, she tended to defer to what Hyperion wanted anyway. Now though he almost doesn't know how to be around his parents and he wouldn't consider their dynamic to be particularly close. It can't be when he keeps so much from them and acts as though his life as a Victor is what they'd always hoped for. So from his end things feel strained but his parents are none the wiser and he'd like to keep it that way. So for advice generally his aunt when as a fellow Victor she understands things far better than his parents ever could. Their relationship before his Games was distant at best but they became very close afterwards and I think she kind of fills in that parental void for him that was left when he made his choice to keep secrets from his parents. But if it's just general comfort or a distraction then it's almost always his sister, Selene. She's probably the person he'd consider himself closest too and absolutely the reason he's not as much of an asshole as he could be. Time with her and his niece is probably when he feels most at ease and at peace.

[heliosxargent]

Helios: [Character Building] Are they superstitious?

Not hugely. There might have been the odd routine with his dad during training but generally he's too big a believer in making your own luck in life and wouldn't want to think that any of his achievement came down to whether or not he completed some kind of ritual. And I think that even if he'd had any growing up he'd have abandoned them by now. His current view is that the world around him and people with more power dictate his life as much as ( if not more than ) his own desires, he doesn't believe that superstitions would make any difference one way or another.

[perfectaches]

where / the mentor's lounge, 62nd hunger games with / @heliosxargent

It seems to always end like this, on the off-chance her tributes don't make it to the end. One minute, Thea is sitting idly at her control station, waiting for absolutely anything to happen that she might be needed for — and in the blink of an eye, some commotion happens and she's running over to Two's private room so she can think in the silence the space provides. More often than not in this scenario, there's nothing she can do before her tributes are impaled or eaten or simply blown up by their own stupidity. It's either that or they win, though that clearly won't be the case for Two this year.

This time, One's tribute had lasted as long as hers had and of course the mentors from the other career district had gathered to try and ensure their own win, but the figure looming at One's station in the lounge when Thea returns to her own seat is still almost unexpected. "Helios." It isn't that she's surprised to see him still here — not that it'd show on her features even if she were — he's a mentor, after all, and he's supposed to be around at least somewhat, even after his tributes have fallen. But Thea has come to expect the least from this boy, and very much didn't expect to find him lingering here since the Games have now all but come to an end. Finnick Odair's trident has pushed him to the top of the contender list, and with both of her own tributes now out of the running as well, it's looking like the fish boy is a shoe-in for the title this year.

She could just do as she'd meant to and pack her things up to leave — to deal with the loss of her last remaining tribute on her own as she usually does — but the sheer lack of movement to her left at the command table gives her pause. It's almost like Helios is frozen in time, and of course she knows losing a tribute is always hard, but she's never seen the kid act anything other than unbothered by the Games. Now he's simply staring blankly at the monitor that once provided his tribute's vitals stats, and it's enough to make her speak up — which is a feat in itself. "Staring at the holo isn't going to turn it back on, you know." Or bring them back to life, her mind supplies, but Thea decides to keep that morbid comment to herself for once.

[heliosxargent]

Throughout all his lofty teenage aspirations he'd believed that winning the Games would be a high but he'd never dreamt that they'd instead be the pinnacle. He'd expected them to be a great moment of his life but not the greatest yet it felt like ever since he'd won it had been a downhill slope of increasing losses. It wasn't something he'd ever been used to outside of the Academy and even then he'd been able to flip those losses around into something positive - convincing himself that they made him better, showed him his weaknesses and where he had room for improvement. But there was no such way to twist the loss of another mentee to the Games. Once he might have tried to convince himself that it would make him a better mentor but this time he was struggling to when he was faced with his own powerlessness.

Reflection isn't something he often allows himself, even in the wake of another loss. So instead of allow thoughts to fill his mind Helios tries to clear it. Choosing to embrace nothingness and numbness rather than having to welcome in emotions and feeling. Time had passed, he knew that much, but he wasn't sure how long he'd been sat there when the sound of his name breaks through the void he was sinking into. He hasn't got a response to her words or at least not one he'd be happy giving when it feels too much like leaving himself open to confess that his stare had been a blank one. That he'd been looking through the holo rather than at it. So he simply half grunts in response, a vague acknowledgement when he's still not ready to let any kind of emotion in let alone show or voice it.

Silence stretched between them until, to his surprise, he's the one to break it. "Does it get easier?" The words leave his mouth before he can even consider them and he might have regretted them - seen them as a sign of weakness - were he not so numb. It was the kind of vulnerability only his aunt was usually privy to and sometimes his sister when glimmers of truth slipped through his bravado. But it was too late to take them back as they hang in the air between them and he comes to the realisation that he's not even sure which part of victorhood he's referring to. Watching almost helplessly as his tributes die; the late night Capitol callers; his freedom now a thing of the past when choices were practically made for him if he wanted to remain in good standing; the vague but ever looming threat that hung like a spectre over his family should he ever decide to reject what was expected of him. All of it.

[thecapitolprincess]

Closed starter | @heliosxargent

Lyah felt alive under the soft glow of the light filtering onto the balcony from the party happening inside. The bustling city sprawling before her was large, with dazzling lights glittering off an ocean of windows like stars and candy colored streets below. It was beautiful; much nicer than the endless deserts of 5.

She took a sip of her drink, pleasantly surprised with it's herbal notes and sweet aftertaste. The woman examined the glass for a moment, trying to place the flavors. Lavender, maybe?

The sound of footsteps behind her cut her train of thought short, curious as to who else may have decided to slip away from the party. The Capitol stop of the Victory Tour was one of Lyah's favorite events each year. It was magnificent, really, with the food, the drink, and the entertainment, but even so, she found herself needing a break every now and then.

Apparently, she wasn't the only one.

Lyah turned to face the newcomer, ready to welcome them to her little hideout on the balcony, but froze when she caught his eyes.

"Oh, Helios," she said in a choked, surprised tone. He was one of the last people she expected to run into this evening. The two were friendly (she was never anything but), but they certainly weren't friends. He was intense, far too intense for Lyah. "What a...nice surprise. Did you need something?"

[heliosxargent]

It wasn't often that he took a moment to himself at Capitol parties, it felt too much like admitting defeat in his own private battle. It helped, somewhat, to sometimes think of them that way. An imaginary challenge for himself, every person he talked to a victory and new conquest. Taking time out from it almost felt like a surrender.

It should have been easier when it was a victory tour, with the focus on the Capitol's shiny new victor instead of the ones they were used to, and for the most part it had been. But then a sponsor had brought up his tribute, the one who'd come so close to winning, and Helios had felt his golden smile slipping.

A momentary reprieve had been necessary. It wasn't a defeat, just strategic. He'd be able to come out victor again all the easy with a moment of fresh air to collect himself. So he'd slipped away to a balcony, only to find it already occupied by a fellow victor. Lyah Yazbek.

She wasn't exactly his first choice of company when her persona ( or maybe that was her actual personality? he'd never talked enough with her to find out ) was always too saccharine for his taste, but it seemed a decent enough trade-off for a few moments in the fresh air. "Princess Lyah."

Brow raised slightly at her question, smirk flickering over his lips before he answers. "Not from you, just came out for some air. Unless this is now your kingdom and I need to beg royal permission?" Undeterred by her company and without waiting for an answer, he crossed the distance between them with lithe steps. Leaning against it with both elbows on the balcony, his glass rested in the hand dangling almost recklessly over the edge. He lifts it to his lips, taking a small sip before it returns to its precarious position.

Having made himself comfortable - he knew he looked relaxed and unaffected - he finally shifted his attention to his unexpected companion. "Too many adoring subjects out there for you?" Easy grin plays over his features, amusing himself with his dry words.

[gleamchryses]

@heliosxargent || Inside Gleam’s home, midday  

"It might work better if you announce the news, or it at least comes from you." Gleam suggested, pouring herself a glass of wine, and settling back into her seat at the dining room table. It was an unusual scene, as the table was typically reserved for appearances rather than actual use. This place felt less like a home and more like a prison cell, albeit one tastefully decorated.

"You have a special knack for connecting with the crowd, a talent I quite obviously lack," She admitted with a slight scoff, her impatience evident in her reluctance to entertain what she considered foolish questions. They found themselves in the midst of a rebellion, and yet here they were, on the verge of presenting a staged romance to divert the Capitol's attention off Gleam especially, if only temporarily anyways.

[heliosxargent]

He'd never been someone who considered himself particularly altruistic, even for the people he was close to. The idea of sticking his neck out for someone else the way he was about to with Gleam was one he usually would have shunned but maybe the rebellion was making him feel just a little bit more reckless. Or maybe he just wanted to cling onto someone familiar when everyone else seemed to be slipping away.

The suggestion that they take up this little charade had almost felt foreign coming from his lips, part of him still not knowing if it was a good idea. But he'd known her for years, they were practically siblings. What was the point in having spent years playing the Capitol's game if he wasn't going to use that influence to protect the few people he cared about? "Careful, that was almost a compliment. Anyone else might think sounds like you think I'm charming." Grin was flashed her way before expression took on a slightly more serious edge. His tone remained just as cocky. "They'll be swooning over us in no time."

[heliosxargent]

what does their future look like when they picture it?  who’s there with them? / what type of neighborhood did they grow up in?  do they still live there?

what does their future look like when they picture it?  who’s there with them?

Where his father ensured his legacy through his children, Helios has never really felt the need to do the same. He grew up so concerned with legacy that once he'd won and cemented his place in the history books, he'd already achieved what he wanted to and there was no real need to aspire to be anything else. So he hasn't been much of a forward thinker since he won his games. But on the rare occasion he does think about the future, he doesn't dare imagine it much different. ( he thinks hope is too dangerous and acceptance has always served him better ) The only real dreams he allows himself is that he will be lauded some more, perhaps for his efforts as a mentor, and with slightly more power than he does now. It's all vague and loose, allowing room for reality to disappoint when he tends to be too grounded in realism to spend much time thinking of the ideal. But in all of his vague visions of the future he always sees himself alone, never able to picture someone standing by his side. He convinced himself a long time ago that himself was all that he would ever need ( and there was always the nagging knowledge at the back of his mind that victors were never really allowed freedom when it came to partners ) but as time goes on his own company isn't quite as comforting as it used to be and he almost finds himself wanting to share whatever future. He just can't imagine who that would be.

what type of neighbourhood did they grow up in?  do they still live there?

The Argents are a fairly well off family and so Helios grew up in one of the nicest neighbourhoods in the district. The houses were nice, the neighbours respectable, they had plenty of their own space. He lived just down the street from his grandparents and given that his aunt was a victor, the family were usually on the receiving end of respect. They had family dinner every week at his aunt's house in the victor village at his grandmother's insistence and so Helios grew fairly familiar with it too. It felt less strange when it was finally his turn to move in to it as well. Now his time is split between his home in the village in One and his apartment in the Capitol.

[haydenpanettieres]

LEWIS TAN on ABOUT FATE (2022, dir. Marius Vaysberg)

[heliosxargent]

have they ever been in a physical fight? what happened? (obviously not including the games)

Maybe surprisingly Helios isn't that prone to violence. Outside of his games and his time at the academy he has had very little cause to resort to using his fists when words seem to have worked just fine for him. If anything he'd find it laughable that anyone chose to square up to him or threaten him and rather than engaging he'd probably just mock them. He's not a particularly angry person and his sense of self is strong enough that insults simply roll off him ( he will always be too convinced he is the golden boy to ever listen to anything different ) so he's never really had a reason to fight outside of the times it was required of him.

[heartshop]

Margaret Atwood, from Power Politics

[sterlingwhitvale]

Sterling disliked Helios Argent just about as much as he enjoyed bothering the ever living shit out of him. The two really couldn't be more different; district 1 versus 8, willing capitol mascot versus beleaguered capitol entertainment. He couldn't remember exactly why they had started this stupid little dance of going out of their way to bother the other, but Sterling remembered it beginning the second the two had met, so immediately at odds. "Henry, good to see you," Sterling responded, giving him a heavy handed clap on the shoulder before immediately turning his head away from him, scanning the room, as if looking for someone better to talk to. "They're good," he answered brushing over the incorrect name, knowing correcting him would only play into his hand. "How's...." he feined as if he was truly struggling to find something to ask, "Whatever it is you do around here? Good?"

[heliosxargent]

Charm was something he'd been blessed with from a young age or so he'd always been told. Certainly seemed to hold true when it came to the citizens of the Capitol, always so easily pleased with practised honeyed words and a quick flash of his winning grin. But the man in front of him had been much harder to win over ( a fact that wasn't entirely surprising ) and Helios found that amusing enough to entertain his company. It was almost refreshing. There's no reaction given to the clap on his shoulder, save the smirk that curls at the corner of his lip slightly when he feels a sort of victory that Sterling has even engaged in their little game. "Fantastic as always. I have no complaints." For others it might have been, if only because he had never seen what complaints could achieve. They always seemed futile to him. A sip is taken from his drink and he rolls his shoulders back slightly, further relaxing his posture and subtly proving which of them is more nonchalant. "I'd ask what you've been filling all your time with but I think the whole of Panem knows."

[heliosxargent]

Helios' Capitol Apartment || run up to the Quarter Quell || with Annie Cresta @fatefought

Playing at the superiority and self importance that came along with being a Victor from one of the Career districts was a habit he had fallen into over the years. It had started as his genuine attitude - all teenage indestructibility and careless charm - a large part of him believing that he simply was better. That thought didn't hold up for very long though as his new status came along with a cohort that were just as deserving of it. He might have considered himself special but when his time was now spent amongst other victors who had achieved as many feats as he had, Helios was faced with the realisation that he certainly wasn't the only one who could claim the title of 'special'. When his goals had shifted and his focus became helping the District One tributes, he embraced the stereotype once more and kept himself aloof and above the rest. For the most part his cocky confidence always serving as a barrier to any kind of closeness when it prevented anyone from really seeing him, always serving as a mask to his true feelings and emotions. But time would always emerge perpetually victorious over them all and so despite those walls of his, as the years passed it was inevitable that people would find their way around them.

The list of those he considered himself having some kind of genuine bond with had grown steadily throughout the years but even within those lists he had his favourites. Annie Cresta might not have been the most obvious of companions for him but her nature and curiosity had been surprisingly endearing to him so he found their exchanges some of the most refreshing. Her visits to the Capitol were fleeting but he always ensured it was known that he'd welcome her company and she seemed happy to oblige. Privacy wasn't something really afforded to them but he still felt like his apartment provided at least the illusion of it and so that was where they tended to meet. As they settled themselves down once he'd let her in, Helios gestures towards the kitchen. "The kettle's on if you want something hot. Or there's some kind of fruit punch mixed up, spirits if you want to add to it." He already had, the sweetness of the mixture masking the burn of the liquor he'd added.