ruin.

lana nolan. 26. district two. trainer. former career. would-be victor. bitter coward. here comes the rain again falling from the stars drenched in my pain again becoming who we are as my memory rests but never forgets what I lost wake me up when september ends

[lanaxnolan]

trixanna-quartz:

Trixanna had given up a lot time ago on helping tributes that didn’t want it. If they wanted to hide in their own room and work on their own, then so be it. So when she realized she hadn’t seen either of her tributes since getting off the train, she had gotten dressed and went out into the Capitol. Val was home sick so Trixie had gone off to get her a doll to take home. The little girl’s collection was becoming quite vast, but she enjoyed them and Trixie had a very hard time telling her daughter no. 

She came back into the tower, doll box held under her arm. She’d been on her way back to the second floor when she noticed Lana. Walking over, she sat the box down and shrugged out of her coat before sitting next to the younger woman. “Seen either of the kids yet?” She asked, rubbing her hands together to encourage some sort of heat to form. She had always hated the cold.

“Nope.” She replied, popping the ‘p’ sound. It was frustrating, really. These kids were supposed to be the best District Two had to offer, and yet they couldn’t seem to find the motivation to come out of their rooms. If they hadn’t turned up by the time training started, Lana would have to focus her attention on other Districts. She sure as hell wasn’t going to sit around doing nothing for the next two weeks. She got bored easily, and didn’t fancy feeling bored at the moment. Being in the Capitol was bad enough when she stayed entertained. “It’s like they don’t want our help.” She sighed, leaning back into the couch. “What’s that?” She asked, gesturing to the box that Trixie had carried in.

[lanaxnolan]

Lana wasn’t feeling very optimistic going into these Games. The high of Kelvin’s win had well and truly worn off in District Two, the Academy kids she trained had lost some of the vigour that had been reinvigorated by Kelvin’s win, seeing four more District Two tributes try and fail to win had caused the number of willing volunteers dwindle as they had prior to the 118th. Lana didn’t know the two that had been chosen, though her father assured her that they were the best of what the Academy had to offer. Lana wasn’t so sure. She’d barely seen them since the train, and even then, they’d refused to say more than a few words to her. 

Figuring she wasn’t going to be needed by her tributes for at least a few days, Lana had ventured out into the Capitol -- or, at least, the street outside the Tribute Tower -- and picked herself up some food before returning to one of the communal areas of the Tower, leaning back onto one of the couches and looking up at one of the screens broadcasting recaps of the reapings. She looked away from the screen when someone came to stand in front of her, shifting across so they’d have room to sit.

[lanaxnolan]

chip-foster:

Chip needed to get away. People were sloshing drinks around left and right, and he couldn’t even sneak into a corner to just play a game on his phone when every corner seemed to be taken up by someone trying to be discrete while they got high. He was hardly someone who gave much of a shit about fresh air until the last couple years, but he found himself almost craving it as all he could breathe in was the scent of spilled alcohol and a hundred different perfumes. When he managed to get out onto a balcony, he didn’t catch a whiff of fresh air at all, but instead caught the scent of cigarette smoke and it hooked into his lungs like a clingy ex that would do anything to get him back. Unable to control a sudden bubbling of anger, he slammed the door shut as hard as he could and felt his heart drop into his stomach as he watched the glass shake and threaten to shatter, but it didn’t. “Fuck…” he breathed out, fingers fidgeting and drumming by his side in a frantic motion as if he was typing.

Lana whipped her head around when the owner of the footsteps didn’t respond, interested to know who had suddenly joined her out on the balcony. One of the younger Victors, Chip, she was pretty sure his name was. They had to talk about his Games to the kids at the Academy, it was the year after she was supposed to volunteer. He looked obviously uneasy, and she was about to say something when he slammed the door hard enough that the glass should have shattered. Instead of letting out a sigh of relief that it didn’t, she turned towards the Victor. “What the fuck, dude?”

[lanaxnolan]

kclvin:

Kelvin sighed, leaning back in his chair, watching as Kismet fidgeted around on his lap to make himself more comfortable before plopping back down again. “Well, we’ve got six months to think of a rock solid excuse, so let’s start brainstorming. Stomach bug? Really bad haircut? Dog related emergency?” He sighed again. “Lana, it seems like we’ve run into the third place curse. I would like to figure out how to break this curse as soon as we can.”

“I like the haircut one. People around here will understand that. They just power through illnesses with more alcohol.” She chuckled to herself, glancing behind her at the ongoing party inside, drunken Capitolites tripping over one another to the beat of whatever trashy pop song was playing at the time. “I know.” She sighed, “We just have to be smarter, train them harder. Make sure we’re not wasting any time.” She pinched the bridge of her nose, putting her cigarette out on the ash tray beside her, “Trouble is, they keep throwing in these.. twists. No telling who our next tributes are gonna be.”

[lanaxnolan]

hermesmagnifico:

Hermes flew free as a bird throughout the Victory Ball floor. Having Hunter back amongst the party was a swell enough pleasure, though rivaled by the jubilation he carried for adding another bragging right to his belt. Sponsors were a ridiculous, idiotic breed of Capitolite. They would sing his praises all because he hadn’t been foolish enough to bet on anyone but Hunter. To keep the streak going was a challenge he’d yet to accomplish, but now that the opportunity presented itself again, it would be one of his many ambitious goals.

“Ah yes,” he chimed. “I fondly remember the day President Battenberg decreed this particular balcony to belong to nobody else but bitter trainer woman. A wonderous day in our history.”

“Mmm, me too.” Lana hummed, leaning back in her chair. She had to resist the urge to roll her eyes. “Gotta say, I was surprised, but it was worth all the hard work I put in if it means you’ll leave me alone.”

[lanaxnolan]

kclvin:

Kelvin nodded as he heard her response, grateful for the momentary escape from the people clamoring about Xerxes dying so early on, about Missy practically giving up so close to the end, about why two seems like they’ll never get another win. He hoped that if he disappeared, people would care more about Trixie than him. He plopped down next to Lana, Kismet in his lap, and began to mindlessly pet the dog while looking out in the same direction as Lana did. “Quite honestly, not at all. Can we make a pact to skip this thing next time, unless it’s one of ours who’s being celebrated?”

“I love that plan.” Lana replied a little too enthusiastically, still looking out over the horizon. “Don’t think people would notice if I skipped out, you might need an excuse.” She added, leaning forward so that her arms dangled out over the railing. “We came close this year, though. Might not get to skip next time around.” Lana offered, though her tone was far from hopeful. 

[lanaxnolan]

marinaoakland:

Marina needed some air.  The older she got the more difficult it became for her to attend these parties without needing a break.  It was too hot and stuffy in the ballroom, so she stepped onto the balcony only to hear someone speak.  “Oh sorry,” Marina told her.  “I just needed a moment.  I’ll be out of your hair in a few if you don’t mind.”

Recognising the Victor almost immediately, Lana gestured to the other seat on the balcony, stretching her legs out in front of her. “Go ahead.”

[lanaxnolan]

brcvo:

Bravo had never been to the presidential mansion before, and he was only just starting to recover from being the gaping, starstruck mess he’d been when he first arrived. Now, his phone was out, and he was taking pictures of as many mundane, every-day things that he could find to show his kids tomorrow.

Figuring that the view from the balcony must be spectacular, he stepped outside, only to find the space already occupied. “Sorry,” he said, sliding his phone back into the pocket of his suit jacket. “I didn’t mean to intrude. Just exploring, you know?” He shrugged awkwardly.

Not immediately recognising the voice that spoke, Lana looked over her shoulder, unsurprised to see a man who was totally unfamiliar to her. She couldn’t pick what he was doing here straight away, he didn’t look like an obnoxious Capitolite, nor one of the Tower staff, and it piqued her interest. “Oh yeah, me too.” She replied, blowing smoke over the railing, watching it dissipate over the cityscape. 

[lanaxnolan]

huntedhunter:

‘‘I know,’‘ Hunter nodded understandingly before dragging the chair from the table closest to the balcony and bringing it outside. Every inch of that building belonged to him tonight and nobody could contradict him on it, even if he didn’t feel like debating it either. Putting a cigarette in his mouth and then searching for the lighter unsuccessfully, he turned to Lana again. ‘’I think I’m gonna need your light.’’

Stifling a groan when she realised she’d been joined by the new Victor, Lana leaned back into her chair, kicking her feet up onto the railing of the balcony. She sighed, fishing a lighter out of her pocket and holding it out to the man without making eye contact. The sooner he was done, the sooner she could go back to being by herself. “Y’know-” She started, taking a drag from the cigarette, “The part of me that’s a career wants to respect you.”

[lanaxnolan]

kclvin:

Being back in this building gave him the chills, there was no other way to put it. Every step he took felt heavy, every breath he took felt labored, and it made Kelvin feel uncomfortable, taking every chance he could to adjust his outfit. Was it hot in here? As he spotted Lana across the room, he jumped at the chance to be near a familiar face, a friendly face to him in most situations. “It’s just me,” he spoke, hands in the air in surrender even though he was pretty positive she didn’t have eyes in the back of her head. “Could I sit?”

Hearing Kelvin’s voice, Lana finally turned to see who had joined her out on the balcony, almost sighing in relief that it was someone she actually liked. Those seemed to be in short supply here. Turning her gaze back out onto the horizon, Lana kicked her feet up onto the railing, “Go ahead.” She said, taking another drag of the cigarette. “Having fun, I assume?”

[lanaxnolan]

Lana was perched on one of the balconies at the Presidential Mansion, a cigarette between her lips. Despite the chilly night, Lana was more comfortable in the outside air than she was inside. Losing Missy so close to the end was gut wrenching, especially considering she, like Iona, had lost to Hunter Twill. She’d assumed it would be easier to get the kids out of the arena alive, especially getting Kelvin out during her first Games as trainer. Now she wasn’t so sure she’d be able to pull that off again. Missy could match even Lana in a sparring session, and even she hadn’t managed to pull off a Victory. 

Staring out over the city, Lana heard footsteps coming towards her over the roar of the crowd. She didn’t turn when she heard the footsteps, merely speaking over her shoulder. “Spot’s taken.”

[lanaxnolan]

cypricn:

Poppy laughed, shaking her head a little. “Oh, ugh. Thankfully my dads have worked with stylists for long enough to know how to get them off my ass when I need them off my ass.” But Poppy knew the feeling of someone wanting you to be someone you weren’t for their own benefit. “How are things going, with, you know?” she asked, lowering her tone for Alex. She’d been a little familiar with her hunt for her birth parents, after Poppy had told her all about her own adoption. 

“Yep,” Poppy replied, popping the ‘p’ sound of her reply. “Exactly. I have dreams way bigger than the Arena. Maybe President. Or even just a trainer, like Dad tried to be, before he sucked at it and became a therapist instead. Either way, I’m not getting in that Arena, never.” Poppy wrinkled her nose. 

“Lucky. I think Tigris would hire a fleet of them just to make sure I looked decent enough for one of these parties.” She rolled her eyes, sinking down further on her elbows so her chin nearly rested against the table. At Poppy’s question, she leaned forward, dropping her voice slightly, though neither Tigris or Ammon were here to scold her for her search. “I’ve got a District. I wasn’t born here, I was born in Two.” She smiled softly, though it seemed like a minor advancement, it meant everything to Alex, she had a home outside the Capitol, now.

“You’d make a good President.” She agreed, leaning back into her chair. “Trainer might be a little more realistic, but follow your dreams.” Alex shook her head, “I couldn’t imagine it. I could never do it.”

[lanaxnolan]

joy-trovato:

“I always try to be.” He shrugged fingers still clinging onto his drink as if it could steady him: “I am not really one for these parties.” his voice solemn he merely took another sip hoping the alcohol would take effect sooner: “Are you having a good night?”

“As good as is possible, I think.” She said with a shrug, the dancing was fun enough, but a majority of people here seemed utterly miserable, which made it harder for her to enjoy herself. “The music has been good, though.”

[lanaxnolan]

vegalattimor:

Vega nodded.  “That’s a pretty good plan.  I mean…as long as you’re able to be comfortable when you want that’s what really matters.  Are you enjoying yourself at least?”

“That’s what I’ve always thought, anyway.” She chuckled, “Yeah, it’s been pretty fun, so far. The dancing was good, you know, before my feet decided to give out.”

[lanaxnolan]

proserpink:

“I’m a seven. It might be a squeeze, but they shouldn’t rub as much.” Dixie kicked her shoes off and slid them across the table towards Alex. “I seriously don’t mind. My mom bought me my first pair of heels when I was six. I know I don’t wear them a lot, but I’m used to the pain.”

Alex picked up the shoes, dropping them on the floor in front of her and sliding her feet into them, sighing in relief when she found them to be a lot more comfortable than the heels she’d been sporting. “Thank you.” She grinned, passing the heels across the table to Dixie. “Six?” She raised a brow, astounded, “Seriously?”

[lanaxnolan]

birchpembrooke:

The beat of the music caused Sparrow’s foot to start to tap and a series of clicks to the beat started up under the table. “You might have reached badass nirvana, but I still need a little help to feel that way,” Sparrow replied, as she tried to silence the impulse to tap with her heels. 

“I’m trying to get in the mood to dance.” she said, tucking her hair behind her ear. “But it’s hard to not feel sad, you know?” Sparrow tried to imply the feelings she meant, unsure if anyone would even sympathize with her at the Ball. They were all a part of the Capitol and a lot of them were rooting for her to die only 9 months ago. It was a lot for her to deal with. Sparrow shook her head, trying to get the thoughts to leave her brain.

“Hm. I can offer free badass training, if you need.” She laughed, though Alex was probably just about the worst person to come to for ‘badass training’, or training of any sort, really. Her explanation skills left a lot to be desired. “Sad?” She repeated, tilting her head. She knew these events could be hard for some of the Victors, but she’d never really been close enough with any of them to really understand or appreciate why. 

[lanaxnolan]

vegalattimor:

Vega chuckled when the girl spoke.  “Good luck with that.  I tried saying the same thing when I was young, but the only times I got out of it was when I was pregnant.”  She lifted a glass and sipped her drink then.  “Though truthfully you do get used to it.”

“Hm. That doesn’t give me a lot of hope. Maybe I’ll just wear heels to and from next time, and bring a big enough bag to store some more comfortable shoes. To keep up appearances and such.” She thought aloud, though she doubted that anyone was all that eager to photograph some Gazette intern, it wasn’t like she’d done anything of note.