little mermaid

Marina Oakland née Zale Victor of the 82nd Games District Four Mentor Stone's Wife Leona, Slate, & Oceana's Mother

[marinaoakland]

joy-trovato‌:

“oh you most definitely are. You have got so many memories. You could never get boring. Plus I actually like you so-” she trailed off with a bright smirk tipping a little higher on the balls of her feet than her heels usually would have: “how are the kids? The same thunderstorms as always?”

Marina smiled and nodded.  It was a relief that she fit into that box and was happy to help distract Joy from the rest of the party.  “Oh you know them so well,” she laughed.  “Slate was a real wild one before I left.”

[marinaoakland]

joy-trovato‌:

“Marina.” her face lit up softly at the sight of the older women: “you won’t believe how glad I am to find you everyone else is being such a bore this evening.” she straightened a little at the compliment nodding gracefully: “thank you very much.”

Marina chuckled, smiling slightly.  “Everyone is being a bore?  I don’t know if I’m that much more entertaining than everyone else,” she admitted.

[marinaoakland]

joy-trovato‌:

The victorian styled gown lay heavy on her waist as she moved through the room trying to find someone she would actually enjoy to talk to. She couldn’t remember that last time a circle of games had left her so cold and bored before. “well–what a lovely evening indeed.”

Marina smiled when Joy approached her.  “It’s nice,” she admitted.  “You look very pretty, Joy.”

[marinaoakland]

surya-mirga‌:

“Maybe. Every victor won for a reason, though. You can win a fight as long as you can take a hit better than the other guy.”

“I suppose that’s true.”  It really depended, but she wasn’t going to argue with her.  Marina knew there were plenty of people that discounted her because of her demeanor and age, but that wasn’t necessarily reality.  “People can surprise you.”

[marinaoakland]

surya-mirga‌:

Surya giggled and nodded. “That is true. I imagine some stylists might actually be able to hold their own, though.”

Marina nodded.  “Or at least be on par with some of the victors.  I mean...I’d take a mean stylist over Harper in a fight anyday.”

[marinaoakland]

surya-mirga‌:

Surya chuckled and shrugged. “You never know. They’re awfully equipped with pointy needles and glitter should never be underestimated as a weapon.”

“That only works as a weapon if the person you’re attacking dislikes sparkles.  Or if you’re talking about the career and not the sparkles,” she laughed.

[marinaoakland]

surya-mirga‌:

“Perhaps not, but I think the stylists might riot,” she mused fondly. She did adore the balls and the marvelous, often ridiculous, outfits that always came with them. 

Marina shrugged one shoulder.  “I’m fairly certain we could handle the stylists if they tried something like that.”

[marinaoakland]

surya-mirga‌:

Surya was oddly on edge in a way she wasn’t quite used to when it came to the Games, and she found herself for once trying to actively avoid discussing the launch and bloodbath. “We may not even need to go to a ball these Games,” she joked lightly, wanting to focus on better things and not the nooses and mobs of the arena.

“I wouldn’t be upset about that,” Marina told her.  The older she got the more she hated spending time in the Capitol.  The chance to go home early was exactly what she wanted.

[marinaoakland]

thevultur‌:

“Overestimation. It happens,” Lysander mumbled, still annoyed that all statistics failed. Every Games, they calculated potential during the training days and the skill presentation grades. This time, it was clear that somebody either slipped or the tributes appeared to be better than they actually were when in front of actual dangers. “We’re probably going to go home early this year. Sad. Good arena, bad batch.”

“They are still children,” Marina reminded him with a shake of her head.  She could never understand the gamemakers mentality when it came to the kids.  The looked at them like they weren’t even human.  “I will be glad to go home.”

[marinaoakland]

One tribute was gone, but one was still alive.  That was good enough for now.  Marina couldn’t have asked for much more.  The arena was clearly going to make quick work of the tributes and she was glad.  Then she could go home.  “That seemed like a quick bloodbath.”

[marinaoakland]

charity-brush‌:

Charity suddenly felt much warmer and sweatier as she considered what the Gamemakers might find out or know. Is it possible they’d know about the gruesome, terrible events that happened years before she’d been Reaped? Did they interview people? How could she be certain they wouldn’t find out she was pregnant and use it against her? Taking a deep breath, she nodded shakily. “It’s all very scary to think about, you know? Of course you know, of course you know, but I’m so new to this. I don’t think I ever could’ve imagined this…”

“I understand,” Marina told her.  It was scary and she knew it would only get scarier for the young woman.  There was only so much she could do to help her.  “Well...let me tell you the secret I used to get myself home.  I found that one thing I wanted to live for so I could keep pushing towards that goal.”

[huntedhunter]

Breakfast

[marinaoakland]

huntedhunter‌:

‘‘More important than any boyfriend in the world,’’ his opinion immediately shifted to meet hers, but only because the way Marina was putting it made too much sense not to agree with. There was something about her power of speech too. ‘’You should try, but only if something special comes up. In the meantime, there really can’t be anything more special than kids. But don’t take any kind of advice from me. I fail terribly at everything.’’

Marina chuckled slightly, an amused with what he said.  “Well...if I get lucky and find someone special then I’ll take that chance.”  She shook her head ever so slightly.  “I don’t think you fail at everything.

[huntedhunter]

Breakfast

[marinaoakland]

huntedhunter‌:

‘‘It’s only logical you’d be tired. You can only love people so much when they hurt you,’‘ he nodded in understanding, musing over the problem. Suffering was a thing victors especially were used to, so while they were prone to the pain, there was something masochistic in not running away from the fire. He knew it from more angles than one. ‘’Your future is so bright it’s the sole reason why I’m wearing sunglasses in my everyday life, Marina. You’re opening yourself to endless possibilities. I’d have offered to be your wingman, but you’ll do better without me. Is there a line by now?’’

Marina nodded silently.  “Well, I appreciate the vote of confidence,” she told him with a smile.  “I don’t think there’s a line.  I don’t know if I should even bother trying to get involved with anyone again.  I mean...my kids need my full attention.”

[marinaoakland]

brcvo‌:

“I would love to show you,” he agreed, face breaking out into a grin. “What day works best for you? I’m sure I can get an evening off or something if it’s to spend time with a beloved victor.” He wondered what Winter would think, just in the back of his mind. Would she find out? Would she care? Either way, it didn’t matter anymore. He could do whatever he liked now. “I’ll probably be starting with Eleven or Twelve or somewhere, won’t I? I don’t expect you to jeopardise your own district helping a newbie out. I’ll get the hang of it, I’m sure.”

“Thursday?” Marina asked with a smile.  “I’m sure I have that evening free.”  Truthfully most of her sponsor meetings were during the day, so she had plenty of time.  Nodding then, Marina offered him a smile.  “You’ll definitely start low on the totem pole.  Though I’m sure you could handle District Four if Zephyr ever decides to retire.”  She knew he wouldn’t change districts, not that she wanted him to.  He was family at this point.

[marinaoakland]

charity-brush‌:

Charity nodded appreciatively as she listened, eager for any insights, even if they were just comparisons between the old and the new. “They invade their minds and their pasts, don’t they?” Charity muttered, remembering some of the more recent Games. Was there a chance they knew… “How do they get so much information about tributes in so little time?”

“I wish I knew how they got their information,” Marina told her.  “But they have.  They have managed to craft some unimaginable things to torment the tributes with.”  She felt bad saying it to the girl, but she also knew she needed to understand.  “I think that it depends on what information they’re trying to gather though.  They probably have different ways of doing things.”

[marinaoakland]

joy-trovato‌:

“they haven’t done that- have they?” She trailed off softly as if just having realised that fact herself: “Huh- wonder why they give it to them to train with though.” Shrugging she let go of the gun at last placing it back on the shelf after having secured it. “I am glad they do though- gives one a really great way to get rid of any bad energy.”

“My guess?  Give the tributes a false sense of security.  If they get good at aiming with a gun they’ll assume that ability will transfer to a bow or throwing knives when it doesn’t work that way.”  She sighed softly, shaking her head.  “If that’s something you enjoy then I’m glad you have the option.”

[huntedhunter]

Breakfast

[marinaoakland]

huntedhunter‌:

He made an accomplice face when Marina mentioned Stone and his general life choices, what would be expected from a friend of the victim, but also his personal thoughts. Who gave up on family, despite everything? Who just chose not to see the very obvious truth? Maybe, sometimes, himself too, but at least to Hunter Twill, Hunter Twill was lucid. ‘’That’s all that matters, that the children are doing good. And, I mean, the Stone part kind of matters too, but not to you. You’re great without him. You can do waaaay better at any time. It’s the children who can’t just get another father. But you, like, totally already knew all that and I’m not helping. Cheers,’’ he announced, raising his cup of coffee to clink it against her smoothie, though there was no celebration or alcohol involved. ‘’You’ll be fine too. I know you’ll be. You’re the smartest person I know.’’ His words, always too big and exaggerated, were part of his personality by now and completely believed, for that moment only or not.

Marina listened while Hunter spoke.  He was right.  The kids couldn’t just get another father, but after everything she doubted it would be smooth sailing even if Stone’s memory returned tomorrow.  Slate was angry, Leona felt guilty, Oceana was sad.  They were children.  They didn’t understand.  “I appreciate the vote of confidence.  I’m just tired of dwelling and pining for something that will probably never happen.  I have to look forward to my future.”