Cressida

Cressida Astor. 30. Games Filme Maker. Rebel

[ceceliaknowsbest]

Setting: downtown Capitol @ofcressida

It had felt nice to not have any Capitol responsibilities the last few days. It was day six of the Games and it was starting to feel like things were going to wrap up soon. After doing this for so long, you started to get a sense of when the Games were starting to wrap up. It might be a few more days, they were down to less than ten, and depending on how things went it could drag on or be done by tonight. Cecelia was ready to pack up her kids and go home. She was missing her bed at home, and she was missing the normalcy of her life back home.

Cecelia had taken Juliet with her out in the stroller and left Sterling and the older kids at home. As she walked through the crowds of people in the Capitol, trying to maneuver the stroller, she bumped into someone. "Oh, I'm so sorry," Cecelia apologized. But then she did a double take and recognized Cressida. "Oh my God! Cressida! Are you okay? I'm so glad that I bumped into you," she laughed. "It's been so long."

Cressida had been one of the few people that worked on the show that Cece had actually liked. She had treated them like people, not like animals that needed to perform. "How are you?"

[ofcressida]

Cressida was barely seen out of the Game Maker tower during the games. There was a reason why her apartment was so close to the tower. It meant she had no actual reason to not go home and sleep. Which she was begrudgingly doing right now. She knew she needed too. She couldn't do her best work when she was tired. But it didn't mean she had to be happy about it. She had told the others that she was going to go have a quick nap, probably shower, and then she would be back. They'd all but forced her out of the camera room, so she hadn't really had a choice.

So she was heading home, when she suddenly felt something bump into her. As she looked up, she clearly hadn't been paying attention. It wasn't until the person was recognising her, that Cressida had managed to step out of the way to realise who it was. "Cecelia!" She honestly couldn't remember the last time she had saw the victor. Cress had worked on that dumb reality show of hers for 2 years before she'd used her nepo baby privilege to bunny hop into a better position.

"It really has been too long!" It had. As much as she detested reality T.V, she had liked working on the show. Cecelia and her family were pretty cool. They'd been the first people to make Cress think that the people in the Districts really weren't that bad. "I'm tired. But other than that I'm good! How're you?"

[sparkleshavemorefun]

Jessica Henwick in the digital cover made by the Laterals 

Use if you like, please give it a heart and a reblog if you find them useful <3

[fatefought]

there's a nod as he listens. rue, it does rub him the wrong way to hear a capitolite not refer to them by their names. he was an equal opportunist of calling people boy ... girl ... man ... woman. it really was just a deeply engrained thing in him. less seam, and more just how he'd hear his ma and pops talk. even if cressida was on the right side, it still felt very cap of her. it's hard not to roll his eyes. " a lot of us here have got one, " he generally agrees, but that holo interruption was largely a legacy of her family mashed with each victor's time in the arena.

" how long have ya been recordin' 'em ? " she's young. not much older than jo, finnick, cashmere, or any of the younger victors that have since joined the rooster. people who deal with the filming are behind the scenes differently than mentors. though he had seen some in his time brag about what they've filmed. they act like it's an honor to film the death of those from the districts, even if the capitol treats a person from outside the city as a dime a dozen. curiousity is only there because of her rebel allegiance.

[ofcressida]

Cressida didn't like her legacy. Or more so, what her legacy stood for. As much as she liked filming, and liked people liking her films. She didn't like what she was filming. Technically her filming had helped her be successful. But at what consequence? A lot of her success had come from the exploitation of someone else. And of course she'd heard people talk about it being a dog eat dog world. But Cressida didn't like that. She was tired of invertedly using others to get where she wanted. And it was why she was so passionate about the rebellion. "If only mine was positive." She murmured, with a shrug. It didn't matter now. Not with what was to come anyway.

"I've been on the Games team for about 5 years" Cressida murmured with a nod. So not that long in the grand scheme of things. But Cress was incredibly talented, even without the boost that her last name had given her. "Last year was my first with a team though." And this year, but that didn't need to be said. "Not my favourite thing to film though...." She added, biting on her lip. "I prefer candid filming.... this all feels very forced." She didn't know if she would have felt different if she hadn't so closely grown up to the Games. But this is what it was. "My other filming though...." She paused, giving him a knowing look. "Makes me feel more useful"

[devynshaw-deactivated20260207]

"Guess not." There weren't many people in The Capitol that would understand what was going through her head in the moment. She shouldn't have expected the conversation to go much differently. The people in The Capitol had it way better than the people in District Three. Hell, in all the other Districts from what little she was able to see of them. "Not when life seems pretty cozy here, anyway."

She shouldn't have said that. She knew she shouldn't have said that. Astrid told her over and over that those were thoughts she kept to herself or in quiet conversations only with people she trusted. Devyn could have been talking to a Sponsor or a relative to one of the elites that could help influence how her fate in the Arena was going to go. It was a slight enough jab, maybe it would go unnoticed? Maybe the bitterness in her tone would slide right by. Devyn started to turn from the other woman with a quickly murmured, "Have a fun night," in an effort to start her escape from the conversation.

[ofcressida]

Cressida just raised an eyebrow. Life was cosy here. Especially for someone like her. She'd grown up not really knowing what it was like to not get something. Everything that Cressida had wanted she got. Even now the same happened really. The Astors had gathered an immense amount of wealth over the years. It was part of the reason Cress had managed to get where she was. Her parents had been able to put her into all the classes required that had helped her to become the famed film maker and producer that she was. Cressida was well aware of her cosy and good her life was. And if anything it had made her even more determined to make good of it.

"Those are dangerous words" Was all the woman said, with a little shrug. They didn't bother Cressida, and she was also not one for tattling to someone. But this woman was a tribute. If someone overheard the conversation it could get very dangerous for her. "Even the walls have ears here. You should be careful." Cressida just smiled at her. She wouldn't say anything else. She had to protect herself after all.

[incaensio]

the compliment is double-edged. katniss wouldn't admit to it, but she did like to see things through, which means she likes making sure she does things right and if she had gotten better, then it meant she was just terrible before. panic rises, hidden beneath the surface, and she brings her left hand over the right one, covering the huge ruby of her engagement ring with a few fingers, squeezing the coolness of the gem as if to touch it meant that things were not so terrible. she was not so terrible. hadn't she made the uttermost sacrifice? she doesn't bring the "compliment" up to the capitolite, no matter how much it prickles and itches; she has nothing to get better on. she's not pretending to be in love. she's a dutiful daughter of the capitol. everything is okay. her hand is dropped once the blue-haired woman puts the camera down, and katniss' lip trembles as she forces a smile, as if she's truly interested on the subject at hand, the type of thing she'd never get to actually see and enjoy unless it was bloody films forcefully shown on the square.

and well, it turns out that's it. of course. "how…excitin’." well, there's no way for her to sound convincing for someone who supposedly enjoys filming child murder, so katniss tells herself that. she does furrow her brow a little. "reality programs?" the tv at twelve is only ever on for the games, at least in her part of the town. the energy is fickle all the other times of the year, and when it did, there were other things at the homes that could use that energy better than some distant capitol tv. if this woman finds it boring, however, it does come as a matter of interest, if only for her to know what it is. "different." she repeats. well, it is. for her, with the pretending she hasn't done in six months; for panem, as the first time they've ever had two victors. "historical." she repeats, like a jabberjay, mimicking effie's pretty words. she swallows, trying not to let her furrowed brows grow deeper. "i missed home, so yes." this is safe to say, right? but why is this woman talking to her like she can relate? it's not like she'd ever be forced to perform and kill kids in front of a camera. of course she'd be glad to be behind a camera, when she has that choice. "folks 'round here won't like it much, pushin’ a camera in their faces. maybe you should…" she looks around them, frowns again. "try not to just… film. there will be plenty of music, dancin' soon. booze. nothin' like your boring, fancy sort."

[ofcressida]

Cressida still wasn't sure how she felt about Katniss. The whole reason she had volunteered for this job was so that she could get to know her better. Of course, getting to capture shots of different districts was fun. But she had had an ulterior motive. Plutarch had suggested it, and she had agreed that it was a good opportunity. The rebellion was gathering momentum, and the girl in front of her was, hopefully, going to be a big part of it. So, it made sense to Cressida to get to know her more. She could tell that the other didn't trust her. Which didn't surprise her. Cress probably would have been more shocked if Katniss had trusted her already. But it didn't mean that she was going to give him. Giving up wasn't in Cressida's nature at all.

"Yeah. Kind of like following people's lives around....." She trailed off with a shrug. She remembered filming a lot of the early seasons of the Whitvales. She really didn't like it, and felt bad, as she reflected on it, about intruding in someone's life so much. She was glad when she'd been able to move on. Although she supposed she had moved onto the games, which was as equally annoying to film now. Whilst it had given her lots of opportunities, she really disliked it now. "I can relate...." She mused with a little shrug. "The Capitol can be weird but it's home." And she knew that was a lot different to the life Katniss had. But home was home wherever one was from. Even though Cressida's life had been, and probably always would be, a lot easier than the young woman's in front of her. It was a big reason she was fighting in the rebellion, to stop the games, and to even things out between all of Panem. She didn't think it was fair that she got a easier life because she had the privilege of being born in the Capitol. "Oh...." She smiled. "I don't intend to be pushing the camera into any faces. Not gonna lie, they only care about it being in your or Peeta's face...." She mused, a little grimace on her face. She felt bad about that. "And I've got plenty of that." Since it felt like that had been all she'd been filming over the last month. "I plan to get a couple of general over view shots.... and then just enjoying the atmosphere, with the camera firmly turned off." She paused for a few seconds, before a little grin came on her lips. "And between you and I...... I really can't stand the fancy Capitol parties most of the time"

[calofhearting]

Hearing all of the different career options people could have in the Capitol was rather eye-opening. Back in Two people had limited opportunities, you either became a Peacekeeper, worked in the Nut, or in the Quarry. Some people worked with bricks or they worked on making weapons. Calista knew that she was going to have to decide what she wanted to do for the rest of her life when she went home after the Quarter Quell. She had gotten away with it for some time because of losing Cato and her parents hadn't pushed her, but she knew that things would have to change.

What would it be like to be able to be a videographer or a reporter or any of the things that these people in the Capitol did? "I didn't think so." She just...didn't look like the reporters she had seen on TV and she had never seen this woman either. "Oh, interesting. That must be an exciting job," she mused. "What kind of footage?" She realized maybe she was asking too many questions. "Sorry, I'm probably asking way too many questions. It just seems like you have an interesting job."

[ofcressida]

Cressida adored her job. She'd never really thought about doing anything else. And really, anything that she would have wanted to do, she probably could have done. That was the benefit of being from such a wealthy family who had a huge legacy. The Astor name opened doors that some people would just not find. As it was, Cress had wanted to be a film maker. But she did have an incredible talent when it came to putting a film together. Her name had gotten her foot through the door, but Cress would say it was her talent that had gotten her to where she was now.

"Yeah...." She supposed in way she was a reported. But she didn't actually report on the news. That was one bit of film making that she did not like. Cress nodded, a smile on her face. "It is." she did love her job. it meant she saw so much. Even if she did have to spend a portion of her job was filming the games. "oh don't worry. it's fine!" she murmured with a smile. She loved talking about her job, and really could talk about it all day. "Just some general shots, panning around." They'd probably focus on some people, but she wasn't sure who yet.

[fatefought]

the dress swallows her whole, coriolanus noted. she was a pretty woman, and whoever styled her should be swiftly unemployed. there were many notables with eyes for fashion within the city limits. some like domitila could do wonders with her, or tigress if she wasn't the unbearable embarrassment. the astor family had acquired massive wealth, even for the capitol. he deeply knows her parents, even if his knowledge of their offspring is rather minimal comparatively.

" miss astor, it's lovely to see you as well. it's lovely to see plutarch heavensbee is not above giving his brightest well deserved breaks. some of our past head gamemakers weren't as incline, " he offers in a booming voice. it's an obvious dig at seneca crane, lately it always is. shame he had to retire forever. prior to the seventy-fourth, he made for an ambitious gamemaker. " i have been. so many twists and turns. how are you feeling regarding the quarter quell ? " be wary cressida, he will analyze every aspect of fabric in your response.

[ofcressida]

Despite growing up with the elite Cressida had to admit to herself that she was not comfortable when it came to big parties like this. She could talk the talk, and fit in, but she really was much happier to be in her joggers at home, or behind the camera. But being an Astor came with some responsibilities. Or it did at the moment. She was sure that as soon as she was in 13 she was not going to be getting such invites. Should that mean she should enjoy it whilst she did? She wasn't sure. But here she was anyway.

Talking to Snow was also the last thing she wanted to do. But nobody turned away from the President. Not if they wanted to live, and Cressida quite liked living. "Yes. It's very refreshing to have someone who values time off." Of course Cressida herself wasn't very good at giving herself breaks, but Plutarch never denied her anyway. Most of the time it was her having to drag him off for a break. "It is such a shame." She agreed with a nod. "I hate when talent is so wasted." That was actually genuine. There was a little smile on her lips as she spent the next few moments thinking about the quell. "I've been finding it exciting." She had. If she took away all the killing, the arena was spectacular this year. The design team had done them selves proud. "It's certainly stretching my camera skills with all those different segments. Makes for a fun experience." She paused for a few moments before speaking again. "How are you finding it sir?"

[alliecathayes]

Jessica Henwick as Colleen Wing in Iron Fist (2017-2018)

[fatefought]

he won't hound cressida for information. he knew to expect something tonight. but thankfully, nobody expects haymitch to be concerned. image carries weight in the capitol. something he learned many years ago. but for the most part, it isn't a show for him. call him a sarcastic, gluttonous hick. would it be wrong ? all he'd have to do if someone asked him about the holos would be to gruff in response, maybe roll an eye. he's checked in with effie and katniss. ( he's yet to see the boy. )

" wouldn't be a quarter quell if it didn't get a little weird, " he says with a shrug. it's so nonchalant, but he's aware of cressida's role in the rebellion, just like she must be of his. " was any of that yours ? the footage ... ya shoot any of 'em ? "

[ofcressida]

Cressida was glad he didn't ask more questions. She honestly didn't want to really say much more. Incriminating herself would not be helpful, and who knew whose eyes were on them right now. Her position was important, what with it keeping her close to the action, but also allowing Cress the opportunity to capture all important footage for the rebellion. So, keeping that safe. She was sure there would come plenty of time to chat in the very near future.

"That is true." She barely remembered the first one, only having been 5 when it happened. But she new that it was his games. He was in the last quell. It was the exact reason why she didn't say anything more. "Yeah.... I did." She mused with a shrug. She should be happy. But watching the kills now left a sick feeling in her stomach. "A few of the later ones..... the little girl from 11." She remembered that like it was yesterday. "Seems I've got quite a legacy."

[incaensio]

he squints his eyes, tilts his head a little, as if he's doubting the subject of her confidence. "shave it off, then. that look hasn't been worn by some people around here in a while." he gives her a daring smirk, but it fades as he begins to think of cressida's work. "you don't focus only on the gore of it all. there's some flair there." it's simplifying, but he's never had the ability nor the articulation when it comes to photography, his experience entirely resting on being on the other side of them (either as the subject, or the one watching the result, within the confines of the gamemaker's room); he shrugs.

a roll of his eyes becomes the response, but he's still smiling a little at that. it turns into a raise of his brow as she goes on, acting mysterious, as if he could buy that. in truth, he wondered if it excited her at all, even though it was for the games, to be a part of something so select — sometimes he felt something within him, a spark of amusement as they built on the intricacies of the arenas, only for all of that to be snuffed out when he thinks of the end, how every pretty thing of the work he does will only be sullied by all the blood. "waterproof, then." he hums, his voice quiet enough that no one would place what he is talking about. "plutarch went above and beyond. no one will remember crane." a passing talk, praise offered to the new boss, a diss to the former; he's just parroting. but it is double-meaning, after all, for not only the arena for this year is incredible, it is also noted to people who know that it will be the last one ever.

[ofcressida]

"Hmm...." Cressida tilts her head to the side as she looks at him. "I mean I had considered it actually....." She mused, running her fingers through her hair. The blue wasn't actually natural. Cress liked having the option of having her hair long, so she had a variety of shorter wigs. It meant she could really change up her look and style. "My real hair though, obviously. I've not messed around with it too much." It would be a big change. But she could pull it off. Cress was rather confident when it came to her style. "Gore is boring as fuck if it's the only thing that is concentrated on." Cressida liked making a story. It was why she had enjoyed the star crossed lovers theme from last year. She liked being creative, and splicing scenes together so that it made a story. She liked it a lot more than just filming the deaths. But of course, that was the aspect most people actually liked.

"Indeed." She had to admit that she had liked getting a sneak peek of the arena this year. Plutarch had really gone above and beyond, and it paid off. Whilst she disliked the games so much, she was excited to see everyone's reactions to his work. "Mmm..." There was a little smile on her face at the mention of Plutarch. She was as close to Plutarch as she was Con. Though, in a much different way. "He really has....." She mused. Nobody was going to forget this arena. In more ways than one, and she was proud to be on the team for it this year. "This is going to be a year nobody forgets." More so for what would happen during the games, for what the rebels had planned. And she was excited for that.

[fatefought]

she recalls seeing mister and missus astor when annie returned to the capitol following her tour, at the very party she broke down at. for a time that blurred so often, that party was incredibly crystal. she cannot remember if cressida was there, but she does wonder if she was already at work with the games just five years ago. maybe she'll eventually ask ; maybe annie will leave the mystery unsolved. what was the point opening that can of worms ?

hand goes to the straw of her tequila sunrise, letting it swirl the juices together. the color was pretty, an ombre pink and orange. it's very sweet and tangy on her tongue, but tastes so different from the times she had tequila in four. she wonders how long cressida will stay at the bar if she's bound to go back soon probably. " do you have a big team when it comes to filming it ? " it being the hunger games. the victor always assumed it was more like editing surveillance footage. she never bothered to ask, much thought wasn't directed to that component.

it's almost second nature to say nice to meet you too, but tongue gets bitten. ( though she feels rude for it. ) " yeah i usually just stay in four," annie acknowledges truly. she'd prefer to be there currently without a question. " are you from here ? your accent it's not that strong. " though it's enough for cresta to know that cress is one of them.

[ofcressida]

Cress remembers her parents talking about Annie's games. She'd still been a junior film maker then. Although she had swiftly jumped up the ranks in the film making. She was just rather talented when it came to producing films. Of course, she had a little feeling that her name had helped too. But she remembered her parents not thinking that Annie's games had been that exciting. When she reflected on it now it all made her laugh. They'd complained that a game of people fighting to the death had being boring. She supposed it had been difficult to film. It had been a lot of water. But at least they were still alive. Cress would give anything to have boring games this year. But she didn't think they would get that.

"Kinda." Cress murmured, with a little shrug of her shoulder. "There's a couple of teams. I have about 4 people in mine, along with me." She didn't know if that was big or not. But it worked for her. Cress didn't think she would want a team that was any bigger. It meant that she could know them all well, know how they worked. They worked well together. She considered them her friends, as well as her team. "We've worked together for years. They are my friends more than colleagues." It was all pretty good.

"I can't blame you. Four is so pretty." She'd been there a couple of times with Con. It was a different pretty to the Capitol. Although there was a lot of things about the Capitol that she didn't think was pretty. "I like the sea." She wished she could live closer to the sea. She didn't say that to Annie though. Cress had a lot of privilege living in the Captiol, and she didn't think that Annie would appreciate her wishing she lived else where when she had a pretty easy life as it was. "Yeah I'm from here." She murmured with a nod. "I've not really thought of my accent before...." She trailed off, and then shrugged. "I don't know if not having such a strong one is good or not"

[vixtoriiousfm]

Sometimes it's easy for him to forget just how deeply interwoven their lives were. But ultimately that could be said of most . All of them connected; lives paralleled in ways that many-- especially thought in the capitol overlook. Too invested in their own lives and rising in status to really pay attention to those around them. Save the superficial friendships and connections made to improve one's own social standing. Plutarch had never been well versed. His mother and sister paid more attention to his social standing than he did. Perhaps this was why he felt so at ease with Cressida. They were close enough in age he supposed. Their talents are being nurtured or exploited depending on your worldview. In those early days, he was an up-and-coming game maker and she, a visionary camera talent. It was why he often asked for Cressida even now when it came to splicing and dicing film highlights of a game. With the two of them helming the narrative, even nights as slow as their sleep could be turned into a cinematic. capturing the hearts of those in the capital with ease. And now? Stirring the hearts of those in the districts. Readying them for the fight coming. Plutarch learned a lot working with Cress, and it was this and much more that had him grateful to have her at his side.

"It will be, we will make certain it's worth it." they had to. So much time, effort, and planning going into this. The lives that were lost just so that they could all get to this point. They needed to make sure that it was all worth it. He had asked so many to take a leap of faith, he needed to make sure that it wasn't in vain. That all of Cressida's work wasn't in vain. "Ah, but I have an excuse. After this I'll be headed back to my office and sleeping on my couch there." it wasn't an odd o find him there especially now. Once he moved and took over after Seneca Crane timely departure. He spent weeks sleeping there preparing, setting the board up, and making sure all players were in place both in the games and outside of it. Concern marred his features as he regarded. A familiar stirring settled in the pit of his stomach.

"A lot will unfold quickly Cressida. I need you... I need you to be at your best and that means getting rest. Trust me, " his blue eyes found hers.

It was funny how the rest of the world seemed to quiet when he was with her. Reaching into his breast pocket he pulled out a small blue vial. “ There will be plenty of sleepless nights to come. A drop under your tongue no more then two normally does the trick for me.” He suffered from insomnia since his first games he worked. He still had terrors : hands stained crimson. It’s one of the few things good about living in the capitol, the medicine that aided them all, “ Besides, who will ensure I’m still awake if you’re nodding off in the game maker tower. “

[ofcressida]

Cressida sometimes forgot that some people hadn't been in it as long as she had. She might have technically been younger than him, but her parents had brought her into the games young. She'd been practically reared in the Game Makers tower. It meant that she knew the games quite intimately. Cress sometimes wondered if she'd have felt so negatively about the games if she hadn't have grown up that way. If she hadn't known so much of the behind the scenes as she had. But Cress was glad she felt this way. It had opened her up to connections, and people, that she probably would never have been so close to if she had not. Of course, joining the rebellion alongside them was just an added bonus really.

She couldn't remember when she and Plutarch had gotten so close. But they had. And she considered him one of her best friends, if not more. "How many times do I have to tell you to just come rest at my place before you actually do it?" Cress asked, a little smile on her face as she looked at him. She'd purposefully brought an apartment that was close to the Game Maker tower. That way she could stay close to her work, but also not have an excuse to not go home. "My bed is much comfier than your sofa. You know that."

She sighed, biting her lip. Cress was very good at reading between the lines, or well the words in that case. "You know I feel the same." Though that statement was only in reference to some of his words though. "And you also know I trust you. More than most in this world."

She looked from him, and do the vial in his hand, and she scowled. Cressida hated relying on medicine for anything. But even she knew that she needed to rest. He was right. Once the rebellion started properly there would be many restless nights. She really needed to take her sleep now, whilst she had the chance. "I'm sure Con will keep you awake dear." She pointed out, a smirk on her face. "Of course he's not as pretty as me, which is a shame." Teasing of course. It was what she tended to do, to try to lower the tension that was around. "Anyway, if I take that, what will you use?"

[w-byers]

female awesome meme: [8/10] female characters in movies ➳ cressida (the hunger games)

and no, it wasn’t any sort of rescue, if that’s what you mean. we all fled on our own - for this. for you.

[vixtoriiousfm]

It was easier around those who knew him. Allowing him to offer an authentic glimpse of the person he was not the person he wanted people to see. He didn't have friends-- or at least he didn't have many genuine ones. He genuinely could count on Cressida in the small grouping. " You know, there was a time when things weren't so quiet at night." he offered before taking another sip of his wine. " There was a time when nights were a spectacle, just as bloody as the first days. It made the games go by quicker. Ultimately, the people thought we had our hands too involved. Wanted to see them fight amongst themselves more and more. Give their favorites time to regroup - to give them hope. It seems crueler this way somehow. " Perhaps that is my doing. Words he has often thought of but would never speak out loud. He couldn't because when you lose sight of a goal. Lose sight of what you are working towards, that is when your queen is taken from you. With a heavy sigh, he falls back in his chair, eyes on the screen across the way from them. Watching this batch of tributes sleep. Having to decide who would be saved and who would need to be sacrificed. Pawns in a game they didn't quite understand the rules of. Not the real ones... not the rules that mattered. And when the game being played was life or death. Shouldn't they know exactly what they are getting involved in? How dire the world is becoming around them. Did Cressida know just what these coming weeks, months, maybe even years would be brought?

" For my part, I will take the thrilling excitement their sleep brings," his smile knowing regarding her for a long moment. " You won't be useful to anyone going on no sleep. So what's keeping you up?"

[ofcressida]

"I remember those times." Cressida did. She had been around then too, just not as high up as she was now. She was one of the ones actually sat moving the cameras. Really, with where she was now, she could probably get away with not doing any of the nights. Cressida just didn't like expecting her team to do things she wouldn't do herself. So that involved nights. "I was a little baby film maker in those days" Cress mused with a laugh. Those had also been the days when she had enjoyed her job. Of course she still adored filming. She just didn't like filming the deaths of innocent people now. Cress was hoping that this year would be the last year of her having to do that.

"I agree." She murmured, her voice low. She was sure nobody was actually listening to them, too interested in the games, even though the tributes were sleeping. But it would do them no good to have the wrong person overhear them. "Just drags it on for some of those poor tributes." The ones who had no chance at all of surviving. It was part of the reason she had joined the rebellion. To make a difference, and to stop innocent people being forced into games.

"It'll be worth it Plu." Her words were half to convince herself rather than him. Sometimes when she was sat at the desk, when she was slicing and putting together highlights, she needed to remember why she was doing it. It was hard, still being involved. But it had to be worth it. The rebellion had to be worth it. Otherwise why were they doing all this?

She just raised an eyebrow at him, before shaking her head. "I could say the same about you Plu." She pointed out, giving him a knowing look before her features softened into a smile. "My insomnia." She mused with a shrug. "And a shit ton of coffee."

[incaensio]

the woman is holding up a camera, and katniss finds herself surprised that this is the closest she has ever been to one. yes, she has been the subject for thousands of lenses, but she hasn't been this close, noticed how high-tech they seemed, wasn't actually just in front of it being told to smile and hold onto peeta tighter. "the photos are bad?" she finds herself asking, something akin to insecurity bringing her voice just a touch higher than its usual deadpan tone; it was not vanity, not truly, but concern. sure the president seemed to have allowed her to live, nodded his reptilian white head and offering a smile that tells her she is safe for one more day, but the ring on her finger is heavy and it is a stubborn, insistent, ornate reminder that while she may feel comfortable here, once these people get on the train back to the capitol, the footage of today will be all over tvs for the entire country.

the capitolite seems content with her position, but for katniss, who wouldn't have been able to tell her apart from most people behind the cameras, being a filmmaker just seemed like a fancy name for someone holding a camera. she's sure effie could tell her the subtle differences between director, filmmaker, photographer and all of that, but, in the end, what did it matter to her? they're never going to show films at twelve unless it's footage for the hunger games and the population is forced to watch it on the big screens on the square. "what kinda films?" it's more polite than really interested at this point; capitolites have cinemas, and every house has several tvs, and she's seen the tacky ads for tv shows and reality tvs, and all these other terms to call stupidity that still made her head spin. this lady wouldn't take her opinions kindly though, so katniss threads with care. "cressida. nice to meet ya." can't wait until you're gone, stays in her mouth, but she gives the other a small practiced smile.

[ofcressida]

Cressida had probably taken too many pictures, and she supposed to the untrained eyes they probably looked very similar. But Cress liked having options for when she eventually put the films or promotional packs together. She looked up, from where she was still flicking through the photos, when Katniss spoke again. "Oh no...." She murmured, shaking her head. Cress had taken a lot of photos, and she could tell when people weren't good at it. Whilst Katniss needed some prompting for poses, she wasn't that bad in front of the camera. "You've got better during the tour" She offered, unsure if it was going to help. She could understand it really. The capitol plucked these victors out of their district, made them fight to the death in the arena, and then expected them to be able to smile in front of the cameras. It was a lot. And she wasn't sure if she would have been able to do it if their roles were reversed.

"All types" Cress mused, finally happy with the photos. She put the camera down, and then put her attention back on Katniss. "I'm on the games filming crew, but that's not my main job." It was only a few weeks out of the year after all. It wasn't her favourite job either. Of course she disliked filming some of the crappy reality programs. But she tended to actually do that more than anything else. "I film a lot of reality programs.... which honestly I find boring as heck." For some reason she felt like she could talk to Katniss in this honest kind of way. "I prefer more candid filming." It was quite often that she could be found in the Capitol streets, snapping photos and taking recordings. They mostly never ended up anywhere, but she really did like that. "It's why I've liked filming the tour..... it just feels different...." She mused with a shrug. Cress had a feeling that Katniss probably wouldn't like any of it, especially since she'd been following her around, shoving a camera in her face. "I imagine you're glad it's nearly over though.... I don't blame you. I'd be the same. There is a reason I strictly stay behind the camera"

[calofhearting]

Calista was trying to spend as much time out and about in the Capitol instead of staying in her hotel room. She was being plagued by memories of Cato and she just...didn't want to stay in and remember, even though that made her feel even more guilty than she already felt. Grief was hard but she was grateful for the multitude of distractions. She could go into shops or find somewhere to eat or watch the Games in public when she wanted to. It felt so different from watching them back in Two.

She walked out of the elevator and into the lobby, pausing for a moment to take it all in. She still wasn't used to the luxury of this place. Calista was about to start walking when a woman bumped into her. "Oh, it's okay," Calista replied. She noticed the camera. "You don't look like a reporter, but that camera is crazy," she mused curiously, looking at the other woman.d

[ofcressida]

Cadence enjoyed filming. Being behind the camera was when she was the happiest. It was pretty plain to see really. When she had a camera in her hand she tended to always have a smile on her face. Of course, she wished she could be filming something that was a little happier than the Hunger games. But the rebellion was upon them, and she was pretty confident that one day soon she would be able to film something happier, something that didn't exploit the lowest in their society. She couldn't wait.

"Oh. I'm not a reporter." Some people would call her a reporter. But she didn't think she was. She made films. She was a producer. It was all words though really. Words to describe what she did and what her job was. She figured that this woman must have been from the districts though, since most of the people in the Capitol knew who she was. "I'm a videographer..." She mused with a smile. "I'm here to get some footage of the lottery winners."

[wildspringday]

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