Freedom Comes At A Price

Reed MacPhee|District Eleven|35|Victor of 56th Hunger Games|The Guy Everyone Loves To Hate

[cambricthevictor]

reed-macphee‌:

Reed chuckled lightly. “Hey now, no need to make me feel like I’m not special.”

Reed looked at Cambric out the corner of his eye. He didn’t like the way his friend was studying him. He looked back to the tv and tried not to react to Cambric’s question. Reed chuckled “It’s nothing. The girl was confused about a lot of stuff including thinking I was anything more than a mentor to her.”

“Oh, you’re special.” He reassured him with a laugh despite himself.

Cambric made a face because he knew something more than what Reed said was happening. “That’s why you’ve been MIA and have clearly been drinking all morning…” That seemed like a lot more than nothing to Cambric. “Something is going on. Something more than the delusions of a teenage girl. Did she get under your skin?”

[reed-macphee]

Reed could tell that Cambric wasn’t buying it. He couldn’t help but shoot his best friend a look when he pointed out Reed’s recent absence and drinking. “You could say that.” He muttered as he brought his drink to his lips and drained it. He put the empty class down and leaned forward to look at the tv as the chaos on the Bloodbath continued. Reed glanced at Cambric before back to the tv as he began to bounce one of his legs. He had too much nervous energy for his liking. Was feeling too much. To many thoughts running through his head. He just wanted to be numb and his mind quiet. He knew exactly what would give him that. The knife that lay in his pants pocket. He glanced back over at Cambric. He didn’t look like he was going anywhere anytime soon. Reed didn’t hide his self harm but that didn’t mean he was going to do it right in front of someone. Reed rose to his feet and cleared his throat as one of his hands slipped into his pants pocket to feel for the cold metal comfort and thumb the back edge of the closed blade. “I’ll, uh, I gotta go take a piss.” He muttered, not looking at Cambric before beginning to stagger and totter off before hitting his knee on the couch. “Fuck” He groaned as grabbed at his knee and the knife that had lay in his hand clattered to the floor. Reed looked from Cambric to it on the floor before leaning down to grab it and slip it back in his pocket.

[dorian-hawthorne]

reed-macphee·:

Reed sat in the viewing room after he had gotten his umpteenth drink that day. Reed hadn’t been able to sleep, not after the conversation he and Cassia had had. He couldn’t forget the feeling of the young girl, his own blood,’s arms wrapped around him the previous night. Part of him didn’t want to forget the feeling of the hug, not when it was possibly his last from her, but part of him wanted to forget everything. But Reed knew he couldn’t do that. He needed to be there for Cassia, and Cain, and to do everything in his power to get one of them preferably Cassia out. He anxiously rubbed his hand over his face as he waited to see what arena awaited the tributes. Soon the man made appearance of a mall appeared. It could have been worse. He watched the camera panned around each tribute’s face as the clock counted down. “May the odds be ever in your favor, Sis.” He said softly as the horn blared.

The Games had just been about to start and Dorian was looking for a viewing room to slip into. Usually on day one, the viewing rooms filled up pretty quick; most of the Mentors stuck to their own floors, but Dorian wanted to be on the main floors to get to a sponsor if he needed to for his kids. So when he stepped into one of the rooms, he was surprised to see only Reed inside, anxiously looking at the screen. Dorian stepped inside, glancing toward the screen to make sure he hadn’t missed much. The countdown was still going. Less than fifteen seconds.

Before he even had time to greet Reed, he heard the younger Mentor speak up and he froze. Wait… “Sis?” he asked, brow raised. He didn’t know Reed had a younger sister, let alone that she was one of the Tributes in the Games. He glanced around the room to make sure it was just them before he moved to take a seat next to Reed. “Cassia?” he asked again, just to be sure he heard him right.

@reed-macphee

[reed-macphee]

Reed had thought he was alone when he had spoken so when he sensed another presence his head whipped around, only to relax again upon seeing Dorian. Reed pursed his lips before nodding slowly with a sign and then a groan as he rubbed at his temples. “Half sister, but yes, Cassia.” He reaches for his glass again only to find it empty. He rose to his feet, swaying slightly. “I could use another drink. Would you like one?”

[scoutdanielsd6-blog]

Reed looked up and turned to look who was at the door when there was a small knock and then saw Kaelin. Of course it was Kaelin, he shook his head. The most cheerful Reed had ever met had now appeared as he was being forced to watch his sister enter the Bloodbath. Reed knew she meant well though so he moved the papers beside him and waved her over. “Here, come join me?” He nodded as he let out a slow sigh. “Thank you, they really are.”

she watched him wave her over and looked at the screen. did she really want to watch this? no, decidedly she did not. but she was a capitolite. they were suposed to enjoy the games. the games werent supposed to make her sick. so she smiled and sat down, with noticibly less bounce than normal.

“are lucky and jude still okay?” she asked nervously. those two kids mattered to her, Lucky especially.

Kaelin didn’t want another Ari.

[reed-macphee]

Reed noticed Kaelin’s hesitation but didn’t comment on it. But he couldn’t help but comment on the change in her demeanor as she sat down beside him. “Are you okay?” He looked to the tv. “We’re not very far in but I think Jude is okay. Lucky is with my girl.”

[stcllinas]

reed-macphee‌:

Reed sat in the viewing room after he had gotten his umpteenth drink that day. Reed hadn’t been able to sleep, not after the conversation he and Cassia had had. He couldn’t forget the feeling of the young girl, his own blood,’s arms wrapped around him the previous night. Part of him didn’t want to forget the feeling of the hug, not when it was possibly his last from her, but part of him wanted to forget everything. But Reed knew he couldn’t do that. He needed to be there for Cassia, and Cain, and to do everything in his power to get one of them preferably Cassia out. He anxiously rubbed his hand over his face as he waited to see what arena awaited the tributes. Soon the man made appearance of a mall appeared. It could have been worse. He watched the camera panned around each tribute’s face as the clock counted down. “May the odds be ever in your favor, Sis.” He said softly as the horn blared.

Stellina was perched on the very edge of her chair, eyes peeled for any trace of August or Nova. “Did you just say your sister was in there?” she asked, sparing him no more than a glance before returning her gaze to the TV screen. She didn’t know much about Reed. He’d won before she was born, and she’d never really spared Eleven a second thought before she started working in the Tower if she was being honest.

“That’s rough. I’m sorry.” There was genuine concern in her words, though. She knew the pain of losing a sister to the Games.

[reed-macphee]

Reed was surprised he hadn’t heard the women enter the viewing room, but then again he had allowed himself to fall deep into his thoughts. He turned and looked her over in silence. He wasn’t sure he had seen her before. Eventually he slowly nodded his head yes. “Half sister technically but basically the same.” He stated dryly trying to push all the emotions he was feeling away. Reed nodded “Thank you, but I’ll get over it.” He tried to force himself to believe his own words.

[cambricthevictor]

reed-macphee‌:

Reed drew in a deep breath as Cambric entered and invited himself to sit down. It wasn’t that Reed didn’t want to see his best friend but he had been avoiding him. It was just easier that way, for both of them. Reed just hoped that Cambric hadn’t heard what he had said earlier. He wasn’t sure how Cambric would react to the news about Cassia. Reed flashed a quick pained smile before taking the flask and taking a few gulps. After he had lowered the flask Reed looked back to the TV. “I had a feeling this year’s arena was going to be indoors.”

“We all had that feeling,” Cambric pointed out because most of the victors he had talked to had called it. He had wanted something more natural, but Cambric couldn’t say he was surprised either. They were due for something different. The jury was still out if he liked the arena or not.

Instead, Cambric looked over at Reed for a moment. He knew that look on his friend’s face. He wasn’t about to let him off that easily. “So, are you going to tell me who this supposed sister of yours is? Because I’m pretty sure you only have one sister.”

[reed-macphee]

Reed chuckled lightly. “Hey now, no need to make me feel like I’m not special.”

Reed looked at Cambric out the corner of his eye. He didn’t like the way his friend was studying him. He looked back to the tv and tried not to react to Cambric’s question. Reed chuckled “It’s nothing. The girl was confused about a lot of stuff including thinking I was anything more than a mentor to her.”

[reed-macphee]

cambricthevictor‌:

“Well, look at what the cat dragged in.” Cambric joked as he strolled into the viewing room, spotting Reed camped out in one of the chairs. “I was starting to think you pulled a vanishing act.” He told him as he took it upon himself to sit in an empty chair uninvited. It had been a while since he had seen Reed kicking around the training center or even around at all. “You look like you need this more than I do,” Cambric told him pulling the flask out of his jacket pocket and passed it along to Reed. He always came prepared for the bloodbath.

Reed drew in a deep breath as Cambric entered and invited himself to sit down. It wasn’t that Reed didn’t want to see his best friend but he had been avoiding him. It was just easier that way, for both of them. Reed just hoped that Cambric hadn’t heard what he had said earlier. He wasn’t sure how Cambric would react to the news about Cassia. Reed flashed a quick pained smile before taking the flask and taking a few gulps. After he had lowered the flask Reed looked back to the TV. “I had a feeling this year’s arena was going to be indoors.”

[reed-macphee]

kaelinraeeveryday‌:

Kaelin was wandering around, trying to find a veiwing room that wasn’t gearing up to play the murder-y-est part of the games in high definition. she poked her head into this one, knocking a little.

“is this occup-oh. okay, it is.”she said, her smile not wavering. she’d just have to find somewhere else to hide from the death and just hope Lucky and Jude were okay. she loved the district 10 tributes.

“sorry, reed.” she smiled, waving to her old victor. “uh… good luck today. with cassia, and cain. they’re nice.”

Reed looked up and turned to look who was at the door when there was a small knock and then saw Kaelin. Of course it was Kaelin, he shook his head. The most cheerful Reed had ever met had now appeared as he was being forced to watch his sister enter the Bloodbath. Reed knew she meant well though so he moved the papers beside him and waved her over. “Here, come join me?” He nodded as he let out a slow sigh. “Thank you, they really are.”

[reed-macphee]

cambricthevictor‌:

Cambric looked at the plastic thing in Reed’s hand but he didn’t reach out and take it. He couldn’t. “Why didn’t she tell me?” Was the only thing he wanted to know. They had wanted children… Sure he could think of reasons a woman wouldn’t tell their fiance they were pregnant, but that wasn’t Selu. No, Cambric wasn’t even going to entertain those thoughts and tarnish the imagine he had of the woman he loved.

Reed held his breath as he watched his best friend look at what Reed was holding, he still couldn’t believe he was holding it, that it even existed. At Cambric’s question Reed blew out his breath and closed his eyes and shook his head slowly before opening his eyes again. “I honestly can’t tell you, man. I have so many questions. I just don’t understand. None of this makes any sense to me.” Somewhere deep in Reed’s mind he was left wondering how well he had actually known his sister. “I...” He shook his head again. “She...she had options...this...this can’t be why...can it?” He asked as he looked at his best friend, hoping he’d somehow know the answer.

[reed-macphee]

Reed sat in the viewing room after he had gotten his umpteenth drink that day. Reed hadn’t been able to sleep, not after the conversation he and Cassia had had. He couldn’t forget the feeling of the young girl, his own blood,’s arms wrapped around him the previous night. Part of him didn’t want to forget the feeling of the hug, not when it was possibly his last from her, but part of him wanted to forget everything. But Reed knew he couldn’t do that. He needed to be there for Cassia, and Cain, and to do everything in his power to get one of them preferably Cassia out. He anxiously rubbed his hand over his face as he waited to see what arena awaited the tributes. Soon the man made appearance of a mall appeared. It could have been worse. He watched the camera panned around each tribute’s face as the clock counted down. “May the odds be ever in your favor, Sis.” He said softly as the horn blared.

[dreamsbornofgrain]

Outside of sleeping, Cassia had purposely spent most of her time away from the District Eleven apartment the last few days. After the training scores had been released, she had spent the night talking to Harley from Six and just sitting on the roof thinking. Tonight, after the interviews, she had gotten her ice cream and had her little adventure with Nike, but she couldn’t put off the inevitable for ever. It was time to “man up” was what her sister Jasmine would tell her if she was here. Truthfully, Cassia hadn’t thought about it much because she had other things to think about, things like her private training session and her interview, but now…

With a sigh, Cassia flopped down on the couch allowing her green eyes to wander over to her mentor. There had been a hundred witty things in her head to say, but right now when it counted, Cassia wasn’t sure if she wanted to shout or cry or just ignore the thing that had been gnawing at her for nearly two days now.

“So, do you feel like sharing with the class Reed, or are you really going to make me ask if it’s true?”

@reed-macphee​

[reed-macphee]

Reed was truthfully relieved to some degree that he hadn’t seen much of Cassia lately. It was far too hard to be around her for so many reasons. One of the biggest being the aching in his chest about the similarities between Cassia and Selu and the fact that it was very likely Reed was going to lose Cassia as well. Reed had thought it would be safe to go to the kitchen to get another drink, he was too paranoid to accept a drink fixed by an Avox, but clearly he had been wrong since he now found himself face to face with the one of last people he wanted to see. Reed froze in place at the question but didn’t dare let any surprise show on his face. If the mentor had been sober, as he should have been on the night before the launch, he might have been able to come up with a witty reply or talk himself out of the situation but unfortunately for Reed he wasn’t sober. Reed finically brought the glass to his lips and drained it of all its contents. “Birch told you I take it?” He finally muttered as he looked the girl over before sighing and sinking down on one of the couches. He looked from Cassia to the spot next to him and back to Cassia. “Won’t you come grace me with your company...sis?” He mused before chuckling as he shook his head. He had been so close.

[reed-macphee]

Task:002

Gloomy: These Sims tend to be Sad, can Share Melancholy Thoughts to other Sims, and while sad, gain a boost to their Creative Skill.

Hot-Headed: These Sims tend to be Angry, can Rile up other Sims, and become Angry when targeted with Mischief.

Self-Assured: These Sims tend to be Confident.

Master Mixologist : This Sim wants to know everything there is to know about Mixology!

[dreamsbornofgrain]

reed-macphee‌:

Reed had rose early that morning, eating a light breakfast before heading down to the training center to await tributes. He wanted to scope the talent out as soon as tributes started training. Now he stood watching his own ‘special’ tribute. Boy was he not impressed in the least and as Cassia turned around that was clear on his face. Reed turned to look at the Trainer “I’ll take it from here.” He ordered before steppjng forward. “Again.” He told Cassia dryly.

Cassia couldn’t help but frown a bit as she took note of the expression on Reed’s face. Was she that bad? She hadn’t thought so but… Instead she nodded as she fell back into her defensive stance unsure of what the mentor was going to throw at her. Cassia wasn’t even sure if she was supposed to simply block, counter, or what. Oh well, she would let Reed set the pace for their training session and just take it as it came.

[reed-macphee]

Reed smirked as the girl fell into her defensive stance before he fell into his own stance. Then suddenly Reed lunged forward and grabbed one of Cassia’s wrists and pulled her arm back behind her back as he moved behind her and wrapped his other arm around her throat in a light choke hold.

[cambricthevictor]

reed-macphee‌:

Reed’s anger boiled as Cambric knocked his hands away but he had enough of a grip on reality not to hit his best friend. He knew Cam had been struggling with Selu’s death as well. But how could he have kept this from Reed?

“Oh don’t play dumb.” He shook his head with disgust. “I know she told you.” Then it dawned on him, maybe Selu hadn’t told Cambric. But why would she have done that? He took a deep breath as the anger began to diserpate. “You should have told me that you two were expecting.” He said softly.

Cambric stood there dumbfounded. The silence was awkward, even for him, but he didn’t know what to say. He opened his mouth just to close it again. Surely Reed was not serious, but why would he joke about something so serious?

“I… We…” He stumbled over his words a bit. “We were waiting till after the wedding.” That had been the plan anyhow. Selu had wanted to do it the right way and Cambric had wanted to give her that. She had deserved that. If it had happened early? Well, it wasn’t a horrible thing. He would have been just as thrilled as afterwards.

“Are you telling me…?” Cambric asked afraid of the answer. Now he felt like he was going to be sick.

[reed-macphee]

Reed immediately could tell by Cambric’s response that he really hadn’t known that Selu had been pregnant, which only made Reed even more confused. Reed wished he could take telling Cambric back but he couldn’t. Reed reached into his pocket and pulled out the test before extending it to Cambric in silence.

[archive-birchpembrooke-blog]

reed-macphee‌:

Reed needed a break from training. A break from Cassia. So he tried to find an empty room to take a breather in but the room he entered was already occupied. He moved to leave before he saw who it was. Reed weakly returned Birch’s smile before moving over to the couch. “Life is a little…complicated right now.” He admitted before looking at the seat on the couch beside birch. “May I?”

Birch nodded, patting the seat and scooting a little bit over. He put the list of sponsors down on the side table and picked up the mug of hot chocolate that an Avox had brought in for him a little bit earlier. He blew on the curling steam that emitted from the cup. 

“More complicated than normal?” he asked curious. Reed was not always forthcoming and he hoped he could help the mentor from Eleven. “If you want to talk, I am a good listened,” Birch offered, taking a sip of the hot chocolate. “Or we could sit in silence if you want. Although, I might start singing if that happens. I doubt you want that though,” he added, trying to lighten Reed’s mood. 

[reed-macphee]

Reed took a seat beside Birch with a loud sigh after the male had moved the papers that had occupied the spot. Reed scoffed lightly “I’ll do anything just so I don’t have to hear you sing.” He placed a hand on Birch’s shoulder “No offense.” Reed leaned back and rubbed his face. “Things are...definently more complicated than usual. But if I tell you about it then you have to swear to never tell anyone.”

[archive-birchpembrooke-blog]

Birch sank into the couch as he looked over a list of potential sponsors for Jude and Lucky that Michaela had handed him this morning. He didn’t want to get on her badside, so between training sessions, he had snuck away to a room just off the entrance to the training center. 

The red pen he had in his hand felt heavy as he thought to where Jude and Lucky were and how they were doing. He had to remind himself that he had two partners in there probably mentoring them. Birch shook his head as he heard the door creak open. Seeing Reed, he gave his counterpart in Eleven a smile. “How is life Reed?”

// closed starter for @reed-macphee

[reed-macphee]

Reed needed a break from training. A break from Cassia. So he tried to find an empty room to take a breather in but the room he entered was already occupied. He moved to leave before he saw who it was. Reed weakly returned Birch’s smile before moving over to the couch. “Life is a little...complicated right now.” He admitted before looking at the seat on the couch beside birch. “May I?”

[cambricthevictor]

reed-macphee‌:

Reed closed the space between him and his best friend before shoving Cambric’s shoulders back when he gave one of his classic smartass replies. “Shut the fuck up Cambric!” He growled. “Why didn’t you tell me about…about Selu? Didn’t you think that was kind of something important to tell her older brother…your best friend?”

“Woah, there cowboy.” Cambric told him as he knocked his friend’s hands away. He certainly wanted no part of an angry Reed in his personal bubble. Yelling, Cambric could handle that, but he wasn’t in the mood to get in a fight with anyone today. It wasn’t like life had been a walk in the park for him either lately; not since Selu’s death.

“Would you like to share with the class Reed? Because I’m pretty sure I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.” Now he had to think about it? Were there any big secrets the pair of them had been hiding? 

[reed-macphee]

Reed’s anger boiled as Cambric knocked his hands away but he had enough of a grip on reality not to hit his best friend. He knew Cam had been struggling with Selu’s death as well. But how could he have kept this from Reed?

“Oh don’t play dumb.” He shook his head with disgust. “I know she told you.” Then it dawned on him, maybe Selu hadn’t told Cambric. But why would she have done that? He took a deep breath as the anger began to diserpate. “You should have told me that you two were expecting.” He said softly.

[dreamsbornofgrain]

Cassia couldn’t help but sigh in frustration as her back collided with the mat again and she was left staring up at the trainer. She just needed another go or two to pick up the technique she was trying to teach her. It was a lot harder than the basic hand to hand combat moves the Peacekeepers back in Eleven had tried teaching her.

“I don’t need a break,” she told the trainer as she pulled herself up, brushed herself off, and readied herself for another go. This time she would be much more aware of her left side than she had been previously.

Though apparently, her trainer was far too busy looking at something or someone else over her shoulder. Annoyed, Cassia spun around to see what had caught her attention. She was the one going into the games, so her attention should be fully on her.

When she spun around, Cassia found herself face to face with her mentor, Reed MacPhee.

@reed-macphee

[reed-macphee]

Reed had rose early that morning, eating a light breakfast before heading down to the training center to await tributes. He wanted to scope the talent out as soon as tributes started training. Now he stood watching his own ‘special’ tribute. Boy was he not impressed in the least and as Cassia turned around that was clear on his face. Reed turned to look at the Trainer “I’ll take it from here.” He ordered before ateppjng forward. “Again.” He told Cassia dryly.