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Astorian Waldorf (He/Him). District Eight Stylist. 23. Drew Starkey.
What was their childhood like?
Astorian’s childhood was rather different from the majority of the other children in the Capitol. While most enjoyed carefree and spoiled youths Astorian was expected to work hard and train harder. His father was a high-ranking General and eventually, Minister of Defense of Panem, and he expected his son to follow in his footsteps. That meant making sure he focused on his studies at the Academy, along with his athletic training and learning the military history and maneuvers of Panem. Astorian hated it. He had no interest in his father’s interests, he was always more fascinated by his mother, and her love of clothing, jewelry, and shoes. He knew then that that was what he wanted to do, which was to make beautiful things for people to wear. His father scoffed at the idea and told him it was ridiculous, that it would never be acceptable for a man of the Waldorf Family. So Astorian was forced to power through, put on a facade, and hide away his real self to keep his father happy. He became quiet, and distant from his colleagues, but to keep himself from being completely miserable kept a hidden sketchpad, where he would draw out his design ideas. Sure they’d never be real, never be worn by anyone, but they would be his, and he wouldn’t force himself to not have some creative outlet. After the Academy Astorian continued to do as his father asked of him and took the Peacekeeper Officer test, which he passed with flying colors as was expected of him. He was shipped off to an elite training program in District Two, and when he graduated Astorian was assigned to District Eight as the Aide-de-camp to the Head Peacekeeper. There when he wasn’t working, got to see first-hand fabric production, which inspired new ideas in the notepads he was still keeping. Astorian lived and worked in District Eight for the next few years, distinguishing himself as a hard worker, who was loyal and was promoted a few times. Behind that though, he also saw suffering, hunger, and anger. Something he would never forget. When Vox got bad, he was recalled to the Capitol to serve there, but once the fighting broke out in the streets, Astorian saw it as his chance….his chance to have his own life, but also a chance to help the people he saw in Eight. He sided with the Rebels without hesitation. His father perished in the fighting, too stubborn to forgo the Capitol. Astorian inherited the Waldorf Family wealth, their home…everything. He resigned as a peacekeeper, and instantly decided he was going to go into fashion, like he always wanted. When it was announced that the Hunger Games was coming back, he was shocked, but he also saw it as his chance to really get his name out there as a designer, to be a Stylist for the last Hunger Games. It would be historical, so he dropped a kind monetary donation to the Vox government and a request to be a Stylist, along with copies of his sketches proving he had experience in design.
How do they feel about the Games?
The Games like anyone raised in the Capitol were a big part of his life, in that the time around them was a series of massive parties, and events to attend. He picked out his favorite tributes and felt joy when they earned kills, elation when they won, or disappointment when they lost. He saw them as a natural part of life, they helped keep order in Panem, and they were for the benefit of everyone. When he lived in District Two the many elements of how they lived there reinforced his beliefs, they had a vibrant volunteering system, so many wanted to go into the games, and he imagined it must have been like this in every district. That worldview was shattered when he was put in Eight. When he saw how much they lived in fear of the games, how despondent someone could become when they were selected. He was in District Eight for seven games, and each time he never saw someone happy to be going in, but some one who was all but being dragged into the games. This opened his eyes, and made him realize maybe the games weren’t as popular as he thought, was lead to believe. Maybe they were causing more pain than Panem needed. Still now as a Stylist for the first and possibly last time, he realizes they are a great pathway to fame for a young designer in the Capitol.
What drove them to be a stylist? Do they enjoy it?
Clothing started out as an interest for Astorian. That interest quickly then turned into an escape, an escape to get away from what was the reality of his life. He didn’t want to be a Peacekeeper officer, he knew that he wanted to do something with clothes. He was always far more interested in the gowns and elaborate pieces that filled his mother’s closet than in listening to his father prattle on about old Panem war stories. When he was refused what he wanted he started designing in secret. Sure, he had no access to fabrics or the time to actually make any of his designs, but late at night he would go under the covers to draw outfits for all sorts of occasions, and events. He was more creative than he expected himself to be, and once he got to District Eight and saw all the patterns, and textures that real unused clothes had, Astorian realized his potential designs had no limit, he could make almost anything he wanted. While these games are his first time getting to see his designs come to life, Astorian is excited he has a passion, a desire, and a love for drawing out his designs, and now he can finally bring them from the page to the real world, that real people can wear.
How would they describe their style?
Astorian would describe his style as a blend of the various worlds he’s seen, the glamour of the Capitol, the straight edged lines of being a Peacekeeper, the factories of District Eight, they’ve all played a part in helping him figure out his personal style, and what he wants to put others in. He wants to bring new eyes,and new, bold, designs to Panem. Where better to show that off than on the Tributes? He isn’t afraid to try new things, to take risks in what he designs because he knows he’s new on the scene of fashion and that means he’ll have to do a lot if he ever wants to be taken serious since he has no formal training with design.
How do they treat their tributes?
Astorian treats the tributes like anyone else. He’s learned from his youth from living in District Eight that the tributes are mostly scared, lonely, afraid of the people of the people around them or hungry and desperate to get back home, or to have a dignified death. He understands that as a Stylist even this one time he is helping in turning them into a spectacle but that doesn’t mean he can’t try and help them where he can while they are in the Tower. He wants to be able to offer an ear, lend a hand, and help make their last week or so before they head into the Capitol as comforting as it can be. Besides any designer is only as good as the relationship with their models and muses.
What is their personality like?
Astorian unlike a lot of Capitol natives is personally not loud, or bold. He’s quiet, keeps to himself, in fact you could almost call him shy. He’s never cared for parties, and never sought the limelight. He would describe himself as sensible, and pragmatic. He does view himself as hard working, and dedicated to what he sets his mind to. While he may not be rushing to make friends, he is loyal to the ones he has, and would never betray anyone who has gained his trust. He never backs down from a fight that he believes in, especially now that he’s finally independent to be who he wants, and do as he pleases. Astorian is not a person who expresses himself fully, and lot of his fear of personal expression comes from how he was raised, having to hide who he really was, having to live up to his father’s expectations of him. Now that he can be himself, Astorian finds himself having to fully figure out who he is as an individual beyond a rich, former peacekeeper who wants to design clothing.
Three strengths and three weaknesses?
+ Articulate + Dutiful + Meticulous
- Asocial - Fickle - Timid
Astorian seems to behave more like a cat than anything else, kind of turning his nose up at everything, then he's like "Please! Please! Please!" And I'm like "No! No! I SAID NO! Down kitty! This is mine!"
the vibe of my tav’s relationship with astorian so far has been a gay man and lesbian who hate each other, but are stuck with each other cuz they’re in the same friend group.
