#ttwcandlenights

[fellvasile-blog]

Fell had no desire to be back at The Capitol so soon. He much preferred to be back in Two, at his home in the Village there. Away from all this for a full year until he had to come back as Mentor. But Snow had to have his holiday party, dragging everyone else to The Capitol to put up some sort of image of unity. Fell didn't have any family to bring to The Capitol, not that he would have wanted to for this occasion. Hell, he wouldn't have been there if he didn't have to be. He wasn't one to celebrate the holidays, but it was a hell of a lot more quiet in Two than it was at The Capitol.

Parties were never his favorite, avoiding conversation when he could. The Capitolites kept their distance, but some of the more naive ones still came up to try and get their few minutes of conversation with a Victor. With a drink in hand, Fell took one of the seats at a group of tables away from the crowds gathering in the middle of the room. He took a drink from his glass, leaning back in his seat. He remained still, even as he heard someone approach. "Having fun with the festivities?" he asked, though there was a tinge of sarcasm in his tone before he took another drink from his glass.

[do-i-odair]

Finnick planned on making the most of his forced time in the Capitol and the continued attention he had been receiving since the end of the last Games and that meant getting to numb himself and forget everything by spending his time with beautiful women and handsome men. Finnick stood towards the wall down a random hallway in the Snow mansion. Finnick had a women in each arm and was just about to switch who he was kissing when he sensed someone else’s presence. He looked up at the figure and cocked a brow. “You going to join in or just stand there and stare?” He half teased, half challenged.

[callahanspelt]

Callahan walked into the lobby of the Tower with Elsie and Piper gripping his hands. His heart beat a bit faster at the familiar sight of riding in on the train, but now that he was actually there? Forget it. He was nervous (as nervous as Cal ever got, anyways) to see everyone again, after six years of nothing. Especially with the girls. It had only been a few months of fatherhood, and he wasn’t a hundred per cent sure he had it down yet. 

“Daddy, look!” Elsie exclaimed, the toddler pulling at Cal’s hand. “Cookies!” 

“Cal, what’s that?” Piper asked, pointing at the elevator. Callahan crouched down and wrapped an arm around each of the girls’ waists. 

“Piper, that’s an elevator. Those doors on the front open up, and then we step inside and it lifts all the way up. It goes all the way up to the top of the Tower, that’s where everybody’s bedrooms are. We’re going to stay on the Ninth floor. And this is where we’ll stay next summer, too.” Cal wasn’t ready to think of that just yet. 

As he straightened up, he noticed someone watching the trio and smiled awkwardly. “You kind of forget how magnificent it all looks,” he said. “I feel like I’m seeing it for the first time with them.”

[archive-birchpembrooke-blog]

Birch had managed to make the chain pretty long before he messed the end of it up. Construction paper was strewn across the living room of his apartment. Bits were stuck in some of the seams of his prosthetic. He was still on his first chain of purple and white paper, but he wanted to make a few to string across the empty suites. His stylist always opted to not live in the apartments and his escort was off who-knows-where, so he was by himself for this particular holiday. 

The paper chains were always something his family made when they decorated the Victors Village for Candlenights. They would string them between the lampposts that lined the street and across the front of their house. It was always fun, no matter how old he got. 

He had somehow twisted some of the paper and glued it together to create a very wonky end. He rolled his eyes, the microwave beeping that it was done making some popcorn. 

Amidst the chaos of beeping, glue stuck to Birch’s hand and a soft melody of Candlenights music, the elevator dinged open. “Would you mind grabbing the popcorn out of the microwave?” he asked whoever had come up, trying to unstick his fingers. 

[reed-macphee]

Reed was not pleased to be being dragged off to the Capitol for an extra time this year. He hated the place and the people, and rightfully so. Candlenights showed exactly what was wrong with the selfish people of the Capitol. Nonetheless Reed dressed his part and went to the Snow residence for the feast. Reed was walking around sipping on the glass of whiskey in each hand. Reed shook his head “Wouldn’t be surprised if Snow serves child for dinner tonight.” He murmured under his breath to himself.

[cashmere--price]

She’d been late to the party, as per usual, and after rubbing elbows with a few regulars made her way to the bar. It was her favorite time of year, the snow coating the capitol making it seem much softer. The candlelight tonight set the ballroom in a warm glow, making even the most garish outfit seem quaint. As per usual, she’d made the few trips home to visit Gloss and Glitter and the academy, but with her birthday just around the corner her thoughts were much more focused on her own pleasures.

She took a glass from the bartender, running her manicured fingers around the rim. “Did I miss any fun?”

[wircss]

Wiress Neville’s three outfits for the evening Candlenights events

[tothewaterhq]

SPECIAL EVENT // CANDLENIGHTS

It is early December in Panem. In the mountainous and northern Districts, snow has begun to fall. It grows colder: fires are lit in fireplaces and in fire pits, children shiver in their too-thin coats, and food shops begin to serve hearty soups and stews made with the District’s local cuisine and tessera grain. As the months change, your characters are invited to the Capitol to partake in a winter holiday: Candlenights, which lasts three days of the first week of December. Although religious holidays have petered out on a national level, Panem has created its own version of a winter holiday.

Candlenights is an annual Capitol tradition. Many Capitol families decorate based on their favourite District. They decorate with wooden and handcrafted decorations, exchange lavish gifts with family and friends, and enjoy elaborate dinners that completely miss the point of the “rustic” aesthetic they appropriate.

If you are playing a character from the Districts, they may be surprised to receive the invitation, as Victors usually celebrate their own District’s traditions and do not normally come to the Capitol for this festival. The Third Quarter Quell and its reminder to the Districts of the Capitol’s power abolished most of the uprising rebel activity that began during the 74th Games. While things are calmer, President Snow wishes to squash the remnants of unsettled Districts by inviting [forcing] the Victors, Escorts, Stylists, and other Tower characters to the Capitol for a televised special. After all, Candlenights is a family holiday: and what could show the country that the Victors and Districts are united and happy more than bringing them together as Panem’s favourite family?

You are welcome to bring family members (children, partners, etc) along. The ballroom in Snow’s mansion has been decorated with wooden snowflakes, charming candles, and plates of comfort food for the big feast, and the Tribute Tower has been lavishly decorated as well for your stay.

From now until December 10th at 12:00 p.m. EST, your characters will be joining the festivities of Candlenights in the Tribute Tower and attending three nights of parties at the Presidential Mansion. You may start threads that take place anytime over the course of the holiday. Are you exchanging gifts with close friends? Socializing at the feast? Or just trying to get through these three days without punching a reporter in the throat? (We’ve all been there.) For an optional $250 in sponsor funds per character for the 76th Games, you may post an image of a festive outfit they (and their family, if they bring anyone along) may wear to the feast. Tag any Candlenights posts with #ttwcandlenights and continue to tag starters #ttwstart!

This event is optional, but we encourage you to take part. After the completion of Candlenights, we will begin the 76th Games. Reservations for tributes will open on December 7th at NOON (12 p.m.) EST. Thank you for helping make our first season one to remember: we hope you enjoy the celebration and have fun!

Note: Your admins have different beliefs in real life and we are sure that our members all celebrate the winter holidays differently. This event is not meant to represent any particular modern-day holiday, but an overall feeling of coziness, togetherness, and friendship. Feel free to develop your District or character’s holiday traditions as you please, but as a whole, religion is not nationally recognized or widely practiced in Panem and Candlenights is separate from modern-day religious holidays.