Lyah Yazbek

Victor. District 5. ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎[Dependent RP. Written by Sarah]

[thecapitolprincess]

Deep city lights, girl could get lost tonight

LYAH YAZBEK. VICTOR. 59th HUNGER GAMES.

BIO | PLAYLIST | PINTEREST | AFFILIATION

[erisharrington]

Lyah and her rise to fame had been before Eris had finished at University and before she got into gossip reporting, but it had always fascinated her, the way that the Capitol was so charmed by Lyah. She had been an underdog in the Games, and the Capitol always loved a good underdog, but it was rather intriguing, her hold on the Capitol. She was a tad bit boring to Eris, there wasn't much for her to write about. Not like Finnick Odair or Cecelia Whitvale with her brood of unending children. And don't get her started on how well articles about Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark did! Well...that was before of course. It was truly a shame, the few victors that she was left to write about these days. Some had pivoted to war reporting, but Capitol readers had always come to Eris for their gossip and she didn't want to disappoint.

Perhaps this was an auspicious meeting. Eris wasn't particularly hopeful that she would get anything interesting out of Lyah, but stranger things had certainly happened, especially as of late. Everything was strange these days. When had a stylist been executed for treason, after all?

Eris smiled. "I am well, I've been rather busy. All of this free time just means more parties. I haven't seen you in the crowd recently, we must be missing each other," Eris commented. If she were someone else she might wonder how Lyah was fairing with fewer victors around, but Eris wasn't that kind of person. She glanced back at the sweater and shook her head. "It's revolting, really. Do they think that we aren't going to notice? It's rather absurd. It's a shame that standards are falling so quickly. I am going to have to find myself a designer to stay with the current fashions if this is what the boutiques are putting out."

[thecapitolprincess]

It wasn’t particularly difficult to see that Lyah was something of an atypical victor. Starting with her time in the arena, it felt as if she didn’t have much in common with many of the others within the group. They all seemed to know one another, to talk easily and share a sense of community, but Lyah kept herself on the outside. It was no fault of the others, of course, they were all perfectly well and fine, but the woman kept the company of a different circle. It was a privilege to make the company of the sponsors and elites she’d been introduced to over the years, one Snow had insisted she had earned after years of devotion to Panem. Perhaps she wasn’t seen as impressive or newsworthy as some of the others, but having her name in the headline of some gossip column was hardly a priority. She had other business to concern herself with.

Or she had. There’d been an undeniable shift as more and more of them fell to the lies of the rebellion. It was all a bit tragic, wasn’t it? Foolishness or greed, Lyah would never be able to comprehend how so many of them had readily given up the generosity of the Capitol. Whatever punishment awaited them at the end, they would sure deserve it.

“We must be,” she confirmed, but she couldn’t help but wonder if Eris had been trying to suggest a lull in Lyah’s schedule. If her suspicion was true, she didn’t give it the dignity of a reaction. “Or perhaps we just aren’t running in the same circles anymore. Shame.” Her attention turns back to the offending garment, but it’s back on Eris just a moment later. “Might be difficult to find a designer, you know, with everything going on.” Lyah’s voice falls to a whisper at the word, almost as if she’s afraid to draw attention to the conflict plaguing them all. “I’m very fortunate that Vera’s been so loyal to me.”

[thecapitolprincess]

Closed Starter | @fine-prints | The Capitol | Day 1

It took an awful lot to unsettle Lyah, but the eerie chill that had fallen over them all was like a thick blanket. The once lively city had been choked by grief and unease, and the victor was unfortunately not immune to it. Despite her efforts to keep her head high and move forward, the suffocating feeling trailed her, clawing at her ankles in an attempt to hold her back. With the overwhelming feeling of fear and vulnerability nearly too much to handle, the deserted sidewalks came as no surprise. The candy-colored streets looked unseasonably cold, the usual neon open signs that hung in store windows switched off and their doors locked. It would appear they were all seeking shelter then, hiding away from whatever looming threat had been responsible for such destruction. Well, everyone but Lyah, apparently.

She ascended the stairs leading to the President’s Mansion quickly, eager to get back inside. There would be another press conference soon, and they were all hoping for some more answers to what felt like impossible questions. Capitol media had been quick to blame the rebels, a thought that now caused her mouth to go dry. Hadn’t the rebellion been quelled years ago? School curriculum varied by district, but the history of Panem had been covered extensively particularly the Dark Days. They all knew the story of how the Capitol had successfully extinguished the district’s mutiny. How was it possible they were back?

Lyah had been too caught up in her own worry to notice the man until she was nearly tripping over her own feet to keep from running straight into him, heels desperately searching for traction against the fine marble floors in the foyer. “Corduroy,” the greeting came out as a pathetic little squeak, but she was quick to recover. A gentle hand found its way to his forearm in an attempt to steady herself, nails painted the softest of pinks. “How embarrassing, I’m so sorry.” She tries to laugh it off. “Are you alright? Are you here for the conference?”

[xdecadencex]

Cashmere let out a girlish giggle, simply unable to help herself. "A choice indeed." she laughed softlyed once more, eyes now following an avox that approached with a tray of cocktails and champagne. She snagged a cocktail as the avox passed, not particularly caring if the drink was going to someone specific. Oh well, the avox could go get another.

"I think I would honestly rather die than have to wear that dress." Maybe she was being a little dramatic or out of touch with reality, had they not just seen a man executed less than twenty-four hours before and now she was making jokes about death? She sipped from her drink, pulling her attention away from the offending garment and the woman who wore it. "I swear just last week she was wearing a bird on her head with a tiger striped neon yellow dress. Her fashion choices are becoming.... odd in her age."

[thecapitolprincess]

The superfluousness and frivolity of a Capitol party was the perfect distraction from the conflict threatening to tear down everything they had worked so hard to build. The juxtaposition of such glamour and tragedy may have been enough to make her head spin if it hadn’t been for the rivers of champagne and mountains of confectioneries keeping her busy. Glutton and greed had become their first line of defence against the realities of the war surrounding them. Lyah thought her decision to indulge herself in Cashmere’s petty gossip was therefore justified. 

Flashes of the offending outfit flittered through her mind and she couldn’t help the laugh that followed. It had been a particularly horrid combination of patterns, textures, and colors. Of course there was no forgetting the live parakeet Ursula had perched upon her fascinator, either. Whoever had lied and told her the ensemble looked good had done her an incredible disservice. 

“I think she needs to invest in a new stylist,” Lyah commented, taking a sip of her own drink. “It’s not like she can’t afford one. Though even if she couldn’t…Well…Whoever she’s working with now clearly doesn’t respect her.”

[erisharrington]

There had been a time where running into a victor somewhere in the Capitol was a regular occurrence, but ever since half of them rebelled and been punished, it happened less.

It was a shame, really. It was bad for business, particularly her business. Writing about victors and their personal lives made Eris a lot of money. The people of the Capitol couldn't get enough of their victors, but of course there were some that sold more magazines than others. Lyah Yazbek was one that the Capitol loved In particular, and lucky for them, had shown continuous support to the Capitol. Most of the favorites were off limits these days, much to her annoyance. But Eris knew that lines couldn't be crossed.

"Lyah, darling, what a surprise! It's always a pleasure to run into you" Eris smiled. It was a surprise to see her holding onto such a hideous sweater, but that wasn't what the people of the Capitol wanted to read about. Eris glanced dismissively at the sweater in her hand. "Oh, I'm so glad that you said that, I didn't want to be rude but that is really not your style. Of course if you loved it I would keep my opinions to myself, but that really looks like it belongs in the districts, don't you think?"

[thecapitolprincess]

No one could have predicted the level of fame that Lyah had found in the Capitol. A meek little girl from District Five, the prospect of her ever making it through the Arena had been laughable, and her mediocre training score had done her no favors either. Yet, despite all odds, she had survived, rising to stardom she had been fiercely unprepared for. The years had brought familiarity, and with the help of countless etiquette classes and a small team of people dedicated to ensuring her success, Lyah was no longer taken aback by requests interviews or appearances, nor was she fazed when confronted by a rogue journalist, gossip or otherwise. She didn’t mind the spotlight, though she preferred some more than others.

So then running into Eris at the tiny little boutique hadn’t been planned, but she wasn’t particularly surprised or bothered. The unsolicited comments about the sweater, however, prompted an eyeroll that Lyah had to fight against. She wasn’t particularly interested in the garment, but Eris’ critique had inexplicably evoked a sour feeling.

“Oh, Eris you’re too kind! Really, the pleasure is mine. I trust you’ve been well?” She suspected that there might have been a dip in business with the frightening dwindling numbers of victors milling about the Capitol, but she better than to ask outright. “Oh absolutely. I just can’t believe they’re trying to pass something off as new when it’s so clearly from last season. I know times are hard, but that’s no excuse to let our standards fall.”

[heliosxargent]

So often he found the Capitol events tedious, mostly blurring into one no matter what the event was. He was so rarely entertained and even less surprised by their goings ons, he was even bored of having the same recurring thoughts about how little there was to capture his interest. There'd been little hope that this gala would be any different, even if the charity aspect was a slight divergence from the norm it still wasn't enough. At least it hadn't been until the voice at his shoulder was one of the last he'd expected to hear.

It was a surprise when he and the other Victor had never sought each other's company before but he decides that it might be a pleasant one - at least compared to his other options that evening. Hardly high praise but still, praise. "Well, I do like to think I'm always unmissable - glad that was the case." There's a flash of a grin sent her way before his features lose some of his usual confidence, dialling it back so it he looks a little less armoured. "Thank you, I did wonder if my pleas for peace would carry too much irony but I'm glad they rang as sincere as intended."

[thecapitolprincess]

Despite being two prominent names within their circles and winning their Games relatively close together, Helios and Lyah were never close. The fault belonged to neither party, they simply hadn’t had reason to forge a relationship. If she were being honest, she hadn’t felt the need to co-mingle with many of her fellow victors, often choosing the company of more prominent Capitol figures rather than those within their little circle. As she settled into the conversation, she questioned how much in common they could sensibly have. Everything from the way they carried themselves to the company they kept was so incredibly different, and yet Lyah had still found herself seeking him out.

She chalked it all up to the stress of living through a rebellion. Why else would she be making such questionable decisions?

Lyah wasn’t quite sure what she had expected, praising his performance as she had, but it hadn’t been Helios’ self-assured acceptance. She turned away from the table, facing him head on now. The heel of her gold stiletto clicked against the marble floor with the movement. “I think it’s admirable,” she mused, somehow finding herself offering up further praise without thinking. “Speaking up for what you know is right, however unpopular it may make you.” In the Capitol, Lyah knew his encouragement of loyalty would only boost his popularity, but in the districts? There was no way his words would be received as well. “I’m glad we seem to be on the same side.” For once.

[heliosxargent]

While he maybe hadn't exactly been bred to be competitive, he'd most definitely been raised to be. It was almost impossible for him not to see the world in front of him as a giant challenge that he had to emerge triumphant over. Everything a game or a race or a battle to him. Something to be won or gained ( never lost only because he refused to lose ) from every interaction he had, no matter how small.

He supposed that it might have been considered unfair of him to feel such a sense of triumph that he was so clearly the one in control in this conversation, his words seeming to put her on the back foot despite how well she hid it. But her discomfort hadn't been his goal nor had any of that he'd said been intended to be malicious or personal. She was just a casualty of his own imaginary war. After all, it could hardly call it friendly fire when he'd never considered them on the same side.

The temptation to press his advantage was strong as he listened to her give him vague responses ( if he was being honest he'd expected her to be more polished than this, it was interesting to see that perfect façade almost cracking ) but he'd never considered himself cruel. There's no offer of retreat from him or an adjustment to his languid posture to give her a chance to take a breath, inside he just refrains from going in for the kill.

Smirk played over his lips as he rolled the glass between his fingers, watching her with keen hunter's eyes as she took a drink from her own. He doesn't bring it to his lips, not needing the clarity that so often came along with its burn. Nothing cleared his mind quite like a new challenge or a victory within his grasp.

He hummed lightly in vague acknowledgement of her words but not quite agreement. "These things can be overwhelming, for some." Words are nonchalant enough but the light emphasis on 'some' makes it clear that he doesn't consider himself to be one of those people.

Shoulders roll into a lazy shrug and it's then he chooses to take a quick drink. "There's food, drink and company - some delightful, some passable - what more could I ask for?" There's a wryness to his tone and his smile doesn't quite reach his eyes, potentially exposing his true views on such things. If it had been a Capitolite he'd been speaking to naturally he wouldn't have shown such a break, even a fleeting one. But perhaps it did it as sort of an olive branch. Not quite a ceasefire but he'd made her crack, maybe it was only fair he let something slip.

[thecapitolprincess]

Lyah couldn’t help but feel as if Helios’ words were targeting her in particular. His word choice, the inflection, it was all so blatantly antagonistic. She was right then, he was teasing her for stepping away from the party. A mix of resentment (for needing the break at all) and anger (over his judgement) sparked within her chest, but it didn’t last long. The realization that Helios had, in fact, also found his way out of the ornately decorated ballroom and out onto the balcony, choosing a quiet moment over the buzz of the crowd, stifled the feeling. Maybe he didn’t have the upper hand after all.

The sudden epiphany had brought on a new found sense of confidence, Lyah now feeling less apprehensive over the whole order and much more like herself. Helios could not scare her, nor would his disguised snide remarks negate her years of training for public enagagement. 

Lyah seized the opportunity to examine him in the soft lighting that filtered out onto the balcony, pooling around them. Helios had a certain air about him that exuded confidence and invited challenge. From what she knew about him (admittedly not much, personally), he had managed to make quite the name for himself, starting with his resilience in the arena. She’d heard the Capitol news anchors marvel at his ability to take down the rogue mutts, she’d even seen him do it. As he peered over to her now, smirk playing on his lips, Lyah felt as if she were under the watchful eye of a predator.

She misses thinly veiled sarcasm, instead taking his words at face value. ‘What more could I ask for?’ Nothing, as far as Lyah was concerned. The Capitol had given her everything, carved out a space for her and built her up. In all the years since she had left Five behind and taken up residency in the Capitol, she wanted for nothing. She offers a small hum of agreement.

“And what brought you out here?” It was a bold move on her part, far outside her norm, the question challenging his attempt at ‘othering’ himself from her. Lyah’s first instinct had always been to run and hide; it always had been. While Helios had faced his foes in the arena head on, Lyah hid, but despite whatever edge he believed he had on her, they’d both made it to the exact same place. They’d both been crowned as victors. So then what had she been so afraid of? “Did you just happen to think I looked lonely?”

[themakeupbrush]

Georges Chakra Spring 2019 Couture

[petticoat]

“Innocent and extravagant she was—and perhaps lonely…”

— May Sarton, from I Knew A Phoenix: Sketches For An Autobiography (via violentwavesofemotion)

[xdecadencex]

Where: A party in the Capitol Who: Cashmere & open When: The day after Cinna's execution

It was late, but in true capitol fashion the party was only just ramping up. It amazed her how the people of the capitol were able to throw a party and carry on as if someone hadn't just been executed. She couldn't say she felt any certain way about the stylists from Twelve. She'd had seldom interaction with either of them, but seriously? A man had just died and yet here she was, surrounded by capitolites that lived as if nothing wrong were happening in the world.

All of her doubts and worries are shoved far to the back of her mind, hidden behind thoughts that almost mirrored those of the the capitol citizens. Maximillian's suit was sure loud. The Missus' necklace was dazzaling. I really need another glass of champagne. Is Emerald really wearing that? It's so outdated. She'd played the part too long, too well. She often lay in bed wondering if she was loosing herself, but she'd wake up the next morning and forget all those worries.

"Good lord, did you see what Ursala is wearing," she asked of the person next to her, paying no mind to who that person might just be.

[thecapitolprincess]

Lyah had better things to do than gossip — usually. In another life, sure. Whispers and giggles hidden behind her hand, as a teenager she had done more than her fair share, but the years of etiquette classes she had been put through after her victory had broken that habit. It was unbecoming of a young lady and improper, and in the Capitol, appearances were everything.

But it was late into the evening, the champagne had been flowing freely, and given everything that had happened in the past 24 hours, would it really be so bad if she indulged her fellow victor in just a few moments of shallow cattiness?

The woman followed Cashmere's gaze, her brown eyes coming to rest on Ursala, the wife of one of the more senior gamemaker, and her vibrant orange dress. "It's most definitely a choice," Lyah answered with a slight grimace. "Not one that I would personally make, but...a choice."

[erisharrington]

Location: Capitol shop, post-execution Eris and open

The whole sordid affair between the stylists from District Twelve and their spectacular fall from favor was the kind of gossip that the readers of Capitolite Glamour wanted to read about, but Eris had been in this business long enough to know better. It was a shame, though, she thought. Perhaps a word in President Snow's ear could get her the green light. She would have to send out some feelers to see what was approved.

It was disappointing, really, but what better way to distract from a disappointment than shopping? Eris needed some new dresses, all of hers were so last Hunger Games season, so it was time for a change. And you never knew what you might hear at one of the shops, anyway. People just loved to gossip amongst the racks of clothes.

Spotting a familiar face amongst the racks, a smirk formed on her lips. "Oh, darling! It's been too long, how are you?" She paused, eyeing the garment in the other's hand. "You're not thinking about getting that are you?" Eris looked doubtful for a moment before her smile returned. "It's so last season, you see. But for you, I like it."

[thecapitolprincess]

It was supposed to just be a quick trip to the shops. In and out in under an hour. It was never supposed to turn into the full on shopping spree that it had become. In Lyah's defense, there wasn't much else to do, not when her regular obligations had been canceled or postponed in the wake of the execution.

The whole ordeal left a bitter taste in her mouth. Lyah had never met Cinna personally, but having both been tied to the Games, they existed in the same spheres. She knew people who knew people who knew people, and it was difficult to watch their reactions to the stylist's guilty verdict. Shopping, then, was something of a stress reliever, and Lyah felt no shame in indulging.

But then there was that voice questioning her choice of sweater and she had to keep herself from rolling her eyes. It was insulting. She turned to face the newcomer. "Eris," Lyah greeted, forcing herself to remain positive. Running into a gossip reporter wasn't something she had particularly wanted that day, but she would play nice regardless. "Oh what a great surprise, it's so lovely to see you. It really has, hasn't it?" Her artificial smile was sweet but not unnatural as she turned her attention back to the sweater. "Oh this? It's fine, I guess, but I don't think it's anything special."

[thecapitolprincess]

Closed starter | @heliosxargent | The Capitol | Day 36

If Lyah had learned anything in her 16 years living in the Capitol, it was that the city never stopped. Even now, with a war raging in the districts and anxiety building within the city walls, the streets buzzed with music and intoxicated party-goers. It came as no surprise, then, when the charity gala invitation had found its way to her mailbox. Offering Helios a genuine smile for the first time, however? That was unexpected.

"I caught your interview," she said, coming up beside him to observe the table of hors d'oeuvres. The spread was, just as most things in the Capitol were, superfluous. "The one with Caesar." Lyah plucked a perfect, ruby red strawberry from a gold platter. "All things considered, I think you handled it very well."

[goodnightmemes]

CATCHING FIRE (2013) SENTENCE STARTERS

feel free to change pronouns / terms / tense as needed!

❛ You’re okay. You’re safe. It’s okay. You’re here with me. ❜

❛ It’s only a few weeks. I’ll be back before the snow melts. ❜

❛ A lot can happen in a few weeks. ❜

❛ I did what I had to do to survive. If I didn’t, I’d be dead. ❜

❛ If you wanted to be babied, you should’ve asked [name]. ❜

❛ You are a strangely dislikeable person. But you do have your virtues. ❜

❛ Such bravery. Such spirit. Such…contempt. ❜

❛ My dear, I think we can make this so much simpler if we agree not to lie to each other. What do you think? ❜

❛ What is to prevent, say, an uprising? That can lead to revolution. And then, in a fraction of time, the whole system collapses. ❜

❛ You should imagine thousands upon thousands of your people dead. This town of yours reduced to ashes. Imagine it gone. ❜

❛ Tell me. At what point did he realize the depth of your indifference towards him? ❜

❛ I don’t want to kill you. I want us to be friends. But if not friends, then allies. ❜

❛ That was nice acting. Almost thought that kiss was real. ❜

❛ All you need to do is give a few speeches, wave to the crowds, and enjoy your time in the spotlight. ❜

❛ I’m really not in the mood for a lecture. I’ll apologize to [name] later. ❜

❛ You don’t have to apologize to anybody. Including me. ❜

❛ If you can stop looking at me like I’m wounded, then I can quit acting like it. ❜

❛ I’ve never been very good at friends. ❜

❛ She was too young, too gentle. And I couldn’t save her. I’m sorry. ❜

❛ Wait! No! Leave him alone! ❜

❛ I never meant for anyone to get killed. ❜

❛ I’m sorry. I didn’t know what to do. He threatened to kill my family. ❜

❛ Well, I have family, too. Okay? People that I need to protect. ❜

❛ Come here. You’re gonna be okay. I promise. ❜

❛ It was just a dream. I’m sorry. ❜

❛ Will you stay with me? ❜

❛ We could get married. ❜

❛ Eyes bright. Chins up. Smiles on. I’m talking to you, [name]. ❜

❛ Everybody who’s anybody is here. And they all want to meet you. ❜

❛ It’s appalling. Still, if you abandon your moral judgment, it can be fun. ❜

❛ Well, maybe it was you who inspired me to come back. ❜

❛ She’s not who they think she is. She’s not a leader. She just wants to save her own skin. It’s as simple as that. ❜

❛ I agree she should die. But in the right way. At the right time. ❜

❛ It’s moves and countermoves. ❜

❛ It won’t work. Fear does not work as long as they have hope. ❜

❛ They’re gonna hate her so much they might just kill her for you. ❜

❛ If we leave right now, we can be far away from here by tonight. ❜

❛ [name] threatened to have you killed. ❜

❛ You know how I feel about you. But I can’t think about anyone that way right now. ❜

❛ The only thing that I can think about every day, every waking moment, is how afraid I am. There’s no room for anything else. ❜

❛ You haven’t hurt people. You’ve given them an opportunity. They just have to be brave enough to take it. ❜

❛ We have to go before they kill us. They will kill us. ❜

❛ People are looking to you. ❜

❛ I don’t want anyone looking to me. I can’t help them. ❜

❛ Look, you’re new here. Trust me, I’m trying to help you. ❜

❛ Thought you’d be gone by now. ❜

❛ I’m not going anywhere. I’m gonna stay right here. Cause all kinds of trouble. ❜

❛ How can we live like this? How can anybody live like this? ❜

❛ You understand that whatever I do comes back to you. I don’t want you to get hurt. ❜

❛ You don’t have to protect me. ❜

❛ If you cannot contain [name], then I will have to terminate her. ❜

❛ And you’ve come to, what? Ask me to… die? ❜

❛ What’s it say that [name] was here 45 minutes ago begging to save your life and you only just now show up? ❜

❛ You could live 100 lifetimes and never deserve that boy. ❜

❛ There are survivors. There’s no winners. ❜

❛ Do whatever you can. [name] lives. Not me. Promise me. ❜

❛ How could any of us even trust each other? ❜

❛ It’s not about trust. It’s about staying alive. ❜

❛ You look pretty terrifying in that getup. ❜

❛ I haven’t dealt in anything as common as money in years. ❜

❛ I’m an open book. Everybody always seems to know my secrets before I know them myself. ❜

❛ So what do you think? Now that the whole world wants to sleep with you? ❜

❛ I guess we just try to figure out who we trust least and work our way backwards from there. ❜

❛ There’s always a flaw in the system. ❜

❛ How are we gonna kill these people? ❜

❛ God! Does anybody actually believe this? ❜

❛ You know, I’m getting totally screwed over here. ❜

❛ Well, you know what? Fuck that! And fuck everybody that had anything to do with it! ❜

❛ Just be your usual self. Actually, be your happier self. ❜

❛ Make him pay for it. ❜

❛ We’re a team. Aren’t we? ❜

❛ You both deserved so much better. ❜

❛ Any last advice? ❜

❛ Stay alive. ❜

❛ Remember who the real enemy is. ❜

❛ I don’t want to be with anyone else in there. Just you. ❜

❛ Look at this. They’re holding hands. I want them dead. ❜

❛ Good thing we’re allies, right? ❜

❛ Well, I guess we’re not holding hands any more. ❜

❛ I don’t care about any of them. ❜

❛ Be careful. There’s a force field up there. ❜

❛ Oh, my God. You were dead. Your heart stopped. ❜

❛ Someday I want to love someone that much. ❜

❛ We should set up camp. Take turns sleeping. I can take first watch. ❜

❛ That thing I did back there for [name]? That was called “saving his life.” ❜

❛ If I wanted to kill either of you, I would’ve done it by now. ❜

❛ Don’t worry about anything else. I’ll be right here with you. It’s okay. It’s okay. ❜

❛ She sacrificed herself for me and I didn’t even know her name. ❜

❛ They know they’re outnumbered. I doubt they’ll attack again. ❜

❛ They can’t hurt me. There’s no one left that I love. ❜

❛ Love is weird. ❜

❛ I don’t want to be the one that shoots first. ❜

❛ They’re not gonna make that same mistake again. ❜

❛ You know and I know there’s only one person walking out of here. ❜

❛ If you die and I live, I’d have nothing. Nobody else that I care about. ❜

❛ See, this is why no one lets you make the plans. ❜

❛ We couldn’t tell you with [name] watching. It was too risky. Better for you to know nothing. ❜

❛ You have been our mission from the beginning. ❜

❛ This is the revolution. ❜

❛ You promised me that you would save him over me! ❜

❛ You promised me! You’re a liar. ❜

❛ You’re okay. You’ve just been asleep for a few days. ❜

[heliosxargent]

It wasn't often that he took a moment to himself at Capitol parties, it felt too much like admitting defeat in his own private battle. It helped, somewhat, to sometimes think of them that way. An imaginary challenge for himself, every person he talked to a victory and new conquest. Taking time out from it almost felt like a surrender.

It should have been easier when it was a victory tour, with the focus on the Capitol's shiny new victor instead of the ones they were used to, and for the most part it had been. But then a sponsor had brought up his tribute, the one who'd come so close to winning, and Helios had felt his golden smile slipping.

A momentary reprieve had been necessary. It wasn't a defeat, just strategic. He'd be able to come out victor again all the easy with a moment of fresh air to collect himself. So he'd slipped away to a balcony, only to find it already occupied by a fellow victor. Lyah Yazbek.

She wasn't exactly his first choice of company when her persona ( or maybe that was her actual personality? he'd never talked enough with her to find out ) was always too saccharine for his taste, but it seemed a decent enough trade-off for a few moments in the fresh air. "Princess Lyah."

Brow raised slightly at her question, smirk flickering over his lips before he answers. "Not from you, just came out for some air. Unless this is now your kingdom and I need to beg royal permission?" Undeterred by her company and without waiting for an answer, he crossed the distance between them with lithe steps. Leaning against it with both elbows on the balcony, his glass rested in the hand dangling almost recklessly over the edge. He lifts it to his lips, taking a small sip before it returns to its precarious position.

Having made himself comfortable - he knew he looked relaxed and unaffected - he finally shifted his attention to his unexpected companion. "Too many adoring subjects out there for you?" Easy grin plays over his features, amusing himself with his dry words.

[thecapitolprincess]

The man’s gentle teasing was rewarded with a few blinks. Lyah found his choice of referencing the nickname Captiol media had bestowed upon her to be an interesting one. Was he making fun of her? Or simply trying to make conversation? His posture and tone seemed so casual, but his words felt almost provocative.

Helios was something of a mystery; perhaps not to everyone, but certainly to Lyah. Though their respective Games had only been four years apart, they had never been close. He had always come off as so confident and so self-assured, Lyah had to admit she found it intimidating, though she was unable to pinpoint exactly why. It wasn’t as if she lacked either trait; she knew how to carry herself, and she always performed well, but when comparing herself to Helios, she almost felt inadequate.

She was confident, sure, but where she was soft smiles and a delicate presence, he was calculated and stoic. Lyah, who had become something of an expert at understanding body language, could never get a read on him. They weren’t friends, and yet he joked with her as if they were. How was she supposed to act around him when she could never figure out what he was thinking? It was all bit confusing.

There was a brief pause before she offered him a small, polite smile. It was rehearsed, a little uncomfortable. She was trying, but nothing felt right. Lyah blamed it on him, his dry humor, and his unbothered tone.

“Not at all,” Lyah answered. Her brown eyes fell to Helios’ precarious hold on his glass and she pretended it didn’t bother her. The woman took quick sip if her drink, pleading for the alcohol to ease the tension just a little bit. “You’re more than welcome to join me, I don’t mind.” 

There was another biref pause as she debated answering his question. It would be rude not to, but would admitting to needing a break come off as weak? Would he judge her for it? Why couldn’t she stop overthinking? She cursed his nonchalant attitude and easy smile. 

“The party is wonderful, it’s just getting a bit loud,” she explained after a moment. “Needed to step out for a little break.” Lyah couldn’t help but feel as if she’s simultaneously said too much and too little. Her solution was to remove herself from the spotlight and turn the conversation to Helios’. “Are you enjoying yourself?”

[dpcphotography]

It’s been a while 🥀

[thecapitolprincess]

Lyah: [Caesar] Enough of the sadness! My dear, will you indulge me? Tell the audience at home one thing victory has gave you, please.

Heart still heavy thinking about the undecided fates of her fellow victors, Lyah allowed Caesar to move the interview along. There was only so much she could say, and there wasn't much she could physically do to get the fighting to stop. She's said her piece, and that was that.

Reflecting on her time as a victor, Lyah couldn't help feel grateful. The kindness, grace, and compassion she had been showed was unparalleled. Even her own district had not met her with such love upon her return from the arena. It had been difficult at first, but the heartbreak had mended itself over the years. There was nothing to mourn, anyway.

"Oh how to narrow it down to just one? I've been so fortunate, really. I'd be nothing if it weren't for all the love and support I've received in my time here." Her voice was small as she thought. "You know, I think the best thing victory has brought me really is all of you, Caesar. I've had the chance to meet some truly incredible people here in the Capitol. You, of course, President Snow, our wonderful sponsors, the other victors. None of it would have been possible had I not of won. The connections I've made because of my victory has probably been the most impactful, and I am just so thankful for it."

[thecapitolprincess]

Lyah: [Caesar] Beautifully said, my dear. We mustn't let the rebels gain further claws in our good people! Do you have anything to say to your fellow victors who might have been persuaded by the rebellion?

Lyah beamed at the praise. Of course she had done a good job; there was no room for anything short of perfection. She hadn't been worried though, she had never failed to perform in front of the camera.

When Caesar pivots and brings her attention directly to her fellow victors, there's a heaviness that grips her heart and stomach. To watch each of them become indoctrinated by rebels and turn their backs on the Capitol had been hard; her heart broke as the news broke of yet another victor falling victim to their lies. There was no guarantee that her words would ever reach them, but if she was given a platform, she had to at least try, right?

"There are so many things I wish I could tell them," Lyah starts, a somber look settled over her features. She turned her head to look directly into the camera. "I'm not sure if any of my fellow victors are watching this, but if they are, I want them to know that it doesn't have to be this way. We can end this tragedy. Don't let the rebels fool you. There's still space for you here, there's still people that care about you here. You can come home."