tasting stars [Cato]

[arx!!]

eirwen birch

district 2 - eighteen - the devil's spawn

Last night, I had been rewarded with something more than just a pat on the back from the head of Assyria. I had never asked for anything, never wanted more than to be myself and have someone accept me for that, but it seems that this whole assassin business has more perks than I had originally thought. All they told me: "Use it wisely, darling."

Now I am armed with knives, hidden ... creatively beneath my dress, a designer purse of some sort, a pair of heels as always, and make-up done up just like my parents always expected me to wear it. I look too helpless for my taste, but I'm off duty tonight. I have to keep up appearances in the neighborhood or else I will lose my purpose in Assyria - at least that is what they told me when I was told to quit "hunting" for a few weeks.

Whatever. I guess I can manage.

And if not, I have my knives with me.

The night brings with it a cool breeze. Goosebumps rise on my arms, but the smell of alcohol in the air makes the corners of my lips rise. A beautiful night for getting too drunk and sleeping with someone I won't remember in the morning. It had been such a long time since I had been the party girl, much less the formal party girl. I'm certainly out of practice. I mean, am I supposed to drink champagne or poison it?

Ah well, I will decide when I get there I guess.

I keep my head on a swivel, a smirk on my face, my purse dangling from the crook of my elbow. My hair pools around my shoulders, bouncing with every step I take. I see one of my co-workers loitering outside of a "client's" house and I nod, though he doesn't nod back, only flashes the blade of his knife in the street light. My smile widens. I pass a couple making out outside of some party, the lights and music spilling into the streets as teens cram together to form one, big, sweaty mob in the flashing lights.

If only I had dressed for such an occasion. Sadly, I look like I belong somewhere with suits, ties, and dresses of appropriate length. One of the richer families in District 2 was throwing a party tonight - that was were I would be going. To smile, to laugh, to remind everyone that the Birch name was not a tarnished one, but one of great power and elegance. Blah, blah, blah. It would be a bore unless I found someone to flirt with no doubt.

I knock at the door, flash a smile. "Eirwen Birch," is all I have to say and I am welcomed into the house, already filled with guests who had perhaps grabbed a few too many drinks. Exaggerated laughter and a mixture of graveolent cologne and perfume remind me just why I have always despised these things. But I swallow my disdain and force a smile back onto my face.

I laugh with everyone else, giggle and gossip, grab champagne flute after champagne flute, letting myself get drunker and bubblier as the night progresses. I try to refrain from leaning too close to any husbands and boyfriends and seek any bachelor who looks like he could use a good time. But just as one asks me if I wanted to get out of this place a familiar face crosses my vision.

"Oh, I'm terribly sorry, but I came with someone else tonight," I say, excusing myself and making my way to the door just as he reaches for the doorknob.

I smile and place my hand on his, placing myself between him and his escape.

"Well, Mr. Blackmore, what a surprise to see you here!" My last encounter with him was... well, entertaining to say the least, and no doubt he doesn't want to see me again. Probably why we are standing so near to the doorway, but that's no matter.

"I love this suit on you," I say, running my fingers along the edges of the jacket and over his chest. "Very handsome." I take the oppurtunity to take up his arm, linking mine with his and pulling him back into the fray.

"So, did you bring Milo along tonight?" I ask, calmly, warmly, just like I am supposed to talk to everyone here. Perhaps it would surprise him to know I really can be nice when I'm not, you know, shoving knives into people and twirling them around and around and around...

I scoop up another champagne flute from a nearby table, tasting stars as I let the warming liquid slide down my throat.

---

tough girl i'm in pain
it's lonely at the top
blackouts and airplanes
i still pour you a glass of champagne
tough girl whose soul aches

[Cato]

Logan Blackmore

"Dialogue"
"Hearing"
Thoughts
Narration

An invitation to a party showed up at my room. Still don't like Aragorn or his fucked up attitude he always radiates. Hate the man. Wish he was reaped instead of that Mason fellow. Granted I would love another victor from two and Mason just might be it. Still watching Aragorn fall in the games would finally erase that smug smile he wears around everyone but me. I doubt any of us here will go to the party. Too formal for my tastes. Still why not have some fun right? The names hosting the party seem harmless enough. Not a single name I recognize either. Could be an opportunity to get away from the house. The formal theme disgusts me though. Me in a suit? Guess there's a first time for everything. I undress and reluctantly put on the required suit. Not something I want to wear, but anything to escape this dreadful place.

A few minutes later, I find myself walking out of the house and on the way to the party. Don't imagine I will be there for long though. Long enough to mingle and have some fun. Taste some drinks and relax a bit before coming home. I look forward to the day I move out of the Blackmore home. For reasons beyond my comprehension, I've decided to stay there. Ever since I returned home after living on the streets for an eternity no one at home will speak. Like I've dishonored the name. Like I need to help with that. When you have someone like Aragorn trying to control you dishonor is bound to happen. May as well head to this party to restore the name. Like I care. Only want to ruin it some more if I could.

I finally spot the location for the party. Part of me wants to make a run for it. I have no idea why the party is something I want to do. Maybe I could ruin the name some more. Anything to see the face of Aragorn turn many shades of red and even some shades of blue. It's so easy to anger that man. A special talent one could say. A deep breathe and a doorknob later, I enter. A few smiles here and a wave or two greet me. I return the welcoming and begin to relax. I sip some wine given to me and make some small talk when I spot her. Just the one person who I did not want to see ever again is here. I excuse myself and make my way to the exit.

With no success as she catches up to me. I start to sweat bullets. Her proximity to me frightens me. Not because I fear for my life well maybe I do. I wish there was something I could do to get away, but she's running her finger on my chest telling me I'm handsome. My hand still grips the doorknob, but she blocks the exit already knowing why I want to leave. She asks if I brought Milo along tonight and thank Ripred I did not. Had I done that well I'd be dead by now. I want to leave, but Eirwen linked our arms together and pulled me back. "I...umm... uhh... No she's not here." Ripred help me. Please.

[arx!!]

eirwen birch

district 2 - eighteen - the devil's spawn

"I...umm... uhh..."

Ah, yes. It's still just as fun to mess with the poor kid as I remember it. I smile, the alcohol bringing a giggle to my lips despite how stupid and girly I find giggling. Oh, whatever. It's really no matter; he already knows who I am, what I've become. But a few too many glasses thrown back can really effect a girl. Especially this girl. If I had known I would recognize someone here I might've refrained from so many drinks.

"No she's not here."

"What a shame," I say, swirling the sparkling liquid around in my glass. "I would've dragged her along if you had asked."

And though it isn't the truth, I figure I may as well entertain the idea of it. Sisters who love each other, suffer through these parties together, giggle over boys, walk arm in arm down the street and share clothes. Huh. I can't even remember the last time any of those things had happened in the Birch household. That was probably my fault, but it's simply more fun blaming my parents. Pushing me to be something I wasn't. Expecting me to like being one of those rich, well-mannered, career girls.

It was a ridiculous delusion for them to have, but I still play along. Not for them like I used to. No, now I play this game for myself. But the lines are growing blurred for me now. I've played this girl for so damn long I forget that I don't even like it. Or maybe I'm too drunk to hate much of anything. Ugh, maybe I should've just let Logan leave. At least then I wouldn't feel so conflicted on how I should be acting.

Normally I wouldn't be too shy to flash my knives that I've been hiding, but tonight isn't like most. I'm not working, not really at least. No goal, no end game, no need to spill any blood for a good cause. This is a party with idiotic, rich snobs who know nothing but my last name. And even that they have a deluded idea of. Birch. The career family with the money and all those kids and blah, blah, blah. And I'm Eirwen Birch, one of the eldest relatives that is still able to be Reaped and win all the glory for the family. Beautiful, bold, smart, and ever so talented - though not nearly as talented as her sister.

Yeah, sorry to disappoint you mom and dad and everyone else on the damn face of this stupid planet, but I'm just the girl who isn't as good as her sister is, can't be what her parents want, can't, can't, can't.

I need another drink.

"Right, hold this," I say, shoving my now empty glass at him as if he were the butler here and not a fellow guest and now nonconsenting date. I grab another glass and don't even pause as I empty the contents of the glass and grab another, holding it out to him.

I sigh, my head swirling, waiting for him to take the glass.

"Please don't make me drink alone."

---

tough girl i'm in pain
it's lonely at the top
blackouts and airplanes
i still pour you a glass of champagne
tough girl whose soul aches

[Cato]

Logan Blackmore

"Dialogue"
"Hearing"
Thoughts
Narration

Ripred help me please. My silent prayer. I don't want to be here at all. Eirwen blocked my exit. Now she has our arms entwined like we came here together. I'm pretty sure this will be my last night left in this world. Either Eirwen kills me or Milo finds out and I die in my sleep. She brought me back into the crowd no doubt to make me uncomfortable. I look back at the exit. Eirwen wouldn't be able to make a scene without drawing attention to herself. I've made up my decision to leave when she shoves an empty glass into my hands. I swear under my breathe. Now I have to act like a damn gentleman. Don't want to leave Eirwen now. I'm happier than I should be to be her 'date' to this party.

I don't want to be here though with her. No doubt it'll be like that night she found me. Not sure how to describe how I felt with her. Just her mere presence is enough to have me at a loss for words. It must look so silly for someone to be stammering for words. A few moments of talk is all I will tolerate enjoy with Eirwen. I need to get out of here fast if I want to live. Maybe Milo will understand. A chance occurrence. Eirwen can't make me stay can she? Wish I could say no. She must have went to get some drinks or something. I'm free now and can make my escape. Exit isn't blocked anymore. I make a few steps toward the exit when I hit an invisible barrier. Nothing physical. Just mental. I actually relish the fact Eirwen is my date. Ripred help me if she knew my exact thoughts.

I've lost my chance to leave when she is back with a glass in both hands. One meant for me obviously. This is it. I can politely get the hell out of here or accept the drink and ensure my death. What the hell. A date with Eirwen might be worth my death. I reach for the glass and sip about half the glass. I feel like I just signed my death wish. "Can't let them happen now can we." is it too late to beg for a chance to leave. I'd settle for begging forgiveness right now. I have no idea what's in store now that I'm still here. I can always hope for a simple evening with nothing going wrong right?

[arx!!]

eirwen birch

district 2 - eighteen - the devil's spawn

I raise an eyebrow in his direction, looking him up and down as he takes the glass from me. He sips it slowly, drinking about half the glass as I twirl one of mine rather unladylike. My parents would be disappointed. But they already were so what did it matter? May as well go all out and pour the damn drink over my head. Wouldn't that be fun?

"Can't let that happen now can we," he says, though despite the champagne he just drank and the gentlemanly gesture he still looks like he really doesn't want to be here.

Actually, if I'm going to be accurate here, he looks like he is going to shit a brick. Maybe puke out of fear. Cry out of nervousness. Huh. I didn't realize I had made such a strong impression on the kid. I mean, sure I had knives sheathed against my ribs and sure I was just smoking hot but you'd think I was standing naked in the middle of the room and forcing him at knife point to undress or something. I wasn't that insane. At least not right now.

I give an exasperated sigh and roll my eyes at him.

"It's my night off, Logan," I say, patting his chest and taking another small sip from my glass. "Relax."

The music that was playing softly from deeper in the house picks up a bit, the melody reaching the ears of nearly all the guests, pulling some of them towards it as if the band was some sort of magnet. Armed with the power of alcohol, I raise my glass above my head and spin, smiling even as I stumble a bit and have to catch myself before I fall.

I set my glass down and take his glass delicately from his hand and set it next to mine. I curtsy rather extravagantly, and reply to a question he never asked.

"Well of course you may have this dance, thank you for asking!"

And with a smile I drag him towards the music.

---

tough girl i'm in pain
it's lonely at the top
blackouts and airplanes
i still pour you a glass of champagne
tough girl whose soul aches

[Cato]

Logan Blackmore

"Dialogue"
"Hearing"
Thoughts
Narration

She's dragging me to dance. Blurting out about how I may have a dance with her. Is this karma for everything I've done wrong in my life? The one time I decide to do something fun, Eirwen shows up. I had my chance to flee and decided against it. Eirwen wants to dance? More like she'll kill me and make it look like an accident. I don't know what to do. Politely decline citing stomach acting up? It would have some measure of truth to it. I'm feeling terrified. "Eirwen... I... umm... uhh... cant dance." What is it about her that renders me a babbling idiot. I can kill no problem. Keep a conversation with her? Not possible. She kept me here. I'd like to think so anyway. There's something about her that is intriguing. I despite my being here with her is uncomfortable, I know a part of me enjoys the fact I'm her date even if it's not a real one.

I'm not even sure she's dragging me to the floor against my will. I'm all too willing to dance with her. Be here with here. It's wrong of me to like everything that's happened tonight, but why not? Eirwen's beauty is beyond measure. I know Milo would kill me if she knew how I thought. I know Eirwen would make my life a living hell if she guessed for a second how I felt. That's why I'm grateful for my ability to fake my feelings. I really haven't one a thing to give any indication I enjoy what's happening. I'm acting more like a frightened dog if anything. All I need to do is keep acting that way. Maybe just maybe with a bit of luck there's a chance I can leave this place alive. Go back to stalking the shadows.

My attention is both willingly and reluctantly brought back to the dance. I'm not even sure how to proceed. Enjoying it could alert her to the way I feel. Acting like a frightened boy could make me the laughing stock of the party. I'd choose that over Eirwen knowing any day. I'd take Aragorn's constant bickering with me over Eirwen knowing. I'll just let her lead the way and act like I don't want to be here even though I actually want to. "Umm... lead the way Eirwen." No matter what though I look forward to getting out of here. Staying in my room for a long while before coming out. Need to avoid disasters like the one that just struck me by coming to this party.