We Do What You Don't // [Calliope/Noah Blitz]

[Gamemaker Lauren Kinkade]

NOAH BLOW

It was probably late by normal human standards, but for Noah, it was just the start of his day. The doors to his nightclub had just opened, a short line had been admitted, velvet rails setup to collect future patrons. The DJ began his set with the Capitol's latest, the beat thrumming through the closed door.

Noah stood on the sidewalk, sizing up the people of District Six. Most of them were hurrying home after a full day of work, errands, child care. Not his target audience. A few looked a little lost, a bit wobbly. He didn't exactly want to sign his bartender up to be a babysitter, but patronage was down and his more illicit activities could only be expanded so much.

He very nearly approached the wretch when Calliope Bloom hurried by. He blinked, hardly believing his luck, and by then she was already working her way down the block. His worn soles landed softly on the pavement as he caught up. "Hey, Mayor Bloom! Hold up a minute." He flashed her a smile. "I was wondering if I could offer you a drink? Some light snacks? On the house of course. I'd love to hear about your campaign."

Thump thump, thump, the base followed him, puncturing the night air.

- title lyrics -
"blow" by ke$ha

[L△LIA]

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[attr="class","CalliopeTitle"]

Borders, what's up with that?
Politics, what's up with that?

[attr="class","CalliopeContent"]

The argument with the head of District rations had not gone well. It turns out that Capitol officials don't take kindly to having discrepancies in paperwork pointed out to them, much less to having their work double-checked and declared wrong by a woman who knows better than to take anyone at their word. After last month's food shipments didn't go quite as far as projected, Calliope decided to have this month's shipment inspected a little more closely. Turns out: Someone is skimming the supplies... and this time it's not just her.

Voice hoarse from the decidedly unprofessional screaming match that ensued, Calliope stormed from the office after being hung up on and told by the operator that her attempts at calling back would not be connected tonight. "Hey, Mayor Bloom! Hold up a minute." She huffs with frustration, barely registering the man chasing her down the street until they're side-by-side. "I was wondering if I could offer you a drink? Some light snacks? On the house of course. I'd love to hear about your campaign."

Right. The campaign. She tries to erase the frustration from her face as she turns to a man she recognizes — a local business owner who openly approves of her aggressive stance on supporting more than just the medical industry in Six... without discriminating against establishments that are often held in — shall we say — lower regard by some of the community. "I —" She still wants to scream with frustration into the dark, but tells herself there will be plenty of time to get back to her rage later. Right now she needs any support she can get. "— what can I do for you, Mr. Blow? Somehow I think it might be a little difficult to hear inside your club." Arching an eyebrow, she tries to match his smile, but it ends up feeling more like two predators flashing their teeth in the dark.

borders m.i.a.

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[Gamemaker Lauren Kinkade]

NOAH BLOW

His smile widens a bit when she accepts his offer, albeit with a caveat. He chuckles. "You know, I don't even hear the music most of the time any more." He swept his gaze up and down the block, before stepping back and opening his posture to let her pass. "Maybe the tavern, a few doors back? Never hurts to check out the competition."

The tavern was an older establishment, able to function on reputation and basic maintenance. Whereas Noah spent hours every week trying to come up with a new gimmick to drive customers - and to steal the tavern's clientele.

"Much quieter," he whispered conspiratorially after they'd ordered. "Doesn't hurt either to remind the owners that I'm just a few doors down. Not that they've anything to worry about. You know how much they bring in every quarter here? For, this?" He leans back into the booth, sweeping one arm wide.

"That's the nature of the beast as a business owner. Someone else is always doing better. I guess I ran after you - and probably ruined your evening, my apologies," a quick smile, "was because I wanted to know what you thought of the District Center. Any grand visions for the future of our humble district?"

Anything I should worry about?

- title lyrics -
"blow" by ke$ha

[L△LIA]

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[attr="class","Calliope1Title"]

Your privilege, what's up with that?
Broke people, what's up with that?

[attr="class","Calliope1Content"]

There's barely enough time to casually sass him — "You should probably get that checked out. Tinnitus can be quite serious." — before she's being guided to a tavern. It's not her first choice, of setting or company, but it could be worse. Honestly, considering the rest of her day, a drink doesn't sound half bad. She orders without caring much for what she'd pointing at. Is it food? Great. Give it here. Is there alcohol in this? I'll take two.

Noah rambling about his competitor's business success is nothing surprising and Calliope tries to find something in his words to care about, but it's just... fuck, it's just so hard to care about this. The only real thought she can come up with is one that she knows would be idiotic to say out loud: You know, if this place is doing that well then they're probably doing a lot more than selling beer and crappy food. Instead she pops a fry in her mouth and nods along with feigned empathy for his... financial struggles? What is this even about...

Turns out the fries aren't half bad. The beer is better.

"You'll have to try harder if you want to to claim credit for ruining my evening. Believe it or not," she waves a fry at him before tossing it into her mouth like playing a one woman carnival game, "there are people who suck more to talk to than you. Congrats." Reaching across the table for the ketchup, she unscrews the top and begins prying at the contents with a butter knife after shaking proves itself to be unsuccessful. She sighs. "The District Center?" The college. Government buildings. All of the top tier hospitals. Everything the District is known for, all shined with praise and glittering with respectability. Eying the nightclub owner seated across from her, she can't help smirking at the obvious contradiction of him and his apparent aspirations. "That is quite the setting for grand visions. I can't say that I have any plans in the works. Now that the rehab center is running smoothly, I've been trying to focus on other social issues facing the community."

borders m.i.a.

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