a sort of welcome // [Colgate & Flynn]

[Sunrise Rainier D2 // [Thundy]]

Colgate.

Another year, another loss.

Not that he’s much for data, but Col’s pretty sure Nine’s the District that’s gone the longest without another victor. The thought tears at him on the best of days, and he tries not to see the scathing looks from the people who hold it against him. Everyone wants someone to blame their troubles on, and there are a hell of a lot of families in Nine that need someone to blame. If they start blaming shit on the Capitol, well, that’ll bring trouble. Colgate’s the next best thing, and he guesses he deserves it.

It’s taken him a while, but he’s gotten used to not blaming the other victors, at least. Mentally, he blames the Capitol, but he only says that kinda stuff in whispers with his family. Perhaps that’s why the relationship with Cordelia was so rocky -- it was hard to reconcile the part of himself that wanted love with the part of himself that saw her as a Capitolite through-and-through.

(But it was sort of his fault, too. He knows he’s not an easy person to be around, not after everything.)

So he’s been doing what he can to hang in there. It’s been 20-some years since he won his Games, and falling out of the public eye has been a godsend. Well, at least in regards to the Capitolites who like their news stories. He’s never going to be out of the public eye in District Nine, not when he’s the only Victor they’ve had for as long as some people have been alive. Some current victors weren’t even born when he won. Colgate will let them have the attention; he’s over it.

Still, he’s always curious about the new victors that arrive on the train. This year’s is named Flynn Garner. He’s from Six, and he’s got that same war-torn kinda look that they’ve all got. When the Capitol lackies are parading him around for the good of the District (or whatever the purpose is of these demonstrations), Col decides that he’ll try to be welcoming instead of indifferent.

He gets his chance after the speeches and the obnoxious publicity act. Col’s not entirely sure this is allowed, but he does it anyway -- he strides toward the victor and his entourage once they've exited the stage set up before the Justice Building.

”I’m Colgate,” he says, nodding politely at the boy and then at his team. ”Victor from the 66th Games. Do you have time before you have to be off to the next District?”


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ooc: sorry, no formatting today, as my internet is Going Through It and I didn't trust it to open another page

[d6a georgie cham 🍓🐢 frankel]

♕

Four districts in and I am so over the script they have given me. It is the same thing over and over again, with names changed and a few sentences tweaked here and there. ”No, you can’t say that Flynn.” I tried to make it more personal in Eleven and Ten, for Langley and Revan. But no, that is not allowed. Only the words of ‘my allies,’ like that is anything sentimental to commemorate the two who basically got me here. At least in District Nine, there is no connection here really, other than Fridae Drummond who threatened me. No offence to her, I am sure she was a lovely person like the speech says but there is nothing in Nine for me compared to the other Districts that are about to roll by.

Everything has been moving so quickly since we arrived in Nine, one event after another on a schedule with no end. It is impossible to breathe. It is impossible to not act like a robot that has words programmed into it. It is so dull here but at least it is the calm before the storm of District Eight, Lorraine territory.

After the speeches, the faces of those that have escorted me all this way gather by the stage. Spewing chatter, planning the next move for our little entourage. I am just left to listen, left to keep my mouth shut and nod to everything that is said. I knew none of this would be fun. It is not meant to be. I have been cut of all freedoms; I am just a little showpiece for the next few days. The price paid for me being in District Nine rather than a new fresh victor to join that Colgate guy.

”Victor from the 66th Games. Do you have time before you have to be off to the next District?”

That Colgate guy is so tall. His towering frame compares to Revan’s. The group and I turn to the older victor, the chatter turns to a mini debate, deciding whether they can free me to spend a few moments with a victor. The sixty sixth was over twenty years ago. This guy must be so much older, even older than Teddy. ”Uhh…” I wait for the cue from anyone. I would not mind breaking free, even if its for a few minutes. ”They said yes. As long as I am not long and don’t go too far.” I say, stepping closer to the taller victor. ”What is it you want to do, old man?”

[kiah]