paradisa | Third drink

[Okay, so they want to talk. This is the message that Haymitch is getting from his tributes. So he will talk to them. Not about everything, oh no. There are some things he needs to keep to himself. As much as they hate him for lying to them, for keeping things from them, there are certain things best left unsaid.

Peeta didn't need to know what the Capitol would turn him into, for example. Katniss didn't need to know what her loss was. Neither of those things would help them, and only cause them further angish. And as much as Haymitch hated to admit it, he loved them too much to do that to them if he didn't have to.

So, he decided he would tell them what he could say. What, honestly, he should have told them both a long time ago, anyway. To explain, exactly, why he did what he did. Why he didn't trust the Capitol even a little bit. Why he would go to such upsetting, aggravating lengths to keep them from knowing the full picture of the rebellion.

To keep them from falling into the cage the Capitol had thrown him into]

You two want answers? Fine, we three are going to have a nice, happy sit down in my room and talk about all the horrible things we try to never talk about. It'll be fun. Just like old times.

You can bring something for me to drink and leave your angtsy teenage drama issues at the door, so you can at least try to occupy the same space for a while without me wanting to start playing the world's smallest violin.

You can come or you can not bother. But I'm not going to feel like saying this again, so it's now or never. Your choice.

[[ooc: Spoilers for all the Hunger Games books ever in this entry. ALL OF THEM. Avert thine eyes if thoust wishes to remain spoiler free]]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[When Katniss saw this filter, her first impulse had been exactly what one would have expected. To slam the journal shut and ignore it forever. Because Haymitch Abernathy was someone she was more than done with dealing with. No matter what, he only brought aggravation and frustration. Lies, secrets, games. Her life was her own, and she was going to prove it.

But there was something about those words that resonated with her even long after she'd shut the journal. It's now or never. Your choice. There was a part of her, a deep-buried part, that was willing to give this a shot. To see, even if she might've known better, if he truly had the answers she wanted.

And so that's how she's here where she is now, standing in front of his door, in spite of everything she's sworn to herself. Maybe hating herself a little.]

[HE CAN HEAR ANGSTING OUT THERE.

WHAT DID HE TELL YOU ABOUT ANGSTING]

[AND HERE COMES SOME MORE ANGST.

This is what he had asked for. Peeta had been elated when he had received the message.

So Peeta clangs around the corner, carrying a bottle of whiskey and two glass bottles of Coke. He slows as he approaches Katniss at the door.]

...Hey.

[THEY'RE GOING TO EXPLODE WITH ANGST AT THIS POINT.

It's a testament to just how lost in her thoughts Katniss is that Peeta's approach startles her slightly. How unsettled she is by so many things. This isn't the kind of change in environment that would usually go unnoticed by a hunter, and besides, Peeta's steps are usually the loudest and most obvious of them all. Yet...--

She recovers and turns toward him, quietly letting her eyes take in the sight for a few moments before replying.]

Hey. [... Honestly, what else is there to say at this point?]

[He gives her a soft smile.]

Let's see what he has to say.

[Peeta puts the bottle of whiskey under his arm, raising his fist and rapping on the door a few times.]

[And look, Haymitch is about as close to 'sober' as he can get without going into those horrific screaming withdrawls as he opens the door.

Of course, he's going to change that with the booze offering, but hey, at least he made something like an effort]

I could hear you two angsting from inside my room. [Hi] Come on then, let's get this over with before I have second thoughts.

[He'll just wander into his crapsack of a room and slump on a chair, waiting for them to follow him. Try not to step on any broken glass guys]

[If Katniss was starting to have second thoughts about coming here, she didn't have time to act on them before Peeta took the initiative. He was knocking on the door, and Haymitch was opening it, before she could barely even blink.

Well, good, let him handle this. Reasoning With Haymitch was never exactly a top skill on her resume, after all.

She lets that comment slide, even if it does cause something of an irritated look to flash over her face, instead opting to wordlessly slip into the room behind Haymitch. As she takes in her surroundings, she can't help but note that this room is (unsurprisingly) as much of a mess as his house in the Victor's Village was. Broken glass crunches under her boot with practically every step as she moves around this shithole.]

[Peeta follows them both into the room. His nose crinkles up at the state of the room. He should have come here sooner. At least it seems like Haymitch is trying. He sets one of the coke bottles down, offering the bottle of alcohol to Haymitch with one hand and offering the bottle of soda to Katniss with the other. He glances at Katniss with another gentle smile.]

It's soda. Pretty sugary, but pretty good. Take small sips.

[It seemed Haymitch had decided to decline the ghosts attempts at cleaning his room. Probably best to wish that Hazelle got here fast. Or maybe a small tornado. Both would probably have much the same effect.

Haymitch takes the bottle from Peeta, taking a deep swig, before kicking out a pair of chairs for them to sit on]

Yeah. Wouldn't want her high on sugar now. [He nods at the chairs] Sit down. You're not going to like this.

Third drink

no subject

no subject

no subject

OH HI I AM HERE ... /blush

Sorry, I should've told you. I forgot you wouldn't get a notif

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject