Second Drink

[wastheexample]

[Haymitch has finally decided that maybe, maybe, Peeta isn't crazy and they really are living in a magical castle with people from other worlds. Maybe. Of course, that doesn't mean he's not on his guard. Even if this is what people say, it doesn't mean Snow or any of his Capitol stooges couldn't show up and ruin everything. Given what Finnick told him about the future...well. Better to be safe than sorry.

And Haymitch was prepared to keep those kids safe rather than sorry at any cost.

And so, he's sitting in the Lux, occasionally glancing at the drink of whiskey he can't have until someone hands it to him, flicking through his journal pages. Eventually, he deigns to talk]

Okay. So let's say I'm more willing to buy this magical castle idea. I want to know more about it. What makes it tick. Some of you have been here for years, apparently, you must have learned something in all that time.

I'm sitting in the Lux, if you'd like to play sharetime. We can have a drink, learn a thing or two. It'll be fun.

Comments

[wastheexample]

[He'll take it...somewhat tentatively, returning the gesture]

I heard they like to mess with memories. [He has a bad feeling that's what's happened to Rue. But with Katniss mad as hell at him, he hasn't been able to broach the subject with her]

About a week.

[shepherdsveritas]

[He nods] Aye, it does. My brother fergot a few blokes from home.

[He scoffs and shakes his head] A week, aye? What've y'heard so far?

[wastheexample]

Not a whole lot, other than it's a 'magical' castle.

[shepherdsveritas]

Aye. 'sfucked up as that is. With wishes an' ghosts an' shite like that. Don't go fer th'wishin', meself. Though th'journals are pretty useful.

[wastheexample]

Journals are just a fancy communication device. I'm never going to be sold on the wishing thing, though.

[shepherdsveritas]

That's what I've been fuckin' sayin! [Connor orders another round, holding the glass out to Haymitch] Bein' able t'just wish fer stuff just isn't right.

[wastheexample]

[Best friend, Haymitch takes it] And people around here seem to think it's just fine. Personally, I think they have more than a few screws loose.

[shepherdsveritas]

[It would be a sad day if an Irishman withheld booze from ANYONE. He shakes his head]

Some've 'em are arrite, but some've 'em are batshit fuckin' insane. Have y'met any've th'demons, yet? [He shudders] I'm tellin' ya, that was a weird fuckin' experience.

[He pulls out his pack of cigarettes, slipping one out and lighting it.]

[wastheexample]

...What the hell are demons? [Religion? Pah, gone foreeeevveerrr]

[shepherdsveritas]

Demons? Y'know, spawn've Satan? Residents've Hell? Go 'bout causin' trouble an' tryin' t'temp people t'do evil an' turn away from God?

[What? Have you been living under a rock?]

[wastheexample]

[Blank look]

Nope. Not got a clue what you're talking about.

[shepherdsveritas]

[Mutters] Fuckin' castle

Arrite. I'm guessin' yer not gonna want a whole course on' religion an' shite so let's jus' say they're s'posed t'be evil bein's an' do bad shite t'people.

[wastheexample]

...Okay. We generally have our government to cover that for us.

[shepherdsveritas]

[he raises an eyebrow.]

It really that bad?

[wastheexample]

That bad and worse.

[shepherdsveritas]

[He whistles, shaking his head] Sorry t'hear that. I won't pry, 'less y'wanna talk 'bout it. But I know more'n some that there're some things y'just don't talk 'bout.

[wastheexample]

Not without more alcohol, anyway.

[shepherdsveritas]

Well y'll get no shortage've that 'round me, trust me. [he laughs] We Irishmen've got an entire holiday dedicated t'spendin' th'whole day drinkin'.

Anytime y'want a drink jus' ask me, arrite? I'll help y'out.

[wastheexample]

A whole holiday dedicated to drinking? The world really did lose something special.

I'll bear that in mind, thanks.

[shepherdsveritas]

Aye. 's called St. Patrick's Day. Comin up soon, actually.

[He gives the man a nod.] Lord knows I've done 'nuff've it meself since I've been here.