10th Design [accidental voice/video]

[threadthefire]

[This is Cinna.
This is Cinna reading the network. It's silent as the realization finally dawns on him.
This is Cinna dropping the network device and the sound of his receding footsteps and a shout, barely heard before the door slams shut.]

Rue? Finnick!

[The device remains silent before it times out, only to click on again, much later. This time you can see Cinna, sitting in his living room, deceptively calm.]

Greetings, City. If I may, a moment of your time.

It's come to my attention that a rather peculiar Game is being played today. It's a popular one back home, and I simply can't resist playing along so tell me, should one want to sponsor one of our noble and talented Tributes, who should I talk to?

And if you're interested in sponsoring anyone, I have several suggestions I'd like to make, you won't be sorry.

After all, some bets never change.

[ooc: Back-dated to early this morning, just after Katniss' post. Also, he responses might be strange and vague - he's going into Capitol mode and you just don't scream about rescuing people in public at times like these.]

Comments

[Action]

[threadthefire.livejournal.com]

[Pinching the bridge of his nose, Cinna speaks in a measured tone.]

Would I be asking you where they were if I'd seen them on my way in? Katniss is gone, there's... there's a curse on.

[Action]

[protects-her.livejournal.com]

[Something about that very even tone catches his attention, making him perk up a little. But only a little.]

They might be at the bakery...I haven't been going in lately, but. [A pause.] Katniss is gone, too?

[Action]

[threadthefire.livejournal.com]

Yes. Apparently...[breathe in, breathe out, pass Finnick the network device.] The Hunger Games have come to the City. Katniss is in. If Rue and Peeta aren't at the bakery...

[Action]

[protects-her.livejournal.com]

[He looks it over, brow furrowing slightly as he takes it in, face gradually going pale.]

They wouldn't. Not this. Not this far.

[Action]

[threadthefire.livejournal.com]

[Cinna's rooting through your clothing, looking for something that screams professional, dapper and trustworthy. As he finds things, he sets them out for Finnick.] I'm assuming they would, can and have taken it this far. And if we're lucky, we can sponsor them, get them things. Maybe more than back...

[He pauses, breathes again.] You need to look your best, we need to get them support.

[Action]

[protects-her.livejournal.com]

[He stares from the device to Cinna and then back again; this isn't one of his better days at the moment, and it's still taking him a bit to fully process everything. The games? Here? And the three of them--like the Quell all over again?]

Sponsors. For...where is it? The arena, is it the whole City?

[Action]

[threadthefire.livejournal.com]

I have no idea, I saw Katniss' post and came over here. I don't want to talk to anyone until we have some sort of plan.

[He doesn't like this anymore than Finnick. He hates it, matter of fact. The idea of it, that it's followed them here.] At least it's a curse, we know it will end tomorrow or the next day.

[Action]

[protects-her.livejournal.com]

Two days. It'd be one of the shortest Games on record.

[Keep them alive for two days. It's only two days. He can handle that, can't he? Even if he's not as skilled as Mags, he can handle that much, can't he?]

Does Katniss have a bow?

[Action]

[threadthefire.livejournal.com]

[Cinna checks the device.] I don't see it. I'll as if she needs anything. If she knows where one is, we might be better off getting her something else.

[He looks Finnick up and down.] I'm sorry. I wish we had the time for this to be easier. But we need the Finnick the toast of the Capitol today, not what you've been the last week. Get up, get a shower, get dressed.

[He manages a wry smile.] This will be a change, it's usually Haymitch we're dragging out of bed. You smell better.

[Action]

[protects-her.livejournal.com]

That's where we start, then. Peeta's strong and Rue's quick, but...they're not fighters. Not the way Katniss is. Not the way I've seen her shoot.

[He runs his hands over his face and up into his hair, pushing it back as he tries to pull himself together. Then, after a minute, he rolls out of bed and gets to his feet, turning to face Cinna as he mumbles under his breath:]

Darling of the Capitol, huh? ...Yeah. Okay. Yeah.

[And then, like witnessing a transformation, his posture relaxes into a casual, confident stance; a hint of a grin tugs at the corner of his lips, and his eyes seem alive with a light that hasn't shown in them for a week as he leans in a little and drawls his next words.]

Darling enough?

[Action]

[threadthefire.livejournal.com]

Shower and change, then we'll find out, won't we?

[He scans the Network device again before heading out of the bedroom.]

I'll see what else I can discover while I wait.