Gardens

[Ashton "Ash" Jenson]

Ash flew in through the back gate into the gardens shuffling her hair and giving herself some last minute grooming. She then strode towards a small bar near mansion entrance.

"Late as always, Ms. Ashton?" Chuckled the bartender and the he began to make her a drink.

Ash smiled coyly, "Still working here, Barry? Just kidding, you know I love having you here." The two of them laughed and then Barry pushed a red cocktail towards her.

"Mulled Wine. I'll never understand why you do that to perfectly good wine."

Ash laughed, "It's an acquired taste and I like having a lemon in my drink." She sipped the wine girlishly and handed over her money. Barry's face went blank.

"You're kidding, right? I don't want your money, get that away from me!" But, Ash continued to insist, reaching over the bar and practically forcing the money into Barry's hand. "Alright, fine! If you insist! But, don't you have somewhere to be, Ash Jenson?"

Ash's shoulder's slumped. "Probably...and quite making fun of my pen name, it's awesome." Barry chuckled, then poured two shots of whiskey. Ash gave a small smile and the two took their shots. "Thanks, it'll help with this whole pretending to like people I don't give a shit about syndrome I have."

"Always my pleasure, Ashton."

Ashton walked towards the mansion and then suddenly turned on her heel. "You know, I think I'll give this a minute to kick in." She called at Barry and headed over to sit by the garden fountain.

[Alicia Swather]

Alicia finally joined the party. Her stylist had spent two hours just trying to pick out a "Shocking, but unnoticeable" color of blush.

She ordered a strong drink with ice and stood out in the rose garden where all of the adults stood smoking and drinking and making conversation. Alicia walked over to a group congregated by the fountain.

"God I could kill for a cigarette," she said. "Any chance I could borrow one of those?"

[Ashton "Ash" Jenson]

As always, a group of people were drawn to Ash. She nervously sipped her wine and made pleasant conversation.

"God I could kill for a cigarette. Any chance I could borrow one of those?"

Ash furrowed her brows in thought. "Me too." She rummaged in her bag and pulled out two black vaporizers and turned towards the voice. It was the female tribute from District 11. Ash gave a small smile with the side of her mouth. "Hey there, it's Alicia, right? How's the capital been treating you?" Ash took a drag and the end of the black stick lite up a bright red.

[Alicia Swather]

Alicia examined the black vaporizer. "What is this?" She asked and casually took a puff.

"It's interesting here. You all certainly know how to put on a show. It must be kind of fun to take a traumatic experience and decorate it with icing and candles. And I'm not knocking you guys, I mean it. I'm seriously impressed."

She took another pull from the strange cigarette. She really was impressed.

[Ashton "Ash" Jenson]

Ash eyed Alicia as she took another drag from the vaporizer. "I admire how you are adjusting, no one wants a cry baby. Seems like you understand how to keep the show rolling." Ash looked off into the distance as she breathed in the vapors.

"You know, it would be nice to have a strong female lead this year in the games. Do you think you're up for it?"

[Alicia Swather]

"Crybaby? Excuse me for getting a little emotional for being robbed of my daughter. There's no way I'm not going home. Nobody gets between a mother and her child. You all want me to play your Game? I'll play it. I'll kill them all."

Alicia stormed out of the garden, pocketing the vaporizer.