Fresh Air

[Millie Cartwright]

Millie knew that she could actually leave through the front door and pass the energy barriers that the tributes couldn't but something about the chilly night air on the rooftop made her feel quite comfortable right now.

It had only been two years ago she had been joking around on this very rooftop before the creation of the Primrose Accord. After the creation things got...well...a bit more complicated. There hadn't been as much time to just relax.

Plus this roof top was quieter than the hustle and bustle of the Capitol even at this time of night.

"I hope this actually works..." she thought to herself, "Because if it doesn't I'm pretty sure Vester will make sure I never get another chance."

"Guess I better enjoy this fresh air while I can," she said to no one and breathed deeply of the cool night air.

[Gwendolyn Fisk]

Gwen was lucky enough to have caught a glimpse of Millie heading to the roof. She figured this was as good a chance as she was going to get to talk to her. She stood back a bit at first. She was getting too eager. She just never thought that there would be a taste of anything mildly interesting happening other than the typical backstabbing and people wanting to kill each other to win. She had to be careful.

Gwen checked out Millie before deciding to approach. Well, if I don't get any information then there's no harm in me trying anything else.

"My, who is this attractive specimen that happens to prefer the solitude of a rooftop?"

[Valeria DeMasque]

Val climbed up the ladder to the roof, "When the heck are we gonna have that smoke break?" she sighed.

Reaching the top of the roof she noticed Gwen approaching a red headed girl apparently enjoying the night air.

"Hello Gwen," She said smiling, "who's our new friend?"

[Millie Cartwright]

Letting out her breath Millie heard two sets of footsteps approaching from behind her. "Peacekeepers?" she thought.

Spinning around she saw two women, one brunette and one blue haired.

"My, who is this attractive specimen that happens to prefer the solitude of a rooftop?"

"Flirting?" she thought to herself, "in the last two years she had seen several tributes use it as a form of deception. It caught people off guard. Flattery had a way of lowering people's defenses." "But then," she admitted to herself, "immanent death has a way of making people seek out any human connection they can find."

"Hello Gwen," She said smiling, "who's our new friend?"

The other girl seemed to be much the same. They both had a positive aura around them, that was for sure, but Millie didn't know if she could trust that.

"That said," Millie thought to herself, "the way it looks so far even the peacekeepers will be fighting for their lives out there. Maybe even they would seek a revolution." Internally she made a decision, "I need to not worry as much about trust right now. I need to spread seeds of hope and hopefully some primroses will grow out of it."

"Heya!" she said smiling, "I'm Millie but I'm sure you know that."

"Care to share a rooftop with me?" she added motioning to the concrete expanse around her.

[Wren Hartwood]

Satisfied with his ability to snag some cigarettes, Wren knew he'd better smoke them outside somewhere. He headed to the rooftop. Shit. There's Millie. I haven't even heard from her in days. Maybe she's given up on us...

He thought about just smoking alone, hoping to be unseen. But Gwen was right in her interview, why not enjoy your last few minutes to the fullest? Anything was better than nothing-which was what he had back home.

He took one out for himself and called to Val as he tossed her the pack. "Yo Val, heard you've been looking for these!"

His eyes shifted to Millie and Gwen. "Mind if I join? Sulking in the hallway got lame real fast."

[Gwendolyn Fisk]

Gwen was glad that Val had joined. She always felt much more comfortable with her around. "Don't mind if we do, Millie. We haven't been properly introduced yet. I'm Gwen." She turned at the sound of another familiar voice. "Sulking? You? Can't imagine. Whyever would you do that? Inevitable death starting to get to you?" Gwen grinned in a playful manner.

[Millie Cartwright]

"Oh hello Wren," Millie said smiling upon the arrival of a familiar face, "I was just being introduced to Gwen and Val here."

"Girls this is Wren," she laughed a little, "but I'm sure you already know him. Him and his friends Sharlot and Eloise share similar...ideals as me."

"The interview was tonight wasn't it?" she said matter of factly while looking around at the vestiges of makeup on all of their faces, "are you here to blow off steam or were you looking for me in particular?"

[Wren Hartwood]

Wren had lit up a cigarette, inhaled, and burst into a coughing fit just as Millie spoke to him. "Eck. Sorry. First time. Obviously..." He looked shamefully at the ground. "Just looking for a quiet place and some last minute vices to clear my head. I'm afraid there's been far too much going on up in there lately, which led to some over-friendly attempts at socializing and some sulking." He took another drag. This time it felt nice.

"And yes, interviews were tonight. I feel kinda bad about mine. Honestly, I thin the lights and cameras and thought of sponsors just got to my head. I mean, I'm mostly sorry I hurt that kid at home, but then again I think I had to do it for him to stop being such an ass. Sometimes you just have to face your enemy head on, right?"

He looked around at Gwen and Val. He'd watched their interviews backstage. "Erm. Great interviews, both of you. Heh. Gwen, you were...well, Cesar didn't stand a chance." Wren blushed every so slightly.
" And Val, you said something that was basically reading my mind when I was sulking in the hallway, and something I've said to Eloise-about how it doesn't really matter who's what. Do you really feel that way?" He looked at Val, with a side glance to Millie.

[Holly Edison]

Post interview Holly wanted nothing more than to breathe. Her gown had been restrictive and the overly dramatic performances she'd been forced to give and watch from the other tributes and Cesar were exhausting. Having changed into more comfortable clothes for the evening, she made her way up to the roof for some fresh air.

"Oh, seems I'm not the only one who wanted to step away from the glamour and fuss."

She was glad to see Val and Gwen, familiar faces. Still haven't made up my mind about him.

Catching Millie's eye she strode over and introduced herself.

"I'm Holly, you've been quite the popular topic recently, Millie. It's nice to finally meet you."

[Wren Hartwood]

Although Holly didn't directly speak to Wren, her glance toward him confirmed what he'd bee stressing about earlier that night-thoughts that had led to him stealing cigarettes and smoking. Why does everyone hate me?

Wren tried not to look offended and didn't want to make Holly too uncomfortable, so he simply stepped aside, took another drag on his cigarette, which he had realized contained cloves, and gave Holly a polite nod.

It was somewhat convenient that he was on the roof with this selection of girls. He'd wanted to get to know Val, Gwen, and Holly, but wasn't sure how to go about it. He thought they were all very strong and admired them each a bit, but was still unsure about where their loyalties lied. Maybe Millie being there would be helpful for him, since they'd talked a bit before.

[Holly Edison]

Seeing Wren's uncharacteristically mellow greeting Holly could tell Wren was probably feeling a bit out of place and unwelcome. Not as chipper as usual. It's not my fault my face just looks like this. Maybe he's just sensitive. Val and Gwen certainly knew nothing was the matter but nonetheless she needed to make an effort. Despite the considerable effort she'd exerted already this evening smiling for the cameras she took a breath and purposefully smiled broadly at everyone.

"Hello, again, Wren. It's beautiful out here, and I guess it was pretty quiet. What's everyone up to?"

[Wren Hartwood]

Wren was somewhat surprised Holly turned to talk to him. But he was glad she was willing to, even if it was out of pity. He'd just been excluded his whole life-and turns out, now his life depends on being somewhat included.

"H-hey Holly. Looks like you had the same idea as the rest of us-just trying to escape the fuss and grab some air... I've personally had a rough evening so I'm taking a stab at having a smoke. It's...alright. Not as soothing as I'd hoped, but the clove flavor is nice. Want one?" Wren gestured towards Val, who had (hopefully) caught the pack he tossed at her as he greeted them earlier.

"Can I be completely honest?" Wren was done with bullshit. They were running out of time, and he had so much going on in his head he was about to explode. The smoking didn't help as much as he'd hoped.

"I've wanted to talk to each of you, actually. Maybe it's fate you're all up here. You're all so strong and impressive. But ever since I saw you guys drinking during the feast, I've been a bit...intimidated by you all. Our time's running out, so I just thought I'd throw that out there. In case any of us died thinking we didn't leave an impression. You're all pretty impressive." He tried his best at smiling, but blushed and had to look down at the ground to hide it.

[Holly Edison]

"Well, thank you." Holly laughed at how nervous he seemed. Because he's actually a little awkward or something else?

"Careers train for a long time, as for Gwen and Val they're pretty impressive ladies I agree." Holly threw the girls a wink and continued. "We just happened to get along, there's no reason to be intimidated by anyone here until we're in the Arena. It's peacetime and you should try to enjoy it. And besides, if you think we're impressive it's only because we've had a chance to show off our physical strengths for the most part. Plenty other tributes are keeping their wits and other talents hidden. For all you know, we three are bumbling idiots compared to others."

[Wren Hartwood]

Wren smiled. "Heh. That would make me feel even worse, if you three aren't the top of the pack, I'd be dead meat for sure." Wren swallowed hard after that sentence. The thought of 'dead meat' and killing animals for food was enough to make his stomach churn, let alone killing other people. Maybe he was weak. Maybe the inability to kill anything with a heartbeat was a sign of weakness, like Demetri had said. But maybe his beating of his classmate was some hint at strength? Wren shook the thoughts away, put out his cigarette under his boot, and leaned in towards Holly, since the other girls didn't seem to be participating in the conversation yet.

What if peacetime could continue into the games? Do you think that's possible? Would you be open to that, or would the 'career' in you kill to win? I just don't like the thought of innocent people dying...

[Holly Edison]

Bracing herself against the low wall surrounding the roof, Holly looked at the ground and scowled.

She turned to allow Millie to hear them. She'd spoken with some tributes and was fairly certain Millie had the better idea she had been hoping for. 

"You'd do better to not make assumptions on the motivations of others, kiddo. Careers join for all kinds of reasons, and not all of them are motivated by blood lust and personal glory alone. I'm not here to kill people for fun, its a means to an end. If there is a better means or a better end, I'm open to it. But don't be naive, people are going to die. I've been speaking to a lot of tributes in the last few days and some just don't seem interested in a happy ending. Until the field narrows and then only if people are willing to band together... I don't see more than one of us making it out alive."
 

Breaking her focus, she kicked at a loose pebble on the ground and chuckled. 

"It's chance too, any one of us no matter how prepared could enter the arena and find we die from loose footing or bad luck. You never know. Really, it's not about who is impressive now. Look at Seth Judkins. No one thought he'd last very long."

[Wren Hartwood]

"That's a fair point. All we can really hope for is good luck, I guess. I heard someone had bad luck like 6 times in a row and lost their last chance so they died. And I've heard Seth's name mentioned a lot...I guess I'd better brush up on his footage before tomorrow." 

Wren decided Millie might be helpful and decided to include her as well.
"Sorry for assuming. Some of us...might be banding together. We're small, though. It would take more bodies agreeing to a common goal for anything like that to work, but some of us are hopeful...Millie's in on it. Without giving too much away, the words "no one dies" have been brought up and discussed. Realistically, that's not possible. We know. But we're hoping to save several lives. Somehow.

[Holly Edison]

"I haven't spent a lot of time studying the games to be honest, Careers tend to follow them as they happen. Unless the previous victor would be playing it isn't as though you can gain new insight into future foes, they're all dead. But, you can learn from a plethora of mistakes, I suppose."

"Like I said, Wren. I'm interested to know more. I'd prefer not killing too, I'm just prepared to do it if necessary. If that's self defense and nothing more, so be it. But I can't agree to a course of action I don't know. Someone is going to have to give up some details eventually. Trust is a two way street. If you want me on your side, you're going to have to tell me what side that is and what they intend to do."

She picked at some of the crumbling concrete around her looking out over the city. 

[Wren Hartwood]

"That's true. And honestly, I've probably done more chatting with videos playing in the background than actually studying the videos in there, anyway. It helps to be flexible and adapt to whatever's thrown your way." Wren looked out over the city. The lights were amazing. It's so much brighter here than back home.

Bringing back the Primrose Accord -now Phoenix Accord. Most of us agree that "no one dies" means only attack those who attack us or are a threat to our cause. We might aim to end the Games for good, if that's at all possible. My personal feelings are that peacekeepers or tributes don't matter as long as they believe in the accord. Millie and Eloise would also be good sources of info if you need more. I know Eloise has wanted to ask you if you're interested. There are currently 3 of us, with Millie mentoring. We might add Cal.

[Gwendolyn Fisk]

Gwen caught herself staring rather intensely at Millie while the others talked. She had hoped to talk to her a bit more privately, but how private can you get with twenty-four other people wandering around. She snapped out of it when she caught Holly wink her way. She grinned. Was she starting to rub off on people?

Gwen snagged the cigarette out of Wren's hand and took a long drag, letting the smoke out slowly.

"What do you guys think awaits us out in the arena?" Gwen glanced pointedly in Millie's direction. She was more so curious to hear what she had to say. "I personally hope we get cuddle attacked by a bunch of puppies."

[Wren Hartwood]

Wren felt the question was more directed at Millie, so he just thought in his head. Probably some combination of things, moving platforms, something terrible...

"Hey Gwen, on a non-game note: heard things got intimate with Cal. How was that?" Wren teased.

[Gwendolyn Fisk]

Gwen handed the cigarette back to Wren and winked.

"He's quite... acrobatic."

[Wren Hartwood]

There seemed to be a lot of winking going on. Must be the cool night air.

Heh. Nice. So, getting romantic or just throwing yourself at people? Can't tell if there are feelings involved. That might complicate things in the games, you know.

[Holly Edison]

"Honestly, I have no idea what to expect. It could be anything. I don't want to get myself worked up about an idea or two and let that distract me from being open and ready for anything. Knowing Vester, it will probably be something we'd never guess 

"I've spoken a bit with Eloise, and she's said similar things. And I agree Peacekeepers may be less of a worry than everyone thinks. Once we're out there, their lives are on the line too. Even if the Capitol is directing them somehow, I think they'd be likely to defect to save their own skins. No matter how devoted you are to the Capitol self preservation will kick in for at least some of them. I think I'd like to join you, is there somewhere we can go to discuss strategy? You must have a safe place to talk. I heard rumors of a meeting room in the library that's safe from prying Capitol eyes. Should we go there?"

[Gwendolyn Fisk]

Gwen bristled a bit at the mention of her throwing herself at people. It made her sound desperate. She was flirtatious because it was fun, yes, and that was the impression she knew she would have to deal with. She was going to take the benefit of the doubt and think he didn't mean it maliciously. "I don't quite know. It is a dangerous thing, but there's something about him." She smiled.

[Gwendolyn Fisk]

Gwen turned to Holly, "So we think up of everything we can think of so then he can't surprise us because we had already thought of everything! Perfect plan, eh?" Gwen waggled her eyebrows comically.