Cafeteria

[Gwendolyn Fisk]

Gwen entered into a large area with several counters and a few ovens against one wall. Along the opposite wall of the ovens there were a few snack machines. 

Maybe there's some food in them still.

As Gwen approached the machines she heard some scuffling behind one of the machine. She froze. After the days' events, several worst case scenarios played out in her mind.

It's a muttation. I'm going to die.

Gwen starts to back away slowly, the scuffling stopping after a couple steps. She continues to back away slowly.

[Cal Mensen]

Cal walks around the corner behind Gwen, having taken a little time to go exploring with Wren earlier. He tries to make his steps quiet enough not to startle her but loud enough not to sneak up on her. He eyes the source of the noise.

"Hey... it's been a little while. How have you been holding up?"

[Gwendolyn Fisk]

Gwen squeaks and turns, relief shows her face upon seeing Cal.

"You scared me. I think there's something behind those vending machines." She shuffles her feet at his question, "Oh, you know. Just trying to get through one life threatening situation after another." She grins at him, "Looks like you and Wren are getting along just fine these days. I'm a little curious to see what he wanted to ask you back there before he fell asleep."

[Cal Mensen]

Cal blushes at the mention of Wren's possible request. He had a few ideas, but he didn't want to make assumptions. Still, couldn't hurt to discuss them.
"Yeah... with all this life or death decisions and new dangers every day, you'd think the last thing on anyone's mind would be their future. But this calm we got today, I guess when you've got only a little time left, you let go of those fears and try and claim what's important."

Cal leans against the counter across from Gwen. He's been enjoying their time together with his friends, but with the day drawing to a close, he's reminded that this might be the last time he sees some of them. He looks up at Gwen, a warm look in his eyes.

"You know I still care about you, right? Today's been hard on a lot of us, but being here can't be easy for you. So... if you are hurting, if you're trying to keep anything down, I'm here if you need to talk. That and... I'm not sure if I'm going to have another opportunity to help you. You should try and reach Val at the Watchtower tomorrow."

[Wren Hartwood]

Cal had headed downstairs sooner than Wren, who had hung back to collect his thoughts. Wren tried his best not to think about tomorrow, or anything past the present moment, even. Things were as perfect as he could hope for in this mess of a war. Still, the pressure of asking for that pardon was in the back of Wren's mind. Was I foolish to even think I might have a chance? Am I setting Cal and the others up for disappointment? Couldn't we just run away, flee the Capitol before the war ends?

Wren came across what looked like a cafeteria, and heard voices. He poked his head in and saw Cal comforting Gwen. He smiled. Always taking care of everyone...bringing peace to any situation that calls for it. Wren didn't want to disturb them, so he continued down the hall, trying to keep his mind balanced with his euphoria of the present moment and the uncertainty of their future.

If I die tomorrow...at least my life ended on a great note. These past few days, while extremely stressful and violent, have also been some of the best I've ever had. Friends. Love. I'd never have found this in Seven...

Wren made his way quietly down the hall.

[Gwendolyn Fisk]

Gwen smiled at the blush that appeared on Cal's face, "Have to live life while you can, right? It's crazy to think that a week ago only one of us could have survived, but now..." she trailed off. Well, most of them could have a life. "What do you think is going to happen to you and Val? The rebels don't seem too keen on having Peacekeepers around, reformed or not. But with Millie's past... do you think she will really get a pardon for you?"

Gwen smiles back at Cal and couldn't help but go up to him and kiss him on the cheek. "I still care about you, too. To be honest, I wasn't so sure about the Val thing. All my past relationships back at 12 had been more about protection than actual love. I figured it wouldn't be all that different coming to the capitol." She leans on the counter next to Cal, "It seemed like it at first, but of all the things I prepared for on the way here, I didn't expect you." She smiled at Cal, "You caught me off guard. I wasn't prepared for it. So I let you slip by. Wren snatched you up, and then Val came along." Gwen's smile disappeared, "I want it to happen with her, that true love thing that people keep talking about. Besides, we've been together through this whole thing up until this point, it would only be fair to finish it together, right?"

Gwen pauses, letting the silence fill the air for a few moments. She bit her lip, "What if I do go to the watchtower tomorrow? What if she isn't there?"

[Cal Mensen]

Gwen mentioning the pardon drained the color from his face. He broke eye contact and thought of his words carefully, turning back to her.
"Me and Val... I think we're on the same page. Honestly, I don't think there's anything waiting for us once the Rebels win. They'll likely execute us. But... you and Wren. We do everything we can for you two, and our other friends and allies. And your hope, that there could be a way out for me and Val... it keeps us going. We can have a little faith in it, as long as you two have that hope."

With Gwen's kiss, Cal blushes and holds a hand to his cheek. He can't help but give her a small smile, listening to her journey of finding love. "I was curious, I didn't understand why you were reaching out to everyone. You had figured something out, and I wanted to learn what it was. I didn't expect you either, you had changed my world. I became more open, tried to appreciate the other tributes as people, just trying to live. It's what led me to Wren..."

His mind jumps to Wren, how intertwined his relationship with the two of them had ended up being. He took a deep breath, figuring now is the time to lay everything out.
"When Vester made his announcement, I thought because of who I was, I'd be putting you in danger. I didn't want to leave you, leave what we had found. I'm so happy we've both made it this far, makes me think there's a future for us all.

Wren fought, wouldn't accept that from me. I'm glad he did that, he's a big part of all of us being still alive. After realizing you and Val could have something, I didn't want to get in the way of that. It wouldn't be fair to Wren, you, or Val to have tried to pick up where we left off. I just... I wanted you to be happy, even if I wasn't a part of that."

Cal took Gwen's hand, fighting back tears. He looked into her eyes, leaving nothing hidden.
"I know Val's waiting for you, not just because she fought so hard not to leave. It'd be what I would do. And if she's isn't there tomorrow, you should be able to see her at the Market from there. You go and find her the next day, keep going until you've got her back."

[Gwendolyn Fisk]

Gwen was a bit crestfallen at Cal's thoughts about being pardoned. "There has to be something we can do, though," she said with determination. "There's always a way. We've come too far now to just let it to come to that. We'll figure out something."

Gwen felt warm at Cal's words and nods in understanding at his sudden exit back at the training center, "Well, I guess I'll have to thank Wren later for making you stick around. I was so happy to see you again that day in the watchtower. I thought I had lost you for good. I'm glad you're able to find happiness in him. Even if I don't entirely approve of it admittedly, but he's coming around. He has been a big part of us all getting through this."

Gwen grinned, "And I have you to thank for getting Val and I together. You pretty much pushed us together at that blackjack game. I'll admit, Val was dragging her feet for a while there."

Gwen squeezed Cal's hand and put her head on his shoulder. "I'm glad you have more faith in that than me, because if she isn't there, I'll come find you and hit you." As difficult as it is sometime for Gwen to believe in the whole "love and faith" thing, Cal's words were a comfort.

[Cal Mensen]

Cal was warmed at Gwen's determination, kind words and comforting actions.
"I told you, I would do my best to keep you safe. And I tried to follow your wish as best I can, still alive. I'm glad to have helped bring you two together, no reason why two people who want to be together shouldn't be."

He laughs at Gwen's last statement. "I suppose I'll have that coming for me if she gets cold feet."
He stops for a bit, taking in the moment they're having with each other. Cal rests his head against Gwen's, a relaxed smile on his face.

"Can we... can we just stay like this for a little while longer? Pretend like we had never left the hotel, forget the world for a bit?"

[Gwendolyn Fisk]

A contented sigh escaped from Gwen. "Yea. I'm more than okay with that." She let herself take in the present, being there was someone she cared for and trusted the most, because who knew what tomorrow would bring.