dethrone trauma | romily & mackenzie

This far into the Statue Gardens, it's difficult to shake the feeling of eeriness. Melancholy clings to everything here, sorrow and stone and silence. It lingers in the air like an omen. Black cats and spilled salt, dead teenagers trapped inside their most unfortunate moments. This is her first time visiting this place, and truthfully, she can't imagine willingly returning. Nothing about the scenery excites her. Walking through the history of the Games, era after era, the tragedy remains the same. One lone statue is left to stand above all the destruction. It still feels terribly somber.

For several minutes now, she has pressed ahead in search of Mackenzie Pryce. Throughout the years, he has been prone to his lapses in responsibility, but today is the first day that Romily has felt the need to personally fetch him from his escapades. Why he of all people would choose this destination, she can't be sure, but when it comes to him she tries not to press too deep. There is a careful layer of ice between them, ringing a beautiful melody with every step closer, but there's a fragileness that can't be ignored. She will not charge into this. He's a victor, and she's an escort, and Seven must be so proud of them for finding their way here.

When she finally discovers him standing in the memory of what must be the worst days of his life, she allows him the good grace of not disturbing the silence for a half minute. And then she clears her throat, announces her presence gently, giving him the space to process her joining him. "Your interview began over twenty minutes ago." She doesn't say this cruelly, or with judgment. The truth cannot be avoided. "I tried to stall, but you know this is pushing it." More words form on her tongue, urgency to get up and get going, but she swallows down her anxiety.

Mist curls around his ankles, the greenery of the arena seems to thrive here, tree branches swaying in the breeze. Here, he is the king, and she wonders how he has coped with this fact. Curiosity sinks its teeth in her, a deadline missed and no way to remedy that. The repercussions will come for them no matter where they run. "Who is this?" she asks finally, ignoring the situation on their hands and gesturing to the statue looming across from him. If he has a story to tell, then she will listen gladly.