fallen angels {charade; blitz}

She was waiting for the day where she'd wake up one morning in the Capitol and it will be completely empty, where she can roam the halls without fear of running into Leon, or Peridot or Topaz (not like that would happen, they weren't even around). At the same time, however, that day would signify another end, and the beginning of a fretful year where she'd have to sort her shit out at home and suffer the many glares and looks of others in the district. At least she didn't have to talk to her family, that was one of the biggest positives to come from all of this. Even though they had a victor daughter, she was still a disgrace to the family, the only victor from the district to deny her home future stars.

But that would end, she hoped, and that train of brutal thought that had begun to make her life a living hell in her home had ended thanks to Katelyn. She smiled warmly at the younger girl, before stretching forwards to offer the girl the rose she had brought with her. "Yes, I haven't gotten around to starting a garden again at home, but I started one here last games." Moving beside Katelyn she pulled out a chair, before settling herself down. "And I have to agree," she grimaced, thinking back to last night. Just the thought had her stifling a yawn, last nights escapade through the training centre had left its mark. "You've done so well, I'm proud of you."

She couldn't begin to imagine what was going through Katelyn's head. It wasn't hard to picture it, seeing as the last time a district ran a streak as grand as this, well, it hadn't ended well. District Twelve had done the same thing, and now, there hadn't been a single Victor from that district for a lot of years. The next coming years was going to be extremely difficult for Katelyn, her chances of obtaining another victor for her district were becoming slimmer and slimmer. "I could teach you how to grow some plants." She reached forwards, grabbing a strawberry tart. They looked awesome.

"Yes," she laughed, before grabbing a cup of tea, and slipping it over to Katelyn. "Okay so, we went really deep last time, so I figured we should probably get to know each other a little better, just before we disappear." The tea cup was china, it was a floral design, the pattern danced around the edges of the cup. They were the prettiest designs she had seen in the Capitol. "Don't be a stranger," she tilted her head to look up to Katelyn. "Especially not after everything." Bringing the cup t her lips she takes a sip, her grin, bright as she glanced at Katelyn.

Her face flushed, as Katelyn responded, realising exactly who she'd said that to. "Yes, that's true, perhaps I could learn a few tricks of the trade, as did from Potato." She laughed, for once the sound of his name left little more then a stabbing ache. She could speak it without dissolving into a mess. Progress, she thought, shitty, crappy progress, but perhaps that meant soon she'd be able to tell Ky about him without breaking down. Yet, some part of her feared the day when his name wouldn't leave more then a longing mark on her soul, she didn't want to lose that pain, it was the only way she knew how to remember what it had been.

Opal looked down at her own tea, nibbling at the edge of the tart, it was delicious, and she was tempted to ask Katelyn how to make them. But she resisted the urge, knowing that her culinary skills would end with them being a disgrace to this world. "Just be wary of the day they look at you with pride for taking another life." She spoke softly, before looking up, "I mean, sorry. Time is all you've got when it comes to healing that kind of wound." Taking a large bite from the Strawberry tart, she brings her tea cup to her lips. But at Katelyn's next question she couldn't resist the urge to snort, a very awkward moment, considering her mouth was full.

Throwing a hand up, she tried to cover her flustered movements, "fuck." She mumbled, before finally swallowing and giving Katelyn a grin. "No time to relax, Snow will have me in the Training Centre's trying to teach kids how to use weapons I don't even know how to use."

It had been awkward at best, stumbling through that arena with a weapon she hadn't know how to use. By the end of it she had been able to say she had some skill. Now, after leaving that arena she hadn't wanted to pick up another weapon. The first time she'd grabbed a sword after the games it had been a nightmare, flashes of blood, of pain, of death. It was why, as soon as she could, she'd slipped away, moving straight to unarmed combat, where weapons weren't needed and everything she could do was through your won skill and drive.

She was thankful, that one small amount of gratitude that at least Snow had allowed her decide what area she taught. She couldn't imagine having to teach careers how to use a sword, watch them pick up a knife that looks exactly like the one she tossed between her and Xanthus after she had killed Drace. "Yes, Patricia stops by the district at least once a year to talk to the careers," She paused, remembering Patricia's face last night, her horror at hearing President Snow's name. "I think he's got something on her." She spoke softly, a pang of sympathy filling her as she thought about it. Sighing she leaned back in her chair, "you wouldn't want to. It's nothing impressive."

"What do you do when you're at home?"

Draining the last drops of tea from her cup, she slid the delicate china onto the table. The strawberry tarts were a burst of flavour in her mouth that she simply adored, they mixed the tartness that can often be found in strawberries with the sweetness of ones overly ripe. "I really need to ask you for this recipe," she eyed the tarts, wondering if she should eat another one. Narrowing her gaze she tapped a finger against the table, there were three left, which meant she could save at least one for the trip home. "But, you'll have to basically teach me step by step how to make them." Grimacing she thought back to her messed up cookies she had handed Harbinger. She still couldn't believed he had enjoyed them.

"I'll be teaching unarmed combat at least five times a week." She sighed, drumming her fingers on the table. It seemed that Katelyn was as sweet and kind as she presented herself to be. It made Opal want to try harder, to be a better person, and be someone that could hold onto Katelyn's respect. Because she respected the younger victor, and she hoped with every fibre of her being that Katelyn could stay like this. If not, though, she would be there for her no matter what. "Honestly, I was four when my parents threw me into the training centre. Ky's now almost five. I don't know what to do."