hawks and serpents.

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hawks and serpents. Feb 25, 2018 1:17:57 GMT -5

Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2018 1:17:57 GMT -5

It's feels sacrilegious to have me here almost, call me cynical.

Jacinta and I have some struggles, we recognize that- well, I do. I don't know if she sees eye to eye but hell, one chance to come to the capitol I'd kill her myself if she refused to let me come. Quiet ass train ride but hey, I got drunk fast enough. Escorts stared my ass down the entire time and as soon as we arrived Jacinta left off with her stylist, but I'm here now. Alone, that's a new one. That's

interesting.

They portray capitolites well enough too -- pastels? Really. Feels like I'm at the Zodiia home, squeaky clean record, no fears, guard up but relaxed at the same time. I'm just here for propaganda, getting the name Valentino out there and it may be stupid, drawing attention to myself. But hey, we already have a victor. My mom's dead, Marina and I are stressed enough as it is, running for mayor can't be the end of the- "Talon Irvine."

I say her name like we're old friends- and we might as well be. Only two not afraid to look over the age of sixteen at this ball, my hand lifting her's up and I catch myself before crouching. "Salazar, Valentino." I could pick her out of a crowd anytime, taller than me and stunning as ever -- the face of district nine, it's hard to forget after two decades of mayor. I smile, crouching and kissing the top of her hand quickly.

"Sorry," a smirk, squinting almost, "it's a district thing." Lies,

but we can talk about that later.

Last Edit: Feb 25, 2018 1:20:47 GMT -5 by Deleted

gamemaker 💀 hades lochlan
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hawks and serpents. Feb 25, 2018 17:25:40 GMT -5

Post by gamemaker 💀 hades lochlan on Feb 25, 2018 17:25:40 GMT -5

Hawkeye- nothing gets passed a bird of prey like me. I’ve lived my entire adult life with my heels digging into the back of power itself, and there’s still blood under my nails from the time when I was only clawing my way to the top. I know people, know how to give them what they want and say what they want to hear in ways that benefit myself. Flattery.

That is how you stay on top. And when a man of old wealth and newfound national status walks into a room full of politicians with his chin raised into the air, it is easy for me to figure out what his true motives are; “Talon Irvine,” He braves. Yes, I think, fingers tracing the outer rim of my champagne glass, say that name with respect.

“Salazar, Valentino.” As if I didn’t already know his name. Still, I only nod respectfully. A victor’s father, certainly more put together than anyone in the foresaken O’Leary family, that’s for damn sure, and this one also comes with an alarming amount of fortune. He has a throne of his own, from what I have been told.

“Sorry,” He dotes, “It’s a District thing.”

I stiffen up my back, stand taller than I already was, a long-time queen showing the leader of a new kingdom how true power works.

“Odd,” I purr, “I’ve known Mayor Ripsaw for a decade now, and I can’t recall him introducing himself that way.” I allow a moment’s pause so that he knows for sure- I mean business just as much as he does.

“Speaking of, when are you planning on announcing your candidacy in the upcoming election?”

Glass, shiny and prestine as it may be, is still no match to a woman with experience and a good eye. He spoiled any secrets he meant to keep from the others the minute he walked through those doors. Pity, if he was hoping for it to be a surprise.

Last Edit: Feb 25, 2018 17:28:53 GMT -5 by gamemaker 💀 hades lochlan

^{I AM A GARDEN OF BLACK AND RED AGONIES}

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hawks and serpents. Feb 26, 2018 22:17:19 GMT -5

Post by Deleted on Feb 26, 2018 22:17:19 GMT -5

A younger me would have loved this -- the drinks, the poise. It's a lot now, stomaching the Salazar business and pretending to just be Valentino. Oh, I haven't been that man in a while. God, I feel weird about that, feeling better as a younger me, as Valentino the little brother. I held bloody mary in my left, Talon's wrist in my right; Marina must've missed him too. "Odd,"

I almost feel like I'm killing this place. "I've known Mayor Ripsaw for a decade now, and I can't recall him introducing himself that way." But I don't mind. Death follows, I stand taller -- three inches under Talon. She pauses and I lose myself in the seconds, "well-" I say on an exhale. It's almost a threat, or maybe I read too far, either way; it's almost more fun this way, living on the other side of a gunshell. Feels like home there.

"Speaking of, when are you planning on announcing your candidacy in the upcoming election?" I try not to stumble on that one.

"Waste no time huh, Miss Irvine?"

It's almost disappointing, I half hoped she'd play me like a fool. Fiddle my heart strings, how ever my mother would call me an idiot -- I guess I can't hope Marina in every woman I meet, huh? Call me blind, "it's alarming how fast you put a man together," spoken through raised eyebrows. Wondering how fast she can take one apart, it makes my heart beat faster. I sip bloody mary, right hand in my pocket; I guess I've always been a romantic. Call me what you will, "the kiss must just be a Valentino thing, hmm."

There's something light with being on the losing side for once, call me difficult but I've always loved a challenge. "As for the election, that's my decision to reveal as well. However," glancing at my shoes, "since you already know, I wouldn't be opposed to hear your thoughts." Maybe these lower districts mayors are on something, sharper than drunken district two.

"It seems I'm all ears,

Miss Irvine."

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hawks and serpents. Mar 4, 2018 0:38:57 GMT -5

Post by gamemaker 💀 hades lochlan on Mar 4, 2018 0:38:57 GMT -5

“Waste no time, huh, Miss Irvine?”

On the contrary, I think, I’ve got all the time in the world. Timeless ticking in my ears, a storm of bestilled sand scraping against the surface of an hourglass— timeless. I was a learner in my yesterdays, a leader in everything else. People find me easy to talk to: Why? Ripred only knows, but they do.

“It’s alarming how fast you put a man together.”

There is a silence hanging in the air, wrapping its tendrils around the throats of innocent thoughts until they choke, leaving only those of malintention to gather just on the silent side of my lips: or take him apart. Grin like sin, because I know it is true. I am a person who has skeletons in her closet. A lock and key, shackled closed. I don’t let anyone in there. And I have no room in my life for love. At least not the kind that lasts. I find myself grateful that Valentino Salazar chooses this moment to take my hand into his own, bring it up to his lips. If he hadn’t, I’m certain my fingers would have fallen to my stomach, hovered above my womb. Once the home of something so innocent, so young. A frightful thing, cried the whole way to the orphanage.

Lock and key aside, some skeletons find their own way out into the open.

“It’s easy to do when the man shows me the pieces,” you explain, fingers squeezing Valentino’s palm once before he lets your hand go.

“As for the election,” he braves. Lord, there is something about this man that keeps my interests peaked, “I wouldn’t be opposed to hear your thoughts.” Most people are the same.

I eye him, taking him in and looking for anything he should be wary of. Fingernail clicking against my champagne glass, pursing my lips. “The costs won’t be a concern for you, nor the votes, I would assume.”

I step forward, lowered voice and a very stern gaze held to Valentino’s own. “Your skeletons, whatever they are: bury them where no one will find them. Not even yourself.”