Familiar Faces? // [Haze+Mad, 93rd]

He didn't know what his papa would say to the newest district eleven tributes. He was fairly certain Harbinger Rhodes, Victor, didn't stick to a script. That just wasn't the way he parented. He was both more spontaneous and more pensive. Neither quality lent itself to reciting a canned line. No, Madhav was sure his father would have plenty of wisdom to impart and words to inspire once the train left the station.

It was the betting there that was always the hardest part.

He'd watched with more interest over the last few years. It wasn't purely selfish curiosity; it was true he was getting older, more likely to be reaped though he'd never had to take tesserae. Rather, he was increasingly aware of his parents' role in the pageantry of the Reapings. How Harbinger seemed to be an anchor in the storm, while Kassandra, Kirito and Katelyn seemed... adrift. Caught in the net, somehow.

But not his strong papa.

So, with another Reaping sealed and his fate spared, Madhav ducked out of his pen and joined the crowds heading for the train station. Except he lingered at the alley. He knew this shadowy passage to be the one tributes were escorted down on the way to the station. In years past he'd waited for his papa there.

Today he waited for someone else.

He recognized her by the outline of her shadow, by the contour of her hair. "Hey," he greeted her all casual, like they were old friends. He even held out his palm, and then the full length of his arm, ivory sleeve cuffed and rolled up to his bicep. "Can I get your autograph? I'm not going to lie, I'm probably going to take a photo and sell it to the highest bidder."

His dark eyes twinkle.