family road trip (+old unofficial uncle) d6 - 95th

Smoke fills his lungs; the fire of a memory soaking his skin. No one steps in to guide his hand, to rub the ache of his weight from having to hold the remains of a home together. That's the worst part to him. The feeling of having to carry a weight over and over again because he's the only one to have survived in a number of decades. A victor from Six. How odd of a tale his own story has spun. The faint feeling of lips on his neck and the warm body of a memory hollowed out in his mind; was he ever really a victor? No. He's always been a fighter. A survivor through all of this. Victors don't come from Six. Placed upon their tongues like the drugs stuck in the district's infrastructure.

Victors don't come from Six.

Not really.

Even as he looks at Flynn Garner as he steps into the room; voices echoing along the cold walls of the train, all he can see is another boy who's hurting from the pain. Blinded by youth; there was still hope in his eyes. Had he lost that hope? When did things start feeling so final? It's the burning desire in his stomach still pushing all of him to keep going. Instead of speaking, he waits. Eyes stern, but friendly as he catches the glimpses behind the curtains. Bruised and broken knuckles, the frantic sound of his voice. Every second feels like an hour, there's more beneath the surface. It's different than anything he's gone through. Lucky enough to have been received well by the capitol in most ways. Underneath their thumb, he'd been cooperative, someone the capitol used for their own needs.

Nessa and Jimmy are young; younger than he'd hope, but he shouldn't be surprised. After Flynn's success, they're expecting another young tribute to succeed. One to follow in Flynn's footsteps if you will. Watching Flynn, there's a certain growth to him. Older, yes, but still so young in terms of his own experience. Except, he's sworn to himself to lay off more. Flynn's grown up into a fine young man, despite all the hardships in the world. There's not a lot he can do, but listen and hope he can bring whatever comfort and advice he can when needed. A tone shifts as Flynn's voice starts to grow more stern, more strict, and louder by a fraction.

A sigh falls from Flynn's lips; almost an exhale of all the stress and pain.

In these moments, he understands he's not the same as Flynn. He didn't have his family ripped from his grasp because of a crown. He's seen people die, but no one physical close. The closest he's got was Parson; who came back. Not all the way the same, but enough so to make Teddy understand. The center was passed to him, frustration present on his lips as Teddy sizes himself up. Arms crossed as he looks to Flynn with a concerned look. Almost yearning to pinch the bridge of his nose like a worn out father would, he speaks calmly. "You really didn't need to ask them about their bathing habits." Giving a soft chuckle, but also straightening himself out a bit more he continues more seriously. "Flynn's right about this. You will be under a microscope as soon as you get there. They'll watch your every move. And their approval is very important for your likelihood of survival."

Glancing over to Flynn and back, he watches the two very young tributes closely.

"You've both got the family connection to Flynn. While it's not the same, you can use that to your advantage when you can, but you should also make a name for yourselves." A pause. "The Capitol's already seen Flynn Garner. He's old news to them. What you both need to do is make them know who you are. Show them that you're more than just Flynn's Sister and Flynn's cousin. Keep their eyes on you and make them want to give you the crown." Swallowing the feeling of eyes, he continues. "We'll do our best here to guide you where we can."

Uncrossing his arms, he reaches for a glass of sparkling cider, sipping from it as he continues.

"You shouldn't fight here." There's something that feels hollow as he speaks. His eyes glancing over to Flynn and Nessa, landing on Jimmy for a second. "You're still family. It's hard what you all are going through."

Something burns.

"Be there for eachother."