homeward bound :: kirito & ridley

A light miasma of mist mingles with the angling arcs of the Capitol's electric lights. The annual fearsome frenzy of fireworks still stretches across the stars amid a Capitolite chorus of drunken singing. Beck Hailsham's face holds the heart of almost every screen, his space shared solely with Caesar and the Games' Commentators. The same scene of the boy from Four cutting down the child from Six is synonymous with the celebrations. His harrowing has become the heart of the Capitol's harvest, one Snow must undoubtedly be devouring with joy. Another career crafted for the crown is surely what the sinister President will pursue with his propaganda. Kirito tries his best to drown out the partying parades as he makes his way back into the Training Center from the crucible of the City streets.

It's always like this following the Finale, the celebrations will surely bleed on throughout the entire night to be followed by a day of dreaded hangovers. This day and the one that directly precedes the Opening of the Games reminds Kirito of the difference between the Districts and the Capitol. In this world of glass and false faces, children killing each other is a special sport. They aren't the ones that have to carry coffins back to families and watch while Parents cry over the graves of their babies. They celebrate their new treasure and cherish the slaughter that they have sewn into existence.  Their children always come home.

Restlessness returns Kirito to the heart of the Training Center, his eyes scan over the spotless steel of the weapon stations. A little over a week ago, this place was a wealth of activity. Tributes shared thoughts of terror and tied together in truces of hope. Now Kiena's equation has proven again to be unsolvable, eternally without answer. Twenty three has given One, but the math makes no sense. Kirito's fingers curl around the clutch of his cane as he sighs through the silence. Losing tributes, no matter how many times, is always such a brutal burden.

A thought then comes crawling into Kirito's mind and he makes his way to the elevators. The newest mentor in this building is facing her first journey home with a train car of corpses. Truly she had done a spectacular job her first time facing the gauntlet of sponsorship and mentoring. Sophie Fray had been a blooming rose in the Capitol's eyes and nearly their newly appointed Princess of Power. In a sick sense, all Ridley should feel is pride for her passionate debut and near perfect result. However, no Victor Kirito has met has ever felt pride when standing before their first double loss. When they do bring one out of the arena, they can focus all their energy on helping that person learn how to stand again. When they lose both, there is nothing to fight for.

The second Kirito spends in the elevator to reach District One's floor is far shorter than what he is usually acquainted with when ascending to Eleven's floor. The layout Kirito steps into is familiar with only a few alterations from his home upstairs. Despite the damned blasting of colored bombs in the sky, the suite seems to be sheathed with silence. For a moment Kirito questions leaving, perhaps she would prefer this time to prepare on her own. But after securing himself within his intentions, Kirito announces himself from his place by the elevator.

"Ridley? I was just out walking and thought I'd stop by if you're around?"