Chance Encounters. Opal/Emerald

dragonxiii
Seam Resident

29 POSTS
last seen Aug 15, 2020 23:25:40 GMT -5

Chance Encounters. Opal/Emerald Jun 7, 2020 19:43:49 GMT -5 via mobile

Post by dragonxiii on Jun 7, 2020 19:43:49 GMT -5

e m e r a l d .

You don't have to hide your love away and
I know that I'm gonna make mistakes but
Leaning on somebody isn't easy
I'll do what I can to make you see, oh

I am feeling a little flushed as I make my way down the street. My trip to Tributes and Tokens was more exhilarating than I had thought it would be when I woke this morning. Not only do I have the token previously missing from my collection, but the tickets Poria acquired offer an exclusive opportunity that not many can claim to have experienced. Expensive? Certainly. But worth it.

The street is busier now that the morning is progressing towards noon, but I do not encounter any trouble. Even those who do not recognize me clear the way when they spot the quality of my dress and the Avoxes accompanying me. Atlas follows at a discrete distance, but likewise has little trouble navigating the crowds; I guess being nearly six and half feet tall and heavily muscled must have its advantages. I am hungry now, and decide to stop at one of my favorite outdoor cafes for some lunch before my fitting.

The cafe caters mostly to the Capitol Elite, with only a dozen tables total, spaced evenly but not too close together. The maitre d' recognizes me immediately and conducts me to a small, elegant table. He holds out a chair for me and the Avox with my parasol positions himself behind to keep off the sun. Within seconds, a uniformed waiter appears with a glass of chilled sparkling wine, just the thing I need in this heat.

I order without looking at the menu. Fresh salad with a light vinaigrette, and poached salmon served on a bed of soft rice. For dessert I will order their strawberry sorbet, a house specialty that I particularly favor during the summer months.

As I sip my wine, I watch the other Capitolites bustle about on the street. Everyone is excited about the Games as they go about their daily shopping, smiling and pointing at the decorations that adorn the buildings or stopping to watch replays on the giant screens. Once or twice I spot someone I know and wave to them with a smile.

That is when I see her, strolling down the street alone. Opal Shore, from District One. No. Earnest, I correct myself, it is Opal Earnest now, though she was Shore when she won the 64th Games. I was only a year old, so I did not watch her Games at the time. I have seen all of her replays and interviews dozens of times, however, and she is certainly one of my favorite Victors. I catch Atlas' attention and whisper something in his ear. He nods and makes his way to intercept Opal before she passes the cafe.

From a short distance away, I hear Atlas' deep tones as he addresses the Victor politely. "Mrs Earnest? Mistress Varda would be most pleased if you would join her for lunch." He motions towards my table and I smile politely as Opal looks in my direction.

cass
Retired Staff

4,822 POSTS

last seen Oct 24, 2021 18:11:43 GMT -5

Chance Encounters. Opal/Emerald Jun 9, 2020 0:21:15 GMT -5

Post by cass on Jun 9, 2020 0:21:15 GMT -5

o p a l .

Emmett was weighing on her mind, it seemed that Ky had grown a level of attachment to the district one tribute. Opal found herself biting on her nail, gnawing over the thousand thoughts that raced around her head. It was a dangerous, reckless game that was almost certainly going to end with Ky hurt, crying over a broken image of Emmett’s corpse on the television screen. She had been there, she had loved and lost and it pained her to think that her own son was setting himself up for that suffering.

But, it wasn’t something she could prevent.

Opal knew that she would just push him away if she tried to force her opinion in. In the end, this was a lesson that Ky would have to learn by himself. He was young, he had his entire life before him to bounce back from the pain that it would bring. She knew he had already been through a lot, and she knew that she hadn’t been the perfect mother, but she believed this was the right choice to make here. As much as it would hurt her to watch, it was the only solution she could think of.

A figure stepped in front of her, and Opal found herself springing a few steps backward, alarm prickling her skin. Her heart thumped in her chest, as she stared at the man who had stepped in her path. Her eyes widened as she took him, and she cursed herself for not paying attention to her surroundings better. It was always a gamble, heading out into the Capitol to go for a wander. She didn’t know who would stop her if they held ill-will or were crazed Capitolite elites.

His voice is deep and commanding and when he speaks Opal finds her stomach tightening with uncertainty. "Mrs Earnest? Mistress Varda would be most pleased if you would join her for lunch."

Miss who?

She followed his prompting, looking over to see a young, pale red-head sitting at a cafe not too far off. Opal was not familiar with the larger houses in the Capitol, she had never made a point of trying to figure out who was important and who wasn’t. There was no point in trying to get close people who looked down upon the districts and found pleasure in the games. The woman smiled politely, a man standing behind her, holding onto a number of bags. Opal bit her lip, anxiety filling her veins as she mulled over her options.

The man before her was much larger than her, and could easily block her path, she doubted he’d hurt her. But if there were any reporters around they’d take in delight capturing pictures and spinning the tale of Opal rejecting invites from the Capitol elites. That kind of news would make her look unfavorable, and she was once more reminded of the man in the suit threatening her son. She wasn’t in a position to have the Capitol question her motivations, not when it could mean harm to Ky.

Running a hand through her hair she sighed, before walking over to the table that Miss Varda sat at. She pulled a chair out, sitting herself down quickly before she could regret her decision.

“Thank you for the invite, it is very kind of you,” Opal eyed the bodyguard as he moved to stand in the space between Opal and his mistress. “Was there something you needed, Miss Varda”

dragonxiii
Seam Resident

29 POSTS
last seen Aug 15, 2020 23:25:40 GMT -5

Chance Encounters. Opal/Emerald Jun 9, 2020 10:42:42 GMT -5 via mobile

Post by dragonxiii on Jun 9, 2020 10:42:42 GMT -5

e m e r a l d .

You don't have to hide your love away and
I know that I'm gonna make mistakes but
Leaning on somebody isn't easy
I'll do what I can to make you see, oh

As Atlas escorts Opal to my table, I catch the waiter's attention. The Victor barely has time to sit across from me before a glass of the chilled wine and a menu are set before her. "Thank you for the invite, it is very kind of you." I smile at that, but notice Opal's eyes lingering on Atlas standing close by. Of course, I am so used to Atlas that I often forget just how intimidating he can be to others. With a light touch on his sleeve and a flick of my eyes, he retreats a few paces and seats himself at the next table, still watchful, but hopefully less imposing. "Was there something you needed, Miss Varda?"

I purse my lips slightly at the question, wondering what she could mean. Is it not the Districts that have needs of the Capitol, rather than the other way around? "Need? No no, nothing I need." A smile to accompany my words, hoping to set her at ease. "You must be so busy with your duties already, what with the Quell only days away. A nice meal, some pleasant conversation; it must be hard to find time for yourself."

The waiter appears to refill my glass and take Opal's order. Her expression is still difficult for me to read, but she is clearly uncomfortable. As I am trying to decipher what could be causing her discomfort, I see movement out of the corner of my eye. Ah, that must be it. People passing the cafe have taken notice of the Victor, and some have stopped to gawk and hold whispered conversations amongst themselves. The cafe is exclusive, of course, and surrounded by a seemingly delicate fence which is actually a highly sophisticated barrier.

The maitre d' responds instantly when I wave him over. "Some privacy Gaston, if you please."

Casting his eyes over the gathering crowd, he nods. "Of course, Miss Varda, no trouble at all." A few taps on his tablet as he walks away and the air around the cafe seems to shimmer in the heat. From within, nothing appears to have changed, and our view of the street remains unimpeded. However, the disappointment on the faces of the crowd makes it clear what has happened; the previously undetectable force field is now opaque, so those on the street can no longer see anything at all, and they begin to wander off, returning to their own lives.

"Please accept my apologies, Opal," I say in a sympathetic tone. "I too must deal constantly with the public attention, and I should have realized that it might make you uncomfortable." The waiter appears then, delivering our salads, and I chatter idly about the Games through the first course of our meal.

cass
Retired Staff

4,822 POSTS

last seen Oct 24, 2021 18:11:43 GMT -5

Chance Encounters. Opal/Emerald Jun 12, 2020 7:42:44 GMT -5

Post by cass on Jun 12, 2020 7:42:44 GMT -5

o p a l .

Miss Varda is quick, it took her only moments to understand and respond to Opal’s unease and suddenly her bodyguard has moved away and has seated himself at a table nearby. Her lips tightened and Opal cursed herself silently for allowing her emotions to get the better of her, for her to be so easily read by a Capitol Elite meant she had grown rusty.

It was hardly fair of her to feel so flustered, but ten years away from the Capitol had left her out of practice. She was still a skilled fighter, capable of wielding any weapon you put in front of her or making anything into a weapon. But, she swallowed her gaze flickering to the bustling street beside them, she was no social butterfly. In fact, she had spent so long over the past ten years tucked away in her house, that when they went out Ky was the one telling her when men were hitting on her.

Her anxiety writhed in her stomach, and just as Opal had anticipated a number of Capitolites had noticed her sitting down and gawked at her. The intention of the day had been to avoid them all, keep her head down, buy the things she'd promised Ky, and get home safely. An easy in and out, no one was supposed to stop her or notice her. Nothing ever went to plan, not in the Capitol.

She rolled her eyes, sighing gently, another mistake and she wondered what sort of lies would spring up in the tabloids from this chance encounter. It took seconds for Miss Varda to latch onto Opal's show of emotion. Moments later the waiter has returned and what she can only imagine is a screen is put up between herself and the gawking Capitolites. At least she had her privacy.

Miss Varda apologized, telling Opal that she too suffered from her fame. Opal bit her tongue, she tried her best to recall all the training she had had in how to carry herself in these types of situations. She had to remind herself that she was no longer within the safety of her home but in a garden of bloodthirsty beasts. So she smiled, a thin dainty one that didn't reach her eyes and promised to not give her wrinkles.

Opal turned her attention to the salad that had been placed before her, she picked up her fork nibbling on a bit of lettuce as Miss Varda spoke. The games seemed to be at the forefront of her mind and Opal fought down the uncomfortable feeling in her stomach.

"Yes, not long now until they start," Opal put down her fork, grabbing the cup of water and taking a small sip. "I'm thankful that Emm-" would she know them by name? "the tributes I have this year have performed well so far," she corrected herself.

For a moment she stared at Miss Varda and before she could stop herself she asked, "what are your thoughts on the games?"

dragonxiii
Seam Resident

29 POSTS
last seen Aug 15, 2020 23:25:40 GMT -5

Chance Encounters. Opal/Emerald Jun 13, 2020 11:27:40 GMT -5 via mobile

Post by dragonxiii on Jun 13, 2020 11:27:40 GMT -5

e m e r a l d .

You don't have to hide your love away and
I know that I'm gonna make mistakes but
Leaning on somebody isn't easy
I'll do what I can to make you see, oh

Opal barely touched her salad. She is probably still feeling somewhat exposed and it is effecting her appetite. The waiter returns to clear our dishes and replace them with those holding our entrees. The salmon smells delicious, and I hope that Opal will feel well enough to try some of the exquisite dish.

"I'm thankful that Emm-" she hesitates, as if unwilling to name her own Tributes. I do not understand why that would be, they both received such wonderful scores in their private training. "The tributes I have this year have performed well so far." She looks at me for a moment, and it is clear to me that she has something else on her mind. I wait patiently, my food untouched, as she comes around to what she wants to say. "What are your thoughts on the Games?"

I place a finger to my lips, considering the question for a moment. I do not believe that it was the question she really wanted to ask. Considering her hesitation over her Tributes' names, I imagine she is really curious what I think about them, rather than the Games in general.

"You are correct, of course. Emmett and Jade have done remarkably well so far. A ten and a nine in private training? Obviously the Gamemakers feel they know what they are doing." I pick up my fork and eat a bite of salmon and rice as I consider what else I should say. "They were both so moving in their interviews, my heart just goes out to them both."

I eat some more of my meal, and Opal does likewise. She is clearly still somewhat uncomfortable, but I am not sure what else I can do to set her at ease.

cass
Retired Staff

4,822 POSTS

last seen Oct 24, 2021 18:11:43 GMT -5

Chance Encounters. Opal/Emerald Jun 29, 2020 21:59:27 GMT -5

Post by cass on Jun 29, 2020 21:59:27 GMT -5

o p a l .

The Gamemakers this year, Opal thought, were harsh. Emmett and Jade had told her what they had done in their personal training sessions and she had honestly believed the scores would have been much higher. She was used to gamemakers trying to snub tributes by lowering scores to make themselves stand a little taller. These two weren’t the first ones to play that little game and they wouldn’t be the last.

Opal found herself agreeing with the Capitolite, Emmett and Jade each had their own pros and cons. Her heart had been caught between a rock and a hard place, and she found herself inevitably favouring one over the other. It always happened, it was impossible to like them both equally. Regardless of her own personal opinion, she would never actively choose to do anything that what effect the other in a negative way. The games had no winner, they had just one life that could return home, broken, and unsure if whether winning was even worth it.

“You’re right,” Opal narrowed her gaze, looking at Miss Varda. She was tempted to push, perhaps navigate her way through that admiration and get some sponsorship for the both of them. “With a woman of your stature, I’m sure you’re aware of both Jade’s and Emmett’s needs,” she began, wishing that Katelyn could do this part for her. She had never been good at asking for other’s help. “Would you be inclined to help them?”

She was rusty, and she soon found herself drowning out the tightness in her throat by sipping on her water. More often then not, just the fact that her tributes were careers helped get them sponsorship. The Capitolites enjoyed watching them, but with the steep decline of Career victors, it had grown harder and more tiresome to play their games. They felt as though it wasn’t worth their money. Hopefully, she could persuade Miss Varda to think otherwise. It was a gamble, but as a victor, you had to live by taking risks.

Sometimes you just had to dive right in, without fearing the sharks.