"Ah, yes. Sorry, I forget sometimes... How is your right arm then?" *I watch your left arm in idle fascination, wondering if it has gotten to the point where you no longer feel what it does*
(( Yesssss? <3 )) Lily; Please... Zeus... *She looks at him, tears in her eyes* I'd rather you than anyone else. *She sniffs before turning away and walking back a few carriages*
Tired, it's already past the deadline for a new arena to be designed and I'm still working on the ideas. I haven't eaten or slept in ages *yawns* Could you go get me a coffee? I'm afraid of being yelled at if I exit this room without a final design
"Sure. Who would yell at you? You're the boss when it comes to the arena, nobody has the right to". *exits the room, quickly coming back with two cups of coffee* "Here." *hands one to you, my hand lightly brushing over your left hand as I pull it back to hold my cup with both hands* "So... What have you come up with so far?"
Myself, of course. And I have this *holds up the sketch I have been working on* And all of that *gestures to all of the crumpled-up pieces of paper on the floor*
"Why would you yell at yourself? That wouldn't achieve anything." *looks at your sketch, then picks up some of the pieces of paper on the floor and uncrumples them* "Nova... These designs are all brilliant. Why on earth did you throw them away?" *smoothes the paper out a little more and puts them on the table, taking a sip of my coffee*
They're too easy— too predictable. *points at the one you flattened out* Look at the landscape on this one, it's all trees. Obviously someone from District 7 would win. It doesn't have a catch
"Then... Why not combine them? Take a bit from all of your ideas, then add a twist." *picks up a few more pieces of paper and uncrumples them too, laying them out with the others* "perhaps if you take this aspect from here, and a bit of that layout from this one... You are head gamemaker for a reason, Nova. I worry that you're too harsh on yourself sometimes. You don't realize how brilliant you are."
*blushes slightly* Well, of course I'm brilliant. There's no harm in challenging yourself, is there? But I do like your idea... *rearranges the papers in another order* And we should have that as a twist *points to a small, crumpled up paper in the corner, as if I knew exactly what it was*
*stands up and retrieves the paper for you, sitting back down next to you and opening it up, being careful not to make any rips* "This... This is perfect. But can you do this all? You have less than a week. I have faith in you, but it's going to take a lot of work... Would you like me to help? I will be busy on interview night, but other than that I'm sure Tristan can look after Sammi. That that reminds me, would you mind if I interviewed you?" *smiles at you, hoping you will agree to the idea*
*hesitates* Fine. But only if I get the arena done in time, I don't want to be wasting time that could've been spent on perfecting the arena. I suppose... I could put off some time too.
*my smile widens and I pull you into a hug* "Thank you. This year is going to be brilliant! I'm sure we will get the arena finished in time, and if we don't we can always add more things in once the tributes are in there. It would be interesting to see how they react..." *feels a cold, hard lump inside your jacket and looks up at you* "You still carry that thing around with you? I thought you'd gotten rid of it..."
-wraps the chain spike around my hand and holds the spike in reverse grip- just training.. How are you rosa?
*hugs you back with one arm and looks down in shame* You'd know if you were in my shoes... It haunts me every waking hour and becomes alive in my nightmares... Having this gives me a sense of protection. As long as it's concealed, I should be fine
"I suppose I can understand why it gives you a sense of protection, but surely there is another way...?" *brushes a few strands of hair away from your eyes, gently tucking them behind your ear* "If there is anything at all I can do to help, all you have to do is ask. I will always be there for you, understand? You don't need that gun to protect yourself. I'll protect you."