exsilium | First shot ; video

[There is the tell-tale sound of heaving in the background. The communicator is on its side, camera facing a cup of some clear alcohol on ice that's swirling in a tumbler. Where did this mysterious alcohol come from when Haymitch appears to be newly-arrived, you ask? We may never know.

His cheek is still stinging from where Katniss had gouged him, but it was a dull thrum that didn't seem so bad when he couldn't see straight. Eventually, he manages to get the camera upright and gives it a winning grin – or it would be winning, if there wasn't the telltale glisten of vomit on his lower lip. Some might not notice that.]

So, we're in for another Game. Different rules, sure, and a real 'battle', but – [and he waves his hand toward the camera,] – still. I should introduce myself, if that's the case.

[He makes a mostly-unsuccessful attempt to straighten himself up a little, leaning heavily on the outside wall of the nearest building before forcing himself to his feet and dipping himself in a sloppy bow.]

Haymitch Abernathy, victor of the second Quarter Quell. I come from District 12, home of coal and very little else.. This place is at least less of a violent assault on the senses than the Capitol – nobody's hair has made me shield my eyes yet. That's something.

[He produces a flask from his jacket pocket and places it to his lips, tipping it completely upside-down to suck the last few drops from it.]

Tell me, fellow captives -- how do you feel about the likelihood we'll be forced to kill people we know nearly nothing about in the name of this place's 'freedom'?

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[ a long, long stare. The alternate timelines has made Peeta...on edge, to say the least. ]

Now who's going to take care of the geese.

Edited 2012-08-01 05:08 (UTC)

[What, did this place just choose all the tributes he abandoned to the Capitol and stick them in one spot to judge him?]

...I'm not following.

[ this one's crazy to boot :'D Hi Haymitch. Spectacular job of not being a lying jerk ]

No, you wouldn't. [ he frowns, shaking his head. Haymitch is supposed to have geese. Katniss is supposed to be hunting. It's like starting over again. And again. And again.

he stares at the liquor ]

At least one thing is the same.

[Hi butting in here, looking extremely worried]

He still has geese for us, Peeta. That's real.

So he's...from before, then?

[Dry tone] Or he's really drunk. It wouldn't be the first time he forgot about them.

But...probably, yes. [A twist of her lips and she wriggles her fingers at him, indicating the scars] He doesn't remember these.

[ a nod ]

I'd say I'm getting the hang of this, but it's hard to be sure.

[ he inhales, long and slow. A hand rubs his wrist ]

Believe me, it'd be confusing even if you weren't you. But just - ask, okay? If you're confused. You don't have to try and figure it out all on your own. [A beat] It doesn't have to be me, either. Johanna's from the same time as us.

There's some things I can't ask either of you.

I'll try.

Trying's all any of us can do, these days.

[Well, this is clearly a continuation of his apparent self-punishment with regard to these two]

I am nothing if not predictable.

[That's a blatant lie.]

[ guess that means no District Twelve Victors Merry Christmas photo this year :'( ]

Not real.

[ Peeta shakes his head. ]

Are you from before or after you manipulated the both of us?

[Definitely not real.

He can't lie, though, not when Peeta apparently knows the truth.]

After.

I'd do it again, you know.

[ he swallows ]

I know. For her.

[ there's no anger behind the words, or the open acknowledgement of the betrayal. There's really no anything ]

I think the last time I counted you had six. Katniss accidentally shot one the other night.

[He's about to make some vague attempt to defend himself and explain that he's doing it for the whole of the bloody Districts, but then Peeta's back on the geese -- and with the way things were going in his interactions with Katniss, he decides it's just better to go with that.]

...right, 'accidentally'. I hope I got to help eat that 'accident'.

[ there's a wry grin on his face, like Peeta gets the joke of the following words: ]

If I remember right, most of it ended up in the toilet. Some on your shirt.

So long as it was eaten first, and not just dumped in there as some sort of cruel effort by you well-meaning lot to sober me up.

We don't do that anymore, don't worry.

[So long as both of them haven't joined him -- at least, not frequently.]

Smart.

I try.

[ he's quiet for a little bit, trying to line things up right ]

So you're trying to line up a resistance again?

I would never.

[Not in public, at least. Not where their ears could be reached, whoever 'they' end up being.]

Just trying to get both sides of the story, as it were.

I hope you're not offended if I don't give your word much credit.

[ he rubs his hands together ]

They'll never line up anyways.

There's very little that you could do that I'd find offensive, I think.

[Gross Haymitch, your feelings are showing.]

[ that wane smile is back ]

I can think of one or two things.

Katniss has already filled me in on your trying to crush her windpipe.

You got any scars you're going to spring on me during a golden opportunity? So I'm a tick more prepared.

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