"Ironic ain't it? The one woman I can't get enough of, is the one I'll never be able to have"
Delyth Bardott grapples with unexpected emotions for her tribute, straying from the expected norms of a Capitol girl drawn to a District boy.
Meanwhile...
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Sleep eluded Delyth as she tossed and turned in the comfortable Plinths beds. Despite the cozy surroundings, vivid images of Treech's demise plagued her thoughts. The rhythmic pacing from Sejanus in the adjacent room hinted at shared restlessness.
Regret lingered; she shouldn't have forged such a strong connection with him. The fear of his potential demise left her grappling with the unknown.
A knock echoed through her room, prompting Delyth to rise silently and open the door. In the solemn gaze of Sejanus, burdened by apparent pressure, words went unspoken. Yet, Delyth sensed the unspoken plea for someone to share the weight of his thoughts.
Inviting him in, she gestured towards the bed, where he took a seat on the edge. In a hushed tone, he asked, "You can't sleep either?"
She shook her head, offering more detail, "God no, my mind won't settle."
He nodded in understanding, his sad gaze finding the floor. "No update on Marcus I'm guessing?"
As Marcus, Sejanus' tribute, whereabouts remained unknown when he escaped during the bombing, tension permeated the atmosphere. Despite the general unease, those privy to the situation knew the boy posed no threat. He was more scared than anything, reluctant to partake in a game where the risk of death loomed large.
"Nothing" he posed, turning to look up to her, "I've got a really bad feeling about it though, something doesn't feel right" he told her, Delyth had to agree with his words. The whole of Panem was looking for this boy, how had they not found him?
Approaching him, she placed a comforting arm on his shoulder, offering a gentle rub in an attempt to provide solace. Sejanus, given a tribute from his district, someone familiar, experienced a heightened personal connection to the Games, further influenced by his perspective on them.
"He's likely back home by now, Sej. They haven't found him after all this time.. he's probably long gone," her words carried a veneer of reassurance, but in truth, she doubted their accuracy. Despite the lack of discovery, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss in the entire situation.
Seeking alignment with her sentiments, he nodded, "How are you feeling about Treech, anyway?" he inquired.
Shaking her head, she refused to discuss or dwell on him. The mere thought of Treech dying in those games made her feel queasy.
"He'll do well, Del. He might even win—the Capitol adore him," he reassured, his hand reaching out to gently stroke hers for comfort.
