they ripped it up, tore it down, burned this place to the ground.

[killarevolution]

CHARACTERS: Haymitch Abernathy + EMPATHY LINKS
LOCATION: Anywhere, everywhere
WARNINGS: Substance abuse, horrible things happening to children, etc.
SUMMARY: LET'S SHARE MEMORIES WITH AN ORNERY DRUNK YAY
NOTES: You can find the list of memories and who has them here.


[STARTERS IN THE COMMENTS]

Comments

[suddenlycaptain]

[ Haymitch is almost definitely in the bar thanks to all this, so that's where Carolyn heads. She doesn't want to think about the memories she has, familiar faces and familiar-unfamiliar procedures for the Games. She doesn't want to and she buries it down, is almost certain he's trying to do the same with the help of some alcohol, because Haymitch will still be able to remember whatever he needs to afterward and because it's far more likely that he's drinking so he doesn't think about what other people have seen than what he's seen.

She stands in the doorway, scans around -- locates him, whether he's drinking or not, because he should recognize her memories as well and who the fuck wouldn't drink with those things rattling around in their skull? Maybe he's expecting her here. Maybe he isn't. It doesn't matter, because as soon as she locks eyes, there's a nod toward the hall -- not here, not now, and her room is the one they always head back to. ]

[killarevolution]

[Haymitch is most definitely seated at a barstool, at least five sheets to the wind, and staring at the bottom of a glass, waiting for someone to pay him enough attention to refill it. After the chaos of everything, it's about time he started drowning it all out thoroughly. Carolyn's the latest in a long line of people whose heads he's been in.

And he knows their Carolyn's memories, because who else could they be?

He's expecting her, so when she shows up, he's only moderately peeved to abandon his post. He staggers off the stool, catches himself on the counter before he faceplants, and follows her out into the hall.]

So you figured it out, did you? [He sounds a bit slurred.] What gave them away?

[suddenlycaptain]

Your name was called.

[ Her arms are crossed already; she had hoped this would be easy, but of course not. Haymitch is Haymitch, which means this is going to be a pain in the ass. ]

And I knew Peeta and Katniss.

[killarevolution]

[He chortles.] Saw that Reaping, didn't you? That's the kind of thing I dealt with for twenty-five years and that one was a sham.

[Everyone knew who would go in. Snow knew it. He knew it. Katniss knew it. They wouldn't have been able to rig it any other way.

He mimics her posture, rather than reaching out to her like he did with everyone else. Carolyn's different. He can't just grab her arm and start finishing the link for some reason.]

If it's any consolation, I knew it was you, too.

[suddenlycaptain]

It looked like a sham. [ Hell, from her spot in Haymitch's memory, it was screaming "sham". ]

How'd you know that?

[ Though she really doesn't want this conversation in the doorway of the bar, so she'll grab him -- around the wrist, to start -- and start walking away. ]

[killarevolution]

[He chuckles gruffly- whether it's at the sham comment, the question, or her grabbing him is up for debate, but he keeps his mouth shut until they're some distance away.]

Riddick. Knew it couldn't be anyone else, after that. [not so much Riddick, but what he said to her- and her answer.]

[suddenlycaptain]

Could've been Johns, if he were still around. Or Jack.

[ yeah her not kid is here btw Haymitch ]

What'd he say?

[killarevolution]

Something tells me Johns wouldn't have died for anyone. [And he doesn't know Jack, but he still files the name away for future reference. Carolyn's people might as well be his people at this point.]

It was raining. You two were arguing. [He figures that's enough.]

[suddenlycaptain]

[ Oh.

Yeah, it's enough. ]

He wouldn't have.

[ Yeah it's awkward for her now. ]

[killarevolution]

Good to know I had him pegged. [Sarcastic as hell.

He's quiet for a moment, contemplating that memory.] Can't say I was surprised by any of it.

[suddenlycaptain]

No?

[ She'd say she's not surprised by what she saw either, except she thinks that's probably more or less saying "yeah, you're an asshole, I know." ]

[killarevolution]

You'd leave the idiots behind here if they'd slow you down, but you wouldn't leave anyone behind who actually mattered. That's who you are, Carolyn.

[He shrugs.] Apparently, it's how you've always been.

[suddenlycaptain]

I guess.

[ She doesn't... know, really. She's never been a "people person", frustration and impatience bubbling up. And yet here she is. ]

... Did they make it? [ Back to you, Haymitch. You're still far more of a mystery than Carolyn thinks she's ever been. ] Peeta and Katniss, I mean.

text.

[wigs]

[If Effie could have avoided this meeting, she would have. But she knows enough, from both the network and the dull, throbbing headache that refused to go away, that she needs to seek him out if she wants to get past this. She was never one for facing her demons head on, but there's a first time for everything.

Still, there's the fear that whatever conversation they're about to have will complicate more than it will solve. And it is this fear that keeps her from sending him a message until hours after she experiences his memories.]

Are you busy?

text.

[killarevolution]

[He knows exactly what this is about the moment he hears his communicator beep. And he rolls over in bed (he HAD hoped to ignore this headache a bit longer before seeking her out) to type groggily.]

no

[the message is followed shortly after by another one]

get it over with.

text.

[wigs]

[Of course she has to do all the work. She debates texting a sermon, but the pain in her head ultimately makes her choose to be direct to the point.]

Where are you?

text.

[killarevolution]

005 075

[He is determined to be difficult about this.]

unless you want to be scandalized wait 10 mins

[He'll at least be half-dressed by that time.

how he spelled scandalized correctly but crapped out on typing minutes the whole way out is beyond anyone.]

text -> action

[wigs]

[She holds her palm to her forehead despite the fact that he can't see her. But it's the little things -- there have been times where he didn't even bother warning her.]


[Aaand ten minutes on the dot, there is a sharp knock on his door, an impatient Effie on the other side of it.]

[killarevolution]

[Haymitch staggers to the door, mercifully wearing pants, although his shirt is haphazardly buttoned and uneven, his hair is unkempt and there is a distinct hint of vomit somewhere on his person.]

It's different seeing a Reaping from that perspective, I'll give you that much. [He blinks blearily at her and leans on the door frame- more for support than anything.]

wOW like nearly a month later i am so sorry

[wigs]

[Effie wrinkles her nose and averts her gaze, more out of habit than real disgust.]

At least you didn't see anything-- [she purses her lips] --unexpected.

[She makes a sweeping gesture with her hand, easily read as, "Well, are you going to let me in?"]

DON'T CARE. I WILL WAIT FOREVER.

[killarevolution]

[He backs away from the door, waving her in with a sweeping gesture.] If it doesn't offend.

[It should. It's pretty disgusting in there.]

I don't think there's an unexpected thing in your head, Effie. [It's a backhanded compliment in a way. She's predictable and that saved her from a lot, but it's also like being called simple.]

YOU ARE THE BEST

[wigs]

[Effie shoots him a glare, which falters when she sees the state his room is in. She walks in slowly, finally standing stiffly on a spot on the floor without anything on it.]

You don't know everything about me, Haymitch. [Well, she's pretty much an open book, but there are some thoughts she buries deep, deep down.

She glances around in disdain.] And you yourself have some predictable patterns of behavior.

[killarevolution]

[Haymitch remains in the doorway, shrugging her comment off, because he doesn't feel it needs to be commented on. If he did, he'd have to admit he doesn't ask. But they're in each other's heads right now, so that's a moot point. He doesn't ask, because a part of him knows how easy it is to lose people and it's better that you barely knew them.] The Capitol likes predictable. It keeps them from thinking too much about what I'm doing.

[wigs]

And that certainly worked out for you, didn't it? [She hoped to drag this out a little longer, but in the states they're in, harmless banter could turn vicious in the blink of an eye.] Considering you managed to carry out your little rebellion to fruition.

[killarevolution]

Don't be snippy, Effie. Here. [He reaches out to grab her arm, closing the link and allowing him some much-needed relief from the pressure.] Now you knew things couldn't stay as they were after the Quell. Don't tell me you didn't. I felt it too.