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“Shwashammy! There you are! I haven’t seen you all day, how are you?“
Xisuma liked Keralis, the District 7 Victor never managed to call him by his name and he hated his name.
“Hey Keralis, I’m alright given the circumstances, how about you?“
“I am just fine, thank you very much. I have just been enjoying the Parade, best part of the Games if there is one.“
“Yeah, I quite prefer the part where they don’t die violently, I must agree with you.“
“Morbid.“
Xisuma chuckled softly, neither of them liked any part of the Life games after all, but you found your joys where you could in a world so bleak. And the Tribute’s Parade was rather impressive.
“So is picking your favourite part of a children’s death game.“
“I played it though. If anyone gets to pick a favourite bit it is us, we are the experts on what’s least bad.“
“Indeed…“
The District 11 Mentor answered automatically, but his eyes wandered towards the horizon, thinking of the Tribute’s Parade he never really took part in. Most wouldn’t have noticed, or would have assumed it was just the quirk of a traumatised man, like so many of them were. Keralis had been his friend for many years though and he knew it was deeper than that, he also knew Xisuma wouldn’t say anything about it, so he swiftly changed subjects.
“Anyways… How is your kid this year? Seemed pretty strong.“
“Underfed. But yes, older and big, he definitely has been working the orchards for many years. If I have him figured out right he was pretty close with last years kid, so pretty good motivation as well. Yours?“
“Not a chance. I don’t wanna be mean but he is tiny, scrawny and it’s not like he has a brain like a District 3 kid. Not dumb mind you, just an average thirteen year old kid.“
“No special skills like Shelby had?“
“None that I can tell, but in Seven we don’t do that. We say it’s lumber and lumber is our industry, no secret labs in the forest.“
Probably it wasn’t the best idea to mention the secret pathogen labs deep in the fields of District 9 in the middle of a large crowd of ignorant Capitol people, fortunately for the two men they were too drunk and enthralled in gawking at the teenagers in front of them to overhear. Keralis too pulled out an unmarked flask out of nowhere, taking a large swig before offering it to Xisuma, who gladly took a more moderate sip.
“This stuff tastes worse every time, shouldn’t I be getting used to it after all these years?“
“It’s part of the charm, it’s not supposed to taste good but to reflect how you feel.“
“Now I feel worse, why don’t you accept the Capitol’s alcohol instead? It’s better I promise…“
“Out of principle, they can’t take our recipes, add honey and spices and then forbid us from drinking it freely in the Districts. Besides you never had it in front of the sea, that changes the flavour, I swear.“
“And when do you see the sea precisely?“
“There is the sea in District 7, you know?“
“It has a coastline, but no settlement near it.“
“Eh- what’s a three hour hike to these legs!“
“So you go there illegally?“
It was Keralis’ turn to chuckle now, hand still on his thigh, where he had slapped it to show off its strength a moment before. He quickly raised it again to smack Xisuma on the shoulder in a way he considered quite gentle. It still was enough to make the other man squeal in pain.
“Oh no… Trespassing to wild territories… How dare I- What are they gonna do Shwashwam? Send me back in the arena? They can let me have this.“
“You didn’t need to hit me to make your point.“
“But I wanted to. I’ll take you there someday, you’ll love it!“
“Sure, but this still tastes like shit.“
“That’s the point… You need to taste the wood, sweet face.”
They went back to paying attention to the Tributes at that point, which they should have been doing that whole time, quietly sharing the flask as the President droned on about history and honour. He wouldn’t show it on his face, Xisuma knew better than that, but his heart felt lighter and not because of the alcohol, not exclusively anyways. He never felt like he was truthful with anyone, always lying and playing the role the Capitol had assigned him but with Keralis he felt like himself, whoever that was, he could be genuine.