A/N: Ya know, I would be so much happier if Katniss watched t.v because I would love to know what the hell is happening in the Capitol while she's being a hermit and antisocial. I'm going to patiently wait for George to finish his book even if I have to wait years because the show isn't satisfying me needs and book universe Marg is still alive.
Cressida was proud to note she only had one nightmares and she had made it to the bathroom before she threw up, she likes to think that is progress. She dreamed about being underground in the tunnels again, running around in the maze and hearing the wails of her team overcome her. She woke up when her mom's voice entered the fray. She had scrambled out of her sleeping bag and made a mad dash to the toilet. Pollux was asleep in the guest room as she threw up her peanut butter sandwiches. Her watch told her it was seven in the morning and she gave up with the notion of going to sleep again.
She took a cold shower to wash away the sweat and wake her senses. Her plans for today was to go to Snow's mansion and then go grab her mom's ashes. When she was done getting ready she went down stairs to get the coffee ready. Coffee was a sure safe bet to wake up Pollux without the risk of injury to her face. She turned on the lights, got the coffee started and got one of her favorite books Lord of the Flies. The paper made a crackling sound as she turned it. For generations, her family had been rewriting, drawing, and basically remaking their things when age made the pages crumble and the tapes scratch, using what they had in the time to preserve memory.
Cressida would have to begin another copy. She jumped high when Pollux stumbled down stairs and glared at everything including her. He was a grouch in the morning, they both were, everyone in the Capital didn't start the day until noon. They communicated all their mornings by grunts and sighs until they drained all their coffee. Today was no different except for the fact that Cressida forgot she didn't need to make that much coffee anymore. It hurt but she was getting used to staying afloat. Pollux quietly took his coffee while Cressida checked her emails. The confirmation was there to go and film the bomb site, there was also a suggestion from Plutarch to go to other restricted areas. Cressida wasn't looking forward to it.
"Great. Let's not stall any longer," Cressida sighs and she goes to grab their equipment from its holding.
The mess in her front porch was gone, out of all the places Cressida has visited the Capital was went to extremes to present itself clean. Image was everything after all. Last night Cressida had ordered online new furniture and clothes, she should be back to receive it all by the afternoon.
The streets were scarce of people and the guards posted around the most critical damages let them pass. They went to assess the damages and found the wreckage was untouched. By now the Capitol should have had this area spotless and Cressida thought Plutarch was the reason the Capitol hadn't done so yet. The rain had washed out the blood.
"Focus on the shadows and burns on the floor. I want it to look as dreary and gloomy as possible," Cressida instructs. Pollux nods and scouts the best place to take pictures.
"Do you want a picture of me looking somber and brooding too?" A familiar voice says behind her.
"Hello tall, dark, and handsome. If I wanted someone to brood for me I'd get a professional," Cressida smirks at Gale Hawthorne. "You're not in that list."
"Fair enough," Gale nods at Pollux.
"What are you doing here?" Cressida asks, she thought he would be trying to bust out the mocking jay from her cage.
"Reflecting," Gale stares at the empty space in front of them. "Do you ever regret joining the rebellion?"
"No. I saw an opportunity to help take down the regime and I took it," Cressida examines his features. The grief in his grey eyes, ashy cheeks, his form was stooped, the grim set of his jaw, even his uniform has creases. "It was war Gale, you didn't do anything wrong. Nobody is going to see it like that."
"Katniss does see it like that," he sighs. "I hope Prim forgives me," he sighs. Cressida remembers that Gale worked with Beetee in making weapons. She looks at the scorch marks on the ground.
"You're strong. You'll bear with it."
"I must or I won't be able to sleep. The other reason I'm here is because I heard you were here. I was wondering if Johanna Mason had contacted you," he questions.
"Jo, no. Why would you ask that?" They both look around to see if there's anyone to overhear them.
"She's gone rogue," he pushes back greasy hair. "I guessed she would contact you and get you to broadcast her desecrating Snow's home," Cressida can't help the twitch of her lips to go up in amusement. "It's a little funny," the smile doesn't reach his eyes. "We have people looking but have nothing and she's unstable. She hates the Capital and Snow. We're all worried she might do something crazy."
"Not as crazy as Katniss levels."
"Yeah, I think we've all giving up in steering Katniss to our cause now," that good. It's about time Katniss was left alone.
"Are you going to testify for her?" Cressida asks.
"Yeah. I'm going to do whatever I can to help. I see you're doing your own part," he glances at her camera.
"Use our talents for the cause," she shrugs. "Jo had a list of people she hated. Remember her interview? Can't harm the dead but what about the living."
"You're right, I'll go investigate that. Take care of yourself," Gale walks away.
"Gale!" Cressida shouts. "Tell Katniss and Peeta I say I wish them well when you guys go back home," she says and his eyes widen a fraction.
"Peeta is hospitalized here. I think they allow visitors. I'll tell Katniss if I see her," and with that said he retreats.
Pollux is back at her side and asks her what that was about. Drama, Pollux guesses.
"They're teenager remember. Did you get it?" He nods and hands it to her for review. "I guess someone will note if we tamper with it. This is satisfactory," she squints up at the sun overhead. "People will begin slinking out of their houses. Some might come here. I thi-" her phone's vibration interrupts her. Dread bubbles inside her. She pulls out her phone from her pocket and hisses. "It's the Lannisters wedding planner." She glares up at the sky, summoning strength. "Alright here's the plan. I have to go and you're gonna chill here and get good pics of people coming by and looking devastated. When you think you have enough, come to this address. Sound good?"
He nods and signs good luck.
She leaves him there so he won't have to deal with the vexing women Cressida will have to interview. The wedding planner had assembled all the bride maid's and told Cressida to come. In truth even if she was cross about it the planner had the right idea. Knowing Cersei it would be better to get the interview of them saying good things about her and not during the end of the month where they'll be frustrated with her. It had thrown a wrench in Cressida's plans however, after the shoot she was supposed to go collect her mother. She was optimistic she could get over this quickly and make it before the place closed.
The Lannisters being the Lannisters had reserved an entire store of wedding dresses to conduct the interview in. Cressida quickly decides against taking the underground train and hails a ride. It's a long ride and Cressida had to marvel at how Coin tried to keep the Capital intact for her celebration. Except for the path leading to the mansion, the Capitol was remarkably unscathed from the war. She has him drop her off a block away from her destination. Cressida used that walk to clear her head and put her game face on.
Her game face was startled off when she caught sight of familiar fair legs and tousled red hair. She like all other foreigners stick out in the Capitol with their drab clothing. Sansa was dressed in simple green flannel, knee length shorts, and she was sitting next to the statue of Venus. Cressida blinked, wondering if she had drunk too much coffee but no, Sansa was truly here in the Capitol and not in district 7. It's been months since Cressida last saw her and she felt her insides buzz with renewed happiness at the pretty girl. It might have been more than happiness she felt.
Cressida approaches and Sansa stops her brooding to turn her head to the side. Sansa's mouth gapes and they're both stunned to see each other. Lungs can't expand because they're chests are about to burst because of something else. Sansa shuts her mouth and leaps of the wall to run and slam into Cressida. Cressida notes that Sansa got taller as she presses her face to Sansa's slender neck.
"Cressida," Sansa voice makes her shudder.
"Hey. What a great surprise," she laughs and hugs Sansa tighter to herself. Sansa smelled of the earth and fresh air.
Sansa pushes her back far too soon and holds her shoulders. The pout must be evident on her face because Sansa says," let me look at you." Cressida takes the opportunity to openly stare back.
Her face is sharper than before, her face more pensive than carefree, and her eyes melted from icy color to river blue.
"Sansa," Cressida chokes out. She is overwhelmingly happy to see her girl whole, safe, and here.
Sansa steps closer and Cressida can count the light freckles on her face. The urge to press kisses to all of them almost takes her over.
"You're okay," Sansa whispers and grabs her hand. "You're looking really good for someone that's been through war," Cressida almost responds that she always looks good. "I was worried about you. They told me you were here when the rebels took over."
Cressida had to write a report about the mission and having to recall all the events and deaths was horrible. Whoever came up with the plans and pods had an incredible sadistic creativity. She wanted to hold Sansa, touch her face and cry.
"I am incredibly lucky. I was worried about you too," Cressida admits. "What are you doing here?"
"Waiting for you."
"What?" Cressida would have blushed if her brain wasn't preoccupied.
"I'm a bride's maid. Didn't I tell you my father and Robert were friends? I suppose he wanted my dad but had to make do with his children," Sansa shrugs.
She almost replies that she made sure Sansa was no longer a maiden but-" your dad?"
"The peacekeepers shot him to send an example," Sansa explains with a cold expression.
"Oh, Sansa...I'm sorry," she hugs the girl. They've both lost a parent.
Sansa responds to the hug and Cressida tries to remember the last time she hugged someone to comfort them. Sansa clears her throat when the hug drags a little too long and pushes Cressida away. "Arya is here too."
"Your little sister."
"Yeah. Although, she ran away a few minutes ago and it's a good thing too because Cersei is writing her name in Arya's death list."
"She's doing the world a favor," Cress laughs and Sansa cups her face again.
Cressida gives into weakness and sinks into the soft touch that she's desperately craved for days now. This was the best surprise she's gotten all week and maybe having to work with Cersei will be more bearable if Sansa was there. Blue eyes stare at her so intensely that she wants to freeze the moment and frame it. She had almost forgotten how beautiful those eyes were under the moonlight and gazing down at her.
"I thought it was my imagination but you look like a guy I just met," Sansa says effectively breaking Cressida's stupor.
Sansa retracts her hands and Cressida almost stumbles forward. She resembled who! She must have misheard. "You both look alike with the smug look on your faces," Cressida is not pleased to hear the awe in her voice. Cressida did not need to hear that. "He's inside getting his tux fitted," Sansa grasps her hand. Cressida wanted to shout the fact that she looks good in a tux as well and that she didn't want to meet Sansa latest crush.
They go inside and the party doesn't notice them entering because they're lounging in the back, drinking, eating, gossiping and being distracted. Sansa heads to the back of a black couch and shakes the person lying down. The mystery man rises and Cressida sees the back of his light brown curly hair. She runs her hand through her half-shaved hair and clearly, they're nothing alike. The man turns around and Cressida sets her jaw. There's no denying he's handsome even with his face pinched with sleep. Cressida glances at Sansa who is smiling at her.
She wasn't raised to be bluntly impolite.
"I'm Cressida. The one doing the interview," she speaks. That introduction could have gone better.
"...dad has a little explaining to do," the man says with wide eyes as they study each other. Grudgingly she has to admit they do look alike. " I owe you fifty bucks Sansa. She does resemble me. I'm Loras. Sansa told me you followed and taped the Mockingjay," he says a little impressed.
"And you're..." Cressida asks standing taller.
"Just the best weapon master of district 2! I wasn't there when the Mockingjay got shot though," he shakes his head. "I did see the footage. Very impressive."
"You're from district 2," Cressida says.
"All the important families from the districts have been invited to the wedding," Sansa explains.
Cressida eyes him. Now that her nerves have calmed down she let her internal radar work again. She was usually good at studying people and their intentions. Her instincts were functioning again. It set her on edge how big his muscles were and how beautiful he was. It also said that Sansa was happy to see her again and Cressida could say that the feeling was mutual.
"If you're only attending does that mean I won't have to film you talking?"
"No, but I am good at acting."
"Let me take you to the man in charge," Sansa says and Cressida wants to hold her hand again.
Cressida can't say if the man is displeased at being interrupted or at her tardiness.
Cressida is disappointed she hadn't brought Pollux along. She could have slacked off and catch up with Sansa the whole time he held the camera while the girls gave their piece. Cressida had thought she would only have to hold the camera and let the wedding planner do the questioning but the girls would either talk for too long or get out of the subject and talk about their own vanity. The wedding planner would sometimes reprimand them but most times the girls actually did have interesting things too say and Cressida would be the one to steer them back to course. Sansa was with Loras the whole time and Cress could have pouted if she didn't have to maintain a professional facade.