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[axplicitly]

You’re funny, thinking you get me at all.

[There’s a light sneer, which is a careful balance of indifference and condescension. Truthfully, she finds this entire affair unsettling. What’s the difference between being a puppet for the Capitol versus dealing with a mun?]

Let me tell you something, stupid. There’s no point in making an effort. No one’s gonna pull my strings anymore, so screw off.

Comments

[airborn]

[...she recognises this face. Of course she does. It's different seeing her up close instead of on a tv screen.]

Some keepers aren't that bad. It's better than being watched by the Capitol's people.

[axplicitly]

[It takes a second for her to recognize the tribute from District 11. All thanks to Katniss and her protect-the-helpless shit.

Despite her obvious sour mood, she doesn't quite find it within herself to bite off Rue's head.]

They're all the same. Manipulative assholes who get a kick out of your humiliation and misery.

[airborn]

[Edging closer now. You won't bite, will you?]

The games here are okay. My keeper says there are calmer ones. It's like a new life away from Panem.

[axplicitly]

[Just...rolls her eyes at the timid inching.]

Yeah? And what are the chances of my puppet master choosing one of those?

[She really doesn't think there can possibly be a new life from Panem. Not without a catch, anyway.]

No, I'm betting I'll be dumped somewhere as bad as the Games. Maybe worse.

[airborn]

[Well, fine. Don't mind if she just plops onto the floor a couple feet away. The Games change people, yeah, but it's not like someone could quickly forget how Johanna had pretended to be so nice and meek, when she turned out to be the opposite.]

I'm in one. I like it so far.

[inmylight_commander]

Muns like to think they have total control. But you have to be careful, surprise them too much and they get attached and just poke you more.

[Kat knows. The more she acted opposite of the Mundane's expectations, the more shit was thrown at her out of 'curiosity'.]

[axplicitly]

[She bites back her retort, because for Rue, it's better than being dead, right? Johanna tries not to think of what the Capitol would do to Rue if she had been the victor.

Fuck, this is Katniss' fault. The girl is more trouble than she's worth, and Johanna really isn't feeling up to dealing with the bitching out she'd get for snapping at Rue.]

Yeah, well, don't hold your breath.

[Pause. This is where she asks like she cares, right?]

Where at?

[axplicitly]

[It's probably over for Johanna then, huh?

She smirks confidently.]

I'm banking on the mun being too lazy to do anything. The dumbass is the biggest procrastinator I've ever seen.

[airborn]

It's a city called Asgard. [Rue leans forward.] They have gods that are kind of like the gamemakers, except they mostly leave us alone.

The people there are nice, and they give us fresh food all the time.

[inmylight_commander]

[Kat snorts, shifting weight in her power armor.] That can definitely be a deterrent. It's part of why I've been homeless for a few months.

But, she had me in a game for a year before that, and she's thinking about doing it again. Curiosity can be a strong drive. [... a trait which Kat herself has in spades.]

My mundane says we might have some things in common, aside from a distaste for someone else deciding our fate.

[axplicitly]

[She must be getting soft if Rue is comfortable enough to lean closer. She isn't sure how to feel about this, except maybe disgruntled.]

And how long do you think that'll last? They're lulling you into a false sense of security.

[As a tribute you should know this. 8|]

The Capitol stuffed us like pigs before the Games.

[airborn]

I thought so, too. [She'd hoarded all the food she could and found a little niche of her own to hide in, but in the end, none of that was even necessary.]

Some people have been there for months. Nothing really bad's happened yet.

[axplicitly]

Sounds like you're screwed.

[Just a hint of boredom from someone in power can spell doom for everyone else.

At first, she's taken aback by the comment. No one's ever been compared to her in a way that isn't negative, and this person willingly volunteered the information. She's not sure how to react, which means tetchiness is a go.]

Whatever. Your mun's full of crap, and you'd be stupid to believe anything she says.

[axplicitly]

[Huh...so these "gods" aren't into instant gratification. Which means whenever they decide to throw something at people, it's going to be really bad. Her eyes harden.]

That means those jerks are just warming up.

[Why is she bothering trying to convince this girl? It's not like they mean anything to each other.]

Who else is there?

[That doesn't stop her from asking, because as much as she doesn't care, she also doesn't like the idea of Rue being hunted down by anyone, especially if that person is from their world.]

[inmylight_commander]

[Kat shrugs.] At least I know what to expect, and how to best combat it. [Never ever intending to make it easy on her mun.]

[She just shakes her head. That tone alone sounds like one she's used before.]

[When she speaks, her own tone goes dark and cold, running on information supplied by her mundane. Her own curiosity is overriding the suspicion that this other woman wasn't in a talking mood, but Kat pushes on, experience coloring her words.] Everything you've ever loved is gone.

[airborn]

Maybe it'll be okay and you're just worrying.

[Rue draws her legs up until she's crouching instead of sitting.]

Everyone else is from other places. [And the really surprising part: ] No one's heard of Panem, 'cept me.

[axplicitly]

[That means Kat has an advantage over her, because she certainly isn't sure what to expect, besides finding similar places to the Games. Not that she'll ever ask, especially if the person in question is a stranger. She responds to the shrug with a mocking smile]

May the odds ever be in your favor.

[Johanna narrows her eyes, irritated by the head shaking. Whatever biting reply she has evaporates from her mind when the other woman continues speaking. Kat definitely managed to hit something painful, and it makes bitterness color her tone.]

All they're good for is to be used against you.

[axplicitly]

[Something inside her twinges at how optimistic this girl is. Sure, she's young, but she's also a tribute.]

That's the reason why I'm alive.

[Johanna leans against a wall and crosses her arms. She eyes Rue with a closed expression.]

Huh. You lucked out.

[inmylight_commander]

[Kat's laugh is a little sharp at that.] The odds were never in my favor. Luck was more our thing, and even there I fell short.

[She can tell. She can tell there's pain there, and all it does is make her more inclined to keep digging to find out what.] They turned my loss into fire. Fire which I turned on the enemy. You certainly sound like you have fire.

[airborn]

[While you stand there, looking tough, Rue will keep her spot, rocking slightly back and forth as she stares at you.]

Why? [And here, the optimism from before drops a smidgeon.] No one from Panem means no one I care about is there. My family's still stuck in District 11 when I have all this food and no one to share it with.

[axplicitly]

[It's unsettling how this stranger seems to, on some level, get it. Johanna had been looking off to the side and contemplating this when she hears the oh-so-subtle digging. Her head snaps up to meet Kat's eyes head-on, cold fury burning in them.

Nothing makes her bristle like prying.]

What's it to you? What makes you think you know anything?

[axplicitly]

[Stop it. Stop reminding her of Annie. It's pissing her off.]

Tough shit.

[Another pause. She only adds on to what she said because Rue's expression is making her uncomfortable. She refuses to dwell on that.]

If they're not there, they can't be used against you. Be grateful for that.

[inmylight_commander]

[Kat holds her gaze, her green eyes fierce. She's nearly 7' of augmented, armored space marine, a robotic arm and facial scars the outward signs of painful experiences, but the real hurt seething deep within. Seeing her family die. Knowing her entire company died while she lived. Finding out her squad mates died after she did. Fueling all of that into her gaze and her response.]

What makes you think I don't?

[axplicitly]

[Johanna refuses to give one inch, especially since she knows she's outclassed, with no weapons at her disposal.

She's practically spitting in rage as she clenches her fists, only managing to keep her voice from rising to a shout by gritting her teeth.]

Cut the commiserating, sympathetic bullshit. I don't care. And I sure as hell don't want to be talking about this with you.

[airborn]

No, it just means the Capitol still has them. They keep talking about a war here, but at least you can choose to fight.

What if one of my brothers or sisters gets chosen for next year's Games?

[That's not exactly better, is it?]