super rusty muse, new pb

[deathtraps]

Trying this again? Because you did so well last time. [The desert isn't drier than his tone.] Let's say we put it on hold for a while.

You've got other things to do first.

Comments

[effective]

[Wrinkling her nose at him, because she is focussing on the important things here] What's wrong with your shirt. [It's not even a question]

[deathtraps]

[Oh my god, Katniss. Katniss. It's called a manly chest.] What?

[effective]

[Gesturing vaguely] Did you forget how buttons work?

[deathtraps]

[Snorts.] Does a slight lack of buttons offend you, Katniss?

[effective]

The buttons aren't the problem. You deciding that everyone within viewing distance needs to be able to see your chest is the problem. [pointedly looking anywhere except there]

[stillplaying]

[Gale. It's been what? Months? Days and weeks and months since she's last seen him. Talked to him. Had any interaction at all. Not since they last stood in the Capitol together. And he had tried to explain. The bombs. Prim. His deathtraps.

What had Greasy Sae said? That he was in District Two now? Some fancy job that got him on the television a lot. He's probably met someone else by now. Another pair of lips. Moved on.

And yet, here he is. Right in front of her. Putting up the same argument she's tried in the past. What can she say? What should she say? They might not have had each others backs like they should've. Back in the Capitol, when they went to assassinate Snow. She can't look at him without thinking of Prim's death. But he's still Gale. And she's still Katniss.

So finally, after what seems like an eternity of staring, words are whispered in a similarly sarcastic tone:] May the odds be ever in your favor.

[deathtraps]

[He doesn't have to hear behind what she says to know exactly what she's talking about -- where's she coming from, the last time she saw him, and everything else in between. Because he can see it on her face, in her eyes; he was always good at that. And without another word, Gale's expression darkens, becomes steely and protected, more difficult to read than normally. His body language is nothing less.

He has these memories, too, but it's been a while since he found Katniss from the same time period, ready or willing or angry enough to confront him. Honestly, Gale is surprised she's here now if she knows what happens at the end of their war.]

Haven't heard that in a while.

[stillplaying]

[That's the problem with Gamemakers. It doesn't matter where they're from, what form they take. Everything is for their entertainment. What do they care that she doesn't want to be here? Doesn't want to see him. Doesn't want this confrontation at all. Just so long as it's entertaining to them.

She watches as his expression changes. Watches as he becomes more guarded. And she knows he's remembering. Remembering her silence as clearly as she did. Is he angry? Hurt that she didn't call him back? That she didn't try to figure it out, attempt to conquer that twisted sadness and become the girl again, the girl he had befriended years before.

What does he think of her decision to kill Coin instead of Snow? The attempt at suicide via nightlock that Peeta interrupted? Was he at her trial? One of Plutarch's witnesses? There are so many questions she doesn't have answers to. Questions she doesn't know if she wants answers to.

But even now, it's been months since that last day. She's not the fire mutt anymore. She's not sure who he is. But it's still easier to ignore the questions. To try to stay nonchalant and shrug. To force the memory of the explosion out of her head.] It seemed fitting.

[deathtraps]

[He was hurt, angry for a while. Because she didn't understand his intentions, she didn't understand the things he needed to do, what was necessary to end this war and bring peace, once and for all. But it became too personal. And maybe some of it was wrong -- but Gale doesn't want to doubt himself, not after everything. He didn't know they were going to use the bombs that way; another reason Coin bested them all, almost worse than Snow. He understands why Katniss killed her over him.

This conversation is stiff and awkward, and he doesn't quite meet her eyes.]

More than it should be.

[She looks better, though, than the last time he's seen her. So he clings to that.]

[stillplaying]

[In the time she's been back in District Twelve, she's never once watched any of his television spots. How could she, when all she saw were the explosions? Her little duck, tail flapping as she runs towards her death. It comes as a relief when she doesn't see them now. She steals glances, here and there. But there's nothing obscuring her vision. And she only sees Gale. It's all she ever wanted to see, all she ever wanted to think about, when it came to him. Her best friend.

He looks good. Like she remembers. She doubts the same can be said of her.

Every time she catches him looking in her direction, she looks away. She doesn't know what to say now. Can't remember a time when there had ever been this much awkward, uncomfortable, horrible silence between them. They'll never go back to being that boy and girl who had met in the woods, will they?

And she should ask, she knows. Ask if the odds are in his favor. If he's safe from his own Gamemaker, from any new games. Those questions burn inside of her, tease the tip of her tongue. But the words seem almost impossible to form.]

[fletching]

Let me know if she listens.

[Sarcastic, in that Katniss doubts she'll do any such thing. Sincere, in that she hopes, for Gale's sake, she does.

Well, tries to hope. It's a rare commodity these days.]

[deathtraps]

[He gives a short, dry laugh.]

Do they ever, Catnip?

[fletching]

No. [Obviously.]

That's why I said let me know. It would be something different, for once.

[deathtraps]

Sure, I bet it'll be a welcome change. But right now? It's all the same.

What about you?

[fletching]

I haven't been sent to any more games yet, if that's what you mean.

[insecrets]

[A snort.] They don't listen.

[deathtraps]

[OH HEY.] Never learn, either.

[insecrets]

[SUP BUDDY.] You just have to learn to play their game, really. Just wait until she starts looking for places to toss you into.

[deathtraps]

It's not a game I want to play.

[insecrets]

[:c Yeah, he knows. You're not like the rest of them, Gale. That's too bad.

Finnick thinks he would have made a great tribute.] Do any of us really want to play?

[not_like_the_rest]

Hey hot stuff.

[deathtraps]

Johanna.

[not_like_the_rest]

That's me. (Grins) what, no warm welcome?

[deathtraps]

Didn't know you were looking for one.

[not_like_the_rest]

Aww. I'm hurt! (Not really.) You know, my mun thinks we would make a great couple.