on her potential existence at a couple of games.

[empowers]

No! You can't!

[ She's a little unclear on what the concept of "games" are, here, but... It's no less unsettling. She hears the word and goes off. ]

You can't send me into a place like that! Where everything is completely beyond anyone's control but some person with pieces pushing around like some --

I am not a piece! I won't be used as a pawn for your entertainment. I said I was finished, and I'm finished.

Comments

[threadthefire]

Breathe, Katniss. There are worse games to be in, believe me.

[empowers]

What makes it any different? [ But Cinna's reassurance makes her feel calmer, somehow. ]

[threadthefire]

No games. The curses are a bit annoying, but they are temporary and the rest of the time... we get to live out lives. Any way we like.

[empowers]

How does anyone afford that sort of freedom?

[threadthefire]

However we can. People get jobs, go into business. We make do, Katniss. You would be safe there.

Safer than home at any rate.

[empowers]

What about Prim? My mother? Peeta and Gale? The other victors? Would they be there, and safe, too?

[threadthefire]

[There's a pause, because that's a complicated question.] That's hard to say. Peeta, Finnick and Rue were there once. Rue may yet return. Gale was... it's been a long time since I've seen Gale, although my mun says with the movie coming out she's certain more of us will appear.

Whatever that might mean, I'm not entirely sure.

But whoever arrives, Katniss, I can make room for them.

god i need to keyword /random icon roulette

[empowers]

But, Rue's -- Cinna, she's gone. [ Swallowing down guilt and pain and sadness... must be manly... -- ]

If she does wind up sending me here, I could stay with you, then?

[threadthefire]

That's the charm of the place - some people get second chances.

[He pauses, smiling a little.] I have a spare bedroom and I wouldn't have it any other way. I would, in fact, insist.

[district7]

And how well is that going for you?

[empowers]

Not very. [ Johanna Mason bringing a feeling of relief to Katniss Everdeen. Not a common feeling. ] They've managed to bring you here, too?

[district7]

She seems to get a real kick out of trying to make me squirm.

[Trust her, the feeling is very mutual.]

So what are their plans for you?

[empowers]

I don't doubt they have an entire book filled with things they could use us to be their entertainment for.

A multicolored city, a wasteland, some -- place where gods supposedly house everyone and provide them with everything they need. [ The first reminds her too much of the capitol, the second, too much of what used to be home, and the third... It's absurd. ]

[effective]

[Eyeing her for a moment]

Get used to it.

[empowers]

[ Silence.

More silence.

The skipping, irregular pounding of the heartbeat of a person who is confused, possibly shocked. Her ears fill with it. ]

And now they've managed to come up with a convincing double.

[effective]

[her expression twists] If the Capitol could make a double, we wouldn't be talking.

[empowers]

[ She contemplates for a moment killing whatever this is - it has to be some new sick form of mutt. ]

There is no we.

[effective]

[Rolling her eyes] Don't try to kill me. I know all your moves.

What's the last thnig you remember? [Trying to determine if she's further along or not :V]

[findthisdistracting]

It's okay. Mostly. It's not like home.

[empowers]

[ Heart, meet stomach. Finnick. ]

You think so?

[findthisdistracting]

I hope so. I haven't been at mine long yet.

[empowers]

What's it like? Where is it? Who's with you?

[findthisdistracting]

It's a city with a lot of fog called Anatole. You're there. ...Well, not you you, but ...another version.

[empowers]

I can't even start to make sense of what you just said. There are other versions of me?

[findthisdistracting]

Looks like it. Because we all need a million Katnisses. [He's only teasing, shush.]

[insecrets]

It's all about survival, Katniss. You know how to do that.

[empowers]

Haven't they had enough?

[insecrets]

They never have enough. [He shrugs.]

[empowers]

Then we're fighting for nothing. I can't accept that, Finnick.

[threesheets]

Having trouble there, sweetheart?

[ yup, this would be him doing that mocking and not helping thing. calm down, girlie. god. ]

I think you might be getting your games confused. And assuming we've got any control here at all.

[empowers]

[ If looks could kill. Your scathingly useless encouragement is so very unappreciated here, drunkest. ]

Games are games, Haymitch. And I'm not a puppet.

[threesheets]

I think you've made that very clear to everyone in earshot. You think they're going to stop just because the Mockingjay's making a lot of noise?

[empowers]

They might stop just a moment to listen, at least, and that's time enough for me.

[threesheets]

Is it.

[ The flattest, most sardonic look. Kid, you got guts...but a head about as thick as a brick wall sometimes. ]

You're missing something. Remember who the enemy is?

[peacekeep]

I think we both know by now that anyone with power over us will do whatever they'd like.

[She smiles sadly, knowing exactly what people in power are able to take away from the both of them.]

Even if it breaks you.

... MY HEART CAN'T TAKE THIS THOUGH

[empowers]

But that doesn't mean we have to sit back and watch it happen.

[ Prim. It's mutual leaning time. Can you sense this? ]

IT WILL HAVE TO LEARN TO TAKE IT

[peacekeep]

[Her smile becomes more cheerful now. Forced, but still cheerful. It's her job to try and cheer up her sister, no matter what. She softly chuckles and shakes her head, and then moves in to wrap her arms tightly around her sister.]

I'm used to doing that, Katniss. It's not as bad as you make it out to be.

[Katniss is given a big, clinging squeeze before she pulls away, reaching up to push hair behind her ear. She looks up at her sister, all serious but filled with admiration.]

Don't be afraid. You're the strongest person I know, you'll be able to survive anything that's thrown at you. Even if it's another game, I know you'll really try your best.

BUT IT CAN'T -- it's shattering. ;A;

[empowers]

[ Even though it's forced, and Katniss knows that, the smile on those lips who have had to bear so much more than anyone Prim's age should ever have to - who have had to offer too much comfort, too many times, or have had to close when they would rather whimper... It gives her a sense of peace. Even if it doesn't last, it's there. And it's better than nothing. ]

You've always been the optimist of the two of us.

[ She hugs her sister back, and allows the comforting ministrations to take place. No other person in the world but Prim, maybe Peeta, could get this close to her. Not anymore. ]

I made a promise, didn't I?

[dontcountmeout]

Katniss? Where does she want to send you?

oh. my. god. my heart. i can't live on this planet anymore.

[empowers]

[ Every single bone in her body wants to cry out to the little girl from district eleven. All of her wants to hug the girl, to cry, to do something outlandish to rejoice because she's not dead anymore. Instead she just swallows the lump in her throat and speaks as if nothing has changed since they teamed up. ]

There's a city that sounds like it would be bright, colorful like the capitol. Cinna's there. I'm hoping that she might stop after that, but... I'm not counting on it.

[ This is her strong face. ]