[There's something that may become immediately obvious about this one. She's not the most verbose person in the world.
When she does speak, her voice is calm. The kind of calm that comes with practice, one that belongs to someone who's had to learn how to hide her emotions lest prying eyes and ears become privy to them. But it's quite obviously strained, carrying with it a hint of almost... bitterness.]
[he's fine with people who don't speak much. it usually means they think more.]
Well, whoever they are, they don' sound like my kinda people. Especially since I'm guessin' you don't mean games like Candy Land or Boggle or any of that shite.
Didn't think so. [he sighs] How'd ya even end up playin'? ... If play's even the right word.
[he doesn't even know what these games of hers entail, but he already sounds vaguely disgusted. to call something that isn't fun a 'game' and make people play it - that's twisted enough to start with. that's the sort of thing that'd have him putting the Gamemasters on their knees and dropping iron to the back of their heads]
[It is sick. Truly sick. There are things she's seen she's sure she'll never forget. Images that are haunting her already. Rue's lifeless body, that spear piercing her stomach. Those wolves with their eyes. Cato being torn to shreds, reduced to begging for her mercy just to end it all....
Which may make her next response seem all the more odd.]
S'probably about as valuable as a wooden nickel from here, but -- anythin' I can do t' help? [he's got to ask anyway, it's been pretty much ingrained in him]
[Initially, his name escapes her in a sigh of relief. But then, just as instantly, there's confusion. So much confusion. Why is he here? She remembered the look on his face when she last left him. Shouldn't he be nothing but coolly indifferent to her...?
It doesn't matter. None of it does. Right now, she feels that she has to warn him.]
[And the confusion doesn't get any better. She doesn't know what's stranger at this moment: his words, or that gesture. WHERE ARE THE CAMERAS. She could've sworn...--
If there are cameras, she knows she should keep up the charade. But she's been rendered into stunned silence. For much longer than she should have been. It's only after a few moments that's even able to get out:]
[She's so caught up in this new information that the subtleties in his behavior don't register with her. (Not that they'd be likely to on a regular basis; for all her talents, Katniss Everdeen isn't the most adept at picking up those social cues.) Where has she heard this before? A magic castle that occasionally messes with people for the fun of it.....
....... Oh. It suddenly hits her. With a bit of horror.]
[All he wants to do is hold her. Kiss her. Touch her. Tell her everything will be okay and that he'll always be there. Everything is like after the 74th Hunger Games. Distant, cold. He's looking at her with the same sort of disappointed shock. But the love is still there, burning hungrily and desperately as it hits him as well.]
No, she can't. I'd rather be alone than you being forced into another game.
[In an instant, this changes things. Of course, initially, she'd been wary about getting involved in another game. Just the word alone has so many sinister connotations now. But if Peeta's there....--
The boy with the bread. No matter what, she can't lose him. Just as she did then, she has to do everything she can to make sure he stays alive.]
[No, he has to be strong. He can't let her end up in a game just because he misses her. Lying came so easy after a little practice. He becomes blank, the nobody that could lie and kill.]
[It doesn't matter how she feels about Peeta right now. (Confused, at best.) How Peeta feels about her. (Indecipherable.) What matters is that if she hadn't done what she did, he would have died in that arena. No matter how strained anything is, if she has any say, that won't have been for nothing.
[He could never convince her of anything, could he? Not even the simplest things. He steps up to her, his face softening. He takes her hands in his, barely speaking above a whisper.]
Katniss. No one needs me. But you... you have Gale, your mother... and Prim. You have to convince her to send you back for Prim.
[He sighs. The words were eerily similar to words he had whispered in her ear before. Maybe this time they would work.]
[When she hears that familiar voice, catches sight of that familiar face... she's smiling. For what seems like the first time in she can't remember how long. Not exactly answering his question, but. She's missed him. So much.]
i couldn't resist! also, i'll do my best not to spoil you if you're still reading <3
[He hasn't seen her smile like that in what must be a lifetime. It's refreshing, even if it takes Gale by surprise. Makes him wonder, question... Well, here, he can't always be sure. Gale smiles grimly back.]
[It's all she can to do keep from throwing her arms around him, really. But something stops her. Maybe it's the grim smile, the tone of his voice. Or simply what he's saying, reminding her of what the sight of him has almost forgotten.
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/waaaaves
Hiii! 8D
When she does speak, her voice is calm. The kind of calm that comes with practice, one that belongs to someone who's had to learn how to hide her emotions lest prying eyes and ears become privy to them. But it's quite obviously strained, carrying with it a hint of almost... bitterness.]
The Gamemakers.
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Well, whoever they are, they don' sound like my kinda people. Especially since I'm guessin' you don't mean games like Candy Land or Boggle or any of that shite.
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These aren't the kind you play for fun.
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[he doesn't even know what these games of hers entail, but he already sounds vaguely disgusted. to call something that isn't fun a 'game' and make people play it - that's twisted enough to start with. that's the sort of thing that'd have him putting the Gamemasters on their knees and dropping iron to the back of their heads]
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Which may make her next response seem all the more odd.]
I volunteered.
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Must've had one hell of a reason to.
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[She tries to swallow down a sudden pang.]
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Then I hope y' win.
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I have to.
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[Initially, his name escapes her in a sigh of relief. But then, just as instantly, there's confusion. So much confusion. Why is he here? She remembered the look on his face when she last left him. Shouldn't he be nothing but coolly indifferent to her...?
It doesn't matter. None of it does. Right now, she feels that she has to warn him.]
There's another game.
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[He spreads his arms open wide, waiting for his hug.]
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If there are cameras, she knows she should keep up the charade. But she's been rendered into stunned silence. For much longer than she should have been. It's only after a few moments that's even able to get out:]
What?
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I'm in a castle, a magical castle. Sometimes it's okay, but it likes to play with people in a way that makes me sick.
Don't tell me she's thinking of putting you there.
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....... Oh. It suddenly hits her. With a bit of horror.]
That's the one.
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No, she can't. I'd rather be alone than you being forced into another game.
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The boy with the bread. No matter what, she can't lose him. Just as she did then, she has to do everything she can to make sure he stays alive.]
I'm coming.
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[No, he has to be strong. He can't let her end up in a game just because he misses her. Lying came so easy after a little practice. He becomes blank, the nobody that could lie and kill.]
No, I don't need you. Tell her that.
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Her expression hardens.]
You need me. We both know that.
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Katniss. No one needs me. But you... you have Gale, your mother... and Prim. You have to convince her to send you back for Prim.
[He sighs. The words were eerily similar to words he had whispered in her ear before. Maybe this time they would work.]
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The ones who made the game.
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pretend this isn't a million years late because... omg Gale 8D all my excitement
[When she hears that familiar voice, catches sight of that familiar face... she's smiling. For what seems like the first time in she can't remember how long. Not exactly answering his question, but. She's missed him. So much.]
i couldn't resist! also, i'll do my best not to spoil you if you're still reading <3
[He hasn't seen her smile like that in what must be a lifetime. It's refreshing, even if it takes Gale by surprise. Makes him wonder, question... Well, here, he can't always be sure. Gale smiles grimly back.]
Getting sent somewhere?
<33 I just started Catching Fire today
Her own smile starts to fade.]
I don't know.
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