Katniss Everdeen (
stillplaying) wrote2012-03-22 06:33 pm
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2nd Game [action + voice]
[The rain has finally stopped. It comes as such a relief to Katniss, that she slips out of the treehouse village with her bow and arrows and hunting bag so very early in the morning - earlier than she's been awake in days.
It's been a whole day of exploring the woods. Gathering edible plants and resetting snares that were damaged by the storm. And just wandering. Wandering amongst the trees, sometimes climbing up one to get a better look of the area. Here, by the edge of the lake, she feels far enough from the town that she might actually be safe.
Safer, at least, than in those past few days. Maybe she spent too much time in the treehouse after that gathering. Too much time alone with memories and thoughts that made her heartsick. Nightmares that here, something will happen to Rue, something she won't be able to stop - just like she couldn't stop that District 1 boy from spearing her in arena. Lost days that she tried to hide so she wouldn't worry Rue.
But today? Today she almost feels like herself. Especially after a whole morning's and afternoon's worth of hunting and gathering. If you've been in the forest near the western lake today, there's a chance you might have run into her.
Maybe she hasn't been as successful as she's been in the past, but her bag still speaks of some results. A wild turkey she shot early afternoon, herbs and roots gathered not too far from the lake, and a couple of small squirrels from her snares. They weigh her down and she considers returning to the treehouses, but she doesn't want to leave the sanctuary of the forest. Not yet.
A flash of yellow catches her eye and she turns, arrow notched in it's string. And then it meows, indignant, and her arrow flies to land in the dirt right next to the beast.
She stares. And scowls.
A while later, she's back in her treehouse room and glaring at the stupid creature that followed her home. Of everyone to find here from District 12, of course it has to be Buttercup.
She reaches for the journal to ask a question.]
Has anyone else here found a pet from home?
It's been a whole day of exploring the woods. Gathering edible plants and resetting snares that were damaged by the storm. And just wandering. Wandering amongst the trees, sometimes climbing up one to get a better look of the area. Here, by the edge of the lake, she feels far enough from the town that she might actually be safe.
Safer, at least, than in those past few days. Maybe she spent too much time in the treehouse after that gathering. Too much time alone with memories and thoughts that made her heartsick. Nightmares that here, something will happen to Rue, something she won't be able to stop - just like she couldn't stop that District 1 boy from spearing her in arena. Lost days that she tried to hide so she wouldn't worry Rue.
But today? Today she almost feels like herself. Especially after a whole morning's and afternoon's worth of hunting and gathering. If you've been in the forest near the western lake today, there's a chance you might have run into her.
Maybe she hasn't been as successful as she's been in the past, but her bag still speaks of some results. A wild turkey she shot early afternoon, herbs and roots gathered not too far from the lake, and a couple of small squirrels from her snares. They weigh her down and she considers returning to the treehouses, but she doesn't want to leave the sanctuary of the forest. Not yet.
A flash of yellow catches her eye and she turns, arrow notched in it's string. And then it meows, indignant, and her arrow flies to land in the dirt right next to the beast.
She stares. And scowls.
A while later, she's back in her treehouse room and glaring at the stupid creature that followed her home. Of everyone to find here from District 12, of course it has to be Buttercup.
She reaches for the journal to ask a question.]
Has anyone else here found a pet from home?
[ action ]
[It's said with a scowl because it's an animal. It's game, it's food. Not a person. Not someone that matters.
She walks over, slinging the bow over her shoulder and pulling out a knife instead. It'll keep her just as safe but unlike her arrows, it'll actually help in prepping that squirrel.
And if he doesn't want it, she'll take a seat and begin to skin it in his stead.]
I've caught trout.
[ action ]
[He doesn't watch her skin that animal, because blood and flesh isn't his type of thing to look at, job occupation be damned. He slowly draws the line, stopping, drawing again at the faintest sign of a possible fish. ]
Trout? Here?
[Huh... He looks along the surface of the lake, thoughtful.]
Maybe I'm in for some better catches then.
...
Especially if this place poofs in some giant man-eating fish.
[POSSIBILITIES.]
[ action ]
[It's said defensively. She knows some fish, memories of time spent with her dad at the lake. But it's been so long and the most she didn't pay that much attention to the fish she caught as she scaled and gutted it.
And it's easier to talk about fish than discuss his first comment. Because life isn't easy. It's something she knows too well.]
Tasted like it, too. And I've never heard of man-eating fish.
[Except, maybe there had been something like that in a Hunger Games once? Some time ago, some sort of muttation that the Gamemakers used against the Tributes. She's not sure. And she doesn't think she wants to be sure.]
[ action ]
I remember, my old man pulled a trick on me on the beach when I was little. Always had a thing against sharks thanks to him. [He glances at her.] Ever heard of the movie 'Jaws'?
[ action ]
No.
[ action ]
Y'know, in case any really giant man-eating sharks decided to stop by California shores.
[ action ]
Like something the Gamemakers would use in the Games. And so she glowers.]
I don't think it sounds enjoyable at all.
[ action ]
[He feels like there's a tug at the other end of the line and reels it in, but alas, his bait is gone and the fish gains a victory.]
Little bastard's tricky. [He huffs it under his breath, before throwing the line back, newly supplied and ready for catchin'. And then he's back on topic.]
Yep, Jaws wasn't much of a real shark at all. In fact, when they were filming the movie? He used to--[He spirals a finger downward before mimicking a splash with his mouth.]--sink, right to the bottom of the ocean. Used to call him 'Flaws'. Metal and all that doesn't really float all that well, if you get what I mean.
[ action ]
But the fishing? That's fascinating. That's worth staying. He's one of the first people she's seen not relying solely on the town for food.
And that alone makes him worth her time.
So she gives a small, thoughtful nod as she cuts off the squirrel's tail.]
Why didn't they use a real one?
[ action ]
He scratches behind his ear.]
Well... because a real shark would probably eat their actors. Too many big teeth to deal with, right? [and he glances at her, because she wouldn't be the first here, he figures--] ... Never seen a movie before, have you?
[ action ]
No. Not like that.
[ action ] 1/2
Aww, what?? You owe me at least two minutes of my life now!
[ action ] 2/3 lies
DOUBLE-TAKE.]
[ action ] there we goooo
[The line whines and creaks in his grip as he looks over his shoulder.]
You're a double-agent working for the fish, huh?? Trying to get my attention so they can steal my shit!
[ action ] 1/2
She'd argue that she doesn't owe him anything. At least, not like that. Because a story doesn't hold the same weight as bread. Or a life. It does deserve a story in return. But before she has a chance...]
[ action] 2/2
And it's aimed directly at his heart. Because she's suddenly back in the arena. Remembering that allies can turn on you without a second thought. Seeing Finnick train his trident on her just as she aims her bow. Coin, waiting for her Mockingjay to assassinate Snow, only to find herself at the end of the arrow's shaft instead.
And she's yelling:]
I didn't do anything!
[ action] 1/2
He puts his hands up, letting the fish take his line, reel and all. Not what he expected. Not at all what he expected, all things considered. But he's not budging, not showing any signs of ill will. Because there's none to give.]
Whoa, wait, wait--I was joking!
[ action] 2/3 can never make up my mind
... It was just a joke. I was being a smartass.
[ action]
Doyle's life.
Can't win for losing.]
[ action] alskfjs 1/2 again
And Prim. Silly little jokes to make her sister smile.
But it's been so, so long.
The bow shakes in her grasp.]
[action] actually, gonna go with 2/3
Temper gets the better of her and she lets the arrow fly in the direction of the fish. Whether it hits or not isn't the point. It's all about reciprocating.]
[action]
I can get that for you.
[action] 1/2
[action]
[He looks at her, hands on his hips. As if he wasn't just nearly shot with an arrow. Because he's pretty much used to sudden fear or danger... it comes in and out, like a wave.]
Think you can remind me how to properly skin a fish?
[A sheepish shrug.]
I'm pretty shitty at it, personally.
[action]
And he's not questioning her. Just taking her reaction calmly in stride. It makes her wonder what he's seen, that he can act like this. And if he fetches her arrow along with her bow?
She can remind him how to skin a fish. Teach him like her father taught her long ago. It's only a fair return.]
Yeah. Thank you.
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