17th Game [video]

[stillplaying]

[It had almost come as a relief when the droids had appeared on her doorstep the day after the shift ended. She hadn't wanted to see Prim. Prim, that darling sister that meant the world to her. The girl that she would have died for. Nearly had on multiple times. Prim, who she had forgotten all about during the shift. It hadn't ever been that bad when Peeta had been here. The Malnosso had been kind in that regard, always let them know each other in some form. Would it have been so much to ask to keep Prim her sister regardless?

Apparently.

It would be easy to say she deserved that. Deserved to experience love again - real love like she had had with Peeta - only to discover that it had been as imaginary as her last relationship. Jim didn't love her. She didn't love him. The whole idea of an engagement had been a lie. Everything had been fake. Nothing real. Maybe, maybe under other circumstances, it would have been easier to accept. If matters hadn't ended with Sokka the way they had, if those wounds hadn't still been so raw, maybe...

There had been no argument when the droids appeared. Going meant avoiding those encounters. Meant not admitting she had forgotten her sister or an awkward discussion with Jim. It meant maybe trying to find Effie, make certain that she was alright. It was the closest thing short to going on a mission that she could get to leaving Luceti.

Prim would be alright. She'd have Richard and Teddy. People who hadn't forgotten her the way Katniss had.

But time with the Malnosso came to an end all too soon. And as she stared at the familiar walls of the painted room, the trees of her beloved forests outside of District 12, she felt almost tempted to run away. Go on one of those missions. Not have to see anyone here. Pick up the pieces of the mess she had made her life before the last shift. Or the mess that had come as a result.

She had never been good at running away though. Not even when they should have before the Quarter Quell, before Panem went insane. Damn it. Damn, damn, damn.

Sighing, Katniss picked up the journal and turned on the device. She brushed a stray strand from the braid out of her face and quirked her lips a little to the right. It would be better this way, announcing her return through the journal rather than being brave enough to seek them out.]

For anyone who might care, I'm back.

[Dare she even ask what more she might have missed?]

Comments

[stillplaying]

[The words earn a small, faint grin. What Nel described is something she could live with. The sort of compromise that doesn't require her to form any sort of relationship right away. But doesn't completely ignore the bond they shared as aunt and niece during the shift. She's not good at talking. Nor is she all that good at asking for advice.

But maybe. Someday. She won't forget this offer.]

Thank you.

[crimsonblade]

[She knows better than to push the issue and getting Katniss to go this far is a victory in and of itself. But, she has one last thing to say.]

Also, if you're ever interested in someone to train against, I wouldn't mind the workout.

[stillplaying]

[Her head tilted a little to the side. Training? The word brings a certain connotation to mind. Memories of the Hunger Games. Of training alongside other tributes in the Capitol gymnasium. Of working with Peeta and Haymitch back in District 12, shortly after the Quarter Quell had been announced.

Memories, connotations that all leave a sour taste in her mouth. What kind of training is possibly needed here?]

What are you training for?

[crimsonblade]

Back on my own...planet [And how this feels so strange to her.] I am the head of the Queen's Intelligence Division. In other words, I am a spy. A very good spy, to be quite honest.

And I don't intend for my skills to dull while I am here.

[stillplaying]

[She had never been a spy. But she had been a soldier, both willing and not. She had been an assassin. And she had been good at both. Damn good.

But none of that had been important to her. Not in the way hunting was. She had no desire to retain those skills. Nothing beyond her ability to shoot accurately and precisely with her bow.]

I hunt. It's not the same.

[crimsonblade]

No, it's not the same, but you still have a set of skills that you shouldn't let dull while here. And any hunter can defend him or herself if the need arises, right?

[stillplaying]

[She nods, silent for a moment as she remembers Gale's words before the first Hunger Games. How there couldn't be much of a difference between hunting game and hunting humans. She can act in defense when the need arises. And act in offense.

But she's not all that fond of it.

She considers something else before finally responding.] Would you ever want to go hunt?

[crimsonblade]

If you'd like the company, yes. Not that I think you need the help.

[Nel has confidence that Katniss will make her own sort of peace with everything and can see that the girl needs some time to mull it over now that she has control over her life once more. Well, as much as they had before they had their lives turned into complete and total lies.]

Contact me if you're interested.

[With a quick wave, Nel shuts the journal. Prolonging the conversation with Katniss would be pointless at this time.]