stillplaying | 20th Game [video]

[Twenty.

She doesn't realize it until later in the day. Until she's back from her morning trek in the forest, passing the calendar in the kitchen as she makes her way to stow the skinned and dressed squirrels in the freezer. The calendar's turned to the month of May. And it has been for the past eight days. Today's May 8th. Today, she turns twenty.

That's two decades lived. Four years since she survived the 74th Hunger Games and two since she outlived her sister, found herself trapped in Luceti. She nearly drops the squirrels when the date clicks in her head. She can feel it building within her, the verge of losing everything. Crawling into a corner somewhere within her bedroom - her original bedroom with the forest mural that Peeta once painted - and do absolutely nothing all day. Because it's the same thought ringing through her head that seems to come every birthday:

She never should have lived this long.

But she did. And, somehow, someone or something rewarded her for that. Because she still has Prim here to celebrate with. Prim to have dinner with tonight and to sing and dance with, pretending for the night that she never died. That they never wound up in this place. Even if she doesn't know how long it'll last, today she has Prim to celebrate with.

Living for each day. It's been a long time since she's done that. Instead, she's attempted to shelter herself, hide from anyone that might care.

Taking a deep breath, she finally puts the squirrels in the freezer. Then, she pulls out her journal and flips it open. There's a shy smile on her face as she looks at the camera.]

I'm twenty today. And I think I'd like to celebrate.

What would you recommend?

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A big ol' cake!

[She considers that just for a second before smiling. It's what Peeta would have wanted for her, she thinks. He wouldn't have let her go past the day without one of his homemade cakes. It would have been big and extravagant and perfectly detailed, and entirely just for her. She smiles at the thought. He'd be proud of her, wouldn't he? Trying to reach out like this.]

I don't know if we have all the ingredients to bake one.

[And he puts on a very thoughtful-looking expression as he rubs at his chin.]

Really? That's a shame. What kind of things would you like on your dream cake, Katniss?

I remember when you held that big birthday party for your sister. Maybe you can have one for yourself?

[She remembers, too. So many people who had attended last year have since left. She doubts any party she attempts to throw for her sister this year will be the same. Thankfully, she still has a while to figure out what to do for Prim. Maybe this year, they'll celebrate - just of the two of them and a picnic by the western lake.

But for herself? She shakes her head.]

I'm not Prim. I don't know enough people.

Well, you could have a smaller party then.

[It's not as if Karla knows many people either. She's sure that Katniss knows more people than she does.]

[Ah, it's the girl from the woods. He smiles and turns on the voice reply.]

Happy birthday~

I think, since it's your special day, you should do what makes you happy. Or I could read you a terrible poem.

[It's the boy from the fountain. She remembers him, remembers the way he sat with her and filled the silence when she didn't want to talk. He had told her about his friend, a friend she pictured to be a lot like her. Sullen, unapproachable. Not very nice. The version of her that's so much easier to be. She's trying, trying to be something more. A new start for a new decade.

And so she offers him a slight smile. A small, shy one but a smile nonetheless.]

One of your friend's?

[He switches to voice and sitting just under his chin is an angry little piglet staring into the camera. Souji smiles much more easily and he does so now in response to her small one.]

But of course. He might not be here to tease with it, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't share the appreciation of his work, hm?

Shall I serenade you for my gift to you?

[He smiles]

Gather your friends and loved ones, eat, drink and be merry. I might suggest dancing and some sweets.

[She smiles thoughtfully, warmly. If she had many friends - friends she hadn't managed to alienate by avoiding these past few months - she might just consider that. Not a party, per say, but -- a small gathering. With the sorts of songs and dances that she learned as a child.

But asking people across the journal for advice on how to celebrate is one thing. Actually proposing a celebration? Inviting others over?

She's not sure she could do that.]

It sounds nice.

[He gives a nod. While dancing was out of the question right at the moment for him, enjoying company was something which didn't require much mobility.]

It does. Have you gotten many suggestions?

[The girl looks nice enough, like someone that Jane wouldn't mind getting to know.]

How about making a new friend or two?

[More than any other response she's received so far, that's the one that gets the most hesitation. Making a new friend or two. A part of her still wants to keep protecting herself, to remain isolated from the others here. If she doesn't seek out friends, doesn't seek out relationships of any sort, she can't be hurt when they disappear. Or when they die.

She's never been all that good at making friends. Even before the Hunger Games.

She shrugs, still looking hesitant.]

I don't know.

Look, I'm not going to tell you what you should do, who am I? A complete stranger. I just think going out would be more fun that staying home alone. But that's just me. If you're up for it, I'd be happy to meet you somewhere and celebrate.

[People needed to learn how to party. It was truly a sad thing when they had to ask you how to party. Just his destiny in life to inform those who were less awesome how to make things to an appropriate level of badass and cool]

Giant Luceti wide paintball tournament. Winner gets an incredibly large and elaborate trophy, plus the title of supreme paintball champion.

_{[ Katniss' birthday, huh? That was a big deal! Or maybe not, he knew Katniss didn't like making spectacles, not like him. And that was fine. So something more subtle for her... ]}

Well, if you don't mind someone bumbling about, I could keep you company on a hunt. I even got myself a bit of leather ready so I could use a bow.

Happy birthday.

What's something you feel like doing?

Mead is traditional where I'm from. I might have a bottle spare.

Do whatever you want. It's your day.

Happy Birthday.

[Way to make it awkward Cato.]

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