Orb Post | RD 14

[rutagraveolens]

[The voice coming over the orb is young and in a state of awe.] There's so much food here! Where does it all come from? There are so many things I've never seen before. I've never seen so much either, not since-- [She stops and there's a bit of silence before she speaks up again, changing the subject.]

What kind of food does everyone like? We had lots of soup back home. Momma would mix things up in a big boiling pot of water, and once it was done, we'd gather round with our bowls. She always made sure everyone got enough vegetables. We got bread and sometimes if we were really lucky, we'd get some rabbit to share. Oh! I had cho-co-late [she works through the word, recalling it from memory] cake once! It was so sweet and it had frosting and pretty flowers made out of icing! I licked every last bit off my fingers, it was so good. Is there any cake here? I hope there is. [Her voice grows quiet, a little in awe of the idea.] Is it true? That if you’re a hero people will give you things? That you can have all the food you want and never go hungry?

[There's another small pause before Rue whistles four notes. No explanation is offered. If Katniss is around, she'll know. She'll know her little ally is safe.]

Comments

[bondsoflove]

There are giants who bake cupcakes, apparently.

[rutagraveolens]

Giants? [When you're under five feet, everyone is giant.] Cupcakes? [Cakes that come in cups? Do you drink them?]

[bondsoflove]

That's what I was told.

[And a frown as he looks into deep, dark eyes.] Be careful when people give things to you. They're rarely free.

[rutagraveolens]

[Nothing is free. Rue knew it. Everything came with a cost.] I knew it.

[halfwitch]

Dunno if you have to be heroic, but the monastery will give you all the food you need. They let me eat there whenever I want.

[rutagraveolens]

What's a monastery? And where is it?

[halfwitch]

A place a bunch of monks live. It's not too far from the castle.

[greatsquirrelhunter]

Are sweets in the market! Honey rolls and fruit tarts and donuts! Faolan likes fruit tarts!

[rutagraveolens]

[Oh, that looks like a boy closer to her age.] All of those sound so good! And no one minds if you eat as much as you want?

[greatsquirrelhunter]

Sometimes give to Faolan! Faolan is a good boy!

[tatra]

I have tea and cakes, if you're still hungry dear.

[rutagraveolens]

[It's a very strange idea being offered food so freely and Rue's not sure how to respond to it.] I already had some food so I'm not hungry now, but thank you.

Do you like tea and cakes?

[tatra]

Oh, very much! Tea is good for the body and the mind.

[emblazing]

[ oh such a young child. dany's heart clenches a little. ]
No, you do not have to be anything or anyone to deserve being given food, little one. Are you still hungry?

[rutagraveolens]

I'm not right now. I've just never seen so much. Is this how everyone eats?

[emblazing]

It depends on where you live. There have been days where I have traveled very far with no food or water, and days where I had food enough to last for many days.

[a laugh}
It seems to be the way of it, here. I hope they have cakes here for you to eat, I should like to have some myself.

[tenuefarfalla]

There's a bakery near the river that has wonderful cakes.

[The one Cho was living over.]

Are you new?

[rutagraveolens]

[Bakery. That was what Peeta worked in. She remembers Katniss telling her about District Twelve and life back there just as she shared stories from District Eleven.]

I am. How about you?

[tenuefarfalla]

Not exactly. I've been here eight days. Sort of half way in between new and old, I suppose. Where did you come from?

[ladysarmour]

[ A small, sad smile. She knows the faces and the voices of the hungry; pity wells deep in her breast. ]

Have you ever had lemon cake?

[rutagraveolens]

I don't think so.

[ladysarmour]

Then we must correct that. Would you come share lemon cakes and tea with me?

[brosif]

You need not be a hero to remain fed -- merely a child.

[Spoken as if it should be a fact of any universe. Sif never had to grow up hungry, around hunger.]

Where are you staying, young one?

[rutagraveolens]

[Yet it wasn't universal; in Rue's short life, she can remember many a hollow day or an occasion where she would give up her portion so her younger brothers and sisters could have more.]

I'm at the castle. [She works through the last word, never having seen or heard of a castle before and only knowing what it was because the Old Man said it was one. It was a very big building, big enough for someone to easily hide in.]

[brosif]

As am I.

[It is facts such as these which make Sif a better warrior than a ruler. She has never known hunger in the literal sense. Never known pain that she did not take on.]

I am the lady Sif. What are you named?