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.

[bondsoflove]

[He scoffs to cover the sympathy at her disillusionment.]

They've not done anything horrible to me, yet. Just follow me around and try to get me to wear stupid clothes.

[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 kind of clothes? [Her mind goes to the stylists fussing about, shoving them into costumes, then parading her around.]

[rutagraveolens]

What's a monastery? And where is it?

[greatsquirrelhunter]

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

[tatra]

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

[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?

[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?

[greatsquirrelhunter]

Sometimes give to Faolan! Faolan is a good boy!

[rutagraveolens]

Are people that nice here?

I'm Rue.

[greatsquirrelhunter]

Am Faolan. [Just in case she hasn't figured that out on her own]

Can be nice. Talk a lot. Makes Faolan's ears hurt.

[tatra]

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

[bondsoflove]

Depends on what your role is.

[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?

[tenuefarfalla]

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

[The one Cho was living over.]

Are you new?

[rutagraveolens]

[Ash lass. That was what the Old Man said she was. Kind-hearted, willing to help, lucky. An ash lass. Unfortunately, it didn't say much toward what she was supposed to do. It was the kind of thing that wasn't as cut-and-dry as a knight or wizard.]

What role do you have?

[rutagraveolens]

Is it really?

[rutagraveolens]

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

[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?

[rutagraveolens]

Hello, Faolan.

What do people talk about?

[bondsoflove]

Knight of Fire.

[He blows a very, very small fireball to demonstrate.]