RD16, Orb # 1

[dailybread]

[A young man with bare shoulders looks up at the orb, his face knitted in something like resignation. There’s something metal and sparkly dangling from his fingers.]

Does anyone know how far we are from Panem? The capitol, specifically. [He remembers Katniss’ face, relaxed in sleep; the last time he saw her before getting up to stretch his legs and finding that little blue book.] There’s a friend I’m worried about.

[If you look closely, somewhere in the background of the orb is a large pile of shimmery blue fabric. He looks back up at the orb and rubs at the back of his neck.] And if someone could point me towards a change of clothes, I’d appreciate it.

Comments

The chance of that being the same one is too amusing to pass up :D

[shiromadoushi]

...! That dress! They forced it on someone else?!

fffft I CAN'T BELIEVE I DID THAT

[dailybread]

You're a princess, too?

[shiromadoushi]

Aaa-- no, no! [[rubs the back of his neck a bit]] There was just... with the spinning wheels and all... So they decided since I fell asleep I must be one and stuck that dress on me over my clothes before I woke up.

[dailybread]

Spinning wheels?

[He has no idea what you're talking about. They don't have fairy tales in District Twelve.]

[shiromadoushi]

Aaa... There were these cursed spinning wheels that made people fall asleep like in Sleeping Beauty...

[emblazing]

It seems they gave you the wrong clothing, ser.

[dailybread]

[Have a shrug and a bit of a blush.]

The old man said it was standard.

[emblazing]

You are no highborn lady. What were they thinking?

[dailybread]

No, I'm not. [Highborn or a lady. He's higher-born than the mine workers, but nowhere near the peacekeepers or residents of the Capitol.] The old man said roles have more to do with personality than...parts. Or status.

[rutagraveolens]

[The boy from District Twelve. The Star-Crossed lovers. Rue remembers him. How could she not? He was the person Katniss wanted to protect, the person that came with the girl he was in love with.

Just like the first time they saw each other, back in a training room where she was only a shadow around a corner, Rue hangs back a little. She's not afraid of him, he can't hurt her through the orb, but it's still a little surprising seeing someone else from Panem.

The question is is he alive? Or did he fall in the games too?]

Panem isn't around here. This is Schwanheim.

[...]

I like your dress.

[dailybread]

[For a minute, he's shocked to see her. The little girl, the one who Katniss covered in flowers when she fell. Her face is as familiar to him as his own, having flashed vividly through his nightmares so many times. His heart clenches.]

Schwanheim...

[He swallows, then manages a smile for her.] It'd look better on you.

[rutagraveolens]

Did you talk to the Old Man? There was an Old Man that told me all about the place when I woke up. He said I was brought here because I'm a champion and there are thorns that will destroy us if we don't try to stop it. Did he tell you that too? [The words come easily because she remembers Peeta, remembers how nice he seemed and how Katniss wanted to protect him just as he wanted to protect her. He could have been a good ally if they were all together.]

[dailybread]

[She's clearly okay, if she's talking to him with this much ease, so he puts aside the shock and focuses on listening to her.]

Yeah, I saw him, too. [His lips twitch into a smile, more genuine this time.] He told me all that after he was done laughing at me. Did he tell you what your role is?

[shadow_sage]

I've been here several days. I've seen no sign of any of my friends from back home, so I'm afraid you might also have poor luck with yours.

I'm sorry.

[She sounds sorry, too. Kind, as well...if the blue skin and tentacles on her head don't put Peeta off, of course.]

There are several shops that are willing to offer basic clothing to heroes in the market...I imagine you'd have to have something on to reach them, however.

[dailybread]

Thank you. [Slightly morose. And, actually...he's seen weirder. He just assumes she's wearing some kind of particularly elaborate makeup.]

I mean, I have underwear. [Thank goodness.] But I don't know if that would be...appropriate.

[shadow_sage]

Most humans around here, I believe, would make a fuss over it. You might have luck approaching someone in the castle near to your size and asking to borrow some pants.

[She might sound a little amused by this, but she really is trying to help.]

Or you could put the dress back on and go to the market.

[dailybread]

Are they not likely to make as big of a fuss if I go out with the dress?

[He genuinely doesn't know. Panem's too busy killing children to be big on gender roles.]

[greatsquirrelhunter]

Are in capital. Capital is Schwanheim. [Don't people pay attention when they're told this?]

...Are wearing a dress.

[dailybread]

[So this is another capitol. And it has a name, Schwanheim.

The Games are unique to Panem. He wonders what they use to keep citizens in line here.

But for now, he gives the little boy a laugh.]

Yeah. Do you know where I could find some pants?

[greatsquirrelhunter]

Faolan has pants!

[He considers]

Wouldn't fit you.

[dailybread]

They might be a little small.

[He looks about Rue's size. Maybe smaller. Too young for the games, but not by much.]

[halfwitch]

Is that a dress?

[dailybread]

Yeah.

[halfwitch]

That the only clothes they gave you?

[dailybread]

Uh. Yeah. [Rubs at the back of his neck.]