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

[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.

[emblazing]

..So your personality is that of a maiden?

[dailybread]

I like to bake and I'm not much of a fighter. [Contemplating.] Does that make me a maiden?

[emblazing]

Ser, if you were a maiden I think you would look more like one. You must be more peaceful then, which is why you were not given a sword.

[dailybread]

Give me a few boulders to throw around and I'd do okay.

[emblazing]

You can lift boulders?

[dailybread]

I can lift a lot. I carry around big sacks of flour back home. [Modestly. He's not bragging, it just is--and lifting weights won't win the games. Not like Katniss and her skill with a bow and arrow.]

[emblazing]

I think that is an honest means of living. Do you know a small girl, with dark skin? She spoke of a Capitol as well.
[ her expression softens, though it angers her that someone so innocent would be here. where all he does is bake bread. ]

[dailybread]

...Yeah. I know Rue.

[emblazing]

Rue is her name? She is here.
[ she smiles softly. ]
She spoke fondly of wanting to have cake. You are a baker, are you not? I would see you make some for her, after all she will be a familiar face to you.

[dailybread]

[He responds with another smile. It feels like an age since he's been able to work in a kitchen, up to the elbows in dough, and take joy from the act of baking. Not since before the first Games.]

If I can find the supplies, I'll make her anything she wants.

[emblazing]

What is your name?
[ just like rue, she has a desire to protect this boy as well. ]

[dailybread]

Peeta. [Her voice is gentle, and though her hair looks powdered, she's not made up like the women of the capitol.] You?

[emblazing]

Daenerys Stormborn, of House Targaryen. The Unburnt, Mother of Dragons, Breaker of Shackles, Queen of Mereen, the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, the Rhoynar and the First Men.

[dailybread]

I...don't think I'll remember all that.

[emblazing]

Which is why you may call me 'Khaleesi'.

[dailybread]

'Khaleesi'?

[It feels awkward in his mouth.] What does that mean?

[emblazing]

It means 'Queen' in Dothraki.

[dailybread]

I don't know what a Queen is, either.

[Apologetic.]

[emblazing]

You do not know what a Queen is?
[ she pauses. ]
A Queen is a leader of her people. She rules her country and sees her people as hers to protect. If she is a true Queen, then there is nothing she would not do for them.

[dailybread]

So...like a president?

[Aside from the protection part.]

[emblazing]

..A president?