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

[dailybread]

Maybe. I hope not. [He doesn't begrudge her that--empathizes, really.

And to lighten the mood...] I don't think I'd fit in very well with the capitol girls. I can't walk in heels, for one thing.

[rutagraveolens]

[Rue giggles slightly. She remembers seeing some of the women waddle about on high heels. They looked uncomfortable.]

You'd have to dye your hair too.

[dailybread]

What do you think? Blue to match my dress? [He holds it up to the orb.]

[rutagraveolens]

[She giggles a little.] You'd look just like Caesar.

[dailybread]

Hey, he's a handsome guy.

[Her giggle is a lovely sound.]

[rutagraveolens]

You'd have to talk funny too. [Her voice falls into a passable imitation of the Capitol accent, her voice rising hi and falling low, light and airy.]

[dailybread]

May the odds be ever in your favor.

[He's smiling as he says it, but it fades. The words bring up a melancholy that increases twofold because of who he's saying them to.]

[rutagraveolens]

May the odds be ever in your favor. [She repeats the words quietly because the odds were not in her favor. She knew that from the start; a girl from District Eleven, small, unfed, too young? It would take a miracle for her to win.]

...Who won?

[dailybread]

Katniss and I. [A little smile.] We tried to kill ourselves, so they let us both win rather than have no victor.

[rutagraveolens]

[They're both alive. That's good. She smiles.] I'm happy.

Are you two...

[dailybread]

[The question makes him flush, just a little.]

Uh. That depends on who you ask. I...

[Her mouth against his certainly felt honest enough, just before he came here; but he can't forget that they were on camera.] Am not sure.

[rutagraveolens]

I think you two are cute.

[dailybread]

Thank you.

[Really. Having her vote of confidence is nice, even if it's ultimately up to Katniss.]

[rutagraveolens]

...Do you think she'll come here?

[dailybread]

I don't even know why I'm here.

[Although if Rue's here...there's a creeping thought, insidious and dark, he tries to keep from settling on.]

Honestly, I hope she wins the Quarter Quell and gets to go back to District Twelve and take care of her family. There are people there who need her.

[rutagraveolens]

We're here to stop the thorns and save everyone here. That's what the Old Man said. We're supposed to be heroes.

[dailybread]

Well, yeah. [Frown.] But if they wanted heroes, Katniss would have been a better choice, and she's not here.