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

[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.]

[greatsquirrelhunter]

Should find a tailor!

[He considers again]

Might not give pants.... Maybe really fancy pants?

[dailybread]

[Laughing.] Why wouldn't they give me pants?

[greatsquirrelhunter]

Looks like princess dress. Princesses wear dresses. Townspeople insist.

[dailybread]

They insist? Will they not sell me pants if I ask? [It's not so bad. Something like Katniss wore on the reaping would still let him move, although he still doesn't want to wear heels...]

[greatsquirrelhunter]

[Faolan shrugs]

Say princess must act like princess. Faolan is Wild Child. Don't care about Faolan's clothes.

[dailybread]

I don't know what a princess acts like, but I'll try my best.

[Inferring from the grammar...] Faolan. Is that you?

[greatsquirrelhunter]

Yes! Am Faolan! Good boy!

[dailybread]

[Grinning. He's full of life, unlike the children of Twelve.]

I can tell.

[greatsquirrelhunter]

[Faolan beams at him]

Know things! Can tell you things!

[dailybread]

What kind of things?

[greatsquirrelhunter]

All kinds of things!

[He spreads his arms to show the huge breadth of his knowledge.]

[dailybread]

Well, you better start talking if you're going to have time to tell me all that.

[greatsquirrelhunter]

[Faolan took a deep breath.]

Are in Schwanheim, capital of country. Can't go home. Are evil thorns that heroes have to stop. Don't know how. Thorns go on foreeeeeeeeeever. Don't burn, can't cut down. Have tried.

Was a town that wasn't there. Not there anymore.

Are giants in the sky! Big big tall giants! Gave Faolan milk and a whole cupcake! [And what a cupcake it was! Faolan demonstrates with his arms, showing that it was as wide as he is.]

Forest outside Schwanheim has thorns at night. Aren't evil thorns. Just thorns. Is a witch there! And monsters! Alanna and Sif killed one! Was a big party! Girls wanted to dance with Faolan.

Hawk is blacksmith. Can make anything!

Is a library in castle, but it's bad. Also library in monastery.

Bunnies in wall of town have five babies!

[And if you don't shut him up, he'll keep talking.]

[dailybread]

[Okay, he got maybe half of that--but he's chuckling.]

I don't know anything about thorns or monsters, but I do know something about cupcakes. The ones I bake are maybe this big--

[He makes a fist and holds it up.] But I guess it makes sense that giants would have giant cupcakes.

[Not that he's entirely sure what a giant is supposed to be.]

[greatsquirrelhunter]

[Big and tall, apparently]

Can make cupcakes?

[This greatly interests Faolan]

[dailybread]

I can make lots of things. Cupcakes, regular cakes, sweet buns, bread...

[greatsquirrelhunter]

Faolan likes bread!

[dailybread]

I'll make you some, once I find a bakery.

[greatsquirrelhunter]

[congratulations, Peeta. You have a friend for life.]

[dailybread]

What kind of bread do you like?

[greatsquirrelhunter]

[Faolan considered for a long moment before brightening.]

Bread!