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

[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.