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?!

[emblazing]

It seems they gave you the wrong clothing, ser.

fffft I CAN'T BELIEVE I DID THAT

[dailybread]

You're a princess, too?

[dailybread]

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

The old man said it was standard.

[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.

[emblazing]

You are no highborn lady. What were they thinking?

[dailybread]

Spinning wheels?

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

[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?

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.]

[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]

[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?

[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.

[rutagraveolens]

He said I'm an Ash Lass. [A small frown crosses her face and her brow furrows slightly.] ...I'm not sure what it means.

What are you?

[dailybread]

I don't know either, but I'm sure we'll find out.

[A beat, followed by some awkward laughter.] Princess, apparently. [He holds up the tiara.]

[rutagraveolens]

[It's a very pretty crown, very sparkly. But...]

What's a princess?