you'll be alright ; no one can hurt you now. ( OPEN )

[empowers]

Characters: Katniss Everdeen, Peeta Mellark, and you!
Where: The Mockingjay Bakery ( and above apartment )
When: 19th of Rebirth's Decline
What: Moving! Mattress acquired, the Knight and the Princess make themselves a home. Scandalous.

For a girl from the Seam who grew up with nothing and had to fight just to live, the overwhelming welcome and riches and praise showered on her for the happenstance of her occupation has been a little overwhelming for Katniss. She isn't surprised that Peeta has many people who enjoy him, who find his company pleasant... He's had that from the beginning. A warm smile, a kind word... A hearty laugh. It's like he can't help making friends, no matter where he goes. But Katniss isn't accustomed to people regarding her highly. She was met with appreciation in District Eleven, thunderous applause in the Capitol, but it wasn't anything like this. She's respected - truly respected - here.

There were whispers all around them, of course, about the circumstances surrounding their new housing situation. Rumors flew like birds between the townspeople. The Knight who didn't lift the heavy things for her Princess. Unwed and planning to share a bed. Scandal. She couldn't bring herself to care. They were here. Peeta was safe. She was safe. Rue was safe. She would invite Rue to live with them, too. They could share a bed, the three of them. It wouldn't be the same with the young girl there as it was on the train, or in the Arena, but it would be warm and comfortable.

Peeta managed to find a mattress that would actually be soft and like a real bed. She wondered if it would be like the Capitol mattresses, or the ones they had in their District. Soft and pillowy, versus tolerable and a little harder. She hoped it was pillowy. Adjusting to a new place was difficult enough without being uncomfortable. Then again, she would have been find with flour sacks stuffed with soft pine needles if it meant Peeta could help quell the nightmares that plagued her and left her restless and tired. So, so tired.

Today, they were moving their things into the apartment above Peeta's bakery. The doors were, as always, left open, so that friends and acquaintances could come assist if they wanted. Or, if they simply wanted to visit, they could do that as well. They may find Peeta and Katniss hefting the mattress up the stairs, or if they arrive later, they might find them moving other furniture, or settled upstairs already, decorating. Later still and they may just be enjoying something to eat. While she doesn't necessarily trust it, their door remains open for the remainder of the day, regardless of what point in their moving and decorating they are experiencing.

Comments

[sorcerous]

He repeated it quicker this time, and then opened his mouth, as though expectant of reward. If none is forthcoming, he repeats it, and hops closer to Peeta.

Perhaps they'll think him a trained thing, escaped from a circus.

Unfortunately, this second hop takes him to the edge of the windowsill. Birds' claws grip in a way that is a bit unfamiliar to him, and so he slips. An undignified squawk and frantic wing-flapping later, he roosts back on the sill.

That never happened. They saw nothing. He is completely dignified.

fjhgk sorry this is so late

[dailybread]

"It doesn't look like a mockingjay."

It was looking expectantly up at him this time, mouth open. Peeta broke off another piece of bread and tossed it into the bird's beak.

He was turning towards Katniss, to see if she was okay--those notes held a deep, not entirely pleasant significance for her, the memory of the dark little girl covered in flowers--but the squawking startled him and he found himself with his arms flung out, halfway towards the sill as if to catch the bird.

what no you're totally fine

[empowers]

Katniss is more suspicious of the bird than anything. At first, she was intrigued. The way it mimicked the notes, the way it seemed to listen, truly listen to her... But now, as it clumsily floundered, she wondered what it really was. "No, it doesn't," she replied quietly, approaching ever closer. Peeta lunged to catch it. But Katniss wanted to see something else.

Once it got its footing, she held her hand out toward it. She extended her index and middle fingers together, placing them against the sill right near the bird's feet. She offered a shorter whistle this time, two quick notes, as if to invite it to perch on her hand. If it were going to be a dangerous bird, she would know now to fetch her arrows and make dinner of it. If not... Well, ever the curious creature it would be.