fourth arrow fired. ➵ voice. ➵ now every chair she sits upon is fashioned by the lord. (POST-DAY132)

[empowers]

Let's hope the one responsible for those monsters is gone for good.

[ There is a distinct amount of distance in her voice. She speaks quietly, as if she isn't entirely focused. What happened was traumatic for her. She was forced to do something she didn't want to do - again - and it's left her thinking far too much about the life from whence she came. ]

But if that isn't the case, how many of you know how to protect yourselves from monsters? Do you fight, or do you hide?

LOCKED ; AWAY FROM RUE.

How many of you had to look a loved one in the face and end their life, to save them from being Taken? [ Her tone wavers, and she has to stop for a moment before concluding her thought. ] What helps you sleep? Are you even able to?

END LOCK.

FURTHER LOCKED ; TO PEETA MELLARK ONLY.

I want us to get a house. For you, and me, and Rue, and Finnick and Annie if they want. As soon as possible. [ She doesn't know how much longer she can hold herself together, so she's trying to get her thoughts out quickly. ] And -- you should -- come see me. [ Then, quieter. ] Please.

END LOCK.

Comments

voice/private

[minifridge]

I have to fight, even when I'd rather hide.

[P a u s e. This is more delicate, but- oh, hell.]

I had to shoot my son in the face. I haven't been able to sleep at all.

voice/private

[empowers]

You too. [ It's not a question. It's a statement, flat as the rest of her speech has been. ]

I'm so sorry. [ God why is this happening to so many people? ]

perma video on his end

[tradingsecrets]

[He's not sure what he can say to make her feel better. After all, this was what he had hoped they could all avoid.]

Katniss.

permavid & permaprivate.

[empowers]

[ The lump in her throat is winning out, no matter how much she swallows. If anyone knows what she's feeling right now, it's going to be Finnick. They level with each other. ]

I can't -- [ She really can't. ] Rue's just a girl. She didn't deserve -- [ She stops and her eyes fall and she closes them tightly. Off screen, she's clutching the hem of her shirt and digging her nails in hard. ]

ᴛᴇxᴛ / ᴘʀɪᴠᴀᴛᴇ.

[refute]

I have yet to end the life of someone I know and love. However, that doesn’t mean that I haven’t killed Takens in general.

[ at this point she stops her typing for a second, thinking of the times she couldn’t sleep and what helped her. ]

Unfortunately I can not tell you what will help you sleep considering that your lack of sleep stems from the guilt you feel for killing this loved one of yours.

permavoice & permaprivate.

[empowers]

Anything you could offer would help. I'm willing to try a lot of things. I haven't slept in two days.

video & filter;

[unfalteringly]

[ There were other parts of this that he was going to comment on, other things he wanted to say but none of it matters by the end of it. It feels like there's a vice tightening around his chest the entire time she speaks and he wants to say something in an vain attempt at soothing her, at showing her that she truly had no choice, but by the end, he realizes that it can wait ]

Katniss where are you? I can come and see you right now.

video & filter;

[empowers]

In the park, by the lake. [ It's the only place she's been able to find peace. It's outdoors. ] Walk fast?

video;

[showbizpanache]

I can't fight.

But I want to learn.

video;

[empowers]

I could teach you. If you wanted. I'm best with hunting - using a bow.

[ video || private ]

[pratentious]

[ Oh. It's you. He remembers you. Still so damned young, and so far jaded. It's incredibly difficult to be irate with you when he feels far too much sympathy to your plight. ]

I was raised a fighter. You do not hide, you do not run. You face your threats to defend yourself, or you die trying.

[ The exact words of his father from long ago. There's a disconnect there too, but it's not the for the same reasons - it's rather the opposite. He refused, and someone else did it for him. ]

It is never meant to be easy.

[ video || private ]

[empowers]

No, I guess it's not. That doesn't make it any less unfair, or unjust. [ She remembers him, too. The idiot who hunted for sport, acted like it was some game. Spoiled. Like a Capitol citizen. And now he's speaking like a career. ] Is that what your entire life has been like? Training to fight? To kill other human beings?

video; private

[sworntovalor]

For every able bodied fighter who hides are countless helpless people who must face the horrors in their place. I will always fight, it is my sworn duty to protect those unable to defend themselves.

[And a pause before he continues.]

Losing a loved one in any way is never easy. Nor is killing anyone whether you know and care for them or not. You grow accustomed to live on little sleep.

[She's too young for these questions but then, he had been younger when he first struggled with them. It still breaks his heart.]

video; private

[empowers]

I already had trouble sleeping. Now it's worse. It's not just waking up from nightmares. I can't even get to the point of sleep where dreams happen. [ She swallows. ] If those of us who can fight still can't protect the ones who are helpless, what then?

[Voice]

[needsmoregreen]

If I could, I would fight.

Until I find a weapon, I'll have to hide for now.

[Voice]

[empowers]

I'm sure there's someone who would give you a weapon, even if it's just on loan until you can pay or trade for it.

video; private

[whatagoodgirl]

I might have. I never looked at their faces. Who knows who, and how many...

[She suddenly juts out her jaw, refusing to go down that road.]

It was what had to be done. That's all I did.

video; private

[empowers]

I wouldn't have been able to pretend it wasn't her. Even with her voice being -- altered like it was, I still knew it was Rue. Even without looking. But I had to look. I owed her that.

[ It's a difficult road to go down, or not go down. ]

I wish I could look at it like that.

Video; Private

[mistakenidentity]

I can fight a little..but I'd rather not and--

[He pauses to consider the other question.]

I hope I never have to do anything like that either.

Video; Private

[empowers]

Do you do other things to help, if you can't fight?

video

[notscared]

Hiding. Hiding is marginally better than going outside.

video

[empowers]

Is it because you can't protect yourself? Or is there something else?

[raticate]

No kidding.

[empowers]

[ ... ] No kidding, what. [ The flat nonchalance in his tone isn't pleasing right now. So she matches it. ]

Private;

[brokennotmad]

Katniss. [Annie looks worried.] Are you going to be okay?

Private;

[empowers]

Don't worry about me, Annie. [ Translation: I don't know. ]

[Voice]

[pteragrips]

I fight in order to protect the ones I care about.

[Voice]

[empowers]

That makes both of us.