001. Video;

[andproper]

[Prim’s smile lights up when the com turns on at last - although it fades quickly when she turns to face the screen. Wherever she is – wherever that explosion sent her…]

Hello? [She hesitates; but if the Capitol sent her here, they already know who she is anyway. Most people did, anyhow.] My name is Prim. I’m looking for my sister; Katniss. She might be looking for me.

[She hesitates – but you can’t ask to get something for nothing, and respect a response. So.]

It wouldn’t have to be for free. I know a lot about herbs – I could help heal you; if you’re sick. Or pick out herbs for you.

Comments

[czes]

Great! As long as you don't mess around in the darkness, you should be fine.

[andproper]

What's wrong with the darkness?

[czes]

It's full of monsters that will eat you, or tear you limb from limb.

[Czeslaw says it calmly, without any sort of spookiness or drama. But he's completely serious and sincere.]

[andproper]

You mean like muttations?

[czes]

I've never heard of a muttation. Is that like... a mutation?

Oops.

[andproper]

Animals that have been experimented on. By the capitol. [Her face is twisted up. She doesn't really like thinking about them.]

I saw nothing!

[czes]

Experimented on? [He makes a face as well.] So they... they made them into monsters?

Goood.

[andproper]

They do it a lot.

[czes]

That sounds horrible. If these muttations are huge, sometimes towering creatures - or rotted kittens - or rolling blobs of acid, then yes, the Darkness is like that.

In any case, you need to stay indoors after the night sirens, or you could die.

[andproper]

[She nods.] I can do that.

[She can.]

[czes]

Good.

If you're ever lost, scared, confused - or even if you just want someone to talk to that's not a stupid grown-up, you can message me whenever. I don't bother with school or anything, so don't worry about contacting me at late hours.

[andproper]

Thank you. I promise.

[She pauses.] There's schools here?

[czes]

[The fact that she hasn't had access to school saddens Czeslaw, but he covers that with enthusiasm.] Yup! Public schools that everyone has the right to attend... no matter what anyone says. If you're smart and good at studying, I heard you can even get scholarships into private schools.

Did you go to school back home?

[andproper]

[She nods.] I was learning how to be a healer in District Thirteen. But then I got pulled here.

[czes]

Cool! So you know about medicine and stuff? You must be pretty smart.

[andproper]

[She blushes a little, fidgeting.] I know herbs, mostly.

[czes]

Cooool.

Know much about alchemy? Mixing potions and stuff?

[andproper]

I don't think so.

...But I could learn.

[czes]

Well, it's not quite as simple as that. Not just anyone can master alchemy. You have to have the aptitude, and a natural knack for all that supernatural stuff.

[andproper]

What about the supernatural?