006 // Voice

[treehopping]

[Rue hesitates to start, but her voice is actually quite steady and strong. She needs to be strong, not just for herself but for Katniss and Prim.]

To anyone who was friends with Peeta Mellark, he went home a few days ago.

Please think kindly of him while he's gone, even if you only knew his baking.

Comments

Action/at home.

[empowers]

[ Katniss has been largely hold up in her room. She doesn't come out much; she wouldn't at all if it weren't for Prim and Rue. She has to be strong for them. When she comes across Rue's post to the network she emerges, seeking out the small girl and her company immediately. She doesn't really know what to say, or how to express how she feels... So she offers a quiet: ] Thank you.

Video

[servingmichael]

Rue? Would you like so company?

Video

[tea_lover64]

I am sorry to hear that, Rue. I did not know him well, but he was a polite and well spoken young man. I shall give an offering to him tonight.

Action/at home.

[treehopping]

It's okay, Katniss. [Rue gives her a bracing smile, a reassuring smile.] People really liked Peeta...

Video

[treehopping]

[Rue nods a little. It's been depressing at home, understandably, the gaping hole Peeta left behind.] If you're not busy.

Video

[treehopping]

He was the best. [Rue looks curious, her face somber.] An offering?

Video

[servingmichael]

[Oh Rue. He wishes he could make this not hurt.] I'm not busy. I'll be right there.

Action/at home.

[empowers]

[ Katniss tries to see the light in Rue's smile, but her own emotions are such a frenzy of confusion that she finds it nearly impossible. She forces a weak twitch at the corners of her lips. ] He was that kind of person. Easy to like. [ She says 'was', because there's no way he isn't going home to his death. ] And now he has to go through the quarter quell without me.

Late sorry

[inthejunk]

...A friend of yours?

Action/at home.

[treehopping]

[Rue reached, her slender fingers catch Katniss' sleeve.] He won't be alone...

[In the quarter quell. The quarter quell.] We go back where we were... eventually... you'll be back with him.

Video

[treehopping]

Thank you. [Katniss is so sad and Rue doesn't know what to do. She sits by the window, skinny knees pulled up to her chest.]

[treehopping]

From my world. He's from District 12, a baker's son.

*action

[servingmichael]

[He's there, with a flutter of wings, and kneels down to look up to her.]

Hello Rue.

Action/at home.

[empowers]

[ In a voice a little snappier than she intends it to be, she replies. ] I wish I could have that kind of hope. I know what people say, but - it's the quarter quell, Rue. And he's on a prosthetic leg. [ She looks down, suddenly ashamed of her pessimism. ] I'm sorry, I shouldn't act like that.

Video

[tea_lover64]

Yes, it is a traditional thing to do in my homeland.

[inthejunk]

Oh...that guy who was always-aw, jeez. Are you alright? Is his um...fiancée, going to be okay?

Action/at home.

[treehopping]

[Rue tenses at the tone but can she blame Katniss? None of them knows for sure. Except Rue thinks it must be so.] It's okay.

I'm scared for him too.

*action

[treehopping]

[Rue looks at him, conjuring up a smile in greeting, because she is happy to see him.]

Hi Raphael. Thank you for coming.

Video

[treehopping]

How do you do it? [Maybe she, Prim and Katniss could too.]

[treehopping]

I think so. We'll be okay. [She looks down.] I think he'll be alright... [Past her time, anyway.]

Video

[tea_lover64]

Well, usually you burn some incense by a picture of them, or with something which belonged to them. You then offer something such as food. Some believe that you should give it to someone who needs it, others believe you should burn that offering. I follow that I go with I believe they would have done with it.

*action

[servingmichael]

[His smile is small and gentle, face soft. After Chuck dying in the past month, he's learned something about grief and morning.]

You're welcome little one.

[He sits near her, a calm warm presence.]

[inthejunk]

He'll be fine. But you should take care of each other. And if there's something I can do, please ask me.

Action/at home.

[empowers]

[ Katniss swallows, clenching her jaw and balling her fists. She's tense. So tense, in fact, that when she speaks it's strained. ]

It's not safe for him there. It's never going to be.

Action/at home.

[treehopping]

[Her fingers tighten on Katniss' sleeve, then she steps forward and hugs the older girl tightly, trying to comfort with action when words fail her.]