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[ continued from here ]
"Then I wish you the best of luck. If you get hurt, just...be sure to come home, and I'll try to help." That's all Nala, although admittedly? Also Prim.
The urge to be helpful and heal compels her to stop putting together her own breakfast to retrieve a glass of water for Effie when she complains of thirst, though. "Here - are you feeling okay? Be sure to drink enough water."
"Then I wish you the best of luck. If you get hurt, just...be sure to come home, and I'll try to help." That's all Nala, although admittedly? Also Prim.
The urge to be helpful and heal compels her to stop putting together her own breakfast to retrieve a glass of water for Effie when she complains of thirst, though. "Here - are you feeling okay? Be sure to drink enough water."
[ continued from here ]
"I can understand that much - and I absolutely don't mind waiting. Actually, in this situation? I think I ought to be thanking you." There's a smile with these words - Prim's also felt the need to be around people more, although since she also started off friendly...Well. They're both little social butterflies for the moment, aren't they?
"I can understand that much - and I absolutely don't mind waiting. Actually, in this situation? I think I ought to be thanking you." There's a smile with these words - Prim's also felt the need to be around people more, although since she also started off friendly...Well. They're both little social butterflies for the moment, aren't they?
You haven't seen it? It's huge - like a, a - bear! Except it's -- a rabbit! A bear I could deal with. It's the most terrifying thing I have ever seen.
"I cannot STOP drinking water, it would seem!" Effie snaps that at Prim, though truly the frustration is not directed at Katniss's younger sister. It's difficult not to feel entirely in control of oneself, which is a quality that Effie often prides herself on.
She does accept the water -- gratefully -- and drinks it in one smooth gulp, not taking any time to stop or take a breath.
She does accept the water -- gratefully -- and drinks it in one smooth gulp, not taking any time to stop or take a breath.
Everything had, for the most part, gone as she had hoped. From the food to the goat, to dancing and the fireworks. Enough people seemed to enjoy themselves. Even Katniss found it hard not to smile the whole time. Just seeing Prim radiate with joy was enough to make her the corners of her mouth twitch upward.
Though she probably should have cleaned before going to sleep that night, she abandoned the mess until the next morning. Though it had been a good day, it had also been a long one. Until waking up the next morning.
Surveying the mess around her in the living room, Katniss ran a hand through her tangled hair. She shook her head and rolled her eyes slightly. It was early, she had a hunt to leave for. Cleaning just didn't fit in. It seemed like a much better idea to quietly slip into her old room and bed and curl up next to her sister.
Out of sight, out of mind?
Though she probably should have cleaned before going to sleep that night, she abandoned the mess until the next morning. Though it had been a good day, it had also been a long one. Until waking up the next morning.
Surveying the mess around her in the living room, Katniss ran a hand through her tangled hair. She shook her head and rolled her eyes slightly. It was early, she had a hunt to leave for. Cleaning just didn't fit in. It seemed like a much better idea to quietly slip into her old room and bed and curl up next to her sister.
Out of sight, out of mind?
Prim herself had been too tired after everything to start cleaning up, or to say anything about the cleaning. She'd just taken a look at it near the end and though tomorrow in pure exhausted capitulation, and Prim was fairly certain she wouldn't regret that choice. It was nice to feel tired enough that she wouldn't wake up during the night (and she hadn't), although it admittedly also meant that the idea of waking up to clean was sort of...slightly daunting.
It'd be less daunting when she swung her feet out of bed and got dressed, when she switched from sleepy to fully awake and prepared, but that wouldn't be for some time yet. Especially not with Katniss slipping into the room.
"Morning," Prim yawned a little bit, making room for Katniss to curl up on the bed immediately. "Did you sleep all right?"
It'd be less daunting when she swung her feet out of bed and got dressed, when she switched from sleepy to fully awake and prepared, but that wouldn't be for some time yet. Especially not with Katniss slipping into the room.
"Morning," Prim yawned a little bit, making room for Katniss to curl up on the bed immediately. "Did you sleep all right?"
"You can thank me by enjoying the food!" And with that, Chouji disappears into the kitchen.
He dishes out a couple bowls of beef stew, one of them a very large bowl, then places them on a tray and fills in the space around them with bread, cheese, a couple apples, and some plums. Simple it is; Chouji has never liked anything too complicated, and while his main love is junk food, he's never met a food he doesn't like unless it's been ruined by its cook. From the kitchen, he calls out, "Is there anything you'd like to drink? Milk, juice, water, tea?"
He dishes out a couple bowls of beef stew, one of them a very large bowl, then places them on a tray and fills in the space around them with bread, cheese, a couple apples, and some plums. Simple it is; Chouji has never liked anything too complicated, and while his main love is junk food, he's never met a food he doesn't like unless it's been ruined by its cook. From the kitchen, he calls out, "Is there anything you'd like to drink? Milk, juice, water, tea?"
The couch still wasn't the the most comfortable place to sleep. But she had slept in worse places - in trees and in abandoned warehouses and in sewers. She had no reason to complain, not when it made her sister so happy. And they were building an addition to the house. Pretty soon, Prim would have her own room to move in to.
So she lied and nodded instead, even as she squirmed a little against a pillow. She turned on to her side to face Prim and smiled at her. "I did. You?"
So she lied and nodded instead, even as she squirmed a little against a pillow. She turned on to her side to face Prim and smiled at her. "I did. You?"
"Maybe it has something to do with the larger wings," Prim suggests, unperturbed by the snapping. The new part of her seems to be mostly calm about - everything, really - and she feels a bit like a rather tolerant parent. It's just a temper, and it will pass.
"Though I haven't felt unusually thirsty today."
"Though I haven't felt unusually thirsty today."
"I slept okay," It wasn't even a lie, this time. Sometimes Prim would say she'd slept all right on automatic, but she'd been so tired and happy last night, she'd slept straight through to morning. It had been...nice, honestly.
Already on her side, Prim reached out one of her hands, clasping one of Katniss'. It wasn't a move made for any real reason. Just comfort, and the simple pleasure of having her sister there with her.
Primrose was quiet for a moment, before she smiled again, although this time with a hint of teasing. "So, I met Sokka yesterday."
Already on her side, Prim reached out one of her hands, clasping one of Katniss'. It wasn't a move made for any real reason. Just comfort, and the simple pleasure of having her sister there with her.
Primrose was quiet for a moment, before she smiled again, although this time with a hint of teasing. "So, I met Sokka yesterday."
In the plaza. There was a smaller one with it too.
She laced her fingers with Prims', enjoying the closeness. The physical reminder that Prim was indeed here in Luceti with her - as if seeing her, hearing her voice just wasn't enough. Not when Katniss still woke up every morning with the fear that her sister would be gone. Having that reassurance made it bearable.
But at the mention of Sokka, the smile faded into something more sheepish. She probably should have told Prim, shouldn't she have? That Peeta had been here had been briefly glossed over. Maybe things had been implied here and there as to what he had meant to her - still meant to her. But Sokka? Not a word had been said on that.
Keeping secrets from Prim wasn't something Katniss was all that good at. She valued her sister's opinion far too much. "Did you like him?"
But at the mention of Sokka, the smile faded into something more sheepish. She probably should have told Prim, shouldn't she have? That Peeta had been here had been briefly glossed over. Maybe things had been implied here and there as to what he had meant to her - still meant to her. But Sokka? Not a word had been said on that.
Keeping secrets from Prim wasn't something Katniss was all that good at. She valued her sister's opinion far too much. "Did you like him?"
The sheepish grin? Just gets a laugh out of Primrose, quiet in consideration of the fact at least one of the others in the household might be up by now. It hadn't been an accusation and she knew Katniss hadn't taken it like that, but it was...fun. To tease Katniss about something normal.
That, too, was a luxury.
"He was nice when we talked." She hadn't heard about or seen the fight, though, and didn't know how he had been before. ...And it was logical to be nice to the little sister of the girl you were sort of dating. "He gave me a knife, and said he made it himself."
She's fairly certain Katniss would approve.
That, too, was a luxury.
"He was nice when we talked." She hadn't heard about or seen the fight, though, and didn't know how he had been before. ...And it was logical to be nice to the little sister of the girl you were sort of dating. "He gave me a knife, and said he made it himself."
She's fairly certain Katniss would approve.
"That I can do!" She'll wait for him pretty patiently. After all, she doesn't mind waiting.
And simple absolutely works for Prim, too. She's never met a food she's complained about, since she went hungry for so long - though some of it just seems overdone to her, she'll eat anything that gets put in front of her, and thank people for it. But there are options here, and she's allowed to say what she prefers or doesn't prefer.
It's strange, but she's getting used to it. That's why it's easy to respond, too. "Water or tea is fine - tea if it's made, but water if it's not."
So as to not put him to any trouble for it...
And simple absolutely works for Prim, too. She's never met a food she's complained about, since she went hungry for so long - though some of it just seems overdone to her, she'll eat anything that gets put in front of her, and thank people for it. But there are options here, and she's allowed to say what she prefers or doesn't prefer.
It's strange, but she's getting used to it. That's why it's easy to respond, too. "Water or tea is fine - tea if it's made, but water if it's not."
So as to not put him to any trouble for it...
Well, yeah. I think it went into the forest, after? Whenever I see that thing I just go the other way.
"I wanted you to have one."
He had mentioned the knives briefly before the party. But when he had intended to show her the choices, they had gotten easily distracted. Not that Katniss had complained much at the time. Or Sokka for that matter. But she trusted his opinion in what sort of knives would be most suitable for her sister. It was what he did here, as close to a living as anything else.
But it was good to ear that he was nice to her. That maybe Prim might even approve of what Katniss would say next.
Her cheeks turned a little red. "I like him. He's uh... We'e uh... I guess... he's my boyfriend?"
He had mentioned the knives briefly before the party. But when he had intended to show her the choices, they had gotten easily distracted. Not that Katniss had complained much at the time. Or Sokka for that matter. But she trusted his opinion in what sort of knives would be most suitable for her sister. It was what he did here, as close to a living as anything else.
But it was good to ear that he was nice to her. That maybe Prim might even approve of what Katniss would say next.
Her cheeks turned a little red. "I like him. He's uh... We'e uh... I guess... he's my boyfriend?"
"No tea brewed, but I keep water hot," he answers as he carries their meal back out of the kitchen. He's added a teapot with green tea and a couple small cups to the tray. Just let it steep before you pour. I guess if you'd like cream or sugar I can go get those."
Chouji deposits the tray on an empty neighboring table so it doesn't take over all of theirs. He takes the larger bowl for himself and gives Prim the smaller, sets out two plates, and sits back down. "Normally there are wait staff, and I spend a little more time in the kitchen, but... it's been a strange couple days." He looks mildly worried for a moment before he smiles at Prim again. "I'm grateful for the company."
Chouji deposits the tray on an empty neighboring table so it doesn't take over all of theirs. He takes the larger bowl for himself and gives Prim the smaller, sets out two plates, and sits back down. "Normally there are wait staff, and I spend a little more time in the kitchen, but... it's been a strange couple days." He looks mildly worried for a moment before he smiles at Prim again. "I'm grateful for the company."
That didn't surprise her. If he was giving her a knife, and acting like that with Katniss...it probably was something Katniss knew about, or at least he would have known how she felt about it. Though Prim didn't think she could bring herself to use a knife on a person (or, for that matter, an animal) unless she was cutting to help them, she would carry a knife around if it made her sister feel better.
Katniss had been here for over a year. Back home, Prim had thought that her sister had feelings for Peeta - at least, that had been what she'd read from Katniss' actions, and she'd never pressed the subject. This wasn't home. And more than that, Katniss was the important one, here, and there. As long as she was happy, as long as something was making her happy - Prim could accept whatever or whomever that was without complaint.
Though later on she might not be the happiest of people in regards to Sokka.
This wasn't later, though, and Prim grinned, just a little. "How long have you been seeing him? How did you meet? In the woods hunting?"
Katniss had been here for over a year. Back home, Prim had thought that her sister had feelings for Peeta - at least, that had been what she'd read from Katniss' actions, and she'd never pressed the subject. This wasn't home. And more than that, Katniss was the important one, here, and there. As long as she was happy, as long as something was making her happy - Prim could accept whatever or whomever that was without complaint.
Though later on she might not be the happiest of people in regards to Sokka.
This wasn't later, though, and Prim grinned, just a little. "How long have you been seeing him? How did you meet? In the woods hunting?"
"Oh, I'm fine without." She doesn't want to put him to the trouble. And besides, Prim's never taken cream or sugar in her tea. They never had it to spare. And the tea already seems a little different, just from the scent. There was never money at home for good tea. Just what Prim and her mother could make from drying their own herbs and steeping it. Sometimes water with flavor, however weak, was better than nothing to fool them into thinking they were full.
On automatic Prim begins to arrange her things, unrolling her silverware from her napkin and spreading said napkin over her lap. At the mention of a strange couple of days, she nods. "It's...a little hectic. I have to admit I'm having a hard time being as entirely cavalier as some people, but...I understand this sort of thing happens rather a lot?"
On automatic Prim begins to arrange her things, unrolling her silverware from her napkin and spreading said napkin over her lap. At the mention of a strange couple of days, she nods. "It's...a little hectic. I have to admit I'm having a hard time being as entirely cavalier as some people, but...I understand this sort of thing happens rather a lot?"
How had she met Sokka initially? It had been some time ago, while Peeta had still been here. He had just become one of the givens of this place, of her life here. Just like Zevran or Rapunzel or any of those others she had known for the good part of a year. When the memory did come to her, it was with a slow smile crossing her face.
The canoe. She had been hunting and had seen him with the canoe and wanted to know where he had gotten it. Because hadn't she and Rue still been living in the tree houses by the Western Lake at the time? It wasn't until a few weeks into Peeta's arrival that she finally agreed to move into town. And then, it had only been because of his leg. And his desire to run the bakery.
"I've known him for about a year. We met in the woods. He was canoeing and I was hiking towards a hunting spot along the river." And he had given her lessons. And permission to use the canoe whenever she wished. "But we were only friends. Peeta was here and I..."
She had been honest with her sister about almost everything since she had arrived. But there were two things she had kept silent on: her suicide and her relationship with Peeta. Maybe... maybe it was time to come clean about one of them.
"I was with him. I... loved him." Still did every single day. And missed him so, so much. "There were no Games. No Snow or Coin to impress. Just us."
The canoe. She had been hunting and had seen him with the canoe and wanted to know where he had gotten it. Because hadn't she and Rue still been living in the tree houses by the Western Lake at the time? It wasn't until a few weeks into Peeta's arrival that she finally agreed to move into town. And then, it had only been because of his leg. And his desire to run the bakery.
"I've known him for about a year. We met in the woods. He was canoeing and I was hiking towards a hunting spot along the river." And he had given her lessons. And permission to use the canoe whenever she wished. "But we were only friends. Peeta was here and I..."
She had been honest with her sister about almost everything since she had arrived. But there were two things she had kept silent on: her suicide and her relationship with Peeta. Maybe... maybe it was time to come clean about one of them.
"I was with him. I... loved him." Still did every single day. And missed him so, so much. "There were no Games. No Snow or Coin to impress. Just us."
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