01. they build you up so high

[hijackedbread]

[The video clicks on to show a boy of seventeen staring at the screen. The kedan have just shown him how to work the console and he assumes he’s meant to broadcast, as he would in Panem. So he flashes a winning smile, one that doesn’t quite stretch to his eyes.]

Hello. My name is Peeta Mellark, from District 12. They said this isn’t the Capitol. To be honest, I’m not entirely sure where Keeliai is or why I’m here. But I know that the Emperor wouldn’t bring me here without a reason and I trust her wisdom. I appreciate how welcoming you have been and I look forward to learning more about you and to fulfilling my duties here.

[The tribute is incredibly charming, but those who are extremely perceptive would be able to detect that nearly every word is a lie and may notice the sound of handcuffs being pulled taut. He pauses and his smile falters.]

If any other Victors have been welcomed here, I would be glad to be reunited with them again.

Comments

video

[fuckcable]

Welcoming? What busted up cart did the kedan throw you off of?

video

[hijackedbread]

[He hesitates, then continues less certain.]

They were gentle. You can't blame them for what they aren't responsible for.

video

[fuckcable]

If they aren't part of the solution, they're part of the problem.

video;

[fotia]

Whoa whoa, dude, did you say the Capitol? This real egotistical guy named Finnick used to hang around here. ["He was kind of crazy" comes to mind too, but even Leo knows not to say that out loud.] And Katniss, too. And that girl who displayed her boobs on the network. [Too bad he never really got her name; he was too busy staring at said boobs.]

But they're not around anymore; sorry, man. I hope you find one of your other friends, though. [And yeah, from what he's heard about their world, he really hopes it's one of his friends he meets.]

video;

[hijackedbread]

[Peeta's facade instantly shatters at Leo's remarks, first hopeful and then devastated. Finnick, Katniss, Johanna. All gone.]

Where are they? I have to find them.

Is Haymitch here?

video;

[fotia]

[Leo doesn't usually do the whole seriousness thing, but he thinks joking around won't do right now; he's gotten and lost some friends in this place, too, so he sort of understands how Peeta feels.]

I don't know. [There's a pause, before he adds,] But people have come back before, so maybe they will, too. Not really sure who this Haymitch guy is, though.

video;

[watcheslanterns]

Is the Capitol the place where you came from?

video;

[hijackedbread]

I'm from District 12. But there is no District 12 anymore. This place reminds me of the Capitol in some ways. The people here look like the people in the Capitol.

[A pause.] Have you heard anything about a war here?

video;

[watcheslanterns]

[She shuffles nervously in her seat.]

I've been told that's why we're here, but I haven't seen anything that's like a war here. Not yet, at least.

video;

[daughteroftheoriginal]

[May? Knows a cute boy when she sees one. He also seems a bit too excited to be here, but who knows why that could be. It's probably just his way of coping, right?]

Hi, Peeta, I'm May. Nice to meet you. This isn't the Capitol, [and she suspects he's not talking about Washington DC] but we're on the back of a giant turtle, which is really weird to say, much less hear.

[He's being friendly, so she should be friendly back.]

video;

[hijackedbread]

[Peeta's smile fades to something more minor with his confusion at her words.]

I don't think I know what a turtle is. [Because he's only learned the absolute basics and it was nothing like this.] Will you teach me?

video;

[daughteroftheoriginal]

I can give it a shot.

[How do you explain a turtle?]

They're reptiles, and they have shells around most of their bodies.

video;

[werethatgood]

Hey, Peeta! I'm Cassie.

I think this is a sort of in-between place, where people from different worlds are brought. For example, we don't have anything called District Twelve, and the Capitol is just a place in the capital of the country where I'm from. And I think this place is kind of strange for everyone.

[Look, there is a girl who's clearly been getting enough to eat all her life, and has had a good childhood, free of both fear and the weirdness of the Capitol. And, yes, she notices that the smile doesn't reach his eyes. She doesn't quite register - consciously - the sound of handcuffs, but she knows something is wrong (with her stepdad a police officer, the sound is not nearly as strange as it should have been - even if she doesn't recognize it. Yet.)]

Do you need anything? I know I was kind of ... less than top shape after I first showed up here, for like twelve hours or so, so if you've got the same problem, I know there are people who might be willing to help.

video;

[hijackedbread]

District Twelve is gone. But you know the Capitol? [He doesn't entirely understand her explanation of her own capitol, his smile lessening. He maintains the effort to keep some facade of happiness present.]

[After a beat, he glances down to his lap where the handcuffs are, then back up again.] I need something that can cut metal.

video;

[werethatgood]

It's... just a building. When you say it, it sounds like I can hear the capital letter there. I'm pretty sure we're talking about different things.

And... [She narrows her eyes.] I'll see what I can do. How much weird do you think you can take?

[Because one of her ideas involves magic? Maybe?]

15 minutes late with starbucks

[afirewithfashion]

Peeta?

[Of course he knows it's possible, but -- With Katniss gone, it's hard to believe. And Cinna doesn't have any memories of the time Peeta was here before, nothing he could use to make Peeta remember.

And he's kind of out of words. What the hell is he supposed to say?]

rofl

[hijackedbread]

[Peeta's attention immediately perks and he drops the phony smile.]

Cinna? Is that you?

I thought they killed you.

Cinna, where's Katniss?

[philosophe]

--There was a young man, who spoke of the Capitol -- Finnick, his name was, I think. But I have not seen him in some time, I am very sorry.

[hijackedbread]

I heard. Do you know where he's gone or how I might find out who sent him away?

video

[ciderandstew]

[She knows that kind of smile, she's worn it so often herself. And the way he speaks, she can tell that it's strained-- despite how good he is at masking that.]

I do not know of any other 'victors', nor exactly what you mean by that, Peeta... But I would be glad to assist you if you need it, though I am rather new here myself.

video

[hijackedbread]

I need supplies. Can you help me find food and water?

video;

[storm_warning]

[The video in return shows one (1) Ororo staring at the screen with some disbelief.]

Capitol? [And Districts, huh. She crosses her arms, guarded against what this could mean.]

Yeah, this place's a far cry from any you knew, unless living on a turtle's a big to-do back home.

video;

[hijackedbread]

What's a turtle?

video;

[fatedchaos]

[There's a sad sort of smile on her face. She's of two minds about the Emperor. One one hand, Vanessa likes her. Maybe even trusts her more than she should.

On the other, she's not very purposeful in her selection.]

You're here to fight, basically. That's her reason.

video;

[hijackedbread]

[Peeta's expression immediately grows cold.]

Why?