01 rolled in | video

[howherolls]

 [ a haggard looking young man sits on a bed, his hands wringing together over and over again as he speaks. There's a hollowness to his stare, and he takes a little longer than most between his sentences, thoughtfully ]

I was working...on having responsibilities again. I baked bread starting at four in the morning until noon. At noon I fed the geese. Depending on the day, I might have free time after that, but by dinner I helped Katniss cook and I would dead-head the flowers in the garden.

The schedule...helped.

[ his hands spasm erratically for a moment, then still as Peeta clenches his jaw ]

And now I'm here. [ he offers a tight smile ] And that means I'm not feeding geese and the garden's not going anywhere anytime soon. Not to mention there's a possible deer overpopulation problem in District Twelve.

[ he sighs ]

So there go my responsibilities. And schedule. I guess this serves as a fair warning for you all.

Comments

[howherolls]

[ he nods ] No, I don't think so either. We ended the Games before we arrived. I...don't think anyone will be in a hurry to start them again. [ except for people like Coin. But her impromptu assassination should be enough to deter such notions ]

[ he gives a soft, sad smile ]

Thank you, Ms Potts. But I'm afraid I'm more worried about hurting you.

[the_other_eight]

[Error: Irreparable invalid markup ('<small.[she>') in entry. Owner must fix manually. Raw contents below.]

<small.[She looks confused about that.]</small>

Why would you hurt me?

<small>[Did she look like someone back in his world?]

[howherolls]

I wish I had a reason for you, but I don't.

I just. Lose myself sometimes, and the people around me suffer for it.

[ he looks at the ground ]

The Capitol...used me, after they grabbed me out of the arena. It hasn't worn off yet.

[the_other_eight]

[That frown deepens.]

Used you? How?

[She's wondering if she or anyone she knows could help.]

[howherolls]

...have you ever heard of hijacking?

[the_other_eight]

Yes.

[Of course she's thinking of hijacking a car or a plane or something like that. Not hijacking a person.]

[howherolls]

[ he nods, as if that explains everything ]

Just wait Peeta, after IM3 they can swap torture stories.

[the_other_eight]

[Give her a minute.]

Wait, they hijacked you?

Yay! Worst camping trips ever!!!

[howherolls]

[ his fingers lace together tightly ]

Yes.

I'm still not sure for how long, though. I think they estimated six months last I heard.

At least hers would be from an observer's perspective .... is that better or worse?

[the_other_eight]

I ...

[Pepper mentally runs through a list of people she knows that might be able to help. The list is small seeing as she doesn't know much about a lot of people. Then her thoughts fall on Natalie. She wonders if the other woman would know coping mechanisms or a way of helping him. After all, even if she was a plant her resume really was impressive and varied.]

I might know someone who can help. I'd have to talk to them though.

it depends, can she play acoustical guitar?

[howherolls]

[ for the first time since arriving here, Peeta looks close to hopeful ]

I would appreciate that.

Anyone...anyone would be great.

Re: it depends, can she play acoustical guitar?

[the_other_eight]

[Pepper nods.]

If the person I'm thinking of can't help I'll find another way to help you. I promise.

[And Pepper is the sort of person who keeps her promises. She plans on doing whatever it takes to help the boy. Even if she doesn't know his name.]

[howherolls]

Thank you. [ he sags in relief ] I...I'll try to see if there's someone too.


[ a pause ]

I'm Peeta, by the way.

[the_other_eight]

I'm sure between the two of us we can find someone.

[Peeta? Really?]

Like the bread?

[Are they going to get someone named Schwarma next?]

[howherolls]

[ he grins, rubbing the back of his neck ]

My parents weren't the imaginative sort.

[the_other_eight]

[She offers a smile in return.]

It's no worse then Pepper.

[Of course her real name is Virginia, but that's not what most people call her anyway.]

[howherolls]

Looks like we're a matched set, then.

It's...good to meet you.

[the_other_eight]

It's good to meet you too Peeta. Make sure you eat something, alright?

[Pepper will probably now mother you forever Peeta.]

[howherolls]

I'll see what I can find here, thanks.

[the_other_eight]

Good. If I find out you're not eating I'll make you eat my boyfriend's cooking. I think that might be a fate worse then death.

[She's only teasing. She'd never make anyone eat Tony's cooking. It's bad enough she has to from time to time.]

[howherolls]

[ a small smile ]

It can't be any worse than my-

Katniss's.

[ things killed plus things pulled out of the ground tends to get a little stale, after a while ]

[the_other_eight]

[She caught that but she will politely pretend she didn't.]

Has Katniss ever almost burnt down a kitchen?

[howherolls]

...it's entirely possible.


They call her the girl on fire.

[the_other_eight]

Then I guess we should never let them in a kitchen at the same time.

[howherolls]

That or have buckets of water on hand.

[ he looks out the window, where the fountains of the water district bubble ]

I guess I am starting to see why they housed me here.