004 ♆ video

[insecrets]

[It's pretty early in the morning when Finnick shows up on the feed, looking a little bit like crap. Like he hasn't slept all night. Which, well. He really hasn't. Nightmares and everything. He scrubs a hand over his face before smiling for the feed.]

I'm starting to wonder what else could go wrong in this place. First, they're making copies of us [not that he can really blame them for wanting more of him around, come on now] and now things are going sour on the turtle. [A wry smile twists his lips now.] And they say to not panic while pushing us to our limits already. [He runs a hand through his hair.] They could probably give the Capitol a run for their money at this point.

[He goes to shut off the feed, muttering:] I'd kill for seaweed bread right now, though. [:'|]

Comments

video;

[insecrets]

Never heard of it. [That's not all that surprising to Finnick, though.] I'm from Panem.

video;

[chiot]

Then we're even. I never hearda Panem, either.

video;

[insecrets]

That's the typical case around here.

video;

[chiot]

so it's your country or summat like that... Why? Where you live in it? Maybe it's a city? Y'should tell me more.

video;

[insecrets]

It's a country, divided into 12 districts and a capitol where the president lives. [A pause.] Lived. I was in the 4th District.

And Paris?

video;

[chiot]

Why's it divided? Like west end south end, huh? Paris is real big--an' crazy. And there's lotsa nice alleys you can hide in, and dependin' on where you go you can steal food if'n you want.

video;

[insecrets]

So that our president could decide which area produced what for the good of the country. It just made sense to divide it up that way.

It sounds like an interesting place. And you can get away with stealing food from others?

video;

[chiot]

Well, I'm here, aren't I? [ That's a yes, yes you can. ] You gotta watch out for police, but that ain't too hard to do if you know the city better an 'em. But--I wanna know more about your city.

Why he divided stuff up? What do you produce? If you're good at summin' can you move to that section to get lotsa money?

video;

[insecrets]

[He leans back in his chair. It's not the first time he's been asked how all of this works, and it's better than talking about the Games, at least.]

It was easier for him to control, if each district played its part in helping the rest of the country out. District 4 was a fishing district; we provided the larger supply of marine food. [Finnick shakes his head.] You never leave your district. You're there for life. What you're good at is what your district does.

video;

[chiot]

[ Squint. That makes no sense. ]

So what if you were terrible at fishin'?

video;

[insecrets]

[Snow was a douche.]

You could make nets, fishing hooks, catch other things. Everyone finds something to do.

video;

[chiot]

Well, I'd just run away to a better district.

video;

[insecrets]

[A sad smile.] There are guards and fences that keep us in. [Caged animals, all of them.]

video;

[chiot]

That ain't fair--y'should fight back! I did, where I'm from.

video;

[insecrets]

We did. [He grins now.] From what I hear, the barriers are broken and the president is gone. [And there are no more Hunger Games.]

video;

[chiot]

Didja do it? Didja fight for freedom?

video;

[insecrets]

I died for freedom. [Or for Katniss. Maybe they're the same thing.]

video;

[chiot]

So did I. [ He's somewhat quiet, but it only lasts a moment: ] you shoulda built a barricade.

video;

[insecrets]

I don't think a barricade would have kept us safe. [Not from mutts, not from bombs.]

video;

[chiot]

Why not? Keeps out most, an' you just gotta make sure y'got guns to fire through the slats of the furniture you pile up!

video;

[insecrets]

Too many other kinds of weapons in our war, and we were only a small group to begin with. [The one group to infiltrate the Capitol, the one meant to kill Snow.]

video;

[chiot]

It wasn't all your district? And--hey, hey! Whass-your name? Huh?

video;

[insecrets]

No, it wasn't all my district. I'm Finnick. And you are?

video;

[chiot]

Gavroche. Niceta meet you. I wouldn't know what to do if barricades wouldn't work. [ Frown. This is something he has to think on, man. ] If I ever find--uuh--seaweed bread--I'll give you a call, yeah?

video;

[insecrets]

Same to you, Gavroche. [A smile, and a nod.] You do that. I'd appreciate it.