[Thirteen - Right Through The Eye.]

[the_effect_she_has]

[Katniss has just spent a very enjoyable morning refitting the cabin. Johanna had put in a lot of hard work - and Katniss was able to expand on that with the help of her friends. Now something that had only been meant for one could house at least three, and Katniss was still thinking of making more improvements. She had finished thatching the roof properly, and was sitting on her porch, wondering if she could talk Gale into making her some furniture for her eighteenth birthday, or if she should just buy some.]

[Which ... reminded her.]

I'm going to be eighteen, in a few days. It's funny - back home in the Seam my mother and my sister would be planning a big party. [Her words come out slowly, almost sadly.] Turning eighteen means you're free of the Games, that there's no chance that you can be called on again. I fought in two Games, before this birthday. I fought in a war, too. So I'm not really sure what kind of party it would have been.

[She looked off into the woods, her voice quiet.] ... Still. I feel it should be celebrated. Or at least remembered. So. Any ideas on how I can do that? It's more for the memory of what my life should have been, than what it is now. Sort of a wake, and a birthday, all in one. [One corner of her mouth lifted ironically.]

Comments

I'm sorry, Katniss.

[yay_heiress]

Oooh, Eighteen? That's a good age! I used to be eighteen!

And why wouldn't you want to be awake at your own birthday party?

Oh goodness, LONDON.

[the_effect_she_has]

Uhm ... thanks. I guess. What age are you now?

[A long pause, before Katniss spoke a little more firmly.] Do you know what a wake is?

|3

[yay_heiress]

I'm nineteen!

Um, it's the opposite of a-sleep! Duh!

Re: |3

[the_effect_she_has]

[This girl reminds her of Glimmer. Except in a less ... murderous sort of way.]

Really. [People like this survived to nineteen? Well the castle made anything possible...]

[yay_heiress]

So, you're looking for someone to plan your birthday party, right?

[the_effect_she_has]

Uh. Well. My friends ... might be ... you might want to talk to Chie and Percy. [She's suddenly a little more unnerved. Please, dear lord, do not let this girl be someone who thinks drinking small potions to throw up food so you can eat more is a good idea.]

1/2

[yay_heiress]

[Fortunately for Katniss, London is a fan of eating and keeping what she eats. She claps excitedly into the journal. Hey, so maybe the party won't be what London thinks of as a party, but at least there's probably going to be one.]

Yay! Ooh! Can I come?

[waterproofed]

You should definitely celebrate, Katniss. We'll throw you a party.

[the_effect_she_has]

[One corner of her mouth lifted up.] We'll throw you a party? Should I be scared?

[waterproofed]

I donno, do parties usually scare you?

[the_effect_she_has]

Only if they're held at the Capital. Anything you throw should be minimized in terror. [a long pause, before she added quietly.] I would like dancing...

[waterproofed]

Yeah? I didn't peg you as a dancer.

[the_effect_she_has]

If the situation calls for it, I do a fine reel.

[panicswitched]

Games? [ what sort of games, she wonders. ]

Hey, eighteen's a milestone on Earth. Congrats. [ awww katniss, such a baby ♥ ] It should definitely be celebrated. You could invite the people important to you and just chill or do something you really enjoy.

[the_effect_she_has]

The Hunger Games. It's ... it was a traditional yearly event in my world.

Thank you. For awhile, I wasn't sure I'd make it that far. [She took the end of her braid, thinking about it.] Well ... it won't really be a long list...

[panicswitched]

Wow. Sounds... exciting. [ ish. she knows traditions aren't always exciting. and talking about not being sure she'd make it to 18... well that doesn't sound user-friendly. ]

Well... glad you did. [ open mouth. insert foot. ] Doesn't matter, as long as you're enjoying those things with the people that matter. It's your day, your party. Spend it the way you want to.

[the_effect_she_has]

It's not so much ... exciting for those of us who had to participate. Mostly horrifying.

[She gave a wry smile at that, and let her friend off the hook.] I'd like you to come.

[panicswitched]

Then I'm really glad you're out of that.

[ pause. ] I'd really like that. Count me in. And remind me to tell you what Mom and I did on my eighteenth birthday.

[the_effect_she_has]

Yes. So am I.

[she smiled, briefly.] Good, and I will.

[pint_sized_carnivore]

[Chie held back in asking about the Games, not wanting to anger herself at the thought of people pitting children against each other for shits and giggles.]

You're turning 18, huh? We'll throw you a birthday party!

[the_effect_she_has]

Well ... if you are, then you should get together with Percy. He seems to have some ideas. Not terrifying ones, at that.

[pint_sized_carnivore]

[Percy? Oh lawd]

Uh, sure! I'll go contact him about it.

[the_effect_she_has]

And some girl named London wants to help, too. Apparently she likes parties...

[pint_sized_carnivore]

Ok. I haven't met her yet, but I'll contact her too.

[the_effect_she_has]

Okay ... and Chie? [There's a pause.] Thanks.