[Fifteen - Right Through The Eye] [Dictated]

[the_effect_she_has]

[Katniss had swung out of bed this morning - bruised, but clean. The sun shone through the windows of her cabin, and she could hear birdsong. She knew that yesterday was gone - Event Horizon was done - and she was here. So there was only one thing to be said, honestly.]

The Mockingjay is eighteen years old. I lived through two games, a war, and everything this Castle has thrown at me.

So ...

BITE ME, CAPITAL, and BITE ME, CASTLE!

[She grinned, fiercely, as she pushed herself to her feet.]

I'm going to the woods. Catch me if you can.

Comments

[unvarnished]

... Well, now. With a beginning like that, you're really going to have to tell me the rest of the story sometime.

[the_effect_she_has]

...Come visit me in the woods, bring something to eat and something to drink, and I'll tell you the whole tale.

[unvarnished]

Any preference, or do you want me to surprise you?

[the_effect_she_has]

[She thinks about it.] It's my belated birthday. Surprise me.

[She didn't often like surprises, but today ... today she'd like it.]

[unvarnished]

I know just the thing. [okay so he doesn't know her that well, but he can make an educated guess from what he's seen of her so far]

[the_effect_she_has]

Okay, good. When should I expect you?

[Because she might have the time to catch a few fat rabbits.]

[unvarnished]

Be there in a few minutes.

[so he can get stuff and bring it and find her in the woods, etc]

[panicswitched]

[ it takes ashley a while to work up the nerve to contact anyone after everything that's happened, but she does owe her friend a lot for getting her out of there. ]

Does this mean we have to play hide-and-seek if I want to talk to you?

[ she's trying to go for a joke and the tone is there, even if her voice is soft. ]

[the_effect_she_has]

[Katniss pauses, at the soft quaver to Ashley's words in the journal.]

Well ... wouldn't be much of a game of 'catch me' if you don't have to find me. But I'll spot one search. I'll be in the gardens outside the castle.

[panicswitched]

That's fair. I won't even cheat.

[ no teleportation. this will be a good and fair game of chase. ]

See you soon.

[the_effect_she_has]

Good! Because if you cheat, you don't get to come to my party.

[Which she was still having, thank you Event Horizon. People needed to celebrate.]

[She closed her journal, put it in her sachel, and took off in a run to the castle. Enjoying the sun on her face and the breeze that whipped through her dark hair. Alive. Alive.]

[panicswitched]

Definitely not, then.

[ but it makes her smile and soon enough, she's going to make her way down there. without teleporting, it'll take her a few minutes to get to the gardens, but soon enough, she's looking around. she isn't expecting katniss to make this easy and she'd be disappointed if it were, so she's walking slowly and carefully, scanning the area like a hunter.

the chase is on. ]

[the_effect_she_has]

[Katniss smirked from her place, hiding in the tree's branches, watching Ashley search. She knew the older girl needed something to distract her, to get her mind away from the horror she had seen. A simple game of hide and seek, for both of them? Seemed like the perfect way to spend the morning.]

[panicswitched]

[ she combs her way across the whole area, eyes sweeping as much as she can see. it'll take her a little time, mostly because she's used to people and abnormals dropping from trees or popping out at her at the worst times, but even so, she's still a little off since everything else happened and she doesn't want the game to end too soon.

after a while, though, she starts looking through tree branches, fully aware that even if she spots her friend, she still has to catch her. ]

[pint_sized_carnivore]

Uh, Katniss? Why are you heading to the woods?

[Chie is too confused right now to fully understand what Katniss just said]

[the_effect_she_has]

Because that's where I feel best in the world, Chie. I'm going to hunt today, and run and just ... just live. Because I can. Because I want to.

[Peeta would be happy, and she looked at his painting across the way, and blew him a quiet kiss.]

[pint_sized_carnivore]

[That puts a smile on Chie's face]

Heh-heh. Hunting, huh? I didn't think you like doing that. [Yeah, she's out of things to say]

[the_effect_she_has]

[She smiled in turn, before she brushed her hair out of her face.]

I have always liked hunting. I use all the parts. All of them.

[pint_sized_carnivore]

Hmm, you know I've been curious what it's like outside the castle and the town. I've only been to the outer areas of the woods near the grounds...

[the_effect_she_has]

Well, if you ever need a guide -- not a native one but still. I'll be glad to help you.

[silentrunning]

[Have something scribbly in your journal.]

Happy birthday?

[She chuckles at the bit about "Bite me, Castle." and instantly regrets it...almost. The chuckle is followed by a sharp hiss of pain.]

I'm afraid I won't be able to run anywhere for a bit. But, do me a favor? Enjoy yourself and make sure nobody catches you without a chase?

[She doodles a smiley in the journal, and a tiny little heart.]

[the_effect_she_has]

Thanks, Chell.

[She drew a smiley face in turn, before pursing her lips.] Want me to come and bring the woods to you?

[silentrunning]

[There's slight confusion.]

How can you do that? But yes! That would be nice. I've never been to the woods.

[the_effect_she_has]

[Her lips quirk up on the same time.]

You'll see. I'll bring all the woods to you. When will you feel read to receive vistors?

[silentrunning]

[Chelll grins.]

Any time you want to visit would be fine by me.