Thirty Four Truffula Trees

[whichwayyoulean]

[Learning about Sheena's death has bumped Once-ler's paranoia from a five to a ten. He knows people are hiding out in the library, in that bar in town, in those other safe zones, but he remembers being on the Event Horizon. If something is attacking them, or god forbid if one of their OWN is attacking them, then it won't matter if you're in numbers or not. Heck, being in a big group might just attract attention to them. He's more than content to stay in his tower with all his traps, thank you. But there are two somethings that are missing. He quickly picks up a pen to scribble into the journal:]

[Ted and the Lorax]
It's starting to get bad. You guys should come to my room, I've got enough here to protect us. [Probably. Hopefully]

[He almost leaves it at that, but he knows he can't. Not after the news of today.]

[Friends]

Just give me a sign you guys are still alive, ok?

[There's a tap of his pen on the journal. He's a salesman, he's finding it difficult to get things across without his quick and easy patter. It's very different having to write it all down]

Well, this sucks.

Comments

[the_effect_she_has]

Thank you. I don't want anything to happen to you, or Ted, or your little orange mutt-thing.

[whichwayyoulean]

The Lorax. I'm pretty sure nothing can hurt him anyway.

[the_effect_she_has]

Lorax. Right, he's a tough little guy.

[whichwayyoulean]

[A sad sort of chuckle] Ain't that the truth.

[the_effect_she_has]

Then I guess the two of you will look after one another, hm?

[whichwayyoulean]

[Silence. For probably far too long]

Yeah. Guess so.

[the_effect_she_has]

[...She doesn't like that silence. She knows that silence. It's the silence of feeling something but not saying anything.]

Something on your mind, Once?

[The tone is gentle.]

[whichwayyoulean]

Let's say things back home between me and him aren't great.


Like at all.

[the_effect_she_has]

[She snorted softly, before looking down at the ground before her.]

...Yeah, Gale and I are like that, back home. Can he not forgive you, or can you not forgive him? Or is it both?

[whichwayyoulean]

[And he relaxes somewhat, because Katniss understands]

The bas stuff is all on me. I heard he comes back, one day, in the future. I hope he can forgive me, but I wouldn't blame him if he didn't.

[the_effect_she_has]

[She folded her hands together, crossing one leg over the other.]

Sometimes, there are things that happen ... that we don't think we can ever forgive. Maybe it's not a matter of forgiving, as it is forgetting how much hurt there is.

[whichwayyoulean]

[He takes a moment to consider that]

That's more than I'd deserve. I'd take that if he offered it.

[the_effect_she_has]

I think most people would offer it. Have you tried asking him? For forgiveness?

[Because it doesn't sound like he had.] That's why I never forgave Gale. He ... never asked because he knew I never would. Still. You never know things until you ask them.

[whichwayyoulean]

I never got the chance, not back home anyway. I've apologised here, but it always feels like...I don't know, asking for forgiveness from him is asking too much.

[the_effect_she_has]

You never know until you ask, Once. Even if he says he can never forgive you, at least you know.

[whichwayyoulean]

You've got a point, as always. Thanks Katniss.

[the_effect_she_has]

I have my moments. Take care, Once. I'll see you when this is all over.

[whichwayyoulean]

You sure will.