[Twenty-Five - Right Through The Eye]

[the_effect_she_has]

Christmas time again.

[Katniss's voice is soft, and sad, as she plays with the laces on her boots. She's looking out the windows at the soft, white snow that is gathering on the ground.] This time of year always reminds me of Gale, and Peeta, and back home. When things were at their worst, they were still with me. I miss them, every single day.

[She sighed, quietly, before she got up and went to the window.] I know you're still here, my friends and my family. I've been thinking ... maybe I should come back to the Castle for the winter. I don't really want to but - I don't know.

[She touched the glass.] It seems like a bad time, to be alone.

Comments

[putuporshutup]

[Demons have a knack for picking up on emotional anguish, and that's the last thing she wanted to cause here since she was trying to help Katniss feel more at home in the castle. She offered a warm smile in return.]

Then again, sometimes following orders is crap and you have to follow your own intuition.

[the_effect_she_has]

Either way, people can get hurt. But ... better to stand in front of the fire then watch it burn everyone around you.

[She pushed the food around her plate, and took another bite, giving Meg a wan, tired smile.] Besides, the ... victors get to write the history.

[putuporshutup]

I wouldn't always have agreed with that, but I certainly do at this point. [She winks] Just don't tell anyone else from my world, they'll know I've gone soft. [Right, like Cas already didn't.] You gotta fight for who you love. Otherwise, there's really not much point to it all.

[She returns the smile and takes a bite of her own, chewing thoughtfully.] They certainly do.

[the_effect_she_has]

[She smiled a little at that, her lips curving up just at the corners.] Your secret is safe with me. [She paused, her jaw tight for a moment.] I ... yes. I agree with that.

[She smiled again, mostly into her plate, before she took a few more bites.]

[putuporshutup]

[Meg laughs a little] Good to know.

So, you're gonna move back to the castle, huh?

[the_effect_she_has]

[She nodded her head, as she reached for her glass.]

Just for the winter. It's safer, I figure. More or less.

[putuporshutup]

Well, don't be a stranger. You'll have to let me know if I'm doing Emma's recipe book justice.

[the_effect_she_has]

[She glanced over at the older woman - not much older - maybe ten or so years. Then she slowly nodded, thinking of that porcelain bulldog.] I will.