[Six - Right Through The Eye] [Wonderland Plot]

[the_effect_she_has]

[When the journal opens, there are drops of water that drip down on the page. They are erratic, so it is not rain. The faint smell of salt comes from them, and when the shaky writing appears ... well, you can only assume they are tears. Because they are.]

Peeta is ... gone. He's gone ... home.

[There are more spatters on the page, and then a shaky breath.]

Peeta is gone, and there's a mirror here in the front hall. Since I don't have anything left to lose, I figured I'd just go through it. And if I die? All the better.

[There's the angry wiping of her eyes.] I don't care anymore, do you understand? You took the boy I loved, and I don't care what happens to me now. So you can go to Hell, Castle. Straight to Hell.

[She breaths out.] See you on the other side.

Comments

[ftssusstgsetfwe]

Oh, why you poor - if not pleasantly mad - thing. [Because seriously, all this talk of castle and Peeta and a mirror... What is with that?]

I've heard love is a very dangerous thing, in this way. You need some tea, is what you need.

[the_effect_she_has]

[... She's through the mirror now, and the first response is an odd one.] Ah. Yeah ... I'm mad, in both ways. And love - love is the worst and best thing.

[She rubbed her face, angrily.] But tea is the last thing I want.

[ftssusstgsetfwe]

If it's the best as well as the worst, then perhaps you are better off for having experienced it and now being rid of it! And don't be foolish, my dear. Tea will cure all that pains you.

[the_effect_she_has]

Tea only makes you warm and is for drinking. [She rubbed her face.] And I don't want it, it's not going to bring Peeta back.

[pompous_today]

[Simon stares at this post for a while. Katniss had been kind to him when he was feeling listless after River leaving, so he feels like he should say something...]

I'm sorry. It is never easy... I just... hope you will not find any danger through the mirror, regardless of whether or not you're overly concerned with your own safety.

[the_effect_she_has]

[She grits her teeth together, as she puts together her pack.]

I don't think I really care any more, Doctor... but thanks.

[pompous_today]

I understand the feeling. Still, there are some left in the castle who still care what happens to you.

[the_effect_she_has]

...I know, and I'm sorry to leave them. But I learned a long time ago -- I can't survive without Peeta.

[courageous_wit]

Katniss... I'm so sorry. But I'm not sure coming in here is going to be any better. Everyone is acting strangely.

[the_effect_she_has]

[Here Katniss pauses, her head tilting.]

You're already there? Are you all right, Hermione?

[courageous_wit]

Yes, I accidentally fell through the mirror. And there's something very odd about this place. Many of the residents are acting like they live here.

[the_effect_she_has]

[Damnit.]

Well if you thought I had a choice before, you really think I have one now? Who is already there?

[In other words, who does she has to save. Because the one way to get her to stop thinking about her own pain is to make her focus on the possible pain of her loved ones.]

[assassino]

[Whoa, whoa. What? He doesn't know these kids too well, but.]

Signora, would your Peeta want you to risk that? Stop and think for a moment, before doing something so rash.

[the_effect_she_has]

Peeta would never want me to risk anything, because he would say I risked everything.

[She swallowed, hard.] But he's not here now. And I've got friends over there. [Apparently.]

[assassino]

Friends beyond a mirror? That makes little sense to me... and does Peeta's absence mean you should go against what he would want for you?

[the_effect_she_has]

There's a mirror in the front hall. It's ... well. It's enticing people inside. I was just going to jump in for the hell of it. [And she still is.]

[Which is why she snorts at Ezio.] He's not here. And I don't even know if he's still alive ...

[valuedstrength]

[Steve doesn't even get a chance to cope with the loss of Peeta before he realizes that Katniss is really distraught enough to do something this crazy.]

Don't you dare, Katniss! You know this isn't what Peeta would want! [He sighs in frustration.] Stay where you are. I'm coming to get you.

[Yep he's running after her like an idiot now.]

[the_effect_she_has]

You are not. You are going to stay where you are and not do anything stupid. You still have a life here, Steve.

[She bowed her head a little, as she shouldered her backpack.]

I've got ... I've got nothing.

[valuedstrength]

[He's got his thumb wedged between the pages to keep it open as he runs. Steve only stopped long enough to grab his shield in case he fails to get to her first. He helped get back the last people who ended up in a mirror related world somehow. He saw them bring back two corpses. There's no way he's repeating that experience with Katniss.]

You've got me. You've got all your friends! Don't do this!

[wizard_redfive]

[Dairine had expected as much when his Christmas gift returned to her, but hearing it from Katniss seals it. Damnnit Castle, why'd you have to send Peeta back where she can't protect him??]

Katniss... [But then Kat starts talking about throwing her life away, and Dairine's grief is put on hold. Oh no you don't. Dairine is not losing anyone else, thank you very much. Her voice comes out much more determined.]

Wait for me. I'm coming with you.

[the_effect_she_has]

Good god, why does everyone want to toss themselves over the edge with me? [Her voice is quiet and desperate.]

Just ... stay where you are.

[wizard_redfive]

Because we care? You're grieving and angry and sound like you have a death wish. The last thing you need right now is to be alone.

Not a chance Katniss. I am either coming with you or coming after you.

[fanstheflame]

Katniss--!

[he knows her, he knows her will, and he knows that there's nothing he can do. she's probably already gone, before he can even process any of what she's said. he breathes out angrily and slams a fist down on the table next to his journal]

Damn it!

[the_effect_she_has]

...Still there, Hawthorne?

[Because yes, she saw that and yes, she's reaching back over the divide.]

[fanstheflame]

.... Yeah, I am. What the hell did you do that for? The last time there were large groups of people and magic doorways involved, two people came back dead.