Um, I know I've seen some chickens....Aletheia? The one who lives in a tree, that one. [She wrinkles her nose] I know I've seen other ones but I'm still meeting most people! But--[She leans forward, elbows on her knees and chin propped in her hands] Why don't you bring your bread and I'll make something and we can trade traditional foods.
So, this Saturday or next, you should stop by. I have that absolutely beautiful mosaic-- [pause] It occurs to me that you probably already know where I live. You wrote a note and everything.
Oh--no I'm not that good with my hands for things like that. I love art but I've never--my little sister is much better. She painted this little bulletin board that I have at my place. But I really like the mailbox, it's so beautiful. When the light hits it right, it throws off such brilliant light.
Taria. And she's beautiful and sweet, full of life. She came to the Capitol with me but she didn't do it for the reasons I did. She was smart, she deserved the leg up it could give her. Her art is brilliant and I wanted the best for her. She loved it. I think she saw the pain in it, the harshness, but I know she saw the best in it too.
[Absently, she twists a curl of hair around her finger] She was with my aunt when I was taken from the Capitol. She should still be with her. She should be safe, my aunt would take care of her no matter what.
[There's a faint smile, a little pained around her eyes, but she doesn't rebuff him for the question ]
The Capitol was a beautiful place...[And her voice catches here and makes a few false starts, her hands tremble but then her voice goes firm] T-that was made possible by the suffering of many people, some of whom had no voices to speak or rebel with, and some, like me, who did. As a whole, Panem was beautiful but it had so many problems. I--I like to think I can still... see the beauty as much as the problems.
[Her gaze drops as she seems to try to find a way to put it. She seems to have a problem with it ]
Served by everyone but Avoxes are slaves without voices. Literally. [She seems a little duller, having settled on stating facts ] The Capitol takes from the Districts and redistributes to the Districts while taking a great portion for themselves.
I don't understand how you fit into this. You came from a District, you grew up in a District, but it doesn't sound as if you were a slave in the Capitol.
On occasion, they allow Districters to come to the Capitol, to work and to show their generosity. [She plays with her skirt, tracing the lace pattern] I was able to come because I had a relation in the Capitol, a distant aunt, and she sponsored my sister and I. I worked, my sister went to school with the expectation of one day being able to work.
I left in the middle of what we all hoped was the last battle of the war. In the Capitol itself. [Her lips lift into a small smile] I can only hope we succeeded.
Edited (random late night edits) 2017-10-03 07:56 (UTC)
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[She fiddles with what's left of her cookie, breaking off little bits of the layer and nibbles it.]
When do you make the challah bread? Is it for any particular holiday?
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Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, yes. So Wednesday today. Noted.
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[And to her suggestion, he gives a nod.]
I'd like that, yeah.
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[His tone has a gentle edge to it.]
Is she one of the friends you mentioned?
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[Her smile fades, the corners of her mouth flattening, her gaze dropping to the floor.]
I miss many people but I miss her most. I was on my way to find her when I got snatched up.
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[He sets his teacup down on the little coffee table in front of them.]
Unless of course talking about her hurts more than it helps.
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[Absently, she twists a curl of hair around her finger] She was with my aunt when I was taken from the Capitol. She should still be with her. She should be safe, my aunt would take care of her no matter what.
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Can you also see the pain and the harshness as well as the good things? You haven't told me much about this place you're from.
[Not that she has to, and he won't ask directly, but he's noticed that it's something she hasn't really gone into detail about.]
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The Capitol was a beautiful place...[And her voice catches here and makes a few false starts, her hands tremble but then her voice goes firm] T-that was made possible by the suffering of many people, some of whom had no voices to speak or rebel with, and some, like me, who did. As a whole, Panem was beautiful but it had so many problems. I--I like to think I can still... see the beauty as much as the problems.
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[He guesses, trying to puzzle it out.]
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Served by everyone but Avoxes are slaves without voices. Literally. [She seems a little duller, having settled on stating facts ] The Capitol takes from the Districts and redistributes to the Districts while taking a great portion for themselves.
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[He taps a finger on the coffee table.]
Not a slave, but not one of the elite.
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Exactly. They liked me but it was always a conditional offer.
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