At long last someone comes... not quite home.

[shinyisfalse]

Who| Peeta Mellark and OPEN
What| Peeta's been held in questioning for a few months, and now he gets to be around people again.
Where| Around the training center/tribute tower
When| After his release
Warnings/Notes| Nothing from Peeta, but who knows who he'll run into!

Sunlight. It was such a beautiful thing, something you didn't think you would miss until it was gone. Peeta may be a baker's son, but he did enjoy being outdoors. Not as much as Katniss, of course, but no one wanted to sit in a room with the only entertainment being a deck of cards. Countless card houses, countless card castles had been made, and he thought about starting up a tally when someone came in and said he was free to go.

Whatever it was, he passed, and he didn't question it. Not right then. It was something to be questioned privately, and not in full view of everyone else. Things had changed around here. And Peeta, too. He'd changed. He was supposed to be a mentor now. It made him cringe a little to think that he had left all of these new District Twelve tributes with Haymitch and Katniss... Katniss. He missed her. Did she miss him as much as he had her? A silly little hope. Maybe the whole "star crossed lovers" thing had died down? It would be nice to not have to pretend so much.

That's what he was thinking when he walked into the training center. He could already tell people were recognizing him; they'd started to recognize him on the street as well. He'd given them all a wave and a smile, and continued on his way. He was expecting cameras and news crews and whatever else they did here, and hoping that they never showed up. He wanted time to walk around, perhaps see the new people here.

Comments

[riptheseams]

Calico felt much the same way as Peeta did. Months and months, cooped up in that white room. White bed. White chair. White table. White television fitted into the wall. Under artificial lights that flickered on and off at set times. Eating when she was given food.

She'd caught a glimpse of Peeta when they took her in - but it was only a glimpse. She recognised him, of course, as the surprising Victor from the last Games. He and Katniss, of course, had sparked the trouble. And Calico had to applaud the pair of them - had they even planned it? Either way, try as she might, they were two names she couldn't forget.

Still, now, walking along the street, Peeta looked unharmed. She smiled a little, and lifted her hand to him in greeting.

"Hey there, you."

[shinyisfalse]

He was so happy to be out of there. He didn't want to be in one room for the rest of his life, and he especially didn't want it to be white. The relief was amplified when he would learn of his loved ones being safe, but for right now, he'd just have to take it one step at a time.

Literally. It was a beautiful day today, and he stopped at the greeting, giving a small smile in return as he raised his hand.

"Hey," He paused. "I'm sorry, you look so familiar, but your name is escaping me. I'm not always the best at names."

[riptheseams]

"'S alright, honey." Calico came over now, her careful, trademark smile on her face.

"I'm Calico. I won the Games about thirteen years ago... I'm guessing you've seen my name in the papers or whatnot; you must've been a kid when I was fighting. Just as I've read all about you."

She wonders how much of what she's read is true, though. Perhaps her saw her, perhaps not. Either way, the poor lad is stuck in the same boat as she is now - and he'll definitely be the one the sharks target first. Calico can't help feeling sorry for him. She tries to change the subject a little, keep it light.

"You enjoying the sunshine? I can't get enough, it's been so long!"

[shinyisfalse]

That's where he remembers her from. He was only, what, four years old at the time? But he's seen in before. There were plenty of past Victors that came to the Games every year, so he might have seen her on TV. But he did know her from the papers; knew her struggles and the gossip about her, so maybe it wasn't safe to say he actually knew her.

"That's right! I have seen your name in the papers, but we've never met in person," Peeta smiled. "Until now, anyway." His tone was light, joking. It'd be downright rude to bring what he'd read up.

"I am," He replied truthfully. "It's been awhile for me, too. Is it too hard to ask for some time outside? Maybe a walk in a garden? I'd have taken a walk near a trash heap if they let me!"

[riptheseams]

"No... I've been a bit preoccupied, lately. As, I'm guessing, have you."

She smiles a careful, measured smile, before snapping back to a more neutral expression.

"I don't think that's... here. Let me fix -"

She reaches forward, gesturing at his collar. It's an excuse. There's nothing wrong with Peeta's collar, but she can lean a little closer now. "Keep it in check, love."

She hisses her warning, so that it's only just audible. That done, she leans back.

"Don't think that's the Capitol style now, is it? Have you not noticed? We don't do 'trash heaps' round here. This ain't a district, is it? You'll have plenty of time to explore now, honey. Have you had a wander round yet?"

[shinyisfalse]

He at least was able to keep his wince in check. You got so used to not saying anything in a small box of a room, and as soon as you got out, you couldn't keep your words in check. At least her warning helped him; now he could take this chance to get it back together.

"Thank you, I'm sure my stylist thanks you as well," Peeta joked lightly. "You're right, this isn't a district. I haven't had much chance to explore yet, but I would hate to wander around and get lost. Maybe someone who knows the Capitol could show me around?"

[riptheseams]

"Stylists... what do they know anyway? I dress myself just fine."'

It's a sore point with her; she loves making her own Capitol style clothes. Unfortunately, District 8 stylists have only one vision in their heads: uniform. It leads to tense discussions. A lot.

"Although," she concedes, "I suppose Portia and Cinna ain't bad."

Her grin widens."Is that a hint? Well, I'm doing... Nothin', as per, so I am definitely game for it. Park?" That's nice and outside - and Calico knows just the right way to get lost in the woods if Peeta doesn't want to be overheard.

[shinyisfalse]

"You know, I think Portia might like your clothes. I can't speak for Cinna, but did you know Katniss designs clothes? You should talk to her about it, if you ever get the chance," Peeta said cheerfully. "I certainly like them, but don't tell Portia that. I don't want her to think I don't care for her!"

He gave a little smirk. "Maybe a little bit of one. The park sounds great, I'd love to see it." In a moment of complete chivalrousness, he offered his arm.

[riptheseams]

"No, I didn't know that. I somehow can't see her designs going down TOO well with the rest of the Capitol..."

Calico paused to think carefully about what she'd seen of Katniss. "Didn't think she'd have it in her... good for her!"

Her grin returned as she took Peeta's proffered arm. "Now ain't you a gent? Now come on - park's this way. I love the grass. In summer, I take all my gear out and set up in the park - or deep in the woods, so no one can bother me - they can't get there in their silly shoes."

[shinyisfalse]

"Oh, no, people love them here. She's become a great designer under Cinna's tutelage." Which meant that Cinna designed all of those clothes, so people wanted to wear them. They were perfect within Capitol standards. Peeta thought it was pretty funny, actually.

"Some of those shoes are pretty silly. I love my boots, though! Can you imagine me wobbling around in heels? I wouldn't last two steps," Peeta laughed. "But that sounds nice. Summer is a little too hot for me, I'm more of a spring guy myself."

[riptheseams]

"Yeah well..."

Well, not every tribute or Victor is lucky enough to be supported by Cinna. She sighs.

"I reckon you could do it - if you were taught. I LOVE high heels - I don't wear nowt else! If you ever feel the urge, because I can't imagine Cinna doin' it to you, come see me, love. Me, I like the heat. Summer - with the bright colours and outdoor parties. It's beautiful in the Capitol, just you wait and see."

[shinyisfalse]

Definitely not. But Peeta thought he was very lucky with Portia. He'd have to tell her about all of this, she might be able to understand it better then he could.

"I really don't want to be taught to wear heels," He laughed, leaning in a little to give a conspiratorial whisper. "I've seen some of the guys here wear heels. I couldn't believe that, you wouldn't see that back home. But thank you for the offer, I think Portia might have a few things to say about that, and I hope Cinna would back her up on it." He grinned, his smile faltering a moment before going back to normal.

"I can't wait. I love the fall, too, it's beautiful in Twelve. I hope I have some free time to go back then," Peeta paused. "The colors would really help my painting come to life, but I need to see them in person to really get them right on the canvas."

[riptheseams]

"Your district IS beautiful! Have you seen mine? It's all concrete and houses - barely a tree in sight! D'you really think they'll let you back though?"

She moves closer again, ostentatiously picking imaginary lint of Peeta's clothes.

"Behave yourself." She hisses it, but from her expression, it's pretty clear that Cal knows EXACTLY what she's talking about in that respect. She herself, having got a reputation for blabbering and asking too many awkward questions, had not been properly back to District 8 in the thirteen years since the Games.

[shinyisfalse]

"I did see yours during the victory tour. I thought it was pretty charming," He says this almost earnestly, but to his credit, he didn't wince on the next part. He really need to work on this stuff a little more. But he didn't think what he had said was that bad. Just a way to express the fact that he missed home, and maybe he would get to go back at some point, if only for a little while.

"Not that I have the time for that," Peeta began slowly. "I'm going to be mentoring so much, it seems like it'll take up a lot of free time. Oh, and the parties. I can't wait to go to all of the parties."