Guess who's back!

[mannersmatter]

Who| De and/or Effie and/or Lottie and/or Katniss and/or other NPCS AND YOU.
What| Them around the city, doing things, meeting people.
Where| Mainly the Training Center, but any setting is good!
When| Around this week.
Warnings/Notes|

I made a thread with a tag for each character, so just tag in there! if you'd like any of my other NPCs besides Katniss, just PM or private plurk me so we can hash it out real quick.

Let me know if I can add anything, and I am down for minor assumptions/handwaving some things!

Comments

[mannersmatter]

"Oh dear." A look of real concern spread over the other woman's face, and she glanced around to see if they were alone. She didn't want Sandy to feel she couldn't speak freely.

"Do you want me to get you something to help you sleep?"

[justoutrunyou]

Sandy looked surprised by the older woman's concern. It was honest, and she wasn't used to that from grown ups.

Then again...Sandy thought about it for a moment. Effie had only ever been honest with her as far as she could tell.

"Um...like what?" She finally answered looking sheepish even discussing a problem that she had made up.

[mannersmatter]

"Oh, well there's all sorts of things that can help you sleep. Supplements, even...strong teas."

She waved her hand.

"I have a tea mix I've been drinking since I was little." It didn't strike Effie as all that she had been drugging herself to sleep since she was a child.

[justoutrunyou]

"Tea." Tea was good right? She'd never had it before, so while she considered it "Did you have nightmares too?" That was going to be her excuse for not sleeping...and really it was mostly true. Lately her nightmares had been full of fire.

[mannersmatter]

Effie hesitated. She had once upon a time decided to not get too close to Tributes. It was dangerous for her well being.

But it was different now. And she'd already broken that rules with Sandy, a bit, anyway.

"I did, especially when I was little. From my parents...issues." The divorce. Her father. The reoccurring dream that something went wrong, and she was reaped, she had to play.

[justoutrunyou]

Sandy felt...strange. It took her a minute to recognize the feeling as pity. She felt bad for what the little version of Effie had gone through. Even with what she was going through now it didn't change the fact that Effie's parents had really messed her up.

She felt a weight in her stomach and before she could think about it she moved closer to the older woman and put her arms around Effie's waist giving her a hug.

"Least they didn't screw you up too bad. You're successful and happy now right?"

[mannersmatter]

Oh. Oh, she really was sweet. Effie softened, the tension moving out of her body, as she wrapped her arms around Sandy's shoulders.

"Thank you. I like to think so, too. We can always raise above what's given to us, can't we?"

[justoutrunyou]

The hug felt...strangely good. Really good actually. Maybe it was the soft fabric of the dress or how nice Effie smelled. Or maybe it was that this was the first bit of physical contact she'd had outside of the games that was voluntary.

"You really think I can do that? I'm not like you I'm not smart or cultured." She muttered feeling a little flustered by the words.

[mannersmatter]

"Neither was Katniss."

Effie moved so she was face to face with Sandy. It wouldn't have been much of a gap between them without here heels.

"Katniss and Peeta both came from a much worse background then here. Both of them used their smarts, and their love, to beat back much more powerful opponents."

[justoutrunyou]

Sandy did not look encouraged. "I got a D on my last math test before I came here, and I don't have any love. What's that leave me with?" Other then being fast and stubborn the only reason she had survived this long on luck and speed.

"Even when I have my powers that doesn't put me too much ahead of the game."

[mannersmatter]

"Well, I have a feeling they probably didn't do to well on tests, either."

Education couldn't be that good in the districts, she was sure.

"But you don't need to have their strategy. We'll find one for you. I promise."

And she was being sincere. Even if she was unsure.

[justoutrunyou]

Sandy listened to her promise, and once again was compelled to believe that out of everyone in the city who approved of the games, Effie might be the only decent kind one. And one of the only ones willing to help her.

"OK. I believe you." She mumbled softly. It made her stomach knot up to think of relying on yet another adult and hoping this one wouldn't let her down.

"I'll try and make you proud." She added as if Effie needed further incentive.

[mannersmatter]

Effie smiled, wide, before wrapping her arms around Sandy again.

"I promise. I will do everything I can to help you stay home."

Seems like a good /end thread line to me. Whatchoo think?

[justoutrunyou]

good bye me o/

[mannersmatter]