[Rue nods, liking the idea already. Trading something rather than just giving freely is something that she’s very familiar with, and means she doesn’t feel as bad about asking.]
Maybe if you can take me to North sometimes. That way I can fix up your clothes and get supplies, too.
[And she won’t feel like a burden on people like Steve, who offer to take her there whenever.]
If you want, I can take you up in the next couple days. I don't need any mending done, but this way I can bank it, right?
[ Honestly he'd take her up there if she asked, no favors needed, but he knows she's practical,and knows that she probably understands the concept of exchange better than charity. It's how Peter was brought up, too. ]
Hm. I'll see if I can pick you up a knife next time I head up. I'll see if there's sharpening tools, too. That way you can defend yourself whenever you and I head up together.
You any good with a knife, though? There's a skill to it, from what I hear.
[So chopping and skinning animals for the kitchen, essentially. Aside from that...]
I tried to learn in the Training Center, too, but I just stuck with the slingshot in the end.
[There was no guarantee then that she would find a knife, not with the Careers most likely taking over the Cornucopia, but she could always make a sling shot from scratch. It had seemed the reasonable choice in the end.]
Training Center? [ Peter assumes that's another name for basic schooling; and, okay, showing kids how to use knives or slingshots is totally weird. And dangerous. ]
It's punishment. The Districts rebelled against the Capitol a long time ago, and now each District has to give up two Tributes every year to make up for it.
[There's no real change in her expression, except a slight frown as she explains. This is obviously someone who, while she might not like the Games, is used to them and all they entail. Someone who grew up with them.]
[She looks surprised at the very suggestion. Stop the Capitol? Sure, everyone has their own, small ways of fighting against them--dying on your own terms in the Games, refusing to kill other Tributes like they want--but stopping them is an impossible notion.]
Why the hell not? I mean, giant dic-- [ He was going to say dickheads, but catches himself. ] --tators have been toppled before. Why wouldn't that be the case where you're from?
[It's not just the Peacekeepers, who keep an eye on the Districts, and apparently are much stricter in her District than in Katniss'. It makes sense; food is more important than coal, and that means added security.
Her voice goes hushed; they're broaching on a topic that no one in Panem particularly likes.]
The last time the District rebelled, the Capitol wiped out District 13. There's nothing left now, except a bunch of radiation from the bombs.
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But that makes him sort of smirk like a doofus. Good thing he's audio-only right now. ]
I may just take you up on that offer, if you really don't mind. I'll trade you somethin' in return, though, of course.
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Maybe if you can take me to North sometimes. That way I can fix up your clothes and get supplies, too.
[And she won’t feel like a burden on people like Steve, who offer to take her there whenever.]
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[ Honestly he'd take her up there if she asked, no favors needed, but he knows she's practical,and knows that she probably understands the concept of exchange better than charity. It's how Peter was brought up, too. ]
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Okay! If we find some extra big clothes, you can keep them for yourself. What other supplies do you look for in North?
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What about you? Just want clothes, right?
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[She'd had no idea that you could even find those around.]
I want clothes, but...do you think they have other weapons around, too?
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You lookin' to defend yourself?
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[She nods, fiddling with a wayward curl beside her ear.]
I don't think I can use the big weapons really well, but maybe I can keep anything attacking me away with knives.
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You any good with a knife, though? There's a skill to it, from what I hear.
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[So chopping and skinning animals for the kitchen, essentially. Aside from that...]
I tried to learn in the Training Center, too, but I just stuck with the slingshot in the end.
[There was no guarantee then that she would find a knife, not with the Careers most likely taking over the Cornucopia, but she could always make a sling shot from scratch. It had seemed the reasonable choice in the end.]
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They were teachin' you how to use weapons?
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They always teach the Tributes how to use weapons first.
[Can't get quality entertainment if the contestants don't know how to kill each other and all.]
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And Tributes are what, exactly?
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[She fidgets.]
People here don't like it when I talk about them.
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... Why's that? Something wrong with them?
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They don't like hearing about kids fighting.
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....... wh... at?
There's a long pause on Peter's end before he speaks -- and when he does, his voice is quiet, tense. ]
They made you guys fight? Why?
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[There's no real change in her expression, except a slight frown as she explains. This is obviously someone who, while she might not like the Games, is used to them and all they entail. Someone who grew up with them.]
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And suddenly it clicks-- ]
You got chosen for the Game?
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There's always one boy Tribute and one girl Tribute. They pick names out of the bowls at the Reaping.
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[ -- oops. So much for not swearing in front of the kid. ]
That's-- that's seriously screwed up. It's messed up that they put kids through that. Why hasn't anyone tried to stop 'em?
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You can't stop the Capitol.
[It's said matter-of-factly.]
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Why the hell not? I mean, giant dic-- [ He was going to say dickheads, but catches himself. ] --tators have been toppled before. Why wouldn't that be the case where you're from?
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[It's not just the Peacekeepers, who keep an eye on the Districts, and apparently are much stricter in her District than in Katniss'. It makes sense; food is more important than coal, and that means added security.
Her voice goes hushed; they're broaching on a topic that no one in Panem particularly likes.]
The last time the District rebelled, the Capitol wiped out District 13. There's nothing left now, except a bunch of radiation from the bombs.
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He's quiet for a long moment before finally speaking -- and when he does, his voice is sober, edged with a bit of anger. ]
You've gotta know how screwed up all of this sounds, kid.
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