#oetseira

the question amuses them, facial plates shifting into a half smile. golden optics flick back and forth over katniss’ face, and they raise their thumb and forefinger to their chin, feigning deep and pensive thought. three kills stand out in particular. but they decide to only mention the non-human one. 

<< when the capitol was testing my survival skills, i was put through something similar to the games. instead of other people or exominds, they sent out mutts. many kinds. >>   they sign at a casual pace, dexterous fingers flowing like liquid, hands expressive where their face cannot be.    

<< one mutt they have, i’d never seen anything like it. big. some kind of bear mixed with---big cat. panther? i don’t know. couldn’t use my hands---one bit off, the other locked up with tar from tar fields. no gun. no weapon. only this. >>

they tap katniss’s forehead--a quick light touch--and smile in what they hope is a disarming gesture. 

<< bearcat maybe three times my size. but my skull was stronger than hers. what about you? i bet you have knocked people out before with your head. >>   

HE IS AS CALM AS HIS BREATH,   extremes  of  fear  lie  dormant  within  him,  his  subtle  achings,  the  bite  of  fury,  all  dormant.  at  death’s  feet  lie  he  imprudently  placid.  this  very  hand,  his  doom,  made  him tremble  with  terror  before  ;  when  it  grasped  the  boy’s  hand  and  lifted  it  sickeningly  proud.  when  it  mourned  in  signs  for  all  to  see.  here  at  his  throat,  it  is  familiar,  less  of  what  planted  the  seeds  of  horror  within  him  and  more  what  he  always  wanted  it  to  be.  he  suspects  salt  might  be  brimming  his  gaze,  he  can’t  feel  it  but  his  sight  is  fogged  as  he  drags  it  weary  across  the  beaten  angles  of their  face,  raw  as  always,  solemn  like  his  roses  at  half  -  bloom.  a  smile  creeps  up  to  a  singular  corner  of  bow  lips,  he  notices  now,  as  he  swallows  with  eerie  ease  the  iron  layering  like  tar  on  his  tongue  clasped  between  his  teeth  at  the  very  tip.  he  tastes  it  no  more.      ❛     you  know  i  value  efficiency.  go  ahead,  please.       ❜