9th Swing [Video]

[deadalready]

[The video lights up on Cato's face as he watches something off-screen with a very fixed look. Whatever it is, it grabbed his attention just before he opened his journal. It's only a few seconds before he looks back at the page and clears his throat.]

So does anyone want to tell me who's responsible for this --

[The video cuts away a moment, blurring as he shifts to stealthily show Clove hunkered down over some small piece of wood in her hands with a look of very intense concentration her face. There are little bandages peppering her fingers and she looks like she's trying to cut the little piece into something smaller. She keeps shaving away at it.

The video jerks back to Cato's very bemused face.]

I have no idea what she's doing. But it's been going on for days now and I'm a little....weirded out. Every time I tell her to stop because it's making her upset she just yells at me and she won't even show me what she's doing with it.

This is the first time she's cut herself with her knives in years. I don't think I've seen her this bad with one since we were thirteen and just starting out with our weapons.

Someone told her to do this, didn't they? It just...doesn't make sense for her.

Comments

[video]

[shenevermisses]

There's very little to do here, ma'am, even with training.

[Sweet, a little unsure, hiding the killer underneath.]

So, I thought I would try to take up a skill. Something else to do. Keep hand-eye coordination good, too.

[video]

[inyourfavor]

[Yeesh.]

What about knitting? Needles can be quite lethal, now that I think about it.

[video]

[shenevermisses]

I'm already pretty good with knives, so it's just modifying that skill rather than trying to totally learn a new one.

[video]

[happyhungergames]

I see.

[Ugh.]

What about trying to do something less...self-destructive? Or perhaps wear protective gloves?

[Now she felt a bit as though she were grasping at straws. There was something about the general incompetence of District 12 Tributes over issues like this that made Effie feel powerful and assured. Pat, rational answers and a lifetime of experience like Clove's dwarfed her ability to make a meaningful contribution.]

[video]

[shenevermisses]

I couldn't handle the wood and knife the way I need to. [A smile.]

I'm sorry if Cato made you worry, ma'am. Any cuts I've gotten are very shallow. Just little nicks.

[video]

[happyhungergames]

[Well. The smile helps Effie to relax over the matter, anyway, as well as the explanation.]

Of course I would worry about any Tribute in this far-flung world! I feel great responsibility for guiding you, in any case.

[Clove seems to have things in hand well enough. But still...]

It reflects well on Cato for being concerned, even for shallow cuts.

[video]

[shenevermisses]

Thank you, ma'am, that means a lot to both of us.

[She keeps that smile in place. Because that's what the Capitol wants. A confident, easy-going young woman who can handle herself in society as well as in combat.]

I'll try not to worry him or you further.

[video]

[trinkett]

[Ah, how lucky their district rep must be to have Tributes who make an effort not to worry anyone! It is so refreshing and Effie must admit she is a bit jealous.]

Very good, my dear. May any odds we are given here be in your favor.

[video]

[shenevermisses]

Thank you, ma'am.

[They're not. They're very much not. A little better here than in Panem... but barely.]