I'm sinking to the bottom of my // Everything that freaks me out

[insecrets]

Date & Time: 7/4, early afternoon
Location: Training Hall
Characters: Finnick Odair and Open~
Summary: Nothing quite like making homemade nets.
Warnings: ... Idk, Finnick is crazy. TBA should things arise.

[It had been his father who taught him about knots and nets. Finnick remembers being young at the time, chubby baby fingers unable to make the right kind of knots. His first net fell apart in the water when a fish struggled against it. He was upset, but his father found it hilarious. When they started his training, when nets became less about fish and more about people, the humor died on his father's face.

A fish wiggling its way free just meant you might go a little hungry for the night.

A human that is able to escape means potential death.

Finnick sits with his back against a wall, fingers moving on their own with a preciseness that comes with training for the past two decades. The net stretches out before him, half-complete. He's sure the Initiative has nets of their own he could ask for, but it's not the same. He doesn't trust it. Won't trust a knot if he doesn't know who made it.

It's times like this that he misses Mags more than he can put into proper words. Thinking about her now, he ties his knots different in the middle of the net. They look weak, but it's a trap.] 

Comments

at first i was like hey 7/4 is my birthday but then amurrica

[effective]

[In the end she leaves their apartment less because she wants to, or even has to, and more because Finnick isn't there and she's worried he's going to hang himself or something. Katniss is inherently a selfish person, but that's worry enough for her to wrap herself up in something long-sleeved and stumble her way around until she finds him.

In the training hall.

She almost can't make herself go in, feels something sick and roiling in her stomach, but she forces herself over the threshold anyway and tugs her burn-scarred fingers inside the sleeves of her shirt so that no one can see them shaking. She finds him, stays standing and staring at his work without bothering to sit down] It looks weak in the middle. [She knows it's not] Should you be allowed around this much rope?

... i... have no words, tbh

[insecrets]

[He barely glances up at Katniss at all when she approaches, although she'll notice that there's a tension that's slowly released when he realizes that it's her and not just some random person coming up to him. His head tilts to the side slightly, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. His fingers, however, work endlessly.] I'm not going to kill myself, if that's what you're thinking. [Besides...

He still has his nightlock pills. If he was really serious about suicide. Not that he's going to tell her that.]

And what do you know about knots, girl on fire? [Finnick pauses then, looking up at her with a smile and a look that on his face that's almost like his usual self.]

8|

[effective]

[She notices him relaxing a little and can't help the smile that tugs at her mouth. It's been a long time since anyone relaxed around her] Just checking. I remember Thirteen. [She takes him at his word when he says he won't kill himself. They wouldn't be victors if they couldn't figure out how to do something like that, if they really wanted.

She twitches noticeably when he calls her that, crosses her arms defensively over her chest, tucking her hands under her armpits. It takes a moment or two before she can make herself reply, but - she's trying. She crouches down next to him] I know that it's not. [She tries for another smile, for him] I remember what you taught me.

:'|

[insecrets]

I remember not wearing any pants. If you want me to go ahead and take them off, just ask. [Okay. There's the Finnick we all know and love. His smile turns more into a smug look, because he knows she'll tell him not to do it.

Too distracting, after all.

He notices the way she reacts to the title, but it's his nickname for her. And he'll make her like it again. Or at least tolerate when he calls her that. He scoots over a bit and pats the floor beside him.] A good trick to fool your enemies is to make it seem like they have a chance of escape. They're not as flimsy as they look. [And then his grin is more rueful than anything else.] And when they're distracted trying to escape...

[effective]

[She makes a face, bumps her shoulder into his. She can feel the new skin there tug at the motion and the face becomes a little more serious] I'm fine without, thanks.

[She eyes the piece of floor he pats, before carefully sitting down, crossing her legs. Her body gets more and more tense as he continues speaking, but she doesn't interrupt] I was never good in close quarters. [Her eyes close. Her breath shudders in and out] I promised I wouldn't do it again. But I can feel myself slipping back already. Is it always going to be like this?

[invocation]

[If Mami, or even Madoka knew that she was up on her feet, they'd both disapprove — Mami would scold, and Madoka would fret and look disappointed and maybe even ask Kyouko to just rest and sit still in such an earnest way that she would feel guilty if she didn't listen.

But she's avoided them both today, and she's not one for lazing around in bed either, especially not in this place. As much as she hates to admit it, the riots made her edgy, and that nervousness hasn't faded yet. She's still limping; making her way to the Training Hall takes more effort than she's used to expending doing something so low impact. Her head is starting to throb again, and her right eye is still badly swollen, but she isn't one to
ask for help, even when she needs it. She gets there, eventually — she has to lean against a wall to brace her for the last few steps — but she gets there all the same.

When she sees the man, she doesn't bother with a greeting, or study him for any extended period of time. Instead she plays at being nonchalant, staring at the sterile walls and nibbling on a pocky stick, hands stuffed in her hoodie pocket. She would like to train, to build her magic back up to the way it was before she got to this damn place, but her body isn't healed up yet, and so her attention returns to the man again. Her head tilts to the side when she takes in what he's doing, and her irritated expression is replaced by one of mild interest.]

Oi. What are you doing?

[insecrets]

[Finnick isn't too far gone just yet to not recognize when there are people nearby. His body tenses up a bit. Maybe sitting in public wasn't the best of ideas, but Finnick recognizes that voice when she finally says something, and it helps him a bit. He glances up, but his fingers continue to work and weave.

A flicker of a smile tugs at his lips. The girl, Kyouko. That's right. She's younger than she sounded, he notices.] Making my own net. [He shakes some of the rope at her, momentarily pausing in his work.] Defense is just as good as training your offense.

[invocation]

They don't got nets around here already? [It seems to her that they would, given the impressive size of that armory they had. Kyouko had little need for physical restraints and shields, given the strength of her magic, but she could understand the value of defense well enough.

She recognizes Finnick's voice as well, and tilts her head.] Hey, it's you. The Panem guy I talked to. Did you ever find anyone else?

[insecrets]

Would you trust your life on something made by someone you have no trust in? [There's a hint of humor to his tone, but there's a dark look in his eyes as he looks at Kyouko. He doesn't trust the Initiative anymore than he trusted the Capitol, the Gamemakers, Snow.] At least I know if my nets fail, it was my own fault.

[A grin plants itself firmly on his face.] A couple of others who had the pleasure of arriving after me. [A pause as he remembers their previous conversation.] How about you? Anymore people from Japan?

[invocation]

Guess not. [The attempt at humor is met with a level stare. Even with one of her eyes being banged up, she can still tell when someone is being serious.] I don't trust these bastards either.

[She doesn't return the smile, but her posture does relax by a fraction.] Since you're still alive, I'm guessin' those aren't the people you were worried about. And yeah, someone I know has shown up since then.

[studieswaitressing]

[Since she's been back in this place, she's been even more determined to make sure that she's making the best out of this place. There are things in the training room that they don't have in her little hidey-hole with Erik and Angel, and she plans to use them to her advantage. She'd been in the corner lifting weights when she noticed Finnick arrive, and it's a good half-hour before she approaches him.

She's wearing a pair of shorts and a tank top, nothing fancy -- but she's a little more comfortable in them than she is being naked, even still.

She's been watching what he's been doing, and it's interested her.]

Where'd you learn how to do that?

[insecrets]

[A woman. Not anyone he recognizes instantly, at the very least. His eyes drag up, and despite her appearance -- hey, women in the Capitol looked just as strange -- she was nice to look at. Finnick flashes a charming smile at her, pausing in his knot work.] Back home. Can't live by the water and not learn how to make a decent knot or net. [There's a chuckle then.] And I wouldn't want to be the disgrace of my district.

[studieswaitressing]

[She's not used to those sort of smiles, but it's hard to tell whether there's the start of a blush on her cheeks or not, fortunately.]

I think that's only true if you have to catch your own food.

[She knew plenty of people who live by the water and wouldn't know which end of the rope to start tying a knot from.]

I'm Mystique. Could you show me some of the knots you know, or is it a sort of family secret?

[insecrets]

[She'll get used to them eventually. Just wait until she starts walking around naked...]

Good thing I made my living catching fish, isn't it? [A grin tugs at his lips, and he flashes it in her direction, his tone charming. Smooth.] My skills haven't gone to waste, at least.

I'm Finnick. [He tilts his head at her. He's taught knots to the tributes he's mentored before, to Katniss and Peeta in the arena, got more in depth in Thirteen. But he's not sure if anyone has ever asked him directly to teach them before.] I could show you. [He folds up the net to place to the side. There's extra rope next to him for just these kinds of occasions.] And I wouldn't even have to kill you. [A pause, and he eyes her again.] Unless that was something you were into. [Because orgasms = death, get it? :'D]

[studieswaitressing]

[She's really trying to be okay with that, some positive reactions to it would probably only be useful.]

I'm Mystique. I did a little fishing when I was younger, but I was never very good at it. Better at hunting.

[She shifts to settle a bit closer to him, arms crossed over her chest. She has to fight through the heat in her cheeks, but she manages.]

No, I'm not big into death. Have you killed a lot of people?

[sacrificar]

[She found it ironic that it was expected of her to keep a required presence at this Training Hall. Halibel was more than capable of keeping her senses sharp without the need for frequent visits.

She was free to whatever she pleased. Halibel had grown curious about the sort of 'army' that had been gathered in this city. An army that included more than just humans, it would seem. She calmly walks through the Hall, momentarily observing each occupant before going on her way.

Eventually she spotted the man working on his net. An unusual project to be working on, Halibel thought to herself. Though she didn't speak, she lingered around, observing him as work on the net continued.]

[insecrets]

[Finnick was used to being watched; he was a fan favorite of the Capitol, one of those victors whose bright star of fame never seemed to die out. That was something he catered to.

Here, though? It unnerved him. They were soldiers, dragged into a war not their own and told to fight together.

He'd seen too many Games to believe they were all going to be best friends, watching each other's backs.

So when he look and saw that he was being watched, he tensed for what seemed like the millionth time that day.] Have an interest in the wonderful world of net-making?

[sacrificar]

[As far as Halibel was concerned, she held no such ambitions regarding an active desire to make friends. Agreeing to work in a group was as far as she was willing to go. Any more than that and they would find themselves sorely disappointed.]

You are the first I have seen that would choose to spend their time like this.

[An unusual way to keep oneself busy, but productive nonetheless.]

[insecrets]

I've been in an arena- [Finnick pauses, swallows. It's not an arena in the traditional sense, and it's not as though she would know what that means. He offers her a smile.] I've been in a situation similar to this before, with a training area. Everyone works on their other skills rather than their main one. [He tilts his head towards the direction of the trident leaning against the wall next to him, as if indicating what he is able to do.] Old habits die hard.

Besides, I find knot work relaxing.

[sacrificar]

[A curious response, more so than she had admittedly expected out of him. Experience and a level head could not only be a very capable combination, but able to produce results as well. And to strengthen a less prominent ability...

Interesting.]

An old habit can find itself seeing more and more use.

wow so sorry about my lateness /)(\

[curepotion]

[ swordsmanship. archery. defense. magic. cycle, and repeat. by the time Riku's at his third defense run through, iridescent shields appearing before his fingertips, he can feel that most of his magical and physical energy has been worn thin. his fainting spells have gotten a lot better over the course of the recent weeks--so far, he hasn't fainted once today, and that's definitely a good sign. a thought enters his mind: if he's not experiencing any further stress, why not try to rest early so his body doesn't reach its limit that much sooner?

it seems... logical. and Riku knows his limits fairly well (he just doesn't like adhering to them when he can push them mercilessly) so he decides to flick his wrist and make his bat wing-shaped blade disappear in spirals of light.

and, most definitely for the first time since he's gotten here, he looks around at his other comrades in arms. varying ages, varying strengths--he sees guns and magic and some things he doesn't understand and things he understands very well. and one of those things that he understands very well is the netting that he can see out of the corner of his eye, near the wall.

quietly, he shifts towards it, wondering just who is twining a net together--

he stops as he sees Finnick, ears burning red at remembering a while ago, when he'd been scared out of his mind when he went swimming in a nearby lake. his approach is more cautious now. ]

You can scare people and make nets. Impressive.

/o/ no worries!

[insecrets]

[Finnick lifts his head at the voice, spying Riku as he made his approach. The man can't quite help the grin that spreads across his face and the look of amusement that settles there as well.] The two aren't necessarily exclusive in most cases. [The kids in the arena, well... They didn't have much of a chance once Finnick had set his sights on them and trapped them.

This is a different situation, however. And the encounter where he scared the younger boy is a source of amusement more than anything else.] A man who can be impressed with nets. That's a good man to have on your side. Know anything about them?

<3

[curepotion]

I grew up on an island.

[ he states this like it explains everything--but he does elaborate after a moment. He rubs the back of his neck lightly, eyes going to the floor. ]

Net knowledge is kind of a requirement.

[insecrets]

[Really, that's all the boy would need to explain. While Finnick doesn't live on an island back home, District 4 is surrounded by plenty of water.] You do a lot of fishing back home? [He pauses in his work, smiling softly.]

[curepotion]

You either fish for lunch or buy something.

[ Riku finds himself folding his arms and quirking his head slightly, posture relaxed and at ease. ]

Fishing's easier.