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?

[insecrets]

I knew you'd say that. You're missing out~ [He bumps back against her.

It's not hard to tell that she's tensing up, and it becomes more obvious because what he's talking about is fighting people. Protecting himself. Slaughter.] You don't have to. [His voice is quiet as he tells her this.] Johanna and I have enough fight left in us for it. [He turns away from her, fingers pausing midway through a knot.] We're never going to be able to stop being killers, if that's what you mean.

[effective]

[A hiss escapes her when it his nudge pulls at the skin, but it's instinctive; she appreciates the gesture. Almost normal.

You don't have to. Her eyes widen and her mouth opens, but she's stunned silent with shock for a moment. She leans forward instead, resting her forehead on his shoulder. She doesn't cry, because she's Katniss and she - well, doesn't, but she is shaking a little] I promised myself I wouldn't, no matter what. But I didn't - I didn't have anything to live for when I did that. [Another breath, in, out] I do now. [It's hard to admit that, but talking to Finnick still doesn't feel quite real. That makes it easier.]

[She lifts her head, looks him in the face.] Yeah. Thanks.

[insecrets]

[There's a pause at the hiss, and he glances towards her. Doesn't say anything, just looks.

When she leans forward, he stops his netweaving completely, lifting a hand to smooth over her hair gently. Poor, broken mockingjay. Poor, broken victors. Poor survivors. It's all he can really think of, even if he doesn't say it.] Nobody would blame you for not wanting to. You're not a symbol here. You have nothing to prove. It's not our freedom we're struggling for. [He fights because. What else will he do?

He looks at her, face solemn in a way that's almost too serious for Finnick Odair.] So. Knots.

[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?

[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?

[effective]

Skin. [She says it in response to the way he looks at her, an explanation. It's finally stopped tearing at the slightest movement, at least.

His voice washes over her but all she really processes is that he's telling her she doesn't have to fight. Something in her body relaxes, unwinds; she doesn't speak, but that's enough to let him know how much his words mean to her. Katniss doesn't relax easily.

She holds his gaze for a moment, before looking down at the net he's working on] Show me.

[insecrets]

Right. Got caught up in being too literal. [He jokes, his voice sounds friendly, but his eyes go dark. Bombs. Prim. Coin. It's a lot of information swirling in his mind.

She relaxes and he leans over, bumping his head against her gently before sitting back up again. He nods. Also I know jackshit about knots, so here goes. :'D] The trick is to not tie the knots completely. They look loose and flimsy. [He picks up part of the net and tugs at it. A few of the knots tighten up.] It's difficult to do. Are you sure you're up to the challenge?

[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.

[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?

[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.]

[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?

[effective]

I never do that. [The smile's back, with whatever humour a victor can manage. She does that all the time.

A phantom warmth spreads through her when his head bumps against her, and she has to clear her throat. No matter how terrible it is to be here, she has this. She has him. That's important.

Her eyebrows raise at him, and some of the old Katniss enters her voice] I think I can manage. Show me the steps properly, oh Master Knot-Tyer.

[insecrets]

You should learn to lie better. [Oh, who are we kidding? Katniss is a terrible liar and always will be.

He watches her for another moment. It's nice, he thinks, to have people around him that see him for who he is. Not just as their twisted sex symbol. He jokes around with Katniss and Johanna, but it's... stabilizing to have them with him and knowing that they don't want that from him.

Even if he still relies on it.

And then blahblahblah some info goes here, but the basic gist of it is: there's a particular way of tying the knot so that it doesn't fall apart. He shows her it a few times, first the wrong way and then the right. While he's explaining that, he also pulls out spare rope for her.]

Now you try, but not on my net. You might mess it up.

[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?

[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]

[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?

[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]

[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?

[effective]

You should learn to not be a creep sometimes. Oh wait, I forgot. that's not possible. [Her expression is sardonic; she's knows just how good she is at lying. Which is not very. That was always Peeta's domain.

She watches with interest, but scowls when he refuses to lend her his net. Not that she'd actually intended to use it in the first place, but his pointing it out gets her pride up] No, I won't.