perfectlyportia (perfectlyportia) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2014-06-06 20:00:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, katniss everdeen, portia |
Who: Katniss and Portia
When: Late April/Early May
Where: Portia’s place
What: Dinner and dream talk
Rating/Warning: Hunger Games warning
Status: Complete
It was safe to say Portia was worried about Katniss, the young girl had started having the dreams and the last one must have upset her very much as she had contacted Portia to talk about it. Being the one who knew more than they did and being older Portia felt a kind of responsibility for both Peeta and Katniss. Which was part of the reason why she had offered to make dinner, the other part being that she did genuinely care.
Hearing the doorbell she wiped her hands on the towel and made her way to the door, opening it she smiled, “Hello Katniss, please come in”
“Hey,” Katniss gave Portia a tight-lipped smile as she stepped over the threshold, standing awkwardly in the hall as she waited for Portia to show her where she should go. “How are you?”
“I’m fine thank you” Portia replied as she closed the door, “More importantly how are you?” she asked taking her arm as she led her to the living room.
“I’m ok, I guess,” Katniss shrugged as she made her way into the house, looking at everything. “More Dreams,” she told her as she sat down on the sofa. “Seriously fucked up Dreams.”
Portia sat with her, “I’m so sorry Katniss” she said honestly, “What’s happened?” she asked softly.
“Everything, I...I don’t understand, how could people be entertained by watching kids killing kids?!” Katniss vented, pushing herself up to stand and pace across the floor.
“I don’t know” Portia replied, “I mean there it seems...well it seems like it’s just accepted as the status quo. Everybody watches and the careers even see it as an honor but how they can do it. I don’t know. I only pray we never see such a thing exist in the waking world”
“But I do see it in the waking world,” Katniss told her emphatically. “I see it when I wake up, my sister’s face on the day of the Reaping. Gale’s last words to me before they ripped him away from me. Rue dy...Rue…” she whispered desperately, fighting down the tears as they threatened to come to the surface. She ran a hand over the back of her head as she turned away from Portia.
"But it isn't the real world Katniss" Portia told her reaching out to pull the girl to her, "They're vivid and horrible but they aren't real. There is no reaping, no games, no death"
“How do we know it won’t happen though?” Katniss fretted. “We’re just kids! I’ve woken up screaming more times in the last week than I ever have in my entire life!”
“Oh sweetheart, no. It won’t. This world, while it has it’s flaws, isn’t that bad. Our government has a long way to go before it reaches that level of corruption. It’s hard, I know, believe me but you’ll get through this Katniss”
“It’s not going to get better, is it…” Katniss said, dread settling in her stomach. “Does Peeta know about all of this?”
“Some, not all” Portia replied, “I...I’m sorry but you’re right it’s not over” she added sadly. She felt so helpless but there was nothing she could do to make it better.
“Oh god...how much more is there?” Katniss asked, fearing the answer as she looked at Portia in horror.
“Quite a lot. More than I know first hand” she admitted, Haymitch had told her what happened after Portia herself had been killed, “But you’ll be okay Katniss, I do know that much”
Katniss bit her lip in anguish and turned away to look out of the window. “Could I...could I stay here tonight?” she asked quietly.
“Of course you can” Portia said immediately, “I’ll get the spare room all set up. It’s next to mine so if you need anything just let me know. You know, you are always welcome here Katniss. Whenever you like” she smiled softly.
“Thanks,” Katniss replied quietly, trying to quirk a small smile at her host. “My mom would just freak out and my sister...well, the longer she’s left out of this the better,” she told her.
Portia nodded, “I understand” she replied, she’d never dream of telling her own parents about the dreams and they weren’t in them. She couldn’t imagine what she’d do if they were. “Think of this as your place of refuge then, whenever you need it”
Katniss nodded and mumbled her thanks again, gazing out the window already lost in thought. How much did Peeta know? Did he have nightmares? How did he cope with it all? "Do you have nightmares?" She asked quietly.
“I did” Portia admitted, “My dreams finished a while ago, I get the odd repeat but thankfully I’m a little more prepared now” And she’d not repeated her death dream which she was extremely glad of.
"Finished?" Katniss looked at her. "What do you mean 'finished'?"
“They reached a conclusion” Portia said, “A final conclusion. It’s why I only know for sure what happens up to a certain point. It’s not unusual. The dreams don’t go on forever, it’s like a story”
“A story…” Katniss considered the words, looking away again. “Ok...I think...I think I can try that,” she nodded to herself.
“Exactly. A story, it might help” Portia smiled, “Now let me go set up the spare room” she said standing.
“Thanks,” Katniss smiled after her, grateful to have found a friend such as Portia.