tributed | [ rl with Nero ]

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[ rl with Nero ]

[These past couple of months had been a living hell for Katniss. Restrictions on District Twelve were higher than ever, and the announcement of the Third Quarter Quell sealed her death. Going back into the arena meant death for her so Peeta could live. Peeta had to go home. that was the arrangement she'd reached with Haymitch. It's what they both owed Peeta.

But Katniss just wanted to forget. About training with Peeta and Haymitch and struggling to help Gale and his family survive. She just wanted company as she hid out in the forest where she'd told Nero to meet her when she left the voice message for him to come to District Twelve to see her.]

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[ A world hop was easy, so many nosy people though, wanting to know where-with who-why. It didn't matter. Nero arrived in the forest, just as planned and looked around, then up to the sky. He wasn't sure where exactly he was and really, hadn't been to many other worlds. He shuddered to think where those inhumane games had taken place.

For now, he chose to ignore the beating heart in his throat, and pulled out his phone. A quick text just to pass the words, "I'm here."

He had a feeling she'd see him.]

[Katniss was the only one in these forests anymore ever. If ever. It was harder and harder to get out to them and most times she couldn't even attempt it. But today she had to try, and had to climb over the electric fence and nearly kill herself to do it. But she couldn't have Nero in District Twelve. Even out here was dangerous.

It wasn't hard for her to spot him. She was a hunter in these woods, and her eyes were on all things she could see. She jumped out of a high up tree branch and landed behind him, bow and arrows on her back.]

Thanks for coming. [Oh god. This was.... unbearably awkward.]

You always make introductions like that? [ Nero turned around, somewhat taken by her dropping down, but more than used to things popping out at him - and better Katniss than a demon from hell.

The tension was a little tight, to say the least. The ball in his throat was growing. ]

It's my pleasure... people say I need to 'get out' more, anyway.

[Katniss gave a light shrug.] I stay up in the trees a lot when I'm out here. I was hunting before you arrived.

[Oh god. She's just. Not going to look directly at you for awhile okay? Maybe not for the entire time you're here.] Sorry I couldn't give a good welcome. Or... any entertainment...

You're enough. [ The words came easy enough, and we're lies in the slightest. They felt raw on his tongue, but no one else could hear after all, right? ]

I know things are bad around here, that's why I'm here now, right?

[That... made Katniss look up at him. Not expecting those words. But she easily moved past them and onto the next question with a nod of her head.]

I guess this is what happens when you accidentally spark a rebellion...

Having to hide out in the woods, or being alone and careful with every step?

[ He wasn't sure what to do now. It wasn't often he felt like this.. all he could think about to get his mind off of it, was wonder what he could do to help - which was hardly helping. ]

... So, would you be creeped out if I told you I was thinkin' about you for a while...?

[Both. She thought to herself as he asked about her hiding and being alone. She leaned against the nearby tree now, watching him quietly and just... trying to pretend she didn't have a fiance back in Victor's Village training for the next time they went into the games.]

A lot. [Then she shook her head.] To be fair, you've been on my mind a lot lately.

[ It seemed like a back and forth game of unexpected answers. In the back of his mind, he half-wondered if this flustering series of events was showing over his irritatingly fair skin. He wouldn't be able to hide anything. ]

That's good, I hope. Any reason why?

[So far she didn't notice anything. Or maybe that was Katniss' inability to read anyone properly.]

No. [A beat.] Is that weird?

I guess not... if anything, I guess it's flattering to be thought of for no reason. [ he looked around, hoping something would catch his attention. The fact that she was stuck here was sinking in for him.

He decided to say this quickly]

... Come back with me.

[Could you say anything more soul-crushing right now, Nero? I mean really? She can't look at him again. She can barely think to speak.]

I can't. I'm too high profile. They'll see me gone. They'll kill people I love.

You'd rather stay here and potentially kill yourself? I get sacrifice.. but you have to live for yourself too... [ Quick to think on his toes, at least he thought - and it was worth the shot, but even he knew how crazy he sounded. ]

Bring them too. We lost a lot of people, and we need to repopulate.

[ It pissed him off how she was being treated. He'd raise hell himself and take them all out, if he had to - he just didn't want to face why, possibly. ]

[She shakes her head.] Then I'll want to bring Peeta. And his family. And Haymitch. And Gale. And his family. And everyone else. There's too many and they can't all be saved and I'm not that selfish.

[Deep breath.] I'm going to die in a few months anyway. Then things... might get better for everyone here.

...Die? Am I forgetting something? [ Death soaked this world, it seemed. It shouldn't be a real surprise. ]

For everyone here. [ it was a small mumble as he turned and took a few steps. ]

[Maybe he hadn't seen? The post where she freaked out. Ran out of the house when she realized she was going back into the games. Got drunk out of her mind...

The explanation never got easier to say. And with Nero it was even harder to force the words out.]

They announced the Third Quarter Quell. A celebration every twenty-five years of the Hunger Games. This year the tributes will be chosen from the previous tributes. Still one female and one male. My district only has one previous female tribute. I have to go into the game. And I'm not coming out...

Who says you aren't?! [ He hadn't seen it- hearing it again - again, how many times did she have to do this? It was enough to unleash That side of him, that side he tried to hide with everything he got. It was a shameful secret but here, it could save her. If he let it come out, it would destroy everything he could get his hands on.

She was worth that, he felt. ]

This is wrong.

Because Peeta's likely going in with me. And he deserves to come home more than me. I owe him this after what I've done to him.... [She could barely admit this part. She hated admitting it. It made her heart ache with each word as she remembered the hell she put Peeta and Gale through every day.

And now Nero. She was so fucking toxic. Every thing she touched she was ruining.]

I'm sorry. I thought you saw the post. [I'm so stupid.]

I didn't. [ It wasn't like he was mad. It was hard to be mad when it wasn't her fault. If this place wasn't so fucked up, so backward, maybe she'd have a real chance -- without someone changing something for her. All he could do was search around, pin point where this hellhole started, and one by one quickly-- ]

What about your sister? Prim? What will she do then? Screw those idiots. People hurt here because this life isn't fair.

She'll be better without me. As long as I'm alive everyone I love has a target on their back. When I'm gone there won't be a reason to target her anymore.

[Don't make this so hard, Nero! she's made her decision, made herself distance herself from everyone she cares about to make saying goodbye easier. Don't make her have to rethink it all.]

I don't get it. Wasn't it you who took Prim's place in the first place? I don't get why you think they won't just come back and pick her. Maybe I don't understand much, but it doesn't sound like it'll ever end. If you leave now or die... what's the different?

[ It pissed him off to feel this way, and pissed him off he couldn't change it. He wanted to shake her, and immediately drag her off. ]

I'm in a corner, Nero! [Her voice raising now.] They're watching my every move. If I stay people die, if I leave people die. I didn't want this! I just wanted Prim to live. That's why I went into these damn games.

And now there's a damn revolution and more games and more death and I can't stop it!

And what makes you think you can stop that? [ His voice was clam, something he wasn't usually too good at. But two fire crackers -- well it's not like there was much to lose, but still; he felt her pain. ]

Death is going to come to others with or without you, Katniss. It's a fact, anywhere you go. That's the life these people made. They don't need to suffer but neither do you. Who can make you see that?! You think their life will be any better without you?!

[ Nero sighed, and looked away. ] I know you didn't ask me here to argue with you.

[Deep breaths Katniss. She could calm down again. She could be fine.]

Maybe it will continue without me. But at least without me it won't be because of me.

Maybe I just don't get it. Maybe I don't want to get it. It's sick, I'm so damn tired of people getting used. Good people.. You're going to stay here? [He looked at her, hoping if he looked hard enough, he'd get a difference answer. ]

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