1 - Video

[doismelllikeroses]

[The feed turns on and you get a slightly awkward smiling face. Those who recognize Peeta will see a completely different guy than the one that freaked out after the jump and didn't even seem able to stand up.]

I'm... sure you're getting a lot of these messages lately and I don't mean to bother you with yet another one but it's become pretty obvious we have to stick together in a place like this, right?

So, hi. [He gives a little wave to the camera. Peeta has always been good at talking to crowds.]

I'm Peeta. If anybody that knows me- from my world, I mean- sees this, please tell me you’re here. And safe.

I'm totally overwhelmed by all this but I'm trying to understand, so if any of you need any kind of help with anything, just ask. You don't even have to give me anything on return; I'm not even sure what would be considered useful.

[A beat, as if he was considering something.]

Actually, does somebody know if there’s some kind of kitchen around I could use? Or maybe some paintings? Because if we’re going to stay in here for a while it’s better to find some distractions.

Comments

[doismelllikeroses]

I'm sure they aren't that bad. We can meet at a kitchen?

[handelaar]

[He hums to himself (because he sure is judging his brushes) but keeps his mouth shut, busy picking up a few supplies from his desk.]

Yours...

You're uh, new, right. Level - [A muttered three, four, five as he counts his months here.] - six.

[doismelllikeroses]

[He smiles and nods]

That's it. You must have been in here for long.

-> action

[handelaar]

Don't remind me. [grumble grumble kvetch.] I'll be there in five.

[After cutting off the feed, scooping up a few spare papers, and the passing of a few minutes, a tall, lineface-y Dutchman with a slight limp finds his way to the 006 kitchen.]

[doismelllikeroses]

[He gets a little wave from Peeta. He's thinking he could have gone find him instead if he couldn't walk himself- but he guesses it's better not to comment on that.]

Hi there. I realized I never asked for your name...

[handelaar]

[Probably a good idea, because Peeta wouldn't get much of an answer. Instead of a "hey" or a wave back, he merely inclines his head and strolls over.



...shit. He falters for a moment (thinking that he really just needs to find himself a nice, plain, ordinary human name), recovers, and sighs to himself before he answers.]

Uh - Netherlands.

[doismelllikeroses]

[Unlike most people, though, Peeta just nods at the name and goes with it. He's never heard that name before.]

Netherlands. Alright- I'm Peeta, but I already said that over the network.

[handelaar]

Mm. [He's busy mulling over the way that went over as he pulls out a chair for himself and flops into it. Huh, that could mean one of three things. So he goes with the most likely, in his mind:]

You're not from Earth, then.

[doismelllikeroses]

[He raises an eyebrow, wondering how did he reached that conclusion just out of the blue. Maybe his name really doesn't sound that Earth-like?]

I am. At least I think I am- people talk about a lot of places in Earth I have never seen or heard about, and very few people know Panem...

[handelaar]

[He's about to jump to conclusion number two (this guy has already met one of the other Nations on-board), but - Panem?]

I've never heard of it, either. [However, he doesn't look too perturbed. Instead he shifts to pull a few homemade paintbrushes out of his pocket, glancing over as he tacks on the second part:] We're prob'ly from different worlds.

[doismelllikeroses]

[He shrugs, then nods. He's actually from the future, kind of, but he has no way to know that just yet.] Maybe.

It doesn't really matter though, as long as we're stuck in this place.

[handelaar]

It does, if you're from some place where everyone has powers. [Even now, that feels weird to say, and it's obvious.] Or - whatever.

[doismelllikeroses]

[He lets out a little laugh... until he realizes he's serious.]

Uh- wait, powers?

[handelaar]

...you're real fuckin' new, huh.

[Damn, he is pretty much the worst person to explain this. He leans back in his chair, crosses his arms, and looks over while he comes up with... well. Something.]

Yeah. Some people here can - do weird shit. Not stuff that humans can do.

[doismelllikeroses]

Wow. I'd seen some people that didn't look exactly like your average human but I didn't know about... that.

But uh, you came here to paint. [He gives him a little shrug and a smile] Not really fair to keep asking you questions instead.

[handelaar]

[Hmm... He keeps looking over even though he doesn't react much, not initially. Just thinks and, well, appraises. Finally gives a slow nod.]

I could paint what I've seen 'em do. [Still thinking, he taps his brush against the table.] Kinda suck at explaining stuff, out loud.

[doismelllikeroses]

[Peeta raises both eyebrows and gives him a smile.]

You must be really good if you think you can paint that. Now I'm curious.

[He motions him to go inside of the kitchen] Let's!

[handelaar]

[All he does is shrug in response; he doesn't see a point in talking when he can do.

Not that he minds the enthusiasm on Peeta's part. It's kind of infectious, makes him perk up and follow, a bit more spring in his step.]

[doismelllikeroses]

[Peeta has already gotten ready the best kind of frosting he could find around.]

It's not watercolor painting and it tends to melt after a while... but it's better than nothing. You would be surprised.

[handelaar]

[While he's actually tall enough to see what Peeta is doing with little problem, he's. Well. Really, really curious. It's enough to make him disregard his own (big) personal bubble and lean in.]

Melts...

[He looks over, questioning where his tone doesn't, the very picture of an overgrown kid who wants to get his hands dirty.]

[doismelllikeroses]

[Peeta doesn't really appreciate people getting close to him, though. Kinda what happens when you've been part of two Hunger Games. But he doesn't say anything, and merely shifts away as gently as he can.]

Yes, it does. Do you want to try to paint anything with those brushes of yours?

[handelaar]

[He doesn't mumble "sorry" like some might, but he does pull back and busies himself with a nod, thumbing through his small collection of said brushes.

Pauses, blinks, and holds out a pair, in case Peeta wants to try his hand as well. Hell, he has enough to go around.]

[doismelllikeroses]

[Peeta mutters a soft 'hm?', and then smiles when he realizes he's actually handing them out for him to take.]

It's alright, they are yours. I wouldn't want to intrude?

[not that he'd mind having brushes... but he's worked with worse, he'd manage either way.]

[handelaar]

I'm not givin' 'em to ya forever.

[Not quite yet, even though he has plenty to go around. He's just not that generous. But borrowing... he can do that.]

[doismelllikeroses]

I figured that much. But they are still yours.

Are you sure it's alright?