003: [video]

[verylittlesugar]

[ Instead of the usual stern look of challenge, the face Mattie presents to the network looks young, younger even than her fourteen years, wide-eyed and uncertain. She's had time to recover from the effects of the tear gas, and did so quietly and under the watchful eyes of friends, but it has become clear to her that simple stubborn determination will not send her home again, nor will it make her current surroundings any less foreign. ]

If I am to stay here, and despite my personal feelings about the situation it does seem that I must, then I would endeavor to find something useful with which to fill my time. Regrettably, I know nothing about ships, neither those that go on water or those that go in the air. But I am good at keeping books and have very neat penmanship, I know how to bargain for a good and fair trade, and I can handle horses and livestock, though I have not seen that there are any of either here. I can garden and farm, mend, wash dishes, and cook good plain things.

[ She bites her lip, hesitant and frowning. ] In return I hope someone might teach me better about how to use this communication machine correctly, and about how air-sailing ships work. I am not fond of ignorance, nor of idleness.


Additionally, I do not know how one addresses a message within a message, so I must apologize for making them public instead:


Mister Abernathy, I am sorry for shooting you.

Mister Snape, I would like to arrange for that meeting, if you please.

Bran...have you learned any new stories? I fear I am much in need of a good one.

Comments

[killarevolution]

Well, it's a start. Means you do listen, occasionally. [He's not particularly bothered. So there's... that. Most men would be angry they got shot. Haymitch is mildly inconvenienced.] Feeling better now, then? Wouldn't mind a little warning before you shoot me again.

[verylittlesugar]

I listen very well, I just do not believe every questionable thing I am told. [ It seems a bit strange to see him so calm about it all, to be honest. Mattie can't decide whether an innocent man would be angrier or more understanding than a guilty man. ]

Yes. The dementia seems to have passed. But you are mistaken, I did warn you, several times. Although...perhaps not at the moment when it would have been best to do so.

[killarevolution]

[Haymitch is tired of life and too stubborn to end it. Not many men have that problem, unfortunately, but it makes him terminally apathetic.] Seem to recall a lot of talk, but you're right. For a bit there, I wasn't convinced you'd actually pull a trigger.

[He gives a non-committal shrug.] Your aim's off. Had I been as guilty as you think I am, I would've taken advantage of that, but I didn't. I think you got your proof.

[verylittlesugar]

It is my experience that I am often underestimated by virtue of my age and gender, but I assure you that I do not tell falsehoods, and if I say I mean to have a thing done then I shall have it done.

[ That's a funny complaint coming from a man who's alive thanks to that poor aim. ] You would not have if you were a coward, which I know Tom Chaney to be. And my aim is perfectly fine, the gun misfired.

[killarevolution]

Well, I believe that now.

[It's a very odd sentiment to have on the whole thing. That's Haymitch for you.]

Of course it did. [He could also point out that he went to find her when all was said and done to make sure she was all right, and couldn't, but no... Haymitch would rather drink poisoned liquor than admit any sort of fondness for the girl's tenacity.] Done now, anyway. I'm not gonna get any less shot arguing about it. Your apology's accepted.

[verylittlesugar]

[ Look, it's an older model revolver and everyone knows guns are inherently unreliable anyway. And that's the excuse she's going to use until her dying day. ]

Thank you. [ She wonders if she ought to mention that she'll happily shoot him a second time if it turns out he's been lying all along. Perhaps not. ] Are you recovering well?

[killarevolution]

It's not the Capitol's brand of healing, but I think I'll survive. [Meaning that it's slow and he's bruised significantly and drinking more than ever over it, but that's a non-issue.]