[ Katniss thinks this curse is ridiculous. She's sure she's not alone in that, but additionally there are the other feelings: resentment she only has when the notion of being strung like a puppet is pushed more squarely in their faces. This is a fine example of that in her opinion, because as dumb as some of the epitaphs have been, this one is among those that ring more sincere.
And it scares her.
She hates being scared, can't stand it.
It takes her a while to reply at all, and this with the background noise of the outdoors snipping into her pauses. ]
It's just a curse.
[ Though it was meant more as a general obvious statement, it's hard to avoid that glaring need - the one to reassure herself, to know this isn't prophetic because who believes in that anyway? Not her. No. ]
[The first few of these posts were business as usual, but considering that discussion they had the other day? Even Angela finds this part of the curse beyond annoying.]
[There's a scrambling sound as he picks up the device, followed by a pause. And a slightly longer one. When the silence breaks, there's a false amusement in his tone.]
I wonder when I was compelled to post that? Bit morbid, isn't it?
I don't know, in this place I've noticed magazines and books from other worlds talking about design revolutions. When new styles sweep through a society.
[Here's a longer pause. She doesn't want to ask especially but she feels like she has to, or spend the rest of the time just wondering and then not being able to ask at all later. ]
It doesn't...you think it's ridiculous too, don't you?
Perhaps that's a bit strong of a word. But she respects boundaries. At least mine. [That might sound a little smug.]
Yes and no. She knows there are things I won't tell her and she's stopped asking, mostly, but... I believe between the two of us she's begun to make some very astute guesses.
Hopefully today's curse isn't a sign. I've already been killed once here, I'd rather not repeat the experience.
[He's forcing the the humor, but hoping she won't notice. Today's curse bumps up against far too many things he'd rather not discuss with his young friend.]
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