hisdarkmark | Fortieth Hex - [Written/Action]

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Fortieth Hex - [Written/Action]

[When he first opens his eyes, he's immediately blinded by the sunlight and he hisses loudly, rolling over in the dirt to shield his eyes. He doesn't move for a moment, barely bothering to take in what was going on. It was obvious he was back. His clothes were still torn and disgusting from the last draft, and he had a few dried scabs on his arms, but otherwise...he seemed fine.

Sitting up, he gropes around the area for his journal to check the date.

Shit. Just how long was death supposed to last in this place? He supposed it wasn't too entirely unusual, considering how long Arumat was gone when he had been murdered. He adjusts himself on the ground, shifting the way he's sitting and reaching in his pocket for a pen. The writing is scratchy and scrawled, but the words are legible.]

So that's what it's like.

[He doesn't care. He doesn't care to read through everything and find out what he's missed. He's on his feet and carefully walking toward house 25, already knowing that Tsuzuki and Hisoka were waiting for him and most likely could kill him again for being dead for so long.

The thing was, however, was that he couldn't figure it out. He couldn't seem to wrap his mind around what he's lost as a penalty. Maybe he got lucky and they didn't take anything at all. That would be nice, wouldn't it? But it seemed highly unlikely, especially considering the nagging in the back of his mind that something was missing. He'd just have to work it out later.

Hmm...hello house 26. You seem awfully familiar, and not in the way that it was the house some of Draco's friends live in now. He used to spend a lot of time in that house, didn't he?

No. Maybe not. He couldn't imagine why he would...must be mistaken.

It isn't until he's almost at his front door that he takes his journal again, scrawling out a few more words.]

...am I the last one to come back then? Suppose they really do save the best for the end.

[ooc: Death penalty explained briefly here]

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[Hello there Katniss. Draco just gives a short, slightly awkward wave before settling on a shrug.]

Suppose they felt like keeping me on the other side a little longer than everyone else.

[How long had it been for her? A week, a week and a half? She wouldn't have ever known if not for Clove's post, if not for the dates in the journal. It had felt like no time at all. There had been nothing, nothing at all. She tries not to think of it too often. Because thinking about it reminds her of that moment of weakness. That moment she let her grief overcome her own, normally strong sense of survival.

She frowns a little, trying to push those thoughts aside. But she can't, not really. How long had it been for him?]

Did you die?

[The thing he's always liked about Katniss is how she doesn't dance around subjects.]

Yeah. Yeah, I did...back in the draft with a bunch of the others.

[She doesn't ask if he had been infected by that zombie virus. Doesn't really want to know. Because she doesn't think that matters all that much in the end. It's not the how o r even the why.

It's the memories, the knowledge that you did, indeed, die. That you have to live with that moment of weakness for the rest of your life. That for however much you consider yourself a survivor, there was one time you just didn't survive.

And the consequence of being brought back to life. In her case, it was her song.]

Do you know what you lost yet?

[It's nice, avoiding the awkward and weird questions. He doesn't speak immediately though upon that question because...well. He's still trying to work that out.]

Perhaps I haven't lost anything yet. I'm thinking that's a possibility.

[What was it that the artist had said? About death having consequence? A cost. A death penalty, she had called it. Katniss had figured out hers that first night, when she had attempted to sooth the nightmares by song.

And nothing had happened. Not a single word or note had left her mouth.]

I can't sing. Not anymore. Not since I came back, too.

...singing? [He's only surprised because Katniss didn't really strike him as the real musical type. On the other hand...] Interesting choice of a penalty. Was the ability that important to you?

[She nods, slightly reluctant. Her skill at song wasn't something she advertised all that much. It hadn't seemed all that important, not until she couldn't sing anymore.

Her one skill that didn't involve killing. Something that had soothed Prim, Rue, Peeta. Even herself.]

My dad taught me. He had an amazing voice.

Ah. That would explain that then...[Unfortunate, in any case.]

I've heard of people being able to reverse their penalties after some time. Always something to look forward to, I think.

[That had not been mentioned to her. And she looks up with a new optimism in her eyes. She had left out the part where she could sing every bit as well as her father. How it had been, initially, what caused a young Peeta to notice her their first week of school.

Being able to sing, and sing well, had meant a lot to her. Much more than she was fully willing to admit - even to herself.]

Really? How?

That, unfortunately, I'm not entirely sure...maybe you have to ask them. But I do know it can be done. It has been done before.

[It's still a lot more than she had known minutes ago. She nods and even offers the boy a brief but grateful smile.]

I'll ask around.

...friend of mine. Her name's Xion. She might have some answers for you about it.

Xion? [She repeats the name just for confirmation. It is a strange sounding name to her ears.

But then she gives Draco a grateful grin. Somewhere to start, rather than asking around aimlessly.]

I will. [Then:] Can you still do magic?

Just tell her I sent you, she'll understand.

[A small grin, finally.] Yes. Yes, fortunately, they left that alone this time. I was a bit afraid they'd strip it from me permanently if I were to ever die here.

[That. she thinks, would be a horrible, horrible cost for being brought back to the dead. The loss of any amazing ability like that. Her mouth flickers into a quick, relieved grin. She's happy for him. Happy he didn't lose his magic.]

This time? [And she can't help it. Maybe it's the giddiness of knowing that she won't be without song forever. Or the knowledge that this boy still has that amazing ability that initially caught her attention. But she looks almost amused.] Do you plan on making a habit out of dying?

[He follows that question with a shrug. He looks slightly amused, and yet at the same time contemplative.] I wouldn't say a habit. But they seem to enjoy taking things from me either way.

[His words get a bitter sort of laugh as a coldness washes over her features. How many days, weeks even, and she's not over it yet? Still bitter and angry at the Malnosso that Peeta was sent back without her. Angry at herself for being so weak as to allow herself to be killed.]

You're not the only one.

[That renders a curious look.] ...what else is missing, Katniss?

[She's trying. Trying so hard to be happy and positive. But lying, even to herself, is something she's never been good at. Not in any way. And her expression is grim when she does reply.]

Peeta Mellark was sent home days before I died.

[It takes a few moments for him to rack his brain and remember who Peeta is, but when it clicks his expression mirrors her grim one.]

Ah. Of course they did. [Why? Because they're bastards. Complete and total bastards.] How did you find out...?

He wasn't there when I woke up.

[She blinks quickly. No more tears. She's tired of tears. Tears won't bring Peeta back, won't bring her back to him. No matter how much she wishes it were so. She won't give in. And so, Katniss takes a deep breath and wills the tears away.]

He wouldn't leave without telling me where he was. He knew - knows - it makes me worry. He wasn't at the bakery. And there'd been no signs of a struggle. If they tried to kidnap him, he would've fought.

And you don't reckon he'll be back sometime soon?

I couldn't find his journal.

[And, on some level, she just knew. Had that sinking feeling in her stomach. That feeling she had come home from the draft to find Rue gone. But this was so much worse. This was Peeta. Her Peeta. Stolen from her once again.]

It's been a month now.

That doesn't always mean he won't be back. [Words are coming out of his mouth, yes, but it's like someone else is speaking them. He's not sure why he's so entirely certain of this, but he is.] People leave and people come back often enough. Maybe not the right version the first time but its been known to have the originals return after months of waiting...

Fortieth Hex - [Written/Action]

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