ψ they are the hunters, we are the foxes | OTA MEETING

[fishermansweater]

WHO: Finnick Odair
WHERE: The Inn
WHEN: Evening of January 20th
OPEN TO: EVERYBODY! Kate and Finnick will be doing their best to make sure everyone is summoned knows
WARNINGS: Who knows with Finnick? Nothing expected.
STATUS: Open!

---

It's late in the day by the time Finnick and Annie return to the village. They've pushed the timing as late as they can: while the auroras are still lighting up the night well enough to see by, they do nothing for the cold that creeps deeper under Finnick's skin with the sinking of the sun. And they definitely do nothing for the snow that had begun to fall again while Finnick and Annie were in the cave, their light dimmed somewhat by the heavy clouds.

The Careers need to get back to the village, and night falls early, now it seems to be something like midwinter.

They'd discussed whether or not to tell the villagers what they'd found. Finnick had thought they'd be giving up a vital potential advantage, but ...

Annie had been right that hiding what they'd found would damage their standing, and while he doesn't care about their reputation here much, he does care that Annie thinks they should be trying to get themselves closer to the villagers, not further away from the community. It has seemed to be the point of their gifts.

So when they make it back to the village at around dusk, they don't skirt around the houses like they usually do, sneak their way through the edges of the woods and find a roundabout way to get back to their house. Today, they go straight for the crossroads at the centre of the village, and straight into the Inn.

Finnick needs to find Kate Kelly, because she knows how to make things happen around here, and if they're going to tell everyone what they found, they need the villagers to gather.

"Kelly," he tells her when she finds her, "We need to call a town meeting. There's something people should know."

So it is that as night falls over the rooftops, gleaming green in the aurora-light as it bounces off snow, people who arrive response to a summons to the large main room of the Inn will find Finnick standing at the front of the room, holding a sketchbook. His ever-present spear is resting against the wall next to him, just next to their meticulously sketched map of the canyon on the stolen curtain.

There's a new mark on one side of the canyon walls.


[ This is your standard mingle-type meeting post! Finnick will have an OTA comment but feel free to mingle, start your own things, threadjack, whatever. ]

Comments

[3ofswords]

The cards still guide him, though he isn't sure how useful they'll be for predicting danger--they gave almost constant and general warnings in this place, with little indication if the damage would be wrought on him personally, the inn, the village at large, or a specific other person.

But he had been wrong about his own death, and the potential to be wrong about other things had existed from that point. He had still gone into dangerous places alone, and abandoned safety when the crawl of not knowing sank tiny claws all over his mind.

"We certainly have enough people left over to tend the kitchens, if anyone wanted me involved," he answers, not quite yes or no. He wouldn't imagine people holding their breath on his volunteering, but--he knows what he is and isn't capable of doing better than anyone else. "Not knowing if something is a good idea is half the reason to try it. That's how you find out."

[mund]

"It will be a reconnaissance mission." Graves makes sure to clarify. While he prefers to do something instead of waiting for answers to fall into his lap, he is aware of approaching such obvious traps with care. For all of Kira's seeming indolent approach to things, he tends to have that rash streak, and the last thing Graves wants is for him to get himself killed.

He registers Credence's concern nonetheless, quiet and well-meaning, and looks over at him steadily. "What do you suggest, Credence?"

[repressings]

Credence hadn't been paying attention--though technically he had, he'd been concentrating very hard on Kira's boot, wondering if the other's outfit was a fashion choice or laziness while keeping an ear out for plans--but at his name his gaze snaps up and he looks, for a brief moment, like he's about to be struck across the face.

It melts into confusion, softening his features, and then surprise immediately, all in the time it takes to blink.

"What?" He echoes, caught completely off-guard by someone asking his opinion. He blinks a few times, mouth half open as he struggles for words, or to come across a new thought or idea.

"I--I just think if people should go, I don't--I mean, it would be safe for you two to stay behind..."

[3ofswords]

Any posturing or bravado melts off of him in the moment, catching the need to sooth and tugging it with both hands for Credence's attention. He's watched him stare at the floor, drag his gaze up to Kira's knee before a rigid moment of acknowledging the other man. Acknowledging Graves.

He's still trying to figure the man out, not just with cards and conversation, but with watching the pair of them. Trying to find where the bloom of Credence's fear has roots in the man, and why that might be, and if there's anything to be done other than help Credence feel more like a person who can handle things without resorting to accidental murder. It's a long-term mystery, Credence's fear butting up against the fact of his concern. Not just for Kira, which makes sense--but for Graves, who seems so capable and in so little danger he might make Credence shiver by force of personality alone.

"No one's going right now," he assures him, reaching out to give a short, gentle tug on his sleeve. Playful and pulling his attention outward, to Kira, and hopefully away from whatever made him curl up inside. "They'll pick the best people out of volunteers, I only meant I wouldn't make someone go do something dangerous in my place. It wouldn't be very fair."

[mund]

It's a ghost that rattles Credence, a phantom that's worn his face and manipulated his way into Credence's heart. Graves would be lying if he says it doesn't bother him; that he's punished for the sins of another -- but this isn't about him, not really. It's Credence mending his wounds, working to put them right to the start. Graves is not a good man, but he does the best he can.

Credence's response makes him pause, all the same. Of all people he might have thought that the boy would be willing to let him go, but no, that's not right, is it? It's not sentiment that keeps Credence close, it's an awareness that Graves has what he needs, knowledge yet undiscovered, the key to his magical birthright. Kira, he assumes, is because Credence is genuinely fond of him.

At least, that's what Graves surmises -- after all, there is nothing he's done to warrant any kind of goodwill, just the opposite. It's nothing personal, he decides; he probably would have done the same. He, in turn, watches Kira's interaction with Credence, the warm protectiveness, his expression schooled into an impeccable mask of neutrality. Kira does have a way with him, he observes, and perhaps it's why Credence has taken to him so. He doesn't say much more to that, already making up his mind to make a trip there, and if Kira can distract him while he does it, keep Credence out of danger, that would ultimately be advantageous.

He nods briefly at the young man, another silent reminder, an assurance that his candor will not be punished. "Your honesty's appreciated." Quiet, almost gentle, but he provides no promise. To the both of them, he continues. "Perhaps it would be best to take a team along. What are your thoughts on the aptitude of the people present?"