Clove (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
shenevermisses) wrote2012-05-15 11:52 pm
shenevermisses) wrote2012-05-15 11:52 pm
2nd Throw - [ action ]
[A party on Friday constituted a shopping trip on Wednesday. Normally, Clove was not keen on social functions. She avoided the main core during things like that at the Academy. Here, though, she took it to be part of the show. As a "New Feather," she had to try and forge alliances. She had a few prospects, she felt.
The Roman-- Roan, but that was close enough for Clove-- theme called for an effort to find her Tribute Parade costume.
For three hours that morning, Clove browsed the clothing store. When she found something she liked and that looked like it would fit, she put it in the canvas bag she carried. She needed a bit more of a wardrobe, after all. It was sort of fun, looking through everything.
Finally, she found it. The black pants and the layered gold shirt. Sleeveless and close-fitted, tailored to show her off, accent the delicate feminine frame next to the tall and broad figure Cato presented.
Clove took it quietly. Unlike everything else, this outfit did not go into her bag. She carried it to a changing stall and shut herself in. She stripped, put on the pants, shirt, and her boots. She even tied her hair up in a poor imitation of her parade style and stepped out to inspect herself in the mirror, smiling faintly with anticipation.
Her smile faded almost instantly. There was a small gap between her waistband and her skin, and the pants were almost too long. Her shirt hung loose, rather than hugging her chest. She reached up, under the shirt, and felt her side. They weren't horribly prominent, but she could feel her ribs. Not surprising-- she'd had little to eat that last run in the Arena. Of course she'd lost weight.
Clove looked at her reflection. She was a shadow of the girl who had ridden in a chariot with Cato. She felt near her temple, trying to find the dent in her skull. It wasn't there. Maybe she'd feel better if it was. Maybe a physical reminder of that injury would make her feel like everything was real again.
She touched the loose ends of the shirt, felt the layers of fabric. Her eyes stung. Something wet fell down her cheeks. ...She was crying. For the first time in a long, long time, she was crying. Clove drew herself up, willing the tears to stop. Then she bent over... sank down into a crouch as her chest shuddered with a painful sob.]
The Roman-- Roan, but that was close enough for Clove-- theme called for an effort to find her Tribute Parade costume.
For three hours that morning, Clove browsed the clothing store. When she found something she liked and that looked like it would fit, she put it in the canvas bag she carried. She needed a bit more of a wardrobe, after all. It was sort of fun, looking through everything.
Finally, she found it. The black pants and the layered gold shirt. Sleeveless and close-fitted, tailored to show her off, accent the delicate feminine frame next to the tall and broad figure Cato presented.
Clove took it quietly. Unlike everything else, this outfit did not go into her bag. She carried it to a changing stall and shut herself in. She stripped, put on the pants, shirt, and her boots. She even tied her hair up in a poor imitation of her parade style and stepped out to inspect herself in the mirror, smiling faintly with anticipation.
Her smile faded almost instantly. There was a small gap between her waistband and her skin, and the pants were almost too long. Her shirt hung loose, rather than hugging her chest. She reached up, under the shirt, and felt her side. They weren't horribly prominent, but she could feel her ribs. Not surprising-- she'd had little to eat that last run in the Arena. Of course she'd lost weight.
Clove looked at her reflection. She was a shadow of the girl who had ridden in a chariot with Cato. She felt near her temple, trying to find the dent in her skull. It wasn't there. Maybe she'd feel better if it was. Maybe a physical reminder of that injury would make her feel like everything was real again.
She touched the loose ends of the shirt, felt the layers of fabric. Her eyes stung. Something wet fell down her cheeks. ...She was crying. For the first time in a long, long time, she was crying. Clove drew herself up, willing the tears to stop. Then she bent over... sank down into a crouch as her chest shuddered with a painful sob.]
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Clove digs the heel of her hand across her closed eyes, trying to destroy all evidence of tears... but her eyes are still bloodshot and more water is welling even as she forces herself to her feet. She almost sinks right back down.
For all her inner coaching about strength and pride, she's on uneasy footing when she opens the stall door. Her voice quivers badly. The girl looks familiar, but Clove is too wrapped in the past to recognize the face and voice she's only familiar with from one conversation over the journals.]
Yeah. I'm fine.
[One look at her is enough grounds to call that a lie.]
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Clove-chan..! [ and because Usagi is not exactly subtle, she immediately moves on to-- ] .. Did something happen?
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Usagi.
[Such a dignified first face-to-face meeting. She feels even more idiotic now.]
I-- was shopping. For the party.
[So stupid. Explaining this is just humiliating.]
An outfit of mine came from home... It doesn't fit right.
[Better-- easier-- than trying to explain anything else.]
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... Huh.. Is that such a bad thing? It happens to me all the time, you know, since I.. [ okay, even in Usagi terms this is sort of awkward to admit, so she laughs sheepishly. ] .. well, since I eat a lot of sweets, I guess.
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I know it's stupid.
[The words catch in her throat still. Too many thoughts about the Arena and parade and Cato...
But she won't let herself start crying again. Not until she's alone.]
I... It was made for me. [She motions to the loose outfit she has on.] So it not fitting...
I know, it's really stupid.
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[ For a moment Usagi just stares, but then she shakes her head before clasping her hands together as if she's thinking. ]
You know, Clove-chan.. I don't think that's stupid at all! If it makes you feel bad, then it just does, right? Then it isn't anything stupid.
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Even though it's a completely pointless rationale, though... it makes her feel a little better. She won't admit that, though.]
There are a lot worse things that could happen than an outfit not fitting right.
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[ Although that's more of a Usagi priority, but she means it genuinely, really. ]
It's okay to be upset about something if it's bad, even if it's just a little bad! That's what I think, at least.
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How can this girl be genuine? It feels like an act. Sickeningly sweet and highly emotional. Easy to underestimate in the Arena.
But she was far from Panem, according to everything she knows. It can't hurt, though, to be wary.]
I suppose you're right, Usagi.
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So, in that case.. you should get cute clothes that fit you now, right? Ah, please let me help pick them out for you, I promise to do a good job!
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Clove manages a slight smile at the offer.
A chance to bond, to forge an alliance with this girl and her friend Rei.]
Okay. That sounds like fun.
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Great, I knew you'd like that, Clove-chan! [ She's already pattering ahead a little further into the store - like some sort of excited animal. ]
What kind of colors do you like?
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[Her gold costume top, her gold wings. She and Cato, the golden children of District Two.]
Red, black, silver.
[She's following Usagi now. It's a welcome distraction; she's barely aware of the loose gold top she's still wearing.
This might be a little fun. Or at least keep her from thinking about the Games and Cato.]
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By the way, Clove-chan, have you ever done karaoke before..? I was wondering about that!
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It was so much easier to stand up straight and hold a steady gaze when someone was watching her. Could be judging her.]
I... don't think so. I've never heard it called that, if I have.
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But karaoke is the most fun thing to do, especially with friends..! You've been missing out if you haven't ever done it!
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[After all... She isn't sure what to make of all this, really. This is a strange place, and strange things are being talked about. She's adjusting to new vocabulary and just... new everything.
But... still. Sometimes survival depends on the acquisition of new skills. So she will adapt and acquire them.]
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But it's like singing! You sing lots of different songs, the lyrics appear on a screen and all you have to do is sing along! I love to sing Minako Aino's songs during karaoke, they're so cheery, hehe!
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[This is strange. Most of the singers she knows are... in the academic program or Victors who used it for their talent.]
I don't sing. I've never really... done it. At all.
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.. Another blink. As if she simply can't believe this. ]
Eh..?! Clove-chan, you've never done it?!
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Not in the athletic program, especially.
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[ She seems to think about it for a few moments, but then she settles on something. ]
.. That's it! Clove-chan, the two of us are going to do karaoke together sometime, okay?
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[She knows the word "fun," of course. But the concept...
She was taught to take enjoyment in the hunt. Just so her life would have some joy. Then there were midnight walks with Cato.
But, in general... She was unused to the idea of doing something solely for entertainment and enjoyment.]
I'd like that.
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Me too! See, we're great friends already, Clove-chan! We're even doing things together like really good friends! I'm glad..!
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The quick familiarity is surprising, at least. But Clove still smiles. Friend or ally, either could prove useful.]
I'm glad.
Thank you, Usagi. You've been very kind.
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