She supposed she understood that instinctual need to belong, to be a part of something that was more than just ones own person. Equines were social by nature, traveling and living in herds to maintain that need for socialization. She had always found herself amongst others, but she also understood that some preferred to be left alone more often than some. Each individual was different and with those differences was a different degree of desire to be alone vs. being social. “Something tells me your reason ventures beyond that. But your reason is your own, I suppose.” He very well could have come back to court life because he desired something more. However, Katniss understood that not all reasons were public knowledge, some preferring their reasons to remain secret. She understood and respect that thought. She would not question him on it for it was not her place.
But as Raymond began to open up about Ruth, a name she had not heard before, Katniss listened quietly. He spoke so fondly of her and Katniss could only muse that perhaps Ruth was a lover…or a bonded. She spoke the same way of Metaphor and of Finnick. She looked back behind her to see the way the candles flickered. Did he want to light a candle for Ruth? “Many perished then. I had only just arrived. Talk about a welcoming.” She remembered being ushered into a cave seeking shelter. It was there that she had met Isra and her respect for the woman only grew from there. She had been lucky to find shelter when she had. She had learned that many had died, others injured far beyond repair. She had been lucky to come out unscathed. Perhaps she should pray for those who had not.
Katniss offered the man a gentle smile as he stated that Ruth was awake and he was free to return to court life. It was good to see him back, even if he did not necessarily feel the same way. She had always thought “the more the merrier” and had always welcomed new faces. She would welcome Raymond back with the same welcoming as she did any other.
But it was the way he looked past her that caught her attention, the way his eyes lingered on the candle that she had lit in Metaphor’s honor. At his question, she sighed heavily. How could she answer such a question? Did it truly help? She supposed it only helped if she wanted it to. “For me, it does. It’s simply a way to remember and honor.” But everyone was different, everyone grieved in a different way. Some would not think lighting a candle would offer any sort of benefit but it only worked if one believed it would. Katniss used the candle as a way to reflect. It offered nothing more than a gentle reminder. “It means something different for everyone.” She could not tell him how to remember those he loved or honor those that had fallen. It was up to him on how he chose to do those things. These candles flickering in the background were only a vessel. The true magic came from within.
@Raymond
