The place where she stands is now sacred to her. It was the place where she had built her alter for Metaphor, where she saw him off into the spirit world. She missed him, god she missed him. Her heart still ached and she still shed a tear or two for him. And yet, her body was so very numb. Even as she stands here, she feels absolutely nothing. The ache of loss is still there and she welcomes it, but she no longer feels any sort of happiness. Not even the child who grew in her womb could make the mare smile.

But something draws her from her thoughts and reminiscing. Someone new is in Denocte and she needed to investigate. With what happened to the food stores and what happened to her mate, she was cautious about newcomers. At one point in her life, she might have welcomed them all with open arms and smiles. But today, today something dark had taken over her and she would welcome the newcomer with a blank stare, a void that could never again be filled.

She follows the scent of the others, leaving behind that sacred ground she stood on. Her nose takes her into the castle, into the grand hall where she sees the other two just up ahead. She recognizes one, having seen him at a herd gathering or two. But the other, the more ominous colored one, is a stranger to her. She smells of a foreign land and Katniss cannot help but wonder if she is friend or foe.

But as she approaches, careful of how her tall frame “clip clops” over the alabaster floors. She listens quietly, taking in the information and trying to process it. The new mare makes a comment about living here and Katniss wonders what it would be like to live here in the castle. She had always made her home just outside the palace walls, tucked away on a hilltop. It was there she had made a life with Metaphor and it was there that she now felt so alone and empty. Perhaps she did need to return to the safety of the city.

As the mare introduces herself, Katniss steps from behind a column. It was not meet to scare or intimidate, but to show that there was another in their presence. “Denocte has had some great medics…” Her loving being one of them. She hated knowing that someone’s greed took him from her. He could have shown this newcomer how to be a proper medic. And yet, he was no longer here to do just that. She looks to them both, her gaze void of all emotion. It was an odd thing for the silver black mare, one who was usually full of life. “I am Katniss. Welcome to Denocte.” What else was she to say? Her heart wasn’t quite ready to integrate back into society, but she knew she could not hide away forever. She would have to come forth and do her duty to Denocte.

@Camilla @August

The ache that she feels in her heart at the loss of her lover is something that she would not wish upon her own enemy. It has her feeling down and depressed, as if nothing else in this world mattered. She had given her entire life to Metaphor and he had shown her that it was possible to be a warrior and also a lover. He had taught her so many things. Even know, he would tell her to smile, to think of the child that kicked within her womb. He would tell her not to cry over him, instead to prepare for their child’s birth. Katniss still had not told anyone of the secret she carried within her womb, though she suspected some might know. It was intimate and special to her, something she wasn’t yet ready to share with the world.

And yet, despite all of this, she knew that Metaphor would be looking down at her from the stars, telling her to welcome this new Medic and teach her to be great. He would have wanted her to be welcomed with open arms, wrapped tightly with the kindness and generosity that he knew Katniss and Denocte were capable of. And so it was with this knowledge that Katniss trudged forward, ensuring that she at least tried to be welcoming to the newcomer, even if being amongst others only dampened her mood.

She looks to August as he offers to lead her to the medic’s quarters. She nods her head, knowing that she would need to know where they kept the ingredients for potions and salves. Although her small hut still housed several, it would be important for Camillia to learn where things were kept. Perhaps Camillia would rise quickly and find her place amongst the other medics. Perhaps she would be a great one. Perhaps she would make Isra proud.

Deep, red eyes stared down at Camillia, matching her black eyes. But despite being red and full of color, they almost seemed void of anything. They were lifeless and full of pain. And yet, Katniss did not show the other two just how much pain she felt within her heart. August might now of the death of one of Denocte’s medics…but he might not realize just how much that medic meant to her. Perhaps he assumed, as some did. After all, Metaphor and Katniss had lived together since arriving in Denocte. No doubt the rumor mills had been buzzing.

It was Camilla’s question that caused her gaze to shift from August back to her. “Perhaps I could answer some of your questions until we find you a proper mentor.” She had learned quite a bit about the medic life, having been living with Metaphor for some time. She had been taught some of their teachings, how to make some of their salves and potions. She was by no means perfect, but she was learning.

The idea of giving the mare a proper tour was a good idea, something that she would give thanks to August at a later time. She remembered when she had been new to Denocte. It meant a lot to just have one person to help show the ropes. While she was not in the best state of mind for such a tour, she supposed she could stick around. At the mare’s question, she nodded her head softly. “I should like to join you. I am on patrol as it is.” Despite the loss she felt, she still had a duty to Denocte. She still had to protect all those that called this place home. Perhaps getting out and touring would give her a reason to get out and patrol as she was supposed to.

Falling into step with the other two, she looks to the newcomer, her eyes soft and yet void of emotion. “Where do you come from, Camillia?” Everyone has a story and perhaps her story will be interesting. And even if it isn’t, it would certainly get her mind onto something other than the ache that her heart felt.

@Camillia @August

The ache within her heart grows with each passing moment as she stands here in conversation about medics. When she had come to stand with the other two, she had thought she was strong enough, but she was learning just how weak she was. Speaking of medics and the job that Metaphor loved so much, she only felt a hole where her heart should be. She felt the sting of a tear within the corner of her eye, though she refused to let it fall. It was only the kick of the child within her womb that caused her eyes to rest again on the other two, once again focusing her attention on trying to be the welcome that she had always enjoyed being.

She is thankful when August begins to speak of Terrastella, offering up the help of their medics. She thinks of Asterion and the gentle meeting that they had once shared. He had been so kind and so open, so welcoming. She had no doubt that he would welcome their new medic and help to enhance her knowledge if given the opportunity. “Aye, Terrastella would be a good place to learn. I am sure their king would not mind.” She liked to think that the friendship between the two courts would extend to sharing their wealth of knowledge with one another. Surely they wouldn’t balk at the opportunity to teach a new medic the ways of holistic healing.

She wanders just alongside the other two during the tour, looking towards the kitchen, the library, and all the other things August had pointed out. Even she is still so unused to the grandeur living of Denocte. She’s so used to living beneath the stars where life is more simple. She had never had the luxury of houses or kitchens or libraries. She slept beneath the stars, ate apples from the trees, and learned of history from stories passed down from generations. Coming to Novus had been difficult at first, but she was slowly beginning to get used to the lifestyle that this land offered.

As they travel, she had asked the mare where she came from. Her answer is shocking but Katniss makes no attempt to show her surprise that the mare does not even know the name of the world she left behind. She knew all of her worlds, of Nocturne, of Rift. Each place was different, each bringing something different to the table. “Novus offers a unique set of gifts, and it tries to offer a level playing field.” She had come from a place where magic was endless, the powerful grew unbeatable, the weak grew weaker. But here in Novus, it was impossible to have more magic than another which made knowing her limits and the limits of her opponents far easier. While she was still perfecting her magic, she appreciated it. Where she had come from, she had no magic, only brute strength and unmatched speed. But here, here she was given something far more precious…even if it could not save her beloved.

As they come upon the library, she looks to the new mare, then to August. She cannot help but wonder just where this woman had come from. But then again, Katniss simply did not have the drive or the energy to ask any more probing questions. Already this social interaction was far more than she had been engaged in over the last few months since Metaphor’s death. It was absolutely draining. For once, she understood what depression felt like. All she wanted was to curl before her fire and sleep until her body simply never woke up. But Finnick, god rest his soul, had forced her to keep busy, trying to keep her thoughts pleasant. After all, he could not see her become a victim to her depression. After all, she had a child that would be born that would need his mother.

She sighs as her thoughts leave her. She tries to focus on Camillia and on August. “The library is grand…but Delumine is known for it’s own library. If you ever find yourself there, that would be one to spend your days locked away in.” She had never visited that library before, but she had heard of the stories that it held. Perhaps she would have to make a trip down there at some point. Perhaps once her child was born and weaned. After all, with what happened to her beloved, she would not risk the life of the child they created out of love for one another. If someone were to happen to that child, Katniss would never be able to forgive herself.

@August @Camillia