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
