Fourth Dispatch: It's Not What You Think. Voice.

[trinkett]

Dear Fellow Residents of Luceti,

Wouldn't it be entertaining to put on some Games here in Luceti? Not that the Cultural Fair wasn't amusing, or any of the other activities going on here -- but true gladiatorial games. The pitting of one creature against another! Think of the thrill and drama and the release that goes along with that sort of entertainment! And here in Luceti we are ideally suited for a very exciting Games indeed.

Who would you sponsor or volunteer for this entertainment? Or would it all be...

[There is a pause here.]

Pokey-mans? I find human beings MUCH more interesting to watch, personally.

Comments

voice;

[trinkett]

No.

[The answer comes so quick as to almost be a breath of air rather than a word.]

Not like at home. Not like there.

[Because on some level the people here -- Katniss included -- had opened Effie's mind to the possibility that the Games were a horror. She hadn't thought it through fully, not at all. But there was a little chink in that homegrown armor. A little light had gotten in. She rushes to defend herself, just in case anyone Important is listening:]

We don't have Gamemakers here. It would be impossible to duplicate the Hunger Games in Luceti for many reasons.

voice;

[prims]

[ The first part is reassuring - and Prim breathes out, relieved - but the second part? Not so much.

Prim's never liked being upset, though, so...

She'll at least ask, with that reassurance, although cautiously. ]

What sort of Games were you considering, then? [ It's more terse than she normally is, but she feels like she at least has to know. ]

voice;

[inyourfavor]

Pokeyman ones. [She says this as quickly as she can, trying to make her voice brim over with that bright confidence that can sway so much opinion back home.

At least in the Capitol.]

Games in which Pokeymans and Benders battle in a non-blood-drawing, non-injury-inducing way. Somehow.

[Details.]

voice;

[prims]

[ Okay. Non-blood-drawing. Non-injury-inducing. Prim can handle that. That's...that's okay.

Katniss lets Effie stay in their home, too. Her sister has to trust the woman to some extent. ]

I'm not sure I know what Pokeyman are, but - I know a bender. The ones who move elements?

voice;

[trinkett]

Yes! Yes. Which Bender do you know?

voice;

[prims]

Aang. Have you met him?

voice;

[trinkett]

Aang. Yes. Yes, I have.

[Poor, poor Aang. No hair to speak of. So sad, to bald so young.

But don't worry; Effie has plans to do Things about that.]

voice;

[prims]

Well, he's the only one I've met.

voice;

[trinkett]

Do you think he'd like...a wig?

voice;

[prims]

I don't think so. I mean, he never seemed to mind it when I saw him. And I think the tattoos he has are important to his culture somehow, although I'm not sure exactly how?

voice;

[trinkett]

Tattoos. [Effie dismisses that.] I'm going to find him some attractive hats. He's a nice boy.

voice;

[prims]

[ Well, Prim doubts she can stop this from happening, so she's just...not going to attempt it. ]

He is. He's one of the first people I spoke to, here. I think he and Katniss are friendly.