Second Dispatch. Finally I Have Triumphed Over This Domestic Catastrophe. Action.

[trinkett]

[Effie Trinket has been sorely disappointed in Katniss Everdeen ever since arriving in Luceti. The girl seemed to have dropped all notions of propriety and her renewed place in the world as the Girl on Fire. No, here she seemed content to be muddy and sit on the laps of scruffy men and kiss

NO, that hadn't been a kiss. NOT a proper kiss! That had been a slobbery thing! Slobbery and licky! A slobbery slurpy licky thing!

KISS IN A RESTAURANT OF ALL PLACES. And live with that Sharpe person in what Effie could only describe as a cross between the District One Career Tribute Boys' Locker Room, a weapons closet, and a barn. The only thing she remotely liked about the place once she finally broke into it was the eagle. It would make a perfect wig stand.

With Katniss and Sharpe gone, Effie could take her time redecorating their house. The Welcome Center wasn't welcome in her life anymore. The only sense of purpose she could gravitate toward at the moment was Katniss. They could just deal with that when they got home from the battle. They would live like HUMAN BEINGS. Of course, she would have to prevent Katniss ever finding anything out about Jack Horner, but domestic bliss surely rested down this chosen path.

Feel free to run into her picking out properly upholstered furniture at the items shop, or other homegoods-type stuff. A lot of it will be in shocking colors. Most of it will look uncomfortable and gaudy.]

Comments

[trinkett]

Did a whore wrong you, somehow? [Asked idly. Really, she simply wanted to get rid of him.]

[relictusdeus]

[The question gives him pause and he slowly steps back, a hand lifting to his heart. Or where it would have been, one might think, had he something more than a rock nestled between his lungs.]

Did I offend...? [His mask of feigned shock and worry melts into a characteristic look of wicked amusement.]

You needn't worry, my dear, for those who sought to wrong me did not live to see another night. But I thank you for your concern all the same.

[trinkett]

You are a killer, then. [She states this primly enough, though Effie is more than a little nervous at this point. Can the journals be used to call for help? Would anyone even help her if she did? Slowly she begins to back away.]

[relictusdeus]

[Watching her closely with the sly intensity of a snake, he contemplates advancing a step.]

I can be many things. [He purrs.]

[trinkett]

[Another step back.]

I'll have you know that killers are dealt with quite strictly in the Capitol. Here too, if I've heard aright.

[relictusdeus]

Perhaps. [He remarks lightly.] But I would have to kill you first. [A low, throaty chuckle escapes him and he throws open his arms, palms up.]

And upon returning to life in a week's time, you would come to realize that your death is utterly meaningless. All death is here, in the end. Of course, this is not to say it would be... unsatisfying.

[He lets his hands fall to his sides.]

But do tell: how are murderers dealt with in the Capitol? Decapitation? Being broken on the wheel? Burned to a fine crisp, perhaps?

[trinkett]

[She is NOT answering this question because Effie is going to SCREAM FOR HELP.]

HELP! MURDERER! THERE IS A MURDERER HERE! HELP HELP!

[relictusdeus]

[Though her sudden cry for help is unexpected, he doesn’t feel entirely unprepared with his Mirage Ring on his finger and the ability to make a quick exit by bringing his thoughts to a sharp focus and drawing upon the magic coursing through him. But for now he simply cocks his head with that sidelong, thin-lipped smile of his holding strong if to say, ‘you should have known better’, wondering who might come this way.]

How very rude of you. [The words drip off his tongue, slick as oil.]

[trinkett]

[She sputters, turning red:] You can't simply speak of enjoying a woman's death and then not expect her to call for help!

[relictusdeus]

[Curiously, Effie would be the first woman who has in his presence, as far as he can remember. Speaking strictly of Luceti.]

If it is of any comfort to you, I would enjoy a man’s death all the same. Perhaps... but a little more. [He admits, chuckling.] How much, exactly... twould depend on that for which he is guilty. I believe the punishment should befit the crime. [Not to say he could always reign in his sadistic impulses - or felt the need to do so.]

[happyhungergames]

NO that's no comfort! Killing?! With no purpose to it?!

[relictusdeus]

There is always purpose and reason. [No matter how small.]

[trinkett]

And who defines that for you? What makes it meaningful?

[She has gained back just enough assurance at the realization that he's not going to kill her where she stands to ask these questions.]

[relictusdeus]

Who? [He echoes incredulously, giggling.] Neither man nor beast governs me... [A sly, sidelong look and a pause for effect.] 'tis I [A hand flies to his chest, fingers splayed.] alone who defines it.

[happyhungergames]

[Figures.]

You would do well with a bit of self-control, I think. Some manners.

[Someone to rein you in, Isaac.]

Though I suppose that is no business of mine. I'm just here to find some furnishings. That's all.

[relictusdeus]

[He takes her suggestions with smiling indifference but for 'self-control', that has the curve of his mouth tightening at the corners.]

You speak of politesse, and yet have expressed no gratitude at having been spared. A bold wench, you are; what ever am I to do with you?

[The dark cloud looming over his brow breaks and his shoulders bob with laughter.]

[trinkett]

If you would stick to not killing me, I think we could call it even.

[relictusdeus]

Will you be good? [He murmurs lowly.]

[trinkett]

My behavior is always above and beyond impeachment! Immaculate might be the best word to use, really.

[relictusdeus]

[Oh, her seeming haughtiness is just a delight to poke at - and to try to poke holes into.]

I should hope so... for your own sake.

[At last he decides to take leave of her, having acquired what he needed from the shop in the first place and having had his fill with teasing her.] 'til next we meet...

[Twisting on his heel, he then turns his back with a sweep of his cloak and pushes out the door, in no hurry to make it home.]

[trinkett]

Ugh. Horrid man. [That is the probably-unheard response of Effie to this Isaac fellow. She hopes that there aren't too many loose cannons like him in Luceti. And not a Peacekeeper to be found here! A dangerous place!]