Traditions were passed through the districts, manners of speech, behaviours, beliefs, and she had taken to learning them as best she could.

District One would present shiny things, something from there own hand, collected for their one specifically. Three would propose formulas and problems to solve, testing the compatibility of the mind before anything else.

Johanna had once told her of the carefully wittled, incredibly detailed, unique pieces that they would have gifted. It was a display of skills, a present that was only accepted if you found yourself loving them in return.

Terra learned as many as she could, tried to view as many ceremonies that was allowed. District Ten wasn't so special in their courting or their proposals. It depended on how one would treat the animals, on how their hands were either smooth or toughened through work. There were no sweet gift giving or romatic proposals - that was saved for the ceremony.

She could tell it frustrated him, that throughout the past few days he would glance her way, brow furrowed as he spoke with some random spul from her district, murmuring under their breaths about animals and pelts, something normally handed between families to merge during a sharing of vows. Finnick would find no skins here, and he would have none of his own to share with her.

District Four involved a meal prepared only with items made from your own hand. Fish caught with a woven basket or net, clams, crab or any other sea food you could retrieve on your own - it would all be layed out by the shore away from the boats under an early dawn or late sunset.

Gifts could be given as well. Intricately woven bracelets full of painted beads and delicate shells. Finnick had given her gifts before, necklaces and bracelets alike, little things she knew he wanted to lead up to his proposal, and she wasn't certain if either of them were ready for something so public, she knew it was something she had been waiting for such a long time.

It gave her the courage to wander from their now chared room alone one day, bringing herself to her check up early so she could leave before he need return to tbe room, hoping to catch her as she came by as she always had to check on Peeta.

Katniss arrived exactly as she expected that day just as Terra was finishing her slow physio, groaning and shuffling toward the girl that looked like she dread going to see him. She didn't blame the younger girl for her hesitance, but it pained her all the same to see that the true love they had shared was disappearing all the same. It didn't exactly make Terra fear for what she and Finnick had, but it made her nervous all the same.

She followed behind, making more than enough noise that Katniss wasn't startled and settled near her by the window, frowning at the restless sleep Peeta was having. She always thought that if two people were meant to be together they would find a way, that all things would work out, but she couldn't stand doing nothing even if it called for postponing her own plans.

"He talks about you in his sleep sometimes," Terra says. "If I'm not with Finnick then I'm normally down here getting checked up or spending time with Johanna or Peeta."

"Why hasn't Johanna left yet?"

"They think she might have some nerve damage from the electrocution. They want to keep her under obsevation."

"They didn't want you to stay?"

Terra snorts. "Of course they did. But the infections gone and I don't appear to have lasting damage so I'm free to go as long as I restrict myself and come for my appointments."

"You just stay with Finnick then?"

"Or Annie when I'm not here. It's weird, actually, not being around them all the time. It's like there's this absence around me that just," she trails off, shaking her head and closing her eyes.

Sometimes it comes bubbling up into her chest, burning her lungs and coating her teeth with a vile taste. Her head would pound with a terrible pain and Terra knew she ought to have been dealing with all of this, but she didn't have the time or the luxury to let herself just fall apart.

"He does really talk about you though, and when he's awake," Terra shakes her head softly, "I can see him looking for you. He doesn't really know it, but he always acts like he's waiting for something. For you."

Katniss clenches her jaw. "Did you go out of your way just to tell me that? What do you want?"

"I admit I do need your help for something, but everything I said was true," she tells the other girl, shifting her feet, "I may not know you as well as Finnick does, but it's hard to get close to you after . . ."

"It's fine."

"You don't have to help if you don't wish to."

"What is it?" Katniss asks cautiously.

"Well, Finnick mentioned that you're allowed to go outside and I know you probably won't be allowed to take me -"

"I won't be allowed to take you-"

"I'm not asking for much! Just, like, maybe a few minutes to grab some berries, nuts, or fruits, anything really"

"Terra. . ."

She breathes deeply. "I want to propose to Finnick. It's this sweet tradition from his district and I know it sounds ridiculous, but there is never going to be a right time and we both need this. Katniss, I love him so much and I've waited so long. I just can't stomach the thought of being without him anymore."

The Mockingjay wavers, pursing her lips as she looks to Peeta and Terra can feel her heartbreak. She has the urge to reach out and comfort her, but she wouldn't know what to do.

"This tradition requires berries?"

She crinkles her nose. "It's really a meal that you make entirely yourself. I think it was about showing you could provide at first, but now not so much? All I really know is that it's something he grew up knowing as the way to do things."

"We didn't have that in 12."

"We didn't have it in 10 either. It was more wedding ceremony traditions opposed to anything else."

"We didn't have much of those either."

"Every district has their own things, Katniss. You'll see that one day, hopefully, when this is all over," Terra says, quirking her lips into a small, sad-looking smile.

"When this is all over," Katniss repeats. "You just want to go outside for a bit, right?"

Terra nods.

Katniss looks around, nervous almost before she nods. "I'm permitted to go out with Gale soon. I can take you along, but I'm not sure if they'll let you out."

"Thank so much, Katniss. This means so much to me," she reaches over, squeezing the other girls arm, "I'll owe you one."

"No, it's fine. Consider it a gift. Finnick deserves to be happy, he was so . . . distraught when you were gone."

She winces ay the words, wanting to recoil at the idea of him in pain because of her. "I feel terrible for having ever doubted either of you."

"It wasn't your fault. They were trying to control you."

"I know. I know, but still, I shouldn't have let him get to me."

Katniss pats her shoulder uncomfortably. "You know now. You didn't let Snow get to you in the end. It's all that matters."

"Of course, you're right."

"Come on. Let's get you changed into something meant for going out."

Terra looked down at her too big pants and long sleeved grey shirt, the sleeves having been rolled up to her mid arm so they wouldn't get in the way just as the pants had. They wanted her in something comfortable and loose, not too restricting opposed to the form fitting uniforms everyone else wore. It was meant to be something appropriate for someone still as weak, intended to be hospitalized, as she was.

"I only have these to wear and they're all big enough to fit Finnick."

"I might have something you could wear. At least I can get you shoes," Katniss points out and Terra looks to her feet, flushing at the sight of slipper shoes intended to keep her from doing much in general.

She followed Katniss, thankful that the girl was willing to slow down enough for her to keep up. She was getting better, more capable of moving around for longer periods, but her endurance was still shot, as was her strength, and Terra was more than embarrassed by the blatant vulnerability that could be seen when looking at her. Bandages were clearly displayed and bruises were still pressed onto her skin in greens and yellows, decorating her where small cuts and scratches weren't - it was perhaps a blessing that her clothes were so loose, too big in a way that prevented prying eyes from seeing her deteriorated muscle tissue and malnutrition.

It was in her face, in all of the face of the rescued Victors, it was in the shadows of their eyes, a haunted gleam, and Terra was thrilled that District 13 at least had a proper medical unit that was more than adept at nursing them back to a healthy standard, in most cases at least. She knew they couldn't heal the trauma the way she wanted, but it was better than nothing, more so knowing that the other Victors suffered still without having been there to begin with.

The room was very much like Finnick's, only slightly bigger with an extra bed that he didn't have. It was enough for three people and as Katniss rummaged through a small collection of clothes, handing her a pair of pants, socks and shoes, Terra shifted unsure in the room, not sure what to do, but Katniss had already decided and was turning her back, reaching for a bag and beginning to pack it up with a few things.

She changed as quickly as she could manage, using the walls to support herself and they were off again, moving through tunnels that she had never seen before.

Terra couldn't help the excitement that was slowly beginning to build in her chest, a giddy happiness that made her walk a little faster trying to hide the skip in her step. It was overwhelming how was easy to let herself get carried away, but she couldn't stop herself from yearning for the feel of fresh air in her lungs or the comforting scent that was nature in it's simplicity.

"What's this Catnip? What's she doing here?" A tall, dark haired boy asks, Gale she thinks, ask, turning to her briefly to utter a quick: "No offense."

"She needs to go out for a bit. I told her I would try."

"Did you ask permission? Coin just isn't going to let her leave."

"It doesn't hurt to try," Katniss says, glancing at Terra and flashing her a small smile.

"I didn't mean to cut in on your time, but it's very important to me," she says. "I'm incredibly thankful for the help, no matter what happens. I really appreciate it."

He looks at her, eyes narrowed as he gazes down his nose, and he nods once. "Let's just hope we don't get in trouble."

He leads them the rest of the way, silent as Katniss stands back with her, fiddling with the bow string that's slung across her chest. He does the talking at each door, speaking in hush tones before he leads her through with a careful hand against her back.

"Here," Katniss says, pressing a hunting knife firmly against her palm, "Just in case."

A gust of wind blows long strands of loose hair back over her shoulder, tangling it and she gasps at the feeling, lifting her chin to let it bursy against her skin and she stumbles forward, eyes watering at the bright light and the warmth that burst over her.

Terra laughs, high and breathless at the uneven earth, the sound of birds tweeting around her with the gentle swaying of leaves around the rubble.

And the sun, the sun so bright and real illuminating a clear blue sky, shining through her lashes as she looked upwards, heart hammering in her chest.

"Thank you. Katniss? Thank you so much," Terra breathes, wiping tears from her cheeks. "I- I don't know . . . i can never repay you for this."

Katniss places a gentle hand against her shoulder, guiding her forward. "Come on. Let's get you some berries before Finnick worries."

"Let's go ladies. Don't want to waste anytime," Gale calls, already leaving, and Terra nods, picking her way across the rubble to join him in the mouth of the forest.

"Show me the berries."

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2019-03- 12