She liked to watch the wind blow through the perfectly trimmed and cut grass from the window seat of her room, sipping lemon tea and eating the mini sandwiches that Annie would hand her.

It was a reminder of a simpler time, an easier time where she needn't feel so on edge by everything around. Now Terra couldn't leave her room without a guard following her every step or a worker peering at her from behind corners, gaping at one of the last Victors of the Games, a beloved treasure that they were happy to have among them.

Those were the words that they used to describe her, more so since Katniss had sparked the rebellion and if Johanna's shouted curses and explanations for what was true were anything to go by then the Mockingjay was as clueless to what happened in the Quell as she was. They would try so hard to explain to her what was real and what wasn't the propaganda of the Capitol confusing her more than anything else, and Terra knew it was partially her fault for letting them use her and convince her by placing her in ads around the Capitol, wanting to keep her being alive a secret in case she became a target for the rebellion.

And despite the way that Johanna tried to reassure her that she was not in any danger, Terra was certain that she would actually be if the people of the rebellion saw how she was being displayed.

She felt like she was being torn apart with the colliding beliefs that everyone was trying to inflict on her. She wanted the chance to remember what she felt before the Games when she knew what her ideals were so clearly without anyone else trying to persuade her of one thing or another.

"Would you like more tea, Terra?" Annie asks, holding up the still steaming pot and she smiles at her friend, offering her cup for a refill.

Things were better with Annie. She never tried to tell her how to think or feel about something and never forced her to talk when she didn't want to. It was simple and familiar, and she never needed to worry about how to act or think or what to say around Annie because they both understood each other's crazy even if there was not much they knew how to do about healing.

"We're very lucky to be treated so well," the redhead observes and Terra sits up straighter, looking to her carefully from the corner of her eye.

"Are you alright, Annie?" Terra asks, inching forward in her seat.

The girl nods shakily, lips trembling slightly as she glances around the room.

"Is something bothering you, darling?" Terra asks, leaning forward, and stills her hand agains the automatic flinch that comes with Annie making a horrible, whimpering sound as though she was being drowned at the back of her throat and her hands pressing hard over her ears. "Oh, Annie, it's okay, I've got you. Everything will be fine."

She reaches forward, crouching before her friend and holding her in a tight hug, placing a kiss to her forehead as she mumbles reassurances. Spiralling into her mind at the littlest of prompts wasn't that offbeat for Annie, but it was less likely to happen around Terra, someone that she knew and felt safe with.

"Did someone tell you to say those things, Annie?" The girl whimpers again, jerking in Terra's arms, and she only holds her tighter, placing another series of kisses to her hairline. "Is someone hurting you?"

The girl shivers, but still shakes her head, lifting some kind of burden from Terra's shoulders that she didn't know was there to begin with. Annie was so innocent, so lighthearted and pure that she wasn't certain what she would do if anything happened to her. She did know what she could do to prevent it though, what she would always do for her loved ones.

"No one will bother you anymore, alright? I'll make sure they leave you alone."

Annie shakes against her, her hands moving away from her ears and reaching immediately to hold Terra close, trembling, and she fells this stab of self-hatred run through her at her inability to see what was happening to her dear friend when she was so close to her most of the time. A month that they have been together and she felt completely useless.

She waited until Annie waa relaxed and smiling brightly again, humming as she silently braided loose threads together into pretty bracelets before she announced that she needed to step out, assuring her friend that she waa encouraged to stay in her room for the rest of the day so that they could have their dinner together, hoping she would be safe in her room.

Her path brought her to a set of white double doors adorned with carved roses and thorned vines. He had golden handles, most likely made of actual gold, and she found it intimidating to bring herself to knock, unsure of what she would do if he found her to be wasting his time. Still, she exhaled shakily through her mouth and finally raising her fist and tapping lightly on the door.

Someone opened the door from the other side, starling her enough to have her stumble forward slightly.

"Miss Combe, to what do I owe this visit?" Snow asked, sounding as though he was delightfully surprised and didn't truly know the reason to why she came.

Terra figured that this is what it must have been like for Peeta when he put himself on screen only a few days ago, some reason driving him to sit in front of so many people, the entire nation, and present himself as a traitorvictorrefugee. She could see him still so clearly in her mind protecting Katniss, but carefully never mentioning herself or the others and how loudly Johanna had yelled before she finally grew quiet and hardly spoke a word since. Terra could see herself sitting in front of Caesar and telling him all she remembered, saying the words that would oppose the revolution (rebellion, terrorism, radicals, insurgents, agitators, traitors).

"Sir, I know that I am in no place to ask favours or demands, but I am here to do exactly that if you are willing to hear what I have to say," Terra tells him and she waits for him to tip his chin up in permission before she continues. "Annie Cresta, sir, is very fragile, too innocent, and I ask that you spare her of any. . . suggestions and offer myself up in her place. I know that you wanted me out of the spotlight, but I am willing to do whatever you wish as long as she is left alone. Sir."

The man doesn't move, his blank mask the best thing she had ever witnessed send a shiver down her spine, and Terra can't help but feel like she might be losing bits of her mind at the blood sprinkled across his cuff, fresh and wet as though it was spreading to drip over his hands and - she blinks rapidly, clearing her eyes amd chasing away the vision as she focuses back on him.

"Egeria!" Snow calls softly, barely pitching his voice, but the woman is entering the room immediately, ignoring Terra entirely the same way she has skillfully done so since the Victors were all situated in the manor. "Arrange that Miss Cresta is not bothered for the remainder of her stay."

The woman nods. "Of course. Will there be anything else, sir?"

President Snow looks back to her, looking over her appearance in a way that makes her skim crawl, but she doesn't flinch under his gaze no matter how much she wants to. "Ensure that Caesar Flickerman is prepared to have Miss Combe on his show this evening and arrange for the appropriate preparations."

For the first time Egeria looks at her, looking her over with a flicker of something hidden in her eyes that Terra dislikes immensely, but it's gone in an instant as she looks away and bows before leaving, dismissing herself and when Snoe looks her way she quickly does the same - shuffling out the doors and slouching against a nearby wall as soon as they close, heaving air into her lungs like she can suddenly breathe again.

Only then does the force of her offer resonate with her. Terra belongs to him now, more so than ever before and she has no way to take back what she has done since it means the freedom of Annie who had no part in the Quell and no idea of a rebellion that was taking part around her. Annie was only here because she was a Victor, because she was someone Finncik cared for - because Annie was someone she and Johanna cared for.

Her breaths came outragged and harsh, her head felt dizzy, her fingers shake, and Terra stumbles her way through the halls until she reaches her room, stopping outside as sbe tries to right herself. She couldn't go in there looking like this and couldn't go worry Johanna or Peeta due to her on actions. They were protecting themselves and doing what they needed to proctect the others and Terra was more than capable of doing the same.

She was a survivor of the Hunger Games, twice. She's killed her enemies by her own hand and navigated the danger that was the Capitol. She is fine.

Calming herself, Terra finally enters her room and shut the door firmly behind her, knowing it would never be enough to anyone out, though enough to work as a wall to separate them.

Annie was still there, fidgeting with her strings , and the redhead jumped to her feet as she entered, tension melting away once she realised who it was. "I was worried," she remarks honestly.

"I'm sorry. I had to speak with President Snow, but everything is settled now, so you don't have to worry."

"I think I'll always worry anyway."

Terra smiles shyly. "I worry for you as well, darling."

Annie beams at her radiantly and it chases the darkness away. "They took away the tea and sandwiches, but dinner should be soon. I think they mentioned crab."

"I wouldn't mind some crab."

"I miss seafood. They don't have it as much as they do back home," she says, settling back into her chair amd returning to her bracelet.

She lets her talk, happy that Annie has finally found it in herself to speak of home again as though it was a place that still exists instead of some distant, terrible, unattainable memory that she could never return to. She hated when she spoke like that and vowed to make sure Annie got back to District 4 one day.

They end of speaking of fish and knots while Terra continuously checks the time, growing anxious the closer it got to show time - literally. She didn't want to think of what would be said about her or what would happen now that everyone knew she was alive and well.

When the knock came, alerting her that it was time, she gave her friend a soothing smile and stood. "I have something I need to do, but please stay here. Stay the night, and I'll be back to join you as soon as I can."

"Where are you going?" Annie asked, rising also.

Terra grimaced. "I'm going to be giving an interviewed so you'll be able to watch. I'll be back as soon as I'm done."

"Terra," she whispers, grabbing her wrist. "Just say whatever they want you to say and come back, okay?"

"Of course."

She goes to the door, smilin at Annie in reassurance over her shoulder before she opens it to Egeria's schooled features and two peacekeepers. "Miss Combe, if you will join us. We have much to prepare."

Terra nods, meeting her gaze. "Lead the way."

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2019-02-13.