A Rose By Any Other Name [Closed]

[peeta_mellark]

Four days in, and Peeta can already feel himself settling into a routine. He's never really thought of himself as adaptable - more in terms of someone who doesn't see the need to make waves, who rolls with what comes his way - but even here, in a completely different world, he's already found a niche for himself. The same niche, really.

Since he has little else to do, he's been spending a majority of his time in the kitchens. The kitchen staff - an assorted crew (some would say motley, but he's too kind to even think it) - welcomed him into their fold when they found him in the kitchen a few days ago. His competence and efficiency were welcomed, too, especially since they made things easier for everyone. In short order he was baking massive batches of bread and attempting to teach the others some of his techniques.

So even though he still feels strange in his new clothes and his new surroundings, Peeta also feels strangely at home, flour under his fingernails and the persistent smell of fresh bread following him around. Since sleep is still difficult (his body hasn't quite adjusted to the time difference between worlds), he chooses to work the morning shift in the kitchens. It's what he's used to, anyway, and that much more routine makes things feel the slightest bit more normal.

It's near the end of the morning rush that he finally emerges from the kitchens, plate in hand, to see to his own breakfast. Spotting a familiar face at a nearby table, he makes a beeline in that direction.

"Hey, Daine."