bigapplesauce | Rude Awakening [CLOSED]

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Rude Awakening [CLOSED]

Peeta jerks awake in the dark hours of the morning, falling out of a nightmare that has become all too familiar and into the gloom of his base quarters. He fumbles for the bedside lamp as he shifts to sit on the edge of the bed, running one hand over his face as the other finally finds the lamp switch. Sitting in the warm circle of light, he tries to push away the dream - the memories - of Daine dying in the Games.

A glance at the clock on the nightstand causes him to wince. It is bitterly early, but there isn't any possibility of him getting more sleep tonight, not with Daine's death fresh in his mind. He knows it was just a nightmare, has already lived through waking from that horror to find Daine alive and well and at his side. Having relived in raw detail, however, it's difficult for him to let it go. What he wants - what he needs - is to find Daine, to see for himself that she's okay. He almost convinces himself that he could slip down the hall and peek into her room without waking her or the dogs, but he refuses to risk it. There is no reason for her to lose sleep over his troubles.

Instead, he rises and dresses, knowing that the sooner he finds something to occupy his mind, the better. It's early yet, even for bakers, but he decides to head to the kitchens, purposefully taking a route that keeps him away from Daine's room.

After puttering around aimlessly for a little while, checking the stock and pondering recipes using some of the new ingredients he's discovered in this world, he decides to start on the day's bread. The mindless routine helps calm his anxiety, drawing him into the steadying, soothing rhythm of the task. For a while, he forgets the terror that woke him.

Then, as he is kneading some uncooperative dough, he has a flash of hard, unyielding dirt beneath his hands. For a split second, he feels as if the wind has been knocked out of him. Breathing through the sudden pain in his chest, he kneads more purposefully, distracting himself by mentally reciting every recipe he can remember. Daine is fine, he tells himself angrily. He feels better by the time some of the other kitchen staff appear, but he can't help but glance up every time he catches sight of someone entering the cafeteria.

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Daine, having enjoyed a night untroubled by nightmares of any sort, heads into the cafeteria a little after six. Her gaze is a bit unfocused, half of her attention on the bustle of the People in the park above her and half on the food available. After determining that there aren't any topside emergencies that would necessitate grabbing a few things and dashing, she takes a tray and works her way down the line, selecting a few things to eat right away and a few things that ought to travel well in case she runs across any big healing jobs later. (And a little something for the rats, of course.)

She grins when she sees Peeta behind the counter, as usual, though her smile falters a little when she notes how worn he looks. Well, 'you look horrible' is no way to greet someone, so she starts with a cheery, "Hullo, Peeta."

Edited 2014-06-26 01:18 (UTC)

Peeta's head snaps up when he hears Daine's voice. As he searches her face, he can feel himself relax, the tension that has been with him since the nightmare draining away. He pulls himself together quickly, managing a "Hi" that sounds more cheerful than relieved.

His subtle shift doesn't go unnoticed, and she can't help wondering what had him so tense. But it can't have been that bad if a simple 'hello' was all it took to perk him up, and she relaxes in turn. "Any new creations I should try?" she asks with an arched eyebrow. She's used to Peeta experimenting in the base kitchens, or even just introducing recipes from his universe that are completely alien to her. She's a competent camp cook because she had to be, but proper baking still impresses her.

Lowering her voice a little, she adds, "Or anything my friends might enjoy?" She knows none of this food is really intended for animals, and most of what she stuffs in her pockets before making her rounds are things she's bought with her own money. But she's not familiar with everything this universe has to offer, and she'd as soon get advice from a friend than just guess at the grocery store.

The longer Daine stands there, talking to him, happy and alive, the better Peeta feels. He doesn't miss the slight way she tenses when she first sees him, or how she relaxes when he does, but thankfully she doesn't seem inclined to ask about his state.

"No, just the standards today," he replies. He lowers his voice as well and casually points to loaves he made this morning, now sitting a little bit farther down the counter. "Those would work well for the People. Not much in the way of herbs or spices." Actually, they're just regular, plain loaves, but as any baker knows, even salt counts as a spice.

Daine's smile widens briefly in acknowledgment, and she slides her tray down to the fresh loaves and helps herself to two slices. Bread isn't the best thing for everyone, but the sparrows will appreciate it - and better for them to have some of Peeta's bread than some unhealthy who-knows-what that careless two-leggers dropped on the sidewalk.

"What about you?" she asks, giving him a more openly assessing look. "Have you eaten, yet?" Sometimes folk need reminding, especially if they're tired or distracted. She's long since lost count of how many times she's had to pester Numair into eating something after he'd been buried in books and scrolls for hours.

Peeta - who followed Daine down to the bread, instinctively keeping close to her - starts at her question. He hasn't eaten, despite having been in the kitchen for hours by this point.

"No, I haven't," he admits, somewhat sheepishly. "I guess I didn't think about it."

Daine lets out a little huff of disapproval. She can't say she's surprised - it certainly explains why he's not bright-eyed and bushy-tailed - but honestly, folk ought to know better.

"Take a break and get some breakfast," she says sternly, though not without a hint of a smile. "They can spare you for a bit." And then she'll have a friend to sit with. That'll be nice.

Still feeling the effects of the night's episode - and willing to accept any excuse not to have to let Daine out of his sight just yet - Peeta quickly complies. Truth be told, as soon as she'd mentioned food, he'd realized he was hungry, so sitting down to some breakfast is probably for the best. That he gets to do it with her is just an added benefit.

"They can spare me for the rest of the day," he says lightly as he fills a plate of his own. "I think I've done enough."

In his quest to distract himself, he baked enough for a small army, though he doubts anyone is going to complain. He makes a mental note to grab a loaf from the kitchen for Daine later. There are plenty, and he's sure the local birds will be grateful.

"Busy morning," she says, somewhere between a question and a statement. It would both explain why he forgot to eat and why he really should've before now. Just as well that he's done here, she thinks; he looks as if he could use a nap. Or some fresh air.

It's still early enough that the cafeteria isn't too crowded, so Daine's able to snag them the end seats on one of the longer tables (the ones that remind her a bit of the Rider mess, except that these are flimsier affairs than those back home). Opening a little packet of butter, she ventures, "If you don't have anything else going on, you could come to the park. It's nice this early, before all the tourists show up."

"Something like that," is Peeta's noncommittal reply. He follows Daine over to the table, glad to sit down for a while. Now that he has relaxed, the effects of lack of sleep and the morning's tension are weighing on him, and getting off his feet and eating something are looking more and more like good decisions.

Especially if he does decide to join Daine in the park. It's a pleasing proposition, and a ready excuse to stay near her for a little while longer, at least. Plus, he thinks it will do him good to get out of the base for a bit.

"That'd be nice, actually," he replies. "I could bring my sketchbook."

It's Daine's opinion that everyone could do with a bit more time spent in the park. Moving out of the base seems like more trouble than it's worth at present (not least of all because it would feel a little too much like accepting she's stuck here), but spending too much time underground can't be good for anyone.

"You'll get a closer look at the People with me than you would on your own," she says as she liberally applies butter and honey to a slice of the bread Peeta made. "And if I have to do any healing, it'd be helpful to have someone else to hold the dogs' leashes. If you don't mind," she adds. It's not as if the dogs would pull or even attempt to dash off. She's more worried about someone else seeing them 'loose' and getting huffy than anything else.

She takes a bite of the bread and lets out a little hum of appreciation.

The image of Daine healing jabberjays in the arena flashes across Peeta's mind, but he quickly pushes it away.

"No, I don't mind." He would love the opportunity to watch her work - and perhaps sketch her doing so - and if she does have to do any healing, he can make new memories of it to replace the older, less pleasant ones.

The corner of his mouth quirks up at her reaction to the bread. However often he's experienced it before, seeing someone enjoy something he's cooked is still a pleasure.

Daine falls into a comfortable silence as she finishes the slice of bread and starts in on some fruit. Once some of her hunger has abated, she says, "I just have one quick errand to run before I go back to my room, but then I'll be ready to head out."

She figures it best not to mention that said errand involves sneaking food to the rats, of all creatures. Maybe Peeta would understand, but if she explains that she's made a bargain with them, she'd have to say something about what they did for her… and she can't tell him about Yuri. If she has to lie by omission anyway, she might as well just be vague from the start.

Peeta nods as he starts in on a second muffin he's pretty sure is one of Sunshine's recipes. "There's something I need to do, too," he says, thinking of his plan to grab a loaf or two for Daine. "And then I need to get my sketchbook from my room."

"Why don't we meet by my room in about fifteen minutes?" That'll give her time to leave food for the rats and make sure Yarrow's set for the morning before packing up and getting the dogs ready to go.

"That works for me." Peeta polishes off the last of his banana and pushes back from the table.

Daine slides out of her seat as well, gathering up the extra food in a napkin. It's an awkward parcel, but it'll be smaller by the time she actually reaches her room.

"Then I'll see you again shortly," she says with a broad smile. This will be fun. She doesn't usually have two-legger company when she does her rounds. To be honest, she often doesn't want two-legger company, if only because she figures most folk would get bored. But if Peeta's bringing his sketchbook, that'll give him something to do, and he can always head back early if it really starts to become a drag for him.

Peeta responds with a small wave and a genuine smile of his own as Daine heads off. There are still whispers of the tension and terror he was feeling earlier, but in general, he is feeling very content. After returning his tray, he heads into the kitchens and selects a couple of smaller loaves of bread for Daine. No one even looks his way as he wraps them in napkins and leaves again. It isn't unusual for staff to take food with them.

A quick stop by his room later, he arrives outside Daine's quarters. Shifting the strap of the bag on his shoulder - which holds his sketchbook, supplies, and the two loaves - he knocks on the door.

By the time Peeta reaches her room, Daine has her little bag packed and is clipping on Sarge's leash (trying to, anyway - he's so excited by the prospect of a walk that he keeps dancing around and making it difficult). It hadn't taken her all that long to tuck the rats' offering in an out-of-the-way place - if you know which turns to take, there really isn't much distance between well-traveled corridors and all but abandoned ones.

"Nearly ready," Daine calls in response to the knock before adding, "Hold still a moment," in a quieter tone. Sarge lets out an impatient grumble, but he does manage to hold still long enough for Daine to finally get his leash on. She straightens, leashes in one hand, and swings her bag onto her shoulder with the other.

"Hullo again," she says with a broad smile after she opens the door. "All set?"

"Hello," Peeta echoes, smile mirroring Daine's. "And hello to you," he adds, squatting to give the dogs a quick pet. Greetings made, he stands again and steps back to allow Daine and the dogs into the hallway.

"I have everything I need," he says in reply to Daine's question, hoisting his own bag.

Daine gives him a considering look as she shuts her door and starts down the hall. "No," she muses, "I think you're missing something." Then, with an impish grin, she hands him Molly's leash. The little dog shifts over to trot at Peeta's side and looks up at him with a cheerful, panting face and a wagging tail. Both of the dogs like Peeta; really, the only reason she doesn't give him Sarge is because the larger dog finds him a little too distracting.

He smells delicious, Sarge says wistfully as he walks on Daine's other side, peering across at Peeta. He always smells delicious. Is he going to share the bread he has in his bag?

If he does, it will only be if you're very, very well behaved, Daine replies, giving Sarge an encouraging pat. The dog heaves a rather dramatic sigh, but he does behave himself very well as they head out of the base and up the stairs, merging with the crowds of morning commuters.

It's a bit of a crush, and Daine glances back to make sure Peeta's still with her, then takes his hand so they won't get separated on their way outside. "Sorry," she says over the general hubbub of the station, "I forget how crowded it is here this early."

Peeta frowns slightly in concern and is about to pat down his pockets when Daine holds out Molly's leash. He takes the leash with a huff of laughter, bending to ruffle Molly's ears before falling into step beside Daine.

When they join the commuter crowd, he allows Daine to take the lead. He's been out and about this earlier before, and finds the crush of people to be fascinating, if a little reminiscent of the packed streets of the Capitol. It's a bit busier than the other times he's been out, and when Daine takes his hand he laces his fingers with hers, the better to keep them from being pulled apart. He also shortens the lead on Molly's leash, keeping her as close to him as possible until they finally emerge in the sunshine.

"That seemed worse than usual," he says, throwing a look back at the steady stream of people heading in the way they just came out.

"It did," Daine agrees as Sarge gives himself a little shake. "But the park should be much quieter. Here…" she gently frees her hand so she can dig through her pocket for some dog treats, then hands one to Peeta to give to Molly. "Crowds are even more overwhelming when you're a dog," she explains as she lobs a treat to Sarge. "Their senses are keener, and everyone's bigger than them."

"I can imagine." He crouches to feed Molly the treat and run a hand down her back. Straightening once again, he dusts his hand on his pants. "Where to?"

Daine starts toward the park, pausing at the intersection and waiting for the light to turn. She'll probably never forget how much the cars used to unnerve her, and the look she gives them isn't exactly fond. But Peeta's question is a good distraction, and she shifts her focus to him, instead.

"I usually make my way toward the ramble, first," she says. "That's where anyone in need of healing but still able to get around waits for me." It's also a good place to send her magic out in search of anyone in the northeastern half of the park who couldn't make it to the ramble. The light changes, and Daine steps off the curb. "Then I go up past the reservoir to visit the People around the great hill." Looking a bit sheepish, she adds, "It's a bit of a hike. You don't have to stick with me for the whole thing if you'd rather not."

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