I'll Be A Stone, I'll Be The Hunter [closed]

[wildmage_daine]

Daine leaves the remains of the base in crow shape, surrounded by other birds, buzzing with adrenaline and borrowed strength. She and her friends have destroyed all the records they could find, left the labs in ruins, smashed computers and other expensive-looking things to pieces. The only things left intact are the tunnels themselves, because she hadn't wanted to risk collapsing the ground up above, and the food. Both belong to the rats, now, and she wishes them joy of it.

She's not sorry. She's not sorry.

The dogs are a bright, familiar cluster in her mind's eye, and she wings her way towards them. That's where Peeta will be. He's not as far from the base itself as she'd like him to be, but it doesn't matter anymore. If any stragglers tried to take him, they'd have nowhere to go.

The cold, furious part of her thinks: if any stragglers tried to take him, I'd kill them.

But there's no one suspicious around when she finally spies him and the others. Maybe Peeta knows her crow shape well enough to recognize her among the other birds as she swoops towards them. Regardless, she doesn't stay crow for long: once she hits the ground, she lapses into wolf shape, the only one she can count on herself to hold for any length of time. Maybe it's too noticeable, but there are far more noticeable things happening back near Columbus Circle. She could just be an overlarge dog.

Daine moves toward him, her gait somewhere between a trot and a stagger, hackles raised in lingering anger, but tail wagging. He's alive, he's in one piece, and they're free.

Comments

[wildmage_daine]

Daine steps inside, unable to decide if the furnishings are a comfort or just... strange. It doesn't feel like her room - more like she's intruding on someone else's space. But the dogs are busily sniffing around, getting to know the place, and Molly offers an optimistic, I like this better than being underground.

Me, too, Sarge agrees, tail fanning the air. Outside is closer! He trots over to the window, claws clicking on the hardwood floor, and rears up to plant his forepaws on the sill and take in the view.

Shadow, sensing her unease, bends to stick his nose in her ear, magnifying his purr. It's yours now, he says with the casual possessiveness that comes easily to most felines. Or it will be once it smells a little more like you. He hops lightly off of her shoulder and gives the nearest cabinet a pointed rub with his cheek, then stalks off to explore.

"I don't think so," Daine says, loosening her grip on the keys. She'd been clutching them absently. Blinking, she adds, "Peeta's getting a room, too?" Did he already say? She feels so stupid.

[peeta_mellark]

As soon as she's inside, Effie makes a beeline around the room, nose to the ground and tail whipping with delight as she sniffs out the place. Then she flops down on her back on the rug and wallows a bit, before turning back upright and looking at him, tongue lolling in a doggy grin. The others seem just as happy about the new arrangements. "Well, the animals seem like they're going to be just fine," he says in a low voice.

He's already making a mental list of all the things they'll need - some of which will be harder to acquire than others, he's going to have to find a job - when Daine brings up his own apartment. "Oh, yeah," he says, looking expectantly at Aziraphale.

He's been so focused on getting Daine settled into her place he forgot about getting his own. Anywhere will work, really. He doesn't expect to spend too much time there right now, anyway. He's going to see to Daine, then see about getting them some more food; Sunshine should be able to help with that for their immediate needs.

[bibliophale]

"Of course!" says Aziraphale brightly, smiling as the animals explore the space. "Peeta and I can sort that out the two of us. You ought to sleep." The poor thing looks as though she's barely clinging to consciousness.

"He'll be just down the hall," Aziraphale assures her, stepping back to the doorway. "Rest up, dear. We'll both be about when you wake."