Tribute ψ 001 [action → text]

[tiesknots]

[Finnick woke up, curled in a ball and shivering. He still smelled the sickening scent of the roses that had been on the breath of the Mutt that had killed him.

Killed him.He jerked up into a sitting position, trying to figure out what had just happened. The mutts had been right behind him, there was no way he could have been pulled out in time...

Comments

[voice]

[alabastajewel]

[Since it's getting dark, Vivi opts to reply by voice.]

Hello? Odair-san?

[voice]

[tiesknots]

[His voice is a bit airy and panicked.]

Yes? Hello?

[voice]

[alabastajewel]

[Good, he replied. Though this still might be tricky to manage once night proper falls. She hopes there'll be moon- and starlight enough to see by, if he's far from the village. He sounds near panic, so she keeps her voice pleasant and even.]

What do you see around you? Are there any landmarks? A river?

[voice]

[tiesknots]

[For a moment, all you can hear is him breathing, too quickly.]

All I see is trees. But...I think I can hear running water.

[voice]

[alabastajewel]

[Vivi nods.] Probably the river. If you follow it upstream, you should find the village.

[Then again, this guy doesn't seem to be in the best state of mind right now. Maybe it's better he not be alone.] Ah. I can try to meet you, if you'd like.

[voice]

[tiesknots]

[Another pause; he's beginning to move through the trees toward the water.]

...I don't know. What do I do?

[voice]

[alabastajewel]

Just follow the river. You should see the lights of the village before too long.

[She hopes. There's really no telling how far away he might be.]

[voice]

[tiesknots]

...where do I go?

[He's really hyperventilating now. Maybe he should just sit down.]

[voice]

[alabastajewel]

...are you all right? [He really doesn't sound all right. Vivi stands, setting her open journal down on the table.]

I'll be right back, okay? [And then she moves away, leaving the journal with a view of the ceiling. There's some faint noise somewhere out of sight.]

[voice]

[tiesknots]

[Yeah, he's sitting down before he falls over. He sets down his journal, not particularly expecting her to come back. He pulls the drawstring out of his pants, despite the fact that they're far too loose without it. And he ties knots. Tying and untying and retying. Trying to pull himself together with knots and knots and knots. It's not working particularly well.]

[voice]

[alabastajewel]

[But Vivi does return, after a minute or so, picking up her journal and heading for the front door. In her other hand is a small lantern.]

I'm back! [...well that lack of response is a little worrying. A little louder:] Are you still there? Odair-san?

[voice]

[tiesknots]

[He picks up the journal again, his breathing still not under control.]

Yes. Yes, I'm here.

[voice]

[alabastajewel]

All right. Did you make it to the river? I'm going to try to meet you.

[Vivi heads out the door into the night, hoping she'll be able to find him.]

My name is Vivi. [Here's hoping a little simple conversation will distract him from his panic.]

[voice]

[tiesknots]

Almost. I can hear it.

[His fingers work quickly, and he doesn't even have to look to see the complicated knots, which is good as it's quite dark now.]

[voice]

[alabastajewel]

Good. [Does he sound a little calmer now? She's not sure.] Can you see any light from the village?

[With luck, he's not too far away. Vivi hurries along the path to the forest, turning up the lantern's light once she reaches the trees.]

[voice]

[tiesknots]

[His breathing is slightly more under control, but he's still definitely freaking out.]

No. But...

[He sees the lantern, slowly getting bigger.]

I think I see you.