Lady of the Lake : Behind the Scenes
So this is the next drabble request from the Tumblr!
chungshou asked: I was hoping you could do one on Katniss' thoughts about Sky when she finally learns that Sky and Cato love each other
TIMEFRAME: Set during the Recap Show for the 74th Hunger Games. (Chapter 19)
To be part of the magic and request more behind the scenes drabbles of any of your favourite characters feel free to request at the Tumblr!
thgladyofthelake . tumblr . com
Review responses at the end of the chapter
Enjoy!
The Game Is Over
It's not until I see them that I understand.
It had been one of the things that troubled me when we were in the Arena, the knowledge that Sky, who seemed so simple, so naïve, could align herself with a monster like the Career from 2. Had he convinced her that he was not to blame for his actions? Had he somehow managed to dupe her into thinking him a better person than he was? Or was Sky just really like all of us, someone who would do whatever it took to see that she got home? Did she pretend her sweetness in order to get farther?
It was the more likely option, but whenever I saw Sky something about the idea rang hollow.
So I put it from my mind, it did not matter how, or why Sky would associate with the brute. What mattered was getting through the Hunger Games, Peeta and me, and going home together.
That was all I wanted.
And then I see them together.
It doesn't make sense when I see Cato fall from the Cornucopia, my arrow punching into him and Peeta's shove sending him tumbling down. It doesn't make sense because Sky doesn't stay, she doesn't fight, doesn't even look at me or at Peeta. She just sees Cato fall, and her face crumples with genuine horror, terror, fear, loss, heartbreak…
That's when I realise that Sky loves Cato.
Everything unfolds quickly after that, the end of the Games, Sky screaming as she huddles over the still body of her partner, the wolves toying with both of them, yet another sick game from the Gamemakers. Like children who rip the wings off flies. But they will die…and even though Peeta shouts at me to put them out of their misery I know that they will die. And who knows what the Game Makers will do then.
I need my arrows.
My safety and Peeta's has to come first.
It's not until I see them together that I understand.
I knew about Sky, open hearted, foolish, naïve little Sky. But Cato? How could a monster love?
But I have a front row seat as the discs raise to the stage for the recap, I am there, with a perfect view as Cato strides over to the girl from 4. He looks neither left and right, his eyes find her instantly, blinking and unsure on her own disc, and he walks, swiftly to her.
I see his face, and it shakes me to my core.
I thought I knew Cato, knew his breed of monster. Career Tribute. Killer. Arrogant. Murderer. Unfeeling. Cold. Heartless.
His mouth finds her in a passionate kiss and I see Peeta's mouth fall open out of the corner of my eye. The crowd is cheering, and it's clear that we are the only two people here who were unaware of what exactly the alliance was between the boy from 2 and the girl from 4.
That's when I realise Cato loves Sky.
It's there on his face as he watches her, the hands that run over her, checking for any hurt. Gentle hands, hands that I had seen snap necks and wield his damn sword, but now which cradle the small woman to him. Briefly I wonder if it's a sham, a construct like Peeta's warm hand in mine. But there is something there, in the way she leans into him, seemingly unaware of even doing it, the way he stands, turned towards her, always supporting, protecting. There is something there in the way they always touch, but are almost oblivious to even doing it. There is something there...because Cato's eyes, eyes I thought cold and empty...are soft when they watch her.
In that moment I wonder if am wrong, if there is more to Cato than the monster from 2. But as they move over to us, Sky hugging Peeta close to more cheers I realise it doesn't matter.
The Game is over. And whether or not Cato loves Sky or no...
It makes no difference to me in the end.
Peeta and I are going home.
NEXT TIME: Open to Requests at the tumblr!
brunetteAnnabeth: It always amazes me how so many people grew to love Darrien and also Darvel. He's been gone for so much of the story and yet everyone seems to really love hearing about him and Marvel still. It's nice, and awesome for me because obviously I adore them too. My babies... *croons over them*