Bow was at the academy to focus on studies that dealt with diseases that could be transmitted from animals to humans and vice-versa. In order to understand that better, he needed to know more about the human body. He found Rose's clinic fascinating because he knew he saw many of the plants she focused on around his own district. He also wanted to study how the herbal remedies might be applied to animals. He was able to show her how tobacco leaves could be used to treat eye infections in goats and even used in deworming cattle.
She seemed impressed with his knowledge of the use of different natural remedies in his own district and in the early weeks of her clinics they worked together to figure out what chemicals in each herb was effective and if those chemicals would be useful in treating human ailments. He found that when Rose wasn't endlessly prattling away about her endless Hunger Games fetish she was very bright and knowledgeable. That was the Rose he liked even if she could be rude when the rest of them were just trying to have some fun or a laugh.
What confused Bow about Rose is that she seemed so flighty when they were outside of class. All she talked about were the Games and the tributes of the 74th and the Quell. She knew Katniss even though she was much younger, and she never let anyone forget it. And the other thing that really bothered him was that tattoo? Maybe being from 12 helped her feel a special kinship to the Mockingjay, but it just seemed a bit too frivolous to him. There were many people from the outlying districts that wanted to enjoy the luxuries that the Capital had to offer, and District 2 had more of them even before the rebellion. Tattooing was a specialty of the Capital and easily found in 2.
Maybe she got the tattoo when she went shopping for all those clothes she seemed to own. She was way into fashion and what was trendy…when she was outside of school. But, what did he care? It gave him easy fodder to feed people his jokes. Ashley was just straight shallow and annoying, but he found most girls to be that way. Rose only drew his interest because she seemed to have the ability to force all frivolity from her mind when it counted and that made him able to forgive her for it.
The day after Jovis drank the sleep syrup actually went rather smoothly. The team got quite a bit accomplished when Rose didn't have to put off his constant advances. Bow tried to get him to knock it off, but he was just too stupid to listen. Ashley and Jovis were open books: selfish and silly and they fumbled their way into the Healer's academy because they were good at one thing in their district. Twinge was the dark horse, literally. He wanted to get to know Twinge. He was quiet and beautiful…and a complete mystery. How was he going to get that man to laugh was Bow's biggest challenge.
Twinge was actually happy with the way class was going today. Bow was being serious for once, Ashley wasn't flirting with Jovis and Jovis just wasn't there. During class, a familiar face entered the classroom and as soon as Rose introduced him as Gale Hawthorne he remembered why. He was the Mockingjay's cousin and from 12. He remembered him from the interviews they did on the tributes' family and friends. He watched the interviews closely that year to see if other family members were asked different questions than he was asked. Twinge waited for an explanation for his presence in their clinic. Rose welcomed him in, asked him to sit so they could finish up, then she would explain to the rest of the group what some exciting news.
When the clinic began, he listened to Rose and Bow discuss the different uses for plants in their districts and then Twinge went back to his room and read anything he could on cross pollination. They used it in 11 to make crops immune to different pests or to enhance their flavors or even make them more durable so they could be planted twice a season and survive when the weather gets colder. Today he mentioned to the group, minus Jovis, his idea of genetically engineering different herbs to make them more potent or cross pollenating two different herbs to combine their properties. Both Bow and Rose looked impressed.
Twinge irritated Ashley. That fact that he never said more than two words together and then he came out with an idea that is so preposterous she didn't even understand half of what he said. She wondered why Rose could even take him seriously. Ashley supposed that Twinge was always reading because he couldn't do anything. He just watched. Ashley also found his dark skin very unnerving because it made the whites of his eyes look so stark against the ebony and coffee tones of his pupils and irises. She wondered what he was thinking once and then decided she didn't care. Now that he voiced his thoughts she cared even less.
Ashley didn't care about all this stuff. All her district really needed her to learn was trauma training. Why she had to sit through all this stuff she wasn't quite sure. She knew she was the person designated to demonstrate different techniques of splinting bone breaks in less than ideal situations, but that rotation wasn't for another eight months. She couldn't go home unless she scored well, so she studied and learned, but she hated it. She couldn't wait for Jovis to get back. Then, at least, she'd have someone nice to look at. He hadn't asked her out yet, but he liked to rub on her in suggestive ways when no one was looking. She had hope.
When Gale Hawthorne walked in she was intrigued because he was a looker! She didn't know what district he was originally from, but she guessed it wasn't 2. While he was wearing a suit, it still had the uniform look of the new regime and his mannerisms and accent did not say District 2. When they finally finished up their discussion, Rose smiled back at him and Ashley could see that she liked him. Ashley never understood what men saw in her and she figured it must be her boobs. All healers in the academy had a basic uniform of slacks and plain shirts, Rose's fit a little better than most and her after-work wear always accentuated her rack and Ashley figured she just liked the attention.
"Everyone, this is Gale Hawthorne." Prim said as she motioned to Gale to come to the front of the lab, "He is here to listen and to make arrangements to meet with our clinicals for the rest of the herbal remedies portion."
Gale stepped forward and explained his position in the new regime and his goals for implementing new technologies in the different districts. He also explained that their clinical group may be chosen to help develop and implement their plans in District 12 which would bring economic diversity to the district as well as allow more movement from district to district as need permits.
"From what I've heard so far," Gale finished, "you have some great ideas and I'm going to have to get some of you into see our Chief of Technological Advancements to see if they are possible."
Prim smiled and began the introductions as Gale shook each of their hands. Of course he already knew them from Prim's description the night before and his original impressions were solidified.
"There is another member of our team, Jovis from District 1, but we had a little accident in the lab yesterday and he probably won't be with us until the day after tomorrow." Prim explained with a little smirk that only Gail understood.
"What do we call you?" Ashley batted her eyes at Gale hoping that he could see passed Rose's one charm and some of hers.
"Gale will be fine. Obviously you are pretty informal here already and I don't want to change the atmosphere that already successfully exists." Gale said in a very formal tone, but with no hint of a smile. He did not want to even plant a seed of hope in Ashley's brain. Ashley's smile dropped and again she was left wondering why Rose was so well liked.
"Gale and I know each other from District 12." Prim said as if reading Ashley's mind. "He saved my family and I as well as most of those that weren't killed by the initial firebombs that the capital sent when the Mockingjay blew up the arena. He is also her cousin and has yet to divulge much coveted information that I seek." Prim batted her eyes as if she were copying Ashley.
Gale's brow furrowed and then his eyes were drawn to Prim's fingers that were pulling at the V-neck of her top revealing the rose on her throat. Again, Gale knew she was communicating to him to treat her as Rose. He adopted the same demeanor he did with Ashley, knowing that Prim wanted Gale to shut her down, too.
"I would have done that for anyone in 12, Rose, and you know I tried." His voice was formal and his eyes and mouth devoid of any smile. "And as Katniss is one of my dearest friends and fiercely private, I will not divulge any information that I feel is inappropriate for non-family members to have no matter what may be offered as compensation." Everyone in the room understood the implication.
"Finally." Ashley muttered under her breath as Bow and Twinge looked at Gale with astonishment. He must have to ward off a lot of advances from grateful girls whose lives he saved.
Gale turned to address the entire group again, "I'm sure you noticed that Rose has quite a bit of knowledge concerning the more…publicized aspects of District 12 and that has made her quite the expert on many things-herbal remedies being the important one. We are trying to negotiate a trip to 12 to identify and gather samples to bring them back here to 2 to investigate and implement plans. Your clinical group will be a part of that and then you will be able to take that knowledge back to your respective districts. This will be a wonderful opportunity for everyone."
"So we will be able to travel to District 12 and help?" Twinge asked as clarification. Gale saw something in his eyes that he liked. At that moment it looked like hope. "Will there be any cooperation from the people already living in 12, or are we going in blind? I can try to do some research if the latter is the case." Twinge offered.
Gale considered him. "We are working on obtaining some cooperation from a few healers in 12." Gale stated. "But if you know what plants we need and what they look like, I can help you find it as I have a very good knowledge of the woods there."
Twinge seemed satisfied. He turned and looked at Prim and asked, "Can you make me a list of plants found in 12 so I can research them?"
"Sure, we've covered many of them already. But I'll make a list of those we still need to discuss." Prim promised. "I'll get that list to everyone in case anyone else feels so inclined."
Ashley scoffed, but tried to turn it in to a cough when she saw Gale turn his icy gaze to her. She didn't want or need any more work to do, but she didn't want Gale to think she wasn't a team player.
Bow had never seen Twinge say so much at one time before. "I'll take one of those lists. Twinge, do you want some help researching?" Bow asked, hopefully.
"Are you going to work or make a joke of everything?" Twinge asked. Prim really enjoyed the deep base of his voice.
"Work, of course. I figured you can teach me more effective ways to research since you seem to be so good at it." Bow tried to placate him. He supposed he should change his approach.
Prim was already at her lab table looking for her notebook. She caught Gale's eye as she moved around the table and hopped up to sit on the table top to begin her list. Gale's lip twitched at the memory of the last time they were in a lab. He rolled his eyes and turned his focus to Twinge to ask him a question about cross pollination. Prim smiled inwardly because she knew he understood her gesture and shifted a little when that familiar ache awakened in her gut and spread downward.
With the lists made she crossed the lab to pass them to each of her team mates. She turned to Gale and didn't realize how close he was standing to her. She grinned up at him, but she was met with stony gray eyes. "Should I stop by and set the schedule?" Prim inquired again trying to bat her eyelashes.
Gale took an obvious and deliberate step back. "No. You can go through Virginia. She'll be waiting for you this evening and you know how to contact her, you've done it many times before." Prim marveled at how good he was at this. Gale looked at the group again. "If you all will excuse me, I have a meeting to attend. I'll be seeing you soon and I look forward to meeting Jovis." Gale turned, retrieved his satchel, and briskly left the lab.
"Well." Ashley chirped happily at what she considered a lovely turn of events. "I'll go check on Jovis if we're finished here." She began packing up her things. Bow and Twinge were making arrangements to meet after their scheduled evening study sessions to look up the plants they haven't yet studied.
Prim looked at Ashley and gave her a once over in way that Ashley noticed. "Tell you what." Prim said, "I'm going to do you a favor." Ashley was uncomfortable with Rose's gaze.
"I'll give you this list to take to Jovis, but you have to come with me first. I'm going to help you with him." Prim said.
"What makes you think I want him or that I need your help?" Ashley asked, incredulous.
Prim just glared back at her saying nothing because she didn't feel like the question even deserved an answer.
"What, then?" Ashley asked. "Where do you want me to go?"
Prim grinned. "Meet me here after your scheduled study time." She handed Ashley her list with an address on the top.
When Ashley arrived at the shop she looked up at the sign that said "Tributes Trio" and rolled her eyes at the Katniss reference, but she was intrigued. She walked in and the bell tinkled in the back. She saw Rose sitting in a chair with three very eccentric looking people who were obviously former Capitalites sitting in chairs and chatting in a friendly way with her.
"Ahh, here she is. Ashley, this is Venia, Flavious, and Octavia. They were Katniss Everdeen's prep team and I have hired them to prep you." She announced. Prim turned to the trio and said, "Our Ashley here is from District 7 and wants to catch the attention of a very handsome brute from District 1. Can you help her make some subtle but…important changes?" The Trio was already assessing her and talking to each other about the job that lay before them. "Fit her with lab clothes and a couple casual evening ensembles and one formal and do all the 'prep work' that a District 1 man would require of a groomed woman." Prim said contemplatively.
Ashley was skeptical. "Why are you doing this?" It didn't really matter why she was doing this because Ashley wasn't going to turn down free clothes and a make over. At least now she knows how Rose looks like she fits in even though she's from 12.
Prim smiled widely. "You know how I feel about Jovis' affections and I grow weary of his constant…attention. He only wants me for two reasons: A) I show little interest and B) I remind him women from District 1. I can help you look like a woman from District 1, but being aloof is up to you. Learn to play hard-to-get a little bit after we get you polished. And besides, I have my own thorn bush to woo and I feel the same way about competition that you do." Prim sighed. "If we team up and focus, maybe we can both get what we want."
Ashley shrugged because she respected Rose's motivation. If you can't beat them, join them seemed to be her motto.
The prep team hooted in agreement behind Prim. "And you may not think it's such a favor after they're done waxing you." Prim winked. "Let them do what they want and don't argue!" Prim said. "It may be a little painful, but you'll thank me…or them…in the end."
Jovis tried pry open his eyes. They felt so heavy. He tried to move his arms and legs and that too, took too much effort. At least he could think. He tried to remember what happened to put him in this predicament. Oh, the vile. He drank the vile of sleep syrup. He really did not think that the clear liquid could be so powerful. And it tasted so sweet. That was the last thing he remembered. Well, I guess I should put more time and effort into learning about those plants that Rose is so passionate about. He thought about the other ways he would like to make her passionate and realized that other parts of his body were awake. He wouldn't even care if she wasn't so hot. Why doesn't she like me? Maybe Bow is right. He decided that as soon as he could move and open his eyes, he was going to actually read the book and materials.
It took him a while but he finally managed to open his eyes and sit up. He was starving. He looked over on his desk and saw a sandwich and some juice. That wasn't nearly enough to fill him, but at least someone to thought of him-though it was probably Ashley. Why didn't she leave enough to even put a dent in his hunger? He went to the gym for an easy work out just to get his blood flowing again and then stopped for a good sized dinner. When he got back to his room he found a list of plants the team hadn't covered in the book yet as well as a memo detailing what had happened in his classes, assigned study sessions, as well as clinicals since he fallen asleep. The last note on clinicals had detailed notes from the meeting with Gale Hawthorne explaining the meeting and what can and should be expected in the future. Jovis got bored just reading the notes and he didn't want to read anymore.
Since the accident report excused him from all duties until the day after next he went out to find a way to expend some…pent up energy. He knew he could pay a visit to Ashley, but did he want to brave that forest? He decided that need and convenience outweighed any other consideration, but Ashley wasn't in her room. That was odd. He headed out of the hospital to find and alternative and a place to spend his parents money.
Virginia was in the lobby of Gale's building and Prim blushed when she saw her. Virginia just smiled and said, "I've left a copy of the schedule on the kitchen table and messaged it to the department secretary to put it on the master calendar."
"Thank you, Virginia. Is Gale here?" Prim asked just a little confused.
"Yes. He's waiting for you, I think." Virginia smirked. "I've been sent home for the evening. Have fun...but not too much." Virginia warned as she exited the building.
A swarm of butterflies danced in Prim's belly and her feet moved her towards the elevator. When she reached his front door, she didn't knock. The front door was unlocked so she entered quietly and locked it behind her. To play the role of make-over Rose with Ashley she changed into one of own new ensembles. She didn't go out much, so there wasn't much cause to wear them so she took tonight as an opportunity. She chose a green and blue patterned skirt that was the shortest she had ever worn in her life, though not as short as the boxers she had worn here not too long ago. Her matching solid green top did not expose any skin, except to show off her tattoo, but it hugged in all the right places showing her curves and bringing out the blue of her eyes. She also left her hair down, to save Gale the trouble of doing it later.
She left her shoes in the foyer as Gale did the night before and went into the kitchen. She found Virginia's schedule, but no Gale. She picked up a bunch of grapes from the center fruit bowl and went on a hunt popping grapes in her mouth as she quietly made her way through the apartment. She heard some music coming out of the room that was hers while she was there recovering. The bed was gone and a wide variety of exercise equipment lined the walls. Gale sat in the middle of the floor with his shirtless back to the door stretching his legs. She hadn't seen Gale this naked since the day he received the lashes that left the terrible scars that marked his back. She had helped her mother clean and mend them and before she knew what she was doing she crept across the room and knelt down behind him.
"You can't sneak up on a hunter." Gale said as he sat up. She could hear the smile in his voice.
Prim placed one palm flat on his back as the other hand traced the puffed and hardened evidence of Gale's sacrifice for her family. "I wasn't sneaking." She whispered as her lips met one of the many places healed but hardened by cruelty's hand. She didn't know what she hoped to accomplish with that gesture, she just felt the need to do it. She stood up and Gale spun around on the floor to look at her. She could see both surprise and pleasure in his eyes.
"You look…er…nice." He almost leered at her.
"Do I?" Prim asked, levity in her tone. "You seemed rather indifferent to me earlier today in the lab; irritated even." She spun around quickly enough to make her skirt flare and give Gale, who was still seated on the floor, a better view of her legs. Gale needed to write the Trio and thank them for a job well done. She moved and seated herself in the leather arm chair in the corner crossing her legs demurely.
Gale stood and it was Prim's turn to admire the gifts that nature had bestowed upon her long-time family friend. His work out shorts slung low on his hips were the only article of clothing he wore and Prim could see his muscles move under his olive colored skin. It took her breath away as he followed her and knelt down in front of her chair.
"We didn't want Ashley to get too jealous, did we?" He said in a low tone. He placed his hand on her knee that sent electric shocks up her thighs and settled when they met in the middle. He glistened with perspiration from whatever exercise he'd just finished and Prim had to resist the urge to reach forward to touch his well-shaped chest.
"Jealous of what? A friendly relationship like the one you have with Delly Cartwright?" Prim teased trying to show mocking pain in her eyes. She stuck her bottom lip out in a pout. Gale's hand pulled at the leg that was crossed over the other so they came apart. He placed a hand on each thigh and ran them up the tops of them but under the material of the skirt while he maneuvered his body between them.
"Do I seem indifferent now?" He asked as he leaned forward to kiss the pouting lip. Prim's hands went to his hips that were flush with the edge of the chair. Prim returned his soft kiss with much more fervor as his hands inched their way to closer to the heat throbbed at their apex. Gale relished the feel of her skin which felt like satin under his palms.
She almost panted as the hot skin of his hands moved to the outside of her thighs and under her rear and he pulled her closer to him. "Nope. Definitely not indifferent? Why were we talking about Delly?" She asked.
"I don't know." Gale responded, but it was the last intelligible thing either of them said for quite a while.
A/N: So tell me if this chapter was confusing with using Rose and Prim interchangeably. I try to call her Prim when I'm just talking about her or if Gale is thinking about her, but Rose when people are talking about her or to her…or those who only know her as Rose think about her.
I was also trying to develop my new characters a little bit more. What impressions do you have of each of them now? Was my hint about Twinge too subtle or did you catch it?
As always, thanks for reading and please leave a review! :D