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▎ RUINS ▎
»»————-　act two. fan the flames
TWENTY SEVEN ━━ the face of war

what matters most is how
well we walk through the fire

— charles bukowski

     ERIN GRIMACED AS AS SHE WATCHED KATNISS deliver the same scripted line again, raising a stick in the air that was supposed to be a flag while in reality they were just in a room filled with technolagy to male everything seem real, well everything but Katniss speech.

     Erin bit her lip as Katniss voice cracked and she let out a sigh of defeat as she rested her head against the cold metal war she was sotting against.

     She sighed as she glanced at Effie, who tried to give Katniss an assuring smile, but she too couldn't help but grimaced at her bad acting skills that didn't really make the clip anymore realistic.

     It sounded like she was reading this from a piece of paper.

     The brunette watched as Katniss faltered again, dropping her arm to her side with an loud groan as her eyes showed annoyance and a small glimmer of defeat.

     "And that's how a revolution dies." The sound of Haymitch's voice followed by clapping gained eveyone's attention as the man came forwad from the shadows. "Hello, Katniss," Haymitch solemnly greeted the girl.

     Katniss only stared at him in disbelief, like her eyes were deceiving her.

      "Is this how you greet an old friend?" The man attempted to light to mood with a joke.

      "Maybe I don't recognize you sober," Katniss countered as her eyes drifted towards Erin who was sitting on the ground, trying not to push her body limits to far.

     Katniss left the platform she was standing on and approached her former mentor.

     Haymitch sighed. "I guess it looks as bad as it feels." 

       They all returned to the command room where Katniss' propaganda video was replayed, this time with the special effects and Erin knitted her eyebrows together as she watched it with distate.

       It lookee pretty bad was the only thing coming to mind.

     Eventually after a few awkward moments of silence, Haymitch spoke up.  "Uh, Madam President, indulge me for a moment, if you would." He made his way towards the screen where the horrid video had been playing only seconds ago.

     "Let's everybody think of one incident where Katniss Everdeen genuinely moved you. Not- not where you were jealous of her hairstyle or when her dress went up in flames or she made a halfway decent shot with an arrow, and not where Peeta made you like her." He paused for a second looking at everyone sitting at the table " No, I'd like you all to think of one moment where they made you feel something real." 

     "Oh," Effie raised her hand. "When Katniss volunteered for her sister at the Reaping." She gave the raven haired girl a warm smile.

     "Excellent example, okay." He cleared the screen and cleared his throat awkwardly, "I hope that wasn't important." He then wrote, "'Volunteer for sister'. Good, what else?" 

     "Oh, when Katniss sang that song for little Rue." Effie spoke eagerly with a sad undertone as she said Rue's name. 

     "Oh, yeah. Who didn't get choked up at that?" Haymitch added it on the board.

     Haymitched turned back around and looked back at Effie, staring at the Capitol woman. "You know, I like you better, Effie, without all that makeup." 

     Erin glanced at Katniss with raised eyebrows  while Effie replied, "Well, I like you better sober." 

     "Now, what do all of these have in common?" Haymitch asked. 

   "No one told them what to do." Gale answered. 

     "Unscripted, yes."

      "So maybe we should just leave her alone if you want better results." Erin suggested a bitter tone in her voice as she glanced at Coin with distaste.

     She hadn't known the district thirteen leader for long as most of her time was spend recovering from multiple almost death scenarios and even one death scenario but something about the woman made her gut stir, like she shouldn't be trusted at any cost.  

     "And wash that one's face. She's still a girl, you made her look thirty-five." Boggs motioned to Katniss after a moment of silence.

     "The opportunities for spontaneity are obviously lacking below ground. So what you're suggesting is we toss her into combat?" Plutarch asked with a raised eyebrow as he looked at the others doubtfully not very convinced by the idea. 

     Coin shook her head quickly waving the idea off. "I can't sanction putting untrained civilians in battle just for effect. This is not the Capitol."  She stated in a montone voice, not really bothered by what everyone was saying.

     "That is exactly what I'm suggesting. Put her in the field." Haymitch countered quickly, staring President Coin down.

     "No," Coin denied stubbornly, refusing to give in. "We can't protect her." 

     "It has to come from her. That's what people respond to. You want a symbol for the revolution, she cannot be coached into it. Trust me, I know." He stated seriously, trying to convince the woman, his eyes narrowed as he focused on the woman.

     "Maybe there's someplace that's less dangerous." 

     "District 8. They reported heavy bombing last week. There are no military targets left." Beetee spoke up, looking between Katniss and President Coin.

     Coin frowned, glancing at Katniss. "We can't guarantee her safety." She told them.

     "You'll never be able to guarantee my safety," Katniss finally cut in as she stepped forward a look of determination flashing through her eyes.

     "If you want Katniss to be a good Mockinjay you need to let her do it her way." Erin agreed, finally speaking up after a moment of silence, her eyes unwavering from Coin's heated gaze on her.

       "And if you're killed?" Coin asked. 

     Katniss smirked at the president of district thirteen, "Make sure you get it on camera."

     Erin grinned as she stood up to follow after Katniss, but before she left the room she locked her eyes with Coin. "That will make good propaganda."

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