[Ten Forward:] Guinan at the bar | OTA

[she_listens]

There are more people on the Enterprise tonight.

How and when Q chooses to bring them aboard still remains something of a mystery. Sometimes there is only one new face out in the crowd, and sometimes there are dozens. Guinan takes note of them all, from behind the bar, waiting tables, offering words of comfort and explanation.

And, most importantly, she listens.

They all have their own stories, their own fears, discomforts, and needs. In a strange new place, sometimes the best form of solace is a friendly listening ear and something warm to drink.


[ooc: feel free to walk up to Guinan at the bar or handwave that she passes by your table! For new folks, Guinan is the head bartender here, and happy to answer questions if you've got 'em. ^__^]

Comments

Replying from iPad, appologies for brevity/errors

[primeverdeen]

She sat in the chair beside her sister, settling Buttercup in her lap one handed, then whistling for Lady, who had been staying close anyway. "I've been so worried about you," she whispered. "We all were. When you came out, and the cameras focused on your face...." She swallowed hard and squeezed her sister's hand. "I'm so glad you're not there. You're alive. We didn't get to say goodbye before the games and..." Tears started rolling down her face.

Buttercup glared at Katniss, as of guessing that she hd hurt his Prim. How dare she. Then he started licking the bottom of Prim's chin gingerly, trying to fox the mess the foolish human made of HIS human.

Absently Prim pet him with her free hand, drawing out his rusty engine purr.

[stillplaying]

Like always, Katniss ignores Buttercup. She doesn't have time for the cat. Not that she ever really does. Prim's more important. Prim's always been the most important person in Katniss' life. And she's far, far more concern with ensuring her sister's safety and well-being than anyone else in this bar. Or on this entire ship.

"I remember," she says softly, gently stroking away Prim's tears with her thumb. "We didn't get to say goodbye before the games, but that wasn't goodbye. I got to see you again. In District 13. I know it hasn't happened yet, but it will. I wouldn't lie to you, little duck."

[primeverdeen]

She nodded, then hesitated and asked her softly. "Will it?"

Her brow puckered as she thought. "You remember things I don't, things that never happened yet for me. But... in your memory, I didn't vanish to come here, right?" she asked. "If we never go back... then those things wont happen..."

She stroked the cat as she thought. "If... if we could find a way to bring mom and Gale and everyone else here... can't we just... stay?" she asked plaintively.

[stillplaying]

There had been the explanation the red-headed woman had given, equating realities to songs. She still didn't entirely grasp the concept but she thinks for a moment that it might be something like this. Prim had been there in District 13 with Katniss and their mother. Even the damned cat had managed to make it.

But Prim's here now and if they never go back... She hadn't really thought about it that much. She never considered it a possibility. Games don't last forever. Or, at least, you don't remain in the arena forever. She doesn't know what might happen if Prim doesn't return to Panem. She doesn't know if it's even possible.

Maybe it's worth her cooperation, though. Going along with the game to protect her sister. It's something to look into.

She smooths Prim's hair and nods. "Maybe."

[primeverdeen]

She leaned against her sister. She would do whatever Katniss wanted, of course. Still, if there were a chance that they could all stay somewhere far far away from the capitol. And could you get further than...


"Are we really in Space?" she asked softly.

[stillplaying]

"That's what they claim," she answers. She can't help but look towards the window as she speaks, the one showing the darkness outside. She should have worked harder on getting more information about this place. Knowing how this hover ship kept them alive in a place she never thought possible. Or learning more about how people arrived here. That different reality thing.

There's a lot to learn. A lot she will work on learning. For Prim's sake.

"I think it's something like a hover ship. A really big one."

Posting from iPad, please excuse brevity/errors

[primeverdeen]

Prim thought about that for a moment. Hoverships have to land sometime... Don't they?" She asked softly. "Where will we be when it does?" The capitol? One of the districts? Somewhere worse?

[stillplaying]

"I don't know," she admits with a frown. It's one thing to admit it to herself but it feels like something else entirely to have to admit it to Prim. Even though she's only been here for a handful of days longer than Prim, she wants to be able to say more. To explain more. "But I don't think it's Panem."

That much, she feels confident in. No one seems to recognize the name of their nation. No one seems to recognize her. However vain it might be to say, it's true. She's the the girl on fire and the Mockingjay. Her face had been everywhere. Been the Games and the Victory Tour and the propos...

It's almost strange, suddenly having her anonymity again.

[primeverdeen]

"Well... anywhere has to be better, right?" she asked softly.

[stillplaying]

Prim has a point. She has a very, very good point. Here, suddenly, she has her sister again. Katniss has a chance to make up for everything she's ever done wrong by her sister. First, make certain that somehow, Prim gets to live that long life she deserves. It might be impossible (especially given how she really is still trying to figure things out here) but she's going to try.

Katniss hugs her sister close and closes her eyes, making a silent vow not to let anyone harm her sister again. "We're together. You're right. It has to be better."

[primeverdeen]

She hugged her sister back. "You'll see, Katniss. We'll find a way to bring everyone else here, to learn about this place, and to make friends... We can have a better life pretty much anywhere."

She pulled back enough to look her sister in the face. "So long as we are together."