Moonlight & Shadows // [Katelyn/Killian]

“You can stand, you know.”

And like that he came to his feet, finding a balance between his hips. Without meaning to he stood as he'd been taught outside the bounds of Eleven: straight back, shoulders squared, hands clasped below his belly button. He stood as a soldier before a commanding officer which, had he realized it, would not have been far from the truth. When he realized how rigid his stance had become, he relaxed by centimeters. First he unfurrowed his brow, then smoothed his shoulders and finally lowered his chin so that he was not quite saluting Katelyn. It was hard enough, at this full height, to see much but the top of her head. He'd much rather have the weather of her eyes to measure.

He'd surprised her, and still she recovered quickly. He smiled at the suggestion that it would not be ordinary. "I'm not sure I know the meaning of the word, Miss Persimmon." His life - whether directed by his parents of that commanding officer or by himself - had always been qualified by extra. He'd often thought that was why he'd never been able to settle into one home in Eleven. He simply didn't know how to live a life without a threat looming.

Now was not the time to learn how to sit home and watch the world pass him by. Now was the time to learn how to follow.

“Let’s say I believe you. Explain why my name and how you intend to do this, and if I like what I hear, I’ll consider it.”

He nodded along, relief palpable in his slowed heart rate. This question he'd been prepared for. "Your name is legitimacy and honor all in one. I cannot build this orphanage myself without arousing suspicion, but you could. I've seen it done, in the way Victor Emberstatt bestows his fortune in Ten. It would be no different - and yet entirely different - here. I can lay out the structural plans for you in detail. I've an architect who is sympathetic to our cause and I would serve as your general contractor. We'd build the orphanage at the edge of the Sachdeva orchard," he paused here for effect. Unlike many of his contacts, he had not been in the confidence of the Sachdevas long, but they were key to this plan. His smile turned a little grim. He knew what he asked of them, the risks they took in being associated with this orphanage. And yet he pressed on. "The orphanage will house any children willing to sleep under its roof. There must be some volunteer teenagers who will be in residence full time. And the rest..."

Here he paused, but no longer than he had when considering the Sachdevas' sacrifice: because now he prepared to sacrifice himself. His gaze had wandered to the walls, as though he could see the plans for building there already. Now, his gaze snapped back to Katelyn's. "I mentioned my resume, filled with transgressions. I'm a smuggler of sorts, Katelyn. In my time I've helped nearly one hundred children escape over the border of Eleven into the wilderness during the summers, saving them the agony of the Reaping. I don't know for sure that I've saved anyone from the arena, as you have, but I like to think I have. This orphanage would allow me to help more children make new lives for themselves, regardless of the weather. We would at the very least offer the homeless shelter and food. If possible, we might also offer them passage... elsewhere."

The blade of the knife no longer glinted and he no longer had anywhere to run. He'd finally admitted his work for the last decade and he felt a little thrill of pride, alongside the bite of fear. He shook it off, visibly, and came to rest with his hands twisting over the back of a kitchen chair. "I simply don't know how to stand by and watch the culling of our teenagers, Katelyn. I think the orphanage could help, given time to flourish. What do you think?"