shining half truths // kaplan

Toni glanced up, somewhat startled, at the young blonde man standing in front of her. At first she thought that maybe he'd mistaken her for someone else, but when he didn't stammer an apology and leave, her lips twitched up into a smile.

"Of course not." She gestured to the empty seat in front of her, gaze sweeping over him quickly while he took a seat. She would never hear the end of it if the boy in front of her turned out to be some Hammerfell spy. Even if Gunnar, by some miracle, didn't turn her out on the spot, Xenos would tease her about it for weeks. He seemed fairly harmless, though, and she at least let her hand fall away from where her knives were sheathed and strapped to her waist under her loose shirt.

For a moment it felt a bit like sitting with Mae, and she was tempted to try and fall into the same kind of comfortable silence that she was used to with the Healer. Especially during the winter months, they liked to just sit and watch the snow fall.

"What kind of tea did you get?" She offered, gesturing to his mug. Her smile widened a bit when she realized she'd betrayed her own mixed priorities, and she added, "And what's your name? I don't think we've met."

"Siberite Obsidian," she repeated thoughtfully, sipping her tea. The name had an echo of familiarity to it. A tribute, probably. These days it felt like almost everyone had lost a loved one to the Capitol in some way or another. Entire families were being wiped out. Of course, some were helped along more than others.

Toni dropped her gaze to her tea.

"It's green," she said, warming her fingers on the smooth ceramic shell. Outside the snow was beginning to fall harder. No doubt Gunnar would soon be sending Xenos or Mae or some other poor Crow to find her. "I need the energy. I, ah..." Blood between her fingers, thick and hot. Someone screaming, someone crying. A threat. A promise. A string of words, whispered in the dark, that would be the beginning of someone's undoing. "I work late nights, sometimes. My name's Toni."

She considered offering a hand to shake but decided against it, instead glancing up and raising an eyebrow. She'd never felt awkward around strangers, but she was always suspicious of ulterior motives. "Not to ruin our lovely chat, but... why exactly are you here?"