PACKAGE/CALL | TO/FROM FINNICK ODAIR

[socialgraces]

WHO || Francesca and Finnick Odair [Open or Closed?]
WHAT || Finnick gets a package in the mail.
WHERE || Knights HQ -> New Orleans, LA, USA
WHEN || May 8
HOW || Actionspam

[A plain looking FedEx box arrives at the hotel for Finnick and inside is a more colorful and decorated box, tied with a ribbon. When he opens the package he finds a copious display of a variety of cookies and a note reading:] I had an over-abundance of sweets and knew just who to share them with. Hope these find your well and successful on your first mission. Keep in touch. ~ Francesca

Comments

[socialgraces]

Why? [She pauses, studying him for a couple moments.] What's your game? [She doesn't seem so much suspicious as curious, squinting at him.]

[65]

Why not? I collect secrets. Believe in them. They're my currency. There's a lot of power in them, you know. So much more than there is in common things like money.

[socialgraces]

Are you banking on trust or blackmail? [She scoffs at her own statement, mumbling:] As if there's really a difference.

[65]

With you? Trust. I like you, Francesca. [he's being honest, okay 8( ]

[socialgraces]

[Oh, that puppy dog face 8( ] Trust it is then. I prefer that way. Loyalty's my strong suit.

And I'm sorry if I was... over-cautious.

[65]

You asked me a personal question. I didn't want to give a personal answer unless you were willing to do the same.

I appreciate loyalty.

[socialgraces]

So, something secret. That I've never spoken to anyone else. I'm afraid I don't have very many secrets. Our lives aren't necessarily as exciting as they seem.

But if there's something specific you'd like to know, I can answer. Otherwise, I'll try to think of something.

[65]

Well, [he stops to munch on a cookie] I do also deal in gossip.

[socialgraces]

[She contemplates her options for a minute, trying to decide where to start.] I suppose this is a secret, and some gossip, all in one. Have you heard anything about the recent debacle in Slovechnia?

[65]

Slovechnia sounds familiar, but ... [shrug]

[socialgraces]

It's a country in Eastern Europe that was big on Shadowkind slave trade. Several of us had been stationed there to attempt to persuade the government to free said Shadowkind and to help those persecuted however we could.

[65]

[teasingly:] Is this the secret?

[socialgraces]

It requires a little bit of build-up to be useful information. It wouldn't mean much if you didn't know where it was coming from, right? [Her tone is teasing as well as she rolls her eyes.]

Anyway, while we were there, something terrible happened. The entire economy of the country suddenly collapsed, out of nowhere. Needless to say, while it wasn't the Knights intention, it was partly their doing. Or at least, certain members.

[65]

[He raises his eyebrows.] Oh?

[socialgraces]

Most people don't have any idea what happened, including the majority of the Knights. And I don't know exactly who it was but... there are ways of finding out.

[65]

What kinds of ways?

[socialgraces]

Sometimes Knights are suddenly transferred, usually following something like this. They move to some other location and we don't hear from them for ... a while.

But that's usually the trail to follow -- the person who's mysteriously come up missing.

[65]

You found some kind of trail?

[socialgraces]

I haven't looked yet. If it's worth something to you, I can. Most Knights haven't been around long enough to see a catastrophe of this magnitude. But I've been here for quite a few decades now, and I've noticed the pattern. This was someone's fault and they've... probably been taught a lesson.

Don't worry, though, I don't think Wynn kills anyone.

[65]

That's all right. [he shrugs.] it's something good to know, although not that original. Bad things happen, the people responsible go missing ...

[then, on a more serious note] I don't imagine it would be Wynn, even if that was what was happening. Leaders tend to avoid getting blood on their own hands.

[socialgraces]

You're right, about the lack of originality.

But not about Wynn. I can understand where such cynicism would come from, but Wynn doesn't hide behind his Knights, we hide behind him.

[65]

You'll have to forgive me, it's hard for me to not be distrustful.

[socialgraces]

Are you going to tell me a little bit about why that is?

[65]

[Well, she earned it.]

What would you say if I told you I was forced to fight in a 24-way deathmatch when I was 14?

[socialgraces]

I would ask what kind of world you came from. [She pauses.] And assume you must have won?