[Annie, after a moment, nods. Some other Romans, she'd overheard speaking about her. Saying how unworthy she was of her Centurionship. They'd done it within earshot, and while she could have marched over to them and caused a scene, her mind decided to make an even bigger one. So here she was.]
[ "Sticks and stones," they'd say as kids, but in growing up, Gale had learned the falseness behind the words. Sticks and stones hurt, true, but given time, one's body would heal. Words could cling to the mind, lurking and taunting and waiting for just the right moment to spring again, right when you were at your weakest.
Annie, he knows, is far more capable with sticks and stones than she is with words. It angers him that they keep doing this to her. ]
[Helpful, Cresta, and she knew it and cursed herself for it. Gale wanted more than that. She should have been able to give him that.
She let go of one of her knees, instead, finding the ends of her long hair.]
Said- usual things. Shouldn't be a Centurion- I won't follow a crazy girl's orders into battle. and Can't believe Finnick Odair has a girl like that. What a waste. Gods, I hope it's just part of that Aphrodite cabin ritual. [She could remember their words, wrap them around herself and burn them into her skin.]
None of that is their choice, [ Gale said firmly, watching her. ] The praetor chose you for a reason. You're a good leader, whether they want to admit it or not. They only say that because you're not some son of Mars or Jupiter leading them to glory.
[ Which, let's be real, is what the Roman legion always dreams of, especially the first and second cohorts. They're notorious for bullying anyone who doesn't fit their definition of powerful or glorious, or anyone who doesn't have the right connections or isn't perfect in every way.
Softer, he continues, ] And it's Finnick's choice, too, just as much as yours. i didn't believe he meant it at first either, but have you seen the way he looks at you? The guy's a goner, Annie.
But that was before. [Before she came home to find her family slaughtered. Before she tried to kill herself. Before the time she spent in a mental hospital, before returning a disgraced Centurion.
And then there was the merger, there was Finnick. Finnick Odair. Whom Annie had known before, from his days as surfing celebrity. But he was there in the flesh and she'd embarrassed herself in front of him when she finally managed to speak and that was that. They became friends. They started dating.
But there was always that voice at the back of her head.]
I love the way he looks at me. [Her words were coming back to her, slowly.]
Have they stripped you of your rank? [ he asked pointedly. ] No, and that means they still believe you can do your job.
He looks at you like you're all there is. [ Gale snorted. It was almost like a cheesy romance movie, only this was real life, and featuring one of his friends who wasn't perfect like those girls in the movies always were.
Bluntly, he continues, ] No, I didn't. I heard about what they used to do to people before, messing with their heads and breaking hearts. I didn't think Lydia meant it at first, either. But I've kept an eye on Finnick, and he means it. Their Aphrodite cabin isn't like the rumors we heard before. They changed that.
[Annie hung her head, the tips of her hair skimming the water.]
Lydia loves you a lot. [She smiled just slightly.] You two look beautiful together. It's... Funny, isn't it? That they love us, when we don't love ourselves?
And you and Finnick always look happy when you're together. [ He shakes his head, smiling in spite of himself. ] They always say that no one can love you if you don't love yourself, but it's not true. I guess they recognize that better than anyone, with the goddess of love for a mother.
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Just words.
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Annie, he knows, is far more capable with sticks and stones than she is with words. It angers him that they keep doing this to her. ]
What did they say?
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[Helpful, Cresta, and she knew it and cursed herself for it. Gale wanted more than that. She should have been able to give him that.
She let go of one of her knees, instead, finding the ends of her long hair.]
Said- usual things. Shouldn't be a Centurion- I won't follow a crazy girl's orders into battle. and Can't believe Finnick Odair has a girl like that. What a waste. Gods, I hope it's just part of that Aphrodite cabin ritual. [She could remember their words, wrap them around herself and burn them into her skin.]
Worse things.
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[ Which, let's be real, is what the Roman legion always dreams of, especially the first and second cohorts. They're notorious for bullying anyone who doesn't fit their definition of powerful or glorious, or anyone who doesn't have the right connections or isn't perfect in every way.
Softer, he continues, ] And it's Finnick's choice, too, just as much as yours. i didn't believe he meant it at first either, but have you seen the way he looks at you? The guy's a goner, Annie.
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And then there was the merger, there was Finnick. Finnick Odair. Whom Annie had known before, from his days as surfing celebrity. But he was there in the flesh and she'd embarrassed herself in front of him when she finally managed to speak and that was that. They became friends. They started dating.
But there was always that voice at the back of her head.]
I love the way he looks at me. [Her words were coming back to her, slowly.]
You- you didn't?
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He looks at you like you're all there is. [ Gale snorted. It was almost like a cheesy romance movie, only this was real life, and featuring one of his friends who wasn't perfect like those girls in the movies always were.
Bluntly, he continues, ] No, I didn't. I heard about what they used to do to people before, messing with their heads and breaking hearts. I didn't think Lydia meant it at first, either. But I've kept an eye on Finnick, and he means it. Their Aphrodite cabin isn't like the rumors we heard before. They changed that.
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Lydia loves you a lot. [She smiled just slightly.] You two look beautiful together. It's... Funny, isn't it? That they love us, when we don't love ourselves?
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