The day is here, gray and overcast, and it feels like a whirlwind. After the Reaping, Katniss is taken to the Justice Building and Gale follows with Prim and Mrs. Everdeen, nothing but grim determination in his eyes. She can do it, and he tells her as much - if anyone in the Seam can come back from the Games, it's her. Before he knows it, he's being ushered out again, and she's gone.
The first thing he does is make sure that the Everdeens get home okay. It takes a while, with the oh-so-important interviews right after Katniss leaves, but Gale waits it out in silence, reminding himself of his promise to take care of them over and over again. They're slow walking home, and Prim clings to her mother's hand and his, but they get there and settle in. Gale's mother, Hazel, leaves them a pot of stew for dinner so they won't have to worry about it, but it goes untouched while he's there. No one can blame them, really; they just lost the one person who's kept them afloat for so long after that accident in the mines years ago. They deserve their time to mourn.
Gale, for his part, can't do it. He simply cannot believe that Katniss will die out there. She's strong, and he tells himself as much even as the rain begins to fall when he leaves the Everdeens'. Appropriate, he thinks bitterly, for a day like today. It doesn't stop him from heading toward the meadow, however; he can't afford to let the weather hold him back now. If he's going to be supporting two families instead of the usual one, he's going to need more snares. Might as well take care of it now. It'll give him a better chance at catching something, even if it's something as small as a squirrel, and every little bit counts.
Madge never expected Katniss to volunteer -- for some reason, she always assumed that Katniss would be safe. After all, the girl spent much of her time hunting and trading and keeping so many of the hopes up in District 12. Madge knows the quiet, solemn girl did a lot of things for many people. The merchants all gasped with horror when they heard her volunteer, watched as not only another young person marched to their death, but also someone who was very nearly at the pulse of District 12.
She ran to the Justice Building as fast as she could after she ran home, gathering gifts for Katniss. Maybe she and Katniss weren't close friends, maybe the girl didn't consider them friends at all, but they had a quiet sort of acceptance from their school days, didn't they? She likes to think that maybe they had been friends, after all, but that almost makes it hurt more.
She's walking home herself, having had to stay behind with her father for the interviews, listening to the speech he had to give and watching the train depart. It's not a happy time -- this never is -- but she feels it more on this reaping than ever before. When it starts to rain, she picks up her pace, ducking her head out of the rain, and very nearly runs straight into Gale, her eyes wide, red rimmed, her fingers clutching at the fabric of her now-ruined white dress.
"Sorry." But she has a feeling she knows where he is going. "It's getting dark -- and a storm -- you really shouldn't go out there, should you?"
Gale looks down at her in surprise, so lost in his own thoughts that he hadn't seen her coming. He has a lot to think about now - from how he'll have to adjust his hunting tactics to how he's going to keep supporting his family once he goes to work and can't hunt as often - and the last person he's expected to talk to, especially out in the rain, is Madge Undersee. But his jaw is set, stubborn and determined as he's ever been.
"I'll be fine," he tells her neutrally, taking in the sight of her with mild bemusement. Katniss is a friend of hers, but he didn't think she'd be this upset about it. They must be closer than he knew. "It's just rain. You should go home, Undersee, before you ruin your dress."
And he makes to move past her, back on his personal mission.
[ District Twelve is alight with activity, the reaping day isn't far off which means the Mayor is intent on tidying up the place a little bit. The Hob has to keep its light dimmer, the markets stay full of people, the Seam folks come and go quietly. Little things to help make the difference when the Capitol entourage appears.
Madge has just left Katniss, both of them outside the school compound talking quietly together. They don't talk much, if ever, but Madge will take any friendship she can get. They talk about the Games, Katniss' chances, even Madge's chances. It's not impossible. But that conversation weighs heavily on her mind, so much so that she actually walks too far, ending up in Seam territory, standing out like a sore thumb. She doesn't come here much -- it's far enough from her home -- but when she looks around, sees even the soot that's gathered on her shoes, she turns around to head back. The miners would be breaking soon, and while she doesn't feel unsafe, she knows many have negative opinions about her. ]
[ The closer it gets to Reaping Day, the more somber it gets in District Twelve, particularly in the Seam. Their chances are highest, both to be reaped and to die, and everyone knows it, even if they won't speak of it aloud. They can't, really, lest they be charged with treason, but no one wants to think about their children being taken off to die.
Gale is of the same mind. It's his last year, and his number of entries must be sky-high by now, but knowing it's now or never doesn't ease his mind. It only means his siblings will be at higher risk in the following years, when he can't take out tesserae to support them all, or even hunt as much as he does now. Once he goes to work in the mines, his only day to go out into the woods will be Sundays, and one day is not nearly enough to take care of a family of five, especially when he has to give some of it away in trades.
His brow is furrowed in thought as he heads home today, itching to put his school things away and head out past the fence. His feet move with nary a thought, following the path from memory, and when he's almost there, Gale finally looks up, and freezes in his steps when he sees the mayor's daughter.
What is she doing in the Seam? He knows she's a friend of Katniss, but the Everdeens' place is across the way, not in this area. And she looks like a lost puppy, he notes with a quiet snort.
Well. Can't have someone like her wandering around here, can they? Taking a breath, he decides to approach her, calling, ] What are you doing here, Undersee?
[ She doesn't entirely expect for someone to call out to her, to notice her, as she tries to keep her head down and move just quickly enough to get by. She pauses however when she sees Gale. She doesn't know him that well -- he's Katniss' friend, the one that shows up with her at the mayor's house. ]
I just -- heading home, I was a bit distracted, not paying attention.
[ She keeps her back straight, trying not to show her own surprise at ending up on the Seamside. ] And it's a nice day for a walk. [ Her tone almost begs stubbornness, but she tries to keep it in check, not sure if he was actually showing concern or if that was judgement she saw in his face. ]
No one from town just takes a walk through the Seam, no matter how nice the weather is.
[ He supposes there is the chance that she was visiting Katniss - Gale knows they're friends from school - but she isn't the type to take visitors at home. So there must be another reason. Maybe Madge really was distracted, but how does a townie, distracted or not, just wind up in the Seam?
With a nearly inaudible sigh, Gale looks around to be sure no one else is nearby. He doesn't see anyone in the immediate vicinity, but that doesn't mean anything around here. ]
The Seam isn't safe for townies, you know, [ he tells her matter-of-factly. ] I'll walk you back to town.
[ But only to town, he thinks, not home. As long as she's out of the Seam, it'll be fine. ]
Thank the gods that Lydia has lived in a more rural area before, because while the Big Island is beautiful, Honolulu is were all the action is. But what the Big Island does have is the Mauna Kea Observatories, and Lydia finds it to be a fair trade. She can hop over to the capital whenever she has a free day, and often does.
But for some reason this weekend she's ill-inclined to do her usual island hop for the more metropolitan entertainments that Honolulu has to offer. She finds herself exploring some of the smaller beaches that locals tend to favor, and while she's never been much of an outdoorswoman (not true, she spent more than a fair share of time in the forest with...best to forget about it) when she hears tell of a waterfall that requires a something of a hike, she's oddly drawn to the idea.
Alright, so she knows enough to take care of herself. She knows enough to wear hiking boots and carry water and a compass and a little bit of portable food, and a utility knife along with her phone.
When she finally parks on the side of the road and hikes into the tropical forest, Lydia feels prepared.
The last place Gale would have expected to end up would be Hawaii, but it’s been a few years since his life took a surprising turn. It had been his mother’s suggestion, something she’d heard about before they’d reconnected, and she’d thought it would do him some good, after his required years in the Legion were up. You’ve been through a lot, she’d said. And you’re good with kids - look at your brothers and sister. You’ll know how to handle this better than most.
After a few months of floundering as construction on the new, mingled-pantheon city continued, he’d finally agreed to give it a shot, and was surprised to find out that being a wilderness therapy guide isn’t as strange and awkward as it sounds. The tropical island quickly becomes familiar territory, and in no time, Gale is navigating the forests like he’s lived here his whole life. He goes out every day, with or without the kids he works with, and makes a point to discover something new every time.
The waterfall, he’d discovered in the first few months of his stay. While the whole island is relatively rural and quiet compared to Honolulu, the waterfall has a certain tranquility to it that’s always brought him back to it when he has some time to himself. It’s... relaxing, he supposes, to hear the trickle of water and not have to worry about anyone else intruding. Oftentimes when Gale is trekking through the woods, he’ll find his feet leading him here, and he has to stop and admire it for a little while before moving on again.
There is no work today, so he’s decided to go out and explore some more in the early morning light. Gale has already been out for a few hours, a light pack on his back with all the essentials while he’s out in the wild. Tucked into pocket is an old, golden watch that he’s always carried, the very same that raises curious comments about antiques and family heirlooms from his coworkers, but none of them know its real significance. It’s one of the only remnants of his life in the Legion and his father’s legacy, a precaution should he or the children be faced with a monster like the days of old. Wind it in just the right way, and he’ll have his old gladius at the ready, sharp as ever. In all his years in Hawaii, he hasn’t had to use it once, and he doesn’t expect that to change anytime soon, but it never hurt to be ready.
Except the one thing he isn’t ready for is to meet a… a friend from the old days. Once he’s out in the forest, Gale doesn’t stop moving until he hears the sound of a twig snapping, and freezes for a moment before carefully moving forward so his steps stay quiet and unheard, if possible. He’s expecting to see one of the endemic birds of the island making the noise when he rounds the next tree, keeping his eyes toward the noise, but as he finds a way through the leaves, Gale’s jaw loosens in surprise.
He allows himself a moment to catch his breath and gives himself a good mental shake. Then he approaches, no longer bothering to quiet his steps.
“You’re slipping,” he says simply, carefully keeping his expression neutral. “I heard you from a ways off.”
The world is a big place. Had Lydia been in the new city for the gods, the very realistic possibility of seeing Gale would come to mind, and she would prepare herself for it.
But there's no reason, none at all, to even dream of him being in Hawaii. So the familiar voice startles her on such a level that when she turns toward the sound that her body shifts into a defensive posture; one that he himself taught her.
"Gale?" From her tone, she hardly believes that he's standing in front of him. "What are you doing here?" Besides the obvious.
“I work here,” he replies, shrugging. Today may be his day off, but that doesn’t mean Gale won’t still go out into the wilderness. It’s the only place he really feels comfortable, even with the abject friendliness of the locals. Even after a few years, he still feels out of place in the culture here, and that’s not even bringing his heritage into the equation. But the woods?
In the woods, he still feels free.
“I could ask you the same thing,” Gale continues, keeping his distance. Years ago, he might have taken her stance as a challenge. He’d immediately taken note of it - old habits die hard - and approves that Lydia hasn’t forgotten what he’d taught her, but they aren’t training partners anymore. They aren’t partners of any sort. “I thought you were still in school or something. Vacation in Hawaii?”
"I study here," she replies, unconsciously mimicking his shrug, though deliberately mimicking his tone. Her defensive stance relaxes; she highly doubts Gale is going to attack her. But she's taking his tone as indifference, and it irks her. Her mouth presses against itself in a mannerism that is distinctly recognizable.
"I'm doing my post-grad studies at the observatory." she explains, studying him askance. "I've been living here for a few months now. When did you get here?" She has a hard time not feeling like it's fate, even when certain it's coincidence.
His eyebrows rise, both surprised and intrigued at the news. It would be impossible not to notice the observatory, or to know that a number of people studied there for university. Gale has even met a few students during his time here. But somehow it had never occurred to him that Lydia would come here.
“I started here a few years back,” he answers, hesitating while he tries to calculate the exact number. Finally, Gale says, “Three and a half, maybe. Almost four.”
This is… not how he’d pictured a conversation going, whenever he’d thought about seeing Lydia again - stilting, awkward, like strangers with familiar faces. It isn’t a good development either, Gale decides. Something is missing.
“So… school’s going okay, then.” He offers her a faint, unsure smile. “Studying the stars, just like you wanted.”
She never even pictured this conversation, much less in a random location in the tropical forest of Hawaii's Big Island.
Gale has always been a touch gruff, and she had to learn to sense what was under his words and sometimes even his tone to get an idea of how he really felt about things. The fact that he's trying to soften the situation doesn't escape her notice. And the fact that he's trying surprises her and softens her irritation, makes her feel like she needs to give him more of a chance.
"Yeah," she says, her smile suddenly blossoming. "The observatory is amazing, the islands are beautiful; I'm pretty lucky." She doesn't realize that she's taken a step forward, seeming to move past being disarmed by this reunion. "Your family, are they here with you?" She can't help but think that Posey in particular would love the island.
Her smile is as beautiful as ever, Gale realizes, stunned silent for a moment even if it doesn’t show. Lydia has always been beautiful, of course, but there’s something about the way her entire demeanor lights up like the Fourth of July when she talks about something she loves that makes her absolutely radiant. It might be a blessing of Aphrodite, but he prefers to believe that Lydia always had something of her own, an allure independent of her mother, but no less entrancing.
Nonetheless, he finds himself glancing away, suddenly more interested in the leaves surrounding them.
“No,” he says finally, shaking his head. “They stayed in the city. It’s safer for them there - no more worrying about monster attacks with no way to defend themselves.” Rory had done a good job after New Rome’s destruction, but there’s no way Gale would have left them alone without some sort of defense. As long as they stay in the city, they don’t need a soldier to fight off monsters - the wards keep them as safe as they’ve ever been.
But, safe or not, Gale still misses them. Family has always been everything for him. They’re all he’s ever really had, and leaving them behind again, even knowing they’ll be safe, isn’t easy.
“They might come visit sometime, if they can,” he adds, giving himself a mental shake. Given the financial situation, it isn’t likely, but he can still hope. Looking back up at her, Gale forces himself to smile back. “I’m glad you like it here. It’s a great place, and everyone’s always talking about how amazing the observatory and the equipment there is. Sounds like you’re right where you belong.”
He takes her in, and then looks away, and she can't help but wonder if suddenly he just can't stand the sight of her. And then she wonders why she cares. It's been years.
"I hope one day they feel safe enough to come here for a vacation or something." she offers. "It's so beautiful." Not that they haven't made that point already. The very socially savvy daughter of Aphrodite is suddenly not sure of what to do with herself.
"I could say the same about you." she replies, unable to keep her smile from returning. "Do you ever get out to Honolulu? We could - I mean." A pause. "Well. I'm sure you're very busy."
In spite of the time that’s passed, Gale has somehow never quite forgotten Lydia. There have been plenty of other girls, enough to chagrin his mother if she knew, but no one had ever quite compared - in beauty, intelligence, or even presence.
Ducking his head in a nod, he replies with a simply, “Someday. Maybe when Posy’s older.” Visiting would be one thing, but the bigger problem is finding the funds. Even with Gale’s legacy as a centurion in the Legion, the Hawthornes were hardly a prominent family in New Rome. It’s yet another reason he works - to continue to provide for them, even if they aren’t sharing a house anymore. His family has always been his priority.
His smile falters, eyebrows raising just slightly in confusion. The subject change is sudden, unexpected, and Gale has to wonder what Lydia means by it. But, he decides, he won’t read into it. There’s nothing to read into, anyway.
“I’ve got plenty of time,” Gale says, giving a little half-shrug. “I just don’t have a reason to go out there most days. I’ve been spending my time out here instead.”
The why in his eyes goes unasked, stubbornly ignored.
Hoth. In his wildest dreams, Gale never could have imagined a place that was so cold. Sure, Alderaan had its fair share of chilly nights and biting winters, but nothing so intense as what they saw here. The base was even carved into a glacier, a world of white and blues so pristine he sometimes wondered how he could even look at it without squinting. It almost made him miss the layer of dust that covered their little town.
Almost.
But then he would remind himself that there was nothing left to miss, and refocus on the task at hand. Sometimes that would mean cleaning his weapon and restocking so he wouldn’t be caught unprepared, should the Empire find them. Sometimes that meant discussing logistics with some of the pilots, debating new tactics to counter AT-ATs or the newest TIE designs with the frigid winds battering their wings. Sometimes it meant coordinating with Katniss and the rest of his own squad, ensuring that they were all at the top of their game and ready to face whatever the Empire had waiting for them for their next deployment. Other times, it was a simple call to his family, safe on Yavin 4.
Gale considered himself lucky that today, he could distract himself with something far more appealing: a hot, steaming cup of soup from the mess. It was hardly the best thing he’d ever tasted - military cuisine, he’d heard others saying, was nothing compared to a good, home-cooked meal - but it was better than steeling himself against the cold and forcing himself to ignore the way his fingers slowly started going numb.
On the other hand, he wasn’t the only person who’d had the same idea. The mess hall was crowded as ever, but Gale didn’t hesitate, joining the line to claim his bowl while scouting the hall for a free seat. They were few and far between, so by the time his food was in his hands, he had little choice but to claim the first chair he found, only pausing to look at his lunch companions after he’d already swallowed the first spoonful - and when he did, his heart skipped a beat.
There was a face he thought he’d never seen again. As far as he’d known, she had died with the rest of their planet, just another life he’d failed to save. His eyebrows furrowed in disbelief, turning his relief at having a warm meal into something more like a scowl as old waves of guilt crashed into him again, making it hard to breathe.
Madge tried to forget that she escaped. She was plagued with the nightmares of her parents not being able to escape, of the innocent people and her friends. She kept a low profile on Hoth, choosing to close herself off rather than look into the eyes of her fellow survivors and the other rebels.
She was able to help in little ways, mostly through studying. Absorbed in her reading, she hadn't noticed that the seat across from her was now occupied. Not until she heard her name.
Madge stopped what she was doing, heart skipping a beat as she recognized the voice. Her own brow furrowed as she looked up from her nearly untouched meal, eyes wide. "Hawthorne?"
“Kriffing hells,” he muttered in disbelief, forgetting his meal as he stared shamelessly. It really was her. A million questions raced through his mind, each one fighting for priority, each one begging to be asked first. It left Gale reeling, not sure what to say, and wondering if there was anything to be said at all. They hadn’t been friends. He’d only known her through Katniss and their (technically illegal) business practices, from the few times she’d opened the door instead of her father.
They hadn’t gotten along, even though she and Katniss were friends. He hadn’t wanted to get along with her, and Gale didn’t necessarily feel all that guilty about it, but now?
Things were a bit more complicated now. Now, they were two of only eight hundred known survivors from their entire planet. Now, he wondered if he should at least give her a chance, knowing that they were both refugees from a place they could never return to, and, apparently, both helping with the rebellion.
“I didn’t know you made it out,” Gale said finally, voice deliberately kept flat to hide any hint of conflicting emotion. “What are you doing here? I never took you for the rebellious type.”
Katniss was Madge's only true friend... Though Madge had kept the company of many others, it was easier to keep to herself. And her friendship with Katniss helped her do that- they kept to themselves, in each others company. Gale was only someone she had seen around and had met through Katniss.
Someone she decidedly did not get along with. Not back home anyways.
This was home now, however, and she had to stop thinking otherwise. She tapped her finger on the table as she offered him a sad smile. "I was one of the lucky few," she offered half-heartedly. But at the comment about her being rebellious, she only offered him a shrug of her shoulders. "Nothing like being displaced from home to fuel more anger towards the Empire... I'm glad you made it out as well."
“I don’t remember seeing any other ships,” Gale said under his breath, brow furrowed. There had been plenty of Imperial ships, of course, but he didn’t remember seeing any other Alderaanian vessels when they’d made their escape. Then again, they could have easily hidden among the destruction, just like they’d done with his own.
At her comment, he shook his head in dismay. “Tell me about it. Even Rory was ready to jump right into the Rebellion.” His younger brother had insisted that if Prim could help out, so could he, but Gale and his mother buy it. Rory had only backed down when Gale suggested that he take on some training on Yavin 4, to protect their mother and younger siblings, and even then he’d looked disappointed when Gale left for Hoth without him.
Using his spoon, still untouched by the quickly-cooling soup, Gale pointed at the book Madge held, carefully balanced so she could eat and read all at once. “So what’s that for? I didn’t realize anyone had the luxury of reading books nowadays.”
Falling back into the old rhythm was surprisingly easy. Though as soon as the words left his mouth, he wondered if he should regret it. They had a common enemy, and no one here had a lot of spare time to relax. Why should Madge be any different? Her status, just like Gale’s, had been all but erased when their home planet had been destroyed. It shouldn’t matter here, and yet… old habits died hard.
Everything was a blur and it was only by some miracle that she'd escaped. Madge couldn't say just how she escaped- she didn't necessarily remember herself. The sad smile remained as he continued, mentioning how his brother wanted to jump into the Rebellion as well. This war would make adults out of children who weren't ready to face such things.
The jab about her book and having the "luxury" of reading, the smile waned and she had something more of a pinched look. Marking the page, she closed the book to allow an easier view of the title. A Practical Look at Command and Control Centers. "Research."
There was no way Madge would be on the front lines, but having her behind the scenes helping with Rebel Intelligence was the most help she could be.
“Looking to join rebel command, Undersee?” Gale asked incredulously, eyebrows raised as he finally shoveled some of the soup into his mouth. Unsurprisingly, it tasted just as bland as usual. Nothing like army food to make him miss home. His mother could take even the most meager options and turn it into a dish worth bragging about. Idly he wondered if he should have tried learning more of her recipes before leaving.
Too little, too late, of course. There were spices native to Alderaan that none of them would ever taste again, so what good would it have done? Besides, Gale hadn’t joined the alliance to cook.
“Never figured you for the commanding type,” he continued, watching the soup churn in his bowl. “So you’re still in training, then?”
It wasn’t meant to sound condescending, just as his earlier comment hadn’t been meant to insult, even if that was how their old relationship would color it. He’d simply been working with the higher-ups a lot lately, working out logistics and weapons tests. They needed to find a way to get rid of the Death Star once and for all, and they knew Gale had a personal stake in it. If anyone could find a way, they figured it could be him.
The less Madge thought about Alderaan, the better she managed to cope. She hated that she was so weak minded that merely the thought of home broke her. And with Gale here, it was even more difficult to push those thoughts further back in her mind. She pursed her lips and watched him churn the soup in his bowl. Her own meal was now long forgotten, though she didn’t have much of an appetite anymore.
“It’s the most help I can offer, I wouldn’t exactly excel out in the field.”
She glanced away from him and out into the room of people, her lips turning into a frown. “Hopefully I’ll be done with my training soon- a couple more weeks, they’re saying.”
“Anyone can be a soldier with the right training,” Gale replied, keeping his expression carefully neutral as he took another bite. The same, of course, did not apply to command positions. Not everyone had the stomach to lead, and even fewer had judgment good enough to do it well. Loathe as he was to admit it, Madge’s position on Alderaan may have given her exactly what was needed to pull it off.
Still, he never would have expected her to take an active role in the rebellion. He’d have figured she’d hide away somewhere far away from the worst of the war, where she could hole up and try to forget everything that had happened. It would have been easy, being the only surviving member of her family.
But Gale knew if he’d been in her shoes, he might have taken the Emperor head on, all by himself. And again he remembered that things weren’t that simple.
“Well,” he said, bowing his head sardonically, “congratulations in advance, Commander-in-Training. Before you know it, you’ll be in charge of your own squadron. Do them a favor and try not to get them killed.”
"But not anyone can be the soldier needed, despite training."
Madge knew she didn't have the composition to remain useful in the field. Spy work, perhaps. But even that was questionable. Leading others, however, was something she was bit more at home with- despite her quiet demeanor. The scorn and mockery of her didn't go unnoticed- her eyes narrowed and lips pursed.
"Mmm. Don't be too bitter, Gale. I'm sure once I'm through with training you won't ever have to see me again," she assured him, her tone soft but equally bitter.
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The first thing he does is make sure that the Everdeens get home okay. It takes a while, with the oh-so-important interviews right after Katniss leaves, but Gale waits it out in silence, reminding himself of his promise to take care of them over and over again. They're slow walking home, and Prim clings to her mother's hand and his, but they get there and settle in. Gale's mother, Hazel, leaves them a pot of stew for dinner so they won't have to worry about it, but it goes untouched while he's there. No one can blame them, really; they just lost the one person who's kept them afloat for so long after that accident in the mines years ago. They deserve their time to mourn.
Gale, for his part, can't do it. He simply cannot believe that Katniss will die out there. She's strong, and he tells himself as much even as the rain begins to fall when he leaves the Everdeens'. Appropriate, he thinks bitterly, for a day like today. It doesn't stop him from heading toward the meadow, however; he can't afford to let the weather hold him back now. If he's going to be supporting two families instead of the usual one, he's going to need more snares. Might as well take care of it now. It'll give him a better chance at catching something, even if it's something as small as a squirrel, and every little bit counts.
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She ran to the Justice Building as fast as she could after she ran home, gathering gifts for Katniss. Maybe she and Katniss weren't close friends, maybe the girl didn't consider them friends at all, but they had a quiet sort of acceptance from their school days, didn't they? She likes to think that maybe they had been friends, after all, but that almost makes it hurt more.
She's walking home herself, having had to stay behind with her father for the interviews, listening to the speech he had to give and watching the train depart. It's not a happy time -- this never is -- but she feels it more on this reaping than ever before. When it starts to rain, she picks up her pace, ducking her head out of the rain, and very nearly runs straight into Gale, her eyes wide, red rimmed, her fingers clutching at the fabric of her now-ruined white dress.
"Sorry." But she has a feeling she knows where he is going. "It's getting dark -- and a storm -- you really shouldn't go out there, should you?"
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"I'll be fine," he tells her neutrally, taking in the sight of her with mild bemusement. Katniss is a friend of hers, but he didn't think she'd be this upset about it. They must be closer than he knew. "It's just rain. You should go home, Undersee, before you ruin your dress."
And he makes to move past her, back on his personal mission.
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Madge has just left Katniss, both of them outside the school compound talking quietly together. They don't talk much, if ever, but Madge will take any friendship she can get. They talk about the Games, Katniss' chances, even Madge's chances. It's not impossible. But that conversation weighs heavily on her mind, so much so that she actually walks too far, ending up in Seam territory, standing out like a sore thumb. She doesn't come here much -- it's far enough from her home -- but when she looks around, sees even the soot that's gathered on her shoes, she turns around to head back. The miners would be breaking soon, and while she doesn't feel unsafe, she knows many have negative opinions about her. ]
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Gale is of the same mind. It's his last year, and his number of entries must be sky-high by now, but knowing it's now or never doesn't ease his mind. It only means his siblings will be at higher risk in the following years, when he can't take out tesserae to support them all, or even hunt as much as he does now. Once he goes to work in the mines, his only day to go out into the woods will be Sundays, and one day is not nearly enough to take care of a family of five, especially when he has to give some of it away in trades.
His brow is furrowed in thought as he heads home today, itching to put his school things away and head out past the fence. His feet move with nary a thought, following the path from memory, and when he's almost there, Gale finally looks up, and freezes in his steps when he sees the mayor's daughter.
What is she doing in the Seam? He knows she's a friend of Katniss, but the Everdeens' place is across the way, not in this area. And she looks like a lost puppy, he notes with a quiet snort.
Well. Can't have someone like her wandering around here, can they? Taking a breath, he decides to approach her, calling, ] What are you doing here, Undersee?
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I just -- heading home, I was a bit distracted, not paying attention.
[ She keeps her back straight, trying not to show her own surprise at ending up on the Seamside. ] And it's a nice day for a walk. [ Her tone almost begs stubbornness, but she tries to keep it in check, not sure if he was actually showing concern or if that was judgement she saw in his face. ]
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[ He supposes there is the chance that she was visiting Katniss - Gale knows they're friends from school - but she isn't the type to take visitors at home. So there must be another reason. Maybe Madge really was distracted, but how does a townie, distracted or not, just wind up in the Seam?
With a nearly inaudible sigh, Gale looks around to be sure no one else is nearby. He doesn't see anyone in the immediate vicinity, but that doesn't mean anything around here. ]
The Seam isn't safe for townies, you know, [ he tells her matter-of-factly. ] I'll walk you back to town.
[ But only to town, he thinks, not home. As long as she's out of the Seam, it'll be fine. ]
5 Years Later, Hawaii
But for some reason this weekend she's ill-inclined to do her usual island hop for the more metropolitan entertainments that Honolulu has to offer. She finds herself exploring some of the smaller beaches that locals tend to favor, and while she's never been much of an outdoorswoman (not true, she spent more than a fair share of time in the forest with...best to forget about it) when she hears tell of a waterfall that requires a something of a hike, she's oddly drawn to the idea.
Alright, so she knows enough to take care of herself. She knows enough to wear hiking boots and carry water and a compass and a little bit of portable food, and a utility knife along with her phone.
When she finally parks on the side of the road and hikes into the tropical forest, Lydia feels prepared.
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After a few months of floundering as construction on the new, mingled-pantheon city continued, he’d finally agreed to give it a shot, and was surprised to find out that being a wilderness therapy guide isn’t as strange and awkward as it sounds. The tropical island quickly becomes familiar territory, and in no time, Gale is navigating the forests like he’s lived here his whole life. He goes out every day, with or without the kids he works with, and makes a point to discover something new every time.
The waterfall, he’d discovered in the first few months of his stay. While the whole island is relatively rural and quiet compared to Honolulu, the waterfall has a certain tranquility to it that’s always brought him back to it when he has some time to himself. It’s... relaxing, he supposes, to hear the trickle of water and not have to worry about anyone else intruding. Oftentimes when Gale is trekking through the woods, he’ll find his feet leading him here, and he has to stop and admire it for a little while before moving on again.
There is no work today, so he’s decided to go out and explore some more in the early morning light. Gale has already been out for a few hours, a light pack on his back with all the essentials while he’s out in the wild. Tucked into pocket is an old, golden watch that he’s always carried, the very same that raises curious comments about antiques and family heirlooms from his coworkers, but none of them know its real significance. It’s one of the only remnants of his life in the Legion and his father’s legacy, a precaution should he or the children be faced with a monster like the days of old. Wind it in just the right way, and he’ll have his old gladius at the ready, sharp as ever. In all his years in Hawaii, he hasn’t had to use it once, and he doesn’t expect that to change anytime soon, but it never hurt to be ready.
Except the one thing he isn’t ready for is to meet a… a friend from the old days. Once he’s out in the forest, Gale doesn’t stop moving until he hears the sound of a twig snapping, and freezes for a moment before carefully moving forward so his steps stay quiet and unheard, if possible. He’s expecting to see one of the endemic birds of the island making the noise when he rounds the next tree, keeping his eyes toward the noise, but as he finds a way through the leaves, Gale’s jaw loosens in surprise.
He allows himself a moment to catch his breath and gives himself a good mental shake. Then he approaches, no longer bothering to quiet his steps.
“You’re slipping,” he says simply, carefully keeping his expression neutral. “I heard you from a ways off.”
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But there's no reason, none at all, to even dream of him being in Hawaii. So the familiar voice startles her on such a level that when she turns toward the sound that her body shifts into a defensive posture; one that he himself taught her.
"Gale?" From her tone, she hardly believes that he's standing in front of him. "What are you doing here?" Besides the obvious.
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In the woods, he still feels free.
“I could ask you the same thing,” Gale continues, keeping his distance. Years ago, he might have taken her stance as a challenge. He’d immediately taken note of it - old habits die hard - and approves that Lydia hasn’t forgotten what he’d taught her, but they aren’t training partners anymore. They aren’t partners of any sort. “I thought you were still in school or something. Vacation in Hawaii?”
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"I'm doing my post-grad studies at the observatory." she explains, studying him askance. "I've been living here for a few months now. When did you get here?" She has a hard time not feeling like it's fate, even when certain it's coincidence.
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“I started here a few years back,” he answers, hesitating while he tries to calculate the exact number. Finally, Gale says, “Three and a half, maybe. Almost four.”
This is… not how he’d pictured a conversation going, whenever he’d thought about seeing Lydia again - stilting, awkward, like strangers with familiar faces. It isn’t a good development either, Gale decides. Something is missing.
“So… school’s going okay, then.” He offers her a faint, unsure smile. “Studying the stars, just like you wanted.”
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Gale has always been a touch gruff, and she had to learn to sense what was under his words and sometimes even his tone to get an idea of how he really felt about things. The fact that he's trying to soften the situation doesn't escape her notice. And the fact that he's trying surprises her and softens her irritation, makes her feel like she needs to give him more of a chance.
"Yeah," she says, her smile suddenly blossoming. "The observatory is amazing, the islands are beautiful; I'm pretty lucky." She doesn't realize that she's taken a step forward, seeming to move past being disarmed by this reunion. "Your family, are they here with you?" She can't help but think that Posey in particular would love the island.
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Nonetheless, he finds himself glancing away, suddenly more interested in the leaves surrounding them.
“No,” he says finally, shaking his head. “They stayed in the city. It’s safer for them there - no more worrying about monster attacks with no way to defend themselves.” Rory had done a good job after New Rome’s destruction, but there’s no way Gale would have left them alone without some sort of defense. As long as they stay in the city, they don’t need a soldier to fight off monsters - the wards keep them as safe as they’ve ever been.
But, safe or not, Gale still misses them. Family has always been everything for him. They’re all he’s ever really had, and leaving them behind again, even knowing they’ll be safe, isn’t easy.
“They might come visit sometime, if they can,” he adds, giving himself a mental shake. Given the financial situation, it isn’t likely, but he can still hope. Looking back up at her, Gale forces himself to smile back. “I’m glad you like it here. It’s a great place, and everyone’s always talking about how amazing the observatory and the equipment there is. Sounds like you’re right where you belong.”
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"I hope one day they feel safe enough to come here for a vacation or something." she offers. "It's so beautiful." Not that they haven't made that point already. The very socially savvy daughter of Aphrodite is suddenly not sure of what to do with herself.
"I could say the same about you." she replies, unable to keep her smile from returning. "Do you ever get out to Honolulu? We could - I mean." A pause. "Well. I'm sure you're very busy."
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Ducking his head in a nod, he replies with a simply, “Someday. Maybe when Posy’s older.” Visiting would be one thing, but the bigger problem is finding the funds. Even with Gale’s legacy as a centurion in the Legion, the Hawthornes were hardly a prominent family in New Rome. It’s yet another reason he works - to continue to provide for them, even if they aren’t sharing a house anymore. His family has always been his priority.
His smile falters, eyebrows raising just slightly in confusion. The subject change is sudden, unexpected, and Gale has to wonder what Lydia means by it. But, he decides, he won’t read into it. There’s nothing to read into, anyway.
“I’ve got plenty of time,” Gale says, giving a little half-shrug. “I just don’t have a reason to go out there most days. I’ve been spending my time out here instead.”
The why in his eyes goes unasked, stubbornly ignored.
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Almost.
But then he would remind himself that there was nothing left to miss, and refocus on the task at hand. Sometimes that would mean cleaning his weapon and restocking so he wouldn’t be caught unprepared, should the Empire find them. Sometimes that meant discussing logistics with some of the pilots, debating new tactics to counter AT-ATs or the newest TIE designs with the frigid winds battering their wings. Sometimes it meant coordinating with Katniss and the rest of his own squad, ensuring that they were all at the top of their game and ready to face whatever the Empire had waiting for them for their next deployment. Other times, it was a simple call to his family, safe on Yavin 4.
Gale considered himself lucky that today, he could distract himself with something far more appealing: a hot, steaming cup of soup from the mess. It was hardly the best thing he’d ever tasted - military cuisine, he’d heard others saying, was nothing compared to a good, home-cooked meal - but it was better than steeling himself against the cold and forcing himself to ignore the way his fingers slowly started going numb.
On the other hand, he wasn’t the only person who’d had the same idea. The mess hall was crowded as ever, but Gale didn’t hesitate, joining the line to claim his bowl while scouting the hall for a free seat. They were few and far between, so by the time his food was in his hands, he had little choice but to claim the first chair he found, only pausing to look at his lunch companions after he’d already swallowed the first spoonful - and when he did, his heart skipped a beat.
There was a face he thought he’d never seen again. As far as he’d known, she had died with the rest of their planet, just another life he’d failed to save. His eyebrows furrowed in disbelief, turning his relief at having a warm meal into something more like a scowl as old waves of guilt crashed into him again, making it hard to breathe.
“Undersee?”
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She was able to help in little ways, mostly through studying. Absorbed in her reading, she hadn't noticed that the seat across from her was now occupied. Not until she heard her name.
Madge stopped what she was doing, heart skipping a beat as she recognized the voice. Her own brow furrowed as she looked up from her nearly untouched meal, eyes wide. "Hawthorne?"
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They hadn’t gotten along, even though she and Katniss were friends. He hadn’t wanted to get along with her, and Gale didn’t necessarily feel all that guilty about it, but now?
Things were a bit more complicated now. Now, they were two of only eight hundred known survivors from their entire planet. Now, he wondered if he should at least give her a chance, knowing that they were both refugees from a place they could never return to, and, apparently, both helping with the rebellion.
“I didn’t know you made it out,” Gale said finally, voice deliberately kept flat to hide any hint of conflicting emotion. “What are you doing here? I never took you for the rebellious type.”
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Someone she decidedly did not get along with. Not back home anyways.
This was home now, however, and she had to stop thinking otherwise. She tapped her finger on the table as she offered him a sad smile. "I was one of the lucky few," she offered half-heartedly. But at the comment about her being rebellious, she only offered him a shrug of her shoulders. "Nothing like being displaced from home to fuel more anger towards the Empire... I'm glad you made it out as well."
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At her comment, he shook his head in dismay. “Tell me about it. Even Rory was ready to jump right into the Rebellion.” His younger brother had insisted that if Prim could help out, so could he, but Gale and his mother buy it. Rory had only backed down when Gale suggested that he take on some training on Yavin 4, to protect their mother and younger siblings, and even then he’d looked disappointed when Gale left for Hoth without him.
Using his spoon, still untouched by the quickly-cooling soup, Gale pointed at the book Madge held, carefully balanced so she could eat and read all at once. “So what’s that for? I didn’t realize anyone had the luxury of reading books nowadays.”
Falling back into the old rhythm was surprisingly easy. Though as soon as the words left his mouth, he wondered if he should regret it. They had a common enemy, and no one here had a lot of spare time to relax. Why should Madge be any different? Her status, just like Gale’s, had been all but erased when their home planet had been destroyed. It shouldn’t matter here, and yet… old habits died hard.
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The jab about her book and having the "luxury" of reading, the smile waned and she had something more of a pinched look. Marking the page, she closed the book to allow an easier view of the title. A Practical Look at Command and Control Centers. "Research."
There was no way Madge would be on the front lines, but having her behind the scenes helping with Rebel Intelligence was the most help she could be.
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Too little, too late, of course. There were spices native to Alderaan that none of them would ever taste again, so what good would it have done? Besides, Gale hadn’t joined the alliance to cook.
“Never figured you for the commanding type,” he continued, watching the soup churn in his bowl. “So you’re still in training, then?”
It wasn’t meant to sound condescending, just as his earlier comment hadn’t been meant to insult, even if that was how their old relationship would color it. He’d simply been working with the higher-ups a lot lately, working out logistics and weapons tests. They needed to find a way to get rid of the Death Star once and for all, and they knew Gale had a personal stake in it. If anyone could find a way, they figured it could be him.
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“It’s the most help I can offer, I wouldn’t exactly excel out in the field.”
She glanced away from him and out into the room of people, her lips turning into a frown. “Hopefully I’ll be done with my training soon- a couple more weeks, they’re saying.”
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Still, he never would have expected her to take an active role in the rebellion. He’d have figured she’d hide away somewhere far away from the worst of the war, where she could hole up and try to forget everything that had happened. It would have been easy, being the only surviving member of her family.
But Gale knew if he’d been in her shoes, he might have taken the Emperor head on, all by himself. And again he remembered that things weren’t that simple.
“Well,” he said, bowing his head sardonically, “congratulations in advance, Commander-in-Training. Before you know it, you’ll be in charge of your own squadron. Do them a favor and try not to get them killed.”
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Madge knew she didn't have the composition to remain useful in the field. Spy work, perhaps. But even that was questionable. Leading others, however, was something she was bit more at home with- despite her quiet demeanor. The scorn and mockery of her didn't go unnoticed- her eyes narrowed and lips pursed.
"Mmm. Don't be too bitter, Gale. I'm sure once I'm through with training you won't ever have to see me again," she assured him, her tone soft but equally bitter.