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crack_van2014-01-05 11:21 pm
abby82.livejournal.com) wrote in crack_van2014-01-05 11:21 pm
Entry tags:
A Favorable Wind by Court81981 [Mature]
Fandom: THE HUNGER GAMES
Pairing: Katniss Everdeen/Peeta Mellark (Everlark)
Length: 134,369 words
Author on LJ: N/A
Author Website: Author on AO3 | Author on FFN
Why this must be read: This historical AU story is based on an award winning children's novel written more than 20 years ago. After being educated in England, Katniss Everdeen boards The Mockingjay on a transatlantic journey to join her family in New England. She quickly finds herself in the middle of a mutiny and accused of murder by the ship's Captain Snow. The relationships Katniss makes with the ship's crew, including it's cook Cinna and young sailor Peeta Mellark slowly begin to unravel her limited vision of her orderly world. What is initially a slightly out of character Katniss (a well-bred young lady) beautifully segues into a more recognizable but equally independent young woman. The writing is taut and all-encompassing. Believe me, if you let this story consume you, you won't be able to put it down.
“Pardon my forwardness, sweetheart, but I gotta tell you that you really shouldn’t be here.”
“You are the second person to say such a thing to me.” A quiver of fear slithers up my spine, and I shiver involuntarily in spite of the oppressive heat of the ship. “Why?” He takes a step towards me, and I instinctively back away, but in the tight space, he looms over me, fixing those grey eyes on me again. I cannot help but notice that in the muted light of the lantern, they appear to be a similar shade to my own. The reek of stale ale is heavy on his breath.
“The others asked me to. I was deputized, if you will. I know it’s not my place to say it, but it’s too important. Your presence on this ship can lead to no good. There is still time, sweetheart.” There is a lilt of urgency to his rough voice.
“Mr…” I pause, at a loss as to how to address this man who never presented himself formally to me.
“Haymitch,” he replies. “Haymitch Abernathy.”
“Mr. Abernathy,” I continue, refusing to call him by his Christian name. Crass sailor or not, I can hear Miss Trinket’s voice echoing in my ears to address my elders by their proper name in conversation. “My father has made the arrangements for me to be on this ship.” Mustering all my strength to straighten my back and square my shoulders, I turn away from him, ignoring my trepidation and the overwhelming urge to scream to be allowed off the vessel.
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” I hear his footfalls begin to fade away, rhythmic bumps from my trunk that he is no doubt hauling behind him punctuating each step.
A smothered sob escapes my throat, and hot tears prick the corners of my eyes. I move to close the cabin door, but upon doing so, I am left in absolute blackness. Instead, I push the door as wide as it will go, letting in the meager light that streams down through the stairwell at the opposite end of steerage. My body trembles violently, wracked with great, heaving ugly sobs. My knees buckle, and I stagger to the plank, (I refuse yet to call it my bed) intending to lie down and let sleep overtake me. Perhaps if I close my eyes, I will awaken and this will all be revealed as a horrific dream. It is only when I am standing beside the plank that I realize it is impossible to climb onto it in my garments.
I try not to think of the cockroach I saw earlier as I sink to my knees and let the sobs consume me.
I have never felt more alone in all my sixteen years.
A Favorable Wind by Court81981
Pairing: Katniss Everdeen/Peeta Mellark (Everlark)
Length: 134,369 words
Author on LJ: N/A
Author Website: Author on AO3 | Author on FFN
Why this must be read: This historical AU story is based on an award winning children's novel written more than 20 years ago. After being educated in England, Katniss Everdeen boards The Mockingjay on a transatlantic journey to join her family in New England. She quickly finds herself in the middle of a mutiny and accused of murder by the ship's Captain Snow. The relationships Katniss makes with the ship's crew, including it's cook Cinna and young sailor Peeta Mellark slowly begin to unravel her limited vision of her orderly world. What is initially a slightly out of character Katniss (a well-bred young lady) beautifully segues into a more recognizable but equally independent young woman. The writing is taut and all-encompassing. Believe me, if you let this story consume you, you won't be able to put it down.
“Pardon my forwardness, sweetheart, but I gotta tell you that you really shouldn’t be here.”
“You are the second person to say such a thing to me.” A quiver of fear slithers up my spine, and I shiver involuntarily in spite of the oppressive heat of the ship. “Why?” He takes a step towards me, and I instinctively back away, but in the tight space, he looms over me, fixing those grey eyes on me again. I cannot help but notice that in the muted light of the lantern, they appear to be a similar shade to my own. The reek of stale ale is heavy on his breath.
“The others asked me to. I was deputized, if you will. I know it’s not my place to say it, but it’s too important. Your presence on this ship can lead to no good. There is still time, sweetheart.” There is a lilt of urgency to his rough voice.
“Mr…” I pause, at a loss as to how to address this man who never presented himself formally to me.
“Haymitch,” he replies. “Haymitch Abernathy.”
“Mr. Abernathy,” I continue, refusing to call him by his Christian name. Crass sailor or not, I can hear Miss Trinket’s voice echoing in my ears to address my elders by their proper name in conversation. “My father has made the arrangements for me to be on this ship.” Mustering all my strength to straighten my back and square my shoulders, I turn away from him, ignoring my trepidation and the overwhelming urge to scream to be allowed off the vessel.
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” I hear his footfalls begin to fade away, rhythmic bumps from my trunk that he is no doubt hauling behind him punctuating each step.
A smothered sob escapes my throat, and hot tears prick the corners of my eyes. I move to close the cabin door, but upon doing so, I am left in absolute blackness. Instead, I push the door as wide as it will go, letting in the meager light that streams down through the stairwell at the opposite end of steerage. My body trembles violently, wracked with great, heaving ugly sobs. My knees buckle, and I stagger to the plank, (I refuse yet to call it my bed) intending to lie down and let sleep overtake me. Perhaps if I close my eyes, I will awaken and this will all be revealed as a horrific dream. It is only when I am standing beside the plank that I realize it is impossible to climb onto it in my garments.
I try not to think of the cockroach I saw earlier as I sink to my knees and let the sobs consume me.
I have never felt more alone in all my sixteen years.
A Favorable Wind by Court81981