nobody can save me now

stars are only visible in darkness

[pandora-watkins]

...Well, this place is...curious?

[pandora-watkins]

Pandora blinked at him, confusion clear on her face, but she said nothing for several seconds. ….What? She cringed at the lack of eloquence, then shook her head slightly. I…I think I’m the confused one now. Why was he suddenly so pale and quiet, when a moment ago it seemed he wanted to lunge through the bars to get to her? She wasn’t understanding, the implications not quite catching on.

[urystonsteppe-archive]

Our father. Barric Steppe was my father, too. Well. Before he was ever yours.

[pandora-watkins]

...Well, this place is...curious?

[pandora-watkins]

Why are you putting so much emphasis on ‘your’? Her eyes followed his prowling, unmoving in her position a few steps away from the bars of his cell. Well, I don’t know to tell you. I’ve nearly always had this, it was the token in my games and everything.

Barric. The first name came out easily, but the last name required a bit of thought. She had been given her mother’s surname, and her father had stopped coming around when she was so young..Barric..Steppe. I think. Don’t quote me on the last name, I took my mother’s surname.

[urystonsteppe-archive]

It was like seeing a ghost. That's exactly how Uryston felt right now. Barric Steppe. Not much of a father, but he respected him nonetheless. Until now. His face practically drained of colour. So he had a sister. After all these years of being the only child, he had a sister. 

The anger gone now, he sat on his bed, voice barren of emotion. I suppose I should say our father, now.

[pandora-watkins]

...Well, this place is...curious?

[pandora-watkins]

Well, that’s rude. Pandora frowned, and shook her head. I don’t see how I’ve earned any of this from having a necklace that my father left for me. However, his words processed and she tilted her head again. Is it not possible for two people to have the same charm? That was what logic told her. I’ve had this since I was four, I don’t really see any other option. And I don’t even know a Malcolm. You’re very…confusing. And frustrating. 

[urystonsteppe-archive]

Your father. Your father!? He began to pace his cell like a cat. He wasn't having any of it. No it's not. Only one of those were made. I would know-- I was there. 

What was his name, huh? What was your damn father's name?

[pandora-watkins]

...Well, this place is...curious?

[pandora-watkins]

I’m not good at lying, she remarked absently, and Pandora offered a shrug. Her brow knit together even further, confused by his sudden hostility. This must be why he was locked away, or at least one of the reasons. I’ve already told you, it was my father’s. He always wore it, and Mother said he left it for me since I always played with it when he was around. Something about her birthday, if she remembered correctly. Why are you so angry about something so silly? Sillly as it was, her hand wrapped protectively around the little charm. She had so few reminders of either of her parents, and she wasn’t about to surrender one because someone was throwing a fit.

[urystonsteppe-archive]

No. No, she had to be lying. His father was buried with the necklace. He knew, because his mother said so. ....Didn't she? Uryston scoffed at her, hate filling his eyes. At this point, he was just seeing red. It was my father's, you wench. Did Malcolm put you up to this? See what reaction you could get out of me?

[pandora-watkins]

...Well, this place is...curious?

[pandora-watkins]

 But that doesn’t mean you would help me. You’re likely to just take off running and leave me with all the trouble of cleaning up the mess I made. I don’t like messes much…well, this sort of mess anyway. 

Pandora took a step back as he lunged forward, blinking at him with childlike curiosity rather than fear. She tilted her head slightly, eyebrows furrowed, fingers still wrapped around the familiar worn token. It was my father’s, she said, voice colored with confusion. My mother gave it to me after he stopped coming around. I think he died.

[urystonsteppe-archive]

His upper lip curled up, sneering at the blatant lie. Had he not been behind bars, he'd have his fingers around her neck. Don't. Lie. To me. Where did you get the damn thing!? He said through his teeth. There was no way she could have his father's necklace. No way.

[pandora-watkins]

...Well, this place is...curious?

[pandora-watkins]

Well, no, I wouldn’t be…because I’d get myself out. And why would I need to let you out? You’ve already admitted why you’re in here.

It’s kind of fun to say though. Uryston. Uuuuurryyystttooon. She giggled a little to herself, idly twirling the charm at her neck out of habit as she bounced on the balls of her feet. It’s a good name, she decided with a nod, as though her opinion on the fact mattered. Interesting, too.

[urystonsteppe-archive]

I know this place. Like the back of my hand. That's why you should let me out.

His eyes are drawn to her fingers and whatever she's messing with. It looks familiar to him. Too familiar, and in an instant he knows exactly why. It's something his father wore often when he was still alive. The friendly features that graced Uryston's face disappeared into thin air at the realization. Without another thought, he was at the bars of his cell in another instant, his eyes turning snakelike, his voice venom. Where did you get that.

[pandora-watkins]

...Well, this place is...curious?

[pandora-watkins]

But some could be. What if they’d put me down here, or I’d earned my place down here? I could release myself and everyone else down here in the blink of an eye. Good thing I’m not, for their sake at least….but I should probably go repair that machine then.

Isn’t that how all names come to be, technically? 

[urystonsteppe-archive]

If they put you down here, that'd be a hell of a shame. A mind like that trapped in a cage like this. Yeah, you're damn right you'd have to let yourself-- and-- well, maybe just me out.

I mean yeah, but.. Mine was just.... Out of the blue. Doesn't mean anything, doesn't come from anything. Just.. A bunch of letters put together.

[pandora-watkins]

...Well, this place is...curious?

[pandora-watkins]

…It’s not really that impressive. It didn’t even take any tools, I just had to use my hair clip. The rest was just coding, and their methods are far too simple. I never would have imagined that silly little machine and system was meant for securing prisoners. It’s almost..laughable. 

I suppose my upbringing had something to do with it, yes. But I mostly credit my skills with technology to my own personal interests and research. She shrugged, eyes finally falling away from him to examine the rest of the area. I’m not particularly fond of them myself, but I can’t help what my mother chose for me. Your name isn’t exactly…normal either.

[urystonsteppe-archive]

Not all prisoners are geniuses, I'm afraid.

Can't say I know what my name is from. I'm pretty sure they came up with it up off the top of their heads.

[molly-cain]

Even then, I doubt we’d get very far..

[urystonsteppe-archive]

He sighed. It's the thought that counts.

[molly-cain]

It’s just so..infuriating that we finally got away and they got us back. It’s not fair.

I guess we’ll see.

[urystonsteppe-archive]

No, it's not. But we're back now and I doubt we're going to be able to get our hands on a hovercraft any time soon.

[molly-cain]

To you, maybe.

…Maybe…maybe we should try acting like they want us to? I don’t know if I can stomach being all hugs-and-kisses with Malcolm, but I could try.

[urystonsteppe-archive]

See, I can't promise I won't try to strangle every rebel I see. They're the ones who started this damn war, and I'm going to make them pay for it.

..Don't let him suffocate you.

[molly-cain]

And get yourself landed right back in here. 

…Just what I need, on top of everything else.

[urystonsteppe-archive]

True. But it'd be worth it.

Yeah. So. Play the game, Molly.

[pandora-watkins]

...Well, this place is...curious?

[pandora-watkins]

Well, I’ve not been informed of any rules and I’ve not been handed a rule manual either. They can’t expect someone to just…arrive and suddenly know all of the rules, that’s just absurd. Since nothing’s been said to me yet, I don’t see a problem with it, either. …And is that what that machine was meant to be for? Goodness, they need to improve their technology. It took me hardly two minutes to disarm and disassemble it.

…Oh. I think I understand now. But still she stood before him, arms clasped around a leather-bound notebook that she was hugging to her chest, looking at him with almost child-like curiosity. No, Three, actually. But my mother was fond of fairy-tales.

[urystonsteppe-archive]

Uryston laughed at that. The fact that 13 hadn't shown someone around yet was priceless and almost surprising. It seemed as if things were falling apart within the district. He stopped laughing when he heard her say disarm. If she could disarm their security, she could be of great use to him. That's.. impressive.

Ah, no wonder you could disarm their security. Tch. Fairytales. Never had time for them, myself. He looked her over once more, deeming her more trustworthy than any soldier that came into contact with him. Uryston.

[pandora-watkins]

...Well, this place is...curious?

[pandora-watkins]

But why not? It’s the same as a prison, is it not? I see no problems. I can’t get to you, you can’t get to me, it all sounds fine. I’m just interested in looking around, in any case. 

…Well why would you do that? And you don’t know who I am. Strange, almost everyone knows who I am..But Pandora will suffice.

[urystonsteppe-archive]

Talking to a prisoner of war, though? Surely there's something in their rules about not ever talking to one such as myself. How did you get down here, anyway? It's off limits to those without clearance.

I might as well kill as many of them as I can before this war ends. Obviously, not me. His eyes narrow, the name sounding familiar to him. It was on the tip of his tongue, but he couldn't quite get it out. Odd name. Capitol?

[molly-cain]

Is that your plan, then?That’s probably why they sent Malcolm down here, then. Well, failed that test.

[urystonsteppe-archive]

That's my plan. Then I'll create a little havoc.

He made a face and huffed. ..Probably. You can be sure to see more of him, now.

[molly-cain]

[urystonsteppe-archive]

Do exactly what they say, when they say it. Eat, drink, sleep. Cooperate. Play their game. It's the only way to get out of this hell hole.

[pandora-watkins]

...Well, this place is...curious?

[pandora-watkins]

I don’t know! I barely paid mind to anything District 13 related considering it was destroyed before I was even born. It didn’t seem necessary  to read up on. I mean, I’ve always meant to but I’ve never had time to get around to it. I’m not very researched in this area, I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed.

And how was that decided? Are you a criminal?

[urystonsteppe-archive]

..Hm. Well, if there's one thing I know about this god forsaken place, is they certainly wouldn't want you down here.

I tried to kill one of their soldiers. If we're going to play twenty questions, you might as well tell me who you are.