river exploration | O P E N

[treadswater]

WHO: Annie Cresta & YOU; Annie Cresta & Finnick
WHEN: End of March, start of April
WHAT: Exploration with bonus cat.
WHERE: Gazin, the river
WARNINGS: N/A

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O P E N

Annie and Finnick have long since made plans for a little exploration. It's always a good idea to know your surroundings, and for a pair of people who used to be able to navigate the coast around the Victors' Village without maps if they had to, their lack of knowledge of the area around Gazin and the river has been frustrating. But Annie had wanted to wait.

Wait for them to earn enough money to have a base and supplies. Wait for the weather and for them to learn the river itself. Wait for them to know who to tell, in case they run into trouble.

And, then, they had to wait for Annie finish making Kapitan's new harness and leash.

Kapitan, the small grey tabby cat that Finnick had rescued a couple months ago, is currently perched on Annie's shoulder. Annie's on the docks at Gazin, going through her checklist for her and Finnick's boat, and the cat is watching the people around them with huge eyes, his ears upright as he turns his head this way and that. His harness is undyed, but cleverly made, and the leash is wrapped around Annie's hand. Should he jump off her shoulder, he won't get far.

Annie and Finnick have waited until the fishing boats have left to set off, not wanting to get in the way of the fisherfolk at work, but it is still decently early and Annie is not in a big rush.

She has the time to go through her checklist, talk to anyone who approaches, and even run back to the little house she rents with Finnick to retrieve something if she's forgotten it.

That is why she has a checklist. You can never be too careful when plotting out even a trip for a couple days.

Comments

[fishermansweater]

Finnick has been to the markets, picking up some last minute food supplies. They're of course capable of finding their own food, even aside from their ability as fishers. But they're also very aware of the benefit of starting out with food; there's a reason Careers stockpile, and it's not just that some of them aren't taught as many survival skills as they need.

So when Finnick reappears from the markets, he's carrying one of the baskets they use to carry food, full of newly acquired supplies.

"Hey Annie. I think I have everything we needed."

He sets it down on the ground near her, and reaches out to give Kapitan a scratch. The little cat gives a chirp and leans his head into Finnick's hand.

"Got everything on your list?"

[treadswater]

Kapitan had been such a thin, demanding little thing when he arrived, and he still has a-ways to go before he is fully recovered, but he's a marvel to Annie. That already he's filled out, his fur has softened and his muscles strengthened as he continues to grow. That already he's so confident that he loves standing on her shoulder and surveying the world.

But cuteness aside, Annie is Annie, and safety is paramount. As is preparation. So she goes through what Finnick has brought her before she finally says,

"Yep, all done. Let's pack it up and get going."

Finnick is usually the captain of their expeditions, but as first mate, she takes her role seriously.

Still, Annie also gives Finnick a quick grin. It's been far, far too long since they've gone out on an exploration cruise.

[fishermansweater]

Kapitan continues to lean against Finnick's hand, and when he tries to take it away, lets out a demanding little sound. He lets the cat win and gives him a few more pats on the head until Annie needs to move to look through the things he's brought.

"Great."

Finnick feels a grin flash across his face. It's exciting to be getting ready to prepare for an expedition again, and most exciting of all is that nobody will tell them how far they can go or how soon they have to be back. They can keep going until they run out of places upstream to explore, if they really want to.

This is familiar in some ways; they've gone sailing down the coast in their own boats in District Four, but they've never been able to be gone for this long or needed to take this much with them. So they're careful as they pack, making sure they have the things they need: food, shelter, tools, water. Everything is there. No surprise, since Annie's always been good at arranging this sort of thing.

So once they've loaded everything into their small boat, Finnick steps lightly aboard and waits for Annie.

"Ready to cast off when you are," he says.