FAILURE TO COMPLY ┃ f. odair

3.1 the beginning of the end

Late nights and early mornings were something Calypso was far too used to. Once, she'd had the privilege of staying in bed if she wanted, but that was when she was a child with two parents to care for. Now, she felt a little lonely without their guidance.

At the very least, she had her Aunt Millie by her side. Porter still hadn't outgrown that name gifted to her by an eight-year-old Calypso. But even seeing her 'niece' now as a twenty-one-year-old woman, she didn't much mind it.

"You're doing that wrong," the young woman pointed out, taking the hook and bait from Porter's hands and fixing it together. "I mean... I suppose there's no right way of doing it. Finnick just does it a specific way and it works for him."

"Evidenced by the packages he sends you every week," she replied with an amused smile. "We don't even have to be out here. No doubt he'll send another in a day or two."

Calypso tried to ignore the comment, despite its truth. Even after she'd told him in letters and over the phone plenty of times that she'd finally gotten the hang of fishing, he insisted on making sure she was well-fed by keeping her well-supplied. A small smile graced her lips at the thought of her beloved.

"Probably," she agreed, pulling back and then letting the fishing line fly until it landed in the water beyond their small boat. "I enjoy doing this though, coming out with you and enjoying the peace before we have to go back to the Capitol again. If not for... that... then for mentoring in a few weeks. If I'm waking up early anyway, I might as well make use of the time."

Porter returned the subtle smile with a sad one. She was glad to have been trusted with Calypso's darkest secrets. Simply having someone else know lifted a weight off her shoulders that, while replaced with something else, helped her get through each day without feeling utterly helpless.

"He's waking up in the night again?" Porter questioned, trying to discern whatever truths lay behind her counterpart's eyes. Calypso sighed and nodded her head.

"It's getting worse as the reaping approaches. I don't know if he'll be able to mentor this year, Aunt Millie."

"It's alright," Porter reassured the girl. "I'll take his place."

"You shouldn't have to," Calypso sighed. "I just want him to get better."

-

Life in Five had certainly not been easy in the last year. On top of Calypso's mental breakdown to her constant trips to the Capitol, Roman's health had been failing, and there was almost no way to fix it. Even with all her connections, it was near impossible to get ahold of a doctor who was both allowed and willing to treat whatever condition he had. She was certain Snow had something to do with it.

With just a quiet knock on the door, she entered her father's room, still dark from the drawn curtains. Only his bedside lamp was on, illuminating where he leaned lazily against the headboard with tired eyes and a pale face. When he saw his daughter, he gave her the best smile he could muster.

"I heard you leave this morning," Roman told her. "Did you go fishing again? Did Porter go with you?"

"She did," Calypso replied softly, placing the tray she held down on his bedside table. From it, she passed him a glass of fresh orange juice and put a bowl of freshly cut fruit in his lap. "She's getting better at it. If you find the strength one day, I think you should come with us."

"We'll see."

Such a simple answer, but one they both agreed on. Roman was more than aware of his own situation. Even though he'd spent months fighting the aches and pains, the headaches, the fatigue and the nausea, he'd eventually caved and moved in with his daughter to receive extra care on those days when he couldn't even get out of bed. Was he dying? They didn't know for sure, but it was probable.