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[alsohawkeye]

OPR » 027 » 193
KATE BISHOP

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[axeyou]

The play of emotions that cross Kate's face are quick and interesting--too quick to really make very much of. Whatever's there, whatever Kate is thinking of--well, she composes herself well. That's admirable. But the abruptness of her departure is enough to suggest that Johanna has struck a nerve, somewhere in there. And that means she's come out on top for this round--always satisfying--but there's some sadness to winning so soon, when they could have kept playing.

Of course, she's only thinking this now that she's winning. A few minutes earlier and-- well, Johanna doesn't leave with dignity and grace, the way Kate is leaving. But there would have definitely been an exit made.

She watches Kate walk past her, raises her eyebrows as she observes that cross. "Don't tell me you're leaving. Come on, we were just going to start having fun again, you can't bow out now."

[alsohawkeye]

She's dignity and grace, she's Miss United States--. Well, two out of three, at the moment. Kate learned to smile with a stiff upper lip basically in the womb, and she smiles now, a politely slender thing that doesn't make it to her eyes. "I have other places to be," she says, shoving her feet into her shoes. It's efficient but not rushed. Rushing wouldn't send the message she's aiming for here.

She pulls on her shirt, tucks her gun into the back of her sweats. "I'm sure you'll find somebody else to play with. You don't need me, remember? And I need to wash my hair." She flashes Johanna another serene smile and turns her back, heading for the door.

[axeyou]

"You have to wash your hair." She repeats those words, with flat incredulity. Come on, Kate--even in Panem, that's the oldest line in the book. "I don't see why. Your hair looks great."

But she's not going to act all needy, or draw this out too much. If Kate wants to run away, whatever. Fine. Typical. She shouldn't have started it if she didn't want to finish it. Johanna crosses her arms over her chest, her hip cocked off to the side as she watches Kate walk away.

"Oh, I get it. Excuses," she sighs, when Kate is nearly at the door. "I should have expected that. Need any help?"

[alsohawkeye]

That's the point, Johanna. Kate could've made up a plausible lie, and she could've delivered it so it sounded real; she just isn't worth the effort. She smiles at the compliment, but continues heading for the door.

There's no literal run in her departure, a casual saunter, checking her comm as she goes, thumb sliding across the screen to start typing a message. She looks back over her shoulder at the door, brows lifting at the offer. Her whole expression is unflappably well-mannered, except for something around the eyes that suggests she's enjoying this. That every word Johanna says, every question and complaint, is another point she's winning.

She smiles again, and shifts head and shoulders in another little shake/shrug. "No thanks, I'm all set." She gives the doorframe a pat, and exits.