#katnip draws

[los-ninos-tortugas]

Had a creative itch that I just had to scratch. So here are my very poorly drawn renditions of some of my au Leo’s (it’s a learning curve)

We’ve got harbinger!Leo who, in my brain, had the most difficult design out of all of them so I didn’t work too hard on that one cuz I know I just won’t get it right right now anyway.

NIY!Leo wearing his little coronet that is very obviously inspired by Sylvie’s little horn crown from Loki, but Leo’s isn’t broken for obvious reasons.

And we have mute!Leo who’s design mostly consists of gradual changes to his look/accessories as time goes on, the most drastic of which is his tongue piercing that he’ll get sometime later in his story once I finally get around to writing it.

[the-city-kitty]

Hmmm turtle tots holding onto Splinter’s tail like a daisy chain

[thelegolink]

OC-tober Day 10: Pumpkin Patch Palette

Took me a while to decide who to draw today, went with another Troll: Katnip! She is Litlee’s neighbor, and is accidentally brought along with Litlee and Osamco into their session as a non-player. Through yet-unknown reasons, she developed a love of Faygo and sopor slime more commonly associated with purplebloods.

She’s an olive blood, so today’s green-heavy palette works nicely for her. Also some pumpkins because pumpkins.

[bryan360]

Here’s my note before I’ll get started….

(DON’T YOU EVER COPY FROM MINE OR MY FRIEND’S WORK, CHARACTERS, AND STUFF IF ONE OF YOU ARE IMPOSTERS WHO HAD HABITS OF PLAGIARISM! I WILL BLOCK YOU FROM MY BLOG IF I SEE YOUR POST WITH MINE OR MY FRIEND’S ORIGINAL WORK BEING EDITED ALL OVER! I’LL EVEN SHARE IT ONTO MY BLOG SO IF EVERYONE WILL SEE THAT YOU TRYING TO COPY MINE OR MY FRIEND’S THINGS FOR NO GOOD REASON WHATSOEVER! That will be all….I mean it.)

🎃Inktober of 2022 - Day 5: 🐱Cat

🇵🇷Me: After do that DeviantArt post share in the morning, I’m back with another Inktober drawing to share as well. If you’re a fan of old classic cartoons like Tom and Jerry or some clones like Herman and Katnip from Harvey Cartoons, then I just got something in store for Cheddars….though I may regret this. 😓 While cosplay as Dexter from Dexter’s Lab, he accidentally shrink an actual mouse size after trying to fix his shrink ray to take over the world. Classical villain trope if you asked him. Anyways, he suddenly being chased by a black cat from out of nowhere. Just wanted to take a snack on him. Yikes!

🐭🧀👓Cheddars: Somebody please save me! I’m too smart to die; especially when using my shrink ray to take over the world. I mean ya know; some not so villain trope that I’m doing. Although it’s not!

🇵🇷Me: Hang in there, Cheddars! This two mices from the mouse hole can do something to help you without harm….or just in case doing their classical Tom and Jerry stuff! I still may regret this, but it’s October though. So….yeah.

Previous Inktober Posts of 2022:

Day 1: ⚫️⚪️Cartoons - Link Here

Day 2: 🎃Pumpkins - Link Here

Day 3: 👨‍⚕️Doctor - Link Here

Day 4: 💀Death - Link Here

Cheddars (in Dexter’s costume) created by me; BryanVelasquez87 (Bryan360)

Tagged: @murumokirby360 @carmenramcat @alexander1301

[ho1mescore]

⚜️Intro!!!⚜️

Basic info:

Name:Kat/Katnip, Clay is also fine but Katnip is preferred if you really don’t know me.

I am Canadian, and I speak English mostly, but can read and write in French pretty well.

As of now I’ve been writing for about two years, and drawing/doing art for 7. I have always been big into fandom type shit and am excited to maybe get back into a lot of it after kind of being gone for a little while.

My interests:

Loki, Sherlock, Lotr, Trixie and Katya, Stranger Things, Potc, Twisted Wonderland, Genshin Impact, Batman, Iwtv, Bg3, and Silent Hill!!!

Hobbies(Relevant ones):

Writing, art and sometimes reading. And I listen to a WHOLEEE lotta music…

Favourite ships(Ones you’ll definitely see on here):

Johnlock, Lokius, Turrow, Rookvil, Kaebedo, Wriolette, Loustat, Steddie.

Where to find/contact me!!

If you want to give fanfic ideas, look at more of my art, read more of my writing, or just talk to me you can check me out here!!

Discord:Turrowing

Instagram:Turrowing

Twitter:Holmescore

Ao3:Holmescore

[vivians-unending-journey]

Okay, so a bit about me-

Vivian is my main, but I have 2 Alts. T'Mica Katnip (Miqo'te) and Serah Manfred (Elezen). Mica is currently in LVL 67 MSQ and Serah is currently at 6.2.

I have no friends to GPose with, I also have no idea how GPose works and at this point I'm too afraid to ask. I can't draw either, my skills there cap out at stick people, so don't be expecting any kind of artwork or pictures from me.

I claim to be a writer, but I cant seem to finish a WIP to save my life... I have too many AU's for Vivian and not a one of them seem to want to be finished.

I cannot comit to logging in for RP. I have too much to do in my personal life, no in game friends to RP with, and honestly have no idea how a RP in game works, and once again, I'm too afraid to ask. I can do RP through Discord, Tumblr or Line. But please remember, I have a life outside of the internet. (As nonexistant as it is)

I have endless incorrect quotes and thought bubbles so we can live with my chaos that way!

Please, please, PLEASE send me questions about my WOL. I love answering questions about her and it's kinda the only way for everyone to get to know her since I'm not very artistic and can't get more than 3 words on a document.

[acmeoop]

Herman & Katnip Storyboard Drawings (Famous Studios 1950s)

[justmaghookit]

katnip-karnivore replied to your photoset “throw back thursday here’s some garbage i drew back in 2007”

I have art from when i was 12 of dragons that are eerily similiar to the last three i kinda thought you posted my high school art book for a there

When I was last in tasmania I dug up your old art book and stole all your dragon drawing while you weren’t looking

[claramen-te-blog]

[los-ninos-tortugas]

For your consideration: Raph’s spikes lighting up, from the tip of his tail and up his shell a la Godzilla, and then he breathes fire also like Godzilla because it’d be rad as hell

[the-city-kitty]

.

[etherealluminescence]

the brothers + the former undateables finding out buff cat has kittens that are visiting devildom, but unfortunately buff kittens are extremely chaotic little shits, mc + diavolo + barbatos + simeon + satan doesn't believe anyone when they say "I'm convinced they're pure evil and they bite" "no they baby"

buff cat Buff Cat BUFF CAT BUFFCATBUFFCA-

I was really excited to write this. I LOVE Buff Cat. This is just making me grin while thinking of writing it. Aaaaa I mean I couldn’t just not draw it either,, aha? ;)

This also works for Belphie and Luke, but I think Mammon sees the most of the cats because he likes MC and visits them, but is TERRIFIED. More buff cat memes at the bottom. Also warning very long.

Brothers and New Datables reaction to Buff Cat’s kittens!

Lucifer

As soon as MC left the kittens and him alone, chaos ensued. Within minutes, one of the kittens successful spat out a hairball on him, and another was about to break his desk. The third was on his bookshelf, biting the spine of his books.

He didn’t want to raise his voice at kittens, but he swore they were trying to antagonise him on purpose. Normal kittens do not act like this.

As soon as he caught one coating his paperwork in their saliva, he began to shout. This only backfired, as they truly did plan to beat the shit out of him.

He knew he couldn’t retaliate, or MC would be mad, and so would Diavolo. Also, he’s pretty sure that their dad would beat him up.

The kittens clawed up his shirt, broke his desk, ruined his paperwork, books, pens, and made him bleed. He tried his very best to put them in corners without hurting them, but they acted as though they were high on katnip and are professional murderers.

Needless to say, as soon as MC returned he was breathless and a mess. MC didn’t even notice, and told him thanks for playing with the kittens!! He was about to tell MC to keep their kittens on a leash when MC just said they’re so energetic at this age.

Energetic?? You mean that’s ENERGETIC? Not MURDEROUS INTENT?

Never wants to be near another buff kitten. What on earth happens during their adulthood that changes them from a chaotic shit to this otherworldly entity.

Mammon

Mammon was screeching for hours. Literally screaming they were out for his flesh, and can smell his fear.

They bit his ankles and even with the blood seeping from it, neither you or Satan believed the buff kittens did it.

You both laughed it off as him getting hurt, and went to take care of the kittens.

He swears they’re trying to kill him and sacrifice his very soul.

Also he’s never stealing from Diavolo again after they started staying there, and even began protecting the place.

Leviathan

He was fine with Buff Cat, so why not the kittens? They looked so well behaved like MC, so why not offer to look after them for a little bit, while everyone was at school? He doesn’t go in person so he doesn’t mind.

Ah what a big mistake that was.

These kittens are trying to break into his aquarium; quite literally. They just attempted to headbutt the glass and made running starts repeatedly, hoping it would crack.

As soon as he got them to stop doing that, they began to knaw at his wires, which he had to stop. When he got a headcount, there were only two, so where was the third?

SHIT! HIS RURI CHAN FIGURINES!

The third one was now biting off one of his limited addition Ruri chan’s arms, and Levi was getting pissed. He wasn’t sure what he’d tell MC, but he was ready to kick them out of his room.

He remembered buff cat, his good buddy, and tried to just watch over them a little longer. They were his kids, so he could just do him one favour.

Levi was screaming in regret when all his manga was ripped to shreds. All. Of. It. Nothing was spared, and Levi was ready to kick them out for real.

Until MC and Buff cat came in to take the kittens. Levi was going to scream out his frustrations, but just as he said “your”, a kitten bit his ankle causing him to silently scream and fall to the ground.

Concerned, you both ran up to him and tried to help him up, wondering what happened. One kitten however, walked behind you and put a paw to his neck and sliced. Afterwards, he did the I’m watching you motion.

Scared enough to almost piss his pants, Levi kept his mouth shut on the experience he had today, and probably tommorrow. After all, since it went so well he wouldn’t mind watching them this week while everyone attended classes, right?

Satan

Wherearethebabieswherewherewhere

He was so excited, and constantly babied them. He had all the cat toys, the best cat food, and became a sort of servant for them.

With just a meow or point he’d be off to get them whatever they wanted. Even if they bit his books or stole his clothes, he’d just go aweee!! They’re learning how to use their bodies as they grow.

Originally opposed to Diavolo keeping them, as he wanted them, but the royals was a much better choice for three growing kittens.

Constantly showers them with affection and tries to baby talk them. It sounds kind of creepy.

When his brothers try to bully or blame the kittens for something the kittens obviously did, he lectures and berates them on cat development and why they shouldn’t hurt their feelings.

Asmodeous

Screaming out of fear and anger. Asmo found the three kittens in the mess of his clothes in his room.

They were all ripping and shredding at his clothes, and when they noticed him proceeded to bite and scratch as his hair, attempting to rip it out.

He was screaming like he was being murdered, and running around the room for five minutes. Every time he tried to exit, one would block the door.

Sensing that their MC was coming, the three behaved and snuggled up to him, meowing and purring as if they were content.

When MC entered, they noticed the scene before them and smiled!! How cute!! The kittens were snuggling against Asmo.

Asmo was shrieking and explaining to you what had happened, and your kittens pretended to act asleep.

Upset by him framing them, you gave him an earful that if he ripped up his own clothes on accident, he shouldn’t blame the kittens!

To think Asmo was so irresponsible.

Beelzebub

He figured since Buff cat worked out, and these were his children, who were absolutely buff, they’d work out too right?

Oh yeah. They worked out how to absolutely destroy the entire gym in a matter of minutes.

They aggressively beat up every gym go-er and threw dumbbells everywhere. They wrecked the treadmills and other machines, and bit off the wires for the electrical side.

Within minutes, Beel and the kittens were kicked to the curve, and banned for life. The injured staff and people were taken care of by Lucifer’s credit card. He 100% believed the buff cats did it, but neither you or Satan did.

It was kind of frustrating how you taught demons randomly burst into pain or that possibly Beel did it, but he understood you wanted to protect the kittens.

He understood they were still young and energetic, so they weren’t as peaceful. He’s aware they’re chaotic and will not deny it, but he still takes care of them as occasionally let’s them teeth on his fingers, so they can grow strong, since he knows they’re just playing.

Belphegor

no No NO.

He does not want to be near the buff kittens. He’s barely able to approach Buff Cat, but buff kittens? No way.

These buff kittens terrify him more than buff cat, and that’s saying something. There are three chaotic pieces of shits running around, biting ankles and trying to claw at everything.

He runs to the attic, unless the buff kittens are there. If they are, he runs off into the unknown.

Diavolo

He was the one who approved of them visiting. As soon as he heard buff cat actually had kittens, he wanted to meet them. With Barbatos agreeing, Lucifer lost the battle.

Was so happy to have them. Had Barbatos prepare everything, and even spent a whole lot of money on jewelled collars and adorable outfits!

He let them have the best milk in devildom, and even allowed them to rest in his room during their stay. It was even better because Diavolo was recently asking Satan for cat recommendations, as he felt like having a cat to pet while working would be nice.

This is based off a chat. ^^.

You all, the five, agree that it’d be a fun idea for them to stay in the devildom, and they’d be close to buff cat too, it’s a win win. They could stay with the royals, while HOL has Buff Cat. Simeon couldn’t take any since Luke was terrified.

Diavolo 100% babied them, even more than you. Some say he looks big and a bit scarily buff, but he now posts on his devilgram pictures of him and the kittens, which has actually helped his approachable image.

Cat papi.

Barbatos

He was on board with the idea of meeting new baby buff cats. He does pretty well with kids, and wouldn’t mind seeing the babies of such a sophisticated cat.

He was delightedly when MC handed them to him, and told him they’d be gone for a bit. He properly fed them, changed their clothes, pet them, give them attention, and even told them stories of MC.

The kittens were constantly entertained, and purred in delight every time he approached them. They seemed patient and cute, but according to the other staff they were worse than actual demons.

Apparently they were the ones who broke the stuff in the hallway, and managed to get a password to a secret room and broke everything in it. Luckily for the kittens, Barbatos didn’t believe it.

I mean, how could three kittens that seem desperate for love that just want some warmth act so devilishly?

Happy to report to MC that nothing came up. Even if he did catch them in the act, it wouldn’t matter. He would think they’re just being a little playful or energetic.

Very delighted that they catch mice, and now that they live here he has three strong cats to protect his kitchen and the prince.

Solomon

This is great!! Now he knows that buff cats breed, can he dissect them?

He was attempting to catch one while the three were there, but these chaotic brats would not sit still. They were jumping from couch to shelves, knocking over all sorts of things.

When he finally got them in his room, they began knocking over all his potions and books, and even began to bite back. They hissed and smacked him with their tails, body slammed him, and tried to claw his eyes out.

He figured feeding them would calm them down, but they ended up breaking his plates as soon as they saw him attempt to cook, these kittens have good intuition.

They proceeded to break everything in the kitchen, and when you came in to check on the noise with Simeon, you saw your three little kittens covered in flour, and Solomon with a defeated look.

Solomon tried to explain, but he got lectured for trying to dissect your babies. You even yelled at him for making them so scared that they tried their hardest to escape him, and almost got hurt because of it.

10/10 thinks those things are little shits.

Simeon

He loves them!! He’s probably good with human children, but with buff kittens he’s amazingly good as well!!

The kittens were well behaved and allowed him to pet them, and curled up as he read them stories!!

He gives them their bottles of milk,, he makes sure they’re warm,, and he babies them!! Because they’re baby.

He gave off great dad energy, and even invited Luke or Solomon to play with them. Luke suddenly had to visit the grocery store and Solomon for some reason was nowhere to be found.

Simeon would love to babysit them again, and even asked if they would come over more often! He and Buff Cat will also share stories of the kittens from now on, because they’re so cute.

Luke

No.

He is not going NEAR them. If he’s terrified of buff cat as is, what makes you think he’s not going to be terrified of buff kittens?

The second he sees one of them act mischievously, he’s screaming for Simeon. However, he just watches Simeon laugh it off.

He’s going to stay in his room until those demon spawns disappear.

+ MC

You were so so happy. Buff Cat’s little kittens were visiting you in the devildom, and you were ecstatic.

When you saw the kittens, you cuddled each of them for twenty minutes straight. You peppered them with kisses and gave them tummy rubs.

The brothers watched in shock, and were slightly envious that you were cuddling the kittens.

You got up to stretch, and as soon as you did they ran around and tried to bite everyone in the vicinity, and after you sat back down, they curled up to you like nothing happened.

Luke was in the corner shaking from how he just witnessed a kitten attempt to bite off Asmo’s eyelash.

Everyone except the baby bunch suddenly felt chills up their backs. It was not going to be a good week.

——————-

Here’s some memes! I think it’d be pretty funny and great on the lore if the royals actually took in the buff kittens, and began to care for them. The cats are as chaotic as Diavolo, so Diavolo would probably take fault and say he must of influenced the cuties, who are just replicating what they see like babies do. Luke, Mammon, and Belphie will never visit again. The kittens will also protect the jewels.

[marauders-pride-fanzine]

Next week our Zine will be published!! 

If you haven't saved yourself a copy yet, you can do so by following this link! We would also like to take this opportunity to introduce some of our contributors! Without you all this wouldn't be possible. ❤️

Today, we start with the lions:

@faabyy21 is participating for the second time and has again contributed two awesome Wolfstar stories, that you should definitely go and check out!

Social Media: Faabyy21(tumblr & ao3), QueerBooksOfQuarantine (Instagram)

Katnip is one of the few artists who has submitted both a story and two incredibly beautiful drawings of Jegulus. You can find those pieces in your copy of our zine!

Social Media: Pandaburger14 (ao3), tired.and.gay.pls.help (Instagram)

[mooncicada]

@randomkitkat‘s oc, Katnip! I hope you like her. :D also: i’m still up for drawing inkling/octoling ocs! just read the inbox and send a message.

[ducktracy]

This will probably get lost amongst a sea of asks, but I have to say that I like your drawing of Kitty Bright more than her design in the cartoon itself. I always thought those cats looked strange. Charming, but strange. Fun cartoon though, and I really enjoyed your review.

THANK YOU, THIS IS VERY KIND!!! i HAVE been trying to be better about asks, but i will admit that i’ve held onto this one for awhile just because it makes me smile when i see it. what a compliment!! that really means a lot!

I’M VERY FOND OF THAT DRAWING TOO!! i feel the designs in Katnip Kollege have a lot of potential if they were just spruced up a liiiiiittle more… they certainly can be strange HAHAHA when i drew that i also planned on drawing either Johnny Cat or the band of cats that sing the main song number but never did… maybe i’ll revisit that idea!

THANK YOU VERY MUCH AGAIN!! this is too sweet and messages like these remind me why i keep doin’ what i do, whether it’s drawing or spitting out a review (which i hope to be more regular about! need to manage my free time better). i apologize for the delay on answering this—and ALL the asks in my inbox—so i appreciate your patience and super kind words! i promise this ask is far from lost!

[captainseaweedbrains]

The Dance of the Color Guard, Op.64 Chapter 1

Katniss and Peeta used to be best friends when they were kids, but now in high school, they're barely on speaking terms. It isn't until they are forced together as the titular star-crossed lovers for their marching band's field show that they will have to face their past mistakes and try to get along if they ever hope of defeating the notorious Capitol Height's Imperial Marching Crusaders in competition.

It's all about winning and if that means pretending to be in love with Peeta Mellark, so be it.

But a lot can happen in six months.

Tumblr: x

Ao3: x x

April—Six Months Earlier

“Don’t be so obvious,” her music stand partner Leevy whispered in amusement, “but Peeta Mellark is staring at you again.”

“What?” Katniss looked straight up, not even pretending to be subtle, and locked eyes with the first chair trumpet player sitting directly across the room from her. His eyes widened for a moment, probably assuming she wouldn’t catch his stare with the clarinet section in front of him, but instead of looking away like a normal person would after being caught, Peeta Mellark smiled at her, his right eyebrow raising suggestively in question. Katniss gripped her flute and pointedly turned back to her music, knowing her section would be criticized next on their sloppy runs.

He liked to do that every so often during rehearsal, look at her like she was some kind of joke that amused him. Get her all flustered with those stupid eyebrows and smiles. Leevy enjoyed pointing it out all the time, drawing kissy faces with their initials in hearts on their shared music that Katniss would then furiously erase because what if someone saw that? People in band were gossipy enough with who was dating whom and who broke up with whom.

She didn’t want anyone thinking she had a crush on Peeta Mellark.

Mr. Abernathy, their band director, stepped between them on his podium, breaking any eye contact Peeta could make on her, and tapped his baton on his stand to grab everyone’s attention. “Okay, listen up, ya mangy teens! A few announcements before you all age me once more with your apparent lack of practicing. First being, next season’s field show—”

“Oh, can I say it?” Miss Trinket, their assistant director, asked, already pushing Mr. Abernathy off the podium. Miss Trinket was a small wispy woman, her height mainly due to the massive heels she sported no matter the season, but despite her title and small stature, it was clear to anyone with eyes who was in charge of any decision making for the band program.

Miss Trinket cleared her throat, smiling brightly as the room waited with anticipation. 

Marching season was one of the biggest things they did in the school year. Everyone looked forward to it and a strong field show could finally mean getting Athens Ridge High’s Marching Gladiators to finals and beating the crap out of their arch rivals: the rich snooty Capitol Heights Academy’s Imperial Marching Crusaders.

Every year they always came so close to beating them, but Capitol Heights had the money for large expensive props and Athens Ridge did not. They were lucky enough to have been able to afford new marching uniforms a few years back, replacing the threadbare grey ones with sleek black and gold. Mr. Abernathy always reminded everyone that he didn’t care about winning, nor did he give a rat’s ass about Capitol Heights and all their achievements. All he cared about was that they performed to the best of their ability and marched off the field with pride, but Katniss wanted their band to be the best. Everyone in the Athens Ridge band did.

“Can I get a drumroll, please?” Miss Trinket asked, looking pointedly to Gale in the back.

Gale rolled his eyes, but started the roll on his snare drum.

“This year’s marching show is…” Another dramatic pause.

“Will you just tell them, woman? This ain’t the Oscars,” Mr. Abernathy snapped, sick of all her flairs and dramatics. “We’re doing Romeo & Juliet. There. Now get off my podium.”

Miss Trinket held her ground, her pale features brightening under her anger, making her purple-streaked hair stand out more than usual. “Haymitch—!”

Everyone watched, entertained by yet another round of the two directors going at it once more. Katniss turned to look back at Gale, the head keeper of the betting pool, and he signed another two months before their directors would go at it like rabbits. She shook her head, laughing quietly to herself, and turned back to watch as the directors duked it out.  

“I’ve heard the music to this field show,” Leevy said after practice, cleaning out her flute. “It’s really pretty. I can see why Miss Trinket picked it.”

Katniss carefully tucked her flute back in its case, giving it one final shine before locking it shut. “You think Miss Trinket picked it?”

Leevy laughed and threw a pointed look over to where Mr. Abernathy sat slunk in his chair, stained coffee mug in hand as he scowled at some piece of paper. “I highly doubt Mr. Abernathy would choose a show like Romeo & Juliet without some heavy outside persuasion.”

She had a point there.

As they waited by the door, ready to book it the second the bell rang, Katniss and Leevy rolled their eyes at the chaos in front of them. Thresh Armstrong, a tuba player known for sneaking in toys from home, had brought out a foam football and had tossed it over to Johanna Mason, one of the smart ass percussionists, who almost crashed into the chimes trying to catch it. She held the ball up in victory and the guys around her hooted and hollered in applause. With a dramatic bow, she tossed it to Gale behind her, who caught it and called out for his girlfriend Madge to catch. Madge squealed in shock when the ball hit her in the back of the head, throwing the ball back at him in protest. 

“You’d think Abernathy would put a stop to that,” Leevy commented, laughing despite herself when the ball nailed Marvel Baxter in the face. “People can get hurt.” 

“Maybe he wants to see assholes like Marvel get hit in the face, too,” Katniss snorted, glad she got to witness it. “Do you think we’ll get to see Cato get hit in the face?” she asked, eyeing the bulky blond in the far corner with interest. 

“Doubt it.” Cato Martin was that stereotypical asshole who thought he walked on water and expected everyone to treat him as thus. And the sickening part was that people did. The school’s star quarterback was praised constantly in their school paper for his dedication to both the school’s athletic department and music department, despite being last chair in Symphonic Band and always being hounded for how bad he played by Mr. Abernathy. Despite his assholery, though, he always had a gaggle of followers around him, probably praising him for breathing. 

Katniss hated him so much, and it wasn’t just because they were locker neighbors and she was constantly having to shove him and whatever girl he was making out with off her own locker to squeeze in. Or that, since the 7th grade, he’s only referred to her as “Katnips Everslip” after a very unfortunate wardrobe malfunction at the community pool. Or even that time he taped rubber baby bottle nipples all over her locker sophomore year and only received a slap on the wrist by their dean, Mr. Flickerman, because he didn’t realize how offensive it was and he was so so sorry. Yeah, Cato sucked and she hated him for all those things and more, but she hated him most because Cato Martin was that entitled ass who just expected things to be given to him. He never faced any consequences and those were the worst kind of people.

Laughing at Marvel and his botched up nose, her eyes briefly caught Peeta’s and the amusement she felt seeing Marvel get nailed in the face vanished instantly. Every bully had that one lackey who wasn’t really an asshole, but was kind of one by association because he just went along with anything the bully did. Yeah, that lackey was Peeta Mellark. Which somehow made it even worse. She knew Peeta. Used to be friends with him in elementary school, back when your neighborhood friends were your whole world and nothing could come between you. Now he was just one of Cato’s goons who blindly followed whatever Golden Ass commanded. 

“Are you auditioning for color guard again?” Leevy asked, snapping Katniss’s attention back to her friend.

“Huh?”

Leevy’s eyes followed where hers had been and Katniss pretended not to notice the knowing smirk on her friend’s face, picking at a loose thread on her sleeve instead. “Are you trying out for color guard this year?” she asked again.  

“Of course.” Katniss flushed at her sure answer, but she always did color guard. It was kind of her thing, especially since Miss Trinket had singled her out freshman year, snatching 14-year-old Katniss off the practice field where she had been marching with her fellow flute players. “You’ve got the perfect arms,” Miss Trinket had told her and she’d been part of color guard ever since. 

“I’m hoping for captain, actually,” Katniss admitted, looking down at her beat-up sneakers. She hadn’t told anyone but Prim that, afraid she’d jinx it by putting it out in the universe too much, but going into senior year next season, she’d be the most experienced one auditioning. The odds were definitely in her favor, but the universe also had a tendency of fucking things up when she least expected it and she didn’t want to chance it.

Leevy sighed. “I wish you’d stay with the flutes. Maybe then I wouldn’t have to deal with that”—she pointed at the giggly flute players who were now fawning over Cato like lovesick puppies—"all by myself.”

Katniss gave her friend a sympathetic pat on the arm. “I’d rather shoot myself in the eye than have to deal with Golden Ass’ fan club. Why don’t you try out? You’re small, like me. I bet Miss Trinket would love that.” Their assistant director would be beside herself with joy at having another petite person in guard she could have tossed around. Miss Trinket was always complaining how there were too many tall girls nowadays and that it limited her “vision.” 

Leevy shook her head. “Oh, no. No, I don’t think I could ever do what you all do. Who would trust me to throw something in the air and expect me to catch it? And the way you did those handsprings for last year’s show?” She shook her head again in amazement. “I can’t even balance on one foot without falling. I’m nowhere near as talented as you.” 

Katniss’ cheeks darkened again at Leevy’s appraisal. Those handsprings were a bitch to grasp, she remembered, and the only reason she was the one doing them wasn’t because Trinket saw her as some talented goddess. No, it was just because everyone else was too afraid of doing them without any type of mat underneath them and Katniss wasn’t. She was about to tell her friend this—that yeah, she was pretty good with a flag and rifle, but all that can be taught and Leevy’s lack of gymnastic talent shouldn’t stop her from auditioning—when the foam football smacked her hard on the side of her head.

“What the hell?” She scanned the chaotic room for the culprit, rubbing at the spot where the ball hit. “Who threw that?” 

The culprit in question raised his hand apologetically and jogged over to pick the blue ball off the ground. Her hands balled into fists.

Peeta Mellark.

Of course.

“My bad!” he apologized, smiling down at her in that totally non-assery way that just pissed her off more. “I was trying to throw the ball to Glimmer and—” he started to explain, casually pointing behind him with his thumb.

“Your aim sucks that much?” she fumed, interrupting him. Glimmer was clear across the room by the other French horn players, far from where she and Leevy stood. “That could have hit my eye!”

There was a time, long ago, when she was once taller than him. She used to jokingly lean on Peeta while they waited in lines at school or the grocery store, calling him squirt and messing up his curly blond hair like his dad did, laughing when he’d scowl and pull away, hating that nickname. He always vowed he’d reach his growth spurt someday soon, just like his brothers, and she’d be sorry she ever called him squirt. Peeta stood almost a foot taller than her now, but she stood her ground. Glaring up at him, she considered using the old nickname, just to see if it rattled him

There was no way his aim was that bad. They’d had the same gym class for almost six years now and she knew he wasn’t terrible. Peeta was one of those guys things just came naturally to, especially sports. For years she has watched as he made the winning pass in basketball, smacked a volleyball down to score like nobody’s business, swiped the puck in during hockey. She smelled bullshit. 

This was probably some stupid dare Cato or Marvel put him up to. She eyed Marvel off to the side, still rubbing his nose. He was probably pissed at her for laughing at him and thought it’d be funny watching her get nailed in the face, too. Let’s see how hard the ball can bounce off Katnips Everslip’s tiny head! she could hear the idiots snickering. Marvel always did have a small ego. And of course, like always, Peeta just went along with it because that’s what Peeta did. Just go along with anything his friends suggested, even if meant injuring an innocent bystander.

“So why’d you throw it at me?” she point-blank asked, crossing her arms. “Did Marvel put you up to it? Cato?” 

His face quickly went from apologetic smiles to annoyance, rolling his eyes at her sneer. “You know, Katniss, believe it or not, accidents do happen.”

“Accident? Please,” she scoffed. “I know you, Peeta. You don’t do accidents. Everything you do is strategically planned and executed with exact precision. So who dared you? It was Marvel, wasn’t it?”

He looked back at his buddies and laughed, shaking his head incredulously. “I’m touched that you think I’m so robotic, Katniss, truly, but believe whatever the fuck you want. I said it was an accident because it was an accident.” 

“Just answer the question.”

“I already did.” He leaned toward her, his dark blue eyes mocking, and tapped the football on her nose with a smug smile, walking back over to his friends. Some of the guys made kissy faces at his return, laughing when Peeta shoved them to quit it, but he was laughing along with them. 

Katniss’ nails dug into her palms as she watched them, briefly wondering if someone could be glared to death. God, they were the worst.

“Wow,” Leevy breathed, watching the trumpet players, too. “The sexual tension is strong today. Felt like I was in a movie just now.” 

She turned to her friend, incredulous. “Sexual tension? With Peeta Mellark?” She gagged at the thought. “Did you not just see him be a complete ass to me? He hit me with a football!”

“Yeah and apologized for it.” Katniss rolled her eyes at the low standard bar Leevy had for apologies. Peeta’s apology was obviously fake and what about that annoying ball tap to the nose? Did she not see how condescending that was? “You two are so going to bone by the end of this year.”

The bell rang before Katniss could choke out a rebuttal.