Ruth Baran || Psychological Evaluation

[Arrows]

From the Desk of Dr. Imogen Lapointe
Evaluation 08: Year of the 7th Hunger Games

Her pen makes several final flourishes on the page marked for Azon Césaire before flipping finally to something fresh. A new page meant for a new tribute. Placing both her pad and pen down on the table, she takes it upon herself to step out of the cell for a second to get a freshly chilled bottle of water to place alongside the muffins. She has already gained more information than she could have imagined and she still isn't done. There's a lot to be said about data derived from such a statistically young age group. 

Returning to her seat, she takes one last look at Ruth Baran's file before slipping it away into the bag by her chair. As with any visitor of her's, she has to try to find the best way to approach. Often times the initial impression is what everything else is based on. Naturally, she can't account for everything but she can be as prepared as possible for what they may or may not say. Reactions are supposed to be her specialty after all. This next evaluation could churn up some interesting reactions based on Ruth's records. Although sparsely filled with much other than information on their laundry service, some inclination to religious routine has absolutely peaked her interest in this tribute from Eight.

The sound of the holding cell's door squeaks and she stands sparing a soft, yet considerate smile. "Hi, I'm Dr. Lapointe. I just have a couple questions for you, please have a seat and you're welcome to the water or muffins." She waits for Ruth to take a seat before sitting down herself picking up both the pen and the notebook before her. This is the beginning. "Before we begin, I just want to explain why you're meeting me. I'm a psychologist and I really want to get to know each and every one of you. To me, you're so much more than just numbers. You're unique individuals." Her fingers clicks the pen softly as though a prelude to the flowing ink that is to follow. How many times will she repeat this speech today? Another pen click. Many times, of course.  "Since there really is no great place to start considering the circumstances, Ruth how faithful would you consider yourself? You can use as little or as much detail as you'd like. This is your time, I'm just here to listen."

[marguerite harvard d2a (zori)]

ruth baran

Ruth had stared at the muffins for a good while. She wondered how fresh they were – the only ones she’d ever eaten were wrapped in cellophane and perpetually moist. Full of preservatives and fake fruit flavors. Still delicious, but they’d leave her fingers covered in a sticky sugary substance along with their crumbs.

The only doctor that had ever taken care of her to her memory was the time she’d wound up in the hospital for a broken arm when she was Mary’s age. Underneath white fluorescent lights and humming monitors they set her back together and took away the pain. A sort of magic she’d wondered existed at all. But as her father had pointed out, they didn’t want children to stay broken or hobbled. Not when they were so useful to making sure the world kept turning.

She had given away a piece of herself in the interview, and now she feared they might’ve known more about her than she’d care to admit. She wasn’t even particularly interesting – did they really know how much she’d struggled with going back to church.

“To my family and friends?” Ruth sat stiff-straight in her chair. “I’ll always be faithful to them. I’d do anything for them.”

Did the capitol believe in anything other than making sure the rest of the country kept peace?

“And I believed… believe that there is a greater power than we can imagine. One who’s words I try to follow and live my life by. Though I don’t know how good I have been about that lately.”