Buttercup doesn't enjoy being squeezed as hard as he is, and he shows his displeasure by hissing and scratching and her arms in an attempt to break free. Finally, he bites down on her thumb, hard, and she responds with a hiss of her own, releasing him. Bounding away, he doesn't go very far but circles warily, keeping his distance nonetheless. To make up for the loss of him, Katniss curls up even tighter in the dirt until her chin is touching her knees, wiry limbs tucked neatly. Part of her pride doesn't want Jason to see her like this, so it's a very long time before Katniss answers, face turned away from him. Hidden by a messy mass of hair.

"Prim's cat," she croaks, and it sounds terrible - all phleghmy and scratched and muffled against her knees. It's all she has to say for Jason to get it.