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Post by Seryna on Mar 29, 2012 2:09:12 GMT -5
As you head out after your morning meal; you note that your immediate neighbors are out and about fulfilling chores in preparation for the Reaping tomorrow. Moira, mother of three children of reaping age, stood hanging her children's best clothing in the yard. You spot her twelve year old daughter, Mabel, moping on the corner of the porch. Her sons, Matham and David, were stacking the fire wood in the sunny spot of the yard. Moira raises her hand to give you a reserved wave.
Another mother walks her daughter past your home, hand in hand. The daughter, who may be four or five, clutches a thread -worn doll with the eyes and smiling mouth hand stitched onto a linen face. The doll seems inappropriately happy with her small owner looking so glum. The child stares at you with wide eyes as she passes. You wonder if tomorrow will deprive her of a brother or sister...
The platform has already been erected in the courtyard and two Peacekeepers dutifully hand out tessarae for the ones bold enough to claim it the day before a reaping. The scent of pine hangs in the air... somewhere, a lumber team dutifully works to supply the lumber mill. Not much work will be done tomorrow, you suppose...
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CuteLikeMurder
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on Mar 30, 2012 0:26:52 GMT -5
Rory hates today. She hates this day even more than she hates tomorrow. Being chosen doesn't bother her as much as the waiting to be chosen or not does. She wants to face this if she could, head on. Death isn't nearly as terrifying as all this blasted waiting.
A part of her wishes that she could save Moira the grief of having one of her children taken and she waves back to Mabel, giving her a reassuring smile. It is going to be okay, she wills herself to believe this is true. But so long as there are these games, nothing is going to be okay. And no one is going to get a happy ending. Not even a little girl and her doll.
Her eyes narrow when she looks at the peacekeepers. Rory can hear her father’s voice telling her not to bother them; to wait until tomorrow. But Rory isn’t one for patience. And she walks right up to the two peacekeepers.
“Sirs,” Rory says, awkwardly.
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Post by Seryna on Mar 30, 2012 0:36:34 GMT -5
The platform for the Reaping has been completed and many people are shying away from the area; yet a few have the same need as Rory. Rory steps up as a girl about her own age departs with a bag of her life giving tessarae goods.
One of the Peacekeepers glanced up to Rory while another made a notation in a notebook. He was professional, his words polite if clipped.
"Applying for tessarae?"
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on Mar 30, 2012 1:06:49 GMT -5
Rory eyes the Peacekeepers neutrally and nodded. "Yes, sir. Two. One for me and my father." Rory has been putting her name in twice for the last 2 years. Her and her father need the extra goods. He doesn't like it. But Rory would do what she had to.
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Post by Seryna on Mar 30, 2012 1:22:25 GMT -5
The one with the notebook makes the notation, asking Rory for her name and age. He looks up the page and you watch as he scans your history; marking your current request. Two more cards in the globe for you, his expression seems to read. When all is in order, Rory is handed her box containing the goods for her and her father. Chivalry is dead among the peace keepers.
A young man in the line behind you remarks. "Do you need a hand?" There's genuine care in his voice as he steps up beside you. Its Cable, a young man your own age. He stands a head taller than you, his shoulders already broad from the work he does in the forest. Its always a slight jolt to see him, for his uncle was a tribute in one of the Games of your childhood. The resemblance is striking.
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on Mar 30, 2012 1:32:23 GMT -5
Rory looks up quickly, doe eyes looking back at the young man. She tries to will herself to speak. She has to say something. Anything. Now... Okay... Now. Rory nods. "Yes... th- thanks." Smooth Rory. Really smooth.
Rory is known for her politeness but she is more comfortable with lumber mill workers than boys her own age. Or boys, in general.
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Post by Seryna on Mar 30, 2012 1:35:52 GMT -5
"Of course." Cable replies smoothly, lifting the box onto a shoulder. "I'll be seeing you later." He says to the Peace Keepers with a smile for your benefit. The Peace Keepers gave him a flat look; already motioning for the next petitioner.
Cable shrugs affably as he walks away from the square, keeping an easy pace. "Those ones are the worse this time of year. They already have us by the short hairs, but a smile would kill them?" He shakes his head. "So I can't quite remember where you live..."
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on Mar 30, 2012 2:02:36 GMT -5
He's always so composed. How does he do that, Rory muses. She realizes she's been staring and shakes her head, feeling the heat rush up her face. All the girls her age like Gable. To say or for that matter act as if she is one of his many admirers is not Rory's style. Although... she had had a crush on the mini-celebrity since... well... for awhile.
Rory covers her mouth as she laughs at Gable's joke. She always does when she laughs or smiles, hating herself for being one of those girls. Despite her being a master tree climber and her skills with an axe, Rory is still subject to her teenage feelings. Must to her chagrin.
"A smile might kill a peacekeeper... I mean... have... have you seen one of them smile?" Rory replies.
"Closer to the mill," Rory points in the general direction, secretly grateful for the time with Gable.
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Post by Seryna on Mar 30, 2012 3:02:33 GMT -5
"Now that you mention it, I never have." Gable remarks after a brief silence while he seemed to rack his brain. "It must be some secret Capital deprogramming." He affected a deep voice. "Never smile at a person. Never look them in the eye. Always appear to be in great need of the privy..."
Gable half turned to follow Rory's direction.
"Ah, we live closer to the tree line." He replied, referring to his mother and younger sister.
As you near your house, you spot Moira carrying a bucket to gather more wash water. She glances towards you and your escort, giving you a discreet smile.
"Quarter quell..." Gable remarked, his eye catching on David and Matham. With their mother headed away, they had given into the urge to chase one another around the yard. "What new horror have they got planned for us, now?"
The tone of voice was somber...
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on Mar 30, 2012 3:13:16 GMT -5
Rory's face reddens under the pressure of Moria's knowing smile. She looks at her feet, thinking that her father wouldn't be as happy to see her with a boy. She looks up when Gable speak again, her gaze following his until it fell on the two boys. Rory sighed. "I don't know. I just wish we didn't have to find out."
Her heart skips a beat at the thought of being chosen for this year's games. It is going to be harder than the ones in the pasts. "I wish I could spare everyone in this district the grief. I almost want to volunteer."
That wouldn't save David and Matham. But Mabel would be safe for another year.
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Post by Seryna on Mar 30, 2012 3:31:35 GMT -5
Gable considered Rory's words, giving her a shrewd look. "It wouldn't be a complete act of mercy, even if you bravely spare her. " He stated glumly. "-We would have to watch you suffer then."
The young man stares forward at the playing children, sighing deeply. "I know what you mean, though. I can't imagine Jenny in the Arena. Mabel..." He turned to watch the girl trace something on the floor of her porch with a fallen leaf. "- its the same. They're just children. How can they survive?"
His voice is anguished as he considered the possible fates of the children. Gable suddenly gave himself a shake and laughed awkwardly. "I didn't plan to be so... crazy." He confessed. "It's Jenny's first year. I guess it just got to me."
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on Mar 30, 2012 3:40:28 GMT -5
"Better me than them..." Rory says with a shrug, rolling a piece of gravel around with her foot. She looks over at Mabel and mimics Gable's heavy sigh. She is glad for a moment for being an only child. She doesn't have to worry about a sibling like some of her friends do.
"We're all just children," Rory reminds him. None of them deserves this fate. They weren't a part of a rebellion, the shouldn't be punished for one. Rory hears the anguish in Gable's voice and places a surprisingly steady hand on Gable's shoulder. "S'ok. It's ok to be crazy over this. It shouldn't be like this. But I bet Jenny's just as scared for you as you are for her."
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Post by Seryna on Mar 30, 2012 12:32:00 GMT -5
"I know it." Gable sighed. "I keep saying the odds are in her favor, but..." He shakes his head. "Makes me sound like a Capital tool."Those steel blue eyes turn to meet Rory's gaze. Gable is silent for a long minute, considering Rory's altruistic statement. He seems to have a hard time getting around it, making a grimace. "I know that you would have a much better chance of surviving the arena," He manages, meeting your gaze. "- is that what you mean? Because you going in there... we're not like the careers. My mom... she started listing the winners last night after Jenny had gone to bed. " Gable's voice is cutting, underlain with anger. "#1 District 2. #2 District 3. #3 District 5... You know how often we become victors. Thats all I can think about going in tomorrow. You may be a little tree squirrel; I may be a lumberjack... but those careers. They seem like mammoths."
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on Mar 30, 2012 19:17:48 GMT -5
"You're not a Capital Tool. Well, no more than we all are." Rory says, turning away when Gable grimaces. She doesn't like to see people in pain. Rory sighs herself running a hand through her hair, finally meeting Gable's eyes. She would have like to say she hadn't noticed how blue they are. But she'd be lying.
"Yes, that is what I'm saying. I'd have a better chance than Jenny and Mabel. But it's also..." Rory's voice trails off into silence. How could she tell anyone that to her the worst part is watching the games? Gable would think she is more of a freak than he probably does already. But it is the truth. The look of anguish on a parent's face when their child is killed in the games... Rory wishes she'd never have to see that look again. "Mammoths went extinct... Tree squirrels and lumberjacks are still around... I'm sorry, I'm being weird, aren't I?"
Rory smiles at Gable, trying to get him to not look so angry. "We should make a pact. If we both get reaped tomorrow, we have each other's backs to the end. If only one of us does... we cheer for them as hard as we can."
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Post by Seryna on Mar 30, 2012 22:19:56 GMT -5
Gable stared at Rory for a beat, his expression incredulous. The young man suddenly bursts in laughter; shaking his head. "Extinct!" He exclaimed with a shake of his head. "That's one way of thinking about it. " Gable chuckled, shaking his head. The young man sobered as Rory referred to the Games that were occurring the following day. He looked skyward for a beat, composing himself before replying.
When Gable spoke again, his voice was somber. "So...it'd be you and me?" He glanced to Rory, meeting her eyes. "We'd be an alliance?"
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on Mar 30, 2012 22:31:07 GMT -5
Rory nods, her expression serious. She looks at him, thinking about it. Really thinking about it. A friendly face would help. Why is she thinking this way? It is like she already knows her fate. Or maybe it is just nerves. Rory doesn't know.
"Yeah. You and me." Rory says, blushing. The phrase seems alien to her tongue. "We'd be an alliance to the end..."
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Post by Seryna on Mar 30, 2012 23:06:20 GMT -5
"Like Conrad and Cypress?" Gales states slowly. There is a pause as he shifts your box, setting it down on the ground. He stares at the tessarae goods for a moment, likely mulling over that with taking this, there were two additional chances for you to be called. You remember that he was in line behind you, likely about to do the exact same thing. The odds are not in your favor this year. Gable's expression looks like he's seriously considering the horror of being Reaped. He straightens to his full height, somber as he looks over to you. Gale extends his hand out towards your body, palm up. "Alliance." He states somberly, with emotion in his voice and sincerity in those gorgeous blue eyes.
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on Mar 30, 2012 23:19:33 GMT -5
Rory nods. They are like Conrad and Cypress. Rory looks down, dark hair falling forward,hiding her face, and tries not to think about it. She can see herself in Cypress' shoes; dying, Gable's steely blue eyes looking down at her, trying to keep her alive but not looking too well himself. She would have told him to leave her. She'd tell him to say his goodbye.
Rory sighs. Death isn't scary, she tells herself. Just all this blasted waiting...
When she raises her head again, Rory's dark amber eyes are glassy. She's not going to cry. She's not a crier. Everything is just suddenly too real. But nonetheless she mirrors Gable, her hand tentatively touching his as if he'd burn her skin. "Alliance..."
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Post by Seryna on Mar 30, 2012 23:29:39 GMT -5
Gable grips her hand slightly, giving it a formal handshake. It reminds you of the terrible ritual the district representatives always call for on stage: the handshake that signifies fair play or whatever nonsense fills the head of district representatives. Now that you have done this in privacy, when it was just Gable, you and your shared philosophy, it feels more real than the pageantry of the Games. If you had to enter the arena, would you be happier with Gable at your side?
Gable smiles, like sunlight breaking through a morning fog. "But," He tries for a joke. "- thats not going to happen. " He affects the voice of your district representative who had sounded so shrill and half in love with the Games last year. "May the odds be ever in your favor."
He's trying for a smile, coaxing it with a dancing gleam in those blue eyes. Maybe he's honestly that hopeful. Or since you've heard his confession; he's pulling on his armor of optimism to face Jenny after he has to leave you tonight.
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on Mar 30, 2012 23:59:42 GMT -5
Rory fights the urge to giggle. But this is all very strange to her. Not the anticipation of the games. That is regrettable an ever-constant reality. But this moment, here with Gable. Not that she hadn't imagined a moment like this... not necessarily with Gable. She was a 15 year-old girl, any handsome boy would do. Though he is her ideal.
Yeah, and half the other girls in the district, Rory reminds herself.
"And in yours as well." She replies. Rory smiles. She knows better than to be optimistic. Life happens and sometimes the odds work against you. "But you're right. That's never going to happen to us. We're too pretty to die."
OOC: Firefly reference... Sorry I had to.
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Post by Seryna on Mar 31, 2012 12:46:05 GMT -5
Gable chuckles, his hand lingering on Rory's for just a second longer. Was it a sign of something more than cementing the bonds between them? Yet he retracted his hand, glancing behind you to your house. It looks like he's checking for someone. Maybe Father?
"Too pretty....' He agrees, sharing your smile. His is bright and full of mirth, reaching his dancing eyes. Were this a Capital production, you can't imagine any effect they could do to make him seem more earnest and handsome.
The young man half turns, glancing back the way that he had come. "I do have to go see our merry friends in white," Gable stated with some reluctance. "- but I won't be gone long." He seems to hesitate, as though he's forming some idea quickly in his head. "Maybe we can go on a walk. There's a new line of sweet - smelling trees planted near Victors Village...if that'd be okay?"
New trees for Hunger Games promotion?
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on Mar 31, 2012 13:53:44 GMT -5
Despite knowing her father is working, Rory subtly scans the area nearby for him. Nowhere in sight. That is good, though Rory's not sure why. One would have to be blind to not notice how handsome Gable is. But it begs the question: why did he want to spend time with... her? Rory isn't the most beautiful girl around here. Perhaps one of the most intelligent. But not beautiful. Pretty... maybe. But not beautiful. Not to mention strange - no - unusual.
Another question weighs on her mind on the heels of the first thought. Is this the start of a deeper connection? If it had been a Capital Production she would have known the ending before it even started. But this isn't scripted. Yet it is still like it is out of a dream. And Rory can't help but blush when Gable returns her smile, fighting the urge to cover her face as she feels the heat creep up her neck.
"S-sure.... I mean that'd be nice. I mean... of course it's okay." Rory laughs, shaking her head at her own awkwardness. When you've been peculiar as long as Rory, it either drives you insane or you learn to roll with the punches. Rory is a tough girl... emotionally at least. "I could even help you with your gifts from those very cheerful defenders of the peace."
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Post by Seryna on Mar 31, 2012 15:23:15 GMT -5
"Okay," He said easily. "I need to swing by and check on my sister on the way. Both parents are in the mill today and I -" He paused, shaking his head with a laugh. "- I seem to be pouring out all of my intentions to you, today. Got to watch that. I'm sure to bore you to death before the tomorrow even comes."
He begins to walk in the direction of the square. "It shouldn't take very long to get my allotted kick in the bucket. Looks like every one's gone."
The square stood nearly deserted, save for the pair of peace keepers at the table and the dozen or so Peace Keepers standing by the store room. The square looked much larger without the presence of your neighbors.
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on Mar 31, 2012 16:04:47 GMT -5
"I highly doubt you could bore me to death," Rory says, with a light chuckle. "Remember, too pretty to die."
She almost can't believe she said it. But Rory is the type to get comfortable after a bit. Once people don't flee or recoil from her as if she had a disease, Rory relaxes. And a bit of her timid exterior begins to crumble away. She wonders what will happen if they get chosen tomorrow. Gable swore an alliance but that would only last until there were just two of them. Then only one of them could walk out alive. She catches herself staring, wondering as she watches him, 'Could I kill him?' Rory searches her soul for the answer only to find silence. Then an another question replaces the old one, 'Could I kill someone?' Rory honestly doesn't know.
"Bright side... A short wait," Rory tells Gable, playful nudging him with her arm.
"Hello again, friends," Rory says politely to the peacekeepers. She looks around finally at the empty square. It is hard to imagine it this big. She sighs. "Well, until next year, gents."
Rory has no idea how ironic she's being.
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Post by Seryna on Mar 31, 2012 16:25:51 GMT -5
Gable also attempted to solicit a smile from the Peace Keepers, who seemed to scowl at the attempt. Once Gable had his box of life saving goods, he hesitated. He had mentioned about going home, but he wasn't quite ready to yet.
"How about I show you those trees?" He proposed. You wondered at the legality of wandering through Victors village, but newly planted pretty trees... That apparently smelled good?
Gable glanced to Rory, smiling. His eyes seemed coaxing. Another few minutes distracting oneself from the hell of tomorrow could be so hard to turn down.
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