Speak Now, I'm Listening [(Open)]

[charade]

Razor Creel

ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMjA1NjgzMjk1OV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMzk0MzMwNA@@._V1._SX640_SY425_.jpg [/img]

“I'm always screaming my lungs out 'till my head starts spinning
Playing my songs is the way I cope with life, Won't keep my voice down
Know the words I speak are the thoughts I think out loud
I like to keep things honest, I'm a safe bet like your life's staked on it, for real
I'd hate to keep you all wondering, I'm constant like the seasons, and I will never be forgotten.”

The air in the training center seemed thick, like it was filled with the moisture of bitter tears and the ether of dashed dreams. Razor walked around nonchalantly, having finished a session for the moment. His thoughts were mired in his favorite subject. That subject being him. He was almost certain that he had gained some muscle mass since coming here, and that pleased him. He flexed before leaning himself up against a wall.

There was tension in the center, as the tributes that milled about cast furtive glances at each other, or conversed in low tones. He thought he saw a few tributes over by the fire-making station, and he most definitely saw and heard a girl crying to herself in a corner. He decided against engaging either of the groups in conversation. He didn’t know how to talk to a crying female, and he most assuredly did not want to associate with what looked like the male tribute from district twelve. He wondered what all the other tributes were up to, as the ones in this part of the center did not seem to account for the full twenty-four.

Razor reflected on how he felt about having been reaped. It was a good feeling. The look on his older brother’s face had almost been like icing on a cake. Shiv’s reaction had been priceless. He was never going to experience the glory of taking part in a Hunger Games. Razor had laughed long and hard about that. It was a reactionthat he found much more understandable than the one from, say...the female tribute from District two. Razor was not sure if the girl was entirely there or not. Most of the time that Razor had seen her, she seemed to be off in her own little world. Several others of the tributes seemed like that.

Still got something left to prove It tends to keep things moving,
While everyone around me says my last days are looming overhead
But what the hell do they think they know?
I keep my head above the water while they drown in the undertow!

He crossed his arms and put a toned leg up to the wall. He was finding this position very comfortable as it put little strain on his muscles. Having a great body in the prime of your life did wonders for stroking the ego. He watched a few tributes mill about. He had heard that one of tributes this year was blind. He wanted to keep an eye on that tribute. Normally, being blind was extremely detrimental to one’s health, especially in the arena. But a few years ago a blind boy from District Twelve had won the games, leaving Razor in a state of shock at the time. How could a blind person land an attack at all, much less a fatal one? It boggled his mind. He wanted to see if this blind tribute was made of the same stuff as… what was his name? Arbor Halt. Yes, that was it. Unfortunately he had no idea what this particular tribute looked like.

He thought about the rest of his potential opponents. Several of the tributes this year had odd names. Names he wasn’t sure he could even pronounce. But all thoughts aside, he really didn’t know that much about any of them. Nearly all of them seemed detached and almost unaware of anyone else. It was an attitude that confused him. Why did all of them look so glum? They were tributes. They were celebrities now. Didn’t that mean anything to the rest of them? Shouldn’t they be glad to be rid of their backwater existences? Didn’t their lives have meaning now? He finally decided to venture saying something. His comment was directed to no one in particular. There were plenty of tributes passing by.“Why the long faces?” He said glibly. “You’re all behaving like there's a funeral in here.”

So let’s get back to when everything seemed perfect
not a worry in the world, so tell me was this all worth it?
I get what I want, so everyone's always judging me
I'm not afraid of anything, and I've got the whole world in front of me!

Song= All I Want by A Day To Remember

[/size]

[sbeeg]

Having made it a goal to memorize all the tributes, I just now realized how difficult it truly is. You have to go to a station, get a few good whiffs of someone without looking odd (although I usually fail at that part) and listen until you get their name or district. Terribly difficult.

“Why the long faces? You’re all behaving like there's a funeral in here.”

The voice stopped me. It was male. I don't think I had heard it before. Oh, what's the use trying to decipher voices. I haven't the talent for it. Usually speaking to someone completely out of the blue would be very out of character but there was something in his tone that drew me in. Something I find often in myself.

"And should one act their own funeral? Is the protocol different for the person the ceremony is for than the attendees?" I wasn't sincere, more playful than anything else. Confidence swelled up in my chest like it used to back in District Nine right after a kill. I wanted to soak up that feeling forever, it had been too long since I had last felt it.

Whoever this tribute was, I figured it was better to have more friends than enemies and I stuck my hand out for him to shake.

"Saskia Hamilton. District Nine. You?" attempting a subtle sniff of the air, I caught the scent of flowers- no fake flowers. Like that creamy stuff the Capitol lady on the train kept using and tried to put on me. Either this boy was assaulted by the same Capitolite, or he was from a wealthier District.

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[charade]

Razor Creel



"Don't get me started on what it means to be alive
you're lying to yourself and then you still sound and act surprised.
Cause you're scared, can't come to terms with what you are..
The wolves in sheep's clothing will only lead so far. You'll wait.
And they'll go. Cause in the end we all end up alone. So just wait, you'll know."

The words he had spoken seemed to hang in the air before him. Could he have made a social faux pas of some sort? No, that couldn't have been it. These other teenagers just didn't know how to act. Many of the tributes already behaved as if they would die the moment they set foot in the arena. It was an attitude that continued to confuse him. A good majority of the people that he associated with in his home district would kill just to participate in a grand event like this one.

Interviews of the tributes had begun, and Razor had gotten an opportunity to see a few on the screens that seemed to be almost everywhere. It was a constant reminder of what was expected of each of them. Of the dialogue's he had seen, several of his fellow competitors looked unsure of themselves. Uncomfortable even. Whatever the case, Razor had a much different mind set. He felt higher than any of the times he had taken a hit of morphling.

"I rely on myself just making sure that was clear I'm not in need of your crutches, I face all my face fears and I want what I knew I could have. Life is not a punch card make the best of what you have. But don't wait. Just go. And when you find yourself, please let me know."

He began to feel drowsy, like the atmosphere was sapping his will to think. As his eyelids began to droop, he heard a female voice reply to his comment. "And should one act their own funeral? Is the protocol different for the person the ceremony is for than the attendees?" The voice seemed slightly sarcastic, perhaps even a bit mocking.Razor turned his head and focused upon the speaker. A brunette girl with an athletic build stood just a tad to his right. She was an attractive specimen with pink lips; If a bit rough around the edges. The girl wasn't looking directly at him, but more in his general direction. This disconcerted Razor for a moment and he gave her an odd look. But when he stared at her eyes and realized that they were glazed over like some sort of milky pearls, he knew that this tribute was the blind one he had heard about.

"Saskia Hamilton. District Nine. You?" He wasn't entirely sure, but it looked like she had sniffed the air as she said this. Not that it bothered him. He was smelling pretty good in his opinion. She stuck out a hand to him for a shake. Gripping the proffered hand, he replied: "Razor Creel. District 2." He smirked before continuing. "I don't know how one should act at their funeral but it's a bit gloomy in here for my taste. I was beginning to think everyone in here was deaf or mute."

"In the end it's not about what you have.In the end it's all about where you wanna go
And the route you take to help you get there. I hope you think that's fair."


Song = This is the house that doubt built by A Day To Remember

[sbeeg]

Oh the dreaded pause. Maybe I over exaggerate it but it always seems that after I speak to a new person thee's this long unforgiving pause. Silence while they take in my appearance, it lasts so long because I can not do the same. This tribute's pause seemed to last forever, no doubt lingering on my eyes. People always do, I don't even have to see them to know that they stop dead at the sight of my eyes. Disabilities make people uncomfortable.

"Razor Creel. District 2."

District Two, wealthy answers that question and he's probably a Career too. Never have understood those kids and never will. His handshake testified to the category of Career too. A firm kind of grip that a "tough guy" practices to make sure all his enemies know he could take them down. Well, at least in District Nine that's what it means. In District Two? Well, things are different. There was just one thing I couldn't get over. Razor Creel. What kind of a name was Razor? Was it supposed to sound threatening? It failed. I had to bit the inside of my cheek to keep from chuckling out loud. I'm Razor, prepare to meet your doom! What a laugh!

"I don't know how one should act at their funeral but it's a bit gloomy in here for my taste. I was beginning to think everyone in here was deaf or mute."

The laughs I had manged to pull back into a smile dropped. Heat grew in my limbs and I bite down even harder my cheek to stop myself from tackling Razor right then and there. Deaf, mute or blind they're all the same to everyone that doesn't have to deal with them. Whatever his intention with the words, I took it as an insult. I haven't been in this Gym for even an hour yet and already I'm getting jokes. Not even goodhearted jokes, they're from a Career from District Two! Some guy named Razor who smells like the Capitol dumped a bunch of roses on him. Like hell I was going to let some frilly Capitol lapdog make jabs at me!

"Tell me, Razor," taking a few steps closer so that I passed into his personal space. I despise these kids who think they're all that because they had the good fortune of being born into a richer District and could have education in everything from reading to combat when I couldn't! "What it is that makes you so funny."

Having practically spit out the words at him I marveled at my temper, just a fragile thing that could get set off by such a variety of triggers.

[/blockquote]

[charade]

Razor Creel

[/color][/size]



Try to be open minded,You"ve got a lot to learn in the ways of me.
You always gotta say something,I'm none of your concern but you wont listen at all.

Interesting. He watched as the Saskia girls smile faltered. Had he struck a nerve? As she took several steps toward him he noted that her face flushed red. It was kind of cute."Tell me Razor, What is it that makes you so funny?" It was obvious to him that she had taken a distasteful tone. Smiling, Razor thought that her reaction was great. Finally, He was seeing a tribute with some backbone.

She was up in his face now. Which was a little more than he had expected. Perhaps not from a District three or four, would a reaction like this be unexpected. But from a District nine? Well...
Had what he said truly deserved such disdain? He watched her unchanging gaze for any hint of shifting emotion, before silently side-stepping her and taking a stance behind her.

He leaned in towards her ear before speaking. "Who said I was trying to be funny? It was an observation. Nothing more." He began to walk in a circle around Saskia. "Do think you could tell me about District nine? Or anything about yourself?" Razor surprised himself. Normally he would hate having to learn anything that was not fighting related, but this blind girl intrigued him.

You gotta keep this comin,
Tell it like you know it, but you don't know nothin.
Your call, we can settle this like gentlemen,
Or meet me out the back to end it all and start again."

Song = Better off this way by A Day to Remember.
[/blockquote]

[sbeeg]

Still fuming, I waited for a reply but when I finally got my answer it came from behind me. When did he move? Why didn't I hear him?

"Who said I was trying to be funny? It was an observation. Nothing more."

The fact that this Razor managed to move around me without a single sound and get that close to my ear was unsettling. He spoke and suddenly I was aware of him behind me- why didn't I notice it before!?! Mentally kicking myself for the error, I stood perfectly still. There was no cause for me to turn around- I don't have to face people to speak with them. However, he moved. The District Two Career's footsteps started around me, I could hear them perfectly even though I was blind to them before. Something in his movements made me feel like a small animal- prey. I was being hunted and the Games haven't even started yet- No. I'm the hunter! Saskia Hamilton is not unnerved by pampered Careers no matter how sharp their words are or how quietly they can move around.

"Do think you could tell me about District nine? Or anything about yourself?"

Caught completely off guard, I wasn't sure how to take the question. What would Razor Creel of District Two want to know about lowly District Nine and some blind girl who was reaped from there? Standing straight, I tried to cool down my frustrations at this boy. Calm and collected, that was the way to go. Razor was still circling slowly around me, baring me there to hear his question answered.

"Probably nothing like District Two," I said, intending to leave it that, but knowledge of District Nine is something I have the upper hand about. Conversation is just like combat, if you're better at close-range you keep your enemy close, if long distance is your forte you keep your distance. "It used to smell like earth but it now it smells like," I paused to take a large, showy whiff of Razor as he passed in front of me, contorting my face into one of repulsion."You."

It was true though, once a hunting district now one filled with factories that make necessities for more comfortable districts and the Capitol such as the horrid smelling soaps this boy appears to abuse. Coughing from the sudden intake of artificial fragrances, I punctuated my summary with a grin.

"As for myself? Well, I'm not that interesting. What about the luxuries of District Two? What about Razor Creel?" truthfully, I didn't want to hear about this boy I just wanted the conversation to move away from me. This boy doesn't need to hear about me. Hoping that my not-so-subtle method of changing the subject worked, I crossed my arms trying to warm the uncovered skin from the cooled air of the Capitol's machines. How could it be so sweltering outside, yet so crisp inside? Just another luxury of the rich, I suppose.

[/blockquote]

[charade]

Razor Creel

[/color][/size]



"Cause no one can understand ,I just cant be tied down Nothing comes between me and my plans."



As he moved around the tribute from district nine, Razor pondered whether or not the girl was being genuine with him. The strong exterior and sharp mind that were prominently displayed could be a cover for something else. Personally, he knew that all too well. Perhaps she was compensating for her lack of vision. It could be considered an odd conversational tactic to circle around someone. But since he didn't have to look her in the eyes to converse, all he could do was read her body language. He thought that he might be making her uncomfortable, for she had ceased to move, standing still and stoic like a statue. Was he going to receive a reply?


"Probably nothing like district two. It used to smell like earth. But now it smells like you. There was emphasis on the way she said you. Like it left a bad taste in her mouth. As well, she took a loud sniff of air as she said that. That stung. What had he done to earn her ire? Never mind that, what was the with the repulsive look she had given him? Why wouldn't she prefer the way he smelled to the smell of earth? Having used the latest in restorative lotions and soaps, he was certain that he gave off the aroma of apples, sage, and roses. She coughed before plastering a large grin on her face. Just another barb in her arsenal.

"When will I find where I fit in?"

"As for myself, I'm not that interesting. What about the luxuries of district two? What about Razor Creel?" Oh, so she insults him and now she want to learn about him? That was a deflective tactic if he ever saw one. Whatever. He was capable of using the same ruse. "Luxuries?" He said airily. "I don't particularly care for any "luxuries" other than the gym down the street from my house. As for myself..."

The circular movement he had been making stopped as he took a stand in front of her. "How should I know what to tell you? Here's something that may surprise you. I am trying to determine whether or not you are a potential threat. You could be the next Arbor Halt for all I know." The wall felt cool against his back as he leaned upon it. "I'd rather not make an enemy of you Saskia. You intrigue me." Would a truthful statement quell what appeared to be a rising temper?

"I can't live my life always backing down
I got to do this right, then make it make a sound
Cause I'm not here for nothing.
Least I can say I stand for something."



Song = All Signs Point To Lauderdale by A Day To Remember.



[/blockquote] [/justify]

[sbeeg]

"Luxuries? I don't particularly care for any "luxuries" other than the gym down the street from my house. As for myself..."

Why would anyone need a gym? When would a regular citizen have time and enough energy after a hard day's work to go to a gym? Madness. Complete insanity, yet very interesting. Truth be told, knowledge of other Districts has always been something that caught my attention. We aren't told what goes on in other areas of Panem and hearing it first hand from someone was enough to keep me there. Well that and the fact that the person in question was circling me like a vulture flies around a corpse.

"How should I know what to tell you? Here's something that may surprise you. I am trying to determine whether or not you are a potential threat. You could be the next Arbor Halt for all I know."

Razor's footsteps stopped and I could smell his breath (minty I might add). A threat? I'd like to think I'm a threat. The next Arbor Halt? Now that has a nice ring to it. I can't help myself, a smile pulls at the edges of my mouth. How confusing I must be for the other tributes, wondering if I'm just some poor blind girl or if I'll come out fighting like Arbor did. Maybe that boy gave me more than just a standard to live up to. Razor leaned back, I heard his back meet the wall, breaking his circle and giving me some elbow room.

"I'd rather not make an enemy of you Saskia. You intrigue me."

Rather not be an enemy. Well that's always a good strategy. Am I really that intriguing? Am I mysterious? The fact that anyone could this interesting in me was a pleasant surprise. My angry had boiled down long ago, now- well I found myself caught just as much by Razor Creel of District Two.

"I don't plan on making any enemies. It'd be rather stupid to do so right before you're thrown into some Arena where all the people you've wronged are armed with battle axes. Especially District Two boys who go to the gym everyday and smell like fake roses. Those are the ones to watch out for," I didn't say the last part with any kind of spite, it was more good humored fun used between friends. Although, I'd hardly call Razor a friend- we may end up fighting each other in the Arena after all- but I would not count him as an enemy. "Can I count on you Razor Creel?"

[/blockquote]

[charade]

Razor Creel

“I'm a mess that's the best way to describe it
I leave no time to myself the only way I can fight it
When I'm alone it's like I'm staring into a mirror
Don't know the person inside it and that's never been any clearer.”

Such a reaction as was displayed was one that Razor had hoped for but not expected. To be honest, he was not used to talking with people at all. Most of the conversations he had had in his home district had ended in fist fights. This excursion of his may not have formed an alliance, but it would seem he had gotten the next best thing. Someone to call a friend. Or simply an acquaintance. The word for this particular type of relationship escaped him.

“I don't plan on making any enemies. It'd be rather stupid to do so right before you’re thrown into some Arena where all the people you've wronged are armed with battle axes.” Heh. This statement made quite a lot of sense to him. “Especially District Two boys who go to the gym everyday and smell like fake roses. Those are the ones to watch out for.” Was that a subtle attempt at humor? Smiling in light of the fact that he wasn’t sure what she meant by fake roses, he felt an air of calm. It would be a terrible shame if he wound up slaying her in the arena.

“I confess, that I brought this all on myself
condemned to suffer alone, like there's nobody else.”

Was this it then, would he not find anyone to partner up with? Perhaps it was for the best. The tributes that packed together would undoubtedly aim to wipe other alliances out. That made the most strategic sense anyway. If a large group of people was taken out of the way, it would be less of a headache to searching for one lonely tribute afterwards. All this plotting was bound to cause him some superficial health problems. Staring at her, he focused on her eyes again. She probably didn’t know that she could be seen as attractive. “Can I count on you Razor Creel?” He let that question hang in the air a moment before formulating what he considered a suitable answer.

“If you are asking whether or not I would attack you in the arena, the answer is that I am not going to go out of my way to harm you. However, should it come down to you and me… Well.” He grimaced reflexively. “Otherwise, I’ll leave you alone. I’d even be willing to extend a courtesy like this to anyone you should happen to partner up with. Unless of course they attack me first, in which case they will be meeting their untimely demise.” He put out a hand. “My hand is in front of you if you’d like to shake on it.” This was indeed an unforeseen turn of events. He had thought that lies and subterfuge would be the way to go, but simply saying the blunt truth was so much easier. He was sharing something with this girl. Something bigger than both of them. He supposed he could call her a friend. Perhaps the only one he'd ever have.

“I still wish you the best of luck baby, and don't go thinking that this was a waste of time.
I couldn’t forget you if I tried.”

Song = You be tails, I’ll be sonic by a day to remember.

[/size] [/justify]