Background Music (Blitz/Open)

[charade]

Cassie Misere

It's quiet at this time of the morning. When you wake up before most people go to work and just appreciate the still quietness. I can imagine that in other districts teens around my age are greeted by the suns warm light sending a brilliant radiance out to illuminate the treetops as birds begin singing sweet soft melodies to each other, each note resonating throughout every single drop of glistening morning dew as they harden to frost. I think it must be quite beautiful. But all I get when I wake this early are the four walls of my windowless room and the drab ceiling above my head. There are no songbirds to delight my ears, only the mechanical grindings of our hidden societies innermost working parts.

If the floor outside my door was wet, it wouldn't be from morning mists, it would be from a burst pipe. I guess I can't complain much, living underground makes for complete climate control. There is never much cause for concern. But then I wonder if being concerned would change things up for a hour. I'm already dressed, as sleep has eluded me, slipping away with the ticking of the clock by my bedside and telling me that its nearly six in the morning. I exit my apartment door and walk softly down the hall, wondering why I feel the need to do so; And wondering if anyone else will find me as I stroll the cavernous feeling pathway; As I have done many times before.

[sbeeg]

"The time has come," the Walrus said, "To talk of many things- of shoes and ships and sealing-wax- of cabbages and kings"

Oh God. My head feels like a watermelon. Not even like a good one, but like a rotten one that got put on steroids. If you didn't know, I was up all night. I slipped into the kitchens and after gobbling up a few oysters I found the few liquor bottles they have and suddenly there wasn't any liquor anymore just empty glasses and a warm blood filling my face.

Of course after a night of fun there's always the morning of dread. Dragging myself down the hallway, I could barely keep my eyes open. The harsh lights sent knives into my temples and every step I took seemed to shake me to the core. Puking felt like a good option, sleeping sounded even better. Suddenly I saw something up ahead that could distract me from my troubles.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't Miss Cassie... somethin',"

[charade]

Cassie Misere

If there's a person I could do without in this district it would half to be the lard filled lump that is William Kachoo Denton; and yet sometimes I feel like he's the only one that bothers to talk to me outside of work. What's disconcerting is that he's made it clear on more than one occasion that he'd like to do much more than talk to me. I can only be thankful for the little things in life; like locks and the foresight to get fully dressed. Will's eyes seem more bloodshoot than usual and I can hazard a guess that he's quite hungover. It wouldn't be the first time. I stop walking and manage a weak smile. It would be rude to just go back into my apartment now, and I'd rather have to deal with Will sooner rather than later.

"....Morning Will. I..hi."

It's a poor excuse for a greeting, but I don't know what else to say. Kachoo is not one for coversating unless it involves lewdness or food, and I' don't have either to give him.

[sbeeg]

"The time has come," the Walrus said, "To talk of many things- of shoes and ships and sealing-wax- of cabbages and kings"

Gah she was a pretty little thing. Little fidgety though, never wanting to stick around. Huh, wonder why that was.

"AH HA- see you talked to me. So you do like talking to me!" I'm like the chick whisperer. I can tell what they mean even if they are not speakin' regular language. You know? They speak girl to you and if you don't know the lingo, you don't get the go go. You smellin' what I'm steppin' in?

Anyway, I was thrilled that Cassie had spoken to me because a lot of the girls in Thirteen are really rude and just duck into their apartments when I try to say hi but not Cassie. Cassie is sweet and damn her eyes are huge. Like big doe eyes or something. Well, I'm a whole lot of man so someone needs big eyes to take in the whole package.

"So, I was thinkin' that maybe today during free hour we could head over to the kitchens and I got the hook up, you see, so if you want anything- I can get it for ya," and seal with a wink. Ah yeah, Will knows the ladies better than they know themselves.

[charade]

Cassie Misere

I think my emotions are caught somewhere between a balk and a barf. Will has never been able to understand the smallest gesture and has a tendency to presume that any and all conversations with the opposite gender should and will end with them jumping his bones. I think I might be sick. He offers to get me food, and if I were a different sort of girl I might take advantage of his enthusiasm and score a few favors. My boss knows how to lead people on like that. I don't. And I rather doubt I'd enjoy it either. But refusing him means that I'll need to come up with an excuse; a nice one, so his feelings don't get hurt.

" Uhm...thank you Will, but I'm gonna have to say no. I'm..well, I'm on a diet."

This is not entirely true, but I consider that I'm not likely to eat any of the things that he does and it makes me feel a little better for saying so.

[/quote]

[sbeeg]

"The time has come," the Walrus said, "To talk of many things- of shoes and ships and sealing-wax- of cabbages and kings"

A diet. What even is a diet? Oh wait it's those things where you don't eat as much so you can look better. Make you healthy and skinnier. However diet in lady speak means: tell me I'm skinny. Well madame, I know what cards you're playing so prepare to meet my full house.

"A diet? Guuurl, you don't need to go on one of those! You're skinny enough I mean look atch ya," my hand came out and pinched her waist, proving that she really had no reason to keep from refusing my offer. Like for real, the only person here that needed to be on a diet is me- if I were fat. However I am not, I am big boned and rather fluffy. It's okay though because chicks dig fluffy- you know how I know that? Cause I'm that freaking chick whisperer, bro. I know all. I see all. I hear all and I certainly try to feel all.

[charade]

Cassie Misere

It's hard not to cringe when his hand grasps at my waist. I get the feeling he's trying to be funny but I can't bring myself to laugh. He's caught me too, whether he knows it or not. I am in shape and pretty skinny to boot; But then again, I'm not the one that sneaks through the kitchens looking for snacks. I try to smile again, but I feel like it looks more like a grimace. I just wanted to stroll around in the early morning. Was I so wrong to wonder about things like birdsong and dewdrops that I've been rewarded with Denton pawing at my stomach? I gently move his hand away and think for the swiftest way to move the conversation along to something else, maybe something that could get him to move away.

"What I meant was...I'm feeling under the weather today and am trying to stay away from food in general."

There. Guys like him steer clear of sickies don't they?

[sbeeg]

"The time has come," the Walrus said, "To talk of many things- of shoes and ships and sealing-wax- of cabbages and kings"

Under the weather? Sick? Ohhhh Mr. Lady Man knows exactly what that means.

"Ohhh, Cassie you just had to tell me it was, you know, that time of the month and I would have understood. I'm very sensitive to people's needs, after all," I say. She isn't on a diet, she isn't sick, she's just hormonal! See, lady translator works wonders. If I was some jerk, I would not have understood the point she was trying to get across at all, it would have just flown right over my head.

"But, if you're feeling any better tonight, I hear oysters are really good for menstruation," Wink. Nod. Grin. Done. That's how you catch a girl, ladies and gentlemen.

[charade]

Cassie Misere

There comes a time when you don't think you can be anymore revolted than you already are; and then you find yourself utterly and thoroughly disgusted. For me, that time was now, as Will somehow manages to sink to a new level of misunderstanding about women. I honestly don't know what to say. If possible I think I my eyes widen further than they already are and I make a strangled noise with my throat as my cheeks begin to flush scarlet, whether from anger, annoyance, revulsion or embarrassment I don't know. The only thing I'm sure of is that I've had enough of Will to last me the week, if not the month.

"I'll...I'll have to keep that in mind."

I force another smile and start heading back the way I came, all traces of picturesque mornings vanishing from my thoughts like puffs of smoke. This encounter has ruined my day and I don't feel up to conversing any longer; But as long as he thinks that'sthe reason for my discomfort, I see no reason to let him think otherwise.

"Well...I'm going to go take care of...business. And then lie down until work starts. See you around."

I give him a small wave and increase my pace, only fumbling at the door for a moment before I duck back into the relative tranquility of my apartment. Once inside, I throw myself onto my bed and shut my eyes tight. I am not looking forward to work today.