District Search (Contd. Shrimpeh, LooneyL, Open)

[shrimp]

I have half a mind to run when I hear that voice. It's a female's I think; telling us to come over to her. It's probably an undercover Peacekeeper or something. Do they even have undercover Peacekeepers? It's likely I guess.

But then Ariadne starts up a whole different tale. Boyfriend? Me? I mean, I'm two years older than her. Sure, some people date when they're five years apart, or ten. And she's tall, so it looks somewhat realistic, but it's very... odd to say the least.

But I go along with it, and attempt to stand next to her protectively. I mean, I am trying to protect her, but I'm trying to convey it in a different way. Hopefully it works.

Maybe the girl will go away if we act like nothing happened.

I turn to Ariadne and speak in my District 9 accent.

"Yeah, your Uncle wasn't there anyways. I don't even know why we looked there. Isn't he like, always at the bar or something?"

I chuckle a bit, hoping that the girl will think of this as a joke and walk away. Just maybe, she might do that.

[Alice Weather]

" Don't think your fooling me there boy. I can tell just by looking at you, you have mud all over you.. and ya Crazy clause is usally at the bar but not at this time of day. He is off to work right now I passed him coming in just now. He hunts best at night. Now look here i don't want anyone getting in trouble so im going to let you come with me.. trust me its better than getting whipped. " Turning around she lifted her shirt half way to show her scars as proof that she was someone to trust. " I should know. "

Looking over to corner of the street she was a Peacekeeper coming their way. Rosella moved infront of them and started to walk to her place. She hoped that they were following her.. or they would be noticed in no time. Getting her her place, a very small house that looked like it had seen better days she opend the door and turned around opend the door and hoped they not only followed but would go inside

[Rosetta]

Ariadne winced as the girl showed her the angry, red whip marks, and then pointedly began walking away. Ariadne nudged Greg, and began following her to her house. Her house was one of those dull gray ones, but if it meant avoiding the Peacekeeper down the street, Ariadne was thankful.

She followed the girl inside, and instantly crinkled her nose. The house was dilapidated, like most everything else in this place. Ariadne just wanted to leave already, regardless of what C.T. was here.

"Alright." Ariadne told the girl, speaking as if she was the one in charge. "Who are you, and why did you bring us here?"

[shrimp]

Wow.

Those are just... painful looking. I really don't want to know what she did in order to get that. But wait... She doesn't want to get us into any trouble? I assumed that she was one of those "Imma go and tell on you" kind of people. But then again, I only thought that because she was observant enough to notice a 5'10" boy climbing out of a window.

But still, we need to find Tennings, as well as the two other people. Christopher Trepling and Constantina Talbot. And I doubt that they'll be around for a while longer. People tend to dislike it when two random children show up at their doorstep during dinnertime, asking "Hey, by any chance, have you cheated on your husband/wife fifteen years ago, thus creating Ariadne over here?"

Yeah, that ain't happening.

But we do have to go now. The large Peacekeeper is quickly heading our way, so we've got to scram, or risk going to the Detention Center near District 2.

So we head towards the girl's house. At least, I think it's her house. To be honest I really don't know if this is a trap or not. But it's just as dilapidated as Tenning's house. There's a strong wind blowing in from cracks under the door. The floorboards creaked in protest every time I stepped on it. The walls and meager furniture are covered in a thick film of dust.

Yeah, I'm not used to this. I find a chair, brush off the layer of allergy-inducing dust, and slowly sit in it, attempting to make sure that it won't break from my weight. It's stable enough - for now.

I look at the blonde.

"Yeah, why are we here?"

[Alice Weather]

"You are here so that i can figure out how to make sure you trespassers don't get caught. Don't get me wrong I'm a rebel note the scars on my back but i don't want you guys get caught. Why the heck would you want to see Crazy clause anyway? " Walking over to the cabinets I open it up and see some food i have been saving. A loaf of bread and a jar of jam, I take the two and set it on the table. " Eat your going to need it . Oh thats right, name. Rosella Cain. I am a rebel, and I tend to take it apon my self to make sure people are not in trouble. "

I go over to my secret basement cave door. Pulling up i dissapear inside , I grab a hand full of dried meat and bring it back up setting it on the table. I walk over to the door and lock it so that no one can come in if they are listening to my conversation with the two.

[Rosetta]

Ariadne wasn't trusting this girl, even if she was giving them food. Even if she was making sure they wouldn't get in trouble. Ariadne didn't need help. Greg was the exception, but...

"We don't need charity." Ariadne said, coolly. "And, I told you. That was my uncle." She instantly felt bad. This girl was only trying to help them. "Look." She leaned against the wall. "I understand that you want to help us, but we don't want you to get into trouble. And we don't need any help."

The lie felt odd on her tongue, and she quickly swallowed it down. "Sorry." She mumbled. "If you really want to help, do you know anything about Christopher Trepling and Constantina Talbot? I know it's weird, but do you?"

[shrimp]

This stuff could be poisoned.No, I'm not just saying that so I don't have to eat the ancient meat. I'd eat it if I knew that it was safe (even though it too seems to have a thin layer of unappetizing dust on it). This girl could still be an undercover spy. sure, she has the scars, but many people have wounds. Or she could just have repented for her sins and become a Peacekeeper in training or something. Do they even have peacekeepers in training. To be honest, probably not, but it doesn't hurt to be cautious.

The girl walks to the door, and locks it. I guess she doesn't want anybody to barge in while we're having a... conversation. But it might turn out to be anything but. Maybe she has a gun in her home and would murder us for fun. There are crazies who do that sort of thing. That's why I'm not looking forward to traveling to district 6. They supposedly have this whole gang-like heiarchy going on over there, complete with morphling and murder.

But nevertheless, I'm starving, and I need to eat. Despite the dusty jerkey being very disturbing, I take a large bite out of it. It's not too bad. Tastes flavorful - beef and spices with a bit of... mothballs? Ehh, it's still pretty good. I chew the stuff slowly though - it's really tough. I'd compare it to leather, but it's worse than that.

I've had food like this before. But it was when I was camping. It was one of the only times when I actually had fun around my father. It was... to say the least, weird.

---

"Greg, what are you doing? What's that you're holding?"

"Look mama, I found a bunny!"

"Gregory, that thing has germs, put it down."

"Oh Frances, lighten up. See, look how adorable it is!"

"I don't care. It. Has. Germs. Put it down Gregory."

---

I sigh. Why did everything have to turn out this way? Why couldn't I have just never been born? Then maybe my mother would still be alive. Perhaps my father would have been in slightly better spirits. Maybe they'd be happier. They might have had a different child, one that would have been able to thrive from my father's high expectations.

But that didn't happen. And now I'm here: In a crumbling shack with two females, one of which is my only true ally. I'll probably die with her by my side. But hopefully not. Perhaps she'll be able to integrate into her district (or maybe even the capitol) with her parents. And then she'll be happy. That's my only goal now: to keep Ariadne from giving up. Because my dreams will never come true. But her's still could.

Ariadne's speaking to her now. The words are slightly bitter, as if she doesn't want any help from her. Ariadne is independent. She'd get by without me if she had to; she already had been doing so for a while. So it's pretty clear that she doesn't want help food-wise. I stare at my thin piece of jerky. We're going to need some protein, so we might as well take one or two pieces. I quietly put two small jerky-bits in the bag.

She does have a point. This girl, whatever her name is, knows people. She knew about Tennings (who we still have to find). So it's likely that she might know about at least one other person. And if that man or woman happens to be Ariadne's parent, then isn't that good? I mean, it's supposed to be good. But I don't want Ariadne to live in this kind of dump. It's just... below her. She deserves so much more. With her resourcefulness, she'd be able to fend for herself and create a comfortable life for her and her family.

So it is of utmost importance that this girl help us find Christopher and Constantina. And I won't rest until they've confirmed whether they're a parent of my friend or not. Because that's what friends do, they help each other.

"Hey, what's your name anyways?" I ask. She's already helping us, we might as well call her by name.
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[Alice Weather]

"Rosella Cain at your service. Christopher Trepling and Constantina Talbot? Hmmm ya i know them. Chris is our blacksmith in town really nice. His wife is Megan and they have a few kids all young teens. Reallly nice guy lives down the road from here. Then Constantina well i have heard of her and seen her around town but I don't know her on a personal level. " I see the boy take a few more peices of jerky and stow them away. I don't care, got plenty down stairs. Taking a seat at the table I know they don't trust me. They shouldn't, not with the goverment we were so cursed with.

" I know you two don't trust me and to be honest you shouldn't, I'm not a peacekeeper or a spy but the peacekeepers like to pick on me the most. Lets just say we have a strong relationship I blow buildings of theirs ups and make trouble and in return i get to be target practice. One of the only reasons im not dead is because I bring in the big kills so they cant afford to loose me. " She looked at them and waited to see what they were going to do or say in response.

[Rosetta]

((Nice flashback, Shrimp!! ))
Ariadne didn't even listen to the rest of Rosella's words. One of the C.T.'s had teenage kids. Why would they leave her behind? And the other, was there any point in checking? Ariadne bit her lip, to hide her disappoint. She glanced side-ways at Greg, and jerked her head, to tell him that C.T. most likely wasn't here. Then, she turned to Rosella.

"I'm sorry." She said, straightening her javelin. "But, we really should go. We know what we need to, and we don't want to get you into anymore trouble than you have to be, and quite honestly," Ariadne shifted from foot to foot, remembering Greg's mom's body, motionless on the floor. "we can't get into anymore trouble. Thanks for the food, though."

Ariadne felt as though she should do something to show her gratitude. But, she didn't know what. She couldn't give this girl anything. She thought of Asimila, who had taught her most everything she knew. Well, she had taught her manners too. Awkwardly, Ariadne bowed, to show respect. "Thanks again." She said, smiling, weakly. She looked to Greg. "Coming?"

[shrimp]

(Sorry Alice, but we're ending the thread here )

This isn't Ariadne.

The Ariadne I know would accept her help at this point, for this girl knows about the people that we're looking for. She could help find this girl's parent.

I look at the slightly emptier shell of the amazingly determined wander that I've been traveling with for the past week or so. She must really be let down at the fact that one of them had children. I mean, I don't blame her.

Besides, I don't really want our adventure to end here anyways. It's a bit selfish, but I have a gut feeling that her parents are far away. And I'm going to help her if it's the last thing I do.

And with a sad glance at Rosella, I follow the wanderer towards the forest, where we'll be heading to 8 next.

But deep down I'm wondering: Is this the right thing?

But I quickly put that behind me as I walk out of the district, weapons and supplies attached to my back.

--Greg and Ariadne have left District 9--

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