in this distortion [Meeka--open]

[[Ella] -- gone until 10/25 D=]

kirin youngblood.

And so the day began, like always, with the sheep.

I continued to run my hand through Kay's soft fur, staring aimlessly at the flock of sheep before me. Watching. Guarding. I was starting to get into a phase where I wanted a predator to appear. An action, any action at all, would make things interesting. Or maybe it would discourage my parents' efforts to keep me outside. Either way, I had to agree that staying out here was better than working on the loom with my mother.

I could not make decent fabric, no matter how hard I tried. It always came out wrong, messed up, and...distorted. I suppose my mother's talent just didn't pass down to me.

"Oh well," I sighed, glancing back at the dog. "Guess no one can help that." It was beginning to dawn on me then how lonely I felt as well, especially when the only excitement I had at the moment was speaking to a dog. Pathetic. Shaking my head, I got to my feet and made my way to the gate of the farm.

This wasn't the first time I snuck out, actually, and neither was it the first time I'd question my motives. I still felt guilty, but I'd been stationary at my post for several weeks now. Plus, no one truly needed me. Now hunting for food, or running in one of the neighborhood's races--that was something I was needed in. Not as a shepherd. Not guarding.

I glanced back at my simple cottage and shook my head. My happiness was going to go first this time. So after giving the guard dog a quick wave of goodbye, I crossed the rest of the distance of the yard, slipping silently onto the streets. And then from there, I continued to the main center of the District. This time, I thought, I deserved it.

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Meeka]

Meeka was exhausted. The hours at the factory has been long and hard. All the cotton fibres that she had inhaled would likely kill her in the long run. Like it was doing to her parents. Arthritis, bronchitis. All of that would be the end of her parents and no one was going to care. Today her father had lost his job. Naima had actually broken down and cried at the news. It meant that Naima would have to work extra... down in the filthier streets. She would have to work overnight. She told the younger children that she would be sweeping the street at night.

Everyone knew that she wouldn't be doing any of that. Girl's sold their bodies once their family reached the bottom of the heap. At least Naima hadn't allowed for her to do the same. "No Meeka, you work at the factory! I won't allow it!"
She walked up a narrow alleyway that led to the larger Mainstreet. Her meager wage was clutched tightly in her hands and she turned. And she walked right into a figure. Her coins dropped onto the pavement.

"Oh, no!" She flung herself to the ground to scrape the escaping coins up in her hands. There wasn't much to scrape up. She stood up, her face red with shame. "I'm so sorry," she said to the girl she had bumped into. She felt self conscious immediately, considering her state. Her face was smudged with grime from the factories. Her knuckles were raw and scraped from the hours she spent spinning wool. Each finger was dotted with bloody pinpricks. Her appearance must have screamed 'Factory Girl', therefore automatically labelling her as the filth of District Eight. "I am so careless today, don't know what came over me."

[[Ella] -- gone until 10/25 D=]

Walking down the Mainstreet of District 8 wasn't too extraordinary. There were the buildings of course that sold the necessities, but I barely paid any attention to them. I lived in a world of family businesses, and even then our own business would occasionally falter. Then again, it was to be expected. This was no Upper District, and I definitely wasn't a Career.

So when a girl about my age--if not older--ran into me during my point of escape, I wasn't bothered or irritated at all. I already had other things on my mind, and it partially was my fault as well.

"It's fine," I assured her with an uncertain smile, watching as she bent down to scoop up some of the coins on the ground. I kneeled as well, helping her. When I'd finally gotten the ones that were closer to me, I dropped them into her hand. "I don't even think it was your fault. I should've been watching where I was going, too." Then I straightened, taking the time to study her face, mainly out of curiosity than anything else. Since I was used to being cut off from everyone else, unless, of course, I snuck out, I wasn't really used to seeing the different types of people in my District. Seeing a girl like this for the first time was enough to startle me.

"Are you okay?" I asked, taking in the dirt on her face and the signs of hard work on her hands. This girl definitely wasn't like me, I reasoned, and once again I felt guilty.

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Meeka]

Meeka stared at the girl. The girl could not be much older than her and yet she looked a little younger. Possibly because she wasn't as worn as she was at the moment. She smiled gratefully, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. Not everyone was as friendly in District Eight. There were always people who would throw curses and even get violent for something as simple as walking into someone else. The girl clearly was not from here. Not from the city.

She took a moment to let her eyes flick over the girls' clothes and face and hair. She looked clean and healthy. Vibrant and fresh... young. Though the girl was skinny, but that was normal for citizens of District Eight. Her face burned with shame as she realized what she must look like in comparison. As if to further the shame, she saw what looked like shock register on the other girl's face. Clearly she must have realized what Meeka was. A Factory Hand, nothing more.

"I... what?" She was so taken aback by the question, that she was not even able to answer it. Why should she not be okay? Maybe because she was dirty? Did the girl think she had gotten into a fight? Or maybe she looked tired. She should know that everyone looked tired after work. She wondered briefly what the girl's life was like. "You're clearly not from here," she said carefully. Though not unfriendly. "Of course I am okay." She wasn't really. Her father lost his job, her mother was about to die and her sister would have to sell her body to disgusting old men. Her siblings would have to go hungry and work even more than they already. And then there was always The Hunger Games... No, no one was really okay, but everyone said so. One only had the right to not be okay if the whole family was dead or what not. "I'm Meeka by the way."

[[Ella] -- gone until 10/25 D=]

I wasn't exactly sure if she would reply back, although I did hope. The girl seemed nervous, so if she just ran away, I wouldn't have been surprised. And yet she didn't. I watched her just stand there, gazing at me with a hint of her own shock. But why did she look so surprised? Had I said something wrong?

"Well," I began uncertainly after the girl's assumptions. I wasn't from here? Sure, I wasn't from the city--but I had been born and raised in District 8. "I live in a secluded place in the District, if that's what you mean." I frowned, wondering just how much I was missing out. This girl seemed surprised that I'd asked her of her welfare--as if the answer should be obvious. She replied with a quick, "Of course I am okay".

I continued to study her before the realization hit me. The girl was a worker. That had to be it. No wonder she was covered in so much grime and looking so...exhausted. Once again, I felt a twinge of guilt that I immediately pushed away. No use in feeling guilty. Besides, it was obvious she wasn't okay. I mentally slapped myself for the stupid question. Who was okay in the District anymore?

"My name's Kirin," I said quickly. Meeka. A nice name. I hesitated before saying, "Where are you headed now?" Did she have other work to do? Hopefully not. From what I could tell, she looked like she was going to drop if she worked another few hours.

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Meeka]

Meeka realised then that perhaps her well meant assumption hadn't come across the way she had meant it to. She felt horrible instantly. "Oh! No, no, I did not want it to sounds like... that. It's just... well, the way you act, it's different. You live in the outskirts, why are you even here? Not everyone is as friendly, you could wander into the wrong neighbourhoods." Like the one her sister would be working at soon enough. She frowned at the girl. She was pretty and clean and she stuck out in the crowd like a piece of chewing gum in a burnt out fireplace. "You shouldn't stick around here," she advised slowly. "There's... bad things."

The wage in her hands was becoming slick with the sweat from her tightly clenched fist. She was lucky that she had run into Kirin and not some other person. Another might have taken her money immediately. "Well, it's nice to meet you then, Kirin." She frowned at the question. She was headed home. But why was the girl asking? Did she expect to... oh. It dawned on her. "Would you like to... I mean, I'm headed home. I have to look out for my siblings because my sister is..." She paused. "My sister has to work." Meeka felt that maybe the girl wanted company. And Kirin did not seem half bad. Plus, she did not feel like it would be alright to just let her walk around the city by herself at the stage. "I think we still have some tea from this morning. It's not bad. Come on, no one will mind." Like one more person would even appear out of place in her already crowded house. She smiled encouragingly and started to walk down another cobbled alleyway. "So, do you have any siblings?"

[[Ella] -- gone until 10/25 D=]

I acted differently? My brows furrowed, troubled. I wanted to blend in, not seem different. Then again, different could be a good thing, but still. This quick trip out of my boundaries was to remain unnoticed, all the while continuing the exploration. If I stuck out, if I was different like Meeka had said, then it would destroy my purpose altogether. Someone might even tell my parents. And that wasn't something I'd want.

I returned my attention back to the girl, uncertainly. She said she was headed home, but she didn't seem to be too in a hurry. And neither was I. But when she invited me to her house, I was surprised. We'd just met after all. However, it would be rude to refuse, and I was curious all the same. I wanted to know more about the rest of District 8.

"All right," I replied, following Meeka as she began to walk down the street once more. "I don't see why not." As I said those words though, my eyes were wandering around everywhere, taking in as much as I could as if I was under a time limit. And in a way, I am, I thought as I switched my gaze between two stands selling fruit and other sorts of goods. The smell of food wafted toward me and I sniffed appreciatively. At my place, it was all grass. Grass, grass, and more grass. This was the real District, with its lively stands and delicious, appealing merchandise.

"So do you have any siblings?" Meeka asked me as we walked. I nodded in reply. "An older brother," I added as an after thought. "We get along pretty well...for the most part." I turned to face her then with eyebrows raised. "And what about you? What is your sister like?"

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Meeka]

One of the only possible upsides to living in the most industrial part of the city was that Meeka was able to maneuver her way through the throngs of people and up side-alleys and hidden pathways with expertise. The marketplace was jam-packed as always. The stands were wafting delicious smells into the crowds and scrawny men and women were holding artefacts and precious linen into the air, practically thrusting them in people's faces. "Don't look at them, Kirin," she advised cautiously. "If you look at them, they'll think you want to buy something." She never bought from the stands. Things were expensive, many people sold fake, broken or even rotten material.

Instead, when she reached the last stand that was piled with apples, she pocketed one. Sure, theft was punishable with the capital of all punishments, but no one ever noticed. Even if they did, no one told the Peacekeepers. In the end, everyone had stolen something once or twice. Whether it was two buttons from the factory floor or pieces of cashew from the marketplace. No one needed more enemies.

She heard Kirin's question and just shrugged. "My sister's just my sister. I guess we get along." They turned into another stench filled backalley, sidling past a few clean dustbins. They had been picked clean by a couple of street urchins. Three children with sunken-in faces sat cowered by one of the bins. "Please miss," one of them called out. Meeka had very little time to weigh out the pros and cons and tossed him the apple. It was a good apple and she woul have to get another for her siblings tomorrow. "Almost home," she muttered.

Finally, they made it. Passing another starving woman... but she had no apple for this one. She half-hoped that Kirin would have something to spare. There, behind a rotting old picket fence was the soot-ridden door of the little place called home. Her little sister ran at her right away, hugging her around her midsection. "Meeka! Naima's gone sweeping, said she'll be back later. She told me to wait for you. Look!" Meeka found herself looking down at Lyra's oustretched fingers. It was a small length of cloth. "Where'd you get that?" She was worried that the girl had stolen it. "I found it, honest. 'Tis mine if it was lying on the sidewalk," she said sincerely. She nodded and turned to look at Kirin apologetically. "Uh - Kirin, this is Lyra. Lyra, this is Kirin." To Lyra's credit, the nine-year old did not ask why Meeka had brought a person home but merely shrugged and ran off, probably to find her twin. "Do you want some tea? I think we have some bread as well?"

[[Ella] -- gone until 10/25 D=]

Ah, the city part of the District. I sniffed the air appreciatively, which, to Meeka, probably came out as downright weird. Still, I didn't care. I could recognize the scent of freedom anywhere; it had always been within reach, but never there. With big pastures and large fields, I technically had the freedom. But not the freedom I wanted.

Anyone else would have instantly picked up the stench of the trash and gutters, but I barely paid any attention. My eyes flew from stand to stand, from building to building, taking them in as if they were water for a thirsty man. It was all so...different. Different from the open skies and cluttered trees. Different in its own, good, amazing way. For a moment I considered moving into the city, then decided against it. My family still needed me, and I definitely wasn't going to survive on my own.

We passed by a stand full of apples, and I saw Meeka pocket one. I shrugged to myself, unbothered. I'd stolen before, and so had my parents, my brother. Times were hard in Panem, especially in the lower Districts. Although hunting was restricted, people still hunted and sold their meat in the markets. It didn't matter, I thought, as Meeka tossed an apple to a group of street urchins. We all did what we could to survive.

We passed another starving woman, but luckily I had some bread in my pocket. It was supposed to be my lunch--supposed the key word. But I didn't mind, and I was sick and tired of the kind of bread I ate. So I gave it to the woman, setting it down several feet from her. She gave me a toothy smile, but I looked away. Guilt, again.

When we finally reached Meeka's home, we were immediately greeted by a little girl of around nine or ten. As she ran to Meeka, I took in the rest of her house. It wasn't as stable or appealing as her own, but I paid no attention to that. My eyes fell on the little girl again, whom Meeka introduced as Lyra. "It's nice to meet you," I said, grinning. I'd always been used to being the youngest in my family. Lyra with her enthusiasm reminded me of myself. Well, in my younger days. "I would love some tea...or bread," I said to Meeka gratefully. "If that's okay," I added with a smile.

[/blockquote][/blockquote]