Observing(Open, for literate roleplaying)

[Tori]

Jasper Hammoth

"Just smile."

It was uncommon not to have a television in your home, but Jasper's mother didn't like him watching it. I mean, they did indeed have a television, but it was in his parents room where he was never allowed. That mean that in order to watch every evening's mandatory Hunger Games television premiere, he had to sit in the district square.

It was something he hated. Despised. He couldn't even find a word to describe it. Jasper couldn't even fathom how this was considered entertainment. It was crazy. Insane. And he hated watching it.

Three tributes had already died. A girl from district 8 was dead before most of the actual fighting started, but the cameras didn't show how. The district one boy, Archer, had broke another tributes neck. Archer was a monster. He was killing for the sake of killing. At the same time, Jasper admired him for protecting the boy from district 12, whom he knew to be blind.

The other girl's death was horrible. She was chasing after.. someone Jasper knew. Ismene Clemet, District 2. Jasper had had classes with her. He had talked to her. Made her smile.. Now he had watched her be chased by a killing manic. She had apparently allied herself with District 10's Anastasia something.. Without thinking, the girl so blindly attacked the the other girl chasing Ismene.

It was horrible, as soon as the Anastasia's machete hit the girl's neck, she was on the ground with her, trying to stanch the blood. She was crying and the other girl was screaming, taking in her last few moments. Ismene had pulled her back to her senses and they run off.

On screen now, was a fight between the District 1 male, and District 11 male. Death was approaching of one of them, and fast. Jasper brought his eyes away from the television. He didn't want to see this. As he looked around the square, there were only a few others in it along with him. He heard a scream on the television but didn't look up. Jasper just continued to look at his feet.

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[Skylar]

Antoine Bouvier

I watched with wide eyes as the required viewing of the Games broadcasted on the multiple televisions situated in District 2's District Square. If only I had enough money to buy myself a television, I wouldn't have to sulk and mourn in public, in front of all those surrounding me. It was almost torture to me. Having to watch innocent people and kids alike, be chosen at random and thrown into an arena where killing was encouraged. I can't even fathom what I would do if I were to be reaped into the Games. I would possibly commit suicide, but I'm afraid that I wouldn't have the courage to do so. I just hope and pray that it never will happen. [/size]

It was only day one, and a recap of the day's Bloodbath was shown. I noticed only three tributes dying, but I felt as if more had died. I didn't really pay attention, I tried to avoid looking at the televisions as much as I could, however, it was strangely addicting, and once I looked at it again, it took a boring part or a commercial to release my eyes from the screen once more.

A commercial was playing, and I looked around. The pictures of blood and death still played again and again in my mind. The death of District 8 was unseen, but I knew that it was a harsh one, especially if the Capitol didn't show it. Then there was the death of the District 4 Male. Sylthis. He was killed by Anastasia Estrange, the female District 10 tribute after he chased my fellow female friend, Ismene Clemet. The District 2 Female. And then there was the favorite. Archer Fields. Who had broke District 7 Tribute, Ralph Hawk's neck, in order to save his ally. His unusual ally. His ally was Arbor Halt of District 12. It surprised me to see that they had paired up, but it also didn't surprise me. Archer could be using him to evntually kill the innocent kid and steal his supplies. It was a horrible thought, but it was likely.

I noticed a boy that looked my age out of the corner of my eye. He had brown hair, and from the looks of it, he looked quite stunning. I felt my legs start to move toward the boy, and I couldn't resist. He seemed sad, and I wanted to cheer him up, as long as it cheered me up a well. Butterflies flitted against the walls of my stomach, but I didn't stop moving. I took a deep breath as my ahand moved to tap on his left shoulder, in order to get his attention.

I sighed as I spoke my first words to the boy that I stood directly behind now.

"Hey, I noticed you standing here, and you looked awfully sad. I assume that it is over the Games being played, and being recquired to watch, but I just want to try to make you feel better. I know you don't know me, but I'm feeling quite lonely and sad as well. 'm sorry if I've overwhelmed you, but I guess I'll tell you my name. I'm Antoine Bouvier, and may I know yours?"

- - - - - - -

[Tori]

Jasper Hammoth

"Just smile."

A tap on Jasper's shoulder brought him to look behind and up. There was a boy standing above him. The first thing Jasper noticed was his hair. Perfect and blond. "Hey, I noticed you standing here, and you looked awfully sad. I assume that it is over the Games being played, and being recquired to watch, but I just want to try to make you feel better. I know you don't know me, but I'm feeling quite lonely and sad as well. I'm sorry if I've overwhelmed you, but I guess I'll tell you my name. I'm Antoine Bouvier, and may I know yours?"

Why hello there. Jasper smiled. "Um.. I'm Jasper Hammoth." He looked back to the television in the square. The huge intimidating black monster. "I don't think there's a way to watch the games without it upsetting you. Is there?" He kept his eyes on the television, the previous on-screen deaths of children his age replaying in his mind.

Antoine seemed nice. He obviously either didn't care Jasper was gay, or hadn't heard it around school yet. Which was good, Jasper liked it when guys didn't know his sexual orientation. It allowed him time to make a friend, that wasn't female.

Jasper wished Marcella was wish him right now. They were unseperatable. He was alwas around her. But she had been actual friends with Ismene, so he didn't feel the need to bother while she was watching the recap of day one. Jasperlooked back above his shoulder at the boy still standing there.

He stood up, so we were about eye, and smiled. "If your going to ollow me around then, let's go somewhere else please. I don't think I can take much more of this." He jestered to the television. Jasper stuck his hands in his pockets, and started down a sidewalk, waiting for Antoine to follow him.

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[Skylar]

Antoine Bouvier

His voice. It rang like the clearest bell ever made in the world. So much so that I almost didn't even catch what he said. And his face went right along with his voice. I knew that I had to get to know him better, he was quite irresistable.

He spoke of his name. Jasper Hammoth. I liked that name, it had a ring to it. Mine was just, well it was just dumb. It's French, and I hate it. Like seriously, who names their child Antoine Bouvier? It doesn't really matter now though, I couldn't, and can't, change it.

Then he went on to the next statement. It spoke of the Hunger Games never being able to actually please anybody, which was true. So, I replied with a simple, 'No', and smiled at his beautifully crafted face, I hope it didn't give away my being gay. I definitely didn't want him to leave.

But, pleasantly, he either shrugged off my awkward smile and moved on, or didn't really notice it, because he was actually asking me to leave with him. That pleased me very much so. I smiled and nodded again, but I hid the smile to the best of my abilities.

I took my first step, following behind Jasper eagerly. I noticed that I was walking fast, but I didn't slow my pace, and before I knew it, we were at a small park, where I sat myself down at a small table. My surroundings were empty, and barren, people were too busy watching people kill others. It was pathetic and despicable, I was thrilled to be away from it.

"Don't be afraid to sit down Jasper. I won't kill you like those on the television. I hate the Capitol, constantly throwing innocent people into a huge land where they need to kill other people in order to live. I just hate it," I noticed that I was going to go off into oblivion on how wrong I thought the Games were, so I immediately stopped. "I'm sorry about that. I tend to get carried away."

- - - - - - -

[Tori]

Jasper Hammoth

"Just smile."

Antoine followed behind Jasper, and he turned and continued walking. Antoine's footsteps became closer and closer until it seemed he was leading. Either way, they ended up walking to the park nearby. It wasn't akward; Jasper, hands and pocket, and Antoine walking fast. The silence was comfortable and neither seemed bothered by it.

When they arrived, Antoine ran ahead. He seated himself at a picnic table, and Jasper followed over. The park was empty except for Antoine and himself. It seemed no one dared miss the mandatory viewing of day one. Jasper could have cared less.

He walked over to Antoine, and before he could sit, he spoke. "Don't be afraid to sit down Jasper. I won't kill you like those on the television. I hate the Capitol, constantly throwing innocent people into a huge land where they need to kill other people in order to live. I just hate it."

Antoine seemed to notice he was rambling on, and shook his head. "I'm sorry about that. I tend to get carried away." He obviously has no problem opening up.

Jasper smiled happily, taking a seat. "It's fine. Perfectly fine. I ramble on a lot too. In fact, my firend Marcella yells at my to shut up a lot." Jasper laughed before continuing. "Besides, it's nice to know I'm not the onlyone in this district who hates the games. What with the way kids are constantly training these days and bragging, you wonder why they don't just kill themselves."

Jasper rubbed his head, wondering if he had said too much. Maybe I should learn not to be so open with my opinions. Antoine's voice brought Jasper back to the current ongoings. Jasper smiled.

While Antoine was talking, Jasper's eyes wandered. Antoine's hair was blowing a little in the wind, and it added something to his whole appearance. For the first time, Jasper noticed Antoine's eyes were a dazzling green. He looked away quickly. He had been hit once for looking into a kid's eyes. The kid had known Jasper to be gay, and when Jasper looked him in the eye..

He tried to shake the memory. Antoine had stopped talking by now, but Jasper was still looking. His tee shirt seemedto perfectly outline his body. Oh, well. Jasper had learned to take in and kick out. The boy was attractive. Really attacive, he'd give him that. But Jasper knew nothing about him, and Jasper had learned not to look at guys the way he normally did. It gave them the wrong idea, and they normally frreaked out.

He wasn't sure how to go about doing anything in life really though. Being gay wasn't the easiest thing. Antoine seemed to be looking at him, and Jasper worried he had missed something Antoine had said. To try and cover it up, he tried to start conversation. "So, actually why haven't I seen you around then? I mean we go to the same school, do we not?"

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[Skylar]

Antoine Bouvier

I couldn't help but to stare into his eyes. I was starstruck, absolutely astounded. I couldn't look away, until I noticed that I must have been creeping him out of his whits. I'm glad I did let go of my gaze, because if I hadn't, I wouldn't have heard what he said next, which spoke of him rambling on as well, and how people trained themselves for the Games. It was true, the people that trained for the Games might as well kill themselves, because they probably weren't going to win in the first place. I looked around a bit, then my mouth opened and words spilled out.

"Yes, I hate that people train for the Games. It, in fact, was made for the purpose of us Districts to not rebel, not for some people to train and act like it is some kind of competition to be proud of. It makes me sick, absolutely sick and disturbed... whoops, I'm rambling again. I'm going to shut up now."

I noticed Jasper staring at me. It made me happy, and I made my grin noticeable, which I surprisingly didn't even get nervous about. I heard Jasper's beautiful voice again, and this time I listened. "So, actually why haven't I seen you around then? I mean we go to the same school, do we not?"

I loved how Jasper's face shined in the sun, and the way the wind blew made his hair flail around his forehead. It made me more attracted to him. Despite these things, I put them aside and spoke.

"Um, I'm not actually sure about that. I've seen you around, but I'm surprised that we haven't interacted, because from what we've said already, we have some things in common. I mean, um, it'd be cool if we hung out earlier."

I gasped as I noticed that what I said sounded like I was flirting. Which in a way, I was, but I didn't mean for it to be obvious, because only a select few knew of my homosexuality, and those people were all very trustworthy and wouldn't tell anybody, so I knew that they hadn't. Which is why I usually refrain from saying anything close to revealing me being gay.

- - - - - - -

[Tori]

Jasper Hammoth

"Just smile."

"Um, I'm not actually sure about that. I've seen you around, but I'm surprised that we haven't interacted, because from what we've said already, we have some things in common. I mean, um, it'd be cool if we hung out earlier."

Things in common? Jasper tried to imagine what sort of things he could possibly have in common with Antoine. Jasper didn't think on it too long, as he figured he might be able to find out later. Wait. Jasper reviewed the boy's comment in his head. I he didn't know any better, he would have said Antoine was attempting to, well, flirt with him. It made Jasper laugh. The last time a boy did that was one year ago.

His mind reverted to a time when he had been dating one Justin Swendic. That was before Justin broke up with him of course. justin suddenly decided he couldn't take the words anymore. Jasper had been crushed when he learned a week later Justin was dating a girl in his math class.

"Yeah." Jasper whispered. He tried to shake the thoughts from his head. Smiling, he replied,"I hate to say I'venever seen you around, but I haven't." He laughed. "Does that make me sound horrible? I hope not."

Jasper didn't like just sitting here as of a sudden. He wanted to do something. Anything. "Hey." he looked at Antoine and nodded is head toward the swings. "Any good at running? I'll race you." Jasper laughed and pushed himself off the pinic table, and started jogging towards the swings. Jasper laughed the whole way.

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[/color][/size][/blockquote]

[Skylar]

Antoine Bouvier

I grinned and nodded, followed by a small chuckle and giggle. I swung by legs out from under the table, and placed them on the soft earthen, froze ground beneath my feet. I laughed again, and started towards Jasper, who already had a head start.

It was strange, almost idiosyncratic. Other times, I would do whatever it would take for me to win, but my competitive spirit didn't show. Instead, I was blithe as to let him win. I happily jogegd behind as I watched his elegant body rip through the air. I knew I could be faster, but I repudiated and let Jasper easily stay in the lead.

Jasper reached the swings and he twirled around and looked at me, grabbing a chain that stabled one of the swings. He smiled and I slowed my sluggish running pace to a jog, and smiled back. As much as I refused to think it, the thought that he might be gay still permeated in my head.

I reached the swings, and I said in an exultant tone, "Ya' know, you're pretty fast, but are you good at wrestling? I, myself, am pleased to announce that I am quite strong. So if you don't mind, I would like to test my strength. Are you up for the challenge?"

[/b][/center]

- - - - - - -

[Tori]

Jasper Hammoth

"Just smile."

Jasper made it to the swings first, and threw himself on one, pushing off with his feet. The flew backwards into the air, and watched as Antoine jogged to catch up. It had been the easiest race he had ever run. Or maybe the easiest he had ever won. Either way, it was fun.

Antoine caught up smiling, and leaned against the pole nest to Jasper's swing. Jasper laughed, "slow poke." "Ya' know, you're pretty fast, but are you good at wrestling? I, myself, am pleased to announce that I am quite strong. So if you don't mind, I would like to test my strength. Are you up for the challenge?"

Wrestling? That was a first. Jasper had only ever wrestled with Marcella, and that could hardly be considered wrestling, she had no muscle. Antoine clearly hadn't heard that Jasper was gay or he wouldn't have asked this. Not wanting to give it away, Jasper agreed.

"Yeah, sure." Jasper smiled, umping off his swing as it hit the peak in the air. He landed on both of his feet, and turned to face Antoine, laughing. "I doubt I'm as strong as you think, but lead on." Antoine smiled, and started to walk away from the pole. Jasper didn't know if they were going to the actual training center, or a grassy area in the park. So, he just stuck to following Antoine.

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[/color][/size]

[Skylar]

Antoine Bouvier

"I doubt I'm as strong as you think, but lead on." I just couldn't get over how beautiful and smooth his voice was. Soft, but very smooth. Everything about Jasper was beautiful in my eyes, but it didn't matter. I knew it didn't. The thoughts of him possibly being homosexual as I was still were permeating throughout my head.

Doing as Jasper said, I took off toward a flat spot in the park. A few sticks lay here and there, but I was sure that it wouldn't be a problem. I stopped in the middle of the flat area, and turned my body around toward Jasper, who was walking toward me with a slight kip in his step. It looked like he had possibly hurt his foot while running, or maybe he was just trying to act cool, I wasn't sure, but either way, it still made me worry a tad bit.

As Jasper followed up his journey, he stopped in front of me and smiled. I assumed he would do better if he started on his stomach, so I started on what position to get in. "Okay, now, this might seem a little uncomfortable at first, but I know you'll soon get the hang of it. I promise it's not as hard as I think you're anticipating it to be, but it's definitely not easy, especially with the cold weather, but I know that you can do it." Again, I noticed I was rambling on and on. "Anyway, you're going to have to get on your hands and knees, thats basically it, and after you do that, I'll get into my position and we'll start. Simple enough, right?"

AsI awaited Jasper to get on his hands and knees, the more nervous I got about wrestling him. Not that I thought I would lose, but I thought I might hurt him, make a complete idiot out of myself, or be hurt by Jasper himself. Shaking the thoughts from my head, I bent down and placed my arms on his shoulders, and said a few words before starting. His body was very warm.

"Alright, on the count of three, you just get out of my grasp and get me into a submission, don't take it easy on me." I sighed before counting down to three. "One..two...three!" I grabbed his waist and tossed him over on his back, and I was surprised at how easy I did that, and I soon found Jasper to be laughing his head off.

Then he said something that was like music to my ears...

- - - - - - -

[Tori]

He lead Jasper over to a part of the park that was mainly grassy and didn't have anything in the way. As he waited for Jasper to catch up, Jasper wondered how this was going to work. He obviously wasn't going to win, that was for sure. I smiled and came to rest in front of him.

"Okay, now, this might seem a little uncomfortable at first, but I know you'll soon get the hang of it. I promise it's not as hard as I think you're anticipating it to be, but it's definitely not easy, especially with the cold weather, but I know that you can do it." He seemed to catch himself on his words. "Anyway, you're going to have to get on your hands and knees, thats basically it, and after you do that, I'll get into my position and we'll start. Simple enough, right?"

Could I? Hands and knees? Jasper laughed and bent down. He placed his hands on the ground, helping him pull his knees down. Once in place how Antoine told him, he waited for what to do next. "Alright, on the count of three, you just get out of my grasp and get me into a submission, don't take it easy on me." He sighed and continued. "One..two...three!"

Jasper tried to breathe deeply, his heart was racing. He moved his knees into a position he thought would help him. Antoine ran at him and Jasper held his breate. The moment Antoine made contact with him, he knew he had no chance. Antoine grabbed him and threw him onto his back, he didn't even have time to retaliate. He was laughing beore he hit the ground.

The moment his back made contact with the soft earth, he burst into hysterics. Jasper rolled to his side clutching his stomach. That had been one of the cariest, funniest moments of his life. Antoine was laughing as well. When Jasper inally caught his breath, he turned to Anotine, who was laying on the ground laughing next to him.

"Well, I didn't think you'd be that strong as well as good looking." Jasper realized what he said, and tried to play it off. Surely Antoine would miss that part if he kept going, he didn't want to lose a newly made friend. "I thought I might have stood a chance, but I think me hitting the ground is proof I didn't." Jasper shrugged and continued covering up. "I guess I'll have to work out more. But I know I won't" He laughed again, looked up at the sky. He was sure his hair was a mess.