Unexpected... (JESS)

[chaseee]

Alyss Evergreen

My bow was loaded and my aim was set when I heard the branch break. I instantly lost my focus on the game and turned towards the sound. I looked back and groaned. The buck had ran in fright.

I gritt my teeth together and head towards the sound. Whatever just chased away that meat motherload was about to pay. Big time.

I enter a small clearing and see the cause of the noise. A girl about my age stands right there, looking right at me. Even I have to admit she is pretty good looking. She has light-brown hair and dazzling green eyes. And she just chased away my food.

I put on my stubborn face (people say I actually look pretty menacing with this on) and glare right into her pretty little eyes. "What the hell are you doing standing out here in the middle of the woods scaring away all the game within a five mile radius of you?!" OK, I have to admit, it wasn't that bad. But I was still pretty ticked.

I sigh and sit on a large rock to my right, gently placing my face in my hands. The last few weeks have been a mess. I have hardly brought any food home, I had already lost about five knives, and... Dad. It all came back to that. If I had just listened to him, maybe he wouldn't be... I suddenly realize i'm not alone.

I stare back up at the girl I had just screamed at for chasing away a deer. I felt bad for it. It wasn't her fault. My eyes were filling. I sniffed and took a few deep breaths before speaking again.

"I'm sorry. I'm not usually like this, it's just..." I debated on wether or not I should tell this girl everything. No. I didn't even know her name. "I'm going through a really hard time."

[[OOC- sorry it sucks so bad. it was like 1 in da morning when i wrote it so i was really tired. i might touch it up here later if i feel like it]]

[nova]

Jessamine Hawthorne

I had my bow and quiver full of arrows behind me and Papa's small hunting knife hidden in my boots. I knew nothing would come around here, but it never hurt to have protection. I looked around quickly before making my way to my little hole. As soon as it was clear, I reached in a pulled out a good sized metal box. I unlocked it using a key pulled from my boots. Inside of it was my treasure, my accusitions from midnight thefts all across the districts. Everything in the box had some worth or other sentimental value, from some cheap jewelry on retrieved from that very first theft to emerald the size of my thumb I retrieved from the mayors house. Though not everything wasn't shiny, there were some rare fabrics, spices, and pelts of animals very hard to catch. It amazes me this how much I've stolen that doesn't need to go in here. Half of the things I own, including the bow on my back were taken from some house in the district.
I put the small bag i was carrying into the box. I held a few necklaces of verying value and the bag itself was deer hide and was taken from a house at the edge of the super wooded area. The box was only slightly heavier but while I was putting it back in place it stepped on the twig giving a loud sharp crack.

Then a deer exploded from the trees, the look on its face clearly said that there was something chasing it. There were many predators, but even they never dared to let their prey get into my area, just like I never let mine get to far into theirs. It was a simple understanding we had, a tenuous one at that.

Though if a deer came through here it meant one thing, another hunter. I stood up looking calmly in the direction the deer came from. I just stood there, ready to bolt if it was a peacemaker on a hunt or something. When finally someone did come out of the woods it was just a girl, no older than me if that. She had long black hair, and her eyes were a startling blue even this far away.

She was currently glaring at me, and doing I guess what she thought was a mencaing look. I guess it could have been, but I have seen my mother when she was dead set on getting something she wanted. She got a little closer, and then started screaming at me.

"It isn't my fault that all the animals are scared off, well actually it is. We kind hve this unspoken agreement that they stay away from me, I don't hunt around here. Oh, and by the way, this is my clearing," I snapped before I realized that she was now sitting on a rock looking all the world like Bullet when he hasn't been given dinner.

Her heads was in her hands, her eyes were filling with tears, and she was sniffling slightly. I had never really had a reason to cry in my life, not even when I was a child, so I didn't really know what to do. I just stood there watching her watching me.

She looked troubled,and I felt something ping in my heart. I should do something, comfort her maybe, but how. I didn't even know her name, let alone why she was crying. It was only a single deer after all, there were plenty more in the forest.

I saw her lips move, and heard a mumbled apology. Then there was something even my hearing couldn't pick up. She continued to sit there, so I made the first move. I moved up quietly in front of the rocks. My feet as soft as a breeze on the grass. I may have startled her, since she jumped when she noticed I was directly in front of her.

I was a polite as I could muster as I said cordially,"Hello, I a Jessamine Hawthorne."

I offered my hand for a shake, and waited for her to take it.

[chaseee]

Alyss Evergreen

I gripped her hand, adding a small squeeze to show her I wasn't the weakling I was proving to be now. I withdrew my hand as she did hers, and suddenly began to feel very stupid. I had just broke down and cried in front of a complete stranger. No one had ever seen me cry besides my mother. I was emotionally strong and physically tough.

"Um, i'm sorry about that. I don't know what came over me. My father passed recently, and... it's kinda been hard on me." There I went again. Revealing more and more of myself to this random person who may or may not be friendly. But she defenitly looked it. Her petite appearance suggested she couldn't hurt a fly. Of course, I could be wrong. Look at me.

So her name was Jessamine. I decided if we ever became friends I would simply call her Jess. Jessamine was just too much. "I'm Alyss Evergreen. I live a few miles from here, right by the woods edge." I internally shook myself. Why am I telling her this? My mind responded, Well because she looks friendly and you need a friend at this point in your life. Maybe if you opened up a little to people you wouldn't be alone every day! Ouch. That was harsh.

I stared at her, waiting for her to talk.

[nova]

She reurned my hand with a slight squeeze, then let it fall. She had what my Papa called, a good firm grip, that was good because it meant she was honest, strong, and most importantly a good person. Though it made me wonder why she was out in this area of the District, only those who were shady desperate, or suicidal, and she didn't really strike me as any of those. Then again, I'd never strike anyone as a thief, let alone a good one.

As soon as her hand was once again beside of her, a small blush crossed her features. She mumbled a few words that caused me to strain my usually keen ears to hear. When I did, a small burst of pity flashed through my chest.

I had no idea what it felt like to lose a family member, but I could only imagine what I would be like if I lost Papa, he was the only one beside of Bullet that I held very dear. My life would probably come crashing down, since not only would my family lose everything, but I'd be all alone in the world. i could only wonder what she was going through.

Soon she was quiet again, though she no longer looked sad, she was just staring at me quizically. I knew she was sizing me up, trying to tell if I was dangerous or not; trying to see if I was an opponent and if I was whether she could take me. A look crossed her face, and then she started speaking, much louder for once.

When she said she lived at the edge of the woods a memory of the house I had just robbed sprang to the front of my mind. I really hoped it wasn't her house since that would be highly inconvienient later on. Though the house was really a hunting lodge for a large well-off family, and based on Alyss's appearance she wasn't that well off.

I don't mean that in a mean demeaning sort of way like my mother would have, but more in an observational way; meaning I confeered from her appearance that she wasn't wealthy. After all she was wearing a simple pair of jeans, a plain shirt, and a pair of hunting boots. Common wear everyone in the pooper parts of the district. I had on black cargo pants, that had pockets for everything I would need while hunting, and/or robberies excluding weapons, a water proof black tank top, a small deer hide jacket dyed black that I only had on in case it got colder as it did in some parts of the woods, and of course, my trusty fur-lined boots that I recieved on my very first robbery.

My mother would have died if she saw me like this. She thought I should only wear dresses and be her own personal doll. I was no doll, though I did keep my hair in a tight braid like she wanted me too. Though I only kept it like that since wild hair distracted me while i was hunting or in the middle of a theft.

We both inspected each other, though she didn't look like she was going to talk so I figured I had better start talking.

"Well, that's alot closer than mine, I live in the upper district area. Though that still doesn't explain why you are here. This is the most dangerous part of the district, the larger predators are out here, and that doesn't just include the animals," I told her keeping my face straight. I needed to know whether I could trust her or not.

[chaseee]

Alyss Evergreen

I stared up at this girl. The upper-district? She didn't sound too stuck-up or self-conceited, so maybe she wasn't like the other ones. My mother always told me these were the people to avoid. They would make you feel bad about your life by gloating about their own.

For no apparent reason, my stare turned to a glare. A surge of hatred rushed through my veins. I guess it was just natural to hate anyone of higher breed than me. I was starving while she was no doubt eating well.

"I am here, as you may well have noticed, to hunt. My family does not have the amount of money I assume yours does. We actually have to work for a living."

I waited for her response. If she made one move towards me, she would soon find an arrow lodged in her throat. This image disturbed me. Had I become this demented? I chuckled, shaking my head as I did so. Of course I wasn't. I hadn't killed anyone.

Yet.

[nova]

We both stared at each other as I waited for a response. Though Alyss seemed to stare straight through me as I merely observed her. It made me wonder what she was thinking, but I stopped wondering as soon as her stare became more focused and she started to glare at me. Once again her glare didn’t stare me, though I did wonder what caused it this time.

I mentally retraced my just spoken words, and realized my mistake. A string of profanity ran through my mind as I tried to make my face as smooth and indifferent as possible. I realized that I probably said the worst thing I could have to her; that I lived in the Upper District.

I was just about to correct myself when she verbally attacked me. I waited as calmly as possible until all her words were out of her mouth. Yes, I was mad, who wouldn’t be, but I knew that she had reason to say these things. I continued to watch her for a few moments until she calmed down. I saw her hand kept jerking towards her back for her bow, but I also kept my hands as close as possible to the boot with my knife in it since I was more than certain I could have my knife out and against her throat before she could even begin to put an arrow in her bow.

I had never truly considered killing another living person though I knew I could do it with no difficulty since after all in this world a human’s life was no more valuable than an animal’s, especially in these lower districts. I don’t mean to be cruel or sadistic but I’ve seen from hunting large prey with Papa it’s kill or be killed and I valued my life too much to even risked being killed.

When I saw Alyss was a little less hot in the face I decided I had best talk to her.

I gave her a dry brittle laugh and told her in an emotionless voice,” Everyone works, even me. My father is a furrier and he makes me hunt with him because I have a natural gift, and he always pulls in double the amount of pelts he usually would alone. And the money that rests in our coffers might be large, but it doesn’t mean my family’s any happier for it. I’m sure you’ll go home tonight your mother will hug you and say how much you mean to her, and your siblings, if you have any will hug you too, say they missed you, and ask you to play with them. You might be poor, but you’re far better off since when I get home I won’t be noticed as I slide into my bedroom and await to be called for dinner; where I will give a kiss to my Papa who may or may not give me a small hug depending how his day went. Then I will sit in a stiff chair where I will eat silently while my mother complains about me, Papa complains about work, my little sister will just complain, and my brother and his wife will get into a quarrel about something absolutely absurd. They won’t ask how my day has been nor where I disappear off to during it, and afterwards we will all go to separate rooms where we won’t talk to each other until dinner the next day.”

I just continued to stare at her waiting her response; neither the metallic glint in my eye nor the hardness faded while I waited for her to start talking once again. Though I did sit down on the grass with my legs crossed so I could have easier access to my knife, and be in a more comfortable position.

[chaseee]

Alyss Evergreen

I chuckled. "Your father may pay little attention to you when you get home at night, but at least you have one." My voice sounded distant as I said this. As if someone else had spoken the words that had come out of my mouth. Another menacing smile played at my lips as I saw her hand edge towards the knife sheathed at her belt. Was I a danger to everyone now? Would it be better if I perished right now? Should I ask this girl, who by the looks of it was all too willing, to stab that dainty weapon into my chest right now?

No. My mother needed me.

I stood, glancing around as I did so, hoping maybe another deer would just dart right into the clearing to make up for the one I had lost only minutes ago. Nothing happened.

"I am going back into town. I'm growing tired of the solitude in this forest. You are welcome to join me if you like." And with that I turned and began the long walk back to town.

[nova]

I continued to watch her from the forest floor as she gave a dark chuckle, and started talking about the lose of her father again like it was my fault he was dead and gone. She gave me a menacing smle as she noticed my hand that was inching forward for my knife. That stare only made me reach for my knife faster.

My hand gripped the hilt of the knife as soon as it touched it, but it didn't totally draw it out, though there was no doubt that she could see it. I resisted the urge to pull ut out right then only to have it out, but some to the sign of a wielded knife to mean it was time to fight. And I really didn't want to fight Alyss at least not today.

She got up from her place on the log, dusted herself off, and invited me to come with her back to town. I weighed my options carefully; after all I was already finished what I was her for and it would be nice to walk the long walk back with someone for once. I decided I should, so I sheathed my knife backin my boot and got up off the ground.

I saw she was walking towards the path back towards the district, which was the longer way not to mention the way with the least amount of prey. It was no wonder why she wasn't getting any animals. My way was alot shorter by far, though it was more threacherous terrain but it had more prey. I figured she might be up to taking my way, so I stayed put and called out to her as she walked away.

"I'm come with you, but only if we go my way. It's alot shorter than those trails, but it's a little more dangerous. Not to mention it is more populated by larger animals, or at least better fed ones. I bet you could get a few plump rabbit, or even a big juicy deer if you went my way," I told her as convincingly as I could. I hoped my amazing skills of persuasion would be enough to convince her.

I didn't wait for her reply, and I walked off in the direction I was taking home. I pulled my bow out again, and loosely strung an arrow in it. At least I would be catching something today. I paused at the edge of clearing, and waited to see what she was going to do.

[chaseee]

Alyss Evergreen

I sighed and followed her. I really didn't have the heart right now, but mother still had to eat. I got my bow ready too, yet I held the loaded string tighter. I needed to be ready to shoot at a moment's notice.

We walked in silence, the only noise the birds chirruping above and squirrels playing in the bushes. Finally, the ominous silence too much to bare, I spoke. "I'm sorry for unloading all of this on you. It just happened here recently and...well i'm not fully recovering." I felt my eyes brim again, and held my head back, pretending to look in the trees for prey.

I heard a twig snap not far on my right, and instinctively let the arrow fly. I heard a satisfying THUMP! and knew I had finally caught something. I strolled through the underbrush, and saw that I had shot a rather large white rabbit. I removed the arrow and carried the corpse back to the path by the ear.

"Well this will make up for that deer you made me lose earlier." I shot her a begrudging look. But, honestly, the day hadn't turned out half bad. I had finally been able to unload the heavy weight on my shoulders to somebody who actually listened, and I thought that maybe I had found someone I could relate to.

[nova]

I smiled slightly when I saw her walking my way. Though it was pretty clear she wasn't very happy about it. She strung her bow more tightly than I had mine, she was intending on getting something quick. I hoped she didn't waste all her shot hunting the small stuff. I'm sure between the two of us we could catch a good sized buck, possibly something larger.

I led the way through the dense forest. It was pretty level ground right here, so it was pretty simple to cross. It was very peaceful at the moment, the small unimportant animals like birds are squirrels chirped and chattered all around us. I loved this part of nature, it felt so right, a part of me was realeased in this enviroment.

Though Alyss stayed quietly behind me getting more twitchy and unnerved by the passing minute. She started speaking quietly, and it sounded like she was on the verge of tears. I was about to turn around and comfort her the best I could, but at that moment a large white rabbit came into her line of sight. She shot it down, and went to retrieve it.

She shot me a weird look as she held up the rabbit by the ears. She started talking, and all thoughts of comforting her were gone since it seemed like she didn't need comforting now. So, she thought that I caused her to lose that deer earlier, well it wasn't my fault the deer was trying to escape a densely predator filled area.

A flash of tan looking hide flashed across the corner of my eye. I could tell the direction it was headed in, so before I really knew what I was doing I had strung an extra arrow on my bow and shot it in the flashes general direction. One of the arrows had to hit my target if not both of them.

"I don't know if a rabbit can fully make up for a deer that I supposedly stopped you from catching, but I'm pretty sure that could," I told her with a sly smile across my face as I pointed in the direction my arrows went as a fairly good size buck with two arrows in it's body collapsed.

[chaseee]

Alyss Evergreen

I grinned at the girl, hoping she hadn't taken my comment too seriously.

Sure enough, as I strolled over to the bushes where she had shot her two arrows, I found a large buck, just waiting for somebody to take it to the butcher. I grabbed it by it's front legs and dragged it over to where the girl stood, laying it right at her feet.

"You know, in all this commotion, you never told me your name." I looked up at her. Of course, I hadn't done anything today that would actually influence this girl to act friendly with me. "I'm Alyss. Alyss Evergreen."

I turned and slowly began to walk, hoping she would follow. I felt like I had just made at least a distant friend. The only one I had. The thought sent a pang into my chest. I wondered, if I were to go to the Hunger Games, and died a gruesome death, would anyone mourn. Would anyone say kind words to my mother? Would anyone really be sorry I had died?

[nova]

Alyss went and retrieved the buck as soon as she saw it. I couldn't tell what emotion she had on her face, but it should be atleast a happy one. Bucks as large as this one were rare catches for anyone who wasn't professional hunters. She dragged the buck over to my feet, layed it down, and started to walk away.

I was about to ask where she was going, but she opened her mouth and re-introduced herself. I clearly remember each of us introducing ourselves, and it wasn't like I had just imagined it all. Maybe it just slipped her mind or something, or maybe it's just a quirk of hers. Everyone has there own quirks, look at me, I'm a professional thief.

If memory loss was her thing I guess I should get used to it, since if my thoughts were right we were going down hat rocky trail of friendship. And what an odd friendship it will be. The thief from the upper district and the huntress with short term memory loss from the lower.

I decided it would be smarter to just not say anything, but I couldn't carry this buck all by myself back to the closet of the district's butchers. I grabbed onto the the front legs, started to drag it, then called ahead to her," You know this would go ALOT faster if I wasn't the only one dragging this thing. I'll end up just tearing the hide and it'll dirty the meat, so if you want to get everything there is out of this buck you'd better come back."

I continued to slowly drag the deer, and waited to see if she was going to turn back and help me, or if I was going to have to drag, and ultimately destroy, this deer all the way back to the district. Also she had no knowledge about this trail so she would end up getting lost, and I'd have her death on my head.

[chaseee]

Alyss Evergreen

I turn back to the girl, a smirk on my face. Being a little dramatic now aren't we? But I still go back. I grab the hind legs, and help her lift it off the ground, carrying it down the path. I stop when the town comes into view.

I know we are the hunting district and all, but I don't thinkthe Peacekeepers will like it if we come dragging a dead buck through the middle of town. Plus, they might ship it off to the Capitol.

I let go of the animal, and sit on a nearby boulder, resting. The thing was heavy, and we didn't come from just down the road. I was beat.

So what do you reckon we do next?

((Sorry it's so short and crappy. I had no muse D'x))

[nova]

I snorted quietly at her statement as she finally came behind me and grabbed the bucks hind legs. Me, overdramatic, that was ludicrous. Yes, I might be a tad melo-dramatic at times, but I definately wasn't overdramatic. I decided not to say anything since it might start an arguement, which was something you didn't want to be having when you're the one carrying the front end of a hundred pound plus buck over rocky terrain.

I guess there is some truth to the saying time passes quicker with friends, or at least non-enemies; since even though it was an hours walk back to town Alyss and I seemed to get there before I knew it. As soon as the she saw the town Alyss stopped.

She started talking right before she dropped the buck, and lowered herself onto a rock. She looked exhausted, but before I answered her she started talking again. Apparently her mouth wasn't as tired as she was.

When she was finally silent I was able to talk to her.

"Well, this is what we do. We sneak around the Peacemakers which is very easy to do. Then go up to the butcher, who knows me well, then get him to fix the buck up for you. Then you come back tomorrow, and pick up the meat," I tell her. A little sharply, but lifting heavy animals and walking makes me tired, and I gt grumpy when I'm tired.

I pull the buck off the main trail a little, and make myself comfy while Alyss decides what to do.