Older and Wiser (Dee)
Jun 21, 2011 2:59:34 GMT -5
Post by cisco on Jun 21, 2011 2:59:34 GMT -5
It was dark, but still hot. The heat seemed to come off the ground in waves, and Soukina is grateful. One more year alive. Another summer come around and she was glad to have it. Soukina liked the summer for mostly two reasons. Firstly, the cold autumn and winter made her bones hurt. And secondly, during the summer (before the corn was ripe for picking), the bravest, most foolish residents of District 11 would gather between the rows of corn to have a few midnight exchanges. The black-market denizens of the District shuffled between the walls of leafiness and traded whatever contraband wares they managed to obtain.
Soukina had been coming to the Cornrows since it began, many years before. People had been scared to gather at night, but they realized that as long as they left the unripened cornstalks alone, the Peacekeepers left them mostly to themselves. And sometimes, even engaged in the occasional transaction. Especially when it came to the shimmy girls, who would give a kiss for a couple of ounces of bread. Or for the ginmakers who would make drinkin gin out of corn husks. As a drink, it was nasty! But Soukina wouldn't turn away a nice tumbler of it if it came her way.
With the fat moon on the horizon, they hardly needed to use valuable lamp oil to see through the warm night air. Old Soukina set up her stall: an upside-down wooden crate and scrappy piece of old silk. She laid out her cards and the only two jars of "Soukina's Special Love powder" that she had left. Hopefully some lovesick kiddo would come bounding by. It definitely seemed like a night for love!
Hoping for the best, she looked around, flashing her winning smile. Even though the folks were tired, and probably looking for medicine or extra food for their babies, Soukina knew that her services were tempting and someone generous would soon come her way. She was just glad there were no more babies for her to feed... People gave her little furtive looks as she waved and winked at them. She was sure someone would come by today. Even if just for a little chat.
Fortunes! She exclaimed. Getcha fortunes told!
She threw a few of her lucky chicken bones into a bowl. Now she was ready, and open for business!