Failing, Yet ... Not. (Open to All)

[arx]

»---> ♥ ```Arx!!
--- The only real failure in life is not to be true to the best one knows. ---

The days roll by and still he cannot stop thinking of him. His father. Long gone now.

Watching the sun set over the horizon lets Kelton know that his dad is still out there, somewhere. The way the orange melds together with the light purples and pinks are quite breathtaking, alomost invigorating in fact. The sun was always his guide home after all. After the long days work, he could always rely on it to show him the way back to his home. To his sister.

The little girl without a father. The little girl with a mum who could no longer care about anything. A little girl who only has a big brother there for her. And that big brother feels like a real failure to her, a cheat.

"I'm not a father ..." Kelton murmered to himself silently as he walked home, his axe over his shoulder, sweaty blue shirt on his back.

He walked with his head up, trying to make it look as if he were not bothered to anyone who passed by him. He would not let anyone see him like this, see him so weakened, so vulnerable. He wasn't going to look like a failure to everyone around him, as well as his sister.

[jimmylost]

Nothing like a hard days work to make you appreciated the walk home. Make you love being home really, still I find myself meandering around the rout delaying the trip like I always do. The end of my ax sticks out from my backpack, other tools roll around inside the fabric and every once in a while a sharper piece pokes through and catches my back. I really should invest in a separate bag for tools and school, but who really has the money to by the same two objects for slightly different tasks? It's not so bad really I just got to pack this bag more carefully.

Up ahead I see another boy around my age making his way, I don't remember seeing him while I worked but I was with a relatively smaller group today so that's no surprise really. He's got his own ax over his shoulder and his posture seems to be saying something more then the usual slumped shoulders I see among the workers. I quicken my pace slightly, I like sharing my time with others, I like being able to talk with my fellow district residents.

"Hello there" I say brightly as a come into step with the boy "heading back from work?" I ask nodding toward his ax in hopes of making some conversation.

[arx]

»---> ♥ ```Arx!!
--- We march and fight, to death or on to victory. Our might is right, no traitors shall prevail. Our hearts are steeled against the fiery gates of hell. No shot or shell, can still our mighty song. ---

Kelton looked over his shoulder, but still continued on, as he heard someone approaching. A boy about his age also looked to be coming home from work. Kelton didn't recognize him ... Must not be too important ...


"Hello there, heading back from work?"


He was bright and bouncy. Gotta love that kind of guy, easy to befriend and have on your side. Kelton smiled, more a smirk than anything. Then made sure to change it to a real smile before adding his own greetings.

"Hey! As if the axe doesn't explain where I have been, I am going home from work, yes."

Kelton then offered his hand for a shake. Common courtesy in his mind. Unless of course it was to a Peacekeeper cause then you gotta make sure to spit in your hand before they take you up on the offer of a shake. That was also common courtesy.

"I'm Kelton Kempfer." he added.

[jimmylost]

Before the boy speaks I pick up a shadow of emotion just disintegrate in his eyes. It matches what I saw in his posture but I can't identify either. I fear it may drive that common wedge of misunderstanding between us. It's so common with the people I meet, that annoyed declaration that 'I just don't understand'. It's completely my fault too, I don't understand, I've never let myself absorb anything negative. Honestly I've never really had to, my life isn't anywhere near difficult.

Yes I'm worrying about weather or not we'll going to get along before I even know if I like him myself. It's like my ultimate goal is friendship with everyone, anyone. Well, yes it is, what can I say it's just who I am.

"Hey! As if the axe doesn't explain where I have been, I am going home from work, yes."

A sense of humor! I take an immediate liking to him, sure I take an immediate liking to everyone but it doesn't mean I like him any less. I smile brightly dismissing anything I might have noted about him before as my own imagination.

"I'm Kelton Kempfer." He says offering me his hand.

I take his hand and take the opportunity to make sure I permanently associate Kelton's face to his name. "Nice to meet you Kelton Kempfer, I'm Milo Piper"

[arx]

»---> ♥ ```Arx!!
--- Humor doesn't make us happy; The lack of humorlessness does. ---

Kelton firmly shook the boys hand in greeting and he introduced himself as Milo Piper. The name reminded Kelton of a pets name, but he never voiced this aloud. Instead he just dropped his hand and nodded,

"Howdy Milo." Kelton smiled, then looked back at the path they were walking. It was starting to get dark and Kelton knew he should be rushing to get back but he had just met Milo and he was still beside him, itching for conversation. Perhaps it wasn't a bad idea to make a friend.

"So, Milo," Kelton began, "Tussled with any Peacekeepers lately?" Kelton asked, making with a little chuckle and a smile.

Kelton loved bothering them. It was just so easy and so worth the whippings and lashings. They pretty much found Kelton a vigorous pest and he loved it. Anyone who willingly worked for the Capitol deserved it.

[district7girl]

Evan silently watched from the trees. She needed to get back, back to her Father and Mother, not that they cared that much anyway. Yet, she could not get caught. Her hands slipped as she pulled herself up to a different branch. After her sister, Lina, died, her mother and father no longer cared about Evan. Suddenly, before she knew what was happening, she fell, but she grabbed onto a low branch before she hit the ground. Her legs dangled down, not quite touching the grass. Her long hair fell onto her eyes. With a snap! the branch broke, and she felt a sharp pain shoot through her arm. The boys did not turn around, until one of them heard her crying in pain. She was embarrassed, for she hated crying in front of others, but, she could not help it.