If a Tree Falls [Axel]

[Anna Banana]

((I'm insulted you think I wouldn't care lol. Of course I care, to what degree was the question.))

Trench himself couldn't believe what he had promised. He had promised to break away from his drink for this girl he barely knew. Why, why would he do this for her. It was the question that kept surfacing in his mind. The question that as hard as he tried he couldn't get rid of it. Would he be able to keep his promise to this girl, would he truly be able to stay off the drink? In answer he looked at the face of the girl, the situation she was in, and that was his answer.

"Dusk, I don't know what drove me to make those promises to you. Or even what is driving me to say what I'm about to say. You have my word that not another drop of liquor shall pass my lips. However, you will have to accept the fact that while I sober up I may be very moody. I relied on that drink to keep me away from the nightmares of the world, and without I will be faced with my fears. Also, if I am to help you survive you must do exactly what I tell you, when I tell you to. No matter what, I can't be the only one promising something here. If I tell you to drop, you drop, if I tell you to run, you run.

If you make that promise to me I will feel more at ease with my own concession. Also, I may get you involved with my rebellion, but the same rules apply there to. You also have to trust my judgement on what is best for you and for your siblings. Oh, and I almost forgot, Dusk, I want you to act your age. No more of this acting more mature than you are, leave the maturity to me. I want you to be yourself, act your age."

He leaned backwards feeling out of breath from his speech. It was probably more than he had spoken in a long time. But this girl could be the person to drag him from the dark pit he had been living in. He could begin his rebellion anew, his life could start over. Than with a small chuckle he realized the daylight hours were waining, and if they qere to get anywhere they would have to start hunting.

"We'll get moving right now Dusk, just give me an answer along the way while I finish stringing my bow." He rose from his position silently and walked over to his pack. Taking out the liquor he threw it to the ground, not caring that it would scar the earth it fell on. "There Dusk, it marks the beginning of a new life for me, a life without liquor." Than he just simply turned his back and began to walk deeper into the woods.

[Kyalee]

Dusk noticed a little uncertaintity grow on Trench's face.
I knew it was too good to be true.... He doesn't want to do it anymore.[/i]
Her heart dropped. Sadness grew in her heart, and she looked down, just waiting to be rejected, or something of the kind. Maybe she was wrong. Maybe men couldn't change.
"Dusk, I don't know what drove me to make those promises to you...."
And there was the rejection. She wanted to run away, and cry beneath a tree, bury herself in dirt and lay down forever. But her instinct, of course, told her not to. It told her to hold it inside, and go hunt after he was done battling himself for nothing. She almost did run away, right then and there. But she let him finish.

When he finished though, her heart lept. So he wasn't going to abandon her... Just make a deal. Honestly, she was speechless. A burning in her lungs began to occur, and she realized after a few seconds she had been holding her breath. Dusk looked up at Trench, uneasily almost. According to Trench, her side of the deal was that she had to listen to him at all times, which was kind of hard since she was usually independent, but not impossible. She also had to act her age. Seemed simple, right? But actually, this was going to be more challenging than listening to him. She actually didn't want to make choices, she always thought they would end bad.... Thats the only reason Dusk listened to her father when he wasn't too wasted. Yet... acting mature and serious was all she had done and tried to achieve for quite some time. And to give it all up now? Dusk didn't even remember what being childish meant. Joke around? Be annoying?
Well maybe I should start by not being so serious...[/i]
That actually wasn't a bad idea. And maybe smiling more....
Trench said they should probably start hunting now, so she grabbed her knife and followed him. He carried his bow like a real pro, and Dusk admired his position. She even tried to copy it by instead of holding out her knife in front of her, she held it beside her, near the waist.

She watched him silently as he finished stringing his bow. She watched closely, because maybe later she would need that. He dropped his liquor on the way through the woods, and then grabbed his pack. She smiled as he did this, feeling satified inside. And now that he started his part of the bargain, she would start her part. The smile got bigger, and as she passed the bottles embedded dramatically in the ground, Dusk kicked one, and watched as it rolled down, and hit a tree. The liquid which she despised so much drained from the bottle. She laughed.

Dusk hoped he would take that as a yes to their bargain. This made her smile even wider, till her cheeks hurt. For some reason, as she was smiling she noticed how much Trench called her by her name. It was weird, but she liked it. And she wondered why it was weird. But maybe it was just weird because someone other than her siblings was saying it. Maybe because someone was actually just.. paying attention to her.
"Hey Trench..."[/b]
She paused, trying to make sure she wasn't trying to sound mature.
"What are we goana do first?"[/size]

---

Word Count: 574
Mood: Happy
Outfit:Here
Comments: Oh sorry. I just didn't know if you had noticed, or if it mattered to you or not. Lol.

[Anna Banana]

((I had noticed, and yes, it matters to me. If someone I'm rping with does something different than what I expect I wonder what happened.))

Trench continued forward in a slow yet purposeful hunting stance. He knew that Dusk was following him from the sound of the bottles he had thrown down being kicked aside. He couldn't help but smile, he had finally gained at least a little trust from the girl. He glanced quickly behind himself and saw Dusk smiling. Good, he had made his first step, and she had made hers. This friendship of theirs could actually work, at least both of us are willing to try. Slipping his hands into his pack he withdrew an arrow, spotting a rabbit not far off he motioned for Dusk to stop moving. He went down on one knee, drew his bow string, and fired in one smooth motion. The rabbit never stood a chance, by the time it sensed the arrow coming it was to late. He walked forward and removed the arrow from the rabbit, he couldn't help but notice that it wasn't a clean kill. It's trade value would be bad now so he took mental note that this would be food.

He walked back over to Dusk, and offered her his bow."Here Dusk, take my bow, it's a little small for me anyways. I'll teach you how to shoot and you'll be an expert in no time." He slipped the wrist guard off his own wrist and slipped it onto hers. Tightening the straps on it carefully so she wouldn't injure herself. Than he took out all the arrows from his pack and lyed them on the ground beside him. Glancing around for something to use as a quiver his eyes fell on a thick old tree branch. He picked it up and hollowed it out with his knife making sure the arrows could slide easily in and out. He cut a band off of his pack and tied it around the makeshift quiver and handed that to her.

"There, now you look like a real archer, the only trick will be teaching you how to use that bow. Don't worry about me, I'll make myself a bow in good time. I'll start when you take me to your house so I can get you settled down for the night. Until than I'll use that knife of yours, it could pass as a throwing knife I suppose. Oh, I also have my sword for backup if necessary."

He took her arms and showed her the proper positions of the bow. Where to hold it, how to shoot with the greatest accuracy, how to sight. Once he felt that he had told her everything he knew he gently pushed her forward to take the lead.

[Kyalee]

The thump sound sent shrudders through Dusk as the arrow shot and killed the rabbit Trench had spotted. She watched as he went up to get it, and bring it back. Blood was pouring out of its pure white head, and it looked very disfigured and hard to look at. She didn't know why it was so different seeing dead animals at the Seam, and killing them.
Maybe it just seems more gruesome.[/i]
Dusk winced slightly, but the scene quickly grew normal to her.

Trench walked up to her, and said he wanted her to shoot his bow now. Uneasiness grew in her, and dread. She had never handled a bow before, much less try to kill something with one. But Trench set it up for her, and explained what she thought had to be everything he knew about a bow. How to string it, how to aim, everything. At first she held it akwardly, but he soon showed her how to properly handle it. A light lit up her eyes as he taught her, and he probably would never understand how entierly grateful she was. This could help her survive, big time.
How did I possibly come into this much luck?[/i]
But happiness filled her heart, and she could barely stand still as she excitedly listened to everything Trench said. But then he pushed her foward.

She had to try to hunt with the bow, like he'd said. Reviewing swiftly on everything he had explained to her in her head, she started stealthily creeping forward. Holding her bow in proper position, she examined the dark forest for any movement. After a few minutes of nervous searching, Dusk sensed movement, in the left corner of her view. A squirl was searching for nuts on the soft forest floor. She quietly took an arrow from her quiver Trench had made, and aimed for the squirl. Anticipation swirled through her, and she was honestly excited. Like a crazed dog. It was small, but Dusk figured it would be good for practice. Following Trench's instructions, she pulled back to her ear, and let the arrow fly. The squirl was fast though, and sensed it. It moved out of the way, but the arrow would have hit it still, if her aim wasn't as bad as it was. The arrow thumped the ground a few inches away from where the squirl had been standing. The anticipation in her heart died down, and up came the disapointment. Dusk sighed sadly.
Stupid squirl... It moved...[/i][/size]

---

Word Count: 419
Mood: Disapointed
Outfit: Here!
Comments: Just so you know, I wasn't trying to be mean... lol... By the way this is like on my top list of rps to respond to right now I have been wanting to use Dusk for a long time...

[Anna Banana]

((I know you weren't being mean. I was just pulling your leg. This is my main thread right now to, being my first I devote a large portion of time to it.))

Trench followed behind Dusk carefully trying not to disturb any potential meals.The knife was a fascinating specimen, he easn't sure how she'd come across it. He supposed that it could have been her fathers, but still. He saw her stop suddenly and bring the bow up. Stalling his own body he didn't move from his position. He watcher draw back the string and take aim, but when she released the arrow he knew immediately it would not hit it's target. She did not take into account that the squirrel, with the amount of time she had taken, had sensed the danger.

He did not laugh at her, remembering the first couple of times he had tried to shoot. Instead he walked up behind her and placed his hand on her shoulder. "It's okay, it was the first time you have shot a bow. You would have to have been a prodigy for you to make a direct hit on your first shot." He walked to retrieve the arrow from the forest floor. Now he allowed himself a small laugh. The arrow was lodged in the center of small circular root. Than it hit him, this could be a target for her. Ripping it out of the ground he took his short sword from the pack. He slammed it and the root into a tree at about her height, than he walked back to her.

"There, you see that root, there's your target. We'll practice for say half an hour than continue our hunting. That way you can get used to the draw weight and timing. Or once you feel your ready we can get moving than to." He stepped back and motioned for her to take a shooting stance, and fire when ready.

[Kyalee]

The forest was quiet, still afriad from the sharp noise of arrow hitting wood and dirt. The squirl glared at them from the canopy, and then neatly and teasingly ran away, disapearing into the green lush. Dusk shot her tounge out at it, and laughed. She watched Trench as he went over to get her arrow. She watched silently from her spot, as to not ruin yet another chance for game to wander over.

Trench started laughing too, but for a different reason. Curiously, she stood on her tiptoes to see what it was he was looking at. Her arrow had lodged itself into a circular root.
Wow. Seriously? I can hit this but not a squirl?[/i]
Soon I started laughing too. But as Trench pulled the arrow out, her arms ached to shoot again, to feel the strength flow through her, and to itch with anticipation. The only part she didn't want to feel was the disapointment when she missed. But still, her whole body longed to hunt. Suddenly though, her attention was diverted to Trench. He was doing something with the root, something she didn't quite understand yet. But when he came back, and told her it was a target, a pang of annoyance entered her.
Well no dur...[/i]
Of course it was a target! But Dusk guessed it was what she deserved for skipping out on school. She laughed heartily, and brought her bow up again as he motioned her on. Giving Trench one last glance, she aimed. Dusk used all her brain power to focus all her senses to hitting that target. Slowly and steadily she put her arrow in place, and pulled her arm back. A deep breath to draw out her nervousness, and the arrow flew like a deadly bullet toward its specified target. Her heart lept as her ears worked faster than her eyes, and heard the contact of wood and arrow. So atleast Dusk had hit something.

When Dusk finally saw where the arrow hit, it appeared to have actually hit the target. Barely, but it had hit it.
"Look! I actually hit it Trench!"
She knew it had to be pure luck, but happiness was weaved into her voice as she spoke excitedly. She hopped over a few roots, and then pulled her arrow out of the wood. Coming back, she saw Trench watching her and just gave him a grin. Planning to shoot again, she put her bow in position, and shot again. Her shot was more strong, she noticed, and position slightly more confident. But Dusk was careful not to get too excited, just in case her shoot ended up 20 feet away from the target or something. The arrow hit directly below the target, but she didn't wait for disapointment to settle in, and just tried again. Not hesitating, she got in position yet again, and shot one last time before finally giving Trench a chance to talk, or whatever he wanted to do with her. This time though, the arrow almost hit dead center, and she could tell she was getting better. It really was similar to throwing knives, which she had learned from someone at the Hob. Pride flowed through her viens, and she just smiled.[/size]

---

Word Count: 540
Mood: Focused
Outfit: Here
Comments: Ooh lol.

[Anna Banana]

Trench smiled encouragingly at Dusk. Wow, another thing new for him, he never had to try and be encouraging to anyone. Man, he was really becoming a different person in just one day, strange how one person could be the cause of so much change. He pondered this, but the thump of an arrow hitting wood broke him from his thoughts. He glanced at the target seeing the arrow lodged into the bottom of it. An improvement, she seemed to have a natural ability with the bow. Given practice she could easily surpass him, this didn't bother him though. He felt almost pride at the fact she could be better than him.

She shot two more arrows each getting successively better. Than she stopped and looked at him as if waiting for him to say something. He felt sort of awkward, he wasn't used to giving advice. It was different as a starter course, now she was developing her own skill, what could he say? "Your doing great Dusk...ummm...pretty soon you'll be the best archer in all of District 12. You adapt quickly to, which is a good trait for an archer." He smiled again at her hoping that would convey the words he was struggling to say.

"Well, I think you're ready for the field test again. Let's get back to hunting so that way we can provide a meal for your siblings as well as you and I." He walked forward to continue the hunt, but didn't make it far before he spotted a squirrel himself. He hefted the knife took aim and threw, he looked away though because the throw was bad. It clipped the back leg of the squirrel as it tried to run. Embarrased by his lack of aim he walked over to the squirrel and finished it off. Looks like he was as much a student as she was, day one and they were already sharing their secrets.

[Kyalee]

Dusk smiled brightly at Trench. It amazed her that they had met only maybe an hour ago, and sort of were already friends. Were they friends? She guessed it was more like a mentor type of thing for him. But having guidance like she was having now, and better yet encouragement, was like having relief from tons of weight that had been hoisted on her when her mother died and her dad was sent to jail. Relief was so sweet, too. Dusk felt more free, or as free as you can get inside District 12. And almost nothing was sweeter than freedom.

Dusk's heart raced. It raced even harder though, when Trench said she had good skill. That could be good for survival, and catching some game. It was so great, learning all this stuff. She was so glad inside that she had finally trusted Trench. That they had made that deal. But she still didn't understand why he was being so nice to her, giving up liquor and helping her out. It didn't make sense, not at all. It also didn't make sense why he wanted her to act like herself. There was no benefit in making a girl act less mature, especially when you needed her for hunting or something. But Dusk certainly was not going to question his actions, well atleast not until her curiosity overcame her.

Excitement made her jump up and down when Trench said she was ready. This also made her remember this was nothing she would have done before. If she hadn't made a deal with Trench, she would probably just be like, "Ok. Lets go." or something boring, and mature. Something laid back, not showing her true happiness. But just because on the inside she was childish, and maybe immature at times, didn't still mean that fighter and instinct wasn't part of her. Because she was a fighter, a strong one at that.

Thinking, this also brought her back to a simpler time. She and her father, who hadn't drinken as much at the time, where sitting at the school, on the steps. It was a time when he had been only a social drinker. He was encouraging her to walk up by herself. It was the 1st day of school, and he insisted she did things on her own, to be independent and brave. Eventually she did walk up those stairs, on her own, even though she was frightened of all the other children, what they might think of her. Trench reminded her of him, of her younger father. Except he was more mysterious, more reckless. And she liked that. He was like the older brother she never had. Well except she didn't quite trust him as much she would her brother, but the situation was a bit like that. But Dusk remembered, when she came home that afternoon, successful, she had felt more confident, more stronger.

To think that had been probably more than 6 years ago. When life was perfect, it seemed. To think how easily her family had been torn apart... Dusk suddenly stopped, knowing the tears would come. She knew she made a promise to Trench, to be herself but that part of her would never come out. She wouldn't let herself cry, especially in front of him. Yet she felt so dirty, that she was not following their bargain. Still, she was persistant, and tried to regain that happiness she once had.

Dusk followed Trench as he strode forward confidently, with the knife held out in front of him. She watched as he tried to nail another squirrel with it. She knew it wouldn't be the best throw, since the wind was going to affect the knife greatly, but the sound of a writhing animal told her he hit it. She winced, not wanting to know just where he had hit it, and looked away as he went to go end its misery. As Trench walked back, she looked at the bloody heap in digust.
"Hey um... Next time, I would try testing the wind. Sometimes the knife can be real light, and it can affect the direction it goes in."[/b]
Dusk had learned this the hard way, when she was trying to strike a tree and ended up having to go diving when it landed in the water.

She smiled encouragingly at him. It really was an easy mistake to make; she herself had forgoten to check many times. Dusk guessed the arrows sometimes needed the same attention, but they tended to go much faster anyway. She walked silently through the forest, a little ways away from Trench, and didn't check to see if he was following her. She scanned the area once again for any movement. It took her longer, but she finally did sense movement. Dusk could barely keep the gasp from escaping her lips as she saw the doe standing about 20 feet away, with its back turned. It was quite magestic, its powerful hoofs moving almost delicatly through the grass. It seemed alone, and distracted. She smiled, and then lifted her bow into position. With all her strength, she pulled back, and let the arrow fly. Dusk was there after puzzeled. Things didn't even seem to go into chronological order, with the doe running first. Dusk had aimed for the throat, but somehow the arrow ended hitting its leg. She was glad at first that she had actually hit it, but soon realized it would probably just run away.
"Woah!"[/b]
And after only a seconds stupor, she started running after the doe.
[/size]

---

Word Count: 927
Mood: Worried but excited
Outfit: Here
Comments:

[Anna Banana]

It made Trench more than happy to see Dusk so happy. This he felt sure, was the read her, and he would make sure that she had no reason to be otherwise. She took to her side of their bargain very quickly, now he had to do the same for her, she deserved it. He began to wonder though how she was interpriting his actions. It must seem strange to her how he was acting, he came to the conclusion that he would tell her later.

A memory flashed into his mind of the old him. In a time before he became a drunk, sad creature. One of his friends had a younger sister that he grew very fond of. She was a happy girl, never upset by anything, ever. Than because of him, she lost her older sibling. She was forced to grow up to fast, she lost her youth because of him, and now she hated him. He would not allow that to happen again, Dusk would be able to be herself. Snapping out of yet another look at his past he took in Dusk's encouraging look and words at his knife throwing. He would get better just as she would with the bow, the only difference being she had natural talent.

He turned his back briefly to test her advice and get used to the knife. It took several tries for him to just get it to a satisfactory target. It wasn't great, but it was better than when he'd started. Turning to give Dusk the sign to continue on he noticed she was no longer near him. Panic flowed through him, where did she go, she was right here. I should have heard her leaving, payed more attention. He headed in the dirction that showed signs of someone moving through it. When he still didn't find her, he really began to panic.

The forest at this time was a very dangerous place. Between predators looking for dinner, and the Peacekeepers searching the forest. That last thought was enough to drive any sense of caution from his mind. "Dusk, Dusk, where are you!!! Answer me Dusk, please answer me, where are you!!!" The thought of her getting found by the Peacekeepers was a painful one, old memories surfaced of his friends taken away. Than he spotted a thin trail of blood on the forest floor. Than a thought occured to him, if a girl was killed in the forest and no one was able to hear it, did she make any sound? What a fool he had been, he let her out of his sight, and now she could be dead somewhere. He continued to crash through the undergrowth hoping that the worst had not happened to her.

[Kyalee]

Dusk didn't think she had ever ran as fast as she was running now. Ardrinaline took over her brain, told it to run, and keep running. But following the deer took skill; not only was it fast, but could leap easily over any log, while Dusk was tripping constantly on her own feet. But she never lost the trail of blood, and still kept on it, even when the deer was out of sight. Suddenly though, she heard a voice slice through the air. A familiar voice. A voice that sent shivers going up her spine.
"Dusk, Dusk, where are you!!! Answer me Dusk, please answer me, where are you!!!"
It was Trench, and he was wondering where she had gone. Dusk cursed her self slightly for not telling him where she was going. She was too independent sometimes, and wasn't used to anybody caring where she was, or even how she was unless they were dependent upon her, like her siblings were.

"Trench! I'm over here! Chasing a deer!"[/b]
Her voice was filled with laughter. How ironic... and crazy she must sound. But she was having the time of her life. Chasing a deer.... Wow.
I am insane
This made her laugh out loud, but it didn't last long since she was needed enough oxygen to keep her running. Her feet were quickly tiring, and a burning sensation was searing her heels. The ardrinaline was even starting to wear off, and Dusk knew she wouldn't be able to run for much longer. So she gave a sigh, in disapointment and slowed down to a jog to keep her going. She had to get this deer, she just had to. She could barely even believe she had hit it, despite the close proximity it had had to her position. But this deer, if she got it, could feed her siblings, and even her father, for atleast 3 days, maybe more.

This also made her wonder if Trench would stay with them. He could eat too... She also wondered if Trench had a home. This made her feel mysteriously guilty, but at the same time responsible for him. It was kind of ovious she liked to take care of people, no matter the age. But she had promised him she'd act like herself.... So she couldn't be as serious.... But something, just a small something triggered in her head from this. Something that troubled her, and slowly made her more and more concerned.
What will he think of my father.... And what will my father think of him?[/i]
It could go many ways. They could both relate to eachother, possibly even become friends. This way was extremely unprobable though. It could also go with Trench relating to him, and her father getting angry at me for bringing him, which was extremely probable. But there were too many ways to think of, and frankly, her brain needed oxygen for something other than thinking. Her legs pounded against the ground with confidence, but she was slowing down, mostly because she wanted Trench to catch up with her. Infact, the longing for Trench to be with her caused her to stop entirely.
"Trench?"[/b]
She yelled out with all the breath she had left.[/size]

---

Word Count: 540
Mood: Playful
Outfit: Here
Comments:

[Anna Banana]

Trench continued to crash through the woods never slowing down. When he heard her voice it only served to speed him along. Once he caught sight of her he slowed down to a jog, but his emotions took control and he ran at her. He grabbed her in his arms and rested his head ontop of hers. He just stood there happy in the fact that she was still alive. As he had been running through the forest all he could think of was her in danger. He never wanted to let go, but felt that he may be embarrasing her.

"Please Dusk, promise me you will never do that again. Do you have any idea what you put me through when you ran away. I don't know what I would have done if something had happened to you." He couldn't help but pull her into another embrace one more time before letting her alone. He stepped back and checked her
over more for his sake than hers, to put his mind at ease. His heart beat was still
rapid, and his breathing waas coming in gasps now as he tried to calm down.

He walked over to a log and slumpd down against it. He put his head in his hands
and just sat there. Even though he had only just met this girl she had become very important to him. She actually began to remind him of the one person who
understood him. For that reason he took it upon himself to keep her safe. Especially considering her father was no longer taking care of her. He ran his hands over his face feeling ready to continue on, but decided he would rest a bit longer to compose himself.

It was hard to imagine that of all people it was a twelve year old girl that could change Trench Hardeen. If only all the people of District 12 could see him now, maybe he wouldn't be the shame of them. This was his opportunity to start anew, and make sure he stayed on track.

[Kyalee]

A shocked beat echoed through her heart as Trench came running at her. His arms enveloped Dusk's frail body, this sending her nerves into frantic alertness. It felt so weird for him to be hugging her like this. Such a forgien touch to her skin.... And it mystified her. Nobody had ever held her like Trench was at that moment, unless you counted her mother holding her after that one time she was almost ran over by the tribute train. She could hear and feel his heart beating frantically in his chest. His body was even trembling, but only slightly. Guilt formed in her chest for leaving him.
I should have told him where I was going.... Why didn't I?
Dusk pondered this for a moment. She was soon distracted though, by how comforting the warmth coming from Trench's chest felt against her body. Her heart fluttered, and she liked to think that someone actually cared about her well being. Why he did though, was a mystery to her.

Trench let go, and the guilt increased. He made her promise she would never leave him again, and explained how worried he had been. Why though? Why was he so worried? Did really care if she was ok or not? It wasn't like their deal included making sure she didn't die or anything.... Well actually, it sort of did. Sort of. Dusk watched, frowning as Trench slumped up against a log, and put his head in his hands. Her eyes filled with sadness, and Dusk inched over to where Trench was sitting in a crumpled heap.
"I-I'm sorry Trench. I promise I won't do it again."
She paused, coming closer to Trench and sitting down beside him after a few seconds of anticipation and stiff walking.
"I honestly didn't think you would care...."
And that was the truth. Nobody ever cared where she went... Nobody even cared if she came back with an injury most of the time, or if she even ever came back at all, unless it was her siblings who were waiting for her to bring home their dinner.

This suddenly made Dusk think of her siblings. She wondered what they were doing now... Maybe Evangaline was trying to finally get that jig saw puzzel together... But the others were probably at school, or coming home from it. Coy would be in the front, like usual, with the twins and James trailing behind. Coy was the eldest, being 10 years old, but he was still just as playful as ever. The twins were both 7, which included April and June. Then there was James, who had just entered school. He might be the smallest, but Dusk knew one day he would be a very strong man.

She sighed, thinking how they must be hungry, and she had to bring them back something. She was just too bad at hunting. Maybe she should just go back to stealing... But Dusk just sighed again, more intensly this time and layed her head against a tree, letting her eyes rest for a moment.

---

Word Count: 512
Mood: Worried
Outfit: Here
Comments:

[Anna Banana]

"It's alright Dusk, don't worry about it. I suppose I shouldn't have been as worried as I was. It's just that...I don't want anything to happen to you. Your a special person Dusk, whether you realize it or not. I know more than anyone that it's hard to go down the wrong path in District 12. And I don't want that to have to happen to you. I want to be able to help you, to keep you from stealing and other distasteful things."

He sighed almost in unison with her. Than he began to wonder why she was sighing. He got up and took her hand gently in his and sat down. He pulled her gently on to his lap and began to rock back and forth. "Dusk, you are to young to have to worry about the troubles of the world. You shouldn't have to face them alone, and with me here you don't have to. I have a very small amount of money, but I should be able to suppost you...and my own family with it. I'll buy something to eat and tomorrow we can continue our hunting. With time we can become the best hunting pair in Panem."

He wondered if he should tell her part of his motivation. To just come completely clean to her about his life. He decided that he would tell her more, but not all unless she asked after he was done. "Dusk, I have to tell you something and I hope you think no less of me because of it. I have a family back home, but not in the way you think. I have a wife who is eight months pregnant with our child. I sunk into depression and alcoholism from the loss of my parents and the hatred of the people I lived around. Once I recieved the news she was pregnant I tried to break from my addiction with little success.

Than I met you, you were so like my old friend who is now dead and my wife. I immediately felt the need to keep you alive, and give you a better life than I had. I want to be that parent that you lost with the alcoholism of your father. Do you understand better now?" He hoped she did, and he also hoped she understood him better now.

[Kyalee]

Dusk listened to Trench, but didn't want to. He was going on about how she was special. But if she was so special, then why didn't anyone else see that? No, Dusk Gold was just another skinny child on the street, trying to get some dinner. Just another kid standing in a crowd of others, waiting for their fate to be taken out of a big glass bowl. Dusk came back to the conversation though, shaking these thoughts away for awhile. Trench countinued, talking about how he wanted to keep her from stealing, and doing bad things.
To late for that...[/i]
And it was too late. She was known around half the District for her thieving, especially at the Hob. But Dusk didn't interupt Trench, because she didn't want to stop his voice.

His voice did stop though, and she sighed. Suddenly, he got up, and Dusk barely had time to lift her head up before she was lifted up by her arm by his much stronger one. She could sense the caution and delicacy in his arm as he set her down gently in his lap. He began to rock her back and forth. At first it was akward, with her hugging her knees in a weird position. But then she gave in, and leaned on his chest in defeat. It was so weird, having someone holding her as he did. It gave her sweet memories of her father putting her to bed when she was younger. Like when she used to fall asleep in his arms while he was carrying to bed. The warmth of his chest which quickly filled her nostrils and made her skin tingle enticed these memories. They were so comforting.... They felt like home. But Dusk knew these memories only led to darker ones.

"Dusk, Dusk my darling, stay strong."[/color]
Her mother's sweet voice filled and clouded her mind. Dread filled her toes but she couldn't escape the memory which came next.
"Dusk, Dusk I'm so-"[/color]
Dusk could barely stop herself from wincing as she heard the echoing of her mothers weak chest letting out a cough.
"Dusk I'm disapointed in-"
But before it could continue, Dusk shook these thoughts away, trying to make sure Trench didn't notice.

He started to talk about how she shouldn't have to face the worries and troubles of the world. How he could help her. How they could be the best hunting pair in Panem. But what stopped her was his family. If he had a family to feed too, what was he doing here, offering to feed hers? Nervousness and remorse entered her. Once again she would be the one holding people back; like a deadweight she would probably pull his family down. Probably make his family just as starved as her own. And even though he said she shouldn't worry, shouldn't have the troubles of the world on her shoulders but it was just how life was. Some people got to be kids, and some didn't.

As if that wasn't enough to want to make her walk away, and not let him take the weight of her siblings and her, he kept talking. He spoke of his motivation of why he wanted to take care of her. He said he had a family, his wife and unborn child. Talked about his parents dying, and his depression and achohol adiction. But then it got intresting, how she reminded him of a person who he once knew, and his wife. He wanted to be the father she once had, but lost, and wanted to make sure she would survive.

It took some time, to think about if she really did understand him. And she did, but it was more like understanding and interpreting her own feelings that took most of the time. Somethings were just so complicated.... Especially her wild feelings, that seemed to swirl in her in random paterns. But finally, she began to speak.
"Trench..... You have a baby coming."[/b]
Dusk akwardly gets out of Trench's lap, warmth disipating from her body, making it want to curl up back next to him, but her brain refused to let her. She just looked at Trench with sad eyes, and started to speak again.
"You have a life to live, a bright future. Me, and my siblings will just bring you down. I'll just be another weight on your back. You say.."[/b]
A lump formed in her throat, but she quickly tried to push it away with some spit.
"You say I shouldn't have to worry about all my troubles, and that you want to take them for me, but you shouldn't have to do that. You shouldn't have to do anything for me. And just because I remind you of someone doesn't mean you should have the burden of which I hold. Its my fault I have these burdens anyway...."[/b]
Dusk sighed, inching away so maybe the pain of speaking those words wouldn't hurt her as much.
"It was my fault..."[/b]
She spoke in a whisper she knew he probably wouldn't hear. It had been her fault though. She hadn't gotten that medicen... If only she had gotten it, her mother would still be alive and well. They could have lived a good, happy and well fed life. Her father wouldn't be a drunkard.[/size]

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Word Count: 887
Mood: Remorseful
Outfit: Here
Comments:

[Anna Banana]

Her responce saddened him, but it was a responce he was expecting. He already had his responce planned, but he decided he would address her difficulties first. "Dusk, your not thinking your age. Let me do the thinking on that level. You and your siblings would not be a burden to me or my wife. If anything she would try and bring you into our little family. I would not have offered you all of this if I didn't think I would be able to support you."

He rose from where he had sat down and approached her again. He put his arms around her in an embrace and whispered as if he was afraid the trees would hear his words. "Dusk, I know what it is like to lose your parents. I can't pretend to understand what went on between you and your mother. But I sense you blame yourself for her death. Let me present my case to you this way. Your mother if she were still alive would do anything to keep you alive. Including surrendering her life for you.

Do you think she would be proud of you now? I know my parents wouldn't be proud of some of my choices, and I'm sure your mother isn't proud of some of yours. Now were she still alive do you think she would refuse an offer of help from someone? Your mother loved you, and you loved her, of this I'm sure. For your mother will you let me help you?" He hoped he wasn't pushing her farther away with his words. But he felt that what he was saying needed to be said. He went through the same thing with the death of his parents.

"Dusk, I can never replace your real parents. No one ever will, but don't let your mother down by refusing help. She would want you to live, be yourself, not that mature girl that has to face the world. I know I'm not your father, but at least give me the chance to be that kind of person in your life." He knelt down so his face was level with hers. "The world is not a place where battles are won alone, eventually we all learn that we need help." He stood back up and held her in an embrace again, and he felt awkward. Than to top it all off he did something that shocked him. He kissed her on the top of the head and than began to run his hand through her hair as he stood there.