Dualisms [North]

[rook]

The Woodards Twins

<sub>Rubik Woodards did not enjoy cleaning up. He did not enjoy cleaning up when people had been sat at home doing nothing all day, whilst he had been working. Sure, his father was an abusive, depressive wreck that rarely spoke, that was a given. His sister was at school for most of the day, but his brother? His brother had been watching recaps of the 60th Hunger Games Finale. It was sick that Pandora even enjoyed that twisted shit, but then again, Pandora was a twisted guy.

Even now he was watching Claudius Templesmith and Caesar Flickerman discuss the true meaning of Reyes Moreno's suicide that shook the districts. Sat slumped in his chair, chewing on a toothpick of sorts. Rubik shot him an unseen glare, before returning his attention to scrubbing up plates. Rubik wasn't one to make a big deal of something like this, but something about Pandora's obsession with the Games annoyed him. He was almost worried his brother would be the type to volunteer. He was selfish enough.

A heavy hand clamped down on his shoulder. Pandora was up, jacket in hand.
"C'mon, we need food, let's go..." He said, chewing the wooden spike, his hair a mess over his face. Rubik rolled his eyes.
"I'm a little busy, you go..." The older of the twins buried his hand into his pocket and threw a sack of coins to his younger sibling. It would get him out of his hair and give the lazy teen some fresh air too. Pandora grinned, ruffling his brother's hair, who responded by trying to elbow him in the ribs, yet Pandora dodged.
"Too slow!" He laughed, "Smell ya' later..."

Pandora considered himself lucky to be entrusted with Rubik's weeks earnings, but he wasn't moronic enough to blow it all on drugs. He cared too much about his little sister and his clone. That was what Rubik was, an indifferent clone with a mature personality.

He entered the market, already scanning for meat. Rubik would have said: 'Bread first, then vegetables, then meat', but Pandora had different priorities. Meat was protein, and protein was muscle. He purchased a slab of cow, enough to feed six or seven. Probably more meat than he should have bought, but no one would complain with a joint this tender.

He headed over to the vegetable stand. Veggies kept you healthy. That was all he could remember learning from school. How to sew and how to eat healthy. He bought a bunch of carrots, leeks and onions. He liked leeks, they were crisper than onions and more subtle. He could make a mean leek and beef pie with what he had bought... He knew there was some flour somewhere in the house. Pandora may not have been good for much, but he was a great cook.</sub>

[School is the bane of my life]

Katrina Wilmont

[/font] [/size] [/color]

I stand over the stall counter impatiently, tapping my bruised fingers on the planked counter. I need that cloth tomorrow! If I don’t get it soon I’m going to be fall behind on my work. The reaping was so close and I need the soft cloth I had ordered to get started on my dress. I hope they also have some new string and some new thread, lace. Ah, I’m wanting too much again and I don’t have the money. I will just use the spare cloth I have.

I need the dress for the reaping, it was the only time our district is televised and the only chance to showcase my work to the capitol. The people there will see it and they will ask, who made that wonderful design? They will find out it was me and then they will orders many dresses and shirts from me and I will become rich. I am thinking too much, why would this happen to a poor girl like me?

The stall owner walks over and passes me the roll of cloth I have been waiting for. I smile quickly and give him the coin. I take the cloth carefully and move it into my bag, making sure everything is okay. I tighten my new wool jacket that I made over the weekend. Now its time for food.

I walk over quickly, avoiding the people around me, heading towards the vegetable stand. I will need some onions, carrots they will keep me and my family healthy. A boy stands beside me, picking out different sorts of vegetables. He stands right in front of the leeks, I need those leeks. I gently poke him and tuck my loose threads of hair over my ear,

“Excuse me, you are blocking the leeks.”

[rook]

The Woodards Twins

<sub>Pandora was too zoned out with figuring out what to cook for the night's meal that he was oblivious to the girl trying to get to the vegetables. It was only when he was prodded with a finger that he snapped out of his thought bubble and dragged back into reality in an instant.

"Excuse me, you are blocking the leeks..."

The messy haired teen glanced briefly at the girl, he knew she was about his age and wasn't bad looking. She carried a cloth of sorts, which wasn't unusual in District Eight, people carried all sorts of materials around with them.

"Sorry..." He said, sidestepping to allow the girl access to the vegetables. He saw this as a gap for conversation. She was good looking, he was good looking... He didn't have Rubik around to cramp his style - No one likes a twin hanging around like a shadow - It was a good opportunity.

"I couldn't help but notice such fine fabric... It must be for something special, no?" He asked her, leaning against the counter and staring at the side profile of her face. He produced an apple out of his basket and took a bite, making a loud crunching sound. He awaited her story.</sub>

[School is the bane of my life]

"Sorry,”

the man said and stepped to the side. I gracefully step to the side and examine the leeks with my eyes. I casually look to the side, he was pretty cute, messy hair; that’s nice. But I’m way too busy to even think about that. I need the leeks and I need to get started on my dress.

"I couldn't help but notice such fine fabric... It must be for something special, no?" The boy leaned against the stall and my ears perked up. No one really cares about what I do, unless it’s something big. I pick up a leek and inspect it, turning it around at different angles.

“This fabric is for the reaping, every year I make dresses and put them on during the reaping. I hope that the people in the capitol will see it and order clothing made from me, it has happened once. They pay a lot,” I say with my eye still on the leek, I put it down gently and turn to him.

“My names Katrina Wilmont.” [/size] [/blockquote]

[rook]

The Woodards Twins

<sub>Katrina Wilmont, the designer. Well, she wasn't alone there, most of District Eight's population wanted to create the best fabrics and clothes available for purchase. The Capitol was always looking for iconic, fresh clothes to match their spontaneous style. Pandora didn't buy into that, he just sprayed linen with protective solution... He was more of a brawn than a brain.

Still, the fabric looked pricey, thus she must be pretty serious about creating something fancy for the reaping. Oh!! The reaping!! Pandora had completely forgotten that the event that depicted all their lives was so near. He usually wore his father's old reaping shirt, it was his brother Rubik who could afford nicer stuff, he had a better job. He hoped someone decent would be picked from District Eight this year, someone bulkier and bigger than the last two... Or smarter... They needed tributes with an edge.

In his experience, it wasn't worth thinking about the Reaping too much, it usually passed quicker than it came. It was the Games that were more exciting. Rubik always worried that Hope would be picked, but their little sister always seemed to have luck on her side. Besides, if she was reaped, she could bet that her twin brothers would be arguing over who would be volunteering. Probably Pandora.

"Pandora Woodards... Or Pan, for short..." He took another large bite out of the apple, introductories over.</sub>

[School is the bane of my life]

I tightened the grip on the fabric that had cost me months of saving. I have had to make ten shirts, all at their best, and it was only barely enough. I never thought I would see it in my arms the day I first saw it in the market. The boy was eating an apple and my stomach jumps for the apple, I have to eat soon; I mutter quietly to myself.

"Pandora Woodards....Or Pan, for short," Pandora was an odd name, I have never heard of that before. It remained me somewhat of a forest or a big city. Sometime maybe a captoil person would be called. I picked up and leek and saw it as good, I put it in my bag quickly and handed the coin for it to the white haired woman running the stall.

"Pandora, thats a nice name, Do you work in the factories nearby or something else?"

[rook]

The Woodards Twins

<sub>She grabbed a leek and handed the coin to the owner of the stand, who seemed like he was so old, he could drop dead at any minute. Pan blinked rapidly at his dull face, before returning to the much healthier face of Katrina.

"Pandora, thats a nice name, Do you work in the factories nearby or something else?"

"It's a stupid name..." He retorted, folding his arms, the half-bitten apple still held loosely in his hand, hanging like it might drop at any moment. Raising an eyebrow, he began to tell of his career, "...Yeah, I spray fabrics before they're shipped out, to repel parasites and help strengthen the fibers..."</sub>

[/b] He explained with added monotony in his voice.

"It's all very exciting... What about you? Attractive young lady such as yourself must have a decent job..."

Another bite of the apple.

[/sub][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[School is the bane of my life]

So he sprays fabric? That was common with guys. Lots of them don't have the hands to do good sewing or anything along the lines of that. So they were always stuck cleaning out the fabric and stuff. It was good job though that really helped the fabrics.

I blush deeply, looking away from him as he mentions my beauty. No one ever mentions my beauty and when they do I just can't help but blush. I tighten up my bag with the leeks in it and turn to face him, my lips in a shy smile.

"I guess I have a decent job, im head of some of the work in the factories and most of the time my clothes are picked to go to the captoil, but nothing expensive like this dress i'm going to make."

[rook]

The Woodards Twins

<sub>Head of a factory? That was very unusual for someone of Katrina's age, she must have been very talented in people-management. Pandora wondered what kind of factory she worked in. She did say factory right? Not factories? That would have been impressive at her age. Most middle-age people didn't accomplish that in their lives. He wondered how rich she was.

Acting like it was no big deal, he merely shrugged, watching the girl blush at his minor compliment. It wasn't even that, it was just a pick-me-up. The sort of line he used to make himself look more mature. His real intentions were just to get any attractive female he could into bed with him. Pandora wasn't one for giving complements to be nice.

Being the royal jerk he was, he acted like he hadn't even heard the girl's impressive career to date. Leaning on the stand he took another bite of the apple. He changed the topic to something he enjoyed.

"Nervous about the reaping?" He smiled, as if it weren't a crazy lottery of death, "I fancy my chances this year..." He grinned. Girls loves dangerous guys.

But not sadistic guys who watched kids kill each-other like it was a TV series. Not crazy guys who wanted to be a part of that fantasy. Girls didn't like that.</sub>

[School is the bane of my life]

Pandora was quite good looking and the way he bit the apple. Stop it Katrina! You need to focus on your work, I repeat to myself as I keep my eye on him. My dress outline needs to be done by tomorrow and the next day the fabric needs to be cut out. I worry to much, oh I really do.

"Nervous about the reaping? I fancy my chances this year." He fancys his chances? So he was a bad boy was he? I never really did like boys like that. They were always drunk and distrubed me when they pranced around outside yelling obscene words as they drank. But something about Pandora, he was handsome. Lots of the *bad boys* were ugly trying to act cool to get girls.

Was he trying to attract me? Well I guess it was somewhat working and his looks really did help. But once again his looks did help alot. I casusally smiled and leaned on the booth.
" I guess I am nervous, never really been much into the games. But you fancy your chances? Do you really want to go?" I say and lean forward, listening closer.

[rook]

The Woodards Twins

<sub>"I guess I am nervous, never really been much into the games. But you fancy your chances? Do you really want to go?"

Pandora shrugged, again like he didn't care. She said she wasn't into the games, but realistically everyone was involved whether they liked it or not. People didn't usually watch it religiously, mainly turning a blind eye to it. That's what she meant, she ignored the games when she could. It was a huge part of their lives, you couldn't not be involved.

"Well, I wouldn't exactly volunteer," He began, taking another large bite out of the rich green apple, he ate well for someone without a job, but he was living off his brother's hard work, "But if I was picked, I wouldn't turn it down... It'd be my calling... My way out of this monotonous lifestyle..." He stared off into the distance, thinking this over.

Suddenly, he turned to face her, coming away from his leaning position, standing on his own.
"Do you ever feel like there's something more to life than grinding by?" He narrowed his eyes to her, not sure if she understood what he was saying. He couldn't put it into words, he wanted to say that he was sick of underachieving. The Games were a way out of all of this. He noticed he was getting physically close to Katrina.</sub>

[School is the bane of my life]

He would not volunteer? It’s his calling to be in the games if he was reaped. He would not have much choice anyway. No one volunteers for people in these lower districts. It sickened me that higher districts fight each other up to the stage to volunteer. But those districts were the ones that usually won the games. The last few years have proved to be in favour of lower districts like mace. But last year Julian, a career from district 2, mauled through the compete ion. The finale was scary to watch.

Pandora turned to face me, out of his leaning position.
“Do you ever feel like there’s something, more to life than grinding by?”

Grinding by? I think I have heard of that expression somewhere. Did it mean to just go by life making money from random jobs along the way? Then if that it was it was there was defiantly more to life than just grinding by. You have to have a good job and have a love life, maybe children. Have a nice life. Have some fun with boys along the way. But that would never be me.

I could never have fun with boys, I am ugly and not that anyone really does like me. Expect for my coworkers and friend, they like me. I tapped my fingers along the booth thinking about what he was saying. The distance between me and Pandora seemed to be more connected now. Oh no, he was getting close to me. But if he did like me? Maybe I will get reaped this year, maybe I will die this year. And if that is so maybe I can give a boy a chance like I never really have?

“-Hm- ya I suppose so,” I really don’t know what I said; I hoped I said it right and even if I did not he still like me. I inched towards him, doing my part to close the distance. My heart seemed to go up into my throat, did he like me?

[rook]

The Woodards Twins

<sub>Pandora knew this moment. It was the moment they would both lunge for each other. The spark of chemistry, followed by an awkward silence that confirmed the attraction of the two people. She was getting closer to him, he was getting closer to her. He had done this hundreds of times before. He drew nearer, placing his hand on her hip and then-

"Making leek pie again?"
"GAH!" Pandora jumped back in shock.
"Or are we having something more meaty, judging my that slab of cow, I'd say you've blown all my hard-earned money on something that will barely last a weeks before going off... Really, I expected better"

Rubik was smug, too smug. He had saw his opportunity to ruin one of Pandora's fake romantic moves to get some random girl. It was for her own good, she'd only end up getting hurt if she involved herself with Pandora, the heart-breaker. The curly haired twin continued to examine the contents of the wicker-basket, tutting and shaking his head. Pandora was becoming increasingly annoyed at his Brother's presence.

"Rubik, I have company..." He added extra venom in the word 'company' to indicate that he should leave. Rubik stood up straight.
"I'm so sorry, where are my manners? I'm Rubik Woodards, Pandora's brother..." He smirked, knowing full well that Pandora was getting more and more pissed off with him.

So what. Pandora was a jerk, he was doing the girl a favor.</sub>

[School is the bane of my life]

His touch across my hip signaled it was time, time for my first kiss. All the girls talked about their first kiss but I never got to experience one. A chill ran up my spine as we edged closer. My first kiss and with a bad boy too? I feel like such a rebel. But one kiss right? Just one so I can get home and work on my outfit. Yes that was right, one kiss. I closed my eyes slightly and almost melted at his touch.

But a voice came from somewhere, Pandora jumped back and a person that looked just like him stood behind him, joking about Pandora making a leek pie. So Pandora has a twin brother? I never knew. Maybe he is like the good twin brother and Pandora is the bad twin brother? By the looks of it, it could be possible.

Pandora was talking to him with a slight edge in his voice, asking him to leave him alone. Yes, yes that would be nice to leave me along with Pandora; I was just about to kiss him! The anger slowly built up in me, why does this always happen to me? I am 17, have not had my first kiss yet and when I am about to; he comes along. The nerve of it.

I watched as his brother turned to me with a smile on his face, he does not have the right to smile!

“Im so sorry, where are my manners? I’m Rubik Woodard, Pandora brother.” I wanted to snarl at him, I wanted to lash out. But I need to stay calm. I smiled back, I hope he does not know this is fake.

“I’m Katrina Wilmont, it’s nice to meet you. I never knew Pandora had a twin brother.”

[rook]

The Woodards Twins

<sub>'I never knew Pandora had a twin brother'

"Yeah, there's lots you don't know about Pandora..." Rubik grinned, receiving an elbow to the ribs for his troubles, which he laughed off in a joking manner. It was anything but funny for Pandora, who stood scowling with his arms crossed. He hated his brother at this moment, being a jerk to get at him personally. Who gave him the right to interfere with him and girls?

Rubik always did that. Found a way to purposely make his love life awful to make up for his own failed love. Rubik had been in love once, but the girl he liked did not feel the same. He didn't grasp Pandora's concept that he should get action whilst it was still available to him. He wouldn't always be young and carefree, he should stop waiting around for the right woman to come along and just relax for once. Rubik was awful at relaxing.

"Rubik, get out of here now..." His look was intense, his eyes flickered with anger, a warning to his twin, Rubik's mood changed instantly to serious. He wasn't fooling around anymore, he got the message.. He did not respond, instead he shook his head - Not in refusal, but in disapproval. Disapproval that his brother was so angry and spiteful... And selfish. He took the wicker basket and left without saying a word. Pandora did not feel guilty, but remained equally as angry as before.

"Jerk..."</sub>