An ordinary day [Arizona]

[Nighty the foamy squirrel]

I walk into the little forest area quietly, admiring the beauty that had always seemed to take me away when ever I was here. I used it as a little get away I guess, I knew it was near the fence of the district, who really cared, as long as I didn't get caught I was okay wasn't I? Anyway's, living near the edge of the district had it's perks. Like quiet little areas like this. I look around and find my favourite log to sit on, I dust it down gently and place myself upon it, smiling at nothing really, it was a beautiful day and dad let me go exploring, of course I had to help first. Though it was worth it.

I look up at the blue sky, admiring the tree leaves that block some of the view, it was pretty. I look down at the floor, even that had some sort of prettiness to it too. Maybe it was just the area? I swing my legs lightly, just enjoying the quiet before I unwrap the small bundle I had carried with me. It was just some berries really but either way it was food. I would collect more when I head back. It won't be dark for a while, and hopefully dad wouldn't worry.

I look towards the fence quietly. Well, the direction of the fence, wondering what it would be like to be outside. Surely there had to be something between the districts. It couldn't all be woodland? Could it? I tuck mummy's necklace under my shirt and sigh gently, not sadly, I just thought it would fit. I place my berries beside me and watch a little rabbit run across my view. You get a lot of them around here.

[arizona]

Emerald is sitting in a tree, watching the girl approach the place. She sat silently until she scowls darkly, It's a LONER! She hears her thoughts, well, her personality in her head, It is not a loner! She thinks back angrily. This same argument rages back and forth between the personality and the hostess until Emerald falls out of the tree with a loud thump. She lays her head on the tree trunk with her eyes closed.

Her bad leg was crumpled again, it would never heal with her falling on it all the time. She'd be limping forever. At least there was no fruit in that tree. Of squirrels for that matter. "Emerald? We should be nice and introduce ourselves." "But Laura, She'll think we are odd. They always do... They always shy away." Emerald says. Hopefully the other girl wouldn't hear them. But in a way, Emerald and Laura both wanted her too.

"HEY, GIRL!! My friends want to speak to you!" Jenna yells at the unsuspecting girl. Then Emerald clamps her eyes shut and pretends to be sleeping. Then she gives up and opens one eye, the green one. Because her eyes were mismatched, she didn't want to scare the girl of straight away if she came near to her.

[Nighty the foamy squirrel]

I blink as a small thumping noise hits my ears. It sounded distant so I didn't bother much till I hear quiet talking coming from that direction, my whole body tenses up as my eyes widen slightly, maybe it was peacekeepers? How did they know I was here? I quickly gather my stuff up. Maybe if I leave they won't see me. I try and start to smooth the mud out so it looked like I wasn't there, any sign could put me in danger. I eventually stand, looking around for a safe way to go I didn't want to be caught out here, uh urr.

All of a sudden I hear a shout, it sounded very harsh, a shiver runs straight down my spine as I speed up my exit. On the verge of running. Was it a peacekeeper? It sounded like one. Maybe her friends where other peacekeepers?

OOC- Short post. Can't think.

[arizona]

Emerald frowned as she caught a glimpse of the girl, almost running off, she groans and stands up. Going after her with a hindered run. Emerald sighs, giving up quickly. Not again. We scare off everyone, be it by looks, personalities or Jenna. "Wait! Please come back! We didn't want to frighten you!" Emerald tries. She doubted it would do any good. Even if the girl did return, once she started talking to Emerald, and/or saw her eyes, she was bound to take off again. Emerald sighs sadly at the thought, before, "Please come back! 'We' are sorry we scared you! Actually... Jenna probably isn't. But she hates everyone!" yells Tamzin with her vague accent put on by Emerald. On Emerald's side as usual.

Jenna scowls at Emerald mentally at that comment, Shut up Tamzin... thinks the girl cruelly. Emerald steps in, accidentally speaking out loud, "Girls, Girls. This fighting will get us nowhere. Hey! Excuse me! We just want to talk! Nothing more!" Emerald sniffs a bit and sneezes. Then slumps down by a tree. They never want to be friends... What do we do wrong? I don't know laura, but I know this, if they don't want us, then they're not worth chasing after.

Jenna - for once - agreed with Emerald and stated it openly, although with a slight change; No one is ever worth chasing after. Emerald and Tamzin sigh, Because the only one you can ever truely count on is yourself [/i] [/colour] The remaining three say to follow Jenna's lead in Emerald's head. The hostess looks around, her mismatched eyes scanning for any sign of the girl's return.

"She won't come back Eme. We've scared her off before she even got to look at us... New record." "You don't know the girl and you don't know that... Though, you're probably right." [/b] [/colour] The girl sits, slouched against the tree. It wasn't always easy, having three personalities, and only getting along with two. But in this case, she knew Jenna was right. Tamzin was too. You could only count on yourself, and the chances of the girl returning... Well, they were slim even to start with. [/colour]

[Nighty the foamy squirrel]

I stop my almost run at the first shout. Huh? They didn't mean to scare me? I glance round my shoulders slowly, was this a trap? I didn't want to risk my safety. Though the voices sounded less rough than the other one. I start to slowly spin round. Freeing my mum's necklace and gripping it with the hand that wasn't on my bindle. Why am I trusting the voices? What if they took me away? I stop, facing the way the voices had come from. Should I go back or not? Eventually I take a step forward, which leads to more steps. Should I be going back? Where these people really not peacekeepers? I try and clear my heads of the thoughts and return back to where I was, giving off a small "Hello?" I really didn't like what I was doing, but aw well. I will take my chances this time.

My mind suddenly switches back to my previous thoughts, what if they where actual peacekeepers luring me into a trap? I look back to my exit and contemplate it. Should I?

[arizona]

The girl was gaining a headache, she groans louder than she meant to, before she hears it. A faint hello. Emerald blinks in surprise as Jenna and Tamzin stop arguing for once. "Did she?" "She did!" "She's different!" "But they never do... Urm. Hello..." [/b] The four different personalities say. Emerald offeres a greeting in reply, but it was relucant, almost scared. She didn't want to be rejected by another potential friend. But at the same time, she didn't want to get too close to anyone, not with the reapings so close. She couldn't risk it. There was no way she could risk it. Emerald shudders at the thought. No! She didn't think she'd be picked anyway... She wouldn't be... Would she? Hopefully not.

Well... We should begin making friends... But Emerald Lightshadow! I don't want to! The world does not revolve around you Jenna. We - Well, Tamzin, Laura and I, we want friends. [/i] Emerald was still by the tree. She hoped the girl wouldn't find her scary in looks. She covers her blue eye with her dark red hair so that her light green eye is showing. She feels a sudden pain shoot up her leg and she groans, then pulls it up to her body and hugs it with a quiet whimper. She frowns, always the same leg. Always. And never when it wouldn't do anything bad. But this could affect her running if a peacekeeper came. Trust it to sieze up now.

Emerald and Jenna begin arguing mentally as Laura, with her voice as soft as rose petals says, "Please don't run again. We didn't mean to scare you. Please come and hear us out? We -well, Jenna- owes you an apology." [/b] The quietest personality put on a burts of reassuring volume to try to coax the girl over. She wanted a new friend. Although, if it did turn to a friendship, it would be their first one... The personalities and Emerald didn't know how to be good friends. They'd never had one before. [/colour]

[Nighty the foamy squirrel]

I hear the four different voices again, saying I'm different? How was I different? I look again to where I heard the voices and decide to take a step forward, looking around carefully to stop me getting jumped. I then here a soft voice, almost one as smooth as running chocolate, some how almost enchanting me to go to them, I quickly snap out of it though. Then speak up "I won't run, but can you come to me?" Despite the fact I trusted that voice very very quickly for my liking I didn't want to take risks, why would I want to take more risks? I focus again on the matter at hand, now waiting for the four people to show themselves, and if they did, hear them out. I like people, despite my non-trust attitude people where awesome to be with, they kept you company, some one to talk to. I then start to wonder who Jenna was. I hadn't heard the name before. Though even if she was mean I wouldn't run. I had no right to run from someone with a voice that soft.

I watch the area carefully, halfly in a defensive position, now just waiting, I wonder what they where like, one seemed kind, the other seemed nasty, though the other two just seemed to converse amongst themselves. I don't think a peacekeeper could ever have that soft of a voice though. That was one thing that calmed my normally jumpy but bubbly state down.

[arizona]

Emerald blinks, did Laura just charm the girl into speaking? She tries to get up, but her leg causes her to fall with a whimper. Laura takes charge again, this time she seemed more mature than usual, Emerald assumed that the girl was younger than them, Laura only liked younger children, because her mentality was closer to theirs. "I'm sorry honey, we can't, Emerald has hurt her leg. We are stuck here. Follow my voice. Sweetie, all you have to do is trust me. I won't let anyone hurt you." Emerald frowns sadly, her leg was fine before she landed on it this time. She knew it would never heal properly, not since she broke it. "You can trust me too. I wouldn't hurt anyone, but my friend is right, We have to stay with Emerald. She can't walk." Tamzin says, her voice was nowhere near as soft as Laura's, but it was warm. It was friendly. It was persuasive.

Then, Emerald clings to her leg and tries to get up again, this time managing. She had to try to walk. She takes a few steps, her limp more pronounced as usual before she falls again, with a yelp as she hits the floor. Laura takes charge again, "Please honey. Just trust me. I promise that I won't let you get hurt. Okay? I'm not here to get you in trouble. We are just a bit lonely. Just follow my voice and trust it. It's further from the fence than you are anyway sweetie." Jenna was silent for once. Oh my gosh. Laura... She's... Speaking Emerald knew why Laura was usually silent, but apparently, Jenna didn't. It was fear, of Jenna. "So, sweetie, do you trust me? I promise, Tamzin, Emerald and I will never let Jenna harm you. It's up to you though. You have to trust us." [/colour]

[Nighty the foamy squirrel]

I hear the voice replying to what I said. So Emerald was another one? That was a pretty name. I decide to trust the voice even before it asked if I trusted it, then another voice hit my ears, it was warm, inviting but no where near as nice as the other one. Though it was nice, I hear a noise as I slowly approach the voice, no longer replying to them as I look at the tree the voice seemed to be coming from, I go to take another step forward before my body freezes, where were they? They where meant to be four people, and four people all couldn't hide behind a tree. A sudden bout of fear hits me as I start to contemplate running back. There can't be four people, this was most likely a trap. I let out a little shiver, my confidence in this was dropping quickly, I don't speak again, I just stand, looking at the tree whilst my mind tries to decide whether to go back or not. I wanted to trust this voice, it was rare for me to trust but I did, just the lack of people was what put me off.

[arizona]

Emerald sighs and lets out a small groan, "Sweetie, we're over here... You will only see one person. You just have to trust me that it is safe. Promise me you won't run, but please, come and help Emerald off the floor. Honey, please, Jenna, Tamzin and I can't help. We'll explain everything." [/b] Emerald whimpers, trying to get off the floor. Her mismatched eyes were watering. It hurt so bad, anyone would think she'd be used to it by now. She starts crying quietly, she was only 14, and she had never had help. This encounter was having a large affect on her, it scared her. She was realising, just how alone she was.

Emerald rolls onto her back, her red locks collecting leaves and twigs as she lays there, gentle tears dripping down her cheeks. The surreal looking girl had no one, not even her parents, they were alive, but they didn't act like typical parents. The small girl looks at the sky, she was hungry, but there was nothing for a girl with a fear of Bread and fruit to eat around here. Emerald knew her chances of a friend were low. No one wanted to know about her. She was terrified. She needed to get up, but the pain in her leg was unbearable. "Please... Help me..." the girl whimpers helplessly. [/colour]

[Nighty the foamy squirrel]

My mind tries to calculate how I will only see one when I can here 4 voices, and suddenly my trust for the sweet voice drops, should I trust it? I take in a massive breath in and exhale it slowly, before I hear a call for help. My mind suddenly jolts, it sounded upset, and in need. Okay I wasn't going to ignore that, I quickly move, stumbling over the undergrowth then balancing myself on the tree, before swinging myself around it. My eyes coming into contact with a girl on the floor, her hair a little dirty with leaves and twigs. I quickly kneel down beside her, scanning her body profusely for any visible injuries, then I decide to speak. "What's wrong? Where are you hurt?" Screw introductions at the moment, and the others could be found later. I just wanted to help the girl, I scan her again, this time spotting her eyes. I find myself lost in them for about a second, they where pretty. Weird, but pretty, I smile at her quickly the try and find the injury, right now, that was primary concern.

[arizona]

Laying on a bed of twigs and leaves, Emerald gazes at the girl. She didn't run, she came to help. Then, what Emerald was trying to stop happened. "My leg... I broke it -" "-When I fell out of a tree..." "It was years ago." "It never fully healed. Please sweetie, don't be scared of this... Our secret is an unusual one... There are four of us - personalities in one body - Emerald's." [/b] [/colour] Laura explains before Emerald's eyes close, she was trying to block out pain, but hearing the four voices, hearing herself speak. It made her feel depressed. Lonely. She still had only herself.

The girl feels her tears slowly pick up speed. She couldn't even sit up. She lets out a groan as her leg twitches and opens her green eye to look at the girl... "I-If you can get us - me - up, we can all sit down and we can explain..." whispers Emerald brokenly. She wasn't sure how the girl would react, she was scared, hungry - but still afraid of most food - and the pain was becoming worse. I need to walk on it. It helps the pain subside... [/colour] She thinks to herself. Trees lead to pain, which leads to death, which was no way to die. It isn't noble. Cowardly, yes. But noble?

Nobility, was there such a thing in this world. In this country, these districts. There was no pride. These people were all toys for those cruel, monstrous capitolites. The children of the district residents were - are - merely playthings. Set against eachother in brutal fights to the death. Emerald's tears began to clear up as she thought of it. Anger replaced her sorrow. She needed to get up. She was going to try to show the capitol - in a nice law abiding way - that they could not treat their citizens the way they did. I have to show the districts that what they do is wrong. If I ever get the chance that is. [/colour]

Chance. Was it worth the wait? Did Emerald want to go through with this? Yes. Whatever it took. All she needed to do was get the capitol to listen to her... But she was just a girl, a small, non famous, quiet, insane girl. No one would listen to someone who they would recommend to the loony bin. Fate, Destiny, Luck. None of them existed. Fate - a name for what people call something that they feel was meant to be. It's never meant to be. Destiny is the same. And luck? A fancy name for something that shouldn't have happened, but did.

Like the games. The worthless games. The capitol feeds off of the pain and suffering of it's district counterparts. Are the districts worth anything?

Emerald was left to muse over her thoughts as she bites her lip to stop a whimper escaping. She was going to block out the pain. Although as she does, her thoughts grow angry once again. This was rare. Emerald always held a calm exterior, but she was very pessimistic. What's to be expected from a girl who was crazy? She could almost imagine a capitolite - with their fancy hair and odd looks - to be laughing at her distress at this very moment.

I bet they are. Snakes from the deepest pits of our hell. Emerald had to agree. However, again, her emotions got blocked as this time she clutches at her leg. Her face contorted in a never ending grimace of pain. With a cool breeze comes a sense of calmness. Then she hears a bleat. Emerald? Did your stupid pet follow us?

Emerald feels a soft brush of hairs on her face. Kathy is not stupid. She followed us because she knew I'd get hurt. Obviously. Emerald looks at the other girl and frowns... "Can you -erm- help me up please?" Enquires the girl warmly, yet in obvious agony. [/colour]

[Nighty the foamy squirrel]

When I hear the voices I blink, so she was all of them? Huh? I look at her highly confused, how does that happen? That's not even possible, is it? I shake my head clear of the thoughts before I move to help her, then I see the girl crying. A sudden pang of guilt strikes me, oh god this was my fault wasn't it? I didn't help when I could. I am so stupid. My thoughts now all centre around how useless and selfish I am as I look to the floor, trying to stop myself from crying. I should be able to do more, why am I so incapable?

I get a grip of myself slowly. Though I don't stop scalding myself. 'You useless, stupid idiot Caitlynn Nightbird, you are nothing like your cousin, or any other relative you have.' At that thought I look up, no, I had to prove myself wrong. I hear the girls second request to get up and this time I take hold of her hand gently, blinking as I hear a goat. A goat? Why was there a goat? I look up and see it nudging the other girl. What should I do now? Should I leave her with the goat?

I look around again quickly. I had dropped my bundle of berries but I could see it just a little off, I would go get them after this. Anyway's I try to hoist the girl up. Hoping she could at least put some effort in to help. I didn't want to hurt her too much though.

[arizona]

Emerald helps the girl in her efforts. Kathy - the goat - was pushing her back to help her and within no time at all, she was standing again. She was putting little to no weight on the injured leg and smiles at Caitlynn, but the smile was empty. Almost cold. Emerald expected the girl to go and run off leaving her to her demise. "Kathy, you knew didn't you, clever little goat. You knew I'd get hurt. Didn't you?" The goat bleats at Emerald intelligently. Then walks to Caitlynn and the pet starts eating the hem of her shirt. Emerald didn't notice this new development though. She gazes at Caitlynn, her mismatching eyes almost boring into the other girl's eyes. "We can't thank you enough. You saved us. We wouldn't have been able to get back up if it weren't for you. Not even with Kathy's help." "I'm sorry for yelling earlier. I scared you. Didn't I?" [/b] [/colour] Emerald turns to look at Kathy.

When the goat is no longer behind her she looks worried. Then she hears a vague bleat and looks at the animal chewing on the shirt happily. Her eyes expand to the size of saucers and Laura quickly moves to scold her. "Bad goat. You don't chew on strangers' clothing... Are you - Are you listening to me!?" The goat stops chewing to look at Emerald defiantly. After being scolded she bleats indignantly and Emerald is left looking gobsmacked as Kathy returns to eating the shirt. "How dare you use that language. I thought I trained you better than that."

Emerald holds in laughter at Laura's outburst and watches the goat. Then looks at Caitlynn. " I'm Emerald." "Jenna. Nice"[/b]ish "to meet you." [/colour] "I'm Laura sweetie. Hello there." "And finally. My name's Tamzin." [/b] [/colour] Emerald takes a step away from Caitlynn nervously and her leg almost crumples under her again. However, she manages to keep her balance this time.

An odd bleat comes from the goat - well it was a normal bleat - but Emerald interpreted it as odd. "Are you... Laughing at me Kathy?" The 14 year old pouts when the goat tugs at Caitlynn's shirt in a way that makes it look like a nod. REJECTION Yells Jenna's thoughts as Emerald scowls, Shut up Jen. She thinks, aggitated as she partially glares at her pet goat. [/colour]

[Nighty the foamy squirrel]

I Help the girl up and smile as she is vertical again, then curtsy a little at the thank you. I then decide to make a move to clear out the twigs and leaves in her hair. Before I am cut off, blinking down as I felt something tugging on my top. Kathy? Was chewing it? I jump back a little in shock then smile at the goat, looking at the person in front of me scold it and the goat bleat in reply. I then move to pet it, shaking my head at the girl and laughing. It was fine, I honestly didn't mind, this top was old enough anyway. I pet the goat behind the ear as it bleats again. Then hear the other girl call it a laugh, it wasn't a laugh? Was it? I hit the goat very gently in case it was. Then look to the girl to see if I did the right thing. I didn't really want to offend her by hitting her goat if I wasn't allowed, that would be rude.