A long day of Walking (open)

[davy]

Chase Pack

It was a nice day. The wind was blowing ever so lightly, and the sun shone down with just the perfect light. Normally on days like today Chase would have been sad knowing that he would have to sit in school in the same boring class doing the same boring things he did everyday. Today was different though. Today was Saturday. One of the only days he could enjoy himself and do whatever he wanted to.

A Saturday like this couldn't be wasted sitting inside doing nothing. Today was a day when everyone should be outside. So he decided he would take a walk and look for some of his friends. He got dressed in a pair of khaki shorts and a polo. (even though he was walking he still had to keep up his image) Then just like that he was out the door and into the World.

He decided that he could probably find a few of his friends hanging around near the lab. To his surprise though when he went there, there was no one to be found. Oh well maybe they were at the college or in the market. A quick walk to these two places yielded the same results as the first place. None of his friends seemed to be out today.

He decided that he wasn't going to let his friends ruin his good day, so he went to one of his favorite spots. There was a small patch of woods not far from his house where a person could be alone in his thoughts. There weren't many other places he felt like he was alone. He walked into the woods and started looking for a good spot. He decided that he would sit under the branches of a pine. This would give him shade from the sun since it was about noon. If he was lucky, maybe someone knew would walk by. There was nothing Chase liked more than a new friend.

[arizona]

Arizona Nightingale

Walks through the wood she discovered when younger, it was always so quiet here. She was looking for somewhere to think, but also to see if anyone was around, the occasional person would be. Her red top flashes through the brown of the trees conspicuously as she laughs. Nature. It's beautiful, amazing. It's home. She thinks happily. She didn't think anyone was here today and she sighs. Her black hair flying behind her as she darts through the trees. This was the only place she wore short sleeves. She didn't feel judged here. It was the only place she didn't. She loved it.

She runs into a part of the wood and stops rapidly. A boy. She approaches him with a suspicious look. "Hello..." She trails off uneasily, she wasn't too fond of new people. But as she was in a wood. She thought he'd be more trust worthy than most. Other people she met outside of woods or forests were usually untrustworthy. Or shifty. Occasionally both. She looks at him cautiously and flashes him one of her rare smiles, just to prove she wasn't going to punch him in the face.

She sits down opposite him and looks around boredly, "What brings you here? I'm Arizona by the way." She says stiffly, Quietly. She scans him, taking in his appearance with her dark green eyes. A slight coldness projected from her, giving the impression that she wasn't completely nice. However if the boy was nice to her she'd be less inclined to hit him. She looks around cautiously, her parents would expect her to be looking for herbs in a woods. Not sitting with someone making light conversation. She cringes at the thought.

Arizona hated the medical industry but was expected to continue it when her parents died. She hated the idea but healers and people involved in medication were needed. She snaps herself out of her thoughts to look at the boy again. He seemed friendly enough, but looks could be deceiving. She was almost deadpan staring at him with no emotion showing on her delicate features. Her right arm was automatically folded over her left when she'd seen him, she felt uncomfortable about her scar.

[davy]

Chase had seen the girl long before she had gotten there. From his little spot under the tree he had an amazing vantage point. He had decided to leave her alone because she had looked preoccupied. Almost like she had been searching for something. In other Districts that may have been normal, but in District 6 almost no one was in the woods looking for things. Ninety percent of the people he saw were up to no good, and the fact that she was looking for something made him a little nervous.

Oh well, he decided to go to sleep and let her go about her business. He closed his eyes and let his thoughts drift away. He was in the woods, but not these woods different ones. He was going on this great adventure. He started to walk around searching for something. Finally he saw it. As he walked toward it a large rock started talking. 'Hello' it said.

He jumped a little after waking up. He saw the girl from earlier right in front of me. Her name was Arizona, he thought, but it was kind of hard to tell since he'd been asleep. That was an odd name, and Chase had never heard anything like it before. He thought it sounded nice in a weird way. Maybe this girl wasn't as weird as she had appeared earlier.

Either way he couldn't let his guard down yet. He could tell she was uneasy about something. Her pretty green eyes were scanning him carefully, and then darting away elsewhere. He also noticed she was hiding something under one of her arms. Could it be a weapon. Chase was prepared to kill, but didn't really want to. Especially not a girl.

He decided he would trust her for now. He looked her in the eyes and said, "Hi Arizona, I'm Chase." He still felt the eyes studying him like he was some kind of threat, so next to gain her trust he took the knife out of his pocket and tossed it right to her feet. "There I'm unarmed and I'm not here to hurt you. Now, what are you hiding under your arm?"

[arizona]

Giggles a bit as he jumps, whoops. She then puts a straight face on again. With a look at the boy she calms down a bit, anyone who could fall asleep in a woods couldn't be that dangerous. No one in the right mind would let their guard down like that. Especially not with the people around like they were. It was too risky, but oh well. She looks around quickly before her gaze darts back to Chase. "Nice to meet you Chase" She whispers, a slight amount of caution in her voice.

Arizona smiles at the gesture of dropping the knife and removes her hand. The long scar revealed, he really didn't seem a threat. She looks around again then shakes her head, no one else was here. No one's here Ari. Calm down. she thinks with a roll of her eyes. A slight breeze blows her hair into her eyes and she glares at nothing in particular as she tucks it behind her ears. She focuses her gaze on a flower and smiles at it, genuinely. Seeing her genuine smiles was a rare occurrence that only those in woods and forests usually saw.

She focuses on Chase again, the smile fading, but still there, more in her eyes than on her face. She briefly looks up, resting her head on a tree. The sky was a nice colour. As usual. Well, apart from when she was stuck inside due to rain. It wasn't nice then because it trapped her with no nature. She didn't like water much. She didn't even know why.

She may have been a bit quiet, but then she breaks her silence with the simplest thing she could think of, "Lovely day. Don't you think?" She shakes her head at the words as they come out of her mouth. Really? Lovely day? That's all you could think of? With a sigh she looks back at Chase and flashes a slight smile at him again.

As another breeze brushes her she stretches, and yawns. The scar now forgotten by her. It was strange, she was always distrustful of new people, but there was something about Chase that made her want to trust him.

[davy]

He watched her anxiously after having thrown her his knife. If she was concealing a weapon he could be in trouble. He watched her muscles for any sudden contractions, her eyes for any sudden movements. He waited. He was sure the attack would come, and he was prepared to kill if the moment came. He saw her arm moving slowly. It was like time slowed down, and he noticed every detail. 'It's a knife' he thought, 'It's gotta be a knife no other weapon could be concealed there.' He could see more of the arm now it was...

It was a scar? Wow he felt really stupid now. He should have trusted this person more. After all, not everyone you meet in the woods is a psychopath. Some of them are normal people, but there are so many wackos that you have to be careful. She had earned his trust though. He knew that if a girl had a scar she would rarely show it. He didn't know why, but he assumed it was vanity.

He noticed her watching him now. Had she seen his discomfort. He assumed not because she continued to make conversation. After she mentioned it he remembered what a lovely day it was. The sun was shining, and the wind was blowing carrying the sweet aroma of some unknown flower from some far off place. The forest was alive with life. Birds were flying and chirping, and squirrels were scampering about completely carefree.

"Yeah," He replied, "It is a lovely day, and there's no better way to spend a lovely day than to spend it with lovely company." He knew it was corny , but he hoped maybe it would lighten the mood a little. Everything seemed kind of tense to him. Then he thought of one more thing that could help. He adjusted the hair on the side of his face and said, "Don't be embarrassed most everyone has a scar." He showed her his which was crescent shaped and ran down the side of his face.

[arizona]

She chuckles at his words and relaxes a bit, before looking down as he mentions the scars. She looks at his scar but betrays no curiosity, as was the norm in this topic. Well, unless her body language or eyes betrayed her, but she doubted it. "Some scars are okay. Like those from rebellions. But those from the games, no. The way I got my scar is something to be ashamed of. I was a coward." She says calmly despite the topic. She sighs as a snide voice whispers in her head, Yes Ari, you were trying to runaway. Coward. No pride in running away. She cringes and looks at Chase with a relaxed smile. She then decides he could be trusted.

She breathes in the aromatic air with a sigh. A happy sigh. The breeze pushes her black hair into her dark eyes and the green orbs narrow at it. She chuckles and blows it out of the way. She felt relaxed here and Chase had been deemed trustworthy, no need to hide her fondness of her surroundings now.

With a grin at Chase, Arizona looks around. Wondering what to do, or to talk about. She wanted to change the subject from scars. She wasn't proud of hers and wasn't really willing to share her story. Only her parents and herself knew now. She makes a clicking noise with her tongue but flinches as a squirrel looks her way. Evil animals... Actually they just disliked her for the most part.

However much squirrels hated her, she was sure other animals had it worse. She then grins with an idea to try and change the subject, "Hey, Chase. What do you think of squirrels?" He'd either know she was trying to change the subject, or he'd just think she was extremely weird and random. She preferred the first option, but didn't really care either way

[davy]

Chase thought on her words for a moment. There was some truth to them. Some scars were bad. For example scars gotten from being stupid were scars to be ashamed of. He thought of the word coward. To be a coward there must have been something worth running from, and if you had run from it then you wouldn't have gotten the scar. So that means you had the bravery to stand and fight. It also took courage to find whatever it was that gave you the scar, but in a way was that not stupidity too?

Ugggg! Chase hated circular arguments. You could never win, and they kept popping back into his mind and making him try to figure them out. He hated that. He'd be trying to do something normal and then be forced to stop in the middle of it to try to solve a problem without a clear answer. It also killed him because he was so smart, yet he couldn't figure out something so simple.

He got the sense that she wanted to change the subject. He felt that she was ashamed of hers. Did it really matter anyways. She already had it so why be ashamed of it. You can't let something like that dictate your life. He was positive that she wanted to change the subject when she asked what he thought about squirrels.

His response was quick almost as if he'd rehearsed it over and over in his mind waiting for the perfect moment to say it. "I think they make great stews." He said and started to laugh. Who cared if she wanted to change the subject. He would find out how she got the scar in time. What can't be unlocked through gaining trust.

He watched the squirrel moving some and tried to relate it to life. He realized they were like people except they dealt with problems differently. When people disagree they kill each other, but when squirrels disagree they just chase each other around. How much better would the world be if all people did when they got angry was play a friendly game of tag. But then... Uggggg more circular arguments.

[arizona]

Arizona lets out a giggle at his response and smiles. With a slight nod she watches the squirrel, glaring whenever it met her eyes. She still didn't like them. Despite providing food. Arizona, that is a squirrel, not a Capitolite. Arizona scowls at the squirrel before turning back to Chase and shrugging as though she hadn't just been glaring at a squirrel. She looks at the sky again, watching a cloud, "Hey, Chase, look. That cloud looks like a bird. Kind of..." Okay, it may have looked like a really deformed bird.

She giggles again, more out of embarrassment than anything else. She was sure she was making herself look like an idiot. She begins to fiddle with the hem of her top, again searching for a decent topic to talk about. Instead of clouds. Where did that even come from? She wasn't usually this weird. Maybe there was something in the air. Or it had been too rainy yesterday or something. Oh well.

She flashes a slight smile at Chase before watching the cloud again. There was something wrong with her if she thought that looked like a bird. Well, maybe if you squinted, a lot, and tilted your head? It could bear some resemblance. Maybe. She sighs and lets an uneasy laugh escape her as she rapidly slams her head into a tree lightly, not enough to make her exclaim in pain. But enough that she'd feel it. She was worried he'd pull her up on being weird for the cloud thing.

[davy]

As Chase watched her he couldn't help but think she was slightly insane. By slightly of course he meant completely. She was still staring at that squirrel. Normal people don't do that, but what was normal really. This girl was interesting. She didn't seem to care that she was different where others would try to hide themselves and blend in. It takes a special kind of person to do that.

Chase decided he definitely wanted to get to know this girl better. After all, how often do you meet someone who isn't trying to kill you out here. He could definitely trust her...

His thoughts were cut short by her words. He started to scan the sky searching for the cloud. At first he thought he was looking at the wrong one, but then he realized it was the only one there. It looked nothing like a bird. There wasn't even a small resemblance. Maybe she was blind. At this thought he smiled in spite of himself and had to choke back a laugh.

He noticed her hit her head against a tree which kind of weirded him out a little, and by a little he meant a lot. She was so crazy it wasn't even funny. He decided it was time to leave this spot, but he had to find a way to say this that didn't sound weird. Even though he got the idea Arizona loved this spot. He didn't care since when did insane people rule the world.

Then he thought of the best way to express his idea. "How does that look like a bird?!" he said. Then he stood saying, "Come on. We should go to my house. I think you've been out in the sun for far too long." He laughed again at this, and started walking hoping she'd follow.

[arizona]

Arizona giggles quietly and sways on the spot. Jumping up at his words. She shoots a final glare at the evil squirrel thing and bounces along after him. He was walking, she was skipping. He looked normal, she looked crazy. He didn't think clouds had any resemblance to birds, she said it did. They were an extremely odd pair. As the walk (Or skip) she looks at the cloud and laughs. Arizona, it actually looks like a... a duck! Her thoughts reflect her mental and fast change in attitude and she pounces on Chase slightly and points up. "Chase! Look! It actually is a duck this time! I'm not crazy!" Her final statement was the biggest lie ever told. Not crazy? Arizona? LIES. The girl laughs and watches the cloud before looking at Chase. She grins sheepishly and holds her hand out to him. "We won't get nowhere if we don't make a move Chase" She laughs and smiles at him.

After the smile she spots another squirrel and glares at it. She was tempted to strangle it to be honest. But no. She couldn't kill something. It was not going to happen. She refused to hurt small things, be it younger humans of evil squirrels. She smiles at Chase and hums a small tune as she bounces randomly. Her black hair flew around her face and her dark green eyes gazed around her surroundings intelligently. Despite her slight insanity, she was clever. She knew how to fist fight, how to survive on the land. She knew how to try to help people. She knew that many people saw her as a bit crazy. She didn't care. I am Arizona Nightingale. I am me. She thinks proudly.

She laughs slightly. Giving Chase a genuine smile. "Squirrels can cause disease. I've seen many a patient helped by my parents due to disease ridden rats and squirrels. You see why I dislike them?" She mentions, it was out of the blue, however her rare bouts of intelligence shone through at her times like this. Yes, rare. She was hopeless most of the time. But she didn't care. She wasn't anyone but herself. She was proud of it. With any luck. Any friends she made would be proud of her too. She knew she was smart enough to impress people, but she haed it. She would be herself around people. Not someone who impressed everyone and didn't know who they were themselves.

[davy]

As they walked, or more appropriately, as he walked and she skipped Chase kept looking at the world around him trying to see things as she saw them. He tried to think of everything as exciting and fun, but that was more difficult than he expected. For example trying to make a pile of gray, lifeless rocks seem vibrant and exciting is a hard task for anyone, but somehow Arizona could do it to almost anything.

He was stunned when he was pulled from his thoughts and thrown to the ground. His first response was to fight, but then he realized it was Arizona. Then he realized the awkward position. He didn't even hear what she said. He was laughing too hard.

What she said next made him think again. did this mean she liked him? Did this mean he liked her? He couldn't let her know he was thinking this. He just kept walking.

OCC: Sorry it was rushed if you need more I can update it tomorrow just pm me.

[arizona]

Arizona finds herself giggling as he laughs and she grins happily. She smiles, then bounces alongside him. She watches him and then sees a squirrel. It doesn't run away from her instead coming closer and she thinks What's going on Ari? I'm confused... She sighs and looks at Chase as he continues walking. She bounces alongside him and smiles. Then realises there was more than one squirrel and she slows down, moving closer to Chase nervously. "They're everywhere..." She whimpers and her black hair is pushed over her face. Arizona using it as a kind of protective layer from the squirrels.

She balls her hands into fists, glaring at the animals as she was ready to defend herself from them. She takes another step closer to Chase. She wouldn't kill the squirrels. But she wanted them to leave. They were creepy. Awe, scared of a little squirrel. Whimp. You need to learn how to hide fears. Before people learn to use your stupid weaknesses against you. She scowls at her thoughts and edges closer to Chase a third time. Were the squirrels closing in on her? She squeaks and grabs his arm gently, "They're following us Chase..." She cringes at the evil grey balls of fluff and frowns.

She looks up at a single cloud in the sky and screams whhen she realises that it too looks like a squirrel. She is still screaming when she jumps on Chase and starts yelling about squirrel conspiracies. They're out to get us Ari. We're doomed! the voice in her head cackles, causing her to shriek again. It made her jump. She clings to Chase whimpering slightly as she tries to imagine the squirrels as ducks. That went well. Not. Instead of ducks, she imagined fanged mutant ducks with squirrel tails and beady evil eyes. She was on the verge of passing out at that point. She lets out another loud scream and glares at the 'mutants'.

[davy]

At this point he thought she was acting weird even for her. The squirrels were creeping her out far too much. He was actually getting a little bit worried about her. He kept walking and listening to her talking. He could tell she was thinking about something, but he didn't know what. For now he didn't care he could see his house just over the hill. They were almost there. Surely they could make it before she had a nervous break down.

Then he noticed her get closer too him as a squirrel moved. She was talking about how they were everywhere. It was funny he only saw one. Was it possible that she was so scared that it was affecting her mind and the way she perceived things. 'There's no way she's that scared' he thought to himself, but then again she was freaking out over one squirrel. Oh well, they were almost inside now.

They were less than a hundred yards away while she clung to his arm panicking. He didn't know if she was going to be okay pr not. She seemed to be checking out a lot, and he was bearing a lot of her weight. Oh well only fifty more yards and...

He almost fell as she jumped on him and almost knocked him over. What was going on? Why was she so scared? He just wanted this to end. With an explosive burst of speed he ran forward covering the amount of space between him and the house in a matter of seconds. He reached for the door, but it was locked. He fumbled around in his pocket for what seemed like years, but in reality it was only a few seconds.

He threw open the door and slammed it shut. He gently layed her on the couch and caught his breath for a second. He hadn't run that fast in forever. Then he thought of her and was worried she might be in shock or something. He reached over and put his arm around and said softly and soothingly, "Everything's ok. We're inside now they can't get us. It's just you and me." He gave her a hug and whispered, "Is it all better now?"

[arizona]

Arizona had lived up to her name and zoned out of reality. Then he speaks, she looks at him nervously. "They are gone Chase? You are sure?" She closes her eyes and hugs Chase. Weak. Useless. Cowardly. You are all of those things and more Arizona. No wonder you can't do anything except find herbs. She winces and clings to the boy, not hard, just a little. She was finding it hard not to actually speak her thoughts. She was flinching occasionally due to her thoughts trying to get her to speak out loud.

With a smile she looks at Chase, "Thank you for that. I'm sorry for my actions, it's just, when there are squirrels involved I tend to get a bit worked up." She was blushing with embarrassment about her actions. So you should be. Coward. A slight whimper escapes Arizona and she accidentally slips. It was obvious she was only saying her thoughts out loud to herself though. That she wasn't talking to Chase "Coward. Running away aged 13. Scared of squirrels. You're 16 Arizona. It's pathetic." She doesn't seem to realise she'd spoken aloud until a good 5 minutes later.

When she realises she blushes again and laughs awkwardly. "I bet you think I'm completely mental right?" The way Arizona saw it, it was just good that she accepted it. She sighs quietly and scans Chase with her dark green eyes, looking for any tell tale signs that suggested he thought she was too crazy to be friends with. Her black hair splayed out on the couch he had laid her on upon entry.

[Envy]

OOC: Do either of you care if I join this post? That would be cool if I could...if either of you guys could find a way to work me in that would be nice.[/color]