Pocket Change (Sher)

[BeccaIsBack FromInternationals]

Walking outside, Shane felt the warm summer sun beat down on his face. He was probably a tad overdressed, seeing as he was wearing long pants, but that he thought smugly, is the price of looking so amazing. Glancing over his shoulder and back into the house, he realized how absolutely shocked he is that his father isn't up yet. Should the shop be opening soon? Like now? He knew he should have stayed to check, but what could he care? It wasn't his job, nor would it ever be.

Shane was the second child, the one that got raised in the closest thing that Twelve had to luxury but with the knowledge that when he turned 18, it would all be taken away from him. No shop for him, just the mines. He didn't really know if that was a bad thing or not, because although he couldn't stand the filth and grime that accompanied mining, What civilized person could? , he wanted to hear the talk of the rebellion. He knew, if nowhere else in the district was safe, the mines were the one place it didn't matter. He had been hearing rumors from some of his few Seam friends for years, and he had to know exactly what was going on. So it seemed he did actually want to go into the mines, if only to mole information.

Snapping out of his daydream, Shane briefly wondered why he had even come out in the first place. There was no need to go hunting today, his family had food with his older brother working now. He didn't need to clear his head, which was the big shocker because he always seemed to have something to rant about, and he really had no need to be up at this ungodly hour of the morning. The shops were just opening, so that was always an option.

Reaching into his pocket to look at what money he had brought with him, he found he had more than enough to get him through a little shopping. Well that is convenient, might as well make the best of it. Glancing down the dust covered street, he saw the first shop keeper officially open up shop. Well, if you can't beat them, might as well join the crowd.

[Sher is back :)]

VenusSanchez

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I woke up at the crack of dawn to open up the shop. My parents were still fast asleep, and in no way was i going to wake them up. I drug myself into the small bathroom we share and peered into the mirror, my hair a tangled nest of blonde. I sighed and took my brush, carefully brushing it through, clenching my teeth when the brush got caught in knots and pulled on my scalp. After about 10 minutes, i finally got in neat enough to be presentable. I took some clothes, a blue t-shirt and shorts, and pulled them on. It was summer, and the temperatures have definitely risen.

I slipped through the front door and walked the short distance to the Seam. Keys jingling in my hand with every step. I didn't bother to eat anything and just stole an orange from a tree and peeled it carefully.

The orange was gone when i arrived at the small shop that pays our bills and for food. I opened it up and switched the closed sign to open. the shop was small, but brought in a lot of business. It was a small seamstress shop my mom opened after my dad went to work in the mines. I took the sewing machine and plugged it in and switched on all the lights.

The sky was still a grayish pink so there was not a lot of traffic yet. I lay out the shirts and fabrics in the dirty window and the started to actually clean the window, a rare event for me. Soon, after I was finished, a boy started to walk in. I waved hello because their were needles in my mouth i was using to pin fabric onto an aged fabric, mannequin with no head or arms, just the torso.

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[BeccaIsBack FromInternationals]

Shane walked into the first shop he saw that he even had a remote interest in, a seamstress on the outskirts of the square. He had been in there a few times, but not since he was younger. After smiling at the girl who wave to him, he decided to play a little game with the girl. Looking her up and down, she was fairly hot, someone he would go on a date or two with. He grinned and went around behind her, for all intensive purposes checking her out. Hey.

With a slight nod, he ran his hands down some of the shirts in the window with a sly smirk on his face. He could really play this one of two ways. He could be cocky, and try to get to he that way, or he could be a show off and play that game. He took another look at the girl, working to pin fabric on a mannequin that had seen much better days, and crouched down next to her. He grabbed the pins out of her mouth and held them. You know I have a serious issue with these in your mouth. His voice was low, borderline husky as his eyes locked on hers. You see, I have always been taught that a real man would help a beautiful lady such as yourself, to lend a hand.

Knowing that most girls are already well in the palm of his hand, Shane decided he was probably safe to get a bit more risky with his statements. Even if the girl did have an issue with what he said, she couldn't do him any harm. She was, from the looks of it, fairly weak and he was, well him. And to be honest, I can think of much better things for you to do with your mouth other than holding pins.

[Sher is back :)]

VenusSanchez

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"Hey" he said smoothly. I smiled and took on of the pins from my mouth and stuck it into the fabric. I watched the boy from the corner of my eye as I focused on the dress I was molding onto the faux torso. Then, he came over and grabbed the pins from my mouth, which surprised me. I looked at him a bit confused and he said, "You know, I have a serious issue with these in your mouth." Before I could reply he went on on how he could lend a hand. I rolled my eyes, like I haven't heard this before. For some reason, a lot of guys liked me, thought i was attractive, i didn't think so myself, but i used my "power" to my advantage sometimes.

"And to be honest, I can think of much better things for you to do with your mouth other than holding pins." He said hinting something to me. I just decided to play along though, I had nothing better to do than sew this dress, so why not?
"Ya? Like what?" I said softly and sweetly. Then, i snatched my pins back and stuck them in between my lips again, sticking one into the pink fabric.

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[BeccaIsBack FromInternationals]

Shane almost let the shocked look cross his features when she took the pins from him. She was playing with him, and he was not about to let that happen. Well, you see personally I can think of a lot. I mean, you're pretty hot. Not the best I've seen, but you know, definitely not the worst either. More like, average. Shrugging, he stood up to his full height and looked around the shop. Since he realized that normal, dare he say, tactics weren't working, there was a need for a change of plan. Smirking, he dug his hand into his pockets.

Well I guess I should let you know that I am a little bit on the. . .pretentious side. Excuse my forward attitude, force of habit. Suppressing the look of pure disgust that wants to creep up on his face, Shane founds a shirt that he liked. Grabbing his size, he walked across and out of the sight of the window, though very much in sight of the girl, and began changing his shirt. In the process, he flashed a view of his hunting toned abs in the process. It wasn't the plan but he obviously was not about to argue.

He looked at himself in a nearby mirror and shrugged, turning with a carefully played smirk that was both noncommittal and interested at the same time. So, opinions?

[Sher is back :)]

VenusSanchez

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I'm just average eh? I thought to myself curiously. he took a shirt from the rack and pulled his current shirt off, I have to say, I was impressed with how toned he was. As he tried on the shirt, I thought of a comeback answer. "So opinions?" he asked turning towards me.

"Well, it is a great shirt, and your pretty hot, not the best I've seen, your average in that shirt." I answered back mockingly. As I pinned another piece of fabric down I said without turning my head up,
"If I'm so average, why don;t you go find a hotter girl to flirt with." I said cockily. I then looked up at him with a curios face. I examined the shirt on him carefully. "Come here, let me fix that shirt." I said motioning him over.

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[BeccaIsBack FromInternationals]

Walking over slowly, Shane couldn't help but smirk. This girl was good, he had to admit it. She was able to take it, and boy could she dish it out too. He realized that he had severely underestimated this girl, and that maybe she had more potential then he had given her credit for. Not that he was going soft or anything, but she was definitely one that he could bring home with his family. Catching himself, he mentally added a "to taunt my older brother."

He looked her up and down, now even bothering to try and hide it. First, sometimes with the right accompaniment, the ordinary can be seen as extraordinary. Second, thank you for the compliment. Third, if you really wanted me to stop flirting with you, you would have stopped me. Which brings me to fourth and finally, if this shirt is average, what would you suggest I wear to change that for the better?

Shane grinned down at her, being a decent amount taller than her. He wondered how this was going to play out, and a small voice in his head made him wonder if he was getting played himself by this girl. He didn't think that she looked the type to play him, but he also didn't call her toying with him either. It was truly unknown territory for him.

[Sher is back :)]

VenusSanchez

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I noticed when he examined me, it was a little uncomfortable, and odd. I didn't really pay attention to what he said, all I heard was his mouth rambling on. I just turned him so his back was facing me. I took a pin and at the shoulder of the shirt, i brought it up a little so it didn't sag as much. I did this on either side of him, making sure to poke him with the needle for his annoyance. Then, I fixed the shirt around the waist, and now, it was perfect for him. "Okay, all done, go look in the mirror. Then take it off and if you want to buy it, I can permanently fix it. " I said examining my job well done.

I sat back in my chair and continued working on the dress that was coming together well. I saw him as he looked himself in the mirror. He was good-looking, tall, and strong, but he was very cocky. Conceded jerk... I thought to myself calmly, even though I did let out a small laugh, because it was true.

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[BeccaIsBack FromInternationals]

Shane resisted the urge to curse or flinch at the pins that were jabbing into his shoulders. His smirk faltered just slightly, realizing that maybe he had pushed this just a bit too far. Granted, he was actually trying to play nice and cocky at the same time, but still. He knew he had the choice to make now, but first, he turned toward the mirror. He had to admit, the shirt had looked pretty good before but now it was perfect. It was tight in all of the right places, fitted but lose around the edges. It was made for him.

Shane was about to say something about the great shirt, when he was mildly distracted. She was looking at him, he could see it in the reflection of the mirror. Keeping his look mostly toward the mirror, he watched her in the peripheral part of his vision look at him. Then, the girl who seemed to have all of the surprises today, laughed. He couldn't help but let the confused feeling pass across his face. Am I amusing you or something?

Turning around, Shane pulled off and handed her the shirt. You're good, I'll take it. Smiling lightly, he leaned on the edge of a rack and crossed his arms over his chest. His shirt was still thrown haphazardly on the side, but he could really not care less. It was a year or two old, and his mother was already freaking out about him getting new clothes. Well, she will be happy now at least.

So are you going to tell me what you found so funny?

[Sher is back :)]

VenusSanchez

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He handed me the shirt so I could sew it up. I took out the pins and started pressig on the machine pedal to get it going and focused on fixing it up. He just kind of stood there shirtless against the rack and asked me what I found so funny. I looked at him and narrowed my eyes.
"Nothing, what I want to know is if you are trying to impress me, because it's not working" I added laughing again. I returnedy ees to the hairt and started on the next pined shoulder.

I really wondered who this boy was, I didn't even know his name! This drew a new thought, his name. I wondered where he came from in the first place and why he was out so early. "I have a couple questions, one, your name, and two why are you out so early?" I asked my words muffled by a mouthfull of pins.

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[BeccaIsBack FromInternationals]

Shane smirked when she said nothing, because there was most definitely something. What, he had not been able to figure out. What I want to know is if you are trying to impress me, because it's not working. He was confused by that. He had in the beginning, but now he was kind of just standing there. Not really all that impressive but hey! Well I was, but now I am just, well, standing here. I don't really see how it could come up as impressive. He shrugged, for once he really had no idea. to be honest, I am just trying to figure you out. You are sending more mixed signals than a communicator. And trust me, I wrote the book on mixed signals.

Then as soon and Shane hoped he would get some answers, he found out that he would have to give some first. Typical. I have a couple questions, one, your name, and two why are you out so early? He laughed lightly, all this time and they hadn't even exchanged names and here he was sitting in her parent's shop, shirtless, hitting on her. My name is Shane, Shane Katiha. I was up, so I decided to take a walk, and ended up here. Nothing better to do. Then I met you and well you caught my interest. Decided to stay a while.

Grinning at the last part, he mentally slapped himself. Why was he being so forwardly honest with her. He needed to change topics, and soon. So what's your name? Tell me more about you.

[Sher is back :)]

VenusSanchez

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"I'm trying to figure you out." he said amusingly. I looked at him and grinned, it was my specialty to play hard to get, and i was awesome at hiding emotions. it comes from years of dating. I was almost done with his shirt. I focused on the waistline now.

he told me his name was Shane, and he just came here because. Sounded normal to me, believable. Then he asked my name. without looking up i said, "I'm Venus Sanchez, and their is not much to tell, well, not tell to you" i said laughing a bit.

There was actually a lot to tell, i had two sisters, both dead in the games, I guess I just had good luck like that! Both their losses were difficult to cope with, but I got over them, i guess. I try not to think about them, they will always have a place in my heart.

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[BeccaIsBack FromInternationals]

Shane heard her name, Venus. He liked it, not the cookie cutter plant names that were ever so common in District 12, something unique. It peaked his interest to know more, but this girl was definitely not in the sharing mood. Or was she toying with him more. One look at the sort of suppressed smug look on her face and he knew that he had hit the nail on the head. She was toying with him! Well as fun as it was to be toyed with, almost like getting publicly whipped, but two could play at that game. Shane loved problem solving games as a child, and he looked at Venus like one of those games. Hard to open up, but very much still possible if he worked hard enough to find the solution.

He looked at her no longer the look of a sexual predator, because yes he did know that was what it came across as, but more so, just curious. He could tell by the way she said there was nothing to tell, there was certainly something. Shane was torn on pursuing this though. In District 12, a statement like not for you could mean one of two things. First, it could mean she was toying with him. It wouldn't be a bad assumption on his part seeing as she has been all morning, but something told him that wasn't entirely true with this. It was always dangerous to ask in this District, because so many people have so many terrible stories.

Well you know, I could start if you'd like. I go to the meadow of this god forsaken place. It is freeing, and it relaxes me. I can say just about whatever is on my mind, and if you want, I can take you out there sometime. Shane hoped he had been obvious enough. Everyone in the District knew about and had been to the meadow. What everyone didn't do, was go beyond the meadow and to the woods. People were always afraid, and Shane understood, but with the couple weapons that he had purchased from the black market, he knew e was safe. What do you say?

[Sher is back :)]

VenusSanchez

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His offer was hard to resist. I have been to that meadow before, i went after my second sister died at the hands of a District 2 tribute. It was horrible. I went to the meadow and just spoke to her. I hoped she had heard me in heaven. I was a disaster after her death and the meadow was a safe haven for me. I looked at Shane again, a kind of hurt feeling i had in my eyes after thinking about my sisters. His eyes looked a bit more sympathetic. I nodded in a yes. "I'll go. I could get some things off my mind." I said softly.

I then realized i finished his shirt ad i threw it at him so it landed on top of his face. "Now try it on, it should fit now." I said abruptly. I sat back on the small chair and watched as he tried in the shirt. I sae that the sun had almost fully risen now and my mom would be here in a couple minutes. I turned back to
shane and said, "And keep the shirt on, my mom is gonna be here any minute and if she catches you without a shirt in here, well, she'll jump to conclusions." i said giving him a small wink. My mom was terrible like that sometimes.

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[BeccaIsBack FromInternationals]

Shane couldn't help the smile that broke out when Venus had said yes to going with him. He couldn't believe it, he was about to say how happy he was when he saw the haunted look. The look he knew all too well, because there were days when he had the same look on his face. The look of loss, someone was taken before their time. Someone was taken in the Games. His smile faltered and fell as he looked at her, mildly worried. He wanted to bring it up, how he knew how she felt because his best friend was taken, but if she opened up to him, he would share. He came to terms, not such a long time ago, that being upset about death was no way to handle it. Being upset and fighting the Capitol, now there was an idea.

Looking at her, his eyes much softer, he smiled meaningfully, Good, I'm glad. I think you'll really like it out there. He had never really taken another girl out there, hell he hadn't really taken anyone out there since Kevin. It was always his place to get close to his friends, his thoughts, and to know that he could just let loose for one time in his life. Nothing holding him back, nothing stopping him from dreaming, from thinking past the walls of the government. Smiling somberly, he looked at her again.

Before he could say another word, a shirt got flipped on his face. What the--? Glaring lightly at the shirt, he threw it on, playfully smirking at her before looking in the mirror. The effect was immediate. A shirt that was very much acceptable from his point of view was transformed into looking perfect for him. He grinned. It's perfect, thank you. He left the shirt on, though he was fully tempted to leave it off. Smirking, he looked over at her, Well we wouldn't want her getting any ideas, would we?