Starting Life Where It Ends(Open In-Character Role

[Sher is back :)]

With no words he met me with a welcoming kiss, which I couldn’t help but grinning into. He pulled away and handed me a water bottle with some warm comments towards me. What a gentleman he was, always the sweetest and most honest with me. I took the water bottle and nodded in a thank you as I already took a sip of some. ”As for our plans,” he began. It took him a moment to think, it seemed like something was on his mind. He proceeded to explain we’ll be going to a more secluded part of the beach and cast our nets there. He also mentioned talking, talking about something, dangerous?

It drew a slightly confused and scared frown to my face. Seeing my expression, he made up his mind and just told me he would share it now. It really did worry me, what possibly could be life-threatening? Then, after a couple uncomfortable glances, he spoke.

I had a feeling it was about the Games, and it was. It was a bit different though, normal ones for a die-hard career trying to pull himself away from the itching chance at volunteering, just three words that could mean death or victory. He knew he didn’t want to volunteer, but he couldn’t help the urge. He confessed the dreams about dying, how seeing me die, even in a fictional place, hurt him. It actually touched me. He told me how he would not volunteer unless I was reaped, and in that case, he would make sure I would win. It gave me mixed reactions, sense of loyalty and appreciation, but at the same time guilt. He would have to win; it was his dream, not mine.

He then finished off his jumble of words with the future family, and I love you. I smiled and embraced him again, trying to comfort him. ”I love you too, and don’t worry, neither of us will be reaped. Don’t worry.” I said rubbing his back a little. I wanted him to feel comfortable and not vulnerable or weak. I decided to move things along, ”Why don’t we head off, we don’t want to waste the day worrying about something that will never happen.” I said holding my hands around his neck as I looked at him. I gave him a small kiss and took his black bag from behind him, quite heavy, and handed it to him.

I took his hand and let him lead the way, since I didn’t know the best way to this particular part of the beach.

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[Gortan Cande]

Their relationship had grown, Alexandria wasn't a Career Tribute so she had a better grasp on a life without fear of The Games, something that Gortan was still trying to understand because of so many years spent training his body and mind to be a survivalist and a murderer, which was a benefit to his dive-work as a fisherman, which working at the docks helped him occupy his mandatory-life, replacing his training.

The only form of training he resumed was physical workouts to remain in shape, not just for his health but to still appeal to Alexandria. It was apparent that she would love him no matter what but self-consciously he felt he had to remain as much like the same muscularly toned Victor-worthy guy that he was when they met, his hair was the only major thing that changed in his appearance.

Taking his bag back into his grasp after she briefly passed it to him from reaching around his side. Her brief lean allowed him the catch the scent of her hair, and though he never expressed it to her, Gortan enjoyed making a game out of guessing what aroma resembled how she smelled on each specific day. There was no win or lose to it, which was one small thing that helped him appreciate life rather than a death wish in disguise as a Career Tribute.

And soon they were hand-and-hand, another delightful feeling for Gortan, never ceasing to contort a smile on his face. As if he didn't know the best routes before, since working with other great fisherman, Gortan had been made aware of a variety of other great spots, even a special spot that was always secluded except for the very few people who ever knew of it that rarely occupied it's sands.

It was surprisingly close, though Gortan had to lead them both through a rather more dangerous part of District Four where crime still wasn't tolerated but also it's consequences weren't heeded, which the closest they ever came to these parts was when Gortan saved Alexandria's life from an armed elderly man. And that day was the closest Gortan ever wants to come to ever killing anyone ever since he gave up on his training for The Games. He knew there would be more close calls, but it was less likely when he was a towering muscular man with a bag full of tridents, thus scaring off any who ever thought of approaching him or Alexandria.

And so after he walked down a few darker streets, holding her hand firmly and as close to him as possible, he would give her a boost over a large stone wall after tossing his bag of fishing supplies over, then he himself would get a decent running start and extend his reach upward, gripping hold of the top edges to it and pulling himself over, them now standing in a short brush of jungle-like trees and shrubs, the sounds of waves crashing down on the shore being more apparent now, even the bright waters noticeable through the thickened palm bark structures which surrounded them.

Gortan would pick his bag back up, and then reach out to hold Alexandria's hand again as he would walk her through the small but still ominousing jungle patch that very shortly lead them both to be walking on soft untainted sands, a good clearance of nearly fifty-five feet before the ocean met the sand, giving them more than enough room to relax. And in the shade there were even thick and flat large stones worthy of being used to sit upon. Gortan laid his bag down next to one of these rocks, opening the top up and reaching in to pull out a bundle of fishing nets, as well as his high-quality fishing pole. He knew that Alexandria was even in the slightest of ways fascinated by the gadget though it wasn't much of anything special other than being shiny and having a line that was practically unbreakable, so he would chuckle under his breath and hand it to her, so she could do as she pleased and fish with it.

Gortan was content with walking out on to a well-extended line of rocks in the water thanks to the high tide, setting up a few net-snares that would catch anything that passed between the widely spaced boulders, he even had set up bait in separate parts of the nets to draw in anything that would be willing to bite.

The tridents, were almost entirely uncalled for. Considering he had no pier to leap from, he couldn't be doing any deep-sea fishing, it was presumable that he brought them for protection, as if his previous training had still given him the state of mind that even outside of The Hunger Games, kill or be killed applied. Such as when they had passed through the District Four Slums, and how obvious he tried to make it that he had the tridents with him. Though deep down it wasn't for his own protection, he could care less if he was injured, all that matters to him is keeping Alexandria safe and well-fed, even her family if that means she can make it through the days without guilt.

[Sher is back :)]

After taking his bag in one hand, his hand found mine and our fingers interlocked as they usually did when we walked together. A sense of bond and loyalty grew from it I guess, but I always enjoyed walks with him, he made me feel calm and relaxed, like he cast a spell over me to forget about reality and drift into a utopia instead of the dystopia I really lived in. We made our way along the long shelled rode to the market square and crossed it, the scents of fish and salt filling my head all at once.

On the other side of the large square, we traveled through many small neighborhoods until we got to the bad part of town

[/s] to say. It was where the poorer people in the district lived, and the gangs and trouble makers. It was extremely dangerous to travel through at night, not that anybody would want to with the aroma of rotting garbage and fish smacking you in the face. I don’t like traveling along the polluted streets, but if it gets the both of us to a beautiful place, then why not.

As a good number of people passed us suspicious, some menacing, some depressed looks, I started to get the unappealing feeling of being watched, which was exactly what was happening. I turned around briefly to see almost half of the scrawny, dirty people out and about, giving us terrified looks. I bent a brow, wondering what as so scary, then I spotted the bag of fishing supplies, and the horns of tridents poking form the top of the black sack. I almost laughed in amusement but I held it back in utter respect. It was funny to see pedestrians be afraid of Gortan, although, I would too if I saw such a tall, well-built man carrying tridents walking around, a bit intimidating.

Once we came upon a rather large stone wall, Gortan tossed the bag over and gave me hand, helping me get a grip onto the wall as he held my hand and gave me a knee to boost myself up on. What a gentleman. I slipped down the other side of the wall, landing squarely on my feet on a soft patch of sand, grass disturbing parts of it in patches of crabgrass. Gortan came after me, jumping down from the wall right behind me and led me through the thin patch of palm trees and other various plants.

Taking my hand again, I trampled behind hi, my feet sinking into the soft sand as it became thicker and thicker. The trees opened up to a beautiful blonde beach, not too far away, the crystal devouring the sand as it crawled onto shore, and slowly receded. [/color]”This absolutely beautiful Gortan!” I said following him mindlessly as if in some sort of fairy tale. I sat on one of the larger flat stones, admiring my surroundings with a sparkle of sun in my hazel eyes.

Then, to add on to my excitement, he hands me what must e the most beautiful fishing pole I have seen, let alone, touched. I looked at him, a wide, surprised grin on my face, and quickly tied on the hook and the weight. I scrambled down further onto shore and cast the invisible line into the water with a graceful whip of the pole, sending the thin line flying through the air. I then secured the pole in a deep hole in the sand, and to make sure it didn’t go sliding into the surf with a fish at the lead, I gathered some stones and placed them around it, building the wall even more. ”Hopefully I can get something today; I didn’t have much luck yesterday while you were out. Maybe your just good luck.” I laughed as I stood next to his tall stature, admiring the view in front of us.

“Oh Gortan Cande, however do you find such breath taking places.” I breathed with a smile played across my lips.

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[Gortan Cande]

Luck, he heard her mention it as if he was some form of charm, and whether she was serious or not, he saw it as the other way around. He may have caught nicely even outside of her presence, but he still caught the most and best with her, considering he had her by his side, he found himself to be rather lucky.

Because out of all of the tall and well-built handsome guys in District Four, each and every single day, Alexandria woke up and chose to give Gortan the time of day, as most who knew him beforehand wouldn't, considering they knew he was training to hunt, locate and kill others. But Alexandria also was the only person to change his mind to start a life with her, which was almost a lost cause.

The night they met still played back in his head everytime he took a dive into the water, or had to retrieve a fishhook, or just simply spent time with her. It may have seemed like a regular night to some, but to Gortan and probably even to Alexandria, it was the night that changed their lives forever. Though her next remark was what brightened him to walk off from the rocks back on to shore, approaching her from the sands, his hands soaking from adjusting the nets and setting the bait, though he flung them to his sides to remove the excess water, then he removed his shirt, the light fabric lifting passed his shoulders and brushed against his chiseled abdominal region, thus exposing his muscularly toned features from his waist-up. In doing so he wiped the remaining dampness from his hands, tossing his shirt aside to his bag of supplies. Then he would walk back over to stand beside her, to respond to her question;

"Well, this place, we have some of the dock workers to thank. They found it, and showed me it a few weeks ago. I told them to keep this place cleared for a while, because I wanted to have it to myself and a certain special someone so I could celebrate with them."

He hinted to something, and with him being there with her now it must have meant he had something to celebrate with her, but what was uncertain. They had agreed upon marriage later in life, so that couldn't have been it. But then he reached down into his pocket, and pulled out a small jewelry box, large enough to host a ring, which is exactly what it held. Gortan didn't get down on one-knee, so she had no reason to worry about him breaking that agreement, but he did step in front of her and take her hand, placing the box in her palm and opening it before her eyes to show a golden band with a decently large riveted emerald gem on it's topside, it looked expensive and rare, because it was. And as he removed the ring from the box, he would place it around her ring-finger as he would stow the box away and hold the hand of her's that he put the ring upon, speaking to her in a calm tone;

"Imported all the way from District One, paid in-full with the expenses of my emancipation benefits. I know I seem to be doing a lot more spending of the money I make rather than saving it, but that fishing rod will pay for itself, and I never got you a gift, so this ring is for that and a promise, that someday we will have a full and proper wedding. This ring wasn't worth half as much as my love for you, so don't worry about the expenses of it. You deserve it. I love you, Alexandria."

He would say to her, kissing her on the lips softly after giving her the ring and explaining more about it, how it was from Luxury, and that he didn't want anything back for it because of how much she meant to him.

[Sher is back :)]

”Well, this place, we have some of the dok workers to thank. They found it and showed me it a few weeks ago. I told them to keep this place cleared for a while, because I wanted to have it to myself and certain special someone so I could celebrate with them.” he hinted at me. I couldn’t help as I let out an excited, and surprised laugh as he explained this area. What was there to celebrate though? Nothing, but maybe our love for each other? I didn’t see why this day was so special though in comparison to our relationship.

Proceeding to reach to reach down into his pocket and pull out a small box green box. At first sight, I was a little confused of what it was, but when he placed in in my hands, I realized what it was, a ring. I covered my mouth with my free hand, trying to hide the gasp in it, which was exceedingly hard to do when surprised with such a beautiful object. He then opened the lid, revealing a brilliant gold banded ring, a small emerald gem set right in the middle. It was the most amazing thing I have seen in a while.

With much delicacy and care, he took the ring form the box and slid it onto my ring finger; it fit perfectly, almost as if it had been meant to be there. Putting the box away, he held the same hand gently and looked into my eyes. He explained how it had come all the way from District One, and hoe he paid with his own money. I was utterly shocked, how much was such a ring? I would have to repay him in some way. We already had promised each other marriage, I didn’t need a ring to keep it, but it was still the most generous thing someone has ever done for me.

”So this ring is for that a promise, that someday we will have a full and proper wedding, This ring wasn’t worth half as much my love for you, so don’t worry about the expenses of it. You deserve it. I love, Alexandria.” he said gently. I could feel hot tears come from behind my eyes. I tried hard to keep them away, because I was usually tougher than this, but this melted me. A gentle tear of happiness rolled down my cheek as he kissed me softly. I held it there for a while until we eventually released and he explained a bit more about it.

At the end, I was speechless. I didn’t know what to say. ”This- This is amazing. I don’t know what to say other than I love you and I promise I would never leave you. This ring really proves the same to me, your loyalty and such. Oh my god, I love you/” I exclaimed, my voice choked up from delicate tears. I kissed him again, wrapping my arms around his neck, showing him I really meant it.

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[Gortan Cande]

No matter how cruel Panem was, it seemed that between Gortan and Alexandria, they had the rarest feeling of all; True Love. It wasn't about the items given, despite how her paintings managed to brighten up his lonesome shack and make it more bearable and soothing to sleep, or how much she appreciated what he had given to her, Gortan felt it was more a reassurance from each other, to express that physically love existed as well. By now, they were more comfortable about showing any emotions to each other, and as she stood there in front of him shedding tears of happiness for the emerald ring he had given to her, their lips met continuously in separate kisses and they held each deeply and longingly, relenting from each other only to catch a gaze and catch a breath, it was amazing, as was every moment they shared.

His arms around her waist, caressing her closely in the kind of grip that most men held their women in after an extended duration without seeming them, almost as if he had so strong of an infatuation with her that his previous thoughts of losing her caused him to protect her at all times that he ever could, one would swear she had just been reaped the way he clenched her to his body so passionately.

And after their kiss was carefully broken, Gortan would keep her in his arms, he would set his dark brown gaze into her beautiful hazel eyes, the tears she shed were slowly dried on her soft cheeks, leaving small moist lines in it's place which he took the time to gently wipe away for her, as well he tucked and brushed her hair over her ears. Even though relieving his hold, he maintained contact with her enough to know she was there, his eyes closing for a moment until he would speak out to her in an enthusiastic tone;

"Care to go for a swim, love? You cast the line out enough that we'd be safe for a swim so long as we didn't go out too far, and it's basic for skilled swimmers like us to evade the reef of rocks."

The one thing just about everyone shared in-common threshing District Four, was the ability to swim in some way. But Gortan and Alexandria once again had something rare, someone worth swimming with out of love rather than safety or reliability.

[Sher is back :)]

He embraced me tightly, his hands running down my waist as we engaged in a passionate action. I feel for him hard, and fast, and I’m glad I did. He broke the kiss gently, but still held me tight as he looked into my eyes smiling, drowning me in the deep brown color of his eyes as Grotan gently took his thumb and wiped away the dry tear streaks that had formed on my cheeks, as well as pushing aside my hair behind my ears.

I let out a wide grin, his fingers against my skin giving me a giddy sense of comfort and safety. Although I could fend for myself, Gortan had proved he would protect me basically, with his life if it came to it. ”Care to go for a swim, love?” he asked, explaining we wouldn’t go too far because of the line I had set. ”I’d love to!” I said happily, for the first time in a while, butterflies filling my stomach as I slid my tank top off followed by my old shorts and walked down to the gleaming water with him.

Watching the horizon, I let the cool salty water run over my toes, covering them in sand and shells. Such a familiar, welcoming feeling. The temperatures of our surrounding were so hot, that the cool of the water was almost a relief. I started to wade deeper and deeper, going from my ankles to my knees, knees to hips, hips to torso. The cold coming at a shock at first, but slowly my skin became in sync with the temperature and it felt relaxing again. Once I the ocean reached to my chest, I let myself float and glide with the waves, enjoying the day.

For a second, I held up my hand to the sun, the new golden ring reflecting the light back to the sky, what a magnificent thing. The emerald in the middle was cut with such precision, it looked as if it was perfectly cut and sized. Once Gortan joined me at my side, I thanked him again. ”This was so unexpected, I-I don’t know how to properly thank you. I just can’t believe you bought such an expensive thing for me. You didn’t have to, you know that.” I said, turning my head towards him, a smirk on my face. ”It’s perfect. Absolutely perfect. You don’t know how much it means to me for you to hand me such a beautiful ring that represents so many things.” I added on quickly, the truth tumbling from my mouth.

I put my hand down onto my chest, using my other one for balance so that I didn’t tip over in the water which lapped at my sides, hands, and feet. I don’t think I have been this happy in a while, all I needed was a ring to seal the deal.

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[Gortan Cande]

Not far behind, Gortan would walk out into the water with Alexandria, they both took time to adjust, but when Alexandria was deep enough to float without her feet touching the bottom, Gortan had to walk a bit more out in front of her, before he did the same, which he would do, keeping his gaze set upon her.

She exclaimed about the ring and how much it meant to her, which made Gortan smile at how she expressed her appreciation of it, to him he felt it looked best only on her. He had been given a catalogue to view different rings and other jewelry, and no matter what prettied-up Capitolite wore the emerald-riveted golden band he had in-mind, it only looked right on Alexandria's finger because of her natural beauty. But her remark on it not being needed for her to have such a thing as the ring, caused Gortan to shake his head and chuckle under his breath gently before saying;

"I wanted you to have something that came from royalty, to show you that even without a consistent flow of jewelry, that if I could I would give you everything. Even when reading through the catalogue, I disregarded what those women of the Capitol looked like with the jewelry. I imagined what it would look like on you, and with your hazel eyes, I figured Emerald represented the most. Sapphire was too cliche in my opinion. There was a little bit of seaweed on your fishing hook when I retrieved it out of the water that night, and in the little bit of light that there was, I can still remember seeing the seaweed wrapped around my finger before I shrugged it off of my hand and returned you the hook. Everything about that ring seemed right to me, so I knew it couldn't be any other. Because just like you to me that night, out of all options I had, I am more than happy with the choice I made. You saved my life from foolishly volunteering, and so I wanted you to have something to protect you for the remaining Reapings, I won't let you go. If we are going to end, though I hope we never do, I don't want it to be because either of us compete in The Games. If I have even hope and luck to prevent anything bad from happening to you, I will entrust all I have to offer to make it so. That's why I would let you win. I would even give my own life, though it would be the end of what we have together, because I can't even think of a life without you. You're the best person in the world to me, you give me hope, you love me... You care for me when I thought no one ever could. I don't even know the right words to say to you, because I don't think anything sums it up quite like this; I love you..."

Gortan thought of the time they had already shared in only a few months, how Alexandria coming into his life changed him forever. It wasn't as simple as her just loving him, there was more that made him not volunteer. It was a revelation, for a split second he saw life without The Hunger Games or The Wrath that The Capitol could bestow upon the various Districts of Panem so easily. He saw freedom, he saw a girl who had lost her fish hook, and had caught him with it. The only sadness that ever filled his heart was that he didn't know how to tell her how he felt about the impact she had made on him. He often is tormented by his inability of expression to her of this great love he has for her, and yet in ways he is reassured just by her simply smiling or something that just radiates from her beauty that he gains the courage and hope to someday know the words to say to enlighten everything between them.

[Sher is back :)]

He met my comment with a low chuckle, which made me laugh a little as well. It was so contagious sometimes, it just made me happy to hear his familiar laugh. He went on rambling so many things to me, I just sat tight and listened, all my attention on him as I closed my eyes, shutting out everything but his voice. Something I often did when I could, it helped me comprehend words, meaning and emotions more, as well as I loved his vice. He explained how he wanted to get me something from royalty, something that reminded him of me as well reminded me of him.

Somehow, it went from seaweed to the games. He explained, painfully in my ears, that he would give his own life for me. It made me feel weak for a moment, from the overwhelming feeling of endless loyalty and camaraderie. Such a wonderful; thing to hear someone you loved say, but also a bit brash. I didn’t want him to die for me. That would be silly. ”I won’t let you go…” he said confidently. I opened my eyes and looked at his eyes as I positioned myself so I was floating upwards in the clam tide.

I waded, partly swam over the short distance to him as he spoke, expressing his love for me through words. My did this boy have a way around words. It was spectacular. Every single word that came from his mouth shocked me in some way, good or bad. ”I don’t even know the right words to say to you, because I don’t think anything sums it up quite like this; I love you…” he breathed. A small giddy, and shy giggle escaped my lips as I looked at the water for a second, the butterflies forming in my stomach again.

Instead of saying I love you back right away, I took him into a hug. His wet skin touched mine as we kept each other safe in our arms, as if our life depended upon it. ”I love you too. I will always love you and don’t forget that Cande. I would be lost without you.” I said, my words partly muffled by my face against his chest. I really would be the same girl I was just 3 months ago if I hadn’t met him. A lost cause of confidence and hopes, but Gortan brought that right back into my life.

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