The Bonds That Bind (Sophie)

[SinInChaos]

Colin Hummings



All of my oceans
sank long ago
in the evergoing sea
along the road of life

I must be confused with something that is not quite understandable at for such a foreign body. Something keeps swelling in me, rising and falling in a crazy amount of gut wrenching terror. But I'm smiling from it. I enjoy this feeling of happiness as I raise the needle in my hand and begin to weave through the threads, one after another. The colors are not exactly of my choice, but I know they will go well with the intent that I have designed. It will have to since the clash of a dark blue with a bright red will break through the barriers of a grey world. The colors are just going to have to be bright. No, stick with dark. I have to make up my mind before my family sees yet another side project. It only ruins the business because these kinds of things are always just one of a kind. When people as if we can replicate such a design it will always be slightly different than that original look. Nothing can compare to that first, unique fashion that is crafted with our hands. At least that's what Mom would like us to believe. Ellie and I do sneak off from time to time and make our own things though. I've actually received a few things from her, and given things back in return.

But this is about giving back to someone that was rather generous with me to begin with. Not my sister this time. A stranger. Maybe more, I'm not even sure how to consider Scarlett at the moment. I mean, Hannah was good as well but Scarlett is who I owe more so than the other girl. I'll do something for both. This, though, this special project that will exceed the normal demands of my mind and body, will have to go toward her. I've been up for about two nights now just sketching the initial designs. I had to think which fiber would be perfect for building the present. Then I began filling in colors thinking about what would look the best with one another. I've been through about fifteen sketches before I think I have the perfect model, and then another seven before the colors are just the right balance of beauty and strangeness. The work must captivate the viewer and make them notice the wearer. I want the bearer of this dress to be noticed.

Then again, I just hope she received the letter I sent out. I completely forgot to ask where she lived, or maybe forgot because my mind was elsewhere. Some people around town knew Scarlett, so it was easy enough to locate her abode and drop a letter off. I had told her to meet me today, didn't care if there were others. I would rather there be others to see what they think about this gift I am crafting. She needs to know that this is something that only suits her and not just anyone who wants to wear it. That's how I make these designs; I think of the wearer and imagine what would speak most profoundly about their persona. She struck me as a very caring and considerate person. She, the girl who helped me when I was down on more luck than ever, helped with the intense injuries I had gained where others would have just ignored or robbed me. Scarlett is quite the interesting individual.

I stop the sewing and shake my head. It's not right, I have to try again. I toss the materials toward the side and begin on my fifth attempt.

[*:+'.LovingSophie_D9.'+:*]

I was about to leave home, well... For work of course. Then before I go a little girl came running after me. "Scarlett!" She said.

I turned and it was my little sister Rosette. "Wait!" She panted as she stopped in front of me.

"What is it, dear?" I asked, as I brush my orange hair behind my ear.

"Before you go, bring this with you. I made them." She said proudly. I was touched. Completely. I hugged her as I take the brown paper bag with biscuit and milk inside it.

"Thank you, now take care, and you know what I told you right?" I said, my little sister nod in respond. Then I touch her brown braided hair that I did earlier. She likes it when I does that, I don't know? It makes her feel secure? That's what she told me, that's why every night when she comes to sleep with me she lets me rake her brown wavy hair until she falls asleep.

She gasped. "No, you take care." She said seriously and firm. "Don't worry, daddy is with us and I will take care of Sage." I nod to her and let out a small laugh. I kissed her forehead and hugged her tight. "Bye!" She waves to me. Then I walked off to the main street of district 8.

My first stop was the bakery. I walked in, Mrs. Panini was sort of busy piling up the fresh warm bread. The smell of milk, confectioner's sugar, and butter was swirling inside the bakery. "Morning, Mrs. Panini." I greeted. "Morning, Scarlett. Oh, you're wearing dress today. How come?" She asked.

"Well, my clothes are in the laundry, I have nothing to wear, good thing today isn't fishing day at the port." I tell her. Then she smiled. "It suits you." she complimented. "I'm not really into dresses. I just have no choice. So what should I do today?" I asked.

She told me the things I was to do today, I worked smoothly, maximizing my shift. By 11 am I was ready for time out. Mrs. Panini paid me lovingly and even gave me bread to bring home. Now, it's time to go to the trading square.

I walk toward the weaving factory where I trade. "Scarlett!" The big beefy man said. "Oh, Mr. Joe." I greeted happily. "Long time no see." I say to him.

He laughed and giggled, his huge belly was giggling as well. "So, let's proceed to our business. Oh but before that, someone gave me this." Mr. Joe took out a piece of paper from his pocket. I got curious. Then he gave me the paper. "What's this?" I asked. "Someone gave it to me, he even asked if we know you, I said I'm a close trading buddy." He laughed and giggled some more.

Who could that be?? "Oh come on, Scarlett." Mr. Joe said. "The boy knows you." I didn't have any slightest idea who it was. "He was blue eyed and he has hazel nut hair." Then I snapped. I froze. Colin?? Could it be him?? Then I pictured out his eyes again. His winter colored eyes.

"Scarlett??" Mr. Joe said. "Scarlett??" Then I blinked and shook my head. "Yah... Colin." I said. "I-It's Colin." I said, stuttering a little but I firmed my words in the end.

"Who's Colin?" Mr. Joe asked. Then I raised my brow. "He's my friend... And why don't we proceed to our business??" I smiled to him. Mr. Joe was grinning at me. "What?" I asked. "I never saw you smile that way." He said. "Oh come on, Mr. Joe." I said. I've known Mr. Joe ever since I was 12, I started working at 12 and he was the first person who helped me. He was like my uncle or something, he cares for me and I simply appreciate that. He's a good friend of mom and dad's too, and he's my mentor when it comes to trading things.

Mr. Joe and I traded and talked about business and etc. after our talk and trade he gave me my commission. He was waiting for me to open the letter. "Privacy." I told him.

I opened the letter and it said. "Can you meet me today? I'll be at the shop."

Hmm... I thought. Mr. Joe looked at me fishily. "What are you waiting for? Go on." He said. I raised my brow again then I snickered. "Good bye uncle." I said sheepishly.

"You've grown so fast..." He said in a mellow-dramatic tone. Then I rolled my eyes and smiled. I just hugged him instead then I went off, I can feel that he watched me go.

As I walk, the piece of paper Colin left to Mr. Joe was still in my clutching hand. I have a really strong feeling it was him. So, I went to his shop. Hmm...Why does he wants to see me?? Oh, I'll find out when I get there.

I reached the shop, I know this is it, I once saw him pass here. I knocked before I enter. No one was there but in the far end of the shop I saw someone, his hair was hazelnut in color and his eyes were wintry icy blue. Colin. He was sewing, but he tossed what he sewed to the side and made another attempt.

"Hi?" I said. I straightened the skirt of the dress I was wearing. Well, it wasn't my usual look the jeans and leather jacket, but I have no choice, I have nothing to wear. I was wearing my mom's dress, it was red with black in color, a bubble sleeve and ballooned skirt, and it has ribbons and ruffles. I actually hate ribbons and ruffles but again I had nothing to wear. So I dealt with it. If my mother was alive, she'd be happy to see me for wearing a dress. Oh well.

[SinInChaos]

(I apologize for the tardiness in response)

Colin Hummings



All of my oceans
sank long ago
in the evergoing sea
along the road of life

My cheeks feel hot when I hear her voice, something too foreign for me to really understand at the moment. I grab all the clothes and start stuffing them around trying to hide them around the workshop hoping that my abundant amount of work hasn't come abundantly clear to her. I feel like if I told her what I was doing that she might be a little more timid toward me. Who the hell naturally makes something for a practical stranger, even when you believe them to be a friend. Then I get a good look at her and she's in a dress. Not nearly a fitting dress at from for what I imagine to be hers. And why was she wearing a dress suddenly? Was she trying to look better for our meeting? I blush again, I know it. The thoughts are silly and improbable. I couldn't of made that kind of impression the first time we had met. I was down on my luck in the streets of District Eight, letting my less than processed food paint the road. But I don't want to impose or ask.

I turn back to her with a cheesy smile and give off a small chuckle before rubbing the back of my head. What the hell did she even say? I didn't even really hear the words but instead I just heard her voice, right nearby talking most likely to me. The stupid feeling is back again too, as if my insides were constantly on a spin cycle, trying to wash away some strange stains I'm unaware of. I wish there were a medicine for it, to cure the unnecessary amount of angst that is flowing through my veins. I'm at the age, though, where the adults would say having such feelings is quite normal. But I don't want these strange things coursing through my entire fiber.

"Oh, uh, hey there Scarlett?" My voice rises at the last syllable in her name, and I cover my mouth without thinking. Then I move one of my hands to motion her in, asking, "Want to come in?"

[*:+'.LovingSophie_D9.'+:*]

"Oh, uh, hey there Scarlett? Want to come in?" Colin asked me. Well, I don't know if I would laugh but... "Uh? I'm already inside?" I said, smiling a little. Was he busy? I just saw him throw the other piece a minute ago then he started another pattern, then now as he saw me he grabbed all the clothes and stuffed them somewhere. Well, maybe he just doesn't want to be seen when he's working. As he was about to approach me, my heart starts to race crazily, and I honestly don't know why. I can actually feel the pounding of it. "Unless, if there's another more inside besides where we are." I said, laughing a little to shove off the weird feeling. I'm sort of nervous to the point I didn't know I was already pulling the ribbon somewhere in the skirt of my dress. Then I stopped and just clasp my hands together.

"So, I got your note. Wait, was it you who left this?" I asked, showing the piece of paper to him. I suddenly remembered how Mr. Joe teased me earlier. Well... Yeah. He's just like that, he always tease me with whoever but it never occur to me and I just ignored it but... earlier... After I got the note, I can't seem to forget about Colin, and I even pictured out his winter eyes. Goodness, Scarlett... Snap out of it. I guess weird things happens to weird people like me. Maybe it's just, or maybe it's my first time to have a friend with the opposite kind who is my age. I always hang out with Hannah who is like my best friend forever, and she talks a lot she shares a lot and it feels easy like I'm care free when I'm with her, she's like a sister to me. But now with Colin, I feel different?? I even feel conscious right now which I never usually feel.

[/color]

[SinInChaos]

Colin Hummings



All of my oceans
sank long ago
in the evergoing sea
along the road of life

I give a nervous chuckle and the feeling of perspiration along my forehead is beginning to build toward the point of notability. I wipe it away, hoping that's a casual gesture. I didn't even notice she had come in but I could tell she was here. Such a ditz Colin, can't even realize what is going on around you. So I'm gonna try and play it all off, like nothing happened and Scarlett's just as natural as anybody else I know my age. But she isn't. She's no where near selfish and wanting for herself. She's a whole other breed of person.

"Oh yeah, huh, can't get in more than you are huh?" I give off another chuckle before composing myself. "I did drop the note off too, must have forgotten to give them my name I guess. I was in a hurry, got a lot of stuff to work on here."

I look off toward the other end of the workshop. No one is home yet still giving me time before some stupid line of questions flows out of my mom's mouth. I'm pretty sure she'd try to pin this whole thing on something else, like love. She adores that word when talking about how she and my dad met each other just at nineteen. He doesn't recount the story though, thank goodness, so I don't have to hear the same old sappy language from bother outlets. But who knows what this emotion is other than someone who has felt it. It's even making me a little wobbly as I try to move toward another end of the room. I hope she doesn't think I'm hurt. I'm not, at least no where near how I was last time we met.

"Would you like something to eat, drink? We have some things left over and I'd feel strange not offering you something for coming this way."

My feet betray me, and I should have paid more attention to where I was walking rather than trying to be polite. I bump into a shelf, my shelf, and all of my drawings and projects go sprawling onto the floor coloring the ground in entire designs of outfits. I take a long, deep gulp before scurrying to the floor and trying to pick all of them up, hoping she doesn't find the design I was making just for her. I can't have the surprise gone that quick. She has to not know it's coming.

"I'm sorry!" I say in a panic, grabbing at the papers. "Sorry sorry!"

[*:+'.LovingSophie_D9.'+:*]

"No, no. I'm fine. I'm not hungry anyway." I say to him, smiling. Again... Smiling again... well... I feel a little awkward to be alone with him here. In their shop. Then I don't know what's happening to him, he seemed to be thinking deep?? He seemed distracted with something. Or his mind and thoughts are racing with a lot of things. I don't know but is he okay??

Suddenly he bumps into a shelf, then papers scattered everywhere. I can't help but notice the patterns, the designs. Everything was beautiful, and in some of his designs I know what textile and satins are to be used. "It's okay. Are you alright?" I asked him. It's painful to accidentally bumped into a shelf. Really. I help him pick up the papers, and I can't help but stare at the exquisite designs and sketches, every art seemed meaningful like it has something to say. "Did you made these?" I asked. "Everything is beautiful." I said, smiling looking at some of the sketches I'm holding.

I never knew Colin was this artistic. Though I love arts and music, I paint and draw in my past time but I only sketch landscapes and things. But not fashion or textiles. I don't have a sense of fashion honestly, I'm always wearing hunting attires with those jeans, leather jackets, running boots and my messenger bag. It was different today, instead of wearing my messenger bag, dad made me wear a purse. Oh how more girly-isque do I look now. Goodness.

[SinInChaos]

Colin Hummings



All of my oceans
sank long ago
in the evergoing sea
along the road of life

"Eheh, yeah these are mine," I respond, nervously putting the papers away that I found. Her design was one of the sheets I found, which is beyond belief for me, and I'm just glad that everything worked out in the end. She actually does like what I draw and make, or at least is willing to humor me about it, but either way it is better than her hating me for this. Most of the time the insults start out fresh about a boy who works on the designs with his family. No growing male wants to be associated with fashion because that immediately puts a label on them. I'm not here to follow those labels though. Breaking up and above those boundaries of the norm are something that I enjoy even though I hardly accomplish them. Textiles is one of those rare occurrences where I make it above and beyond the norm. Most of the time we can't sell what I make though because the process to make the clothing costs more than what the District residents can afford. Instead we all wear those generic suits that are polished off the line each and every day.

"Well it's probably no use in hiding it now," I think to myself, realizing she already knows I work hard on such trivial items. "I've been working on some new things recently. I can't get the look quite right though. It's hard to make it look right, you know? You have to imagine the person wearing it, and then how they may reflect the appearance to others. Most of the time I get them in the first or second sketch but this one is just too different."

I pull out my attempts at Scarlett's outfit, hoping the figure I've made in the diagram is not obviously her, and show her the attempts as well as the final outcome. I tell her about the style, the clothing choice, and the colors going into the whole piece. I was hoping for something smooth and light, a flashy kind of material that didn't shine all that much but sparkled in just the right amount of sunlight. Then I talked about the colors, the perfect contrast with her hair. I don't mention it's her hair of course, but I'm pretty sure I said the colors were meant to conflict with the hair. That was both elements are shown above the rest and she is noticed even within a crowded room. Though, I think again. Does Scarlett want to be noticed, or do I want her to be noticed. No, there's something else in my mind and gut.

"The material's the hardest part to get down though. It won't stay together well without the right thread, so the textiles then refuse to hold together. I can't afford to have something like this looking like some factory made trash."

[*:+'.LovingSophie_D9.'+:*]

Colin showed me what he was doing. Interesting... He showed me the colors, patterns, the mix and match of the textiles and designs that he will be using. I bet this girl's hair color is pretty exquisite. The color contrast for the hair seemed to be unique, for it doesn't contrast the usual hair color of everyone.

"The material's the hardest part to get down though. It won't stay together well without the right thread, so the textiles then refuse to hold together. I can't afford to have something like this looking like some factory made trash." He said.

"I can see that you're so inspired." The idea he made for the dress seemed to tell... Something... like a story. His passion for designing seemed to burn like a bonfire and it totally shows in every paper that was scattered on the floor one moment ago. "It's beautiful, honestly." I was so mesmerized to the sketch that he showed me, that my eyes seemed to notice the details that he explained to me a minute ago. "You know, if only the dresses that you make could talk, I bet every sketch and design have some story to tell..." I say to him.

Then I look at him, smiling and said. "Every creative person who loves art, uses pictures, designs, patterns to tell their feelings... I don't own a diary, but I own several canvasses, and instead of writing like a diary, I paint pictures that serves as my diary entry." Then I remembered back home, how I actually painted Colin's winter eyes. Yeah... I did it. I can't help but picture out his eyes every now and then. Well, it was my diary entry on the day I met him, the day I helped him, and the day my life seemed to turn upside down. I honestly don't understand my feelings lately, but one thing that I am sure of is... He seemed so mysterious to me that I would want to know him more.

But then... something occur to me. I totally forgot. Tomorrow is reaping day. I fell silent and my emotions became serious. What if tomorrow I'd get picked for reaping, then I guess I'd be happy my life ended beautifully knowing someone like him. But what if he gets picked? How would I survive every minute of everyday thinking crazily if he would survive and come back home...? I couldn't help myself but think deep within my thoughts.

[SinInChaos]

Colin Hummings



All of my oceans
sank long ago
in the evergoing sea
along the road of life

"Every creative person who loves art, uses pictures, designs, patterns to tell their feelings... I don't own a diary, but I own several canvasses, and instead of writing like a diary, I paint pictures that serves as my diary entry."

I smile at her words and look at the jumbled mess of my next attempt to work on Scarlett's dress. Does she think of me the same as I think of her? She would probably think I was crazy if I told her the entire truth. I come back to the machine confidently, the sewing machine, and look at the textiles I was putting together. The cloth is coming together very nicely, the dark blues that would clash like an ocean to the sunset that is her hair. It's almost like an old design I had in mind, where I wanted to catch just the right color of the sunset which was rather hard. It is constantly changing and never comes to be the same. I'm sure Scarlett can pull that off though, with her bright, red hair. It must be for her name. I love that. And that's what it is.

"Come over here for a second," I say, starting the machine up silently while putting the clothes together. I'm much faster than my mom, almost like a factory worker even when talking to Scarlett. "I wanted you to come here because I had something to show you, but I don't want you to leave until its done."

I then pull the cloth off the machine and bring out a needle with some thread. A lighter blue this time to make the trim. Not too light though. It cannot contrast with the fading sky that is being overrun by the bright colors in the sun. And when her hair waves in the wind and the clouds go dark in the dress, there is the hint of the fading evening leading into the radiant night. But once the squall of wind is over, the sun will always be back to shine over the skies. Scarlett is that sunset I saw that evening, the one I keep making in my drawings. I was probably seven or eight when I saw it. The sun was bigger than normal, and apparently no one in our district really knew why. I'm sure someone from District 3 would be smart enough to understand that. But, anyways, the sun was this dark, but pleasant red with the darkest blue sky behind it. And no matter how hard the sky tried, the sun would shine and shine. And even though the sky had won the fight, the sun came back the next day and brought with it the brilliance of light.

And with the swelling thoughts venturing through my head, the trim is almost done as is the dress. I just hope by the time I'm done I have the sizing right. I can usually tell by just looking at a person these days, with all the stitching work we do here. Not really my passion, fixing the threads that have been made, but making new ones, those are what interest me. A patch is only a temporary and rather unfortunate fix on the old, but perfect design. The original is what makes the power. I just want this to be something more than what it could be however. The dress will most likely be used for something in the reapings. I don't want that to be the case but... if she ever gets selected in the thing, then people will definitely notice her. Scarlett would be the girl that the capitol remembers.

[*:+'.LovingSophie_D9.'+:*]

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[/img]

"I wanted you to come here because I had something to show you, but I don't want you to leave until its done." He said to me. I got curious for the moment. Why would he want me to stay? "Oh, wait, you want me to witness how the beautiful dress would turn out?" I asked, smiling, I'm not bother much with the time, well I don't care how long it will take him as long as I'm spending my last moments with someone who I think is turning my world in a whole new phase.

I'm feeling quite excited. But I don't know why he wants me present when the dress is done. But it's exciting because I've always been working with textiles but I never witnessed how such divine dresses are made, so maybe this is the opportunity of a lifetime. Well... Before I die, or we... In that matter. I bet dad is looking for a dress now, inside mom's closet for me to wear. I don't really get it, I mean the idea. Why would we wear dresses in reaping day, it doesn't really make any sense.

I can't stop but thinking again, about the reaping. "How many times is your name... in that bowl?" I asked, Colin. With a little tense and worry in my tone.

[/color]

[SinInChaos]

Colin Hummings



All of my oceans
sank long ago
in the evergoing sea
along the road of life

I freeze in the middle of sewing. Not something I ever like to think about. Ellie and I have been blessed to never having to ask for extra earnings from the capitol. My name would only be in there for each year I've been twelve till now. So I'm sixteen now. That would be... five times. Not too bad if I do say so myself, but with Ellie in there as well, we can't afford for either of us to get selected or go down in the games. Ellie's more likely to be okay in the ring though. She makes friends so easily. I would be alone without knowing how to really do anything. I mean, maybe I'd be okay with a wound and know how to stitch it up from all this, this life, but now I'm not sure what I'm going to do if I get in there. I would probably have to lay down and die, like the usual weakling I am.

"Five. My name's in there five times."

But that doesn't sound well for me because what if Scarlett had to put her name in more than me. What if she got selected now? Now I have the strange feeling again, thinking about her name, Ellie's name, my name all within those bowls just waiting to be picked. As if we're livestock right off the breeding ground ready for the picking. But this is too different for me. I can't bear the thought of losing her at any moment. So I begin with the dress again. I combine the materials more furiously but give enough concentration as to not fail in the design. But then the question is creeping in my mouth. Slowly building like a faucet left to run. I don't want this water to pour out.

"How many times are you in there?"

[*:+'.LovingSophie_D9.'+:*]

a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/377196_3708666071398_2039294522_n.jpg

[/img]

Five... His name is in the bowl five times. That would be okay. It's the least number anyone at this age would have. Lucky for him. I'm happy to hear that. "How many times are you in there?" He asked me. Well... "Ten. Mine is ten times." I say to him as I watch his hands, gracefully sowing the unique dress he is making. I sat on a chair that was near him. I stared through the window seeing the outside world. People were busy selling, buying, and doing the usual thing of their everyday life.

Then I started..."Before when I was 9, my mom died, it was hard for dad to feed us because my baby sister Rosette was 3 yrs and we still have Sage who is an infant." I smiled and tilted my head as I begin telling my story. "When I was 12 and 13, I secretly entered my name for the tesserae. Three times one is for Sage, one is for Rosette, and of course me. I did it because it was so hard to find food. Though I was already working that time but it wasn't enough. I just started learning how to trade and work at the bakery."

I paused for a while and moistened my lips. "Then my dad found out, he was furious because..." I stopped and laughed a little. "Because...I lied to him all this time. I hid the food stock at the bakery and I brought them home little by little." I couldn't stop but laugh at how petty my idea was back then. "When I got home one time and I brought some food. He knew that it was from tesserae token. Then he have forbidden me to apply again. Ever." I said. I exactly remember how my dad looked like the moment he knew I entered my name. His face turned red, he didn't shout at me or punished me, but he was so mad at me for lying to him.

"The reason why he forbids me or us is because of course he can't afford to give the capitol a chance to get my sibling's name... Well, someday, they aren't 12 yet, and mine." I said, my eyes now staring on my feet, on the blue rope ribbon design of my flat shoes. It once belong to my dear mother. "Another funny thing is..." I let out a laugh. "He said I resemble mom, especially my hair, he said I looked like her when she was a teenager. I often whine about my hair color, because I find it... flashy? too bright? When I walk down the street of our district people would look at me because of my hair." I say to him. Well, it's true. I'm tired of being called the red hair girl of district 8. My name even shouts the color of my hair. Scarlett... "Anyways, my dad also said mother and I have the same habit like the blowing of bangs, I often blow my bangs when I'm bored or frustrated, then how I do my ways, how I carry myself and sometimes how I think." I tell Colin. "I don't know, mom taught me a lot of things that I put into heart so maybe I just picked it up from her." I smiled. I stared back to my feet again, but now I'm looking at the lines in the floor. "And lastly my dad said, we're like mom's remembrance. Especially me, because Rosette looks more of dad and Sage is a mixture of them." I pushed my scarlet hair behind me. Good thing I am wearing my hair back today with a hairband covered in silver satin or I'll be raking it over and over.

[SinInChaos]

Colin Hummings



All of my oceans
sank long ago
in the evergoing sea
along the road of life

(I am soooo sorry for my tardiness. Been busy with Damion.)

As I finish the last bit of stitching, listening to her story, there is the pang of pain throbbing from somewhere in my chest, the upper left. Doesn't she seem so different now Colin, how open and honest she is? Scarlett's never been quite like this before. I hold the dress up and look it over as I look at Scarlett. Maybe she hasn't quite realized it but I made this for her and that radiant hair of hers, the one she seems to resent. I would call it something else though. Her hair speaks volumes of what the past is. Those red locks that blend in with the fire of a strange revolution. That face which is a reminder of her ancestry. Her father must really try to make something for Scarlett one day, something to remind the girl about how important she is to the world. If it weren't for Scarlett, I would have just wound up home looking like I was in some drunken stupor, beaten and broken, not really sure if tomorrow was good enough. Now there seems to be a purpose. I want to beat my way through the games.

"I don't really have a crippling past," I mutter with a weak smile.
"I have a healthy family, a mom who can support us and a dad that can keep us funded if things go slow. But, then again, I'm sure you noticed that problems do arise in paradise. The other kids at school think just because one has it so well that they should also understand the suffering of others. So to make up for the people who cannot escape the horror of reality, I substitute as a pill for the pain and misery. My sister is lucky to be with other people but I just tend to myself. It doesn't help that I work with clothes too often. These things, though, it's my own personal escape. I was just hoping to, well, share it with you."

And I hold the dress toward her now. It flashes in the light a bit, but still keeps its dark sheen with that strange sparkle. The small amount of lace at the ends are made of my favorite thread, that aqua colored thread, the stuff costs a fortune but I don't even care. This is something for the girl that makes my heart skip a beat. And if she could just wear this for me, look like the velvet sky while her hair radiates the flaming sun, then maybe I can smile every day remembering that sunset. And maybe, someday, I can just smile with her, and maybe keep her smiling every day. I don't every want to see Scarlett speaking of pain again, feeling the agony that the memories have brought on her. I'll find a way to protect her from all of that.

[*:+'.LovingSophie_D9.'+:*]

(OOC: lolz It's okay, I'm quite busy lately too.)

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"I don't really have a crippling past," He mutter with a weak smile. "That's happy to hear." I said, well, it's true. Good thing he doesn't have a weird past like mine. I really see myself as a weird girl, I don't live a normal life unlike anyone else here. Then he shared a bit of his family background and a few opinion towards life. I laughed a bit. "You are a very lucky guy." I tell him. "Love and cherish your family." I smile happily. Hearing his story makes my feelings lighter.

"It doesn't help that I work with clothes too often. These things, though, it's my own personal escape. I was just hoping to, well, share it with you." He said. Upon hearing this, I felt a flush rush through my cheeks. I hope I'm not blushing usually I do. Then I blinked and raked my scarlet hair to shake off my nervousness. It was heart warming to hear that he wanted to share his passion with me, it was like sharing a part of himself, a part of who he is. Suddenly he held the dress towards me. It flashes in the light, with a dark sheen and some strange sparkle. There were amount of laces by the ends that are not common, but I can sense those aqua laces are expensive. I smiled. "Thank you, I mean for sharing this talent of yours to me. You know, some time you should come see my personal escape too. Since you shared yours to me, I would gladly share mine with you."

I look at the dress he made. "It's so beautiful..." I said, as I look at the dress. Somehow it looked like the sky, the mix of aqua and some dark shades, it was stunning and the dress stands out. I bet the person who would wear this would star struck the whole of district eight.