when you learn how to fly | sammi

[dannynugent]

#05EDFF--roleplaying
#1da237--speech
#20BF9F--thoughts
#3CB371--other's speech

Mason Poe, District 4 --

Why did Mason even bother with life?
Truthfully, he didn't know why. For
some reason, he had a feeling he
didn't think life was going to get
good, at least not anytime soon.
The cold air hit Mason's pale face
as he stepped outside his house.
He was stomping on the docks,
sounding like it was raining hard,
and the rain was hitting a piece
of glass. But it wasn't raining, or
snowing. So it definitely was
his big feet. For a short kid, he
did have pretty huge feet. The
docks were filled with people,
and Mason didn't bother
socializing with them, plus,
most of them were staring
at the boy who was storming
across the docks like he had six
heads. That boy was Mason.

What are they all looking at?
With their fancy-shmancy clothes
and perfect families. Prefect hair,
perfect face, perfect everything.
Mason was aggravated, and his
thoughts were rummaging through
his head like a tornado. Mason
had always wished he had a family
that was at least still alive. But
his dad was dead and, as mean
as it sounds, deserves it.
Everybody who knew about how
he would abuse his son would
say the same thing. Mason
was sort of glad that it was he
who got abused, not his sister
Jackie. Who he loved so dearly
would do anything for.

"Where to go, where to go...."
Mason Mumbled to himself. He
saw a few places to eat, but
was full, for now. There wasn't
much people on the docks.
So that's where he would go.
In his black jeans and green
long-sleeved shirt, he was
cold, and the wind was
stronger and fuller by the
waves. Mason wanted to
stay sitting here though. He
enjoyed the sound of crashing
waves. The smell of the fresh
seawater. And the feel of his hands
on the wooden docks, on he felt
so comfortable with. He could remember
during the summer, boy, it was always packed.
He even got out of his house one night
just so he could finally be here alone, and
in silence and tranquility. As weird as it
is, Mason enjoyed that.

[/center][/color]

[/size]
[/blockquote]

[rascalgal]

You can't be gone,...

Collin Baker (bio)
I stare at the ground as I walk down the crowded docks, my feet creating a hollow echo against the wood with each step as I go along. I forgot to put on my jacket this morning, so I shiver slightly in the cool air, while I brace myself against the wind. I haven't been down here in a couple of months, and yet, time seems to have passed so much slower than that. I'm not even sure why I'm here. A few hours ago I had been fishing down by the beach, and I was supposed to be heading to the training center right now. But my feet just sort of led me here, as I was secretly yearning to listen to the the cry of seagulls above me, to breathe in the fresh salty air, and to lose myself in the busy atmosphere. And that beat Career training any day.The docks are more crowded than usual today, and throngs of people are everywhere, rushing past me, going along with their own lives. I'm not sure why, but I begin to find myself searching for,...for her face among the crowds. I know it's absurd, but I can't help it; I have to try.

I analyze each person that happens to push past me, searching for the face that has haunted me so many times in my dreams. But as I glance around, I become increasingly disappointed, and after a few minutes, I give up my hopeless search. Defeated, I let out a frustrated sigh. "You can't be gone." I whisper softly to myself. The words slowly roll off my lips, while my mind is enveloped in disbelief and nostalgia yet again. Apparently, I hadn't been discreet enough, because a few passersby shot me confused glances and annoyed glares that seemed to ask, "What are you, crazy?" This wasn't anything new to me, so I keep walking, shutting out everything around me. I look over to my left, and stare out over the endless sea. I can hear the sound of the waves crashing against the shore as the water rolls rhythmically with the strong wind, and for a moment, I lose myself in my thoughts. "Maybe those people are right, what if I am losing my sanity?" But I just can't help but long for her touch, for her smile, and for her love. I just don't understand. I had given her everything, and even now I love her with all my heart, so the question is,...why did she leave me?

Suddenly, I'm jerked away from my thoughts as I slam into something, stumbling backward a bit. Quickly regaining my balance, I look up to see that I've run into someone not something. I'm still a little stunned at the short, blonde male before me, so I mumble a quick, "Sorry, my fault," and await the angry remark or annoyed glare that is sure to come.

(ooc: Sorry for the short post! My muse is a little squished today! :P)

[/color][/size]

[dannynugent]

Mason Poe

The waves were crashing just
the way Mason liked to hear
them. They, smelt like the
way they should. Heck, the docks
felt the way Mason wanted them to,
hard, yet smooth. Mason strangely
thought what it was like to beach board.
Getting stomped on, people spilling
juice or dropping chips on it.

Sort of like being abused, except it's an
inanimate object. Thought Mason.
He suddenly felt like he abused this object,
even though that was quite stupid,
at least he was being nice.

He got up and started walking, walking
towards nowhere in particular. No,
not anywhere, to the end of the docks. That's
where is mind was making him go. Not his mind,
himself. He could hear him self talking to
himself. "Left foot, right
foot, left foot, right foot." He was
simply telling himself what to do. Then,
while he was still mumbling to himself,
looking down at his feet, when a figure
hits him. Mason quickly grabs something,
a pole, to keep him stable enough to
look at the boy's eyes. Which were a blue.

"Sorry, my fault." "Oh, it's fine,
don't worry about it."[/size][/color] Mason
started walking away, looking down
at his feet. He didn't know why but
he felt like he should give this kid
some company. "You wanna come
with me?" Mason said in a
bland, tone. He didn't even know why
he asked the boy to walk with
him, Mason probably wouldn't even
talk a lot, and for all Mason knows
this kid might talk to him. But,
it's the thought that counts.[/center][/sub]

[rascalgal]

Collin Baker
I have to admit, I'm a little surprised at the blonde guy's response. I guess I was expecting him to scowl or snap at me. At least, that's what any one of the Careers back at the Training Center would've done. He begins to walk away, and almost without thinking, I do the same, advancing in the opposite direction. It's weird, the way I handle situations like this nowadays. A few years ago, if I had smacked into someone, I probably would've laughed at loud at my own clumsiness, and after apologizing, I would've cracked a few jokes, maybe start up a conversation. But I'm clearly not that guy anymore, and I'm not sure if I ever will be again. I'm amazed at my own indifference, and how cold I've become. It's like I don't even know myself anymore, and this numbness inside of me feels alien, and out of place.

But why should I care? That's what keeps away the pain; the hurt and betrayal that's almost too much for me to bear. It may have changed me, but it works. Even so, no matter what I do or attempt, I can't keep away the memories of her,...of us. They never leave me alone, always lingering and ready to overcome me at any given moment. These are the things that I'll never escape, no matter how dead I become.

"You wanna come with me?" The voice pierces through my thoughts, and I whirl around to find that the guy I ran into is looking over his shoulder, waiting for my response. I'm a bit surprised at his offer. Afterall, I don't even know him. At the same time, I'm disappointed, and well, slightly annoyed. When I came out here, I didn't plan on having a conversation with anyone, and my social skills aren't exactly what they used to be. I open my mouth to refuse, but at the last second, I stop myself. "He's just trying to be friendly," I tell myself, "I might as well go along with it." I'm pretty much losing my grip with reality, and if I don't start pulling it together now, things will only get worse. Besides, I'm pretty sure I can accomplish speaking to someone without losing it.

I somehow manage to stir up a slight grin, and I nod curtly, signaling that I would go along with him. I saunter over to him, and side by side, we make our way down the boardwalk, making sure to avoid the larger crowds. A few tense moments pass, and I build up the courage to say, "I'm Collin Baker, you got a name?" It sounds cold, and a little edgy, but hey, it's a good start right?

[dannynugent]

Mason Poe

^{Mason was standing there,
watching the boy's face;
his expressions seemed
to change from annoyed,
to relieved. That was
when he nodded his
head and walked over to
Mason, grinning at the
slightest bit. Mason isn't
very excited. Well, sure,
he's glad that someone
would walk with him, but
he didn't really want to be
so quiet. But the boy next
to him was quiet too, so
Mason let it pass his mind.
After walking for a few
minuted or so, Mason
realized they were both
dodging Career crowds.
Mason decided the teenager
walking with him was similar
to him in some
ways.}

"I'm Collin Baker, you got
a name?"
Asked the person who
Mason was walking with.
Mason knew the name didn't
sound familiar. Let me rephrase
that, Mason heard the name before,
but he never met a Collin. Well
now I do.Thought
Mason, trying to think of something to say
to Collin. He could have mentioned the
cold weather, or how it got even more
crowded outside. But none of them
seemed like good conversation starters.
Mason then thought himself as stupid
because he could have said "Yeah,
I have a name, it's Mason Poe."
I don't care too much if I replied late,
at least I replied.[/sup]

[/center][/color]

[rascalgal]

Collin Baker
The blonde guy paused a few moments before replying, “Yeah, I have a name, it’s Mason Poe.” I know I should say something like, “Oh, it’s nice to meet you,” or “Cool, I don’t think I’ve seen you around before”. But instead, I keep my mouth shut, choosing instead to stay silent, and simply nod my head. A few more awkward moments pass, and I start pressuring myself to say something. I was perfectly content with just walking around in silence, but I think it would benefit me more if I at least attempt to say something. Besides, Mason seems like he’s trying his hardest to be friendly to me, and well, no one has even tried to talk to me in…a long time. My mind begins scrambling to come up with something to say. Finally, I manage to stammer out, “Well, it’s uh-, it’s a pretty nice day today. I mean, you know, besides the wind.” Seriously? Is that all I can possibly think of?

I quickly decide to abandon my weak attempt to start a conversation, and instead, I start to glance around, my mind beginning to wander. Many different kinds of stores and boutiques line the boardwalk on my right, and people bustle about, probably running errands or something of the sort. To my left, there’s a group of children sitting on the railing, dangling their bare feet off the side, laughing and conversing with each other. The afternoon sun shines brightly, warming my skin, while white, puffy clouds dance around the limitless, blue sky. It’s weird, but something’s nagging at me that seeing all of this should make me feel…well… something. But it doesn’t…well, it sort of does. I feel hollow, and there’s this unusual ache in my chest. I’m not sure what to make of it, so I look ahead, trying to ignore it.

A little ways down the dock, I spot a large group of teenagers chatting by a bench, and as recognition slowly floods my brain, I quickly veer off to the side. I know those people; they’re some of the Careers who train back at the training center. Most of them have never really bothered me. Sure, there’s a guy now and then who mocks me for being the son of a “poor fisherman”, or something like that, but generally, they leave me alone. And why wouldn’t they? We’re all training for the same thing. Yet, I still avoid them, and I’m not sure why. I guess I’ve just never felt completely comfortable around them, and unlike most Careers, I’m forced to train, while they want to train. I’ve never even liked the Games, why would I want to be in them? I wonder if Mason feels the same way. I guess I could ask him…no. Why should I care what he thinks? It’s not like it will mean anything to me…will it? I don’t really want to answer, so instead, I focus on hiding my face, hoping the Careers don’t recognize me.

[dannynugent]

#05EDFF--roleplaying
#1da237--speech
#20BF9F--thoughts
#3CB371--other's speech

Mason Poe, District 4 --

<sup>Mason Poe
Looking around, Mason sees people talking, chatting, and laughing. Mason feels a little jealous, that they get out and socialize more. But he doesn't entirely envy them, most of the people who laugh and stuff like The Games, sure, Mason likes The Games a little bit, but he doesn't get the point of training to be in them, if your most likely to be killed. Mason was actually surprised somebody from District Four is one of the last tributes in this year's Games. That makes him feel a little reassured, that just because District Four is the last Career District, it doesn't mean they don't stand a chance. Mason sighs and tried to transfer his thoughts, which are interrupted immediately.

“Well, it’s uh-, it’s a pretty nice day today. I mean, you know, besides the wind.” What a corny thing to say. Thinks Mason, although there isn't really anything to talk about; and the Collin kid had a point, the only bad part of this weather is the wind, which was a little stronger than normal. They kept on walking down the docks, not even glancing at each other - though Mason felt the boy was nice - and they mainly examined some kids sitting down with their bare feet out or the stores and lunch courts. The wind was still strong but the sun was slightly shining, giving the kid's feet a minimum blast of warmth.

After a few minutes, Mason sees a group of Careers, people that train for The Games. Mason can pick out from the group a kid or two he used to hang out with, but then stopped; because of an obvious reason. Mason could notice Collin looking at them too, and he didn't seem pleased at all. "Hey.. Collin, you want to walk the other way, towards the less crowded section of the docks?" Mason asked, he didn't really wanna stay there.</sup>