Believe the lies[Kara]

[Sunrise Rainier D2 // [Thundy]]

The words from the past meeting were still ringing in his head,even several days later."Okay, guys. Here's what's up. Caden, I've been noticing that you're not taking things very seriously at the moment and....You see...if we're gonna rebel and overcome the Capitol, I'm going to need someone who's gonna fight by my side, not someone who's gonna be cracking jokes on the battlefield.Understood? Now, I've considered the thought of replacing you with Adelaide, but I'll show some mercy and give you a second chance.By then,I hope you can prove to me that you are responsible enough to handle your duty."

It was still angering him.It was only he that knew why he was there,only he who knew how well he could fight,only he that knew who he was.These people hadn't known him that long.If they thought he was always some silly trickster,they had another thing coming to them.No one knew.But was that a bad thing?

With a grim expression,he walked slowly through the ruins,wanting to punch one of the walls,just so that he could get his anger out on something.But that,of course,wouldn't be a good idea.One of his arms had broken,a long time ago,and not healed right.It had been constantly causing him pain,all of the time.

All his life was crap.Everything had gone down the toilet,or at least that's how it seemed,at this moment.His whole family was long gone and dead,and he was here with these people who wanted to replace him within what felt like the first 10 minutes that he had joined.Nothing was fair.But,at least,he could fight against the Capitol.He needed something to blame.

He seriously wanted to punch something.Well,as no one was around,it wouldn't hurt,right?As long as he didn't use his hurt arm,he would be fine.No damage to his perfect facade.First running his hands through his black hair,then he hit one of the crumbling walls of the ruined District.

He never expected it to break,but he had expected to have done some damage,at least.There was a large crack,where he had hit the crumbling wall.Sighing,he then leaned against it and slid to the ground.He didn't hear anyone around,so he was hopefully fine.

The air was warmer,and flowers were blooming everywhere.Spring was coming.He even smiled at the thought,and then just leaned his head against the wall and closed his eyes.He wanted to stop worrying,he wanted to stop being so angry.

If that actually happened,well,that would be a miracle.

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[ja'mie]

Seph

District thirteen. Destroyed. Silent. Yet peaceful, in a way. Running her fingertips down the edge of a roof shingle (that had fallen onto a dented windowsill), Seph felt the rough material. Maybe this would be useful in times to come...material was always a good thing to have, no matter what it was. Material meant resources, and Seph was in need of that.

The breeze blew softly, ruffling her hair and clothes. Seph welcomed the warmth; it was a nice change from the harsh cold she had endured not too long ago. Flowers were already sprouting from the ground, trees were regaining their leaves. She liked spring. It was so alive. It was a second chance...a sign that the cold would be leaving, and the heat would be coming.

But then again, Spring always brought showers. Rain, and nothing of it. Well, she had shelter here, at least. There were still a couple houses standing, even if they weren't in tip-top shape.

Suddenly, Seph heard a sound. It wasn't like a gunshot... it didn't hold the same force. But it was forceful enough to catch her attention. Maybe someone's fist?

Peering around the edge of the building with the shingles, Seph realized that she wasn't alone. The first thing she noticed was his eyes. They were closed. Which meant that she couldn't just sneak up on him. Surprise could be a good thing, but it could also be a bad thing, especially if one means no harm. She didn't want any trouble. He had unmistakable muscles, and with one swing (if she was close enough), that could be the end of it.

Not to mention the large crack on the wall he was leaning on, which she assumed he had inflicted upon it.

She should leave and come back later. Turning towards the forest that surrounded the ruins, Seph stepped towards her destination. Then tripped. Falling to the ground with a small thud, she kicked herself inwardly. What had she fallen on? Glancing back towards her feet, Seph found that there had been another shingle lying there. Why hadn't she seen that before?! Holding her breath, she hoped the guy hadn't heard anything. That would be...undesirable.

[Sunrise Rainier D2 // [Thundy]]

Caden set his face in his hands for a moment,and sighed in frustration.Everything always had to be so damn challenging.He doubted that there was ever a time in his life when he wasn't suffering.

In the middle of his thinking,he heard an unmistakable sound.It sounded like footsteps,he was sure.All the years of running around in the woods had taught him to use all his senses,and hearing was one of his best,at least,when he was paying attention,something that he seemed to be bad at,during some times.

Instantly,his icy blue eyes opened to see a girl who had fallen in a not-so-graceful way onto the ground.Worry suddenly filled him,but not for the girl.A fall was nothing,really.What if she had seen him punch the wall?What would she think?Everyone here thought that he was just some no-good troublemaker that just liked to have a little fun.Now,then,if she had seen him,he was in trouble.

Nonetheless,though,he needed to see if she wanted help.He had to keep up his reputation as well as he could,if she had seen his anger or not.Standing up straight,he hurried over to her."Well,don't trip over anything.Are you okay?"He asked jokingly at first,and then more serious.

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[ja'mie]

Seph

"Well,don't trip over anything.Are you okay?"

Seph squinted up at the boy, who was now standing over her in a rather intimidating fashion. Shoot. That didn't work out so well.

She scrambled to her feet, and looked over at the shingle that had caused her fall. Summoning up some might, she kicked it. It didn't go very far, but it had the desired effect. Calm now, Seph dusted herself off. "Never better." she mumbled, glancing swiftly back towards the wall with the crack, then up at the one who had caused it.

The breeze tumbled across the ruined district once again, and again Seph embraced the warmth that came with it. Now she was convinced. Spring was amazing.

Zoning back into her paticular situation, she considered the consequences.

This encounter could be good or bad, depending on whether this guy still felt like punching something, preferably not herself. But he seemed nice enough...

[Sunrise Rainier D2 // [Thundy]]

The girl lifted her head up to see him,squinting her deep blue eyes to get a look at the person who had spoken to her.She looked almost,frustrated?Probably because of how embarrassing that had been,he guessed.Caden just smiled as well as he could,his angry expression from moments before wiped off of his face.

He kept his eyes on the girl as she climbed to her feet and sent a glance over at the item she had tripped over.A stray shingle.She then kicked it,although the thing didn't move too far,although he doubted that distance was what she had been going for.He kept eyeing the girl as she dusted the dirt that she had gotten on herself,from the fall,and then spoke.

"Never better."So he shrugged it off,as she seemed to be perfectly fine.No injuries or cuts,nothing.He had more to worry about,though.

He kept his icy gaze glued to her as she glanced over at the crack on the wall,that he had caused,and then back at him.A warm breeze passed over them,and he took a moment to enjoy it's warmth until his worries came back to him.

Had she seen him?Would she tell the others secretly of his anger?What would they think,if that was the case?A billion thoughts were all jumbled inside his head,and he cast a glance of worry towards the broken wall,then at the ground,and then back up at the girl.

He had to keep his cool.Even if she hadn't seen him,he couldn't go acting stupidly.He just had to be himself,er,more unlike himself.

All the same,he was still menacing at heart,even if he was overcome with worry and anger.A lot of people were,right?This wasn't a problem,then,he decided.

This was as good a time as any,for introductions.He didn't know the girl,and it was obvious that she was in the gang.He had seen her before,but had never inquired her name or been introduced by someone else.He had to know these things,as he was the Vice President,after all.

Holding out his hand for her to shake,he spoke in a steady voice."I'm Caden."Short,simple,and perfect.

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[ja'mie]

Seph

She felt uneasy under his icy stare. It was one thing to fall over a shingle which was in plain sight, but now that he was actually standing infront of her...

Seph wasn't usually an attention type of person. She liked a conversation now and then, and recognition. But not the "stare up at the exact person you didn't want to gain attention from" sort of scenario she always seemed to get herself into. What if she had been sneaking past a peacekeeper or someone of high authority in the capital? If she had tripped, that would of been the end of it. She'd be killed, or turned into a very unhappy avox.

His gaze moved to the wall, the ground, then back at her. She was thinking about fishing out a smoke bomb (just incase) when he spoke.

"I'm Caden." Realizing that he must be part of the gang, she relaxed a little. He probably wouldn't be telling her his name if he wasn't part of the gang. And so he probably wouldn't hurt her or anything like that if they were on the same side of things. As held out his hand, Seph studied him for a second longer. Of coourse he wasn't a threat...but that crack on the wall...It was anger. Not violence, she suddenly thought. He had hit the wall to get his anger or frustration out, not to cause pain or anything else. That was fine. Everyone felt angry one time or another.

Exhaling, Seph smiled faintly and placed her hand in his, and shook slightly.

"I'm Seph," She spoke quietly but clearly, "Pleasure to meet you."

[Sunrise Rainier D2 // [Thundy]]

This girl almost seemed..uneasy,now that he was talking to her.This made him nervous,because what if she thought he was some nutcase who was always angry?Not that he wasn't,some of the time,but he didn't want her to be telling other people about that.They would think that he was crazy.

As he held out his hand,she seemed to be studying him.She wouldn't let her think that he was an angry person,then.He had to ler on that he was more..laid back and nice.Like he usually acted.So he smiled widely,as she shook his hand.

"I'm Seph."She said in a quiet,but crystal clear voice."Pleasure to meet you."

At this,Caden smiled wider,and nodded as he started to speak."Nice to meet you too.I don't think I've seen you before.What position are you,in the gang?"She was obviously new,because she hadn't been there at the first meeting,well,if you could call it a meeting.Mostly just a bunch of speeches,while people criticized how he was doing his job.That was the thing with some people,it was always politics.Couldn't they just live with what they had?

Apparantly not.

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[ja'mie]

Seph

He smiled as we shook. Interesting. He suddenly seemed very content and laid back. Seph could tell that there was something strange going on. It didn't take a genius to put two and two together; he was punching a wall, and now suddenly he was smiling and nodding.

The sudden personality change seemed so sudden. It irked her somewhat. Being lost in thought, she almost didn't hear him speak.

"Nice to meet you too.I don't think I've seen you before.What position are you,in the gang?"

Seph pulled her grasp away and dug into her pocket, glad for the excuse to close her hand around a bomb again. "I'm a bomb specialist." She liked the way 'bomb specialist' rolled off her tongue. It sounded formal. It sounded professional.

Pulling out one of the smaller smoke bombs, she exposed it. Hesitating for only a moment now, Seph continued with the conversation. "And may I ask...what is your position?" She was relaxed now, and this was said with a hint of a smile. She'd ponder his mood change later.

[Sunrise Rainier D2 // [Thundy]]

As he had spoken,she had seemed very..out of it.Like she was thinking about something.What it was,he would never know,but he still worried about what it was.What if she was wondering about his sudden change of mood?

Then,to respond to his question,the girl reached into her pocket and pulled out what looked like a bomb.Why did she have a bomb?"I'm a bomb specialist,"He heard her say proudly.So,then,she was an important person in the group.Not only did her name sound professional,but it was.If they were going to bomb the Capitol,well then,they would need someone who knew how to handle bombs.

She then continued on,after a moment of hesitation."And may I ask...what is your position?"She seemed more relaxed now,and for that,he was thankful.He wouldn't have to worry as much.She held a small smile on her face,as she waited for his reply.

"Well..I'm the Vice President.I think."He said,not exactly meaning to say the last part,although it was absolutely true.As everyone else seemed to think that they could do his job better then him,he wasn't sure if he would be keeping it.

Nonethless,he kept smiling as he kicked a rock.It stumbled away,and then he looked back up at her,anticipating her reply.

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[ja'mie]

Seeing that there was no other need for the bomb, she stored it away again as he spoke.

"Well..I'm the Vice President.I think." He replied.

Seph looked up, tilting her head slightly as she thought. So he was the vice president. A very high role, with many responsibilities. If they were to bomb the capital anytime soon, he would be one of the ones in charge. She would be taking orders from him, as well as the offensive and defensive commanders, whoever they might be. And of course, she'd be taking orders from the president, as well. It was interesting to know one of the higher officials.

Caden smiled and kicked a rock. He seemed happy, but there was something else...

He had said 'I think'. What did that mean? So she asked.

"...you think?" She didn't mean for this to be awkward or to come off as nosey. It was merely a statement that had caught her attention, so she questioned it.

((Trying out a new header here. :3))

[Sunrise Rainier D2 // [Thundy]]

OOC:It looks really good!I can tell what you mean with the paper thing.

"...you think?"She asked,sounding just a bit nosy.Of course,he had expected that she would ask him about it.He shouldn't have slipped up.Nonetheless,it might even do him some good,telling someone about it.But,he couldn't sound angry,that was the hard part.He had gotten himself into quite a troublesome event,now.

So,he leaned against the wall again,as he looked up at her face and explained."Well,see,I guess you weren't here for the first meeting.No,you're new,right?"

There was a pause,and then he continued."Well,see,I just made a few harmless jokes,during the meeting,and after 10 minutes,seriously,that those people had met me,they were already judging me and warning me that I could be replaced.And all I did was make a few jokes."

He hated it,personally.Everyone always had to be judging.Would it even be better,if he was angry all the time?Maybe,if they thought he would be more serious about his job.There was one thing that he knew though,and they didn't.

He could fight as if all hell broke loose,and none of them had seen that.It was just another case of 'let's judge the book by it's cover!'.He hated it,hated the judgement.Hated always having to worry about what people thought.

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[ja'mie]

He leaned against a wall.

"Well,see,I guess you weren't here for the first meeting.No,you're new,right?"

He paused momentarily, then went on.

"Well,see,I just made a few harmless jokes,during the meeting,and after 10 minutes,seriously,that those people had met me,they were already judging me and warning me that I could be replaced.And all I did was make a few jokes."

Seph leaned against the wall, then slid to the ground. She wanted to think of this as a puzzle, to put it together and solve it. But there weren't any pieces to put together, just jumbled thoughts. This wasn't like the usual problems she came across. Not to mention that no one had ever told her their feelings like that.

It was new. And she was unexperianced in...listening to others.

She gave a sideways plant, and found a dandelion growing there. She picked it up, looking at it, but her mind was still far away.

If he had told her all this, she needed to provide a suitable answer or...just something. He was obviously upset about all this.

Finally, Seph looked up from her sitting place, twirling the dandelion between her thumb and index figer mindlessly.

"If you think you're a good vice president then you are. I haven't seen you fight and neither have they. If we plan to go up against the capital, we need strong leaders, and I don't see anything wrong with you in the least. If you're upset about them wanting to replace you, that obviously means you care. We need someone who cares about this group, and not just someone who cares about what position they are in this group. I highly doubt you need a replacement."

It was the most she had spoken in a very long time, and she quickly looked back down at the dandelion in her hand.

[Sunrise Rainier D2 // [Thundy]]

OOC:Hehe,I'm gonna switch to smaller text.All this big stuff is annoying me.

He watched her as she leaned against the wall,and slid to the ground.She seemed to be contemplating something,maybe what to say?For some reason,he just didn't see her as the kind to be talkative.But hey,looks were decieving sometimes.And yes,that was coming from him.

He kept his eyes on her as she looked sideways and saw a random dandelion.For a moment,his mind trailed off,as he thought.Well,it's definitely springtime..He then shook off the thought,keeping his gaze glued to her as he waited for her reply.

She seemed..unsure,of what she was going to say.Or at least that was what he interpreted from the silence.As she twirled the dandelion around in her fingers,he finally heard her speak.

"If you think you're a good vice president then you are. I haven't seen you fight and neither have they. If we plan to go up against the capital, we need strong leaders, and I don't see anything wrong with you in the least. If you're upset about them wanting to replace you, that obviously means you care. We need someone who cares about this group, and not just someone who cares about what position they are in this group. I highly doubt you need a replacement."

Her words were almost comforting,or at least,they comforted him slightly.The only question was,was Haven,the leader,smart enough to know that?He didn't have a clue.

Smiling thankfully at her words,he spoke.She was beginning to be a relief,after everyone else who seemed to judge him.She,at least,had commen sense.

"I didn't even think of it that way.But still,even though you think that,it doesn't mean Haven does."

The whole issue was troubling him.Sighing,he sat down against the wall next to her,wondering what she would say.

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[ja'mie]

"I didn't even think of it that way.But still,even though you think that,it doesn't mean Haven does."

He slid down next to her.

"Is Haven the president?"

If Haven was the president, and she was already ready to replace Caden, then Seph had no choice but to question her leading methods. You could never judge someone by a few comments.Making too many assumptions (which Seph admitted to herself, that she did as well), could lead to catstrophe. Especially in groups. Everyone had to trust one another, rely on one another. If there was already questioning each other taking place, than that could ultimately break up the Uprising.

But then again, it was always a good thing to...be on guard. It takes time to trust people, and she understood that. If everything went well, hopefully everyone would start to feel comfortable around each other.

But maybe there was a way to speed up the "trusting process".

"If you want Haven to trust that you are vice president material... maybe you could prove it to her." Seph grinned. "Throw some knives or something. Show her that you can fight and be a leader."

It was just an idea, but Seph had high hopes for it. She went on.

"Maybe, soon, the Uprising could hold another meeting where everyone demonstrates their strengths. Then we could figure out a perfect way to place everyone in battle when the time comes, according to their strengths."

And Caden could make this happen too...he was the vice president after all. Could vice presidents call meetings? Seph wasn't sure, but he could definitely mention it Haven if he liked to idea.

Twirling the dandelion, Seph awaited his input. She was actually starting to...enjoy being around this Caden guy. He was way more intersting than the squirrels she had been hanging out with before she had run into the Uprising.

[Sunrise Rainier D2 // [Thundy]]

"Is Haven the president?"Seph asked as she seemed to be thinking about something.Whatever she was thinking,he had no idea,but he had to speak anyways,because a silence was beginning to grow between the two.

So,Caden nodded,still wondering what she thought.Had she not met the leader yet?For a moment,he tried to decide if that was a positive or negative thing.Well,maybe she would support him,if Haven tried to replace him.That was good,but the thought of the gang being split that was wasn't as pleasant.

"Well,yes.The leader,the first in command,whatever you want to call her."He himself wanted to call her a few nasty words,but he didn't,obviously.He didn't exactly think the word president fit her,and he didn't exactly think the phrase 'Vice President' fit him either.He wasn't exactly sure what was wrong with it,so he shrugged off the thought as she spoke again.

"If you want Haven to trust that you are vice president material... maybe you could prove it to her.Throw some knives or something. Show her that you can fight and be a leader."

Well,that could work.All he needed was a good,serious fight,and he would be able to prove himself easily.The sad thing was that he needed to prove himself.What ever happened to trust?But of course,that was coming from him,who didn't trust a soul.The whole group just needed to lighten up,but that was the problem in the first place.Apparantly he wasn't 'serious' enough to be the Vice President,and then he was given a warning.

His thoughts stopped there as she continued.
"Maybe, soon, the Uprising could hold another meeting where everyone demonstrates their strengths. Then we could figure out a perfect way to place everyone in battle when the time comes, according to their strengths."

The funny thing was,they probably should have already done that,well,at least they should have had a bit of a background check,before they let people walk in and join.How was it that Haven had overlooked his strengths in fighting?Oh right,he still had his little facade,and that was why.He was playing the jokester,not the freaky guy who had some serious anger-management issues.And if he wasn't sure that he did,then he could just take a look at the large crack in the already broken wall,that he had put there.

There had been silence for a long moment,as he realized that he had to speak.But what to say?He was beginning to trust talking to her,a little more.She hadn't run for the hills yet,yelling about the crazy lunatic angry guy.

So for that,he was very,very thankful.Although trust was something new to him.

With a sigh,he spoke."Maybe,but don't you think it's a little funny that that meeting actually hasn't happened yet?It's like,everyone got to just walk in and join..except you of course.I bet they realized that you were handy with a bomb."After that,he stayed silent,for once feeling that he had said too much.It was probably the lack of trust,though.

And that would be impossible to gain.

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