I just LOVE to kill!!! (Thundy)

[cinder]

Arcadia felt the slight sting of a hand against her cheek. It was a bullet fast, harsh movement she had grown accustomed to. She had been in the woods the whole night, because training came before sleep, and having to run through the cold woods in only a short dress was ideal for training her bod to get used to cold situations she might encounter when in the Games. She had made her way home at 12:53 AM, to another training session. Without even a drop of water or food to keep her awake and happy, Cady had been forced to listen to her 'Father,' for the next three hours as he coached her in why not to care about killing other teens. Arcadia had dozed off, as her Father grew slightly excited about his first kill at the age of nineteen.

Arcadia had no idea why she had to listen to him. She loved to kill, she had been designed to kill. Would her father coach a vaccine into preventing an illness even though it already knew its job? Arcadia had pointed that out, then exclaimed, "I just LOVE to kill!" is a sickly sweet voice she had heard some of the 'cool' Career girls use when trying to become Alpha female of their absurd social-Packs. The slight sting of her cheek being slapped had been nothing like the punch to her nose. After so many times of being hit like that, Cady would not be surprised if her nose would become crooked. It didn't really matter much, but Arcadia had a feeling it might effect her breathing. Not really good if she was wheezing right before surprising some pathetic Tribute and slitting their throat open.

She was pumped, Arcadia Lupe London was ready for the Games, and was literally counting down the minutes until the Reaping. Her blue eyes were sparkling in the dawn light. She was like a kid being presented with candy, except Arcadia was a seventeen year old killing machine being presented with twenty-three potential victims. In her faint, quiet opinion that was much better than candy. She jogged through District Two territory. She would be rid of its bland landscape soon. Soon, Arcadia would be in the Arena. She was really looking forward to it, but rather to the life that awaited her after she won. Arcadia knew when she won, she would be a powerful figure in her District, and could finally free herself of her family-ties, and any other promises she had made. Arcadia would be free. The whole killing people could be looked at as a side-dish...

ooc- usually shes not so opinionated and such, but shes let her guard down. Running around in your night wear in the middle of the night in the nearby woods would make most people giddy! Its like running with scissors!

[Sunrise Rainier D2 // [Thundy]]

Night.It was the one and only time where Griffin usually felt welcome in District 2.Oddly enough,he could even compare it to himself.Silent-he never was the kind of person to be social.Dark-obviously relating to his appearance.Long,dark brown hair that sometimes covered his even darker eyes,he would even be handsome,if he tried to be,that is.Deadly-hell yeah.Although he didn't take pride in his Career training days,he had the muscles,the strength,the smarts,of a Career.He would have been one of the promising ones.If in fact,he didn't despise the Hunger Games and the Capitol.

Walking through the night was something that he had always done as a kid,training for the Hunger Games.Sure,he trained at night just as everyone else did,but there was just something about it that intrigued him a little. He looked up at the bright sky,and there was the moon,the tiny,sparkling stars that some sap girl would probably call beautiful.

It was not the moon or the stars that caught Griffin's attention right then,and whatever it was that intrigued him about nighttime fell right out of his head.Of course,he wasn't always alone at night.There was the occasional Career-in-training that wandered about,most likely dreaming silly dreams of victory for them and death of everyone else.Typical.Most Careers had messed up minds-fact of life.

This girl that he had spotted was unlike the other Careers,although he vaguely remembered seeing her before.Most of the people he knew didn't think much of her,just because of her appearance.Small,weak looking,sap-looking girl.He knew better though.Even the weak-looking ones were strong and lethal.He had been one of them.

Perfectly silent,he began at an easy jog and caught up to the girl."Well,a little late for a jog,wouldn't you say?"Yeah,as if he was one to talk.

[/size][/color]

[cinder]

Arcadia looked at the guy a moment. Father had trained her to know all Career Tributes, and even though she was pretty sure this guy had been too old to ever be in the Games at the same time as Arcadia, he had pointed him out. She remembered the gruffness of Fathers voice as he tried to lower his usual tone, one unsurprisingly loud and commanding.

"See that one, Cady?" he had asked her. Arcadia had turned her big blue eyes to the boy, and nodded. She knew anything she said out loud in public would be listened to by one of the other Careers. Little Arcadia had been taught this by Father, and remembered it by the fading bruise on her rib. Father had had a twinkle in his eyes that Arcadia knew was envy. She smirked to herself, careful to hide the expression from her Father.
"Hes gonna win the Games, Arcadia, if he ever enters," her Father had gone on to say, and Cady had nearly slapped him. She had recognized the envy, but until now had thought it to be because the guy was obviously a muscle. She now knew Father wanted him as a son, not weak Cady as a grand-daughter.

She woke herself from the memory. The guy probably didn't know it, but he had forced a much younger Arcadia to get stronger. She didn't look it, but she was lethal, she could hold her own against this guy, although Cady would have to use every dirty trick in the book. Looking at him, Arcadia felt the desire to get in a fight, but dismissed it. She could hold her own, but he could still beat her up pretty bad, if the guy was into beating up seventeen nearly eighteen year old girls.

Her voice was sickly sweet, similar to the one she would use when being interviewed except this one had an edge of dreaminess to it, as though Arcadia was deep in thought. "It is a little late. I really shouldn't be out, there are strange men who lurk around at night. Its not safe for me..." she spoke as though to herself, but her big blue eyes were glued to him. Arcadia didn't really have any expression on her face. She looked dazed, her mouth left slightly open. The Career sped up just a little bit.

[Sunrise Rainier D2 // [Thundy]]

Among the many things that Griffin had learned as a Career-in-training,it was that you could not trust anyone,at any time.It didn't matter if you had known them your whole life,or if you had just met.You had to be cautious.Watch what you said,because it coould backfire badly on you.Watch what you do,because actions speak louder then words.If you trust a tribute,that could very easily earn you a knife in the back.Even in situations that aren't exactly life-or death,there are still things that you must not give away.Knowledge is power.

Griffin was unsure of this girl.Sometimes,Careers would attack random people in the facility,and sometimes the streets.Just to show off how powerful and wonderful and amazing that they were.He had once seen a Career in the facitlity,who when angered,flung a spear into the body of a worker.No wonder those jobs were so unpopular.The fact of the matter was,this girl could be one of those people.Not that he was frightened by her,but he would hate to lose his life over some stupid girl.If there was anything that he wanted to die doing,it was fighting the Capitol.

Oh yeah,that.Griffin loved to travel outside of the Districts(illegally,of course) He had once even stumbled upon the wreckage of District 13.There were people.Curiously,he had investigated.There had seemed to be some sort of accident.District 13 was pretty messed up as it was,but there seemed to have been a recent explosion of some sort.As he peered around,he saw the remains of what probably used to be two very whole people.One was missing three of it's limbs,and the other was hardly unrecognizable as human.

He had been taught as a Career to be indifferent to death.It would make it easier to kill.No matter how much he was taught,no one could hammer that into his head.Whenever he saw someone who was dead,he always felt an anger stir inside of him.It was the thought that that person did not have to die.They might have had a nice life beforehand,but there they were,dead and gone.It was honestly why he hated the Hunger Games so much,ironically.He would probably be the only Career in that country that ever hated the Hunger Games.Maybe.

He kept looking around District 13,and to his surprise,more people resided there.He tried to get a straight answer about what had happened,and once they had verified that he was not from the Capitol,they explained everything.They were a rebellious gang called The Uprising.Their hope was to bring down the Capitol.Only dilemma: Their two leaders had just been bombed because they had gotten into a fight.The leader had set off the bomb to stop the second-in-command from hurting anyone else.He was a vicious man,he had heard.

Okay,no leaders.Griffin quickly took the job,because that gang needed a good leader.Someone strong,someone smart,and someone who could maybe lead without bombing the place and being violent towards other members.He was the guy for the job.He knew everything there was about survival,methods of attack,and defense.Griffin knew most everything,at least that was what he liked to think.

When he realized that she was beginning to speak,he quickly snapped out of his thoughts and focused on her."It is a little late. I really shouldn't be out, there are strange men who lurk around at night. Its not safe for me..." Careers were trained to adjust their voices,most of the time.It was a trick used to impress the Capitol people,or bring fear to their fellow tributes.This girl had one of those voices.It was sickly sweet,and if he was not used to this kind of voice,he would almost believe it.

He was good at this game.In one moment,all the muscles in his face relaxed.He twitched up one corner of his mouth in a boyish,crooked smile,focused on her so deeply that his gaze was intense,and spoke in the voice that he had so easily perfected,but only used a few times."True,there is a strange man lurking about.False,it is not safe for you.I wouldn't fight you,you know.I may be trouble,but I'm not really that dangerous."His fake voice was flawless.He spoke it with the slightest amount of laughter,and soft and sweet in almost a whisper.

He may not trust her,but did that ever stop him from doing anything?Not one bit.No caution,no fears,no regrets about anything. Just another example of why he was a really bad student.

[[OOC:Sorry that it's so long.I like to explain. ]]

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[cinder]

ooc- tis fine. Arcadia's gonna 'suddenly,' start thinking about sorta-the-same subject. ^^

Arcadia kept watching him. Father had taught her to always be aware of whatever your opponent was doing. She relaxed her shoulders. It was a very nice illusion to use when trying to come off as at ease when you were still keeping tabs on a potential enemy. Father had warned her never to join a Career Pack, as they always ended up killing themselves later. Taking a weaker companion made a Career seem sweeter, protective and... human. They were easily disposed of, or thrown into the path of a Pack. Cady didn't think that was smart either, as she was pretty sure her own real dad had died by way of a, 'weaker companion.'

The dreamer realized she had just fallen into a dazed state of mind, and refocused on the guy. She stared hard at him. God, he was strong--Arcadia immediately felt a surge of satisfaction with her choice not to start a fight. The Career girl was strong, but her build was more of a runners than a fighters. He had brown hair and brown eyes, which paired together would make any Career Tribute about to try to kill him in the Arena think of what a shame it was to have to dispose of such a cute guy. Her head tilted toward him, he would win votes from the Capitol for being good-looking and strong, and he seemed decent enough. Cady could not figure out why he had not volunteered for the Games.

Maybe he didn't want to, she thought. Cady London could relate. Both her father and cousin had died in the Games, and she had witnessed a few Tributes break down after their first kill. Arcadia knew if she had been raised in the ways of a lower-class girl, she would hate to kill. Arcadia knew she did hate to kill, but it was her life over another's. Cady looked at it as she would die at the hands of her Father if she dared not volunteer, so why not just go in the Arena? Cady had more of a chance of surviving that some. She would save the life of District Twos first pick, then bring glory to her District. She was helping, people, not destroying them. Thats what the Capitol was for.

"Yes you are, but lets not get into that," Cady said lowering her voice and finally turning her doe-eyes away from him. She had confirmed he had been a Career, they didn't need to keep playing the game even if it was good practice. Arcadias natural voice was steady, calm, dreamy, and questioning. Her voice matched her eyes, which were looking at him now--they seemed empy, but sparks of emotion were visible. Confusion to why the dreamy Career hadnt volunteered, yet at the same time and a deep understanding of the situation. Arcadia was smart, but sometimes all the lies she surrounded herself in brought the girl to a state of great confusion. This was one of those times as she was puzzled to why she even cared why he hadnt volunteered besides the obvious reasons.

"May I ask a question? Why didn't you volunteer? Father said you would have won the Games, but you didn't volunteer. You could have helped our District, it wasnt fair to them... I dont understand why. When I volunteer, I know it will help people, and I'm not afraid to die If I dont win," she spoke once again almost to herself, her voice no longer so sickeningly sweet, but the edge of dreaminess still was there. It was a stupid, dangerous question to ask, but Arcadia just had to. She knew the guy... Griffith? Griffin? Whoever, to be an anti-social, and was pretty sure he wasn't spying. If he was--her question would be a common one, and what good would it do for him to tell anybody?

In case the guy had any doubts she was strong enough to take him if he laughed at her, or betrayed her fragile, 'trust,' Cady deliberately looked at her hand and brought it up to her face. In one, slow motion the teen tucked her auburn hair behind her ear. Arcadia then let her hand skim the length of the scar-by-knife she had received a year ago on her cheek. Cady couldn't even remember what she had told her Father to anger him. What she remembered so clearly was that he had sicked a few of his little Career buddies on her. When Cady had finally dragged herself home, bruises, cuts, broken nose, ribs, shattered ankle, he had cut her face. Said something about her not being as pretty for the Capitol, but that it served her right. Thats when Arcadia realized she truly hated him. If not for fear of her Father, Cady could have started living long ago...

Arcadia Lupe London couldn't wait to win the Games and leave Father behind. She wasn't fighting for her life in the Arena, Cady didn't have a life. She was fighting for the chance to start one. And I wanna know why this guy didnt...

ooc- GASPETH Father would be so surprised by Cady... shes... THINKING for herself! -gasp- and jeezums christ sorry for long post!

also

what color suites Cady out of these? CLICK

[Sunrise Rainier D2 // [Thundy]]

OOC:SO sorry for not posting yet! I feel so bad.

[cinder]

ooc- it hasnt even been like a day yet, dont worry--everybody has lives off the interent, and sometimes cant post ^^

[Sunrise Rainier D2 // [Thundy]]

[[OOC:Thanks for understanding! See,my dad works on the computer,so it makes it hard to get on sometimes.I was working on my post when he kicked me off the computer,so now I have to start all over again.This will be my 3rd try now.It's so aggravating.]]

The girl's eyes stayed glued to him,as he kept running.Any normal person would be breathing heavily now,from the excersize,but not him.He was used to this,and in wonderful condition.His own eyes did not leave her as he ran,because he was observing her.She seemed to relax,but he highly doubted that she was actually relaxing.He always believed that if you observed a person well enough,you could learn a lot about them.Then again,in his training days,he was taught to never assume something about a person just by the way they acted.A tribute would try and lie to you,and of course he knew that well enough.His fake voice,his fake gaze,his fake smile,they were all lies used to fake out an enemy.(Plus,the Capitol would love his fake self)If you made another tribute feel comfortable around you,then they were as good as dead.Griffin had to stop himself from grimacing at the thought of killing,because then this girl would wonder what was wrong.HA! What if he explained? That would go well. 'Oh yeah,I'm one of the deadliest Career's in the country,but when I thought of killing someone,I felt like vomiting and reading a bible?' Yeah,so dangerous.

His gaze had faltered towards the ground as he was thinking,and he snapped back to attention and swiveled his gaze around to meet hers,only to see her quietly thinking as well.What was she thinking? He really had no clue,despite his observation.For a moment,she stayed in her dazed state,and then quickly turned her focus back to him.Her eyes observed him for a moment,and then she spoke."Yes you are,but let's not get into that." She had given up her fake Career act,so he let the corners of his mouth fall back so that he was frowning again.He lost the intenseness of his gaze,and replaced it with one more calm and cool.He was about to speak,but then she spoke again."May I ask a question? Why didn't you volunteer? Father said you would have won the Games, but you didn't volunteer. You could have helped our District, it wasnt fair to them... I dont understand why. When I volunteer, I know it will help people, and I'm not afraid to die If I dont win," Griffin could now tell that she had been thinking about that.All the Careers wondered,but seldom asked that question.Some would not admit it,but they were afraid to fight or even talk to him.

That he also had to be thankful for.It wasn't that he was afraid to kill,it was just that he did not want to be some filthy murderer,like the rest of them.After her question,he was brought to silence as he cooked up an answer.He racked his brain,and then finally gave up.Maybe he would even help this stupid girl,and change her mind about competing.Then again,it was probably too late for that anyways.Years of convincing were not going to be thrown away in 5 seconds.His voice,not fake anymore,was clear and strong,the kind of voice that demanded authority.Then again,this was a serious topic."Is that what he told you? That it would help the District? More like help himself.I bet he wanted a child that was a victor. You want to know why I didn't volunteer? Our district does fine enough on it's own.We're all doctors for crying out loud.There are many other talented Careers who would kill for the spot in the games.I'm not afraid to die,but you know what I would be afraid of?There was a pause as he debated on telliing her this."Being the one person hated all over Panem,in the districts,for killing their innocent kids.Most Careers may be taught to not care about who they're killing,but it's no different then murder."

Well,his fake image just jumped out the window.

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[cinder]

Arcadia almost gasped. Instead she stopped jogging. Just stopped and closed her eyes a moment. After a few times of replaying his answer in her head, the shocked Career opened her eyes and looked forward. "That is not true." She whispered, then finally managed to get ahold of herself. Arcadia's voice was th one she had used to ask the question but this time it took all her voice-training to keep from making herself sound weak. All the things she had been told about this Career, were lies. She knew nothing, all her observations and careful, small assumptions went out the window. The only thing true about him was that he was a dangerous, strange man.

"He didn't tell me it would help the District. He told me he could be rid of me in a few days if I didn't volunteer. It will help him, but If I play my cards right, it will help me even more," she smiled bitterly, "Our District--sure we do fine, but I'm still helping. I'm bringing Careers a few hours of peace," she spit the last word out. Cady had allowed her voice to raise. "And I'm a talented girl, I know I have a chance in the Arena. Just think of those few citizens who aren't Careers, or who are, but never imagined actually being in the Games! I just saved one, and I'm betting they'll be a little different after that. Then once I'm in the Arena, sure I have to kill, but so does everybody else. If they want to get home and live theirs lives once more, they've gotta kill me. Have you ever watched siblings kill each other, or cousins, or even just friends? They do it because they desperately want to cling onto their lives, and you know why? Because the Capitol. Its not me destroying lives, its them. How dare you tell me I murdering people when you so obviously know who to blame. You wanna look at me as the enemy? Go ahead, but don't call me a murderer. I need to win. Its not my fault!"

Her eyes seemed to glaze over as she spoke, as though it was taking all her concentration to find the right answers. Arcadia found when she wasn't in control, she had a lot to say. "I said we're fighting for our lives in the Arena. I lied. I'm fighting for the chance to start a life. Thats my secret weapon, thats why I need to win. Afte that I can just be a girl, the I can talk to you about murder and care." Arcadia smoothed back her hair and then blinked. In just the few seconds it had taken her to do this, everything had changed in the way Cady looked. Before, she had composed herself, she had been rigid, angry, and sad. Now looking at her, Cady looked fine, her eyes looking slightly tired, and her hair neat. That was all the Career really cared about when it came to vanity, so she was a.okay.

The Career had thought about every word she had said, and knew the smarter thing for her to have done would have been to run the moment he called her murderer. She should have run back home to Father and had him sick a few Careers on the guy. Arcadia certainly shouldn't have answered, but the knowledge this guy had presented seemed like something you couldn't say without believing. Arcadia had been stunned, but felt the need to defend herself. She had only one choice, and that was to try to save herself. Thats why Father never let me have friends. They might have convinced me not to do what I must.

Cady turned away from... Griffin? Griffith. She turned away, finding a few seconds to laugh at the fact that they had probably just had the biggest conversation either had had in a long while, and still didn't know each others names. Thats when Arcadia smiled softly, but sadly as she caught sight of her favorite tree in the world. Arcadia ran toward it, not caring what he would think she was doing. Five long strides away, the girl prepared herself to jump, and she did. Her hands curved around the lowest branch, and Cady found herself dangling a few feet in the air. Working up a sweat, and this time actually being bothered by her recently hit nose, the girl pulled herself up. After a few moments Arcadia London was sitting on the branch looking down, swinging her feet in the air like a small child would. She felt like crying, something the teen rarely did, but after years of being herself, could not find any tears. This was still a survival game, and showing weakness would mean being weaker. Cady couldn't afford that in the Games. Arcadia could not let herself start to... feel, before she won the Games. The problem was, Cady had a feeling the second she had blurted out her stupid question, no the second she had seen dreamy Griffin, she had started down that road. No turning back now... might as well have some. Some fun.

ooc- hmm. ^^ Im having fun making her squirm and i luff her new theme color... oh yeah, Im counting this as her leaving thread because Cady doesnt really know anybody to say good-bye to after she volunteers ^^

[Sunrise Rainier D2 // [Thundy]]

Okay,she looked surprised.She stopped jogging suddenly,and spoke."That is not true."With that,she began explaining her view of things."He didn't tell me it would help the District. He told me he could be rid of me in a few days if I didn't volunteer. It will help him, but If I play my cards right, it will help me even more.Our District--sure we do fine, but I'm still helping. I'm bringing Careers a few hours of peace,and I'm a talented girl, I know I have a chance in the Arena. Just think of those few citizens who aren't Careers, or who are, but never imagined actually being in the Games! I just saved one, and I'm betting they'll be a little different after that. Then once I'm in the Arena, sure I have to kill, but so does everybody else. If they want to get home and live theirs lives once more, they've gotta kill me. Have you ever watched siblings kill each other, or cousins, or even just friends? They do it because they desperately want to cling onto their lives, and you know why? Because the Capitol. Its not me destroying lives, its them. How dare you tell me I murdering people when you so obviously know who to blame. You wanna look at me as the enemy? Go ahead, but don't call me a murderer. I need to win. Its not my fault!"

This was very,very true.They could blame the Capitol for everything.Why else was he the leader of the Uprising?It struck him for a moment that she would be a very good and useful member,but then she would probably be shipped off the the Capitol this year.No use.

Then suddenly,she spoke again."I said we're fighting for our lives in the Arena. I lied. I'm fighting for the chance to start a life. Thats my secret weapon, thats why I need to win. After that I can just be a girl, then I can talk to you about murder and care." This made Griffin raise his eyebrows high,and his mind spun with thoughts.

Before he knew it,she was running off and jumping onto a branch.He ran after her and pulled himself up as well,swiftly and easily.

"Have you ever thought about just not volunteering? Is your father that powerful that he could hurt you so badly if you didn't? You're fast,you're smart.Could he really hurt you if you fought him?"

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[cinder]

Arcadia stared at him. She looked puzzled, and Cady kept blinking her eyes as though trying not to to cry. Really the girl was just shocked. How could a stranger have asked such good questions? How could a stranger have taken all Arcadia beliefs, and shown her why they were so wrong in a matter of seconds. With the thought came horror, and a sort of understanding, a peace as though something in her was nodding and telling her he was right. As though she had always known, just not cared enough to think about. Suddenly, she felt she didn't want him to be a stranger, and once again the girl turned her doe-eyes away from him as she thought.

Her head swiveled back, and Cady parted her lips as though to speak, but no words came out. She took a deep breath, and her head fell to the side as she continued to watch. Arcadia had started out with a Careers mask, cool, calm eyes with a hint of curiosity, compared to her midnight running companions intense brown ones. It was odd, as both let down their disguises, Cady seemed to be the ones with passionate, intense eyes, looking into serene, icier eyes. As graceful and balanced as ever, Arcadia stuck out a hand, then let a soft smile appear on her doll-face. "My name is Arcadia London, but feel free to call me Cady. I'm a Career, and nearly eighteen," she explained. Arcadia felt as though she had an obligation to getting to know somebody who seemed to see right through all the Career-Related lies Father had fed her. Admiration, and curiosity had mixed, and now Cady wanted to know more about him.

Then Arcadia, only a second later whispered the answer to his question. "My name is Arcadia London, and If I don't volunteer for the Games this year, my grand-father will have me brutally murdered." Of course, it wasn't true, Cady would probably be forced to marry and have a strong, Career child before just, 'disappearing,' but death was possible. Arcadia had always been regarded as weak by her family, and if she refused to enter the Games, they would all most likely want her dead within the day.

She turned her big, blue eyes to Griffin, hoping he would understand. People heard about the families like hers, they knew about the families that bred and trained winners, but Griffin seemed to be set in his hatred for her. Cady desperately wanted him to just know she wasn't a natural killer,r but couldn't just say it. As far as she knew, he had been hired to spy on her, and find out her true alliances, his amazing Career lying skills were proof this was possible. Cady had a feeling he wasn't working for her Father, but she had to be careful, or her brutal death would come, win or no win.

[Sunrise Rainier D2 // [Thundy]]

Griffin could feel her eyes on him as he sat on that branch,and even though he was staring blankly into the darkness,he could tell that she looked puzzled.Over the years,his skill of interpreting the actions of people had become very good.Oddly enough,he was not a social person.He kept to himself more then anything,completing the real image of a dark,mysterious,sometimes crazy stranger who no one wanted to approach because he was intimidating.Although he seemed cool at the moment,he had his wacky times.

Griffin turned his attention back to her,only to see her head turned away from him again,obviously deep in her own thoughts.It was funny sometimes,how he had that effect on people.Maybe she was understanding the logic of this scenario,now.Man,I'm always right." he thought to himself,and one side of his mouth twitched upward,only for a moment.Right then,her head twisted around to look at him.She parted her lips for the tiniest of moments to speak,but then silence was all that came from her.For a moment,she seemed to observe him,so he took that time to observe her too.She seemed to have lost her Career fakeness,but then again,this could still be a hoax.It didn't matter,he realized,as held out her hand for him to shake,finally getting to the introduction.A pretty,soft smile adorned her face,and he believed it for once.

"My name is Arcadia London, but feel free to call me Cady. I'm a Career, and nearly eighteen,"she said as he took her own dainty hand in his stronger one and shook it.A moment later,she was whispering-maybe to herself,maybe to him,he could not tell.Nonetheless,he caught what she said."My name is Arcadia London, and If I don't volunteer for the Games this year, my grand-father will have me brutally murdered."

Griffin's dark eye widened to a considerable size,and for some reason,he felt like whispering his reply.Maybe because it felt so secretive now,talking about such a dangerous topic."My name is Griffin Tucker.I was a Career myself,but you probably already know these things.Is there any way I can help?"At the end of his small speech,his voice was itching with anticipation.He really wanted to help now,it was in his nature.

If there was one thing that he obviously could not stand,it was murder.

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[cinder]

She slipped her hand out of his, just in time to here him offer help. It was a good thing, because Cady London needed to steady herself after hearing that. Her eyes widened, and emotions seemed to dance behind them for a moment before shock and a glimmer of something that looked like hope took over. She looked at Griffin Tucker, and her smile faltered, nonetheless staying put. Instead of turning her intense gaze, Arcadia let herself slip into it.

She took in the scene once more, but this time Griffin was no mystery. Once again a part of Arcadia was nodding as he spoke, telling her she had known all of this. Somehow how known he was, kind or at least would not stand for the murder of Arcadia London? She cleared her throat and her grip o the poor tree went back to its ginger, delicateness. "My family was one of the first to produce a winner of the Games for District Two. A lot of my relatives have won the Games, or died trying, we've earned the respect of some people, and most District Two winners who weren't of our family, marry into our family. We're known for brutality and murdering weak-links. If you were to go against him, which would be a suicidal way to help, it would be like going up against the Capitol." she sighed. "Not much hope in winning, or at least coming out alive, but thanks for the offer, Griffin. Theres just not much I think anybody can do," she said using his name. It was a special, unique name and Cady liked the sound of it said aloud. She liekd unique names as both her dead mother, Nara, and murdered father, London (a near winner of the Games) had odd names. Arcadia was a weird name too. Her tone was polite, and Arcaida found her voice had slipped into a Career-like state, there was still hints of Cady in it, but she had to control herself. Arcadia London would not break down and act like some woudned puppy in front of Griffin Tucker.

She watched him, and waited. More than admiration was there--this guy, Griffin Tucker, was obviously no saint, but he seemed to be the closest Arcadia had over come to meeting one. Anybody willing to help a Career, a person who would enter the Games via volunteer had to have good morals or something. The teen watched, her eyes plainly confused, then she rested her head against the trunk of the tree. Her eyes closed, but her body language made it obvious Cady wasn't napping, she was thinking. Emotion was a hard thing to cope with, no wonder most babies cried when they first came into the world. Lack of people and emotion and life seemed to be a more peaceful way to go about things. Arcadia felt like a new-born. Her mother had always said she never cried as a baby. The thought amused Arcaida enough to smile, but it was small and weak as the one she had worn before. Griffin was truly a mystery, and it was hurting Cady to not know the whys about him. She was a good judge of character, she was good at most things, but thinking about her current companion was hard. It was confusing, because through all the shock and dizzy-thoughts in her head, Cady London had a feeling she knew the name to put to the emotion, but was afraid to even think it. Acknowledging it would make it all the more real.

[Sunrise Rainier D2 // [Thundy]]

[[OOC:Aww.Cady is making me depressed ]]

Arcadia looked very surprised at his question,and he wondered why.Had no one ever actaully offered her help before?Now that he actually thought about it,he doubted that anyone had.Growing up as a Career,she probably started learning to depend upon herself at an early age.Nonetheless,trying to protect her against her father would be a hard task.Sometimes,the ones that taught the Careers were just as good as them,just unable to be a Career themselves..or they had been.Some of them had even been tributes.They were legends in the ranks of District Two.

It crossed Griffin's mind that District Two was completely insane.He did not have time to dwell on that fact,because words were coming out of Arcadia's mouth,and he was only half-listening."My family was one of the first to produce a winner of the Games for District Two. A lot of my relatives have won the Games, or died trying, we've earned the respect of some people, and most District Two winners who weren't of our family, marry into our family. We're known for brutality and murdering weak-links. If you were to go against him, which would be a suicidal way to help, it would be like going up against the Capitol. Not much hope in winning, or at least coming out alive, but thanks for the offer, Griffin. There's just not much I think anybody can do,"she said,and her voice had gone back to sounding Career-like,which instinctively made him suspicious of her words.Nonetheless,he knew of her grandfather,and he knew none of this was a lie.

He hated that man,he had always hated that man.Now though,to see Arcadia so pained about him,he hated him even more.The man was filthy,all he cared about was winning the games.There was much more to life then winning the Games.Before the Games even existed,people had lives.Even though the Capitol still managed to make the lives horrible,they were more bearable without the Games.Fact of life.Everyone really deserved to have a life outside of their training,and it angered him to think that people like himself and Arcadia never did,and in her case-probably never would.

It struck him that he really needed to be more cautious.His thoughts were becoming too emotional.Emotions were never something he was good at handling.Then he decided that he didn't really care.Dangerous or not,she could not beat him in a fight anyways.Why would she fight him?She had no reason to,anyways.He was just paranoid,it seemed.Years of training had gone to his head.

The fact that he wasn't good at handling his emotions sometimes was obvious in his voice,when he spoke.He sounded angry."You think that's going to stop me from helping you?"

Right then,he saw her lean her head against the tree and close her eyes.She was thinking hard,and he wondered silently to himself what she was thinking about.He saw a faint smile cross her face,and without thinking,he asked,"What are you smiling about?"He asked as the smile faded and she went deeper into her thoughts.

[/size][/color]

[cinder]

It takes only a minute to get a crush on someone, an hour to like someone, and a day to love someone-but it
takes a lifetime to forget someone.

You can close your eyes to things you don't
want to see, but you can't close your heart to
the things you don't want to feel.

It hurts to love someone and not be loved in return.
But what is more painful is to love someone and never
find the courage to let that person know how you feel.

Arcadia's eyes opened and she leaned forward. Looked at Griffin as though to ask if he was sure he wanted to know these things. A million answers flew through her head, all that would explain why she was smiling. Its a bitter smile because If I let you help me, you'll get hurt, and I cant let that happen. I'm smiling because this taste of life is going to lead to my Huger Games win. Because I'm with somebody who cares. I'm weak. Emotion. So many different phrases just flew through her head.

She just looked at him. The sting of tears touched her eyes, as though she were crying. It was possible, but Arcadia liked to think it was because she wasn't blinking. She was enjoying this last look before letting him know the answer. She sighed, it would have to end though because Cady London... she had a crush. It was a pathetic, stupid, sap-girl thing to have, but Arcadia had it. Shame, anger, hate, horror...

Finally it was like an alarm went off in her head, answer now or forever hold you silence Cady. When you were about to compete in Games that might take your life away, forever seemed unbearable. She had one choice, and that was to acknowledge the feelings, get her heart broken, and move on. That was it. After she had won the Games maybe Cady would track him, get to know the guy a little bit better, or maybe she would forget him and let herself be married off to a Career and have Career kids just as Father would love. Yeah, right.

"Hold still?" Arcadia asked. It was more of a warning than a yes or no question, but her voice was weak and questioning. Cady was asking herself, 'Do you really wanna do this? It'll change everything, Arcadia...' She sighed. No going back to Cady London, the Career. She would never be able to just be a Career again. Caddy, pathetic, stupid, young Arcadia pressed her lips to Griffin then drew back, fast as ever stood on the branch and scrambled onto a higher perch. Her cheeks were red and eyes huge, but that was it. That was it. She had just ruined a chance of help, which was good because she didnt want Griffin hurt, and she had obviously just shown all her weaknesses to him. There was truly nothing left for her to say, jut try to explain it as a moment of stupidity.

ooc- no muse for emotional Cady suddenly ^^