Too Bright to be Brilliant(Open)

[Dancin]

AKINA ANTHEA HOOPER

I'm bored
I'm the chairman of the bored
I'm a lengthy monologue
I'm livin' like a dog
I'm bored

The buzzer that signals lunch break is loud and shrill and Akina drops her loom like a grenade. Her brain has been on autopilot, searching for faults, analyzing them and then mending them. Now her mind raced into full speed, watching and deducing everything around her, filling her mind with nonsense.

She tried to sit with her colleagues during lunch, but their chatter was too loud, their points too mindless. Moving with a swiftness that makes her limbs ache, Akina rushes out of the factory and into the alleyway that has often been a refuge from idiocy and colour.

Akina curls her legs up underneath her, perched on the windowsill of the cotton factory. The alley that the window looked onto was deserted, but from her position Akina could easily see the other district cotton workers, filing in an out of the heavy wooden doors as they went to or returned from work.

Look at them, all so mindless, like drones. Who cares about work? Who cares about any of this nonsense when there is so much noise?

Akina's hands are vibrating with the energy she is struggling to control. It wouldn't do to have one of her 'bored' outbursts at work. At least not again. This week. All she has to do is make it through the day and get back to the flat. The wall needs another good thrashing. Akina tries to focus her energy inwards, a trick that has made her brain slow down on previous occasions. But her mind has been idle too long, stuck in the The sensory overload is threatening to grow bothersome, there's too much colour, too much noise, too many things to see and analyze.

Four cracks in the wall opposite, three horizontal, one vertical. The vertical crack is from an accident when the cotton factory was built, a falling beam or the like. Sixteen ants on the ground below me, Ants form colonies that range in size from a few dozen predatory individuals living in small natural cavities to highly organised colonies that may occupy large territories and consist of millions of individuals. Larger colonies consist mostly of sterile wingless females forming castes of "workers", "soldiers", or other- Fourteen people have walked past the alley in the past five minutes, eight women, six men. Three blondes, ten brunettes and one ginger-haired woman who has been stealing unspun hemp. There are three clouds within my point of view, that one looks like a seahorse, now a dragon, now a man, now a boat. The sky isn't just blue either, that's the worst part. It's green and pink and yellow and white and dark and blue blue blue blue blue blue-

Akina yanks herself out of her head with a gasp, sliding ungracefully off the windowsill and onto the ground. Shaking slightly, Akina presses her forehead into the dirt and forces steady breaths.

Damn my mind.

Most of the time, Akina loves her brain, loves that things just make sense. Other times, like when her hyper-attention and cleverness turn against her, Akina just wants to drown, to be overtaken by soundless, thoughtless black, and be left with nothing. Taking deep breaths, Akina rocks back onto her heels and turns her face upwards to the sky, letting the noon day sun warm her face.

I bore myself to sleep at night
I bore myself in broad daylight

[/size][/colour]

[ariel]

Elizabeth Collins

It was Saturday, which meant that Elizabeth didn’t have to go to school today. Normally she would have spent the morning and most of the afternoon at the mayor’s home cleaning; Saturday was laundry day since this was really her only time to wash what hadn’t been done yet; there was also deep cleaning that sometimes needed to be done as well. Today was different however, the mayor had told her she wasn’t needed until this afternoon; about an hour after the lunch bells signaled everyone to get back to work. So today she had decided to make a morning of it, and make her brother’s and father lunches to take to them. It wasn’t much just a little bread and goat cheese; the real treat however was the few strawberries that she had been given yesterday when she had worked at the mayor’s home. The berries were starting to go, or that’s what she had been told, and they asked her to removed them off the families hands; which Elizabeth had only been to happy to do. Taking the berries home carefully she had thought about keeping them until Sunday; and truth was she did; but it wasn’t often that she could give her family a gift and so decided slipping a few into their lunches would be worth it.

With the lunches wrapped up in cloth and packed in her little basket, Elizabeth set off toward the factory. Hopping that she would be able to find her brothers and father quickly enough before the lunch bell rang. She wanted to make sure they got something to eat in order to keep going; after all it was a lot harder to work on empty stomachs which are what they would be getting if she didn’t get a move on. So with everything pack, and it being a nice day so she didn’t need a wrap, Elizabeth set on her way.

It was the kind of day that you couldn’t help but notice the beauty that was around you, even though district eight didn’t have much in the terms of beauty unless you loved dying cloth. But today was a blue sky and what grass and trees that could be seen, were starting really coming into their green leaves that they had slowly earned throughout the spring. The sun was nice and warm so it was the kind of day that you just wanted to smile and sing; but Elizabeth didn’t dare. No you didn’t dare to smile or start singing in public because you never knew when someone was listen to you, for they might start wondering what you could be up to which sometimes lead toward nothing but trouble. Elizabeth also didn’t really make eye contact, it wasn’t that she wasn’t friendly but she was in a hurry. Her feet knew the way and so she allowed her mind to go over the current books she was trying to read when she found free time at school and sort moments at home before it was time for lights out; if she had energy. So it was that Elizabeth wasn’t paying much attention as she turned down an ally way were a woman was crouch; until she was almost right on the lady. Elizabeth looked up and stopped short just in the nick of time before she ran into the woman. “I’m sorry, I guess I wasn’t paying attention.”

[Dancin]

AKINA ANTHEA HOOPER

'Cause I'm bored
Just another slimy bore
I'm free to bore my well-bought friends
And spend my cash until the end
'Cause I'm bored
I'm bored, I'm the chairman of the board

"I’m sorry, I guess I wasn't paying attention".

Akina's eyes snap open, instantly appraising the newcomer.

Strong, but underfed, likely because of a big family. She cares about them greatly, she's bring someone lunch, but there is something else occupying her thoughts. Evidence of healed paper cuts on her right index finger. Not filing, they're all on the same finger. Reading then, a hobby of reading. Likely older brothers then, she wouldn't have time to read otherwise. At least two brothers, likely more. She's kind faced but the strength in the arms indicates a hidden talent for rage.

Akina chewed on her lip as she observed the girl, the silence stretching out just a half-second longer than the normal break to process speech.

"Obviously." She snaps, looking piercingly into the girls dark blue eyes. Akina's hands were still trembling ever so slightly and she took another deep breath, tearing her eyes away from the girls face and focusing on the wall.

Akina waited for a moment and then looked at the girl with the harshest look of derision she could muster.

"Is there something I can do for you, or do you simply enjoy standing around- bothering people?"

Not caring enough to wait for an answer, Akina sighed and brushed past the girl, nearly knocking the basket out of her hands on the way by. Akina takes a moment to yank her sleeves down around her fingertips and push her hair out of her face before she moves towards the end of the alley.

Akina cursed herself slightly, Mrs.Collins was always telling her to talk to more people, be more sociable. Mrs.Collins made it sound so easy. It wasn't easy, to become friends or even talk to someone, you had to ignore their inherent stupidity and Akina wasn't entirely sure she could handle that.

May as well start now.

Turning with a graceful swoop, Akina looked back at the girl, just seconds after she had swept past.

"The name's Akina by the way, Akina Hooper."

[/colour]

I'm sick
I'm sick of all my kicks
I'm sick of all the stiffs
I'm sick of all the dips
I'm bored[/size][/blockquote]

[ariel]

Elizabeth Collins

Elizabeth tried to give a slight smile to say she was sorry, but it fell quickly when Akina's eyes snapped open and the young woman glared at Elizabeth. Raising her eye brows slightly Elizabeth took a step back, taking in more of the appearance of the women before her. The two of them were not that different in age and clearly not to different in how their lives had treated them. Compassion welled up inside of Elizabeth, after all she considered herself lucky because of the love of her family; and that was something most people who lived in the district didn't have. It was possible that this person before her had had it harder than Elizabeth, even though Elizabeth life wasn't what you really called easy; she had just learned to endure it well enough.

The two of them just looked at each other for a moment, time stretching out longer than necessary. Elizabeth was about to just shrug and move on her way when Akina had snapped, "Obviously." The two of them just looked at each other now, each not blinking as Elizabeth's compassion for this girl slipped away. After all there was no way to be rude like that, everyone made a mistake of not paying attention as they walked once and a while. People after all would take a chance to throw their mind onto something else instead of their life here in Panem.

It was moment later when Akina tore her eyes away from Elizabeth's, though Elizabeth still looked at the woman before her feeling a swell of quick anger boiling up on the inside of her. Sharp words were demanding Elizabeth to let them loss but she forced her mouth to stay closed as she looked at the girl a moment longer; deciding it was best to go until.

"Is there something I can do for you, or do you simply enjoy standing around- bothering people?"

This time Elizabeth's mouth dropped open, but before she could say a cutting remark right back that girl has stood up and pushed passed her; almost knocking her basket to the ground. Elizabeth held fast to her bundle, her eyes glaring into the back of Akina's head as her face slowly growing red as anger bubbled up more inside of her. Wanting so hard not to let her anger exploded out in public, Elizabeth bit down on the inside of her cheek hard enough to draw blood. Elizabeth just couldn't believe how rude one person could be within five minutes of almost running into them.

Elizabeth hadn't noticed the girl turning back around to her, for she had already turned her back; deciding to just leave because her father and brothers were waiting on her. In fact she had taken one step when a voice called out to her.

"The name's Akina by the way, Akina Hooper."

Elizabeth paused for a moment than turned around, once again her eye brows raised. "Well Miss Akina you have a funny way trying to introduce yourself by biting my head off." Elizabeth just couldn't stop herself from saying something mean, it had been boiling up inside of her for far too long to hold it back any longer. "Elizabeth Collins." Again the two of them just stood there looking at each other, possibly waiting for the other to make the next move.

[Dancin]

AKINA ANTHEA HOOPER

I bore myself to sleep at night
I bore myself in broad daylight

"Well Miss Akina you have a funny way trying to introduce yourself by biting my head off."

Akina feels her eyes widen, a smirk slipping onto her mouth. Elizabeth Collins was perhaps not as boring as she seemed.

Hidden talent for rage, I was right. As always.

Looking at Elizabeth for a moment, Akina weighs her options. She could leave now, avoid confrontation and get back to work. Or she could chance getting punched, hard, in the face and engage Elizabeth. Her rage made Elizabeth all the more interesting, and it was hardly like Akina to give up on an experiment before she had conclusive evidence.

An experiment in making friends. Interesting.

After a moment of tense silence, Akina moves forwards in a flurry, closing the gap between them in two long strides. They were very close now, Akina's hand landing on Elizabeth's shoulder, their faces only a foot apart.

"I'm sorry I was rude. No, actually I'm not," Akina mutters, waving a hand spasmodically. "I'm sorry that you interpreted my words as rudeness."

Taking a half step backwards, Akina glanced over Elizabeth again and tried to hold back a smile. Akina couldn't help but showoff, especially not when she knew that Elizabeth thought she was exceptionally rude.

"Well, I'll let you take those strawberries to your brother and father then, shall I?"

'Cause I'm bored
I'm bored
Just another dirty bore
All right doll-face, come on and bore me

[/colour]

[ariel]

Elizabeth Collins

Elizabeth hadn't caught Akina's eyes widen or the smirk that was slipping onto her face, she was too busy righting herself so that she could go on her way. After all there wasn't much time left of lunch and her father and brothers really needed this food in order to perform their duties. Not to mention Elizabeth had things she needed to do today as well, there was the mayor's house that needed to be clean after all; not to mention the amount of homework she had been given from school.

Elizabeth had taken only a few steps when Akina moved forward in a hurry, closing the gap between the two of them, placing a hand on Elizabeth's shoulder and turning her around. Elizabeth didn't even think as Akina's face came closer, she dropped the basket she was carrying and grabbed Akina's hand; forcing it off her shoulder and glaring at the girl.

"I'm sorry I was rude. No, actually I'm not," Akina mutters, waving a hand spasmodically. "I'm sorry that you interpreted my words as rudeness."

Akina stepped back before Elizabeth could push the girl away from her. Her mind was screaming at her to just slap this girl, but she couldn't risk it. It wasn't wise to get caught fighting in the streets because it could lead to nothing but trouble with the peacemakers. Maybe this woman didn't care about stuff like this, but Elizabeth was for she had a family that needed her; and that she needed. "I didn't have to interpreted anything, your very actions show how rude and how much contempt you have for everything around you." Elizabeth hissed, not daring to raise her voice and draw any attention to them.

"Well, I'll let you take those strawberries to your brother and father then, shall I?"

Elizabeth glared again at the woman, this time pulling her basket closer, she pushed past the girl and headed her way to where her brothers and father was waiting.

[Dancin]

AKINA ANTHONY HOOPER

I'm sick
I'm sick of all my kicks
I'm sick of all the stiffs
I'm sick of all the dips

Akina watches with an amused smile as Elizabeth Collins bristles in reaction to her words. She was trying to remain calm, to not draw attention to themselves, but she was furious.

She needn't worry, there are no Peacekeepers around.

Elizabeth turns quickly away, hugging her basket tightly and Akina's smirk slips from her face. As much as she enjoyed winding Elizabeth up, the outcome effect is less than desirable. Akina feels an uncomfortable lifting in her stomach, and then curses herself silently.

Using her manic energy to her advantage, Akina quickly catches up and falls into step with Elizabeth, pushing her slender hands into the pockets of her soft grey trousers. She stays quiet for a moment, watching Elizabeth through the tangle of her fringe.

"I don't you know." Akina starts, her voice gentler than it has been during the conversation. They've almost reached the end of the alley now, and a mild flash of panic blooms in Akina's chest. She steps in front of Elizabeth, looming again and lifts a hand as if to put it on Elizabeth's shoulder. Thinking better of the movement, Akina awkwardly redirects her hand to run through her hair once. She clears her throat slightly and attempts to look at Elizabeth with a kind face.

You most likely look pained, the kind-face muscles haven't had much practice.

"I don't have contempt for everything around me...not remotely. In fact I would rather say it is the other way around."

I'm sick


ooc: sorry it's so short :)

[ariel]

Elizabeth

"Just count to ten slowly Elizabeth, that's all you need to do." Elizabeth reminded herself of this in her head over and over again. What was it with this woman, why was she so bent on causing trouble and just trying to ruin Elizabeth's day? Truth was this woman who called herself Akina was about to ruin Elizabeth's day; by making Elizabeth do something she would really rerate later. So to keep from doing so, Elizabeth counted in her head; enough times that she lost count how many times she counted to and from ten.

Turning and leaving was the best thing Elizabeth could do, and already she could feel herself start to relax as she believe she was getting herself away from a situation that was only going to cause trouble a grief. How wrong she was about to find out that she was, for this situation was clearly not over yet as Akina quickly caught up to; and even passed to be in front of; Elizabeth. This caused Elizabeth to stop once again, not wanting to run into this woman a second time; who knew what would happen then.
This time there seemed to be something different about Akina, it was as if she was a little sorry about the way she had acted; though Elizabeth counted this as just an act. Elizabeth's eyes watched as Akina put her hands in the grey trousers that so many wore. The next few words out of Akina's mouth were gentler than they had been before and for the first time meeting her Elizabeth began to feel a little sorry for her. The two of them stopped before they reached the end of the ally and just looked at each other for a moment.

Elizabeth caught the look in Akina's face, like the girl had forgotten how to be kind to others. Or maybe this was a situation that she didn't like to find herself in a lot of the times and therefore didn't really know how to act.

"I don't have contempt for everything around me...not remotely. In fact I would rather say it is the other way around."
"I'm sure you don't, but you know your actions speak differently." Elizabeth's own voice had become kind now, after all they were both human and pretty much in the same situations; poorer than church mice. Maybe just maybe they could be somewhat civilized towards each other now.