Out Here Belongs To Me (Jack Lex)

[Jack Lexington]

While I have my hands in the fishs gutts Charlie tells me she's never had carp before, which doesn't fail to surprise me. "You have this cabin and a pond and never ate a fish?" Maybe people here weren't as desperate for meat. "It's a great source of protein." I explain.

With a side glance at her plants I motion for the stove. "Do you mind getting a pot and some of that filtered water? I'll cut up the carp...and yes, it will taste fishy."
I can't suppress a chuckle because to expect that any cooked fish wouldn't taste like fish was simply silly...maybe not for a girl, who didn't know it though.
"It's good. This one has a lot of fat. It feeds of all the dirt and crab you can find in a pond." I tease her with a wink but it is true.

After I cut the animal into small piece I form a cut with my hands, scoop it up and bring it over to Charlie, where I drop it into the pot.
"They call me fish because I am one...I can swim like one, at least I could. And I used to be a fisherman." I guess now that she's helping me I might as well share a little more information about myself like my real name for example. "Nick...my real name."
For a moment I look at her and bite my lip because I might have just made a mistake. What if she sells my name to one of the peace keepers along with location? I'd be as good as dead.
For some reason she doesn't strike me as a person who would rat me out even though she claims to be so bad.

The water starts boiling in the pot so I point at the herbs. "Which one of those should we put in our fish soup?" I wonder because I'm not familiar with them. They could taste like crap for all I know.
Again I look over at her catching one of the glances she gives me, which makes me wonder why she's looking at me like that but I just smile and avert my gaze. Maybe she's trying to figure me out or what crime I've committed that earned me a death sentence...other than trespassing. Maybe she's even scared of me.
"You don't have to worry, you know. I won't do you no harm...in case that's what you've been thinking."

[Cameo {RIP Charlie}]

There had been a few times that Charlie had tried fish; back when Dr. Smith was still around and gave money to Heather to buy groceries. Now they rely on getting their meat from game outside of the fence, the extra money they held had to go to basic necessities like medicine and school supplies...and a little bit for Charlie's makeup, but she couldn't earn tips without that. "No I've tried fish before, but it was breaded and fried." Charlie shared, her mouth slightly watering from the idea. For some reason she had a feeling this fish wouldn't be like that, even if the guy who caught it had the nickname Fish.

"Sure." Charlie answered, searching around the few places that could actually hold a pot. Eventually one was found back behind one of the lower shelves, defiantly needing a washing to rid of the dirt before placing food in it. "Yeah see the fish I tried tasted like chicken." She joked though it was truth, the fried chicken tasted exactly like chicken to her for the exception of being less chewy. She grabbed the filtered water and poured some into the empty pot, placing the rest aside and noting to purify more before leaving Fish again.

"Sounds appetizing." Charlie's face squinted knowing that what they were going to eat fed off of dirt and what ever else in the pond. To her it sounded like they might as well eat all the bacteria themselves.

Two and two are put together to make four when Fish gives off that he was a fishermen. "Really? I never would of guessed." Sarcasm spilled from Charlie's lips, followed by a giggle to make sure she didn't sound too mean. To be honest she was good at putting two and two together before anyone else even admitted it. Apparently that wasn't the ending to it though because it seemed like Charlie might of earned a little bit of trust, Fish decides to give up his real name though it didn't seem like much on account it was first and last name that identified a person.

"Awe, you broke the mystery." Charlie's face became sorrowful though it was simply another joke...though not fully because curiosity drove her. "Now you're going to bore me sooner." That was actually fully a joke because lately all her jokes held truth behind it. Hopefully this one didn't but the addition of danger held Charlie's attention.

The serious conversation, of giving up information, didn't last long. All to the thanks of Charlie's jokes but that was the point of them, to stay away from anything too serious. Nick was curious about what edible plants would be best to put in the fish soup. "I'm not the cook of the family." Charlie felt the need to share. "I bring home the game and someone else cooks it." Though she was a pro at lying she never felt the need when it came to talking herself up, she didn't have many talents and wasn't going to attach fake ones to her. It was hard enough trying to fulfill the few talents she held; hunting, protecting, and singing that was it.

But Charlie did know the names and appearance of edible plants. "That's basil, cilantro, and parsley." She points each of the leafy textures out, all appearing quite similar. "I don't know how to use them though, except I think you can put Basil in everything." That was one thing that Jaime always used when it came to cooking... "Or was it cilantro." Trying to be good at something she wasn't was the most frustrating feeling. "I don't know." She admitted giving up and taking the care out of it.

The most unexpected words came from Nick next, something similar to what he said on the first day. "Didn't we talk about this before?" She questioned, her eyes squinted a little as if going back in memory. Even if Nick was a dude and taller meant nothing, Charlie had taken out guys his height that actually held health. "I could kick your ass, I'm not worried." Her voice was jokingly, but not too serious either. One thing that Charlie learned was to hold her ground and never show fear, though it was a bit difficult to be fearful of someone that clearly needed help. "So how much longer before your master piece is done?" A smile replaced the tough look she brought to her face whenever needed.

[Jack Lexington]

Whatever Charlie is referring to when she talks about 'the mystery' I'm not sure. Maybe she means that she didn't know my name or anything else about me. I also don't really get her sense of humor so I keep disecting the fish, taking out all the fish bones. "Well, then don't ask any personal stuff. I'll remain completely mysterious."
The fact that she will get bored of me is not flattering but I have more serious things to worry about...like how to stay alive with a half functioning body or how to remain undetected in this district.

Charlie points out that she's not the cook of the family, so I mutter. "Neither am I, I mean, I don't have a family." I explain.
Well, I do but I've abandoned my foster family so long ago that I don't even remember much of them...and my real family...never mind, not worth mentioning.
"So you're the food provider of your family. That's unusual. Don't you have a dad or brothers?" Hopefully that's not a sore topic.

I follow her explanations about the herbs and vegetables. Some of the names I've heard before but can't be sure.
"It all looks the same to me but as long as it tastes good." Carefully I nibble on the basil and cilantro. Both taste good, so I cut up both and add them to the stock once it's boiling. The fish pieces are already swimming in there. "It'll be good."

Her confidence in her fighting abilities is a little amusing but when I look at the muscles on her arms I can actually see her giving me a hard time, especially now that I'm not fit.
"Do you work out or why are you so well trained?" I wonder while stirring the soup and occassionally tasting my concoction.

Ten minutes later it's done so I wrap the ends of my shirt around my hands and take the pot off the stove.
"Let's eat." I tell her, sit down at the table and hope that we won't have to scoop the soup out the pot together but it doesn't look like we'll have plates.
The heat from the oven and steam has made some mucus in my throat loosen up, which makes me cough. That's not only gross considering there's food on the table but it also very painful. A sharp sting in my chest tells me that I'm not even half way back to normal. I'd better stop coughing quickly or I'll cough up blood.
I hurry back to the counter and drink some water, which helps. Still I have to take a moment and lean my hand on the counter.
With a brief side glance I remark sarcastically. "You sure you could take on a guy like me?"
Then I become serious again and return to the table. "Maybe you should eat first and I'll have whatever you leave."
My gaze darkens. Despite my new friend, food on the table and the safety of a cabin I'm really unhappy. I long to see Nitya so bad and I'd give anything to be healthy again and able to make my way around the districts without help from a stranger. Deep lines are engraved in my forehead while I stare at the pot.

[Cameo {RIP Charlie}]

For a moment it was like Charlie was in the room with a serious adult, finding no humor in her joke about finding out his name is Nick takes away the fun mystery. He simply stated for her to not ask him any more personal questions, so that way he maintains his mystery status. "Too late." Charlie stated as bluntly as Nick presented it, not as a joke but just a sly comeback. Certainly his intention wasn't to insult, but Charlie had a flaw of sarcasm and mockery, which explained the numerous fights she started. Never throw the first bunch was all she could remember, words weren't in that category which gave her free range.

Going back to cooking was a little heavy-hearted, Charlie had said nothing mean or sarcastic but brought up a touchy conversation. Family was an important word for people, a lot of people felt it was the people closest to them and people who will never leave. That would mean Charlie's family didn't deserve that title, but she also heard it was about blood, and her heart wouldn't allow her to not protect each and every one of them. "Sorry." For once sympathy escaped Charlie, she didn't even feel the need to explain how her family isn't much of a family simply because that helped no one. It wouldn't make her or Nick feel better, wouldn't bring a laugh or even a fight, hence no point.

Apparently the food provider is the job of the boy of the household, and Charlie could help but feel insulted because of Nick's statement. "That's awfully sexist if you ask me." Charlie commented to the dad or a brother needing that job. Was this a good time to mention who her father was? "Dr. Smith is at the Detention Center." Was all she left it at for where her Father was, Nick would have to put two and two together and hopefully he wouldn't ask anymore about it. "I have four younger brothers, and I refuse to let the oldest Elias take away my role in my family." She emphasized both of the My's, before adding. "I highly doubt he can do as good as me anyways." Maybe Charlie was taking Nick's comment a little too personally, but he managed to find her soft spot. She could picture Elias attempting to sneak past the fence and hunt down some game...he wouldn't, but instead waste all their money on buying the expansive meat.

Nick takes Charlie's advice and throws in a bit of basil and cilantro after taking a tiny bite to examine the taste. Then they return back to the conversation of Charlie's strength after she declared an easy victory if it came to fighting Nick, that wasn't saying much though. Nick was curious about how this strength was earned, which brought a smile to Charlie's usually tough-looking face. "There's a lot of fights that occur in District Six." She continues on her explanation as Nick finishes the meal. "Boys fighting over who's father is smarter, who's family is richer or better, blah blah blah. When words aren't enough they settle it with who walks away on top." Her innocent smile turned into an evil proud one. "And my job is to show them who the strongest one is."

Clearly Nick needs her younger brother because a small sniff a steam brings him to a cough frenzy. The only thing that could cure him now would be some kind of medicine, the kind only Jaime would know about. "You okay?" Charlie asked a bit concerned as Nick attempted to rid of the coughing through a glass of water only to then try and catch his breathe. At least he breaks off with another joke, just like Charlie if she was in that position. "Man I don't know, you seem pretty tough and unbeatable to me." She joked back even though Nick wasn't fully recovered, once she heard that laughter was the best cure...or maybe she made that up in her head, she needed a good excuse for her mean humor.

Nick offered for Charlie to eat her portion and leave him the rest. That didn't seem much fair though on account he was the one that needed the strength from eating. Still Charlie wasn't going to argue with a sick dude. Grabbing a mug that her Father used she poured in a small portion, she didn't eat much and if she started now would probably end up getting sick herself. She drank the soup like coffee, her face because a little odd when surprised with a chewy fishy meat. "This is plenty for me." She reassured, wanting a mug of beer instead of fish stew. "Do you drink? I could really use a few shots and beers if you want to join?" She offered, a craving for beer always occurred when the sun was setting.

((OOC: Sorry Charlie's a bit of an alcoholic xD))

[Jack Lexington]

"That's awfully sexist if you ask me." I hear her comment but have no idea what she means. Why would it be sexist. Hunting and such had long been a guys job because it was dangerous and required strength. Not all women had that. "Not all girls are cut out for that. You're an exception." I tell her hoping to fix my faux pas.
Charlie goes on to tell me that her father is at the dc. Maybe I've even seen him and there and don't know it.
"So was I." I state solemnly.

Her whole tone and posture has changed. I guess hunting is a very touchy subject for this girl so I apologize. "I'm sorry, didn't mean to hurt your feelings. You're doing an awesome job."

Something that gets her in a better mood is talking about fights and how she can take any one of those boys in the district on and show them who's boss. For some reason I don't even doubt it. Maybe she can really handle most of them, but all? This time I leave it at that though and simply reply with and admiring smile.
"bet you show them."

My cough attack takes my attention away from the blonde girl in front of me and makes me start listening to the rustling sound my lungs are making. Once I focus on it I can feel how little air is able to enter and leave them and how shallow my breaths are. There's still a wheezing sound to it and my vision becomes blotchy each time I get one of those coughing attacks. It's not good at all and I know those bulletts have not taken my life but most likely shortened it by a few years.
"I'm okay." I lie even though it's so obvious I'm not but what can I say? Water helps.

The girl finishes my fish soup for me because I can't eat it any more right now and then starts drinking beer. Do I drink, too? Usually yes. "I'm not sure if that's a good idea. You know...like those pills of yours. i think I need every bit of controll over myself that I can get."
For a moment I watch her drink. I see her lips hit the mug, her troat move when she tilts back her head a swallows. It looks tempting and delicious. My mouth almost starts watering at the thought of alcohol but I'm not done coughing yet.
While I'm hacking up a lung it occurs to me that beer might relax me and make thinsg easier though, so I nod at her and reach for her mug.
I like the way it hits my lips and the way the brownish fluids runs across my lips into my mouth and instantly soothes my hoarse throat.
"That's good. Home brewed?" I wonder because I don't know many people who actually buy beer and carry it arround.
"I guess you do all sorts of guys stuff...no offense meant. It's good."
Silently I pass the mug back to her and wonder why being a 'girl' doing guys stuff is such a sore topic for Charlie.

It only takes half a mug of beer for me to become drunk. My tongue gets loose and my eyes close half way. I keep smiling at Charlie and say nonsense like "So what are you going to be when you grow up?"
and "Is you brother going to join us here?" or "Would you like to be a guy if you could."
I half expect her to slap me though.
My head is spinning and my speech slightly slurred after a while so I lay on the old bed and lean on my elbows.
"You're something, Charlie. Something special!"

((OOC: Sorry Charlie's a bit of an alcoholic xD))

[Cameo {RIP Charlie}]

Charlie Smith
Age Eighteen
District Six
The Rebel

Before now Charlie had never really thought about her father, he'd always linger in the back of her mind but she never truly thought about him. Currently he was in the Detention Center, most likely not dead on account the Smith family would of been notified. For some reason hearing that Nick had been in the DC before brought guilt and pleasure all at the same time. The condition he was in was horrible, and probably because of the DC, which only meant Dr. Smith's life right now was most likely brutal. After all the experiments and creation of the perfect dysfunctional family it seemed that their Father deserved that, yet Charlie had this sting that no one deserved that. Most likely because of the person sitting in front of her, she had no clue what Nick did to deserve all this, for all she knew he was worse then Dr. Smith.

"Well at least you're finally sharing some stuff." Charlie praised with only a bit of sarcasm, it brought the topic off of her and onto something else. "Are you ever going to give up how you landed in there?" She was only assuming that was where he escaped from, though she was only guessing. "Or the outside of this District?" Curiosity ran through her, sure curiosity kills that cat but at least a cat has nine lives. Doing the math Charlie still had a few lives in her if that was the case. "Come on I wont tell anyone promise." She jokes as she sits up in her chair with anticipation.

Another cough attack happens, it seems like this is the fifth one today only meaning that Nick seriously needs some help. "You sure?" Charlie asked unconvinced when he claims to be okay, he was the complete opposite. Maybe not only will some alcohol help Charlie but it could also help Nick as well, at least that's what she predicted. Whenever she was physically hurt her siblings knew to not look for her in one of the many doctors offices around but go straight to the bar where she'd be curing herself. It'd look way too suspicious to be bringing in Nick to the bar though. Luckily Charlie always stashed beers in her hang outs or brought some because that was the only thing she thought in advanced for.

Clearly Charlie isn't like everyone else because at first Nick rejects the offer for some beer. "You sure? It might actually help." She taunts the beers to Nick with a goofy smile, she hadn't had a drinking buddy in a while. Finally he caves in and downs some of the beer, afterwards asking if it's home brewed. "I know a guy that does yeah." She answers taking a large sip herself. The beer nearly escapes her lips when Nick claims that she does guy stuff. That was a new one that Charlie had never even considered. "I guess so." She agrees.

Almost immediately Nick begins to get tipsy, and before even finishing an entire mug is pretty drunk. Charlie wasn't even close to that point after downing an entire mug and called to plan B to get her to her happy place. Without explanation she begins rummaging through the bottom cabinets as she listens to Nick's drunken questions. "I'm already grown up, so exactly what I'm doing." She answers the first question, thinking how silly it was because no one asked that sort of thing. "I'll bring him over first thing tomorrow." She assures when her brother will be joining them for the second question.

The last question really brings the giggles as Charlie discovers what she was searching for and places the bottle of whiskey on the table. It was evident that Nick didn't need anymore, but also that Charlie really did. "I knew he still had this." She smiled, proud of herself to find Dr. Smith's secret stash that no one even knew about. Coming home smelling like the bar the majority of the time after leaving the cabin only made her assume, plus she followed him a few times. Now going back to Nick's question about whether Charlie would become a boy if she could. She figured she'd dress more like a dude if that was the case, but apparently just guy actions can assume something like that.

"No way, that wouldn't be fun." Charlie answered as she brought out a shot glass and toke a shot of whiskey, it's not like her Father was going to drink it. "Wouldn't be as much of a shocker after I kick ass." She explains a bit further before indulging in another shot and switching back to beer as to not get too wasted. "Drunks and babies tell the truth, when are you going to share some stuff about you?" She asked with a large burp as the alcohol was finally setting in.

It was amusing to see that in a matter of minutes the alcohol really kicked in for Nick who had only a mug of beer. He stumbled over to the bed to relax a bit more. "Don't fall asleep on me, the party's just starting." Charlie joked as she didn't budge from her seat at the small table a yard or two away from the bed, instead she poured herself another mug of beer. The compliment of being special twisted the alcohol in Charlie's stomach, she knew she was far from being that. Instead of saying the thoughts in her head of 'Don't give me that much credit' she responded with, "Yeah and you're drunk, pretty damn drunk." Following with a laugh. Leaning a bit she nudged his leg with her shoe. "Come on fess some stuff up before you pass out on me." She asked.