Venturing Back {Flyss/Kylie}

[Licily]

S ana Fleur had just finished her training for the day. He brother was one of the weapons coaches in the District's training center. She enjoyed the training, but sometimes just needed a break. Today was one of those days. Since she didn't have a set training schedule, she was generally one to just leave when she felt the need to. Leaving around noon when her training had started at six was not unusual. Some people, with their set schedules, would be training for more than the four hours Sana had. Then again, some people did that by choice on their own time. As she exited the training center, she said goodbye to her brother and had returned her spear to the weapons rack. She walked down the paved path on the side of the road and headed towards her house. On her way, she decided to take a bit of a rest, since it was a tiring walk. It wasn't necessarily that long of a distance, but it was tiring to go uphill after four hours of nonstop training. Stopping to sit on a bench, she took her drawstring bag off of her shoulder and placed it next to her, getting a small lunch out of it. As she ate some of it, she watched some people going by. Sana finished her lunch and put away the paper bag she had brought it in by stuffing it back in to her drawstring bag. Standing up, she decided to continue walking, until she spotted someone on the other side of the street. Unsure of who it was, she was still intrigued. They seemed to be doing something, and she didn't know what. She crossed the street and approached them. "Hello." was her greeting that she gave with a cheery smile. 297 OPEN

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[flyss]

You were never one for running errands. Afterall, you certainly tried your best to owe nobody and have nobody owe you; it was quite the symbiotic relationship. Today was different, though, and here you were, kneeled over on the side of the pathway, picking through the grass to find some beautiful weed that God knows what it's called. A cobbler? A colver? Either way, you certainly weren't complaining, as any time away from your father was precious and should be cherished. He was a monster.

So are you, you reminded yourself, sarcastic undertones filling your mind. You had little time to collect your thoughts, for as soon as you had found your first 'perfect' clover, you had been interrupted by a voice greeting you from behind. 

"Hello," they had said with a smile you couldn't see. At first you ignored them, why was somebody talking to you now, of all times. However, you couldn't hold off for long and you were soon turning around and offering a meek response.

"Hi there, miss." Your face appeared to be blank and not unlike every other time someone had spoken to you, you let a small smile peek through the glazed over expression you held so dearly. You wouldn't let yourself admit that this person had made you in the least bit happy.


218

[Licily]

N oticing that the girl she had greeted was rather unenthusiastic and expressionless with her reply, Sana didn't let this bother her. There wasn't much to dampen her positive mood. The girl had appeared to be picking clovers, or something of the sort. Yes, clovers, that's what they were. She was curious as to why, but didn't ask, as she was uncertain as to whether it would come across as a rude inquiry. Sana almost thought she had forgotten her drawstring bag across the street on the bench where she had eaten lunch, but realized that she had mindlessly picked it up and put it on her back like it had been before. Wanting to start some sort of conversation to the expressionless face of the girl, Sana was trying to figure out what to say to her. Knowing that it could be rather difficult for some people in social situations, she thought that perhaps this girl was one of them. On the other hand, Sana absolutely blossomed in these situations. Maybe she could indirectly help her do the same. Her cheery smiled remained on her face. "I'm Sana." She introduced herself. "Well, Sana Fleur is my full name. Then again, I don't think that really matters in casual conversation, does it?" Sana laughed a bit. "So, who are you? I'm just wondering. It's alright if you don't want to tell me." She tried her best to avoid coming across as rude. This was something she often did, as she certainly didn't want to make enemies. Realizing she had kind of enjoyed the greeting she had received where she was referred to as 'miss', she pushed one of her braids out of her face. Her hair was braided into two separate braids today, and she had a variety of flowers throughout her outfit. There were flowers in her hair, as well as a faux flower that decorated her sandals, with the center of a fake gem. She had taken quite a bit of time to get ready this morning, as her hair was normally full of little fly-away strands and was quite the tangled mess when she would wake up in the morning. It always took her a while to brush through it. Also having bothered to put on some make-up that day, she felt rather good about her appearance. She generally had a lot of self-confidence, but not too much that it made her seem full of her self. 406 OPEN

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[flyss]

You couldn't clearly remember the last time you had been a part of such a pleasant conversation. It nipped on the ends of your mouth and it nearly took all of your restraint to keep yourself from breaking out into a large and unruly grin. "Nice to meet you, Sana." You nearly breathed the words, a voice so delicate having been rarely used, if any at all, in the past week. "I am Kylie." You continued, allowing yourself a small smirk. "Kylie." You repeated, as to make sure that you could speak properly. You weren't sure if you had said too much, so you quickly haulted speech. You wouldn't want to scare off your new acquaintance, now would you? 

With the precision of a surgeon, you smoothly tucked a single locke of hair behind your ear. It was a sure sign, you had thought, to give way to the fact that you were listening and that you wanted this conversation to continue. You could try telling yourself that the only reason this was happening was because you dreaded returning back to your father, but that little voice at the back of your head whispered in small chants that this was pure lie and that for once, you were enjoying yourself. A swift breeze brushed by you, offsetting your hair once more, but you didn't let that bother you. Why would it? You could always fix it again. After all, you had a feeling that you would have plenty of time to do that before it was time to return home. 

261

[Licily]

T he girl had actually replied to her and let a small smirk cross her face. This made Sana rather glad. She had been able to put a positive expression on the face of a girl whom seemed to have the most blank look on her face. Having introduced herself as Kylie, Sana realized how much she liked that name. The girl had repeated her name, after having said it once as well as telling Sana that it was nice to meet her. "It's nice to meet you as well!" Sana exclaimed. It wasn't a loud sort of exclamation. It was more of an enthusiastic one. As the girl pushed her hair out of her face, Sana thought she caught another glimpse of the girl wanting to continue conversation. That's exactly what Sana had decided to do as well. She figured that by speaking with the girl, she would be likely to make a new friend, or at least an acquaintance. Then again, by having a conversation with Kylie, the two girls were technically already acquaintances. Though, who really needed technicality in every day life and conversations like these? "So, what're you up to? I was just headed back from the training center." Explained Sana. "My brother is one of the weapons' coaches. I was training from about six in the morning until noon today. There's no set time that I have to be home. Hey, if you're not busy, I can talk for a while." She said. Sana began to think to herself. She wasn't quite sure what to talk about, but was rather certain it would come to her eventually. If Kylie didn't really seem to offer any topics, she was sure she could come up with something. Perhaps she should mention the recent games that had passed? Then again, that was a sensitive subject for some. She on the other hand, wasn't really concerned with the games too much. Having never known anyone who participated in them, it was actually a common topic in her house among her family. It wasn't a topic like it would be in the Capitol, laughing and anticipating for the following year. It was more of a debate topic on occasion, and could certainly, in her family's eyes, aside from herself, be seen as a training method, by re-watching them to see how the different tributes did and how they did it. 396 flyss

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[flyss]

For some reason, the next time you tried urging yourself to walk away, you simply couldn't do it. The girl before you was too nice, too intriguing, too spectacular to give up and before you knew it, the basket in your hands was beside you and the fingers attached to your hands were mindlessly fiddling with the leaf of a single clover. 

Sana, as she had said her name was, spoke with meaning in her words and a light in her eyes. She had seen something that only few have witnessed, you remind yourself nonchalantly. Her mouth first spoke of things that you knew of, things like training and like how nice it was to meet you. Other things she had said though, peaked your interest, nearly enough to ask about them. You said nothing though. Surely you had enough restraint to keep yourself from coming off as annoying. 

"I am doing a favour for my father." You hesitated on that last word; should you really be addressing him as such when he's done nothing but treat you like his doll? Nevertheless, you continued, the thick cloth of your dress feeling even more suffocating now. 

"Picking clovers, you see. He feels like he can somehow fuel his infidelity with the likes of a weed." You blinked once, doe-like eyes disappearing for a moment, only to return not even a split second later. At this point, the clover you had been messing with was in shreads, but deter you it did not. Apparently you have little control when it comes to destroying things. 

"So you said your brother works at the training center?"

Apparently you have no control when it comes to saying things, either.

283

[Licily]

K ylie had been messing with a clover in her hands and explained that she was gathering them for her father, though she didn't seem to want to refer to him as that, with the way she paused. Was there something going on between them? Sana wasn't sure, but couldn't get herself to ask. Kylie continued to conversation, to the surprise of Sana. At this point, the clover the girl had been holding was in shreds. She hadn't seemed to notice at first, though. Kylie asked Sana a small inquiry. She seemed to be confirming whether or not Sana's brother, Namir, worked at the training center. It didn't sound non-believing though. She had just been trying to keep the conversation active and on-going. Sana nodded at Kylie in reply. Then, she decided she may as well elaborate. There was no point in keeping quite when Kylie seemed genuinely interested in whatever Sana had to say. "Yeah," Sana replied, "he's been working there a lot recently. Since he never got the chance to participate in the Hunger Games, which disappointed him, he decided he would train others so they could do well if and when they are selected. I was over there earlier, training for about four hours with him. I've learned to develop a few uses for a spear, thanks to him." She let another smile cross her lips. There was rarely a topic Sana wouldn't talk about, as long as it wasn't about her older sister, Kiara. Kiara had passed away a few years ago, and it was a very sensitive subject for Sana. Kiara hadn't died in the games, no. She died when she had come down with an illness. This wasn't something too common in District One, dying of illness. Her family had been low on money then, and unable to help her. Luckily, at this point, they were doing much better, and were able to afford much, much more. This could be told just by looking at Sana today. She had lip gloss on her lips, and was wearing other makeup such as some black eyeliner. She certainly took her time with this each day, in order to try and make herself look the best she possibly could. It was always something she strives for, as many people didn't want to associate with you if you didn't even give an attempt to look decent. At least not in District One, that is. Maybe it was even like that in the other districts. Sana didn't think she'd ever know, though. 419 flyss

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[flyss]

You were amazed by how pretty she was. Absolutely gorgeous, with her glossened lips and fixed appearance. She possessed true beauty, not whatever you had. That aside, she told you about her brother working to fulfil his desire for the games he could never had and it made your heart leap. Just as him, you vied for the games, an impermiable bloodlust, a secret to tell everybody. You knew that was how you escaped reality on a daily, by running away for a few hours at a time to train and simply be you. So-called perfection was quite the task, afterall. 

Perhaps that was why you accepted the offer from the man who created you, to consider training again, to consider escaping again, if only an hour instead of two, or three, or five. Here you were, though, getting caught up in your acts because you had no control. Wasn't that good though? To take time aside to give yourself what you wanted and not what everybody else wanted?

"What's his name?" you inquired, a failed attempt at indifference slipping from your lips, instead replaced by slight curiosity and scolding. How rude of you to ask such things of somebody you didn't know too well. With a simple motion of your hand you had invited her to sit next to you. Maybe making friends wasn't as difficult as your father had made it seem. 


234

[Licily]

W hen Kylie asked Sana what her brother's name was, it looked as if Kylie thought she was being rude. Sana tried her best not to let the girl think she was being rude. After all, if she were, Sana couldn't tell. People being rude to her was the least of her concerns. She never really took things minor like that to be offensive. Whereas, if someone where to flat out insult her or someone she cares about, things would be different. "His name is Namir," replied Sana, answering the question Kylie had asked of her, "he's nineteen." She didn't mind answering people's questions, either. Maybe she should try to continue the conversation. The weight of her bag was starting to feel prominent. It was more than just the remains of her lunch that it contained. Inside her bag were also a change of clothes that she had worn during training, a hair brush, some deodorant, and a few extra hair ties. Then again, this wasn't much extra. Sometimes, when Sana got nervous, she'd notice little things like this, but what was there for her to be worried or nervous about at this point? "Do you have any siblings?" questioned Sana, as an attempt to keep the conversation going. She quite enjoyed talking to Kylie. Kylie seemed to be enjoying their talk as well, but she didn't look very self confident, nor did she look at all pleased with herself. Personally, Sana thought that Kylie wouldn't need to try to look her best. Her natural beauty was all there. One thing Sana tended to take notice of was when Kylie pushed her hair out of her face. It was almost as if it were a sign to continue speaking, because she was enjoying the conversation. Sana was enjoying it as well. She was certainly glad she had decided to come over and talk to her. Maybe she wouldn't need her minor stress relief of training today. 323 flyss

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[flyss]

You were nearly positive that you had heard Sana's brother's name before. It may have even been that a hint of recognition flickered in your eyes at the name. Afterall, it was highly possible that in all the days you had snuck away to train in secret, he was bound to have been there at least once. You found yourself doing that more and more as the days pass. The longer you are around your father calls for longer disappearances, it seems, and you know that sooner or later you will be held responsible for it. For now though, you have freedom which is more than you could ask for. 

"No," you say faintly, distantly, nostalgically. If only your parents had birthed another child, then maybe you wouldn't have been held up to such high standards. "I wish, though, it gets kind of... boring at home, I suppose." Again with the hesitation. You knew that wasn't the correct word, and frankly it didn't describe half of what happened behind closed doors. But not wanting to seem pitiful, you knew that it was the appropriate word. Sometimes logic is better than comfort. You had learned that on a number of occasions.

"How is it like," you start. "Having a sibling, I mean." On countless occasions you had imagined how it would be, how it would feel to come home to another around your age, how it would feel to have somebody else to carry the weight that you have to carry. They would protect you from the hell of home and keep you from the hate that comes with it. You would like that very much, wouldn't you? If only that wasn't such a selfish thought. 

285

[Licily]

A s Kylie gave her response, she almost looked as if she regretted saying it. Perhaps she looked more distant? Or was it hesitant? Sana wasn't sure. Explaining that it got kind of boring at home without siblings, she didn't seem to think that was the correct word to use for some reason, either. Proceeding to ask another question, Kylie asked Sana what it was like to have siblings. "Well," she said in reply, " when they're younger, it can be quite a bit of work." Sana explained. "I have two younger sisters, Moka and Hazara. She prefers to be called Haz, though. Haz is rather independent, so she isn't too much trouble. On the other hand, Moka can be a bit clingy. She tends to come to me to comfort herself. Though, I guess that could be taken as a compliment." She gives a bit of a smile. Suddenly, a question had popped into Sana's mind, and she wasn't sure why. Hoping it didn't sound rude, she decided to ask it of Kylie. "So, what do you think of the games? Like, do you look forward to them? Do you train? My parents, as well as Namir, really encourage me to train, and want me to volunteer one day. I'm not sure when I want to though. How about you?" She asked Kylie. So many thoughts raced in Sana's head at this point. Was she actually making friends with someone who seemed so shy this successfully? That appeared to be the case. Sana was glad though. She certainly liked making new friends, and hoped that maybe this pretty young girl may let it extend to more than that. Giving a small smile, Sana then snapped out of her thoughts and back into reality. 294 flyss

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[flyss]

You listened intently as Sana answered your question; afterall, how rude it would be to not. She told you of her younger siblings and how they were work but she loved them, despite. However, love was an alien concept to you. Your father only gave you his twisted and false version of it, a kind of 'love' that brought everything opposite of the warm and pleasant feeling commonly known. Nevertheless, you found purchase of the meaning in some way and soon found yourself on the opposite side of the question spectrum. You were now the answerer.

You internally repeated the question, a habit you had formed years ago, and when you believed to have had a sufficient response, only then did you speak. It was quite the touchy subject within many.

"Personally, they intrigue me." You felt like that was the best way to word it if Sana happened to find offence in them. "The idea of dying to prove a point seems gallant and heroic. That being said, yes- I have trained before. As often as possible, actually." You sighed contently and added a few more words to make your statement seem more final and complete. 

"If it weren't for the atrocious patriarchy of my family, I would do so more often." You decided to leave it at that, because face it; who would like to listen to the pitiful way your family objectified you but how you knew that you were more than that, more than a pretty face. It was overused and always will be. You don't continue on about how you prefer the whip, but also dearly love swords, how you can decipher between several variations of ivy and other plants of similar nature, how you wish you could do more but are so very limited in your options. 

This was your first true friendship and you weren't intent on ruining it.

314

[Licily]

T he response that Kylie gave Sana had thoroughly interested her. Especially that last part, about her family. Sana wasn't sure whether or not to ask about it. She knew that if someone asked about her own family, she didn't care, but was aware it wasn't the same for each and every person. Then, Sana decided to ask her anyways. "If you don't mind me asking, is there something that concerns or bothers you with your family? I'm just making sure things are alright." Sana questioned Kylie. She thought about what it may be. Was her family abusive? Where they rude to her, or not allowing her to do anything she wanted, like training? Sana imagined what that would be like, had her family not allowed her to train. Then again, her family would never prevent her from training. If anything, they encouraged it. They wanted her to be prepared if she ever went into the games. If she weren't in District One, it may have been expected for parents not to want their children to train, but this was District One, and most of the tributes that ever went into the games were Career Tributes. They trained outside of the games, beforehand. Then something came into her mind. Her parents didn't let Moka train much, because of her age. Sana wasn't sure how old this girl was, so maybe that was why, if she wasn't allowed to. Then again, these were all assumptions. Sana had no way of knowing for sure until Kylie told her. Maybe she'd ask her. Not right then, but maybe later. 264 flyss

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[flyss]

You had been almost positive that this topic was to come up; it always does. Maybe that's why you have no friends, maybe it's why you learned to be so quiet. Either way, you now were obligated to reply and while you took a moment, your answer came out rather confident. 

"No, no." You insisted. "Everything is alright- my father just has a god complex, that's all." Again with that word- father. You brushed it aside and continued. "I can get him things that he cannot get alone and if he were to lose me to the games, he would be rather, pardon my language, screwed.." And you say that you are eloquent.

You smiled lightly, keeping your anger toward the dastardly man under control; presumably in fear that you would scare off Sana like the others. Your hands rested in your lap, white-knuckled fists hidden by the ruffles of fabric. Over the years you had learned how to control your temper before it controlled you. How those life lessons had paid off. 

Once again, you repeated yourself in habit.

"Everything is alright."

181

[Licily]

S wearing was not what Sana had expected from the girl, but she wouldn't dare question it. She knew that people often did that when they were upset or trying to make a point. Sana just never really had that as a part of her vocabulary. As she let Kylie continue her speaking, Sana listened. She always tried her best to avoid interrupting people whenever possible. Kylie had seemed to be avoiding letting her anger out by replacing it with a smile. She had repeated telling Sana that everything was alright, but she wasn't quite sure if she believed her. Though, despite this, she didn't want to question it either, just like with the whole aspect of Kylie's swearing. Knowing that there was truly something bothering her, Sana decided to try and change the subject. She wasn't sure what to change it to though. At least not right at that moment. Sana was unnaturally quiet for being who she was. Being someone who was generally talkative, cheery and energetic, this would seem strange to any who knew her. They didn't even have to know her very well to figure it out, at that. Her silence probably lasted about a full minute, but she eventually broke it. She did this by speaking up. She had finally figured out what to say. Maybe it wasn't the greatest decision in the world, but Sana asked her another question. "Well, is there anything I can help with? I mean, I know you said everything was alright, but you seemed like you were holding something back. It just makes me feel a bit concerned about you. I know we don't know each other very well, but, you know, these kind of things could worry just about anyone. People who are upset make me very worried about what may be going on. Then again, if you don't want to tell me, that's okay. Just letting you know I'm here." 319 flyss

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