Brave Explorers [Gilly/Eva]

[Deleted]

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Gillian Imberline

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Gilly-

It wasn't that you couldn't focus. There were plenty of times back home when you spent hours toiling over a set of patchwork or stitching that needed small and nimble hands. The problem came when you didn't have the interest or desire, and that was where trouble began. You see, the training that left you feeling tired and sore was neither fun nor helpful (how on earth were you supposed to master anything in the few days they gave you?). You weren't dumb enough to think that you'd be taking down any of the careers, or that they wouldn't set their sights on you the second that they could.

Even for your age you had an old soul, one that recognized impossibility for its opportunity.

The elevator in the training tower had twelve floors for tribute housing, and final one that was marked "R", which no one bothered explaining to you. Naturally you couldn't help but look at the golden button with the "R" inscribed without thinking about how much you wanted to press it. And so on an afternoon when you should have been heading back down to learn how not to hold a sword (the answer was always: exactly as you're doing it right now, Gilly), you pressed the shiny button. Perhaps it was an act of defiance, perhaps it was just silliness, but you were pleased to play hooky.

The doors opened to an expanse of lush green, with statues of animals dotting the rooftop. The skyline stretched out for miles, and you stepped onto the plush grass with your mouth wide open. Was this another thing to discover on your own, a place you were supposed to train? Except there wasn't anyone here, save for the birds and lingering insects, and yourself. You tip toed along a path of cobbled stones leading up to a fountain, and sat upon the edge. You stared up at the sky, unsure of how you were supposed to feel in that moment, other than overwhelmed. Each day something surprised you here-good or bad, it left your head spinning.

A ding sounded, and you could hear the doors opening.

"Hello!" You called out. Maybe there was another explorer, just like you, come to find a peaceful place to get away.

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