we bought a zoo /saylor+sin

[gamemaker kelsier]

S I N .

When we all fall asleep, where do we go?

His fingers ached from the digging, nails chipped and little bits of wood had gotten under them, digging into his skin. So he stopped and pressed the seed deep down into the earth, like the instructor had told him to. Then he pushed the dirt back over it and pressed down hard until there was a sizeable indent in front of him.

That seemed like a waste of time.

The plant would still be growing by the time he was dead.

Sin stood and walked away from the plant station, interest lost again. Eirlys had taught him everything he needed to know about plants. She'd even shown him the damage that some of the poisons could do by dosing him. She always had the antidote ready for him, waiting. He had to learn how serious they were.

He walked until the sounds of the other tribute began to fade, focused on an opening at the end of the hall. Sounds had been coming from there for some time, and Sin had finally let his curiosity, dormant as it was, take him there.

Through the archway were two rows of cages and in the centre of the room, a large sandy pit. A trainer stood in the centre of it, tiny fox-like creatures bounding around and playing between their legs.

Sin watched for a moment and then stepped forward, staying low to the ground. He could probably get at least one fox before the rest of them noticed and were scared off. All it would take was a quick grab.

Then he'd snap its neck.

[nyte]

SAYLOR BELL

If there was any home to be found in this wretched place, it was here. Surrounded by smaller beating hearts, comforting in the frantic way they thrummed against his palm. The trainer's eyes bore into the back of his neck, as unwelcome and hostile as he'd found the rest of the Captiol. This place was luxury masquerading as comfort, far too cold for Saylor to find any place that felt safe.

He's naive, not stupid. The others looked at him like they looked at these strange creatures - with hunger and greed. Only worth the blood he will spill.

"Don't worry." He'd never seen a creature like this in Ten, though their instincts mimicked those of his rabbits. Small, vulnerable things are keenly aware of that fact, it's a shame that knowledge is what makes them so predictable. The fox-like mutt let out a series of high pitched whines as he runs a finger along its spine, burying its nose into his wrist as it delights in the gentle touch. "See, I promised I wouldn't hurt you. I keep my promises."

And Saylor is almost content when the air shifts, a little moment's peace slipping from between his fingers as his new friend bolts in the opposite direction. "Oh." He wears a frown as he faces the culprit, a little blurry from the distance and the sand in his eyes. "You're downwind. They can smell you no matter how quiet you are."

He pats the space next to him, crossing his legs to make space for the newcomer. He won't let one person ruin paradise. "Here, I can show you."

[gamemaker kelsier]

S I N .

When we all fall asleep, where do we go?

The tail fur of a fox brushed against his fingertips but Sin closed his hand around nothing. It was faster than he thought it'd be, but Sin wasn't ever one to quit. He gave up on staying low and rushed forwards into a small grouping of them, which scattered as soon as he got too close. He slapped a hand into the sand with a dull thud, seconds away from pinning one down. The texture of the small grains was new to him and he turned his hand over, brow furrowed. There were pinprick indents all over his palm from the little graneuls.

"Oh."

He looked up quickly, registering the disappointed tone before the words. A tone like that had never been a good thing for him and Sin dropped lower again, chest forward for protection, knees slightly bent to make escape easier. It was one of the male tributes, the one who had been speaking to the mutts when Sin had entered the room. He'd been making false promises, no interaction was ever painless.

Sin was certain that his name was Saylor.

He was frowning at Sin which Sin had always found to be another sign of dislike. Sin couldn't pretend to have heightened senses, nor would anyone say that he was particularly bright, but over the years he'd learned to watch people. It was easy for him to pay attention to body language and to catch those small nuances that made a person who they were.

Sin didn't think that Saylor wanted to hurt him, not yet at least, so he moved closer, eyes on the other boy's hands all the while. he had to watch so that he could brace himself in case he went to strike him. Sometimes it was tricky like that.

He settled down on the sand, close but just slightly out of reach. pushed his hands down onto the sand again, the tiny little patterns coming back on his palm. It hurt slightly but only in a sharp way. It made his hands dusty but Sin didn't ming, it was worth it for the fleeting feeling of beauty.

Once settled, he turned his gaze to Saylor, expectant.