Parisite Shore [D1]

The freak of the family

I like to think of myself as unique. A basket case, maybe, but freak? There are too many freaks in my district, and why would I want to be part of the majority? Conformity isn't my thing. While everybody else is prancing with their colorful fashion sense and "family pride,", I'm slowly trudging along with my raccoon eye-makeup and my leather jackets trying my best to earn myself a reputation. When people hear my name, I don't want them to think of me as just another Shore. I want to be different. When my name is heard I want people to grimace at the syllables. I want people to love to hate me, and hate to love me. Why, you ask?

Because it's fun.

It's as simple as that! Funny, right? You would think somebody as complicated as Parisite Shore might have a million reasons to do all of the weird things she does. I'm here to tell you that's a lie. I'm only in it for the fun. I'm only in it because I'm me. Which is also funny, because no matter how much time you spend trying to get to know me, you'll never actually know me. I will forever be your favorite mystery.

When people ask, "who are you?" I ask them what they think I am. They spit words like "career" and "Shore," but those are too boring. So I spice up my life with a few white lies.

Actually, make that hundreds. Thousands. A labyrinth of lies and masks and facades; that's who I am. I can be ten people at once, but will you ever know the real Parisite Shore? No, because I lost my identity ages ago. Parisite Shore is all of the people she pretends to be. Parisite Shore is the manifestation of fantasy and deceit. The term used by psychiatrists is "compulsive liar." You can call me whatever you want. It'll be true no matter what insult you use.

I can't help but have a few consistencies, though. I am only human. For example, I party a lot, I like to socialize, I drink often and I love to try new things. "Adventurous" is one way to describe it; I'll try anything once. I also wear the same types of clothes. Black is the best color on me, it whitens my skin and makes my blue eyes pop. Bright colors aren't really my style, I'm not into the whole "looking like a rainbow" thing. It's all too blinding and mainstream and capitol-y, and even though as careers we should like the capitol I don't like their fashion sense. That's another thing; the capitol, the games, the shore reputation? Yeah, since I was adopted into this family years ago I kind of can't avoid the whole career thing. I mean I could try, but I don't want to get my ass kicked by my own siblings, you know? So I train like the rest of my family. I just try to use more...interesting methods. Whips, flails and brass knuckles are my favorites, and usually I light them on fire to make the fighting pretty. Nobody wants to see the color red the entire time, right?

This is usually the part when people ask me if I will ever volunteer for the Games. My answer depends on my mood, because my lies always reflect my mood.

"Duh, who wouldn't want to volunteer?" Honestly, me, because I don't want to risk my throat getting slit in the arena. I value my life more than anyone else's, thank you very much.

or

"Nah, I don't really like the Games." Come on, who doesnt like the Games? We may not want to be in them but we were raised on this stuff; of course we all love it! I'd just rather watch than participate. Is that so bad?

Of course, right now you're banking on the idea that these feelings I'm expressing to you are genuine. How do you know I'm not lying?

You don't, you won't, you never will. I have no tells, just a silver tongue and plenty of creativity.

If you're looking for facts, though, I can discuss my family. That is something that I cannot deny. The Shore family, famous in the district for our large numbers and frightening careers, famous in the nation for our dead sister Emerald and our surviving victor Opal. The family is pretty upset about these outcomes. Everyone knew Emerald was the strongest, she was just really unfortunate.

That was a lie, just so you know.

Careers like Pyrite are much more capable than Emerald. Opal I'm just proud of; I can't believe she won! I'm pretty excited because we're like best friends. She said she's going to let me live with her in her victor house.

That was also a lie. The only thing I know about Opal is that she has a garden. Are you catching the pattern? The lying pattern, that is - not the other one, though that one is pretty obvious. You know, the strange turn of events that is letting our wimpiest careers make it farthest while the strong ones end up dying at the hands of a district twelve loser? Yeah, fate is weird. Or maybe it's karma. I dunno, but it should really stop screwing with my family. They've been way too tense since Opal's victory, and I don't like tension. It makes our lives a bit too dangerous. I'm a Shore, not a Moreno. Well, not completely; I was adopted sometime ago (not telling when, that ruins the mystery!), so I don't share blood with the real Shores. They condemn me for it, I think, but a lot of us are adopted. Actually, a lot of kids in a lot of famous career families are adopted. Apparently it's mainstream. I guess it's good for the orphans, but seriously, why do there have to be so many adopted children? How are there even this many orphans in the first place?

I'm not that upset about it, though I'd rather be an only child than have to face the pressures of being a Shore.

Just kidding, I love the attention.

Or do I? I could be lying again. I could be lying about every single thing I mention about my thoughts and feelings. You can't possibly know which is truth and which isn't. Frustrating, right?

Have I pissed you off yet? Are you annoyed? I'll just laugh if you are. It's fun when people overreact to situations they can't handle.

But that's life, isn't it?