Painting Pictures (MillionArrows)

So far Emery seemed to be managing fine on her own. She kept her distance from the others and trained on her own. Learning plants was easy for her, unlike throwing knives. She had spent plenty of hours working on her technique but could never seem to perfect it. Luckily though she did have a few more days to keep trying. In all honesty she was beginning to grow accustom to this life style. Waking up, eating, training, eating, training again, returning home, eating, and then back to bed. It was as if she was a clock just continuously ticking the same route it always had. Of course she knew when the Games actual began it would change to pure survival, but today was not that day.

Just as all the times before she and Jim had made their way down to the training center. He was already off with the same group of boys he was always with, which she now assumed would be his allies later. Unlike Emery he seemed fine with letting people closer to him and gaining his trust. She didn't care though, he would be the one who would have to lose them both if he ended up winning. However, she doubted either he or she would, at first she thought he might but now here with the Careers her doubts had filled. All around her, even the non careers, were twice her size at least! So avoiding them was even easier for herself as she approached the Camo station.

There she noticed the other girl around her age from district ten. She too seemed smaller and more fragile like Emery. Intrigued Emery cautiously over looked the girl's shoulder to see exactly what she was painting. Much to her surprise, Emery discovered that the girl had painted a smile face. Emery's mouth tilted upwards at the sight, it was very child like, yet also very sweet. Emery's worry about this girl all wafted away into nothing but warmth. She wanted to scold herself but she just couldn't. Instead she reached out and rested a hand on the girl's shoulder. "That is nice. I find it hard to think of happy things while I am here. So thank you." Emery smiled softly at the girl, she might be an enemy but she could also be a friend.

    Emery had only spent moments with this girl and she already liked her. She wished to scold herself and walk away, but she just couldn't. In a way she honored this girl to the highest she could. During these times of darkness where Emery had grown use to and accustom to, this girl still found light. Still shone bright when others seeked to seal her light away forever. Others may claim she acts like a child and must grow up, but not Emery. Emery loved this trait about her, she still could act like a child, like the girl she use to be.

    Emery had changed so much in her time away from home. She had become a girl she doesn't even recognize in the mirror. A girl with no emmotion other than those of fear and hatred. Emery longed to be like this girl, to keep her innocence and light. She wondered if she could even go back to the way she was. It may not seem like possible but for now it was worth a try. For now when the two of use could talk and laugh without the worry of a knife stabbing us to death.

    With a smirk Emery said excitedly to her, "Well then lets enjoy it." With her heart beat quickened with excitement Emery launched towards the paint. She dipped her fingers childishly into the colors and began to finger paint. She didn't care if the other tributes saw it as week and baby like. Right now she was having fun. A thing she thought died when her name was called ages ago in a world lost far away. Her fingers danced across a small canvas as she painted a small picture of a meadow with blooming pink flowers. The image was soft and gentle, just like this girl, just like she wanted to be. Once finished Emery smiled then handed the painting to her, "Here I want you to have it." Then Emery realized she hadn't even introduced herself yet. So with a hand smeared in pink paint she held it out in a shaking motion. "I'm Emery by the way."