Future Duels Need Practice

Tea
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Future Duels Need Practice Jun 1, 2010 17:37:11 GMT -5

Post by Tea on Jun 1, 2010 17:37:11 GMT -5

Alba:

Alba simply nodded. Although she would never in her right mind admit it, Nachele had just put perfectly into words the very thing she was afraid of as well. That was why she really would be better off out of an alliance, by herself. Then nobody would get hurt. But honestly, who was she kidding? These were the Hunger Games! Of course people were going to get hurt. It was all apart of the game. And who knew? Maybe when the time came, so would be able to kill. After all, these games changed people.

WT
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time, gender, furbies, and other things that don't exist

Future Duels Need Practice Jun 5, 2010 0:03:40 GMT -5

Post by WT on Jun 5, 2010 0:03:40 GMT -5

Somehow, being pat on the head is the sort of thing that ought to feel condescending, but often isn't. This was one of those times when it didn't- if anything, Aranica's tension eased a little. Papero seemed least likely to blow up or do anything else scary or mildly intimidating, and it seemed natural to stay near him anyway, so she kept close as she watched Alba fiddle with her rose. (It was a very pretty rose. Maybe she should mention that at some point, but she was a little afraid to open her mouth again just now.)

Well, things seemed to be settling down. Alba was talking like a normal person again (she started to offer a hug, then pulled back when she realized Alba might not want it), and Nachele didn't seem mad or anything. That was good, then. (It occurred to her that she could probably scoot away from Papero now, but even without the fear factor she was pretty happy right between him and Nachele, so she stayed where she was.) And both of their words were totally reasonable; Ara had considered the folly of alliances many times before deciding that it was worth it, so she could hardly blame the older girls for thinking the same thing.

She was about to say something- namely, to tell Alba that she could hardly be any worse with social situations than Aranica herself- but Nachele descended on her. For a moment the fear from several moments earlier returned and she stiffened, but then she realized that the older tribute was hugging her rather than trying to squash her, so she relaxed and let herself enjoy the swinging. She giggled a bit, then outright laughed. She had seen parents do this with their children, but no one had ever done it for her. She was glad that someone had, at least once; for a moment she could imagine that she was flying, and it was the best feeling she'd had in a long time. She was still giggling when she got set down- but she was sad to see that Nachele looked upset for some reason. She tugged on the other's hand and looked up, still smiling. "Why are you sorry? That was fun."

Papero spoke, and Ara nodded brightly. Now she could talk to Alba and everyone without being afraid of setting someone off! "No apologies. Besides, Alba, you can't be worse at this than me. People always seem to run off when I try to make friends." She nodded sagely.

Suddenly it occurred to her that these people could, if she so chose, be considered her friends. They hadn't run away, at least, and three of them- maybe four, but she couldn't really tell with Kale- seemed like her. The idea stopped whatever words she was about to say in her throat. She had human friends. Sort of. Maybe? Oh, that was very interesting.

She wasn't tearing up, was she? She was still smiling and she was happy, so why would she be crying?

... Oh dear, she was. That wouldn't do at all. Aranica blinked as subtly as she could, hoping no one would notice. The last thing they needed was everyone- or even anyone- crying.

'the way we lived' in stylized text, with 'character directory' as a subtitle underneath

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Prince Inigo
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Your Rightful King!

Future Duels Need Practice Jun 5, 2010 0:34:10 GMT -5

Post by Prince Inigo on Jun 5, 2010 0:34:10 GMT -5

Papero had watched the entire scene play out; the laughter of a child had even brought out a smile from him. It seemed everyone was fine, relaxed, perfectly at peace. His brown eyes observed the emotions, their surrounding aura. He could not feel more happier in his life.

While looking at each face, he caught sight of tears. Though Aranica kept blinking, the perceiving of glassy eyes due to the formation of liquid sadness or happiness made them more prominent. After the gathering of information from her smiling, he himself changed his cheer to a gentle one.

Bending down to one knee in front of her, without a handkerchief or proper fabric, Papero offered the best had. He pulled on his jacket sleeve, covering his hand in cloth, and began wiping away the tears, tracing her cheeks with soft brushes. "Tears do not suite you well, Miss Aranica, though they are of cheer, am I correct? Hopefully I am not wrong with my deduction skills." Seeping through he could sense liquid warmth touching his skin but did not mind at all. A kind light struck against his orbs, frozen and bright.

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