Laedo Brave Juliaust the Wandering Lion [Fin]

Colors
-- dbaf00 (mixing 'gold' and 996600); main text
-- ae5800 (shifting between 'dbaf00' and '800000'); "writing"
-- f2e385 (shifting between 'dbaf00' and 'ffffcc'); thoughts
-- 6e8a00 (shifting between 'dbaf00' and '006600'); "Other people's speech?"

Lions cared for the cub
Armed with knowledge of the natural world
Enveloping, desolate universe granted the human pup the male loins
Deposited human numeric system, yet recognized as a newborn adult
Ostracized for one reason or another

Bouts of pain would cover the pup
Racketing much compassion from the lion kin
Ample speech skills given, but no tongue gifted to say
Ventured into the wild with not so much a sense of reality
Enduring what the heart wanted to shout

"Just come back to your origins!" would growl the heart
"Utmost pleasure in returning," he would say
"Lies," he would continue
Isolation and dissonance was always the present forced upon him
Amputated of purest love and words
Utopia is and was too far away to reach back at home
Supplements, succulence, needs to strive
Triggered by the unconscious memories: The region of human knowledge with feral minds

In other words...
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Never mind the dirt and grime. I'm covered in it, of course, from wandering and all, but you can't judge a guy for that, can you? Especially a wandering Avox? No! So other than that, I'd say I have a pretty handsome face, well-defined and sharp. My pointed chin expresses a boldness, and my smiles and smirking are only the start of showing the courage possessed. I'm not the only one that thinks this; I've gotten numerous girls - and even men - to compliment the attractiveness of my face. Like, I can't really explain it! You'd have to see my 6'0 self! I guess I can try, though. So... uh... My cheeks are pretty slender; beauty marks (flat moles) are on both sides, at the start of the eye socket - the actual crevice of the bone - at the bottom. Glad that my past acne problem is going away as I'm getting older, but it comes up, you know? Straight and true is the nose. I like to say it's as narrow as an arrow. What else to say...?

"Psh!" to one paragraph for a face! I need more. My eyes are extremely dark, richly brown, and draw quite a crowd - if I were to say so. Can you say they're almost black? Not really. Close, though! Onto the eyebrows, which I may add are narrow even without plucking. Like my hair, they tend to be messed up. Can't afford to spend time and effort on it, but I wouldn't mind if a girl tried to fix them a little. Onto the actual locks. Well, you could say I have my own natural style. Some have said it's like an animals, all mangly and course without washing it. Whatever. I let it be whatever it wants to be. Might brush some strands to the side; otherwise, it's left to its own devices. Though I let it get messy, don't expect me to get so long I'm some kind of... who was that girl... the one with the really long ladder hair...? Oh, anyways, I won't be that shaggy. My cutting skills are nowhere perfect, but I always let it grow out till it looks fine again.

My prized possession: My back! You might say, "What the heck?" If you live to be someone like me - slaving for Capitol people without a penny or item to your name - then you have to take pride in something on your body, and I choose my back. Just feel it. There are muscle and projecting shoulderblades, and gently stroking your fingertips around my back actually feels... uhhhhhhh... whoa! Sorry, not going there! O-Off that topic! Sorry again! S-So, anyways... cough... my back is good. Might even be the best out in Panem because I used to lift a whole bunch of heavy objects for my Capitol family and endure a bunch of crap. And what I was saying before is that it... tickles. Yeah. That's the word. Tickles.

Rock. Hard. Abs. Punch me and shatter your hand. My torso (and legs but I'm getting there in a few, so settle!) is plenty strong from years of traveling. Have had a few rough times - you know, the usual. You want to know how powerful I am? How's about 134 to do you, huh? Had to build some elbow grease for whatever task they wanted from me, so that's why I have a good mass of muscle. Have some blisters and small scars on the palms. Not new, right? My hands are quite large to protect those I care about. Well, the arms, more or less.

What good is a strong torso without a powerful set of legs? With these, I'm ready to sprint, kick, lift, and leap! I've had years of exercise to tone and oil these pistons, and I'm also damn proud of them - just not as much as my back. You won't see much fat. Shoe size? Would say it's eight-and-a-half or nine? I could care less about specifics; just as long as the shoe fits. That's if I can find shoes in this money-run government, but maybe you'll find me sneaking a pair out of a shop or off someone. Not that I'm saying I'm justified in theft but hey, I need them too; and, just because I'm an Avox and disobeying the Capitol wandering around Panem does that not make my need any less than a District resident.

Oh, did I not mention my skin? Yeah, it's naturally tan. I can get paler or darker, but I don't have to work for the toast. Genes. Ha.

My clothing is very campy, to say the least. Or, maybe, natural? For one thing, I don't wear a shirt unless it's winter. Doesn't feel right to flex with one on. Besides, who would be able to see my nice muscles with a shirt on? No one! It's also good to not have as much weight - though I do have to carry it around in my bag. I guess it's worth it to get that extra shades during the summer, but that's not why I don't wear one. The sun is all good, having that warmth over your body. That's what it's all about, and I absolutely love it. So you can tell that I don't like darkness and cold. (It's not good to navigate in bad weather, anyways).

I switch off between wearing baggy short and jeans depending on the season and temperature, but I like jeans better. Especially dark blue ones. Figured that it's good to have baggy than skinny in case I (somehow!) gain pounds... Though I wouldn't know why I would. Won't happen, but just in case. Because of the bagginess, my underwear tends to show but not much. (Boxers? Briefs? Eh. Whatever looks and feels great). Shoes are what I can get my hands on, though I always go for the best. I won't stand for second-best! The only real thing I ask from shoes is that they are good for travel, so that usually means they're durable and thick enough to endure muck. Combat, traveling, whatever. If I could settle down, I would have bought myself fancy pairs, but I can't. I don't think I ever will. (But that's fine!)

Except for my equipment, I have nothing on me that can really qualify as--- Huh? The necklace? Oh, well, that has its own history. I guess it's rather sentimental. It's a simple silver chain with a small M trinket. Slightly gets to my pecs but hardly. Rather have things like this short anyways. In case someone tries to grab the necklace and choke me. Would have more, you know, but I don't have a penny to my name. Can't even afford a plastic ring.

What? No. I didn't forget about my flaws. I just... Anyways. My teeth aren't in good condition; they're brushed and all, but they're crooked and jagged. No one pays for Avoxes dental care - let alone care enough to give them much commodities. Along with the back muscles, I have lash scars that have accumulated since my childhood up to when I left. They go an any way but shouldn't be too deep to the touch. Been stabbed in the foot once that I have a mark there. (Because I wasn't quick enough for one errand). Lastly... uh... nails aren't in the best condition. Dirt are under them; and, without a good shower or bath, I can't clean well. So... yeah... whatever! That's it!

What might be the first thing you notice about me is my social nature. I like being with people, despite if they spit at me. There's just something about humanity that I'm attracted to... perhaps their various perspectives of Panem? Actually, I'm not that social - other than my lack of tongue - that people interpret 'social' to be; in my past encounters, I've had some people get attracted to me. They say it is my zest of life and kindness even though I can't speak; to them, my actions speak, and they are clear and awe-inspiring. (I don't know about you, but I sure love those compliments!)

I have to be in command of my environment and relationships. Powerhog, maybe, but I just like having control of my future and no one to touch it. I won't like if someone is commanding me to do something. (And while you think that's contradictory because I'm an Avox, if I didn't adhere to their demands, I would have starved or been physically punished. I had to learn those the hard way). Don't even try to give me orders; I won't listen. Services are different, but making me your server will get you a snarl. And there's nothing wrong with that. You wouldn't want someone to be ordering you around, would you? Same goes for beliefs. Don't push them on. I'm understanding of other people's opinions and will agree at times; but, if you dare to try to smash them in, I'll resist. I have my view and you have yours.

Highly confident. I've been told the air around me is powerful and uplifting because of my confidence. Well, that's true! If you don't tackle your problems with enough vigor, you'll fall back down. So, don't be weak! Be confident! On the horribly bad flip side, I've been called vain, but I don't see the worry about being positive of yourself. I've already seen enough people with such low self-esteem, so I suppose I have to be the opposite of that mentality. I have confidence in finding a freedom for all Avoxes, and I have confidence that there will be eventual peace for all the citizens - even the Capitol and District residents, though they have such differing opinions about the Hunger Games.

Journeys are fun. New things are fun. Old, routine days are boring. Despise the same events happening over a period. I don't even understand how the Capitol could put up with the mundane all the time. Back when I was a working Avox, I was known to start up a ruckus or bring excitement back into life. Just can't stand it! I'll throw objects, dance, even sing horribly just to get something stirring. Sure, I can deal with the silence; but, if I find everything becoming so boringly same, then I will start something. Anything. This is partially why I took up doing stunts: To inject entertainment into life and the Districts. The other reasons are because I might need a bit of money from time and time and I like to see the people laughing.

Being sad is not a part of my character. I'm no true happy fool; I just can't afford to become depressed. If I do, though, won't be for long, and I won't tell anyone about my hurdles. It's okay to say that I bounce off negativity pretty well... oh, what's the word?--- Resilient. That's it. What really gets me energetic and happy is when people compliment and praise me. Almost like a pet like that. Though when people reprimand me, I don't see what's the problem... I always do the best, so I am the best, yeah? One solution to keep me chipper is to need me. I love to be needed. (But don't be surprised when I don't tell you that...)

Protect, protect, protect! I'll do about anything to keep my possession my possessions. Call me stingy, but I don't exactly like to share what I treasure. Sure, let's share a bottle of water or some food, but don't even dare take my girl, bag, or territory. Fight me, punch me, kick me, do whatever you want; I'll do everything in my power to keep you out if you try. One or two have said I'm melodramatic because of how I react in terms of ownership, but I call it being protective of what I care about. Don't trend on it. They're mine. Don't worry; I won't hold a grudge, but I will fight back. You can guarantee that.

So you ask about how I handle with the opposite gender? I don't know why you are... but okay. I like my women down-to-earth (and praising me). Guess she has to be cute or beautiful, but I'm not too picky on the real details. Traveling for so long doesn't give you much time to get close with the ladies or get too concerned with finding a romantic relationship. Is it bad to say that I flutter from girl to girl easily? I have this tendency to get to 'loving' a girl very easily; but, after the spell is over, I just... go? Suppose that I finally see the true nature of her and then I'm not that pleased. My ideal romance is realized too quickly and so I leave. After all, I am a wandering Avox. Can't keep them for long. I have to keep wandering, and I can't string them along... despite I kind of want them with me--- Well, more people with me than a girl, per say. It gets lonely out there among the animals.

Say what I want to say, I get an audience. Some of said my wisdom and interesting - written - topics have lured them to me. I don't know... I just write what I want to tell. It can be a story, an interesting fact I remember, or someone else I took great respect in. Oh. I am all about respect. It's a great thing to have, and I will certainly give a person some honors when I get to meet them - which in turn, I realized, hopes to promise a return of respect as well. Generosity has also been noted. Do adore the kids and all, because I like to see the smiles on people's faces - as I've said before. Meeting others is a pleasure and a occasion so got to treat them right, yeah!

Life was rough growing up in the slave-accepting Capitol. I don't look back on it so often because it's so unnecessary to do so, and anyone that does I'll call weird. It's over, you know? What hardships you went through, they're done. Why bother to look back? Leave the past alone and move on. Find happiness at the end of the road instead of the beginning; however, to fill up this spot, I must tell my tale, from the day I was conscious of the world around me.

So, I was born a dog. Surprising, eh? My mom and dad were a Labrador and a German Shepherd. My siblings and I would play on the porch of my master's house and and frolic in the fields he made. The feelings were so great. Then he decided he wanted a human 'dog' and plucked me from the litter and got Laedo Brave Juliaust. What of my family? Ate them. He was a dog connoisseur, didn't you know? He liked to roast the meat over a slow-turning fire pit and devour ravishingly that some called him a pig---

--- Okay, okay. That really didn't happen. Purpose of that diversion? It was one of the tales I listened to a kid of my existence. I've heard others, like my mom and dad were assassins and murdered many an innocent Capitol citizens in attempt to return the power to the Districts, only to get killed and me turned Avox. Another one had to do with - oh, I don't know - something about ice cream and fighting. They were all ridiculous. Bottom line is: I don't know my past, and I don't exactly care to know. The actions of my parents forever resulted in my muted self, and I can be happy and depressed about certain aspects; but, overall, I am okay with the life I was given. At least I wasn't dead.

All the events leading up to my escape were of commands and taking commands from my Capitol family, and I learned to follow them through unless I wanted to starve for the night or get beaten. Contrary to popular belief, Avoxes have to be educated a little. (At least, Avoxes like me). I was taught to read, write, proper body language, and the works. Unlike other muted servants, I did not live in the Districts first, get some schooling, do something wrong, and then get forcefully turned into an Avox; I was already one from the start, told by my Capitol masters that they hacked off my tongue when I was a baby.

Do I miss or long for the opportunity to talk? I can't say I do. I never got the chance to mutter a word, you know? No babbling baby, even.

I lived under the house of the Farschlens. Half were okay, and the other half were horrendous. (Comparing to Capitol citizens, saying 'horrendous' is a lot by our Avox opinions). I lived under a horrible mother, a decent father, and a generous daughter. The really horrible were under the reign of the grandmother - gratefully, I was serving the family members a bit of a descendant from her. She was a kook, and that's putting it honestly and lightly. Served her once, got thrown a book. She had this idea that all those that broke the law deserved what they got, and she also thought I was some rapist. Of course I did defy some orders from time to time - and got my just desserts - but jeez, lady...

During my childhood, I would get taunted by Capitol children in that I got what the punishment for what I did, which I never knew what that could be. As I said, I don't know my past, and my memory stretches to when I was a toddler. Repeated by the family, my name is Laedo Brave Juliaust, was born on July 23rd on the 38th Hunger Games, am male, and I'm an Avox. 'Brave' isn't my actual middle name; it's really Lazarus, but I don't like it. It was given to me by Flo. Ah, Flo...

Flo was the girl I said before, the Farschlen that was generous. I was two when she was born, so naturally I was picked to be her personal Avox servant to cater to her desires and needs. (And boy, did she). She was cute and bubbly but a downer to others. To me, though, she was kinder and wanting to spend as much time with me as possible. 'Brave' was given to me during our youth when she was still learning to talk; received it when I took a whipping for an older Avox man, and she couldn't still pronounce my first name. 'Brave' stuck.

I always observant of her suspicious behavior towards me; unfortunately, I was not able to return them. Mean, I could never see her that way! And it would never work. I viewed her as my master, a boss, or a superior, not as a potential girl. In those times, that's how distorted my feelings were towards Capitol people: They were just masters and people above me. The Avox were my people; they did not smack or hurt me when I did wrong for them, like when Father Farschlen stabbed my foot when I tripped and let go of his precious water pitcher from my hands. He wasn't in a good mood that day. But that's kind of going backwards for storytelling, as that happened when I was five-years old.

14-years old... I will never forget this. I won't go over the numerous violations Flo did, like stealing (she wasn't given money because her parents were worried of spending so much) pairs of shoes for me. She would never return them; and, if I came in with a stolen pair, I would have gotten more than just a whipping. Flo would steal, swindle, and bargain everything for me. This was the last straw for her.

We took a train ride to District 12. She didn't tell me anything besides she wanted to see the poverty-stricken District, and she had saved enough for the both of us. As a part of Avox protocol, I would remain by her side or stay within her proximity, this by cuffing me to her.

She was very cunning. I didn't know this.

The train stopped at District 12, and I went ahead - in the case of protecting my master. I got off and was called. I turned to see a key thrown at me and caught it. The cuff that kept me attached to Flo dangled under mine. And the doors shut.

Flo opened the window and threw out a letter before locking it back up. No matter how many times I banged on the doors, she would not let them open, so I read the letter.

Brave,

I loved you, but you only looked at me the way every one of 'them' did. So I have to let you go. When I return, I'll be just like you.

I always hated the Capitol. You could not see that.

I always hated my family. You could not see that.

I see freedom in being an Avox, even with all the taunting. I'll just become the first Capitol Avox that I know. You could not and cannot see that.

I loved you. Now run along.

-- Flo

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I did. Freedom was mine, at the cost of hers. While I might be called selfish, the trains were tough to enter; I always knew that.

So I had to run. Despite her replacing me. I might run into her someday, but we'll be Avox-comrades.[/color][/justify][/size][/blockquote]

Who wears the lion's skin is Eric Saade.
Fangs are knives and hiding in the fur are common medical supplies, extra clothes, small change, and a letter of dreams.

Laedo gnaws on meat - of course!
At the »BREAK OF DAWN», the king must move on for satisfaction.

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