I'll lead; you follow [open thread]
Feb 28, 2012 22:22:25 GMT -5
Post by jacjac on Feb 28, 2012 22:22:25 GMT -5
Jacelyn Foster
District 7
There it was again. The faint crackle of dead leaves on the forest floor. Jac crouched silently at the base of a young pine and tilted her head slightly to the right as she listened for the sound. The layer of snow on the ground was throwing her senses off today. She shifted her weight as cautiously as she could, the numbness in her thighs relieved at the sudden reanimation in her legs. Jac had been waiting patiently for nearly an hour now, listening and waiting for the yearling to make its appearance.
She first spotted the mother and son the day after the Reaping. Jac often retreated to the expanse of forest surrounding District 7 to calm herself. Reaping day was no exception. Partially from relief of her name not being called, and partially from sorrow for her fellow citizens chosen. On that day, huddled for warmth and security, Jac stumbled upon the pair. A doe and its spotted fawn had stepped lightly into the clearing. Jac watched them intently from the perch of her forearms, not daring to move from fear they would flee. These two lived without the daunting responsibilities of the Capitol on their shoulders, Jac was jealous and full of admiration all at once.
There was a sharp chill in the wind today and Jac could bear the ache in her body no longer. She muttered curses under her breath while slowly inching herself up the trunk of the tree, using it for support the entire agonizing way up. Her bones felt as if they were frozen in place and her skin was burning from cold all over. Her freckled nose was bright red but her eyes remained their deep stormy blue as always. She pulled at the sleeves of her button up shirt and wiped away the snow and dirt from her back and bottom. With numb hands she retied her brown hiking boots and replaced her knapsack over her shoulders.
Her blonde hair had been fashioned haphazardly in a bun just under her left ear and her flimsy bangs hung between her forehead and eyes. Jac smiled and shrugged her shoulders in reply to the faint chirping of a nearby bird. "Guess he isn't ready to meet his forest sprite today." She spoke aloud, although no one seemed to be around or listening. Jac had spoken with the inhabitants of the forest since she was first able to speak. She and her father worked alongside each other day after day having conversations with flora and fauna. This was where Jac was most happy. A father and a forest was all she needed.
But Jac truly longed for human company and so she began her trek to a clearly marked path. She had wandered a few yards off in search of her fawn, but quickly used her sense of direction to locate the trail once more. Her hands clutched the straps of her pack just above her hip and that effervescent smile returned. Her cracked lips puckered in an attempt to whistle, but no sound came out. She furrowed her eyebrows, licked her lips and tried once more. This time, a distinct and melodious tune burst forth. It was a little louder than she had anticipated, and she giggled at her carelessness. Her feet carried her forward and her song echoed on the quiet forest air. "Bring me someone to play with, forest. Pretty please!" Jac's voice was quiet and gentle as she paused briefly on the trail. She turned her face to the sky, although it was barely visible among the tree tops, and stared longingly there for a moment. The breeze fluttered playfully with the tail of her shirt as Jac waited once more for someone she could share the forest with.
[/color][/size] She first spotted the mother and son the day after the Reaping. Jac often retreated to the expanse of forest surrounding District 7 to calm herself. Reaping day was no exception. Partially from relief of her name not being called, and partially from sorrow for her fellow citizens chosen. On that day, huddled for warmth and security, Jac stumbled upon the pair. A doe and its spotted fawn had stepped lightly into the clearing. Jac watched them intently from the perch of her forearms, not daring to move from fear they would flee. These two lived without the daunting responsibilities of the Capitol on their shoulders, Jac was jealous and full of admiration all at once.
There was a sharp chill in the wind today and Jac could bear the ache in her body no longer. She muttered curses under her breath while slowly inching herself up the trunk of the tree, using it for support the entire agonizing way up. Her bones felt as if they were frozen in place and her skin was burning from cold all over. Her freckled nose was bright red but her eyes remained their deep stormy blue as always. She pulled at the sleeves of her button up shirt and wiped away the snow and dirt from her back and bottom. With numb hands she retied her brown hiking boots and replaced her knapsack over her shoulders.
Her blonde hair had been fashioned haphazardly in a bun just under her left ear and her flimsy bangs hung between her forehead and eyes. Jac smiled and shrugged her shoulders in reply to the faint chirping of a nearby bird. "Guess he isn't ready to meet his forest sprite today." She spoke aloud, although no one seemed to be around or listening. Jac had spoken with the inhabitants of the forest since she was first able to speak. She and her father worked alongside each other day after day having conversations with flora and fauna. This was where Jac was most happy. A father and a forest was all she needed.
But Jac truly longed for human company and so she began her trek to a clearly marked path. She had wandered a few yards off in search of her fawn, but quickly used her sense of direction to locate the trail once more. Her hands clutched the straps of her pack just above her hip and that effervescent smile returned. Her cracked lips puckered in an attempt to whistle, but no sound came out. She furrowed her eyebrows, licked her lips and tried once more. This time, a distinct and melodious tune burst forth. It was a little louder than she had anticipated, and she giggled at her carelessness. Her feet carried her forward and her song echoed on the quiet forest air. "Bring me someone to play with, forest. Pretty please!" Jac's voice was quiet and gentle as she paused briefly on the trail. She turned her face to the sky, although it was barely visible among the tree tops, and stared longingly there for a moment. The breeze fluttered playfully with the tail of her shirt as Jac waited once more for someone she could share the forest with.
)
