Maybe I should pay attention... [Kiah]
Apr 11, 2012 23:25:40 GMT -5
Post by InTheDark on Apr 11, 2012 23:25:40 GMT -5
“District 1, the place where jewels flow like waterfall”
The big sign endorsed by the Capitol shone brightly on the side of the building, like if it tried to make publicity for a District who would only send his people to die in a merciless competition. Yeah, right. It was all hard to swallow, so hard to see by our own eyes. It was almost revolting to some extent. The sign, well aligned on the wall, basically said “Here, you live happily while making jewels, until you all die in the Hunger Games for the sake of Capitol enjoyment. Oh, and by the way, the Capitol takes all the jewels and you get the money you will probably never use.” Yes, it was absolutely revolting. But that didn’t shake Onyx’s feelings a bit. He still felt like home. For him, the sign meant what it said. Jewels flowing like waterfall. A utopian dream so convincing, and yet so far away that any attempt to grasp it may result in failure. That’s basically what the District 1: the perfect utopia for the poor and the unworthy.
The town was buzzing with activity, the sound of metal clinging was heard throughout the streets and the jewelers were selling at high prices their products. Onyx saw everything happen on all sides, and he was fascinated. He just looked at all the excitement, all the jewels that were being made before his eyes, and he was just enthralled by the very sight. He just approached a jewel merchant and took out some money that he placed right before him. He asked with a voice full of excitement, but at the same time so spoiled:
“What do you have for sale? Do you have onyx stones?”
He looked at everything he saw. Why onyx stones, you ask? He just loved the color black. Today, he wore his casual attire, an old-looking costume with a black blouse, black pants with black boots and a black cloak falling from his shoulders... Yeah... he really loved the color black. One couldn’t discuss this fact...
He then saw it. A beautiful dark gem on a magnificent ring. It was just so striking, so perfect; it was like Onyx just got a look at the heavens. He then took out more money and said to the merchant:
“I’ll buy this one. It is simply perfect.”
Next thing you know, he is out strolling in the city, his cloak falling on his back, moving with the wind and the ring in his right hand. He looked just like a nobleman walking the streets, wanting attention, glory and praise most of all. Everyone in District 1 would be forced to consider that this ring suited him. In fact, it wouldn’t have suited on anyone else but him. Was he so narcissistic to believe that conception he made up by himself? Was he so focused on himself that he did not see the hateful eyes of the others while he walked by their side, feeling all noble and such? Was he so enthralled by his own self that he did not see the other people in District 1 shunning him with pale, but yet so significant gestures of hatred? No, he never saw them. He was too fascinated by his new ring, something that would soon become a great family heirloom that he could be able to give to his son or his daughter. Then, the legacy will live on, and the ring will go from one child to next...
He never saw where he ended up. Next thing he knew, he felt a fresh breeze. It wasn’t cold, nor was it hot. No, it was just perfect. A fresh breeze that could only tell that he had reached the lake. A little lake was there, in the center of a small plaza. Onyx recognized this place, a place where he would often sit and daydream, always seeing himself in the days before the creation of Panem. He always saw himself with precious family heirlooms, and then he could see himself in the Training Room of the Hunger Games, using a fencing foil to hit hard on a dummy placed right in front of him. He could feel the cold steel in his hands, the smell of metal in his nostrils. He could see the flickering light shining on the steel blade while he struck the dummy relentlessly, hitting each part of the “body” at extreme speeds, never stopping, always hitting. Never stop, always hit. Each time, he could hear his father’s voice, extremely persistent, and yet so calm and soothing. That would keep him going even further...
He never saw where he walked, never looked where his steps lead him. He never saw the Peacekeeper walking his way. When he finally noticed it was far too late.
He simply felt the embrace of the uniform on his body, and he knew he had unintentionally pushed the Peacekeeper. Maybe he should have paid attention. He slightly turned to the Peacekeeper and, with a white smile, he said:
“Terribly sorry, sir. I wasn’t looking. Please, forgive me, it was not in my intention to push you...”