Painted in Flames [open]

The girl's eyes are filled with terror, the same look of fear I sometimes see in the eyes of my prey. My bow is reloaded, it's a force of habit really, even though I'm sure she's not a threat. Part of my broken trust, perhaps. I swing down from my branch, landing softly on the ground. I turn and look up, my monotonous, two colored gaze meeting the girl's. Definitely from the merchant class. She sits barely six feet up in the tree. Darn lucky for her someone happened to be around. She's probably unarmed, as a matter of fact I'm almost positive. She clutches only a bag I assume to filled with plants.

"Thank you!" She calls out. "For saving my life." I wave the gratitude off, you can't really just sit around and watch someone die. Then again, people do it every year. "You might consider descending." I say, in my usual flat way. "It's gone." This could be rather entertaining. I think to myself, but my face show no emotion. I rarely run into other hunters out here, let alone merchant kids. If she was fool enough to cross the fence unarmed, well, I'd like to know how much experience she has with climbing tree. I roll my weight onto one foot, and raise an eyebrow expectantly.

notes: n/a
outfit: here

She looks a bit edgy, but slides off the branch. The landing is a bit wobbly, and not exactly what you would call quiet. I don't expect much else, it's evident she's not familiar with the woods, other than for gathering plants. She then proceeds to dust of small amounts of soil from her dress. I resist the urge to roll my eyes, and instead wait somewhat patiently for her to finish. By the time she completes her task, which doesn't take as long as I'd feared, my patience has run out and I'm beginning to fidget. You'd think I'd be more patient, after all I'm a hunter, but I don't.

She tosses a berry from her pocket into her mouth. "I don't usually come in this far." She appears a bit humiliated. A somewhat awkward laugh follows her next statement. "But the plants where calling." I give a vague nod. There is an abundance of edible plants around, if you know how to find them. I collect them as well, sell some to apothecary shops, and hold on to others for my family's benefit. "My name's Cam." She says to me. She extends her arm, offering me berries from the palm of her hand. I take a few, tossing them into my mouth. The familiar sweet taste bursts over my tongue. "Nola." I reply.

notes: n/a
outfit: here

The girl before me, Cam she calls herself, apologizes to me. Her words are vague, but she continues to speak about her being a burden wherever she goes. I shrug it off. She's no bother to me really. "S'okay." I mumble, a bit awkwardly. It's probably not the best thing I could've said, but oh well. My tone is faintly lighter, but I'm sure she can hear the distrust in my voice. It's so hard for me to trust people now, but I suppose it could be a blessing in disguise. I'm weary enough and am observant enough to make rational decisions about people. Though I still take an almost absurd amount of time before I trust another. I haven't relied on someone since my brother was killed. I'm only fifteen, but my childhood is long gone.

After a few moments I snap back to reality to find Cam's eyes trained on me. Her gaze is almost envious. But why should she be so? I live in the Seam, just barely able to get by. I'm out here risking my life to put food on the table almost on a daily basis. The only reason she was anywhere near the fence was to collect plants, and apparently happened to wander a bit to far. She shouldn't be jealous, always having enough to eat, never having to worry about her parents being vaporized in the mines. Then again, I don't really know anything about her, but her life, I have little doubt, is easier than mine. "Do you need any help gathering plants?" I hear her say. I hesitate a moment, then nod. I hadn't planned on gathering much today, so my own pouch is stowed safely at home, but it couldn't hurt to bring home a bit extra. "Alright." I say. "I don't suppose you're in need of game?" I ask.

I highly doubt she is, or that she'd fancy mine. Wealthier people tend to dine on better quality meat. I'm a good shot, and get a good trade for mine at the Hob, but it is the Hob, and therefore mostly Seam residents like myself. I doubt this girl as ever been within twenty feet of the building. I pluck somewhat impatiently at my bow string. Either way, I should do a little hunting. If I don't, there's a chance I can get back later. My brother's in the mine today, thankfully, so I'll have no issue for the rest of the day. He can't stop me from seeking the little freedom I have in the district, but he'll give me as much trouble as he can.

notes: sorry, rambled a bit again. xD
outfit: here

"I wouldn't deserve it." I realize I'd spaced out. I refocus on the girl before me. Her gaze has become fixed on her hands. For the first time since I've met her, I really get a look at her face. She looks familiar somehow, though I'm sure she's at least a couple years older. I repeat her reply in head. Wouldn't desverve it? I wonder, but don't dwell on it long. Probably wouldn't thrill her family if she returned with something wild, other than greenery that is. I'm alsmost envious of this girl, always having enough to eat, a house that stays warm in the winter. I can only dream of not having to work overly hard to make a meal. The again, take away the need for time spent in the woods, and I'm not sure what I'd do. Most of the day light hours are spent on the other side of the fence.

I open my mouth to speak, but end up saying something other than I had planned. "What's the matter?" I ask. Cam has paused, and is listening intently to the soft sounds of the forest. She looks a bit distrought. This immediately sets me on edge. I nock an arrow. My green and blue eyes probe the forest in all directions, but I see nothing out of the ordinary. Perhaps it is just her reacting to something she isn't used to. The thought calms me some. I allow myself to relax just a bit, but keep the surrounding area on my radar. I return my gaze to Cam, and actually get a first better look at her face. Bright green eyes. Curly, light brown. She couldn't look like she was from the Seam if she tried. A lot of the Seam kids look a like. Staright black hair, gray eyes. I have the same raven colored hair, but mine has a bit of a wave. My eyes are what really set me apart. One green, one blue.

notes: more rambling xD
outfit: here