Faith is Reason Grown Courageous. ((Maeve))

[Alex Owens]

Even before the sun had risen, Alex Owens of District 7 had been awake. He’d grown accustomed to going to bed late and waking up early from all of the endless nights chopping up wood or retrieving medicine from distant places for his father. Alex hoped that on the lovely Sunday before him, he could relax and walk around the woods. Of course, even if he would be ordered to run an errand, Alex would willingly oblige. Alex crawled slowly out from under the chaotic sheets and quietly peeked into his parents’ room. His father was sleeping in an awkward position with his mother’s arm wrapped around him as if he were trapped. Alex had always found his mother to be an ironic woman, whether she meant it or not. Satisfied with the idea that they were both asleep, Alex got dressed and headed out.

As if on purpose, Alex could not go one step outside without seeing someone in need of help. This happened a lot to Alex, but he never seemed to notice. Being two feet away from the door, a woman of about seventy approached him looking weak and desperate and tired. “Please, oh please! You look like a strong and trained man,” she started, and Alex immediately noticed that it was his neighbor Josephine Adams. She had a reputation for being a beggar, but Alex continued to listen to her, “My husband lost his sight and my son has ran away! You’ll help me get some lumber, wont you?” she pleaded, now grabbing his arm. He smiled at her, which made her look confused. Her story changes every time. She must be really desperate for some lumber to keep up at this act. He decided he would help her, which came with a reaction of far too much excitement from the old woman. “Let me just get my axe and I’ll go get you some lumber."

It didn’t take long before Alex was back inside. He looked up and was greeted by the angry face of his mother. “What did I tell you about her? I said don’t talk to her, that’s what I said. Even more, don’t make arrangements with her.” She droned on, and Alex tried his best to apologize. She didn’t react well and ended up throwing the axe in front of him and commanded him to retrieve wood for the family… their family. Alex agreed, picking up the axe and quickly shuffling outside. It looks like I’ll be doing twice the amount of work today… Alex sighed. Today wasn’t going to be so relaxing after all, not that Alex had had high expectations or anything of the sort. Still, Alex didn’t mind helping others.

The sun was out, but the air was still crisp and the ground was still chilled. Alex hiked up the tree-covered slopes, breaking a miniscule amount of sweat. He could tell from his surroundings that he was almost there. The wilderness was by far the best place to get fresh lumber although nobody in District 7 seemed to care. It was a long walk, but Alex finally reached the sweet spot. He had found little time to come to these areas since his brother left to become a rebel, so the trees were taller than he’d ever seen them. There was an empty area that consisted of just the dirt ground and a very thick branch on the ground which Alex had put there to sit on when he’d grow tired of chopping trees. Surrounding the bare area were a few trees, then more, then even more, and soon enough you could no longer see anything behind them. The trees here were the best quality, always healthy and lively. Even if the lumber wouldn’t be for his family of District, he put his whole heart into everything he did.

Alex chopped and chopped and chopped until it was nearly noon. Drips of sweat rolled down Alex’s bare back. He had removed his shirt from the heat of the action, not the heat of the day. Suddenly, he heard a sound. Unknown sounds were uncommon to him from these parts of the wilderness, so Alex wedged the axe into the tree he’d been chopping as a reminder and headed back to the empty area. Nobody was there but he could still hear rustling around the perimeter of his little hideout. He turned and turned, searching for the search of the noise when suddenly he bumped into something. It was a girl, which made him quickly try to help her up. Hurting innocent people was not Alex’s forte so knocking a girl to the floor was nerve-racking for him.“I’m so sorry. Let me help you up,” Alex said, reaching a hand out to the small girl. When she stood at normal height he smiled, She’s cute, he couldn’t help but realize. Her eyes were gorgeous, which he noted that they were green-hazel. He wasn’t sure why, but Alex noticed that girls love it when you can specify their eye color. He smiled again, slightly amused at how quickly they had just met. He also started to wonder what she could be doing out here. She was clearly from a different District and she held no axe or bow and arrow.

He held a hand out to the girl to shake hands and officially introduce themselves, ”My name is Alex. I’m really sorry about that,” he apologized again. While waiting for her response, his fingers reached to the scar on the back of his neck that throbbed with pain. It was the one scar that his brother, Mark, had left on him permanently.

Word count: 948
Notes: A very cliché way for two characters to meet, but that’s all I could come up with : (
Song: If You're Out There, John Legend[/color][/i]

[Carmen Pomona]

Carmen Pomona was a imaginative adventurous girl. She often could be found hiding away under a tree or in an opening staring at the clouds. Today though she had decided to escape from District 11. Everyone was tending the freshly planted seedlings and they really didn't need her anyway.

She had set out extremely early this morning on a hike. She didn't want to bother with her parents yelling at her for being lazy again. So her thoughts woke her from a restless sleep and sent her rushing about her room to escape before anyone caught her. When she headed into the wooded area she was dressed in a green, light, breezy outfit carrying a small loaf of fresh baked bread wrapped in clothe.

As she walked the trees thickened and the roots became tangling knots at her feet. The trunks seemed to press in on her as she weaved through them hiking deeper and deeper into the wilderness. She wasn't worried about how far she was from home on the contrary it comforted her.

Soon, Carmen was walking into a thinner patch of woods. She could hear the sound of an axe repeatedly hitting wood as she walked. The rhythmic beat was lulling her into a false security. She wasn't paying attention as she roamed in the direction of the loud resonating sound. Then, it stopped.

She continued to walk as the branches started to let in the bright sunlight. It was warming her shoulders. The ground was opening up with more spaces to place her feet when suddenly she was on the ground. Standing above her was a strong sweaty man in a panic.

“I’m so sorry. Let me help you up, My name is Alex. I’m really sorry about that." He apologized as he helped her back up. His intense gaze made her blush. His messy dirty blonde hair, which was slightly sweaty, made him look like a knight just off his horse. Her imagination began to wonder. What a handsome guy. A horse was restlessly tethered to a tree a few yards away. His shiny armor sparkled in the dim sunlight. His smile was just as dazzling. Was she his lost princess. She was being foolish this isn't make-believe. She thought as her eyes fell to the ground. Not many guys spoke to her and right now she felt clumsy and ditzy. Her eyes spotted the clothe wrapped loaf of bread and reached down to pick it up.

Holding it like a baby into her chest she let her eyes focus on something other than the handsome guy standing in front of her she replied, "H-hi. My name is Carmen, District 11. I-it's not your fault, I'm just so clumsy." She forced out stuttering nervously.

Word Count: 461
Muse: Nice
Notes: It was wonderful. It inspired her imagination
Template by: Kiroshiro!

[Alex Owens]

The girl stuttered with her delicate words, which made Alex grin at her innocence. She seemed like a sweet girl, which is what he felt like he needed at that moment. His life had been ridden with hate from an unknown cause, which persistently frustrated Alex. This girl, though, transmitted a soft vibe of collective generosity. Of course, he would never know unless he made an effort to learn more about her. He had wanted a restful day, so this would be his reason to cease chopping tress for a moment. She interested him, but Alex really couldn’t understand why. It could’ve been the initial fact that she liked the wilderness, or it could’ve been the imaginative look in her eyes when her eyes fell on him.

“I-it’s not your fault, I’m just so clumsy” she had told him, but he didn’t believe it. Perhaps they did run into each other, and were both to lame, but Alex got the feeling that she wasn’t always so clumsy and that the situation just made her feel uncomfortable. Of course, Alex would never want to see someone uncomfortable so he made sure to end the silence, “So what brings you to the wilderness… holding a loaf of bread?” he laughed softy trying to make her feel complacent. Sam looked at the girl, her brunette hair tussling ever so slightly in the cool air and her pale skin was decorated by barely-visible goose-bumps. She held the bread like a hold in her arms, and Alex could almost remember a time when his mother, Felicia, held him like that… almost.

Felicia only actually held her son a few times during his infant years. She held Mark even fewer times, and their father never showed affection. Christopher Owens showed no signs of true care for Alex or Mark, but he never proved to them that he didn’t like them, either. Alex vowed that that had to have been better than Mark’s actions towards his little brother. Mark would hit him and insult him just until his breaking point and sometimes Mark actually did cross the line. Alex was always proving himself to Mark and Mark never rewarded Alex for any feat, large or small. The beatings marked Alex mentally as well as physically.

Alex ran his hand along the scar one more time.It still hurts so much. I can still feel the metal breaking my skin and the greedy look on his face. Alex finally remembered where he was. He was in the woods, chopping wood for mom and Mrs. Adams when he came across the beautiful girl in front of him. He still wondered what she was doing here, but figured it probably was none of his business, “Actually, you don’t have to answer that if you don’t want to. But you might as well have a seat with me right here on this comfy log,” he smiled at her and took a seat on the rested log, hoping she would sit with him for a minute or two. Alex always loved company.

Word count: 513
Notes: N/A
Song: If You're Out There, John Legend[/color][/size][/i]

[Carmen Pomona]

“So what brings you to the wilderness… holding a loaf of bread?” The handsome dirty blonde guy asked her gently. He laughed softly. He must have known that she was nervous or scared. It was plainly obvious to Carmen that she had to be. Her stutter and her shifty eyes gave her away.

Carmen looked at Alex honestly this time. Her hazel eyes, which were green in the dim light, examined him closely. His hair was messy but in an attractive way. It was the color of dirty dishwater. Carmen knew this because she washed her small family units clothes. He held himself strongly. His shoes are covered in what looked like wood shavings. He was very clearly a lumberjack but not in the sense that he was burly and rough. Alex was simply perfect.

She composed herself a little more to respond. "I was just getting away from home. This was for lunch." Carmen finished lifting her loaf of bread and slightly unwrapping it releasing its fresh smell. She watched him sit down on a log and pat a small comfy mossy spot.

"...But you might as well have a seat with me right here on this comfy log." He wanted her so sit with him?! Carmen nearly fainted. This guy who was so nice ,and HOT she thought, wanted her to sit with him. What?! She blushed a little as she walked over and sat down folding her hands in her lap ontop of her loaf of bread.

"Are you h-hungry?" She worked up the courage to ask. She couldn't help being hungry. The breads sweet aroma was calling her name. She had purchased it only a few minutes before she had left from the District 11 bakery. Carmen shifted uncomfortably waiting for his response.

[/blockquote][/blockquote]


Word Count: 305
Muse: sadly poor
Notes: sorry it took so damn long I've been trying to get on
Template by: Kiroshiro!

[Alex Owens]

Alex watched as the shy girl walked over. At first he was restless about her reaction towards him. It was hard to tell if she was just nervous or if he actually intimidated her. He opted for the first option since Alex hardly believed he could intimidate a soul. She put her hands on top of the fresh-smelling bread. The delicious smell lingered in the atmosphere between them. She asked him if he was hungry, which made Alex smile out of appreciation. It was kind of her to ask. He responded with a hearty grin, “Honestly, a guy my age is always hungry. But I couldn’t take your bread. You must work really hard to earn such a nice piece, and I know all about hard work.” Alex had been completely honest. It impressed him that she was capable to provide and support himself. It was different for Alex, since everyone usually used him and took advantage of him. That wasn’t to say that if she’d asked for his help he wouldn’t fill her every desire, because he would definitely do his best.

Alex adjusted his position of the log to face Carmen more clearly. District 11 was where she claimed to be from. He could tell that she wasn’t lying, the clothes that she wore were an obvious give away, but just her whole vibe made him see she was humble and resourceful and didn’t take anything for granted. He liked that. He really liked that.

Alex took another look at the bread in her lap. It smelt so enticing, ALex couldn’t help but want a taste. “Unless, of course, you can’t finish that all by yourself? Then I would be honored to lighten your carry weight for the trip back,” Alex said with a coy smirk.

Word count: 294
Notes: Sorry for the short length but it's a dialogue scene so... yeah, haha :x
Song: If You're Out There, John Legend[/color][/size][/i]

[Carmen Pomona]

"Work? Not often. I don't see the point in working for what I can't have. You are right though I did work for this, for once." Carmen's stutter was lost in her passion. She just didn't understand why she had to slave in the sun for someone else while her family starved. Dont get her wrong though, she would work, for her family or loved one. In her mind then there is a reason to work.

Carmen decided that Alex was a good guy. If she had to pretend that he was some knight to speak to him then what kind of girl was she. Opening the loaf on her lap she smiled an innocent smile.

"I escape like this alot. Especially when my parents dont need me. I insist. Its really good." Carmen offered breaking the loaf in two. The crisp outer later parting to reveal the soft moist center. She held back drool as she bit into the bread, holding the other piece out for Alex to take. She watched as he stared at her lunch.

His dirty dishwater hair rustled in a slight breeze. He was once again clad in armor. He had been riding for many days. Ravaging from hunger. The poor soul wa fresh from war, wishing for home. This bread was the closest to a warm house with a lovely wench at his side. Did he like children? She let her mind wonder as she scarfed down her meal, if you could call it that.

[/blockquote][/blockquote]


Word Count: 248
Muse: eh, ok
Notes: i apologize, super short
Template by: Kiroshiro!