On an Orchard Wild and Free

The same old thing gets boring. I know this for a fact. I love my home and everyone in it but sometimes I just want to explore. There is so much more out there. The Capitol bans us from travelling outside of our Districts. It's a pain. I am York McKnight from District Eleven. Allow me to show you the world I invision.

[dreamersefarina-blog]

Third-Degree Burns || Fire-making || York & Sefarina

[dreamersefarina-blog]

I sucked in a breath.  Ok, here goes.

"Maybe it’s been apparent but… I really like you.  I’ve always liked you," I started out.  "I don’t even remember when I first started falling for you," I continued, a small smile on my face.  "But I know I haven’t stopped since."  Putting the materials down, I place my hands in my lap and turn to York.  "And I know you’re not great with words and you come off a little awkward," I chuckled.  "I love you nonetheless.  I couldn’t be more grateful that the person I’m in love with is also my best friend."

Ok.  There.  I said it.  Years of imagining what I would say flew out the window and I simply said what I needed to say.

[knightofyork]

Love?

I don't love her. I just really like her. This has just become extremely awkward.

I couldn't say that right? Should I say anything? Nope!

Instead of giving her words, I give her a kiss instead.

[dreamersefarina-blog]

Third-Degree Burns || Fire-making || York & Sefarina

[dreamersefarina-blog]

And this is why I adored York.  He understood me.

"I never thought I could ever dislike someone so much, but that boy from Two just got on my nerves!  For a while, I thought he actually might have hurt me…"

I focused on the fire, dancing amongst the darkened twigs.

"York…" I said, my eyes still on the fire.  "We need to talk.  About us."

[knightofyork]

"We haven't been around people like them before so expect the unexpected."

Here it goes. The 'us'

"Go on..."

[dreamersefarina-blog]

Third-Degree Burns || Fire-making || York & Sefarina

[dreamersefarina-blog]

A small flush rises in my cheeks when his arms wrap around me and grab a hold of my hands.  I tried to pay attention to what he was doing but I couldn’t really concentrate.

When a few sparks flared, I smiled widely.  “Look!” I exclaimed as York continued to help me until a fire finally started.  “Thanks,” I smiled, a little sad when he moved away.

"Training’s been… ok, I suppose.  Met some really nice people but the male Careers from One and Two are just the worst…" I said, pouting a bit as I remembered my encounter with them.

[knightofyork]

I stepped away from her after the spark. After all she did like learning. I can't do it all for her.

"They're just trying to make up for their lack of life worth. See when you're from a Career District all you are raised to do is learn to kill. That's useful when you get into the arena. But there are only so many times you can volunteer or get reaped. What else are they going to do with that skill? Become some kind of assassin? Bullshit. These lugnuts have probably never worked a day in their lives. They may have more but they do so little with it. It's all very sickening. They're not really worth your time or words."

[dreamersefarina-blog]

Third-Degree Burns || Fire-making || York & Sefarina

[dreamersefarina-blog]

I roll my eyes at him, a smirk on my lips.  “Yes, it makes me chilly,” I retorted, nudging him lightly as I grabbed some other supplies.  I made a small pile of dry twigs and leaves, grabbing some cotton as well before trying to light it all up.  I started to furrow as no spark emitted.  I was doing exactly what the instructor did.  I think…

"So…" I started hesitantly.  "How’s training been?" I asked, trying to make light conversation.  Why was this so hard?  York was my best friend, and now, all of a sudden, we can barely hold a normal conversation?

[knightofyork]

I narrow my eyes at her. We always had our camp outs on the outskirts of the orchard. There was always a fire going. But then again did she ever start it? I know I started it often. 

"Training has been fine. You?"

She's struggling with this. She has helped me alot so I guess it's time to repay the favor. 

I walk up behind her and take hold of her hands.

"Here I'll help. You need to be quick but precise unless you want to stay cold."

[dreamersefarina-blog]

Third-Degree Burns || Fire-making || York & Sefarina

I approach the fire-making station quietly.  The instructor had already started explaining some stuff and I took a seat while he finished talking, nodding at his instructions.  When he finished, I started looking over the supplies on the table, wondering what to use first.  I hadn’t paid attention to who was already at the station but when I reached out to grab a piece of flint, a familiar outstretched hand appeared.  Glancing up, I see York and give him a small smile, blushing a bit in embarrassment.

"Hey, York," I said, grabbing a different piece of flint instead.

[knightofyork]

I'm really liking this place. It's quite...different. A good different even though I'm going to die here.

I spotted Sefarina over at the firemaking station. We haven't talked about us in a while. It seems to be a subject that we're avoiding. May as well learn and confront at the same time.

Before making my presence known, I watch her. The little movements. That determined look she gets in her eyes as she is about to dive into something new. It's....great? Grand? Beautiful? None of those seem to fit. It's no word.

I smile at her blush.

"Does my presence give you a cold Sef?"

[knightofyork]

Out of It - All by myself - Archery

Trained with a bow and arrows today. I'm not too incompetent in that area surprisingly. Overall a good training session.

Knives to Meet You - Victoria - Throwing Knives/Axes

Met Victoria. There's something wrong with her leg but I didn't want to bug her. She has been sheltered like I have. I wrapped her cut hand up with a piece of my shirt. Nice kid. I also threw a knife for the first time. HAZZAH!

Run Away Baby - On my lonesome - Track

Admired the track like it was a lover. Yeah right I don't know how to admire a lover. Ran a bit and jumped over hurdles. Then I fell...yep eternal embarrassment.

[knightofyork]

Run Away Baby || Track OS

My eyes widen as I set my sights on the track. It's so beautiful. I have never seen anything so well made. Of course I can't pass up an opportunity like this. I immediately made my way over.

There are even hurdles! Okay play it cool. I can't look like an over excited idiot.

"Want to try it out?" I jumped. The trainer seemed to pop out of nowhere.

"Oh um yes. Yes please." Holy shit I get to actually do this. This place is amazing! I couldn't help but smile.

The trainer lined up several hurdles for me.

"Have you ever jumped over hurdles before?"

At home we don't have them but I did do other things. "Uhh I jumped over an old table that was flipped on its side."

The trainer shrugged. "Close enough. Try it out and please do not injure yourself. You need to be in tip top shape for the arena."

Noted.

I went to the starting line and did a few small stretches before counting down. On ten I ran straight for the first hurdle. Running was euphoric. I jumped over the first hurdle with ease. Just like the table but I had to get a bit higher. Each one after that was easy. That is until I reached the last one. My back foot hooked onto the hurdle and sent both myself and it down onto the track floor. Shit. The fall wasn't too bad. Nothing that hasn't happened.

"You were doing good out there. I know exactly what happened too. You let your mind wander too much. Always be aware of your body and the obstacles ahead of you. Never forget that."

I pushed myself up. Probably going to be sore tomorrow but whatever. It was fun. 

I took another round around the track before heading off.

[reinkaynated]

Knife To Meet You || Victoria & York || Throwing Knives and Axes

[reinkaynated]

His knife stuck to the target and I could tell the trainer was pleased with out progress, even if it was slow. Picking up another knife, I tried again and focused more on where I wanted the knife to go. To my surprise the blade stuck to the outer ring of the target. Finally a hit.

"For as long as I can remember," I said with a nod.

[knightofyork]

"Glad Sef and I aren't the only ones. Good shot by the way." I guess it's natural for us lower district kids to not be able t go anywhere else. It's kind of unfortunate really. But I would never ask for a better home. Just a different one.

[reinkaynated]

Knife To Meet You || Victoria & York || Throwing Knives and Axes

[reinkaynated]

My voice got caught in my throat as he wrapped the piece of cloth around my hand, I didn’t quite know what to say. Too timid to shoo him off and say I was fine, I let him finish the makeshift bandage before I even thought to say something. “Thank you,” I managed, my voice no higher than a whisper. I wasn’t used to such kindness and it was odd to find it here of all places.

When he mentioned his home feeling a bit like a cell I let out a small laugh. “I think I may know the feeling,” I said, glancing up at him before turning to pick up another knife. The trainer showed me how to hold it by the blade without cutting myself, and I took another shot. This time the blade stuck into the target, only to fall out soon after. I was feeling oddly comfortable with York, and it was definitely something new. 

[knightofyork]

"Yeah no problem." Was she nervous?

I held onto the knife the proper way and tried throwing again. It stuck this time surprisingly. Practice makes perfect I guess.

"Have you lived in the same place all your life too?"

[reinkaynated]

Knife To Meet You || Victoria & York || Throwing Knives and Axes

[reinkaynated]

Just then, it clicked. I hadn’t done any socializing after the parade but I had kept my eyes open. District Eleven were the two who kissed during the parade, how could I have forgotten? I decided against mentioning it for fear that he wouldn’t be too happy about it. 

The trainer nodded towards my hand and I looked down to see that my palm was turning red, but I shook my head at her silent offer for assistance and picked up another knife, this time holding it by the hilt and not the blade.

It took me a minute to think about how to respond to his question, enough time to attempt another throw with the knife only to have it sail far above and past the target. “It’s quiet I suppose,” I said with a shrug.

"What’s District Eleven like?" I had only imagined the fields and did my best to write them down when I had the chance, although I don’t think I would have been able to do them justice.

[knightofyork]

I noticed her bleeding hand. Without a second thought I used the knife to cut off a strip of fabric from the bottom of my shirt.

"When I was younger I used to get quite a few scrapes and gashes. If a med kit was not near by then I would just use a scrap of fabric or something to cover it up."

I gently took her hand and wrapped the strip around her cut. While tucking the edges in I said "That should hold you. I don't know much about this stuff but I remember my mom wanting me to get whatever it was disinfected to avoid infection. Oh and District Eleven is fine. I haven't seen much of it. Being born and raised on an orchard is like being locked away in a cell."

[reinkaynated]

Knife To Meet You || Victoria & York || Throwing Knives and Axes

[reinkaynated]

I picked up another knife off the table and held it the way I saw the trainer, although I was as careful as I could be holding it by the blade, I felt the sting as it slid across my palm when I released it. Clenching my hand into a fist, I ignored the slight sting and with a glance saw that it couldn’t be that bad. Simply forget about it, bandages could be used for much more important things. 

I smiled slightly in his direction again, I felt as though I needed to try and be a bit friendly, back home I had probably come off as cold to some when I saw how people here interacted. I made note that those people were kind, and hoped that maybe I wouldn’t run into those who weren’t. “Sefarina is your district partner, right?” I hoped I was correct, and turned my gaze back to the table just in case I wasn’t.

[knightofyork]

"Yes she is. We have known each other since we were little."

I picked up a knife and practiced the form that she showed us. Seems difficult but it's worth a shot.

"So what's home life like?"

[reinkaynated]

Knife To Meet You || Victoria & York || Throwing Knives and Axes

[reinkaynated]

I had expected a sneer or snide remark but his kindness caught me off guard. I suppose Poppy was my only example of the people here and she wasn’t bad, but there was still something about her that threw me off. Or maybe it was just me.

I watched the trainer demonstrate how to throw the knife and noticed that she stopped her wrist halfway through the toss, assuring that the blade would collide with the target and not the hilt. Apparently this would be more complicated than I had thought.

I held my knife as I would hold a pen, although apparently not the best option because it too went clattering to the ground next to York’s.

"It’s not bad." I knew my response was short, but I tried not to sound too rude, afterall I didn’t have many people to talk to. "I haven’t really spoken to many people…" I trailed off, hoping that maybe I wasn’t as bad at speaking to other people as I thought I was.

[knightofyork]

As the trainer demonstrated, I noticed that she held the knife by the blade instead of the hilt. Her arm moved like she was about to hammer something meaning that only her forearm moved. The rest of the arm stayed straight. She also did something with her feet.

"I've only spoken to Celesta,Oren,Sefarina,and now you. You guys aren't as bad as I had feared."

[reinkaynated]

Knife To Meet You || Victoria & York || Throwing Knives and Axes

[reinkaynated]

I glanced over at the boy who had just introduced himself as York and smiled just a bit. “I’m Victoria,” I said simply but not unkindly, “from District Twelve.”

I saw him glance at how I was walking when I made my way over here and I was just waiting for him to either ask or assume, and such would lead to what it always did. What some would call harmless teasing, if only I had more to write on in the Capitol than just stray napkins I picked up during dinner. 

The knife I had grabbed seemed light in my hand and I decided to wait until York threw his before I attempted. No point in being a person of ridicule for more than one reason. I kept glancing over at him out of the corner of my eye, simply waiting for a comment that I knew had to be coming.

[knightofyork]

"Nice to meet you Victoria."

The trainer came over and told us to show her what we could do. From there, she would coach us.

Here goes nothing. I hold the knife by the hilt and throw it. The knife hits the target. Literally just hits it and falls to the floor. 

"Oops." I shrug. "So...have you enjoyed this place so far?"

[reinkaynated]

Knife To Meet You || Victoria & York || Throwing Knives and Axes

I realized when I first walked into the training center that I was quite late, everyone had already begun training at their stations and I could feel a few stray gazes landing my way as I walked in. If it hadn’t been for the spat I had with Celest and Lisbeth this morning over whether or not I should wear my prosthetic for training. We weren’t sure yet if I would be able to wear it in the arena, but just for normality, I had put it on again this morning. 

The only empty station I saw was throwing knives and axes, but as I walked closer up to the station I noticed that someone else had their eyes set on these weapons as well. I had spent all of yesterday training with everything other than weapons and I knew I couldn’t avoid them forever. I kept my lips sealed as I stood next to the boy at the station and picked up the first throwing knife I saw, hoping this would go at least somewhat well. 

[knightofyork]

Throwing knives were another foreign thing to me. Actually everything is foreign to me so I should just get used to it. As I walked to the station I noticed a young girl walking over too. She had funny walk. I won't ask about it though. It feels too...personal?

"Hello. I am York from District Eleven. What is your name?"

Smooth! My voice borderlines robotic. Either I have trouble speaking or I talk weird.

I picked up a throwing knife. Such a strange thing. I couldn't help but look at it for a moment.

[knightofyork]

Out of It || Archery

I've only ever seen a bow and arrow in our history books. This weapon was often used back in the old days. They still exist today but apparently they are made of sturdier material. There's also the crossbow that goes along with the advances...I think.

So the archery station was a prime target for me. Literally...

The trainer hands me a bow and asks me to hold it how I think it should be held. Well that is kind of stupid. I may not have ever held a bow before but it's kind of obvious how you hold it.

I hold up the actual bow with my left hand. My hand positioned right on the middle. Using my right hand, I pull back the bowstring.

"How's this?"

The trainer walks around me once and takes a good look at my hold.

"Right arm needs to be raised a bit more and not too far from the body. You also seem to be straining your left arm. You're not trying to stab someone with your finger. Relax just a bit. Also keep in mind that you're going to have an arrow too."

Well why doesn't he just give me an arrow?

"Yes sir." I correct my hold and look to him for his approval.

"Better, now take an arrow and do the same thing."

I line hold the arrow by the faux feather things and line it up. It's kind of difficult to keep my hand steady and the arrow against the bow.

"Draw back a bit more,aim a bit higher, then let the arrow fly."

Draw back,aim higher,and fire! 

The arrow flies and hits the far outer edge of the target. A little bit to the left and the arrow would have missed the target completely.

"Good,good. Practice your aim and keep going at it."

That's exactly what I did. I adjusted my aim a few times and fired arrow after arrow. Plenty were flops but I got some good shots in there. The trainer helped me along when he saw that I struggled a bit.

[knightofyork]

Kindred Spearits - Celesta - Spears

Small talk. She's a pretty cool person. We're alike in a way. I learned how to use a spear. My aim sucks but my throwing is pretty good.

Skinny Dipping (Not Really) - Sefarina - Pool

We talked about us. I used a kickboard for the first time. Sef slid to the edge of her rocker when I said 'girls' This happens often. Quite funny if you ask me.

The Only Way Is Up - Oren - Rock Wall

He's another person that's pretty cool. This origami stuff sounds really interesting. Climbed a wall for the first time. It was very different from the trees I would climb when there was no one around. These other tributes are surprising me. They are so....different.

[dreamersefarina-blog]

Skinny Dipping (not really) || York & Sefarina || pool

[dreamersefarina-blog]

I stare squarely ahead, my lips shut tight, pouting.

"Just because you don’t talk to someone doesn’t mean you don’t like them," I said, splashing some water at him with my hand before giggling and speeding away.

[knightofyork]

"Sef are you going to make a big issue out of this? I may just need to go grab a bowl of grapes until you start talking sense." I say jokingly.