On the Roof, After Skill Day One

[Derrin Verittia]

Derrin was mentally exhausted after the skill training day. All he did was look around for stuff and as such he was much more mentally drained than physically. Maybe he should not have focused so much on the mental and done something physically tiring.

He had examined the roofs and realized there was a force field keeping them from jumping off, made sense really but he was on the roof not for the views but the sounds and smells. He could hear all of the people who seemed to party all the time and he could smell the vehicles. It was a real shame that most people did not like that smell, he adored it.

The night wind was blowing nicely which made it a little cool outside. Derrin was leaning against the wall with a bone in his mouth from some ribs he had eaten earlier. His arms folded behind his head for comfort, legs crossed and his eyes closed just simply listening.

He had a tiny notebook in his pants that had all of his data he had written down on all the tributes so far to date that he had seen. He would and should be studying it but he decided against it. His eyes hurt.

“What I would not give to feel the grass under my toes…” He sighed and decided to look up at the stars and just try to blank slate out. Maybe someone would show up and maybe they would not, he had no idea how many tributes knew about the roof.

He shifted a bit and sighed in comfort as he got more comfortable.

[Jaden Fox]

The door opens and Jaden, wearing an eyepatch, walks out onto the roof. "Well, it looks like I'm not the only one to have discovered this roof," he says casually. "Pretty nice out here, huh? I'm actually meeting a bunch of people up here. They should be here soon. Would you like to join us for a chat or are you already part of a group?"

[Derrin Verittia]

The door opened rather abruptly, when the guy from district two shows up…in an eye patch. He looked over and saw Derrin and then pointed out that he was not the only one to notice the roof. Derrin nodded and then stood up. He lifted up his hand in a hello fashion and the yawned.

Derrin was then asked a question after he was told that it was pretty nice up here. Derrin nodded to him and rubbed his eyes. “No, no by all means have your meeting. It’s the end of the first skill day I have no idea what is set in stone or not.”

He stretched and then leaned backwards against the wall.

[Mallory Sharpe]

Mallory opened the door and peaked out. Uh-oh, who are all these people? she thought to herself.

[Kimber Beck]

Kimber slipped onto the roof behind Mallory, who seemed to be hiding behind the door. She could feel the leaves start to kick in. Remembering what David said about the stars she looked up.

They looked amazing.

She had seen the stars before of course, but there was just something different about them. They seemed to be brighter than usual. They were amazing. She felt amazing. She couldn't keep her eyes off of the stars. She barely even noticed the others on the roof.

[Jaden Fox]

"Mallory! Kimber! There you are!" Jaden gestures to Derrin, "This is my buddy, Derrin. Not sure if you guys have met, but he's going to join us for our chat, right Derrin?"

Jaden sits on the ledge of the building, dangling his legs out over the street below. "You know, this is as close as we can get to escaping the training center and this whole Hunger Games mess. What do you guys do to stay so cool about all this?" He asks, but his tone isn't somber, it's a genuine question.

[Millie Cartwright]

Millie made her way to the roof last. She had stayed back to walk with Kimber when Mallory had gone ahead first.

She heard Eyepatch announce the names of the other two girls to a tribute she had seen around quite often. She considered the boy to be a bit melodramatic but she had always thought there was something to be carefull of beneath his quirky but often times demure behavior.

"Ah well," "She thought it could be that they hadn't noticed me yet OR they might not care for me. Either way I convinced these two girls to have fun tonight so I shouldn't just bail on them." Sh elooked at the stars and they were quite beautiful. "Anyways," she thought to herself, "I'm used to attention being from district one. I think they'd enjoy the spotlight tonight."

Millie leaned against what was either a chimney or a steam pipe and took in the night sky.l Jaden asked a question that Millie assumed was meant to sound deep. Or hell maybe it was genuine...the eyepatch really threw her off to be honest.

You never can trust a man in an eyepatch.

Although he did seem kinda nice...

[Mallory Sharpe]

Mallory sighed seeing Millie come up to the roof. She had rushed off without thinking. Thank goodness there's an ally here. "Hi Millie! I was wondering what happened to you! Jaden was just asking a question about, erm, something."

[Millie Cartwright]

"Yeah I heard," Millie responded, "I don't quite know how to answer that Jaden." Millie shrugged, "I guess I just try to find people I can really feel some sort of connection to. Then when you're out there in the arena you're not just fighting to stay alive...you're fighting for each other."

"Speaking of which Jaden," She turned to look at him directly, "I see that you were up here alone with Derrin and I have heard rumors he is putting together his own alliance but on the off chance that he didn't recruit you when we were all still downstairs I think it'd be kinda fun if you joined up with me and the team I'm building."

She looked over at Darrin she hadn't been on the roof when Jaden had introduced him as his friend. If she had she probably would have figured out that these two were trying to recruit the three of them for the alliance that they probably shared. She might even have considered offering to combine the alliances or at least form an alliance of alliances. But that had all evaded her because she had not been in the right place at the right time.

The only mote of information from this lost string of logic that suddenly occured to her is that perhaps Derrin had the intention of recruiting these girls before she blurted out an invitation to hers. These are the kind f mistakes that create grudges and grudges get you killed in the arena. Maybe the rumors weren't even true maybe Derrin didn't even have an alliance. But it was better to safe then sorry.

She turned sheepishly towards Derrin, "I mean unless you already had made plans before I got up here...I don't want to step on any toes. You don't make friends that way and like I've been saying friends are whats going to keep us alive."

[Jaden Fox]

"A team, huh? Well, I can't turn down an opportunity like that. The fewer people I have trying to kill me, the better, right? Count me in. So does that make you the ringleader of this alliance?"

[Derrin Verittia]

All of a sudden it was a party on the roof top. He thought that this was more of his private spot but apparently the entire figment of his imagination was that somewhere, even here, something would actually belong to them. To him. Maybe in the area…for a little bit, he would.

Mallory followed up after Jaden and then even after that Kimber, much to his surprise also joined them up there. Kimber did not even seem to notice, well, anyone. She became obsessed with the sky, which Derrin had been when he had first been up there. He glanced at the sky but once again felt a little sour.

Jaden addressed him and as such he nodded and waved awkwardly. “I have yet to meet Mallory and Kimber is from my District so we have exchanged a few conversations.”

He looked behind them expecting more people when he also noticed another person. Millie from District one was also with them. He was surprised but he gave a small smile. He looked over at Kimber and simply thought about how happy he was she found some people. He had been worried.

Derrin moved over to where Millie was and sat down. He was technically not supposed to be here or at least he felt out of group. He wondered if Kimber set them up to find him. Who knew?

He looked up at the girl from district one and said, “Hey sorry about not addressing you by the weight room a few days ago…I was…lost in thought.” He did feel bad and then he thought about Jaden’s comment.

Derrin chuckled and said, “Most people can tell what I do. Considering I have become known for it.” He was speaking about how over dramatic and shirtless he usually was. You can’t be yourself here. To the Capitol this is simply a game.

He shifted a little. “You can’t be yourself here, this is a big game to them and the shiniest game piece wins. As for the alliance, I have no such toes to have been stepped on.”

[Millie Cartwright]

Millie was actually caught off guard for the first time that night. She had expected Derrin say something spiteful or make a grand gesture of pointing out that he didn't need her because he had his own magnificent alliance. He had sat right beside her and just been frank and honest with her. He hadn't tried to impress her or woo her he had just been himself to her.

She was kind of surprised that he had remembered the weight room. She had assumed he had no interest in talking to her. "Just don't blush," she thought to herself intensely and she hoped that it worked.

He used overly fancy ways to say simple things but she was beginning to think that that was just the way he was. "So the rumors were wrong?" She asked cautiously, "you're not in an alliance?" Hoping she wasn't misreading the situation and he was merely implying that he had no reason to be offended in this situation she asked, "are you looking for one?"

[Mallory Sharpe]

Aug 1, 2013 14:35:16 GMT -6 Jaden Fox said:

"A team, huh? Well, I can't turn down an opportunity like that. The fewer people I have trying to kill me, the better, right? Count me in. So does that make you the ringleader of this alliance?"

"Yup! She's our fearless leader!" Mallory announced, then promptly turned bright red in embarrassment over her own boldness.

[Millie Cartwright]

Yup! She's our fearless leader! Mallory announced, then promptly turned bright red in embarrassment over her own boldness.

"Well I was hoping for something a bit more democratic but I guess I have been the one setting this up. But you want fearless? I'll try and give it to you!"

[Jaden Fox]

"Well now that that's taken care of, let's save the business talk for behind closed doors. Let's just kick back and enjoy the good company."

Jaden pats the spot next to him inviting the girls to sit down and dangle their legs over the edge with him. "You guys aren't afraid of heights, are you?"

[Derrin Verittia]

Derrin leaned back into the chimney and closed his eyes. He gave out a decent sigh and simply shrugged his shoulders. Millie spoke out first about his point and then said so the rumors are true. That he was not a part of an alliance. Derrin looked up at her, having to cock his head back slightly and uncomfortably to do so. “I guess that would depends on if you trust the person how says the rumors about my associations, or if you are really willing to trust what I have to say. No one knows if there are grand deceivers among us.”

He got up and the looked over at Millie. Derrin reached out his hand, stopped for a moment, and then gently placed his hand on the top of Millie’s head. He looked her in the eyes and smiled turned his head a little to the side, “Currently I am in not “Committed” to an alliance. I have been approached but I myself have not set into motion as a leader any sort of Alliance.”

He patted her head once and lifted his hand. He blushed a little and said, “Thank you for letting me touch your head. It was the first time I have ever laid a hand on someone affectionately, and my father was right before he died, it is a very pleasant feeling.”

He turned his back to everyone else and smiled, “I am always looking for someone I can really attach to and trust. I am a free agent at the moment. I would speak alone about me first before you just go ahead and invite me. Be wise about your friends.” He walked away from Millie figuring she might want space considering he might have just grossed her out.

Walking over to the edge he looked down and simply said, “Good luck being a fearless leader and Mallory be safe as well. Jaden try not worry to much and relax a bit more. Kimber...congrats.”

He turned around to face all of them, a single tear in his eye that he needed to rub away, which he did rather quickly. “I am very jealous you guys have people you get along well with. I’ll be around. So let me know what you all think. Also smile for me a little bit you guys.”

He then turned and exited the doorway. It was not his place to be there. He was not one of the trusted yet. He did not want to ruin their happiness.

Let them enjoy themselves, and hopefully not worry about Derrin. He felt out of place and awkward up there. Leaving was the best option really. For now.

[Millie Cartwright]

"Um..." Millie mumbled as Derrin left the rooftop, "what was She spun around to address her new friends, "more to the point can we trust him?"

[Talia Zinten]

"In our predicament; trust is scarce, Millie."

Talia stepped out from behind a row of immaculate hedges adorning the rooftop. She sauntered over to Jaden and sat on the edge of the building, her legs dangling off.

"Put your faith in two things: Your enemies to hunt you now, and your allies to hunt you tomorrow."

A small leaf stood out from the hedges ever so slightly, to which Talia reached over to pluck and mull over a moment.

"Twenty Four one of us will be put into that cage, and only one staggers out afterward."

A waft of wind tugged the leaf from Talia's fingers and sent it spiraling off the roof. The girl from District Three met Millie's eyes.

"Within your assemblage, we can all aspire to endure toward the final outcome."

[Kimber Beck]

Kimber finally turned her attention away from the sky when Derrin addressed her. Why was he looking so sad when she felt so good? She watched him leave the roof, acting as she would have done earlier if it wasn't for him. Congrats for what?

"I trust him," she said in a dream-like voice. "Maybe I shouldn't do that? Who knows? Live one day at a time," She said the last part in a mock serious voice. "Have you guys seen the stars? They're so PRETTY."

The effect of those leaves were the exact opposite of what Kimber was used to. She felt like anything was possible, and a little giddy. She liked it. Hopefully the others didn't notice anything too strange about her behavior, but for the moment she didn't really care.

[Millie Cartwright]

"Well Kimber's a bit to blunt to lie to us," she paused, "but don't get me wrong that's why invited you in the first place. Honesty no matter how it presents itself is always a good trait."

"Well then I say we extend him an invitation unless there are any objections."

Millie stopped dead in the middle of her train of thought when another girl appeared as if from the shadows. The way she spoke seemed as if the whole conversation was one big riddle. Much like talking to Derrin she thought.

The last sentence of her introduction of sorts made Millie wary. It seemed as though she was actually agreeing with Millie's idea that there could be a way they could survive the games together.

Although Millie truly believed in this she never really thought anyone else would at first. She figured she'd have to convince her alliance of it on the battlefield when they were truly faced with the mortality of the situation they were in. Kill and be killed? How about Live and let live? She wasn't naive. She knew a few people would have to for if they couldn't be convinced to align themselves with her thinking. But you can't make an omelette with our cracking a few...skulls. The metaphor bothered Millie for having even thought it in the first place.

She looked up at the girl talking to her, "Are you saying you want to align yourself with our cause?"

[William Mandela]

William enter the roof through the access hatch, only it's already ajar. "Hmm.. I knew there was something crawlig around up here last night."
He slings the bag of fruit over his should and makes his ascent, tossing the bag over ahead of him. He reaches the top, stoops to pick up the bag.

That's when he sees them.

The boy from the hall, the girl from district, and... that redhead.
"SHITSHITSHITSHITSHIT!" he screams inside his head, falling prone behind an AC conduit.
"Stay cool, Billie. You've got this. Just crawl back the way you came."
As he begins a slow belly crawl back to the ladder a a small tear opens in the bag, caught on a loose staple. A pear slips from it containment and rolls free. William shoots a hand out to stop it but it's gone from his reach.
The narrower top rotates slower than it's bulky bottom and makes a sudden u-turn.
Straight into the AC duct.
The hollow sheet medal rings out like a gong to his panic-stricken senses. He freezes in place and silently prays no one heard him.

[Millie Cartwright]

"Um did you hear that?" Millie suddenly asked the young girl so she had just asked a question of, "it kinda sounds like someone just threw a pear at a gong." Millie thought about this statement for a second, "no that's ridiculous. Must have been the building creaking."

"Newer buildings like these male those sounds as they settle in to their foundation," she said looking around the roof. She looked back at the girl still waiting for an answer before taking in the rooftop once more, "it really is a nice build-"

And that's when she saw him. The boy from the poolside that had come onto her and them when she had sacrificed her own self respect to include the district within his alliance had walked away without a word and taking her fellow tribute who she ha TRAINED with for MONTHS into his fold leaving her COMPLETELY alone.

"You..." She said coldly and evenly as she stared at him dead in the eyes as he laid on his belly below her.

[Jaden Fox]

Jaden, who was fully prepared for a relaxing night with new friends on the rooftop, was perturbed by the entrance of the mysterious girl. The spot on the side of the rooftop was intended for Millie and her two cute friends, and Jaden was in no mood for more alliance talk. "Look," he said to Talia, "Thanks for stopping by, but why don't you go play with the other 12 year olds down in the kiddie pool?"

Jaden's comment caused a momentary silence, just in time for everyone to hear the metal clang back by the access hatch.

[William Mandela]

"Hey..." He stood and brushed the dirt and pelleted rubber tarring of his knees and shirt. "pear anyone?"

[William Mandela]

After an uncomfortable silence, William breaks the still, cool, air.
"So, I don't know if there's something going on here but I was supposed to meet a couple people up here. Is that ok? If not, can I at least wait 'till they get here so we can all leave and I don't have to round em all up again?"
He averts his eyes from the redhead with daggers of liquid slag jabbing at him... ("Oh, man..." he thinks to himself)
"...er, whatever..." he murmurs.