Taking a Stroll

Subject: Taking a Stroll Tue Dec 04, 2012 11:41 pm

Rafe Terrn
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Rafe stepped onto the first stones of the rocky trail. He looked up the mountain in front of them with admiration. Tall, strong and near unbreakable, one did not simply conquer the mountain, they survived it, and hopefully find enjoyment on it. Today was a day for enjoyment, so maybe they wouldn't go to the peak. It was a pretty tall rock, after all, most people stopped about half way, casual hiking, through the trees and the modest slopes, as opposed to the terrain awaiting as you neared the top.

Beside Rafe was Astrid, and hopefully she wasn't going to try and pull a fast one on him to get a piggyback ride. She was known to do so. Things had been great since he returned from his Games, although there were a few holes in their relationship being poked at by outside factors, such as the annoying one in his head, which caused a lot of problems, including a very serious one that could have ended a lot worse than it did in training. Rafe didn't want to admit it, but he didn't feel quite as alright as he acted. The games had gotten to him like they got to everyone else in them, no victor could ever come back the same as they went in, it went against all evidence, being trained to win and kill, didn't help when your mind was challenged by the Gamemakers.

Quickly pushing aside these thoughts and putting on a grin, Rafe nudged Astrid with his shoulder against hers. "You sure you're strong enough for this Astrid?" he asked teasingly. "I wouldn't want to have to leave you behind on the way down."

Subject: Re: Taking a Stroll Wed Dec 05, 2012 9:20 pm

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Astrid Splints
---District 2---Female---17---

I had recently been at the training centre with Rafe, we had done little training but physical training in the form of fighting with fists wasn't usually my forte in the whole training section, I knew it was going to be a nice skill to have but I just don't have enough skills of my own on the table to do such thing. Not to mention things seemed a bit normal but odd little moments Rafe started to act out of place, of course it was only the first day back so it was to be expected here and there. Eventually he'd be back to normal and I wouldn't have this tugging feeling that he's changed, he's proved mostly to be the same person but I know just as well as the next that anyone who went into the games hardly ever came back the same, or sane for that matter. Rafe proved he was some how emotionally stronger than the rest of those victors, he still seemed sane to one who would look, I mean, sometimes he got a distant look that told me he wasn't exactly present but that could happen to anyone, who won the games or who have never been. I didn't know half the things he actually experienced there, I only knew the parts that were displayed on the screen, not everything was shown about him the whole time, there was without a doubt parts I hadn't seen of his games, but still whether I had seen them all or not, I still wouldn't know the inside thoughts, or the feelings those games weighed against him. This was just all something that would boil down and just slowly wash away, it'd be like a scar, it'd still be there but I knew things would at least clear out or at least lessen in problems.

That was when I blinked and watched my feet go in front pushing me on forward, right foot, left foot, right foot, and well so on. I listened to the sound of my feet hitting the ground, my eyes then shifted to look up and I saw the mountain, the mountain that hold a ton of trails, and a ton of different things to explore, this mountain was part of the district so there was no worries for us to go climbing up here, and we wouldn't be put into torture, no trespassing, no harm. Although harmful or not, crossing the fence had been fun in past experiences, not when Rafe tried to trick me into me thinking he wasn't alright, that was actually a dickhead move on his part but I could see how he could find that funny in some sense. I looked and smiled at the mountain, they probably weren't going to the top today, that'd probably be something to do on another day that wasn't today, today was mostly just a nice stroll or walk on the trails, perhaps hike half way up. I knew that Rafe was wary on whether or not I would jump on his back and demand a piggy back ride, most times I would but sometimes, well most times it was nice to just be able to walk beside him and hold his hand.

That was then when I heard him speak and it took awhile for everything to register in and then I knew he was trying to tease me, like his usual self. Soon a grin placed upon my face, "Well, I think I can handle it just fine, not quite sure you can Bricks." I say now switching the tables to him. "Because I for one will not be dragging back down, that'll be your problem, I'm sure the peacekeepers will assist you down though." I sayd, giving off a small chuckle as I teased him. It was all fun and games and none of it was to be taken seriously, really. It was something we did quite often.

Subject: Re: Taking a Stroll Wed Dec 05, 2012 10:56 pm

Rafe Terrn
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Rafe smiled, not bothering to answer and continue the unwinnable banter. His hand was holding Astrid's already, so he started up the nearest trail without hesitation, keeping her walking beside him. Somehow, despite all the training they'd all been through, Astrid's hands were still soft and smooth, it was comforting, especially in contrast to the rough calloused skin of his hands. He didn't care for them, they were made to fight with from a young age, his family hadn't seen human contact as an important part of life for him. His feet were quite similar, from all the runs he'd been forced to do barefoot in the hills, trotting across the stone paths. It was bloody at first, but his skin adjusted, just as he had adjusted to the life given to him. Rafe always adjusted.

That fact didn't help him though, he was at the most difficult point in his life, in pretty much every aspect. He'd won his games, but he knew he was changed, it wasn't just the voice either, memories like those didn't leave you. Change in that way was bad. In other parts of his life, he had the best girlfriend he could have ever asked for, but he wasn't used to relationships, he just kept doing the same things he always did, on repeat, in his head frantically searching for somewhere to go from here in his relationship with Astrid. The voice throwing himself into play every so often didn't help any of this, as he loved recalling the games and all the worst moments of them, as well as generally mess with his head around Astrid.

He snapped back to reality, realizing he'd continued walking on cruise control, if Astrid had said anything in the past few minutes... She would know something was up. They were alone by now, other hikers splitting off on side trails to get their own privacy. Sometimes being alone with Astrid was great, but when she wanted to know something, it was more like a criminal interrogation, and Astrid was always ready to hit you for not speaking. "Soooo..." he said awkwardly, too late realizing this might set her off.

Subject: Re: Taking a Stroll Sat Dec 08, 2012 2:55 am

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Astrid Splints
---District 2---Female---17---

Things were fairly silent for the both of them as they hiked up the trail together. It wasn't really about communicating a whole lot or obsessively talking just spending the time together was a nice thing and a wonderful thing at that for them alone, especially in the type of world they lived in. They could die at any moment, like just awhile ago Rafe had the biggest chance of dying by being reaped into those god awful games but he was trained to be in them since he was a little kid. Astrid actually remembered his family back when they were younger, Rafe was always roughly a year older than her and then of course there was his cousin Flint. Both Terrn boys were rather quiet and hardly spoke a whole lot when they did training when they were around the age of ten. Well Astrid never knew how long they did train for or when they started, all she knew was she started mild training when she was ten and gradually increased her skills. Astrid had done a ton of training but yet her hands were still soft, it was just something her hands were always like.

Astrid snapped back to reality a bit and she was looking around at the beauty of nature and she was really grateful for it, she noticed that not too many people were on the same path as them anymore, they had all branched off on different trails, each trail led to something else and the main trail they were on have been leading up the mountain. Hearing the sounds and slight shifting in the nature was both nerve racking yet soothing in it's odd little way. That's when she realized that Rafe hadn't been saying a whole lot over there in his little world of his but for most of the time being Astrid was very easy on him.

That's when she heard the little breaker of silence they usually did, their little somewhat annoying but meaningful thing. It was something they both did. "Nice weather, we're having?" She suggested with a chuckle, "You know what I don't understand? Why the district allows hiking trails here and stuff but lots of the mountains are still fenced off and restricted zones." She said mostly thinking aloud for once, ti was interesting sometimes to listen to her thoughts and such.

Subject: Re: Taking a Stroll Sat Dec 08, 2012 7:00 pm

Rafe Terrn
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Rafe smirked, looking around the area with a keen eye. He didn't see anyone or anything, but he knew. "On this hill, you're never alone" he says, "Its just like the arena, hidden camera's, watching, monitoring, they can control you here, but they can't keep track of all the mountains, so they restrict them to keep us all in an acceptable area"

He stopped walking, leaning his back against a tree. "Despite the freedom one can feel on these trails, there is no privacy, we're being watched." he looked around, "Its really a wonder I haven't snapped and attacked a peacekeeper for what them and their people did to..." he stopped himself, realizing his grand error. "Um, anyways, wanna stop here for a bit?"

Subject: Re: Taking a Stroll Sun Dec 09, 2012 12:39 pm

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Astrid Splints
---District 2---Female---17---

Astrid listened to Rafe as he made the connection between here and the arena, how they were never alone. Astrid knew that was most likely true, no where was really safe and Astrid was surprised she had never been whipped for the trespassing she's done other places, unless they just didn't think those people in the districts were going to be over there. Soon Rafe was leaning his back against a tree and Astrid stopped to face him.

That's when she was really perked to interest when he started to talk about something then cut himself off, she wanted to know but she knew it was the wrong place and time to ask about something like this. "We can stop here." She said and got closer to him and was now only standing a few inches away from him, "You know, in the position your at I could make you my bitch right now." She said smirking but of course this was just one of her light heated jokes. There was a few other lines that Astrid had in mind for the moment but figured they might be of use later.

Subject: Re: Taking a Stroll Sun Dec 09, 2012 3:48 pm

Rafe Terrn
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Rafe laughed, "I'd love to see you try that" he said, prodding her to attempt it. He wasn't going to be her bitch, that was assured. She could do anything she wanted, but it wouldn't make that happen. Rafe rested his hands on her hips casually. "So, hows the hiking thing going for you?" he asked, smiling. Maybe he could turn this away from what he'd almost said, but knowing Astrid, she would keep pushing until he told her.

Subject: Re: Taking a Stroll Sun Dec 09, 2012 4:08 pm

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Astrid Splints
---District 2---Female---17---

Astrid smirked, "Well as tempting as that may be, I'm sure there is one easy way but someone told me we were being watched." She said and listened to what else he said adn she tossed the words around, "Well, hiking is going just splendid for me but I'm sure this isn't what I wanted to ask about." Astrid said and then began to think for a moment leaving a bit of silence between them. "So, Rafey. what exactly was it you were going to say before you rudely cut yourself off?" She asked casually, "You know there could always be rewards for things you tell me truthfully." She said suggesting something very obvious and grinned, "Don't even thinking about lying to me either, Bricks, I know when you lie to me." She said, although she knew most times when he was lying she didn't actually know all the time, it mostly depended.

Subject: Re: Taking a Stroll Sun Dec 09, 2012 4:12 pm

Rafe Terrn
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Rafe looked down, so much for getting away from it. "How about..." he said, trying to think of some clever remark. Failing to find one, he sighed. "Later, I'll tell you later, okay?" he said, "Just not here, not now, we're here to relax" heh, relax, that might as well be thrown out the window, Astrid wasn't going to let herself relax now until he told her. Just like that, he'd ruined the day completely.

Subject: Re: Taking a Stroll Sun Dec 09, 2012 4:21 pm

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Astrid Splints
---District 2---Female---17---

Later? He was going to tell her later? Astrid sighed softly, "Not all rewards stay the same later." She said to him, but that probably didn't matter much right now away. She had decided earlier to leave it alone but he was the one who seemed to be avoiding it right away which was always something that Astrid took action upon. "But yes, we came up here to relax." Astrid said softly. "Relax." She said quietly as if the word wasn't able to comprehend in her brain. Astrid hadn't relaxed much since Rafe had left for the games and she had began to relax when he made it home but it was still complicated to even get back into that state right away. Astrid soon leaned forward and leaned against him and sighed softly, "Do you really think they have cameras around here to watch us all the time?" She asked him.

Subject: Re: Taking a Stroll Sun Dec 09, 2012 4:30 pm

Rafe Terrn
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Rafe glanced around the woods before resting his chin on Astrid's head. His arms had moved and wrapped around Astrid when she'd leaned in against him almost subconciously. "No doubt" he answered. "They don't trust us, so they don't leave us alone" he said, "The only places they aren't watching are probably the houses and other buildings that people built themselves here" he looked down at the top of Astrid's head, trying to figure out what she was feeling. He wanted her to be happy, but since he got back those moments were getting increasingly fleeting.

Subject: Re: Taking a Stroll Sun Dec 09, 2012 4:40 pm

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Astrid Splints
---District 2---Female---17---

Astrid felt him rest his chin on her head and soon after his arms wrapped around her. It was mostly in these small embraces that she felt safest and the most comfortable but yet at the same time to trust someone that much that they wouldn't stab you when you're most vulnerable is another wonder of the human brain for Astrid, of course this was more something to worry about in the games, and besides Astrid trusted Rafe. She barely snapped back to reality to hear what he said. "I'm glad there's no cameras in the houses, I'd feel sorry for whoever watched it, I'd also feel uncomfortable in my own home then thinking if I was being watched the whole time." She said softly and then when things grew silent again she closed her eyes gently just listening to the small chirps from birds and his breathing. "Penny for your thoughts?" She asked wondering what he was thinking most of the time.

Subject: Re: Taking a Stroll Sun Dec 09, 2012 4:44 pm

Rafe Terrn
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Rafe didn't really know what to tell her. It was quiet, he was calm, and he was with Astrid, for some reason he wasn't really thinking about anything. "I don't know" he said, "Whenever I'm with you and we're just together, not saying much, I just sort of live in the moment" he says, "I really have nothing on my mind". Rafe wondered if that sounded stupid or not.

Subject: Re: Taking a Stroll Sun Dec 09, 2012 4:54 pm

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Astrid Splints
---District 2---Female---17---

Listening to what he had to say she was a little surprised by what he said but not completely surprised. "I suppose that makes plenty of sense." Astrid said thinking about it, Astrid could see how it was possible because sometimes she'd just enjoy the moment while it was there instead of worrying about everything else. "How far up do you want to go?" She asked changing subject to about hiking. Something that'd give off a little conversation and she'd get hopefully some useful info out of it.

Subject: Re: Taking a Stroll Sun Dec 09, 2012 5:00 pm

Rafe Terrn
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Rafe laughed, "Well, that depends" he said, pointing up the mountain over her head, he stayed silent for a moment to make her think he was trying to figure it out. "Wherever you go up to," he said, "I want to go about a foot higher up" he said, smirking even though she couldn't see his face.

Subject: Re: Taking a Stroll Sun Dec 09, 2012 5:13 pm

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Astrid Splints
---District 2---Female---17---

She looked up at the mountain and she could see it was a rather tall mountain and then she waited for him to speak again, it was a bit and then he spoke and she rolled her eyes even though he couldn't see it. "What if I go up to the top, Rafey?" Astrid asked grinning, "Then how will you get up another foot higher than me." She said and chuckled a bit waiting to see if he had a response to this at all.

Subject: Re: Taking a Stroll Sun Dec 09, 2012 5:20 pm

Rafe Terrn
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Rafe laughed, "Then we can call it a technicality, I was a few inches higher than you, because you're not that tall" he said, "That or I can stand on you, you get to pick" he added, giving her a second option, though he was pretty sure she didn't like either one. He slid down the tree on his back to be at eye level with Astrid. "Besides, I really doubt you're planning on going to the top."

Subject: Re: Taking a Stroll Sun Dec 09, 2012 5:31 pm

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Astrid Splints
---District 2---Female---17---

Astrid grinned as he came back with an answer, of course he came back with one and of course it had to do with her height. At least she wasn't taller than him or really short, she was a nice height for her age and gender. Then she heard him mention about how she wasn't planning to go to the top probably, anyway. She smirked, "Is that a challenge Bricks?" She asked looking at him, "Because, challenge accepted." Nothing was going to change her mind set now anyway, when people mentioned she wouldn't do something that was when she had to go and prove them wrong.

Subject: Re: Taking a Stroll Sun Dec 09, 2012 5:43 pm

Rafe Terrn
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Rafe smiled, "It wasn't a challenge before, but now it is I guess" he said. He kissed her quickly, and while doing so he leaned forward, before dropping Astrid onto the ground as gently as he could. He began walking up the hill, turning back to say, "I have no boundaries in challenges, good luck Astrid, but I'm going to win" he grinned and kept going, knowing she would catch up.

Subject: Re: Taking a Stroll Sun Dec 09, 2012 5:56 pm

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Astrid Splints
---District 2---Female---17---

Astrid sighed as she sat there for a few seconds, the jerk had just set her down here and he decided to make it a race. She got up and she ran up the path so she was close but not too close, not yet at least. Astrid knew he could probably hear anyway. Astrid soon went off to the side of the trail and she manged to get up a tree. Being careful she shifted from tree to tree until she found a branch that was above the path and up a bit farther from where Rafe was. She quickly made it from tree to tree and to the branch where she jumped down. "What was that about winning?" She asked grinning and continued on walking up the hill but not letting her guard down.

Subject: Re: Taking a Stroll Sun Dec 09, 2012 6:13 pm

Rafe Terrn
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Rafe chuckled as the leaves rustled, before seeing Astrid land on the path in front of him. He called back "Just remember its how far you go and not when you get there". He wondered how far she would go for this, before remembering it was to beat him. That pretty much meant she was going all the way, like she usually did to get the best of him or beat him at something.

Subject: Re: Taking a Stroll Sun Dec 09, 2012 6:36 pm

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Astrid Splints
---District 2---Female---17---

Astrid sighed as she continued walking about. "I know it doesn't really matter who gets there first but I still feel like I need to beat you." Astrid said and she kept going up. She knew it'd be awhile before she made it to the top. The nice thing was, it was near impossible to get lost on the way up there, so Astrid had no worries about that situation. She kept going, she knew the higher they went up the worse the climate would get which could potentially make getting to the top a lot more complicated than she would think. Not taking a chance she began to run getting more distance. After awhile she hadn't really seen or heard Rafe for awhile and she knew she gianed some more ground covered. In another hour or so she was at the home stretch running, honestly Rafe could be behind her or in front of her at this point she had no clue.

Making it to the top, finally, she didn't check for Rafe yet she just sat down on the the ground and laid back breathing heavily a bit as she just relaxed for once. She knew whether he had been here before her or if he was behind her, she'd be hearing him fairly soon, Rafe was in great shape as far as she knew, better than her at least, especially since he had just been in the games and she was a little lazy while he was gone.

Subject: Re: Taking a Stroll Sun Dec 09, 2012 7:19 pm

Rafe Terrn
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Rafe had gotten to the top about the same time as Astrid, deciding he would just stick behind her for most of the trek before moving to another part of the hill to finish the climb. His head popped up from the other side of the hill as he pulled himself back up to the top, where Astrid was. "Hey there" he said, standing up straight and admiring the view. "Looks like I win" he said, his breathing felt a bit odd from being so high up, this hill was a lot taller than the ones the district's buildings sat on.

Subject: Re: Taking a Stroll Sun Dec 09, 2012 7:26 pm

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Astrid Splints
---District 2---Female---17---

Astrid heard him and she closed her eyes for a bit. She just wanted to lay there for now, she knew that eventually all the cold air around them would hit her the longer she just laid there. For now she was just resting. "Yea it does look nice." She mumbled softly, she soon sighed as he said it looked like he won. "Fine, you win." She said taking in a few breaths. It was a struggle to breathe the farther you went up, it had just always been like that but eventually you just adjusted. "I made it to the top though which was a big part of the challenge altogether so I didn't completely fail." She said.

Subject: Re: Taking a Stroll Sun Dec 09, 2012 7:34 pm

Rafe Terrn
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Rafe chuckled, of course they get to the top of the mountain and Astrid is already lying down. He got down onto his stomach, with his face looking down at hers upside down, as he'd been on the other side of her head. "Not even going to protest this time?" he asked, smirking.

» Just Taking a Stroll
» A Little Stroll
» Taking Shelter
» Taking a leave.
» Taking One Small Step