Deleted
Relationship:
Occupation:
HG Status:
Last Online:
Apr 28, 2024 16:40:57 GMT -7
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2016 8:59:54 GMT -7
I'm wearing my best summer dress, the one that mother took months to sew because of all the eyelets. It's white and plain enough, but it's clearly well made. My mother makes clothes. She doesn't have to, not for money, anyways. But she has to do something to occupy her time when she isn't taking care of my brother and I. We're already teenagers and she often complains about us 'flying out of the nest' soon. The sewing helps, plus she donates all the clothes to needy families. We don't need much money. My father's pension as a former peacekeeper and his mayor's salary is more than enough for the four of us. My sneakers scrape against the gravel path. I've decided to wear running sneakers instead of the girly flats my mother insisted on. I have to make sure I can run properly, just in case. The sign for the diner is down the next block. I slow my pace as my heart does the opposite. Clutching the bottom hem of my dress and biting the side of my lip, I tell myself that this is nothing. I've had trainings with father far scarier than this. One time he locked me in a three foot by three foot box and told me to escape out of it. It took me three days. That was scary. This isn't. So why am I sweating? Why is my heart going a million miles an hour? And why does my tongue feel like sandpaper? The door creaks as I push it open, the bell above it rings, announcing my entry. The diner is mostly empty except for a couple and an old woman with her grandson. I look to the corner where my father said he would be waiting. I see his figure, but I don't focus on his face. My eyes dart around at other things around him, the corner of the table, the picture above his head, the shirt he's wearing. "Hello," I force out the word in something just above a whisper. My father told me I would know him, but I wouldn't know- I'm too afraid to look at him! He said he was a boy from my school, same age. We probably had classes together. I would have seen him around town. He's quite famous. Father says he's a 'nice boy'. Most fathers try to keep boys away from their daughters. But not mine. And the reason isn't because he's some kind of weirdo. But because *I* am. I've never had a boyfriend. Never even had a close friend who's a boy. My father even asked me one time if I liked girls. But to be honest, I don't even have friends who are girls!... I don't really have friends at all. I have people I talk to in school, but they aren't friends. No one has ever come over to my house and I have never gone to anyone's house to play. My father is worried I'm becoming a social outcast and my mother is worried I'll become a spinster. My toes wiggle inside my sneakers. I could outrun him even if he chased after me. I'm quick. But I imagine the look on my mother's face if I come back home now. I push down the impulse to turn around and run. TAG: Matthias Jensen WORDS: 559 NOTE: omg a 'blind' date set up by her own father-- embarrased! xD lol
|
|
District 10
Heterosexual
17 Years Old
Relationship:
Single
Occupation:
Student
HG Status:
Victor
Social Butterfly
Last Online:
Sept 23, 2017 21:22:26 GMT -7
|
Post by Matthias Jensen on Aug 29, 2016 13:22:46 GMT -7
"They" were worried about him. "They", of course, being the Capitol. The ooo-ing and ah-ing that the Capitol had done after this tiny kid from District 10 had won the Games was long past, and now they wanted something more from him. He'd become boring. He was 16 now, and why didn't he have girls constantly draped over his arm? Why wasn't he taking advantage of being the cutest little formerly-deaf bachelor in District 10? Anyone who asked either of those questions clearly had no idea what a day in the life of Matthias Vian Jensen was really like.
Matthias had just dropped out of school. Not because he hated learning - he actually rather enjoyed it, now that he could actually hear the teachers instead of struggling to read their lips. No, he had dropped out because he had finally reached the age where he could and he hated the kids there. Everyone who wasn't trying to get something from the now famous and wealthy victor were trying to goad him into making an ass of himself, reminiscent of the days when he was the constant subject of bullies. Plus, his older brother Aramis still went there - and even though it was Aramis' last year, the last thing Matthias wanted was to see his awful older brother any more than he had to. Of course, having unlimited free time could be just as depressing as going to school, and he hadn't found much to fill it with except for the occasional drinking, drawing, and visiting the family farm in secret.
A couple of days ago, Matthias had gotten an invitation from some official in the Capitol for a date had been set up between himself and a local girl in town. He could have tried to refuse, he supposed, but he wasn't suicidal. If there was one thing he learned through watching the other victors, it was that you do what's asked of you. So, hours before he was sent to meet her, Matthias had holed himself in his room in an effort to make himself presentable. He must have changed outfits a dozen times, then tried to style his hair to look at least... different. The whole effort seemed hopeless. He'd finally settled on a blue button down shirt, khaki pants, and black shoes. His hair looked basically the same as it always did.
Matthias arrived at the diner twenty minutes early. It was mostly empty, and since he didn't know who was coming, he picked a visible booth. As soon as he sat down, his leg bounced nervously and he felt his palms getting sweaty. Matthias had never had a date. He'd never had a girlfriend. He had no idea what to do, and his brothers were certainly no help. Since he had won, there was only more distance between Matthias and his brothers Jackson and Aramis. He had never been close to Aramis, but he had once to Jackson. He missed that. So he had a feeling this whole thing was going to be a disaster.
A blonde girl walked in, briefly looked his direction, and headed over. She greeted him as she sat down, then continued to look anywhere but at him. "Hello," he returned. His face turned red of its own accord. "It's Lux, right?" Matthias asked, although he knew that's what it was. When most of your school life is spent watching others instead of actively participating, it was easy to know who most people were. He'd seen her, and she probably hadn't known he'd existed until the 73.1 Hunger Games. He offered his hand across the table to her, trying to remain calm although his face as a bit red. "I'm Matthias." Another unneeded statement. Who in District 10 didn't know of him by now? He swallowed, then added, "I'm sorry. About this. It wasn't my idea or anything, they just think... I should be dating."
WC: 653 Tag: @lux Notes: Oh man, this is going to be great!
|
|
Deleted
Relationship:
Occupation:
HG Status:
Last Online:
Apr 28, 2024 16:40:57 GMT -7
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2016 14:23:18 GMT -7
My body is stiff against the wooden chair. And even as he speaks, I don't look at him. There's a knot on the wood of the table right in front of me. I focus on that spot instead. His voice doesn't sound familiar. I should just look up and see who he is, I would know right away. I'm good with faces. I'm good with remembering. I would know him, father said I would. His hand reaches across the table, covering my view of the wooden knot. His skin is less scarred than most people's. He hasn't seen a lot of work. My eyes trail from his fingers to his forearms, then shoulders, and finally onto his face. I don't know what I expected. I had feared the worst, but hoped for the best. The worst, some nerdy kid. And the best, a handsome boy built like a Peacekeeper in training. Perhaps my mother and I had the same tastes in men. But when I looked at the boy in front of me, all I felt was confusion. Matthias Jensen, the young Victor of District 10. Him?! "You..." my voice flitted away from me. Why him? Why in Panem would my father set me up with HIM? Sure he was a victor, but he was just a scrawny kid who won because he got lucky and was slightly smarter than the rest of the dumb neanderthals in the arena that year. I shake my head, not even paying attention to the rest of the words that are coming out of his mouth. Something about dating him. I almost scoff-- as if! "Sorry-- Matthias, is it? Look, I think there's been a mistake," I say, but I know there hadn't been. My father deliberately set me up with Matthias Jensen. He had described him as 'famous'. Perhaps this was just some ploy of his, some publicity stunt for the family. Whatever it is, I'm going to have a talk with him. There is no way in hell I'm going to date this kid. He isn't even my type! ... Whatever my type would be. But I know, it isn't him. "My dad is just-- I can't believe this," I groan. I'm so frustrated and embarrassed! To think that I spent all that time making sure my hair was straight and even painted my nails and put on eyeliner and lip gloss. He really made me think he was setting me up on a legit date! And my mom... He knows how important it is to my mom to meet someone... Perhaps it was just a trick of some sort, or a test. Yes, it could definitely be a test. A test of wits? I'm not sure, but I know one thing for certain. This is not real. I sigh and look at him before leaning back. The wood beneath the palm of my hands is velvety- fresh out of the sander, this table was just made recently. I begin to notice details. The way he's dressed up in a casual professional way, oh he's good. This is a test and I'm going to pass it. "Okay, so what is it. What's the thing here?" My eyes narrow at him. I love my father, but sometimes he's truly despicable. I can't believe he's using an innocent kid. TAG: Matthias Jensen WORDS: 580 NOTE: Cute girl to snotty brat in 2.5 seconds! hahah omg, I'm soooo sorry. She's just so arrogant. Matth does not deserve this xD
|
|
District 10
Heterosexual
17 Years Old
Relationship:
Single
Occupation:
Student
HG Status:
Victor
Social Butterfly
Last Online:
Sept 23, 2017 21:22:26 GMT -7
|
Post by Matthias Jensen on Aug 29, 2016 20:32:49 GMT -7
Matthias could read the shock and confusion on Lux's face when she finally looked at him. No pleasure. No sense of a good surprise. His eyes went down to the table when she stumbled verbally through her shock, glancing up once at the repetition of his name before looking back down. The reaction actually didn't surprise him at all - he only wish he would have known who it was before showing up. Knowing who Lux was also meant knowing a bit what she was like. What her family was like. That little knowledge he had from observing her was plenty to tell him that he wasn't her type, and if he had known it was her... well, he might not have shown up.
In some districts, he figured victors came home quite well-liked and admired. Adam, the boy who had won the Games after him - the one who kill Matthias' tribute Caterina, a fight he'd never get out of his head - had won by strength. He was handsome. Back in District 4, Matthias wouldn't be surprised if every other boy wanted to be him and every other girl wanted to be with him. He was the ideal victor for the Games. But Matthias had won on luck. He had one on strategy, and generous sponsors. He had won by hiding, by setting traps for other people to stumble into. In a hand-to-hand, or even weapon fight, he would have died. There was no question about it, and everyone watching probably knew. To everyone in District 10, he was still the same kid he was before he went into the arena - just with some fame and fortune to try and take advantage of. It didn't matter that a large part of his free time now was spent building muscle. He couldn't think of anyone he'd wanted to train him, so he got older Hunger Games videos and trained himself. He hated the videos, hating the fighting, but wanted to change that part of himself, even if he was the only one to know about it.
The wood top of the table provided a boring non-distraction. It seemed newly made, without all the scratches and marks that a well-worn table had. It was almost consistently one color, little variance. He couldn't look around at the more interesting things in the diner, because then he knew he would be being rude. So this was it. A field of brown and the sound of Lux's voice, hating having to spend her time with him. Then there was a tense silence, and Matthias looked up again, realizing that she had asked him a question. He started a little at the suspicious look on her face, then leaned back against the booth.
"The... thing?" he repeated, confused. "There's no... thing. I was told to be here, same as you." He shifted. Matthias had no idea what to say, or do, and figured that Lux was probably on the verge of leaving the table at any moment. Despite everything, he didn't want her to go just yet. He didn't want to screw this up quite so quickly. "Let's just, talk for a bit, okay?" But then he paused. What could he talk to Lux Crownguard about? What did they have in common? Or maybe a better question - what is it that girls liked to hear? What did they like talking about. "You, uh, look nice today, Lux. Pretty, I mean." It's the first thing he could think of, and it was true of course. But would she take something like that from him?
WC: 596 Tag: @lux Notes: Haha, no worries
|
|
Deleted
Relationship:
Occupation:
HG Status:
Last Online:
Apr 28, 2024 16:40:57 GMT -7
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2016 7:58:04 GMT -7
Movement catches my eyes from the glass case behind him. I see the old woman's figure and her grandson get up from their table. Their almost transparent reflection on the glass case disappears as they move towards the door. There is a shuffling of footsteps and then the creak of the door, then the bell, and then the soft thud of the door as it closes. Aside from the workers of this diner, there is only the couple, and me and Matthias. I remember my father's voice: 'remain vigilant. Always be aware of your surroundings!'. Matthias hasn't made a move to leave. I guess I haven't offended him that much. He tells me I'm pretty, which catches me off guard. I sneer and cross my arms. It's just a reaction that I can't help. Me? Nice? Pretty? No one has ever told me so. I mean, my parents have. And older people. But not someone my age. I stop myself from saying something mean. If this was some kind of test, then it... yes. It has to be! My father is testing my ability to befriend people. I am good in combat and weapons, good at staying alive. But there's one thing that is important in the games that I am not good at, making friends. I have to win Matthias over. That must be it! I smirk and pull my arms from each other and set them beside me. Ha! Father thinks he's so smart. "Thanks," I force a smile that somehow just glides on my face easily. "You look nice, too," my voice doesn't sound like my own, but at the same time sounds more like me than ever. "I don't usually wear dresses," I speak casually as if I'm already comfortable with him. Was it really this easy to talk to someone, or was it just with him? Or maybe my need to beat my father's game has given me confidence. Whatever it is, it feels good... nice. I look at him, really look at him for the first time. I would recognize him anywhere, but I don't really know his features. I notice for the first time that his gaze is intense, even if the rest of his face looks soft. I feel heat rise to my cheeks, I look down at the table. My confidence wavers, falters. "Um... Did you order yet?" I notice the menu on the table for the first time. At least there's food here. At least we'll have something to do besides stare at each other. TAG: Matthias JensenWORDS: 428 NOTES: Hopefully I stayed in 1POV, it's hard when I'm so used to 3POV lol
|
|
District 10
Heterosexual
17 Years Old
Relationship:
Single
Occupation:
Student
HG Status:
Victor
Social Butterfly
Last Online:
Sept 23, 2017 21:22:26 GMT -7
|
Post by Matthias Jensen on Sept 23, 2016 10:51:43 GMT -7
Matthias swallowed as he watched Lux sneer at his attempt at a compliment. That right there was probably the reason that he hadn't been dating. He clearly didn't know the first thing about what to say to a girl, or how to say it. Back when he was still living at home, he'd seen how Jackson had been around girls. The eldest Jensen boy had a humble, charming way with the other sex that seemed to come naturally. Girls liked him because he was strong, smart, and easy to talk to. They probably thought he was good looking too. Matthias wasn't sure he had any of those qualities, and judging by her reaction, Lux Crowngaurd probably agreed with that.
Then her demeanor changed, without any indicator that he could detect. A look of confusion crossed his face. Like all of his emotions, it was pretty visible - the residue of his deaf life. She thanked him and even complimented him back. It was like the Lux that had entered this diner had stepped out to be replaced with someone else. A nice Lux. Don't think on it too much, Matthias told himself. Maybe she's changing her mind about you? It wasn't really convincing, even in his head, but he was going to try to go for it. His confusion changed to a hesitant smile. "Thanks," he replied.
For a few moments, they hold each other's gaze, and it is Lux that looks down first. Matthias doesn't look down though, watching as she turns her attention to the laminated menu on the table before them. He's still a little curious about her change. At her question, he shakes his head. "No. I wouldn't even know what's good here," he replied. "What are you getting?" He didn't point out the fact that she was here first, so he wouldn't have had the chance, but smiled just a little to himself as he picks up the menu. His eyes scan down the list of options. Standard diner food, he would guess, but of course he wouldn't know what that was.
Matthias' only experience with eating outside of his own home had been in the Capitol so far, with their extravagant menus and colorful food. In his experience though, almost nothing in the Capitol was anything like home - and though the Capitol still awed him sometimes, that was mostly a good thing. As he looked down at the menu, though, one item popped out at him. "I ordered a cheeseburger at this restaurant in the Capitol once," he says, chuckling a little to himself. "When they brought it out, the patty was blue and it had some sort of sugary icing on top of the lettuce and tomato. They told me if was Caesar's favorite. It was awful." He wrinkled his nose a bit and looked back up to Lux. "I really hope the cheeseburgers aren't like that here."
WC: 484 Tag: @lux
|
|
Deleted
Relationship:
Occupation:
HG Status:
Last Online:
Apr 28, 2024 16:40:57 GMT -7
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2016 7:58:37 GMT -7
My eyes focus on the smile he gives me, he's confused. Either he's so deep in pretending that he is surprised I'm passing this little test, or he's just not that good at this game. Maybe he's not even pretending at all. I'm not surprised, my father uses people as if everyone is just a pawn in his chess game. I can't say I'm not the same. He did raise me after all. "Have you never been here?" I ask. I don't make a habit of following people around, even popular ones. This is supposed to be a nice restaurant, not fancy, but nice enough that many people go to it. We just happened to catch it during its lull. "You must not get out much," my mouth moves without my permission as my thoughts escape. I'm really not good at making friends. I look up at him quickly and then back at my menu, "I'm going to order a cheeseburger." My face muscles tense when he begins to speak. His laugh, even a little one, is contagious and I catch myself smiling. Usually, I'd try to hide this. But I'm supposed to gain his trust and be his friend. I leave the smile on my face as I mimic his by crunching up my nose. "That sounds terrible! Icing with a cheeseburger!? What's wrong with them?" I laugh at the thought, imagining what it would actually taste like. I shake my head, "No. This restaurant actually has some sense, their cheeseburgers are the best! There's another restaurant across town that serves burgers, don't go there. I don't think they use real hamburger meat." The waiter takes our order and we're alone again, this time, with no menu or anything else to provide a block between us. "I'm really sorry my dad dragged you into this," I say, knowing that honesty is always the best policy with people like Matthias. He seems innocent, no matter what he'd done in the arena. WORDS: 332 TAG: Matthias Jensen
|
|
District 10
Heterosexual
17 Years Old
Relationship:
Single
Occupation:
Student
HG Status:
Victor
Social Butterfly
Last Online:
Sept 23, 2017 21:22:26 GMT -7
|
Post by Matthias Jensen on Oct 25, 2016 10:54:33 GMT -7
Matthias simply shook his head when Lux asked if he'd ever been here. What else was there to say? He'd never been here before, or really any of the other establishments in District 10. When he was younger, that was simply a product of their poor family. After he'd won his Games, there was no one to go with. Who would want to be that one guy, sitting alone at a table? Well, truthfully, he probably wouldn't be alone for long if he had gone out - but the kind of company that was attracted to a lone victor was not the kind of company he wanted. At her next statement, he feels his cheek redden and he glances down. "No," he agrees, scanning over the list of options without seeing them. He is grateful, at least, that she doesn't linger on this topic.
The mood shifted, gratefully, at his little Capitol anecdote. Her face brightens and she actually laughs at a topic he brought up. Of course people laughed at his anecdotes and attempts at jokes in the Capitol, but it often didn't feel very genuine. Perceptive as he was, Matthias had no trouble seeing that most of the attention he received in the Capitol was an act in an effort to win favor with him. But, as far as he knew, Lux had no reason to win his favor. She was told to come here too, he imagined, but there was no reason she had to pretend to enjoy a single moment of it. At least - no reason he could come up with.
"I know, right?" Matthias returns with a grin at her mock outrage about the icing. It had been truly disgusting, and one of those things he pegged as "only possible in the Capitol." At her advice, he nods. "I'll stick to this place then," he agrees, as if the possibility of going out other places will truly come up again willingly. But that idea doesn't bother him just now, as he's starting to feel a little more comfortable here. The waiter comes to take their order, takes their menus, and leaves the two of them alone again.
Matthias isn't sure what kind of topic would be best to broach next, but is spared the effort when Lux speaks up. "Don't be," he says first, because at this moment he didn't regret that he was forced to come, that this little "date" had been set up for the pair of them. But a second later, he remembers how she first reacted to seeing him and quickly forces out an addition. "What I mean is, don't blame your dad. He probably didn't have a choice, same as you and me. Your family is respectable, and the people in the Capitol probably chose you because of that and the fact that you're around my age and a girl." He swallowed, opening and closing sweaty palms in his lap under the table. Well, that probably made her sound so extra special, huh? "I should be the one apologizing, not you. And I am. Sorry, that is, that you got dragged into this." He let out a breath, knowing that he should stop there but finding himself unable to stop his mouth. It wouldn't get better if she did only blame him for this, and he sensed that there was a chance he might make a friend out of this somehow. "But can we just... pretend none of that happened? I know you don't have a reason to stay here, but can we just pretend your dad didn't tell you to come here and the Capitol didn't start the whole thing, and we're just two people getting lunch? Like something normal?"
WC: 620 Tag: @lux
|
|
Deleted
Relationship:
Occupation:
HG Status:
Last Online:
Apr 28, 2024 16:40:57 GMT -7
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2016 11:05:09 GMT -7
His words catch me by surprise. Even though he seems quiet and maybe even a loner, as far as I can tell, I can see why a lot of the Capitolites like him. I didn't know him before he won the games, but everyone said he was a good kid that didn't cause trouble. Sounds pretty boring if you ask me. But after he won the games, everyone pretty much adored him. I can really see why now. He's nice. Genuinely nice, not that fake nice that everyone seems to put on, even me. A stone drops in my stomach, is that guilt? I'm not sure what my dad's plan is, but I feel bad just participating in it now. My ears burn slightly and I know for a fact my face is probably red, I can see the slight color of my cheeks from the bottom of my eyes. I'm so used to analyzing everyone's words that I begin to remind myself to stop dissecting every single word he says, but then I realize that I'm not. My mouth begins to speak without my even thinking it. "You don't like older women?" I ask, "or men?" I smirk. Conversation with him is easy, which is frightening. "What makes you think The Capitol set this up? And why would they be playing cupid to a victor?" She supposed it wasn't the first time she'd heard of something like this happening. She could recall at least once where a victor from District One got married to a Capitolite, and it was all the talk for the remainder of a victory tour. It wasn't something that happened often, she supposed. Most people marry within their districts. Besides, no one from the Capitol would marry someone from District 10. District 1 was special, they'd always been special. Even her father had told her that early on. They couldn't expect any special treatments from The Capitol, not even him, one of their most loyal servants. Words: 332 Tag: Matthias Jensen
|
|
District 10
Heterosexual
17 Years Old
Relationship:
Single
Occupation:
Student
HG Status:
Victor
Social Butterfly
Last Online:
Sept 23, 2017 21:22:26 GMT -7
|
Post by Matthias Jensen on Nov 15, 2016 9:54:19 GMT -7
Matthias' eyebrows raised at the entirely unexpected response of Lux to his reasoning for why she was chosen. "I, uh, I...no!" he stammered. Was she joking? She was probably making a joke, right? He didn't know her well enough to know for sure. "You're very much my kind of... I mean, girls. Yes. I like girls." Oh yes, that sounded so convincing and confident. He really, really hoped no one else in the restaurant was watching him make a fool of himself. He made himself smile a little, as if agreeing what she'd said was just a funny little joke. He didn't want Lux thinking he was gay or into older women - not that anything was wrong with those things, he guessed, but that wasn't him. He definitely liked girls. Definitely. He just didn't know how to be completely normal around them.
As the subject changed, Matthias shifted in his seat. So much for normal. It would be hard to explain exactly why he was so sure this was the Capitol's doing - mostly it was just his gut. It wasn't on the surface of things, but he'd definitely heard of victors being forced to do certain things, whether they wanted to or not. He was sure he couldn't believe all of it - victors forced into sex and crime? - but there were enough rumors that some of it had to be true. For the most part, Matthias was left out of this, maybe because he was young and didn't have a rebellious bone in his body. He figured his time had to be coming soon, though. Eventually, they would get tired of the nice, cute kid thing and want something to talk about. Lux was the kind of person they would choose to set him up with. She was from a good family that was loyal to the Capitol and well-known enough in the district.
"Well, I haven't done anything since I won," he started, not sure that was the best place to start. "No drugs or crazy parties or anything, and I think they just want me to find my thing, you know? Now that I'm not 13 anymore. There's a ton of gossip about each victor, especially in the Capitol, and I'm just..." He trailed off and shrugged. He couldn't say he'd been an angel since becoming a victor - there was the drinking and a few other things. But he was smart about it and no one knew about those things. He intended to keep it that way.That definitely wasn't the kind of person he wanted people to think he was. "Why do you think it was your dad's idea anyway? Why would he want to set you up on a date with me?"
WC: 457 Tag: @lux
|
|
Deleted
Relationship:
Occupation:
HG Status:
Last Online:
Apr 28, 2024 16:40:57 GMT -7
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2017 11:53:27 GMT -7
Watching him squirm at my question makes me laugh, a real laugh that isn't forced or planned. My shoulders relax as I sit back on my seat, heat rising to my face that I have to wipe the sweat from my forehead. I realize that I've laughed harder than I thought and wipe the tear from the corner of my eyes as well. "You're very much my kind of..." For some reason this makes my blush and I know from experience and the fact that my skin is so pale you could see any flaw in it that he can see my face turning red. I wipe face with the palms of my hands, from my chin to my nose, and then my cheeks. I stay silent when the server comes back with our food, steaming hot and smelling like the best thing I've ever smelled in my entire life. My mouth salivates and I take this opportunity to think about what I need to say next by taking a bite of my food, but not too big... and not too small... I need to act normal. He's right of course, most Victors that we hear about do something. Some are very charming and are well known in society like Finnick Odair. Matthias doesn't seem like he would be a Victor. If they lined up all the victors, Matthias would be the odd one out. Well, maybe that Primrose Everdeen, too. They seemed to be the same people. "Well, there's the girl from 12. Everdeen. She's keeping a low profile like you," maybe this will help make him feel better about himself. That's what men like, right? That's what everyone likes. Feeling good, feeling good from something someone says or does. I expected his question already and I've already prepped the answer in my mind, but the words tumble out of my mouth like loose rocks down a steep mountain. "He likes to test me, to teach me lessons, to show my weaknesses, to break me. And to strengthen me, build me better than I was before." I press my lips together after that last word, I can't believe I actually said all that. How long have those words been waiting to be freed and be heard by him? I've known this, always knew this, but I've never said them out loud. And never with such hatred as I did in that moment. I didn't hate my dad, I didn't hate what he did, I didn't hate how he tested me. Did I? TAG: Matthias JensenWORDS: 426
|
|
District 10
Heterosexual
17 Years Old
Relationship:
Single
Occupation:
Student
HG Status:
Victor
Social Butterfly
Last Online:
Sept 23, 2017 21:22:26 GMT -7
|
Post by Matthias Jensen on Feb 19, 2017 20:42:17 GMT -7
As Lux laughed at him, Matthias' face only grew more red, the words becoming more difficult to spit out. He wanted so much to make a good impression on her, but more than that, he wanted to make right one about who he really was. He was probably messing it all up, but at least her laugh didn't sound cruel. When he finally got a response out, it was her turn to blush. It relaxes him a little, seeing her momentarily uncomfortable too. Maybe she was nervous about this whole date thing too. She probably wasn't as nervous as he was - that didn't seem possible - but a little nervousness meant something, right?
The food arrived as both of them went silent, and Matthias remembered that he actually was pretty hungry. The cheeseburger in front of him looked blissfully normal, and smelled even better. It would also be nice to have something to do with his hands, something to focus on other than trying to be a good conversationalist. "Thank you," he remembered to say before the server had left earshot. She glanced back to give him a little wink in response, then continued on her way before he has much of a chance to do anything else.
Their conversation turned to victors, and Matthias nodded at Lux's words. "Yeah," he agreed, "but she's even younger than me. And she's probably next." He picked up one of his fries, chewing on it as he thought about that for a moment. Despite how similar his situation was with Primrose's, he didn't know her well. They didn't cross paths often - their tributes hadn't allied, or they weren't at the same parties. She had avoided any crazy stories or reputations just like he had. He probably should have sought her out, but he hadn't. He wasn't entirely sure why. He didn't feel bad that he was boring from a public stance, and figured she didn't either, but the little he knew about the Capitol seemed to suggest they wouldn't let it stay that way forever.
Matthias turned his attention back to Lux as she answered his question. He really was curious as to why she'd think her father would set up her with him. For the popularity? To move his daughter "up" if she was liked by a victor? Those were his initial guesses, but what she said instead was completely different. It actually left him speechless for a moment. Her dad liked to try and break her? Was that a normal thing for a father to try and do to his daughter? Matthias' father didn't bother much with him, but he did push Artemis and Jackson pretty hard sometimes, and Matthias guessed it was to make them better. Jackson would take over the farm one day, and Artemis might take over someone else's. Dad didn't let laziness slide with them, and they seemed to respect him for it. Matthias' own relationship with his father bordered on non-existent, but he'd seen plenty. Maybe that was totally normal, but it didn't sound... okay.
"He must... want good things for you," Matthias returned hesitantly. He wanted to ask why, but that felt like prying, and again, normal right? Then he remembered that what she'd said related somehow to him. He didn't want to be self-centered, but focusing on her father seemed somehow more uncomfortable. "So going on a date with me is a test? Then what counts as passing it?"
WC: 574 Tag: @lux
|
|
Deleted
Relationship:
Occupation:
HG Status:
Last Online:
Apr 28, 2024 16:40:57 GMT -7
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2017 11:34:31 GMT -7
There's something soothing about the way he talks, simple words flowing beautifully together. He's not at all like most of the Victors. Perhaps there's a relationship between age and behavior, or district even. Or he could simply be a nice person. I wish I could be like that. He's been through something so traumatizing, but it doesn't even show. Does he have nightmares? Does he wake up in the middle of the night in cold sweat? I'm thinking too deeply about him. Besides he and I are so obviously different. But he and Primrose, cut from the same cloth. If only she were here instead of me. Then maybe...maybe... I nod, "too bad for her. I didn't see any real contenders in her district." Not that she knew anything beyond the girl's family, the only person that looked like they had any potential was Primrose's older sister's friend. But he was much too old for the little girl. His words send a smile to my face and this time I really can't stop it. I put my burger down and lean back on the chair. I move my eyes up and down his body and make sure he sees me. I know my father better than anyone. I know how far he would go. I know how deep he would cut. He's a good man, deep down, I see it. But he's also certifiably insane. I lean forward with one elbow on the table and set my face on the palm of my hand. "What do you think?"WORDS: 260 TAG: Matthias Jensen
|
|
District 10
Heterosexual
17 Years Old
Relationship:
Single
Occupation:
Student
HG Status:
Victor
Social Butterfly
Last Online:
Sept 23, 2017 21:22:26 GMT -7
|
Post by Matthias Jensen on Jun 20, 2017 10:46:47 GMT -7
Matthias simply shrugged when Lux said Primrose didn't have any contenders in her district. He didn't know what else to say. He wasn't entirely sure what that meant, but all he really knew of District 12 - aside from the coal they produced - was that Primrose and Haymitch had come from it. During Primrose's Games, he'd been focused on his own tributes, even though neither of them made it very far. And then he'd been trying desperately to avoid the Games, as he always did after his tributes died but he wasn't allowed to leave the Capitol yet. He probably would have heard about some boyfriend from the other victors at least if she had one, but he hadn't heard a thing.
Matthias hadn't expected his question to Lux to make her smile like that. He set down his own burger and wiped his hands on the napkin in his lap, unsure what was coming next. If this really was her father's test - something he wasn't totally convinced of - then it seemed like he should help her pass it, however it was that he did that. It was something he could do for someone else, and the idea of making Lux happy in some way made him happy. Whether it was the Capitol or Mr. Crownguard that set this date up, Matthias was now glad that they had. Lux sure seemed to know how to make him squirm, but she didn't seem to do it out of meanness like so many others did. Underneath it, she seemed nice and he hadn't scared her off yet, which was a bonus. He liked her mouth, the way it smiled and formed words. If he'd never gotten his hearing back, he was sure he'd be able to read her lips anyway and that she'd care enough to keep looking at him when she talked. Of course, then he wouldn't get to hear her voice.
Then Lux looked him over... suggestively? Matthias felt blood rush to his cheeks again. "I uh, I don't..." He was normally pretty good at reading people. Not having any friends and not being able to hear anyone had meant that he really only had one good thing going for him: observation. He could watch a pair of people talking to each other and see if they liked each other or some of what they meant even if he couldn't read their lips. That skill had gotten a little worse since getting his hearing though, with a whole new sense to process. When it came to people directed at him, he wasn't always sure he was reading them right. Capitol people were still easy, but here at home, the people that were nice to him weren't always people that actually liked him. Things he thought he always knew - like Jackson being both his brother and best friend - weren't really true. He couldn't see the whole picture when their attention was on him.
"So passing is dating me?" he ventured. "Being my girlfriend, or something..." Matthias trailed off and swallowed. He'd decided as he's spoken that it would be okay with him. That he liked Lux, even though he didn't know her all that well, and he never had had a girlfriend before. He didn't really know if people just started dating or they hung out enough times until they might as well be, but he at least wanted to get to know her better if she'd let him. But if that's what passing was, and she dated him just because of her dad, then that would be... weird. And he didn't get how that would make her stronger, if that's what her dad was after. "Do you want to pass his test? I mean... What do you want to do, Lux?"
WC: 630 Tag: @lux
|
|
Deleted
Relationship:
Occupation:
HG Status:
Last Online:
Apr 28, 2024 16:40:57 GMT -7
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2017 21:25:43 GMT -7
"Are you asking me?" I raise my brows at his question. His voice trails off which somehow knocks me off my guard. He's so cute right now I can't help but laugh. He really is so innocent, it really isn't fair. Not to me, not to him. I don't want to hurt him, but I do want to prove to my father I'm better than he gives me credit for. I give a casual shrug. "It's not about what I want," an answer that isn't really an answer. The fries leave a salty taste on my tongue. I ask the waiter for a milkshake with two straws for us to share, trying to figure out what I actually did want. He was innocent. And although I'd never done anything awful, nothing truly awful, I was innocent too. Why couldn't I be happy? Why SHOULDN'T I be. All my life's regrets form in my stomach and I have to force it down. This is my life. These games. I take a sip of the strawberry milkshake that's sitting between us. "Why don't we just see how it goes?" It's not definite, nothing is. But at the same time, I already know how it's going to go. It's going to go the way I want it to. He seems curious, but mostly, he seems far too naive to not follow me. "Maybe you could even ask me out on a proper date, on your own terms."WORDS: 245 TAG: Matthias Jensen
|
|
District 10
Heterosexual
17 Years Old
Relationship:
Single
Occupation:
Student
HG Status:
Victor
Social Butterfly
Last Online:
Sept 23, 2017 21:22:26 GMT -7
|
Post by Matthias Jensen on Jul 9, 2017 19:03:33 GMT -7
Their conversation had taken such an odd turn, and Matthias knew that he was largely to blame for it. He couldn't help the curiosity of whatever it was Lux's dad wanted her to get out of all this, and how he fit into everything, and how the Capitol fit in. He swallowed at the question that followed his trailing off voice. "No, I'm just... I'm clarifying." He sorta wanted to, he could, but under this circumstance it would be incredibly weird. She seemed amused by the whole situation, so Matthias tried to make himself relax a little bit. He tried to breathe. Maybe this was amusing, not incredibly embarrassing.
At her next words though, Matthias furrowed his brow and shook his head. The gesture was a mix of confusion and concern. "Of course it is," he countered. "Doesn't it matter to your dad? It does to me." Her answer, of course, hadn't told him anything. He really had no way of knowing if she still wanted to be here or if she was only staying because of this test thing. He might have said more, except that the waitress passed by and Lux called her over. She ordered a single strawberry milkshake with two straws, and the little wink the waitress gave him as she left their table made him want to sink down into the seat - but he resisted.
The milkshake comes quickly, and that's when Lux continues. That was mostly okay, because he wasn't sure what to say. He wished he had Jackson here to help, or Falro. Of course, having your brother or your mentor on a date with a girl would have made the whole thing a mess, but their advice would give him something. At her next words though, he knew what to say and a smile touched his lips. "I'd like that," he said, and meant it. It was a close to any sort of positive reinforcement he could hope for. He leaned forward and took a sip of the milkshake, trying to make that move casual and comfortable.
They chatted a little more - luckily not about her dad or relationships - and the milkshake was soon gone. Matthias was beginning to feel more comfortable around her, and with himself. The waitress dropped of their bill and Matthias took out enough money to cover it with a generous tip. He might not have been out on a million dates, but he knew enough to realize this was the point where they either said goodbye or went on to the next thing. Maybe he could take Lux up on her suggestion now, and ask her to a movie or his house or wherever else it was that people went on dates. But maybe that was too pushy? They were both here initially because they were told to be, and maybe whatever date he asked her on would be something totally separate. He wasn't eager to leave though, so instead he asked, "Can I walk you home?"
WC: 500 Tag: @lux
|
|
Deleted
Relationship:
Occupation:
HG Status:
Last Online:
Apr 28, 2024 16:40:57 GMT -7
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2017 8:08:33 GMT -7
There are times when all I do is talk about my dad. Many times, it's all I want to do. Either because he's so unfair or because he's the best man I know. He has so many extremes that being unexpected is expected. There is no way to figure him out. That's how I want to be. To be expected and unexpected. To be mundane and extraordinary. There is no point, there is no nail, nothing to pin me down. I want to be fire and ocean at the same time. And I want... I've already thought it-- the future, the picture of our lives-- but I don't want to think the words in my head. I've only just met him. It's too soon to want anything with him. Besides, when this is all over, there might not be a him or a me or an us. This isn't about my dad though, and he's the last person I want to talk about now. His story is about to end, and mine. Ours. Is going to begin. I just know it. "I'd like that."The summer breeze cools down the heat on my skin, leaving me sticky with clammy sweat. The mayor's daughter and the District's Victor walking down Main Street. Their thoughts are only at the back of my head. What they all must think. Oh, the mayor is setting them up. When's the wedding? The jealousy and the hatred. But not because of Matthias. Everyone loves him. It's because of me. Because my father isn't local, wasn't born here. But without him, this District would be burned to the ground by firebombs by now. He's taller than I expected. I didn't get to judge his height while we were at the restaurant, but walking beside him now and at this vicinity, he's tall. I find myself smiling too much, but I can't stop even when my cheeks are hurting. "I remember when you won the games, you were so little... And now you're... You're not what I expected."WORDS: 345 TAG: Matthias Jensen
|
|
District 10
Heterosexual
17 Years Old
Relationship:
Single
Occupation:
Student
HG Status:
Victor
Social Butterfly
Last Online:
Sept 23, 2017 21:22:26 GMT -7
|
Post by Matthias Jensen on Jul 19, 2017 8:33:15 GMT -7
Matthias was walking down Main Street with a girl, one he wanted to be walking with. He'd walked down this street hundreds of times, but it was different now. The sensation of it was strange, but in a good way. His hands were sweaty, but that was probably only because he was thinking about holding her hand. He really wanted to, and it was funny. He hadn't really wanted to hold anyone's hand before. There had been girls at school, the ones who wanted something from him, that would come right up and grab his hand, walking beside him like they were best friends. They'd lean on him and chatter, and he'd have to figure out how to extract his hand without making them feel back, how to end the conversation without being rude. He didn't like such overt and sudden displays of affection. Maybe some of those girls had been genuine in their own way, but the overwhelming presence of them had prevented him from feeling anything but overwhelmed.
With Lux, it was different. She wasn't throwing herself at him. In fact, she'd been a bit... upset when she arrived at the restaurant and found him. He still wasn't sure how much what her father wanted mattered to her, but she seemed to like being with him now. She seemed to maybe like Matthias himself, not Matthias the victor or Matthias the formerly deaf boy everyone should pity. But everything was still so unsure, and he wasn't ready to ruin it just yet. He did want to hold her hand though, and that want was special. Maybe it would win out before they made it to her house, and hopefully her house was far away.
Matthias let Lux lead, since he didn't know where he was going, but kept next to her. When she spoke next, he smiled a little. If he was witty, he'd come up with something clever to say back to that. It seemed like a good opening for a clever line. Or a romantic one, maybe, but Matthias wasn't sure he was that either. So instead he said, "And that's good, right?" Her smile seemed to say it was. "Well, I guess a lot has changed for me since then. And nothing has." He shifted, knowing that was confusing, but it was true. He'd grown, adjusted to his hearing, and "finished" school, but sometimes he still felt like the same lonely 13-year-old he'd been before he even entered the Games. "You're not what I expected either, you know. I didn't think you'd stick around after seeing who I was."
WC: 434 Tag: @lux
|
|
Deleted
Relationship:
Occupation:
HG Status:
Last Online:
Apr 28, 2024 16:40:57 GMT -7
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2017 18:29:55 GMT -7
Sometimes there are silences and I like those. They aren't awkward, like I feel like I should say something. Like something is caught in my throat and the silence lingers on and then if I speak it'll just make it more awkward. I've had those moments before with people. The silence seems to last forever, and never in a good way. But when the silences happen between us, it's nice. It's like sleepy Sundays out in the field. I get to stop for a bit and just lay there under the sun. When we speak, it's like learning something new. I don't want to like him, but at the same time, I do. I wonder if my father saw this coming. I sure didn't. But it's too soon to tell, and yet, I already know. "Like what's changed?" I ask because I only know OF him, I don't really know him. He's still shy and kind of geeky. Although people were a little scared of him at first, mostly the kids. The adults understood. He did what he had to do. No one thought he was a killer. He survived, which is what anyone would want. But where's the darkness? I laugh because there's so many boys who it could have been, "to be honest you were in the 99% of people I didn't want it to be. But even more honest, I didn't even think it could have been you. Not any offense towards you, it just took me by surprise because I figured he'd find someone more like him." She lead him down towards the Justice Building, her house only a few blocks behind it. "I'm glad it was you. If you were wondering."TAG: Matthias Jensen WORDS: 289
|
|
District 10
Heterosexual
17 Years Old
Relationship:
Single
Occupation:
Student
HG Status:
Victor
Social Butterfly
Last Online:
Sept 23, 2017 21:22:26 GMT -7
|
Post by Matthias Jensen on Jul 23, 2017 9:59:16 GMT -7
Matthias thought a moment before answering Lux's question. It was hard to put his changes - or lack of - into words, but there were a few things that were clear enough. "Well, I live alone most of the time and I'm done with school," he began, starting with the most obvious. "I'm stronger now too. I didn't want to be that weak kid anymore, so now I'm not. Plus, I've gotten used to, you know... hearing everything." He gave her a small smile. It was all true, but it wasn't the whole truth of course. He couldn't tell her the whole truth.
Matthias was in a good, if slightly awkward, place right now, and so his mood reflected that. But it wasn't always that way. Especially directly following his Games, he could be incredibly unstable. His mentor helped some, but there were some things he couldn't move past. He couldn't stop the nightmares, waking or sleeping. He felt powerless at school, despite emerging victorious from the arena. He couldn't tell Lux how sometimes drawing scenes from the arena or drawing Basil was sometimes the only thing that could push the dark thoughts from his head. Or how, when that didn't work, alcohol could. These things were his shame, and he didn't think anyone could understand them.
But for now, those thoughts were only way in the back of his mind. His focus was on the blonde girl next to him, and there was plenty there to keep his mind busy. He resisted asking who the 1% of people she wanted to meet was, because he was pretty sure knowing would deflate him. Maybe the 1% was Finnick Odair or Adam Moria or something, and he had no chance of comparing to them anyway. But because he had resisted that question, he wasn't able to resist the next. "Like your dad?" he asked, although he was pretty sure of the answer. He wasn't sure if being not like her dad should offend him or not either. Of course he knew who Mr. Crownguard was, since it was pretty hard not to know your own mayor, but the little Lux said of him had been a bit strange.
At Lux's last words, Matthias' smile grew. He had been wondering, even though he knew how dumb that would have been to say out loud. And then he finally did it - he reached out and took Lux's hand. He was right in that it was an overwhelming feeling to hold her hand, though not in the way it had been when Hayley Bovine had practically grabbed onto his whole arm and and looked up at him like a baby lamb when it wants something from his mother. That kind of overwhelming had made his limbs stiff and the words even harder to get out. This kind of overwhelming sent warmth through his body and gave him a sort of courage. As long as she held his hand right back, he felt like he wasn't the strange kid no one liked for a moment. "I'm going to take you up on your suggestion," he told her, whether or not it was too early to do so. "I want you to meet my sheep. Er, what I mean is... I'd like to take you on a picnic at my family's farm, and you can meet my sheep. I think you'd like them." Matthias had no idea where boys took girls on proper dates, but that was the best one he could think up. He didn't want to go to his own house in the victor's village, and while it had been nice being in public here, he wanted to be able to... show her something - something he had done, and something he loved. He watched her, eagerly waiting for her answer.
WC: 634 Tag: @lux
|
|