District 9
Unsure
8 Years Old
Relationship:
Loves everything
Occupation:
HG Status:
Not Available
Last Online:
Dec 13, 2017 13:12:21 GMT -7
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Post by Nydia Caden on Oct 1, 2017 18:14:00 GMT -7
Nydia Caden was very, very bad at being contained. She was bad at it when she'd lived in District 13, and she wasn't any better at it here in District 9. She simply couldn't stay within the confines of the orphanage and its grounds, such as they were. There were far too many interesting things going on in the district. And besides, there was so much space here. Sure, not a lot of it was in great condition and people weren't always in the best of moods, but that was okay. It seemed like her boundaries were limitless, just as she liked them.
Again, Nydia slipped through the tricky laundry window of the orphanage and out into the bright day. The sun beat down happily upon her, and she loved the feeling of it. She'd been tempted to make a break for it during the times when the kids were let outside - there was no fence, after all. But the people who ran the orphanage paid too much attention then. They didn't pay nearly as much attention during chore time, when kids were supposed to be cleaning or cooking. Nydia suspected that's when they all took to their own quarters and hoped for the best. As long as Nydia was home by dinner time, she wouldn't get in trouble. Well, too much trouble, anyway. She was always in a little bit of trouble.
The 8-year-old started walking with no particular direction. She changed into her special dress for the outing. It was a faded yellow, a hand-me-down from another orphan who'd outgrown it. To look at it you might not think much, but what made it special was the modifications Nydia had done herself. She'd sewn several pockets along the sides, and the bottom hem had a green strip of fabric all around that she'd made into several pockets. She wasn't the best with a needle, but the stitches held well enough. This was her collecting dress. The plan was always to go out and take some of the things people didn't want anymore. Then, she would make her way back to the orphanage, empty her treasures, and see what she she could make with what she found.
"Good morning, Nydia," a woman called nearby as she passed. "Good morning, Mrs. Zinsky!" she called back cheerfully. Mrs. Zinsky was so incredibly pregnant, Nydia was afriad she'd burst at any moment. Last week, she'd helped the woman carry in the shipment of flour that had been sent her way for the general store. A few others called greetings to her as she walked. The little girl made a habit of meeting people, of leaning their names and their stories. That was almost as important as her own inventions. She kept walking, past the newly built buildings or those in the process of being built.
Nydia finally stopped before one in which they were still clearing everything out. It had been some sort of store once, but fire or an explosion or a combination of the two had turned it into rubble and ash. A few men were trying to clear some of it out, loading it onto a cart that probably meant to haul it away. This was exactly the kind of thing she'd been looking for. "Are you going to throw this all away?" she asked one of the men. "Most like," he agreed. "None of it's worth nothing." Smiling, she took that as her cue to go at it. First, she looked in the cart, but it was mostly thick pieces of concrete. Then, she started picking her way among the rubble. The men gave her an odd look, and one told her this was no place for little girls, but they didn't try to stop her. This was how it usually went. She walked slowly among the debris, finding bits of metal, plastic, wires, and other interesting things. She stuffed them into pockets and kept going.
She hadn't realized she'd gotten almost to the edge of the rubble. She jumped over a particularly large piece of concrete of brick, and lost her footing a bit on the normal street beyond. She stumbled straight into someone, and was so caught off balance that the encounter sent her back on her bottom. She let out a little involuntary squeak, then quickly grabbed a few things that had fallen out of her pockets and stuffed them back then. Only then did she look up at who she'd bumped into. "Sorry," she began, putting on her best sorry face. She did feel it, but she was also pretty good at the face. "It's hard to look up when there are so many good things down. I didn't see you there."
WC: 786
Tag: Open!
Notes: Just a fun little thread for anyone to join!
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District 9
Heterosexual
24 Years Old
Relationship:
-
Occupation:
Orphanage Owner
HG Status:
Last Online:
Jan 25, 2021 21:28:31 GMT -7
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Post by Dominic Grim Williams on Oct 19, 2017 19:59:15 GMT -7
He had his hands full with the twins alone without Nydia sneaking out. He'd hired some people to help him at the orphanage. Of course they claimed they would do it for free, but during times like these, money was good to have. Besides Dominic had money. Not the money The Capitol had given him. He gave that to other people. But the money the town gave him for running the orphanage without expecting anything in return. The entire district knew what happened to Amelia. Now he had two babies to take care of. They saw him as a kind person, even if he didn't exactly look the part. He came from a good family and they did right by people. They trusted Dominic and looked out for him, and it was all he could have ever asked for. Even with two new people watching over the children, it just wasn't enough. The older children, those who didn't have a rebellious streak at least, were easier to handle than the younger children, though they were lazy and ate constantly. Then of course the twins were the youngest and they needed constant attention. Feeding, changing diapers, interaction, making sure they had enough sleep. That was his main job, taking care of the twins. When the twins finally did sleep or at least were distracted by some toys long enough for him to get a breath, he was off tracking down Nydia or getting a kid down from the tree or something unstuck from someone's nose. And then it was back to the twins. Some days, he didn't even feel like their father. Everything felt rushed and necessary, not at all what he imagined being a parent to be like. Anna was watching them now and he had to focus on finding Nydia. Mrs. Zinsky had told him Nydia was headed this way and he was looking towards town when something small bumped into him. He smirked, recognizing the squeak immediately. "Of course not," he said and turned around to face her, his arms crossed. "How many times are we going to do this Nyd? We just got some more kids two days ago, half of them are younger than you, I was really counting on you to help set a good example for them. What happened to the conversation we had? That you were going to be my little helper?" He spoke to her sternly, but with a soft voice. WC: 413 TAG: Nydia Caden |
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District 9
Unsure
8 Years Old
Relationship:
Loves everything
Occupation:
HG Status:
Not Available
Last Online:
Dec 13, 2017 13:12:21 GMT -7
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Post by Nydia Caden on Oct 20, 2017 18:31:00 GMT -7
Looking up at Dominic Williams, Nydia's face fell a little. She couldn't help it. It was always exciting to be out where she wasn't supposed to be, without anyone knowing where she was - and disappointing when she got caught. Mr. Williams had become better and better at knowing when she was misbehaving and finding her. In some ways, it felt like a challenge. She needed to get better at sneaking out so that he'd have to get better at finding her. She needed to find a new exit, maybe, or another orphan to act as her cover story. She was smart enough to know that these kinds of things were bad, things her mother would never approve of, but she'd have to find a way to keep doing them. She had to. Clasping her hands behind her back, Nydia looked down as she heard that voice coming from Mr. Williams, that stern but soft voice he used whenever she was in trouble. She was good at looking ashamed, even at being ashamed, but she wasn't sure it would ever change anything. She knew that he had a lot going on, with his own kids and all the others, and finding her shouldn't be something he needed to do. Maybe one day she could convince her that she was okay on her own every now and then, that he could focus on the other kids and she'd still be right back when she needed to be. That's partly why she'd agreed to be his helper, to get on his good side, and maybe that meant she should have waited longer before sneaking out this time... but she'd needed things. "I'm still going to be your helper," she said in a quiet voice, shuffling a little on the ground. "I promise, it's just..." She peeked up at him, already feeling how her own excitement was going to take over anything bad she felt about making him find her. "I was out of materials for my inventions, and I knew they were going to demo this place soon, so I needed to get in while there was still good stuff. They might have taken it all away tomorrow, and besides, I'm no good at laundry." She grinned, all semblance of the stooped girl feeling bad completely gone. "Last week, I shrunk Peter's favorite shirt and I think he still hasn't forgiven me for it. Of course I feel bad about it, but how can I do laundry when all of this" - here she spread her arms as if to encompass the whole district - "is waiting for me?"
WC: 434 Tag: Dominic Grim WilliamsNotes: Oh man, who is this soft, squishy Nic? |
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District 9
Heterosexual
24 Years Old
Relationship:
-
Occupation:
Orphanage Owner
HG Status:
Last Online:
Jan 25, 2021 21:28:31 GMT -7
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Post by Dominic Grim Williams on Oct 21, 2017 0:10:03 GMT -7
He could see the spark inside her, zapping out of her skin like electricity building right before a lightning storm. Tiny little sparks so bright and so impossible in this devastation. Dominic smiled a small smile. Even in all this, Nydia existed. How was that possible? He squat down to her level and looked her in the eyes.
"Tell you what, how about we make a deal?" he said. He knew that he couldn't keep doing this forever. Dropping everything and going after her. She was seven years old, far too young to be on her own with so many people around that were less than trustworthy. There were people who wouldn't hurt her, who would look out for her and keep an eye on her. But there were also people who weren't right. Who had been hurt in the war, in more ways than one. There were people who would hurt this precious little girl. "You take charge of morning duties for the younger kids. From wake up until nap time after lunch. Then, when the kids are down for their nap, we will go out and explore for two hours," he held up two fingers, "I will go with you WHEREVER you want to go in the district as long as it isn't dangerous."Dominic stared at her, gauging her reactions before continuing. "After that, the rest of the day is yours within the area of our house. No chores. What do you say, do we have a deal?"WC: 252 TAG: Nydia Caden |
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District 9
Unsure
8 Years Old
Relationship:
Loves everything
Occupation:
HG Status:
Not Available
Last Online:
Dec 13, 2017 13:12:21 GMT -7
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Post by Nydia Caden on Oct 21, 2017 14:17:06 GMT -7
Nydia returned Dominic's gaze as he lowered himself to her level. She liked when adults did this, came down to her level when they addressed her. A lot of people were afraid to do it, or thought they could never be on the same level as a child. Sometimes, the people who didn't do that were the ones she could get things from easily, since she was just a sweet and innocent child to them. The people who got on her level, though, were harder. They seemed to think she was more than a child, and that made her want to be more than a child. The people who did that were the people she wanted to be good for. Nydia's full attention was on the man as he offered her a deal, feeling excited. Some of that excitement drained though as she actually heard the deal. It wasn't the work of the morning she was afraid of - she knew everyone needed to help out. There weren't many adults, but there were a lot of kids, and the little ones were so lost sometimes. She probably should have been excited at the rest of the deal though - two full hours outside and freedom inside the orphanage after that. But she'd have a shadow when she went outside, and she'd probably have to promise to stay inside after that. It was still like following the rules, like following a schedule. She'd hated her schedule back in District 13, and escaping from it usually led to the best parts of her life. The orphanage loved schedules. Most people liked schedules, really. People in the district had their schedules, and they followed them, but they could also not follow them if they wanted to. If she made this deal with Mr. Williams and then broke it, as she probably would, he'd be upset and maybe even take the good stuff away. Nydia bit on her lip, rocking back and forth on her heels as she gave his offer serious thought. Finally, she figured she should probably start talking. "I can definitely do the morning stuff," she began, then smiled a little, "and I definitely like no chores after lunch. But can't I have... just some Nydia time? Some time where it's just me, and I can go where I want by myself? I'm always careful, Dominic, you know I am, and I'll be back when you want me to, I promise. You don't need to follow me. I know you're so busy looking after all of us, but you don't need to look after me. I can do it. Please? Please, Mr. Williams?" She clasped her hands in front of her chest, begging for this thing. Maybe, maybe if he agreed to this she could be good and do the schedule. she would really try.
WC: 472 Tag: Dominic Grim Williams |
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District 9
Heterosexual
24 Years Old
Relationship:
-
Occupation:
Orphanage Owner
HG Status:
Last Online:
Jan 25, 2021 21:28:31 GMT -7
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Post by Dominic Grim Williams on Oct 26, 2017 18:06:48 GMT -7
Dominic had to give it to the girl. She was persistent. And as much as he wanted to just allow her to do what she wanted and give her the freedom she so dearly desired, he knew he had to be a parent. His own parents had been lackadaisical. They'd allowed him and his brothers and sisters to wander anywhere at any time of the night. They'd trusted them. Although Dominic had been the the voice of reason to his siblings, he knew just what kind of trouble children could get into. He also knew the dangers that other, much older people, possessed over younger kids. Being a parent truly was his greatest challenge. He sighed and shook his head. "Nyd, don't you see how dangerous it is for a child your age to be wandering around by themselves?" It was probably the wrong question because when he was young, none of his siblings saw the dangers. But he did. Dominic had always seen danger because he was never able to trust anyone. He'd learn when he was three that trust was something you couldn't just give out. Not to anyone. Because when he was three, one of his father's friend had broken that trust. And until you've had something bad happen to you, you won't really know that bad is out there. "I know you are more than capable of looking after yourself, it's other people I don't trust," he said. He wasn't sure if she'd understand. He didn't know the right words to say or how to say them. He was 24 with two twins he wasn't prepared for. No one taught him how to be a dad to anyone, all he knew was what he observed from others. WC: 292 TAG: Nydia Caden |
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District 9
Unsure
8 Years Old
Relationship:
Loves everything
Occupation:
HG Status:
Not Available
Last Online:
Dec 13, 2017 13:12:21 GMT -7
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Post by Nydia Caden on Dec 13, 2017 13:10:08 GMT -7
Nydia felt her hopes plummet as Mr. Williams sighed and shook his head. Of course he wouldn't let her go off on her own. He was a grown-up, and she was a kid. It was the way things worked, and she had never liked it. Mama had given her more freedom than anyone else had, but even Mama had some rules. There had been places she couldn't go, and times when she needed to be with adults. But who knows if Mama would agree to let her go off into wide open District 9. It was so different from home - which she still thought of District 13 as. Nydia knew every nook and cranny of home it seemed, and here, there was still so much she didn't know, so much to explore. How could she do that tied to a grown-up? "But I'm good," she protested when he said how dangerous it could be for a kid to wander around. "I'm careful." She was careful. But he went on, saying there were people he didn't trust. She knew there were bad people in District 9, just like there had been at home. Bad people had attacked her home too, had killed people and made it so that they had to run away. Sometimes, when she thought of those people, she would get so mad. They hadn't taken her parents, maybe, but they had taken away other kids parents. They had taken away home. And maybe there were people like that here, and she was sure she would know them when she saw them and know not to trust them. Taking a step forward, Nydia put her hands on either side of Dominic's face. "I'm careful," she told him again, looking into his eyes. "Those other kids need you. Your babies need you. I'm just one little kid." She dropped her hands and grinned. "I'm fast and I'm little. I can run from the bad people. Maybe I can even fight them." She held up her fists and took what she thought was a fighting stance, though it was really hard not to giggle. Of course she didn't know anything about fighting, but she bet she could do it if she wanted to. And she'd probably be good at it.
WC: 379 Tag: Dominic Grim Williams |
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District 9
Heterosexual
24 Years Old
Relationship:
-
Occupation:
Orphanage Owner
HG Status:
Last Online:
Jan 25, 2021 21:28:31 GMT -7
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Post by Dominic Grim Williams on Jun 20, 2018 11:55:44 GMT -7
How an 8 year old could be so smart and stubborn, he wasn't sure, but he had his work cut out for him. If the twins were anything like Nydia, he was in trouble. Big trouble. He sighed, there was no winning with her. He knew she wouldn't let go of the subject nor would she submit. If only the rebels were as strong as her will, they could have won. He smiled and stood up, gesturing to the way behind them, towards the house. "Speaking of babies, they're probably crying for me right now," he said. If he couldn't convince her to see his way, he'd have to find a way around it. He already had people looking out for her, but what he really needed was a bodyguard. Perhaps one not so obvious. Someone to just follow her without her knowing. It would give her freedom and him a peace of mind. "Come back before dinner, understood?" Dominic said, already trying to figure out who he would ask to do this task for him. He didn't have a lot of money to just be throwing around, especially not for a bodyguard. But there were plenty of desperate people who knew the district and would be happy with a bed and some food. He just had to find the right one. Dominic turned before Nydia could protest, he wasn't going to take a no on this one. WC: 239 TAG: Nydia CadenNOTE: *exit*  |
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