Shopping can be fun! D4 Open!

[Victoria]

The sun shone brightly down in the marketplace. Children were running around, and dogs were barking as scraps were tossed their way. Peacekeepers walked among the crowds, and some were gathered with a large group of people surrounding something. Or, should I say, someone. Two hands moved quickly, juggling apples as their owner grinned skyward, watching the apples bounce around. Blonde hair swishing around as she flicked her head, Myriad Anne Starling laughed as more apples were tossed in. When she reached seven, her face turned to one of complete concentration. "All right, no more." And, one by one, the apples were tossed into the hands of people into the crowd, the last one at a Peacekeeper, who almost fell backwards as he grappled to get ahold of the fruit. "Woops! Good thing it didn't fall, though, huh?" Her emerald eyes glimmered as the Peacekeeper shook his head at her. With a quick laugh, Myriad went to the apple vendor, and paid for the seven apples. Sharing a respectful nod with the man, the girl picked up her basket and started back through the gaggle of people. "Must be a good shopping day." Stopping at a little shop, she glanced around at the spices, wondering which she should pick to make an at least edible dinner.

[Alyssa :)]

The sun was bright and sweat was beginning to form on his forehead. Ben worked his way through the crowed of people who had stopped to watch someone juggle apples. He let out a snort of annoyance as he passed. How could anyone be so careless and toss food around? Though he quickly let that thought go as he adjusted his grip on the crate of salmon he was carrying to the fish market. He had just gotten back from sea with a ton of salmon. This was his seventh and final trip to the market to deliver his catch. Coins jingled in his pockets as he dropped the final crate near the sales man of the fish market. He watched with bright blue eyes as the saler weighed each salmon. By the time he was finished collecting his earning the juggler, who ever it was, was done.

Lazily he started walking down the street through the crowd of people who were finally leaving. "Geeze someone starts throwing food around and everyone just gets excited." He muttered under his breath. Then his gaze landed on Myriad Starling, he'd seen the fair skinned blond around town when ever he got back from fishing although never really stopped to talk to her. He stopped near her and leaned against the side of the spice cart with a cheep smile on his face. "Hey there pretty lady. What's your name?" He said smoothly while tucking his hands in his pockets.

[Victoria]

Selecting some herbs and a couple jars of salt and pepper and buying them, Myriad was about to turn around when someone leaned over next to her. Glancing at the person, she smirked. "My name is Myriad." She shook her head at him, thinkng hard before rmembering who he was. "Your name is Ben, right? Ben Fisher?" Her voice was squeaky from a suppressed giggle as she said his last name. A Fisher in a fishing district, go figure. "Did you see me juggling? Those kids from the orphanage are always so happy to even get an apple." Her bright eyes flickered as she walked a little bit before turning. "Would you like to walk with me? It's always more fun to shop when you have someone to talk to." A tan arm lifted to sweep a wisp of blonde hair behind her ear, bedore lowering it to shield her emerald eyes from the bright sun, and to see Ben clearer. As her vision cleared from the reddish hue everything got from when her eyes were being fried from the sun, the girl shook her head. "Why not go to a clothing shop to get a hat or something? This sun is killing my eyeballs." With a flick of her wrist, Myriad motioned to the nearest place selling fishers hats.

[Alyssa :)]

The fact that Myriad was trying to hide her giggles annoyed Ben. Why did everyone find it so funny that his last name was Fisher and he just happened to fish for a living? He shook his head to the right to get his bangs out of his face. "Nice to meet you Myriad." He stated, "Yes I am Ben Fisher. Of course you like many find my last name funny since that would also be my job. Very smooth trying to hide that giggle of yours. I promise not to tell anyone you giggle." He pretended to zip his lip shut as he straightened up, hands still shoved deep in his pockets.

Ah, so she was the juggling fool who had brought the crowd in which he struggled to get through with his catch. He bit back any sly remarks about how she could make anyone gather no mater what she was doing. Slowly he pretended to unzip his lip which he had just 'zipped.' "Oh yes I saw you. You're the reason why I had to fight through a crowd of people just to get paid for the salmon I caught." He replied holding firmly to his spot until she started walking away. Now was one of those times he asked himself whether or not to follow her. Though when she asked if he wanted to shop with him he had an answer to his question.

Slowly he trailed after her even though he hated shopping. Generally he just brought the money home and chucked it at one of his parents so they could come to the market and deal with the hiddious crowds. Normally one of the females in his house hold would shop. Just seemed to be apart of their nature. "Do you always come here to shop or something? Every time I get back to this crummy place I see you." He commented.

[Victoria]

Myriad laughed and grinned at Ben. "Alright. I won't try to make others smile, and never shall I give some food to the children." Rolling her eyes, she waved for Ben to follow as he began walking after her. "Come on, you can do it." She turned, light hair lifting slightly as she did so. Myriad used both hands to carry her basket, heavy with fish and spices. Walking towards the clothing shop, she tilted her head slightly as Ben asked a question. She smiled. "Yes, I usually only work half of the week, so the other half is reserved mostly for doing what's on the list of chores my parents leave me. Usually it includes shopping, so I spend a good bit of my time here." Stopping by the shop, Myriad looked over the hats, and without asking if Ben wanted one, purchased two wide-brim fishing hats. She handed one to him. "There you go. One fancy grey fishing hat." Her eyes sparkled as she put on the hair, and she swung her arms as her eyes adjusted. "Ah, much better." She picked up her basket again, and waited for Ben.

[Alyssa :)]

Ben listened to her laugh and couldn't help but smile a cheesy smile. At least he got her to laugh instead of just giggle. Then there was her sarcastic remark or at least he took it as sarcasm. Slowly he followed her to the clothing stand and crossed his arms while she looked around. How many hats did she have back at home? He was sure she had a couple if the sun managed to hurt her eyes. She should get out at sea and watch the water in which the sun reflected off of while creating a terrible glare. He listened as she stated why she was always in town. Ha! So his house wasn't the only one that send the children out to shop.

He watched she looked over the hats. Typical girl taking so much time pick out one simple object. Then confusion pushed his smile away when she bought two hates. Why would any girl buy two hats at once? He looked at the hat she was handing him. It was gray with a wide brim and was pretty girly. "Umm...thanks I guess." He said unamused still studying the hat. Quickly he glanced around in search of family or friends. None were around and very lazily he put the hat on.

"Do you want me to carry your basket?" He asked while looking at the cost of the hat. Then he dug through his pocket to pick out the right amount. He hated when people bought him things without even bothering to ask. Even if they did ask he would normally say no. After all he was capable of buying his own things since he did work and bring in quite a bit of money. Once he picked out the right amount of money he held out a fist waiting for her to put her hand out so he could let the gold drop into it. She would probably think he was over reacting but it was just one of his pet peeves.

[Victoria]

She looked at Ben as he took the hat, her emerald-green eyes glimmering from within the shade. Myriad nodded when he thanked her, though he seemed a bit hesitant. "No problem, I buy stuff for everyone. My parents give me a budget on what I can use for myself. Between the hats and those apples, I'm good." Watching as he slapped the hat on, Myriads mouth twisted into a smirk, and she put down her basket. With a laugh, she reached up and straightened the hat, then gave Ben two thumbs up. "Looking good, there." Her grin widened. Then, when he began rooting through his pockets, she got a confused expression on her face. Realization dawned when Ben shoved money towards her. "Oh! No, that's okay, I'm fine. You can keep your hard-earned money; I'll stick with my own." She flipped a bit of her yellow hair and chuckled. Picking up her basket, she was about to have them go to a little candy shop. And then he offered to carry her basket. "Ben, I'm fine. I can carry a basket, it's not even that heavy. When I'm working, everything is way heavier, so this basket is no issue. You should have guessed that." Winking, Myriad bobbed on her toes. "Want to go get some candy? I still have enough money." Her white teeth glinted in the sun as she smiled.

(sorry it's short, and you had to wait soo long)

[Alyssa :)]

Obviously Myriad was one of those people who loved to help others. Ben didn't see why she was so nice to him. They'd just met and all so there was no reason to buy him items of clothing. More importantly with out asking before hand. He pushed his hat back after she adjusted it. Certainly he would not allow someone to mess with his new hat despite how tacky it was. "You really should ask before buying people stuff. I don't like when strangers buy me new things. Makes me feel like a child again who couldn't make his own decisions without the guidance of his parents or older sisters." He stated brashly while putting his money back in his pocket. He'd use it later for something else or give it to one of his sisters.

Casually he continued walking besides her with his hands in his pockets. Every once in awhile he'd study her over before letting his steal blue eyes drift towards the docks. His boat was tied up over there and needed a major cleaning before he went back out on the ocean. Confusion set in as she denied his help. What did she do for a living that let her carry baskets like that? He pondered over the different jobs most teenager girls had, none of which truly included carry heavy baskets around. "Where do you work?" He asked finally, his curiosity was getting the best of him.

Now she wanted to get candy! What was up with her? Couldn't she find better things to spend her hard earned money on. Once again he looked at her with steal blue eyes. "No thanks. I got to stay lean and fit for hauling in fish or battling a feisty shark." He commented gently with a slight bit of sarcasm at the end. Though it was true he delt with sharks quite often while deep sea diving. He often went spear fishing and picking up creatures along the way that nets could not catch. His job was risky and he needed to stay on his guard.

[Victoria]

Myriad silently watched Ben for a bit. She smirked and shook her head. "I buy everyone things, regardless of whether they want it or not. If you don't want the hat, I'll take it and juggle it." Her eyes glimmered with mischief. Turning as he started to walk with her, she walked slightly ahead, free arm swinging. Myriad checked her basket, to make sure she had everything. She didn't, but she felt someone eyes on her. The girl looked back at Ben, and read the question in his eyes. "If you're wondering about the basket thing, I've helped fish for a while. And I've pretty much acted as lifeguard. Got a drowning person? I'll haul him up onto shore and give him some CPR, if needed. When I'm helping fish, I help haul in the nets. I also swim a lot, and arms can get strong doing that." She wavered for a second, following his gaze to the boat, and nodded at it. "That yours? Nice. I could help clean it." Walking a bit, more, she tilted her head as he said no to the candy. Myriad grinned and laughed. "But what if the sharks want some candy?" She made a small pouty face. "You don't wanna make them sad, do you, Mr. Must Stay Fit?" Doing a little skip, her blonde hair glittered. "I eat candy, and I can still stay nice and fit." Smiling, her hat flipped off her head as a breeze came. Myriad groaned, and put down her basket. "Watch this, will you?" She ran after her hat, weaving between people, saying sorry and excuse me. Finally, she grabbed it, and slapped it on her head, using the little strings to tie it there like a bonnet. Quickly making her way back to Ben, she grimaced and picked her basket up again. "Sorry about that."

[Alyssa :)]

Ben looked from one spot of the market to another as he awkwardly trailed behind a few sets behind Myriad. Never had he really stopped and taken the time to look at each shop. Apparently the market had some interesting shops and some were just flat out crazy. Leave it to the people of District 4 and their odd ways. He looked at Myriad for a second as she spoke. She bought stuff for everyone whether they wanted it or not. Crazy. He tugged the hat off his head and placed it gently on a small girl sitting on the streets looking rather heated from the hot sun. "Found a better head for your hat. Did my good deed of the day." He replied after she stated she could juggle it. Finally got rid of that awful thing, he thought with a sleek smile. He hated hates, 'specially ones like that.

She commented about her job experience and he listened silently. Interesting. He didn't know that their district even had a life guard spot because most people weren't even suppose to go in the water. Well clearly she had strength behind her beauty. "Sounds like you have an interesting job experience." He replied. He knew how to swim, after all he worked on the water. Who was stupid enough to fish and not know how to swim? Besides shouldn't all of District 4 know how to swim?

His gaze had wandered back to his boat when Myriad commented. She would help clean his boat? Clearly she was to perfect to be true. Slowly he shook his head trying to clear away the perfect person in front of him. Still there. He drew in a deep breath and tried to figure out what to say. "Thanks for the offer but I think I'd rather clean it alone." He commented. "Besides I'm faster at it and that means I can get back out on the ocean faster. You know how mad the Capitol gets when they don't get their fresh fish." He said with a scowl. Oh how he hated the Capitol and their moronic ways.

Sharks. Yes he wanted to make sharks sad because they have been the death of many friends and fellow fishers. He looked at her trying to figure out how her mind worked. "Sharks are terrible creatures and they all need to die for all I care." he muttered. Then her comment of staying fit danced in his mind. "You are on land most the time though. I'm out on a boat for days. Its not like I can run five miles a day or swim yards into the shallow water."

Her hat flew high above his head and despite his efforts to catch the wide brim, portable shade it got away. His eyes watched as she made her way through the crowd as he stood by her basket. She was quick on her feet and knew how to get through the crowd. His eyes drifted to a stray dog walking along the street as it sniffed at the ground. He dropped to his knees and started to drum on his knees. "Come here boy." He called gently. Dogs were great companions for most fisherman and even a sense of protection at him. The starved, brown and white creature had walked over to him. Silently he studied the dog over before scratching its head. A smile pushed back his cheeks as the dog let its foot thump against the ground. There was no collar on the lost creature and nobody was jumping up to claim him. The words sorry sounded and he looked up at find Myriad looking at him. "Its cool, stuff like that happens." He said while looking back at the dog. Casually he scooped it up in his arms. The poor thing couldn't be more than 8 months old. "I found myself a companion while you were gone anyways."