Shipping Out {Alicia}

[Alyssa :)]

The reaping was over and Howi had gone through with volunteering after his girlfriend had been chosen for the games. A sense of anger tugged at how stupid his choice was. Either way one of them would be heart-broken if they one. Now his family would suffer by having to watch his death on national tv as well as struggle to scrape money together for food as well as other necessities. Peacekeepers were on either side of him as he walked down the path from the town hall toward the train. It was as if he was a cattle going to slaughter.

He had said good-bye to his father and two brothers, sadly his mother was to ill to even leave the house. With a smooth hand he ran long, tanned and rough fingers through his jet black hair while faking a smile. Lazily he waved to a few girls from his class before stepping out of all view and onto the train.

Now he needed to find Nightshade, make sure she was okay and try to make the most precious memories he could before entering the arena. Once inside he knew he would fight his hardest to keep her alive even if it cost him his own life. Silently he walked along the long walls and ducked into his train cab, it was clean, to clean for his liking. Oh well. He then slowly walked back down the halls until he found the dining room. Eventually Nightshade would find her way here for dinner so he would remain here until then.

[aliciamusa]

Night never wanted this to happen. She knew she would get picked ever scene she had that one dream. She got into the train car with her bracelet on that Lylia made for her. She waved bye to Lylia and as the train left her eyes never left Lylia. Once she was out of sight Nightshade fell onto the floor with her eyes closed and hands over ears as to try and block out the sound. She could hear it now all the swords hitting each other, If she chose to have an ally other than Howi, the screams of the person.

Nightshade Lifted her head to see Howi walk right past her, maybe that could be her talent Hiding. She could just hide during training only to come out to throw around a dagger her dad taught her before he died. She was good at it but stopped after he died because her mom abused her.

Nightshade looked right past Howi and saw the one person she wanted to kill. Their escort maybe if she would have never been born Nightshade would not be in this mess. Maybe Night could be at Howi's snuggling with him. As he protected her from whatever it was that was scaring her. Then again maybe she still would be in this mess. If Lylia got chosen Night would have volunteered because Lylia was her friend and almost her sister. Night got up and hugged Howi from behind trying to scare him. Now was the one place she never wanted to leave him. Actually the last few days of her life she never wanted to leave him.

[Alyssa :)]

It was rather shocking at first to feel arms wrap about him but Howi nonchalantly placed his arms on the arms. Automatically he knew who it was and could not help to smile a light smile. "Hey,"he commented lightly. Odd how someone could sneak up so quietly but yet he wasn't afraid. If he was in the games surely it would have been the death of him. Lazily he drew in a slow, almost long lasting breath and moved her arms away so he could turn around.

Once he turned around, Howi gently wrapped his arms in a protective manor around Nightshade. He would miss these moments and the safety that he had felt at home but it was to late to change anything. His mind was rushing with so many thoughts and it was all to fast to really even process what each one was. Tonight would be one of many long nights. Hopefully everything would be over and if he died it wouldn't be in a hideously painful way. Lightly he sighed at just the thought of not going home alive. Death was always something no one wanted to think about but it was just apart of life, it was rather intimidating but inevitable actually. Everyone had to face death at some time and in this world it would never be peaceful or gentle.

Gracefully Howi kissed the top of Nightshade's head before brushing his thumb along her cheek. "I told you I'd stay by your side no matter what happened,"He whispered gently.

[aliciamusa]

The only place Night ever felt was her home was in Howi's arms. That was the only place. Even at her own house and away from everybody, Howi's arms were her only safe haven. When Howi kissed her forehead she smiled and blushed a little bit, hearing the words made her feel better. "What happens if they see us and present us as lovers like they did Katniss and Petta from twelve?" Not that Nightshade would not be happy if they did not, she would just wonder what the capitol would do if that happened. Night pulled Howi closer, "I don't ever want to leave your side." She whispered into his ear softly.

((sorry for the short post))

[Alyssa :)]

Howi silently pondered over her question about the games. He remembered rather clearly about what happened between Peeta and Katiness but he never had really thought about what would happen if an actual couple had been entered in the game. In the silence he bit down on his lip because he didn't even know how to answer. Honestly they weren't star-crossed lovers nor were they faking their love, at least he wasn't.

In a lazy manor Howi pushed a few stray strands of hair from Nightshade's face. "Well if they decide they want to play that game again we'll be the best star-crossed lovers the districts have ever seen," he replied with a gentle smile and soft tone. They would simply be the best because their love was true and it started before the game unlike the one they tried to show in 74th games.

Timidly he let go however to sit in a chair. All of a sudden it felt like his legs were going to fall out from under him. He placed his hand on his head and drew in a long, deep breath. Maybe he had locked his knees and became light headed. That was actually the only explanation he could think of. After a second he stood back up and wrapped his arms around Nightshade once more.

[aliciamusa]

Night could feel Howi pull away and then she saw him sit down. She wanted to sit in his lap but before she could he had his arms around her again. She keep going over Howi's words, not saying anything just thinking. Their love was true and always would be. They would not have to fake anything, nothing, anything they asked them to do they could do. Only because their love started before the games. "On top of that, we don't have to pretend to be in love... Right? Because we already are." Night said quietly. Night looked up into Howi's eyes and then before saying anything Night kissed Howi on the lips like she used to before the games. they would not have many more like this.

[Alyssa :)]

There was an odd silence after Nightshade spoke as Howi tried to wrap his thoughts around her words. He wasn't quite sure why he even had to wrap her words in a nice bow for him to understand since that had basically been when he was thinking. In the silence he listened as staff shuffled around the train doing their task, funny how people could be such slaves to the Capitol.

He was about to reply to her words but the gentle touch of her lips against his was enough to shut his thoughts up. Gently he wrapped his fingers in her long blonde hair and let his left hand wrap around her waist. These would be the days that would keep him going--the fond memories of what used to be. Almost against his will, Howi pulled away from the kiss but let his forehead press almost weightlessly on her own. He closed his eyes and took in a very slow breath. "I love you." He stated firmly but with no room for questions to be asked about his true feeling.

[aliciamusa]

Night smiled when Howi spook. She knew he did, he always had. She put her arms around his neck and smiled, "I love you too, always and forever." Night rested her head in the crook of Howi's neck. Night closed her eyes and tried to tune out every sound other than Howi's voice. She was never good at doing that so when she heard the door open she jumped and hid behind Howi. She didn't want to see who it was so she just keep her eyes closed and her hands on his back.

[Alyssa :)]

Howi could feel his eyes being to water when Nightshade had rested her head against his throat. It wasn't because she confirmed her love but more of the terrible image that twisted his own mind. The image was gory, horrifying and relatively nightmarish just like the Games itself. With a deep breath, Howi forced the thought out of his mind. He relished those moment and had just started to close his eyes to take it all in when sadly, someone opened the door which in turn sent Nightshade into hiding behind him. A slight scowl creeped onto his face as he watched one of the workers for the Capitol swoop into the car. He was rather different in appearance with a subtle orange tint to his skin and short, spiked ocean blue hair that seemed to contradict with the skin color.

Howi's hand formed in a slight fist as he just wanted to be left alone with his girlfriend. Was that to much to ask? In all actuality to the Capitols camera crew and the media straying members of the Capitol, it was. You don't do a very good job to keeping to schedules do you? The voice of the manager was icy cold and Howi didn't like it. With out commenting Howi waited for the manager to speak again or disappear, which ever would come first. Both of you go clean up, change and then be in the dinning room in 30 minutes tops, and with that being said the man left. Howi bit his lip and let his fist fall away. "Guess we should do what he says." Howi said in a dragged out voice and a frown.

{ Sorry for the cruddy post an IPod is all I have to work with for Internet purposes since my laptop cord snapped }