Mask of the Water [GxK/Open]

[Allison Arelix]

--- STARK ANDERSON ---

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The sky was filled with dark and threatening clouds. Off the distance from the beach, streaks of lightning were illuminating the sky. The beach was cold and thanks to the storm, work was off and no one was there with him. Even his job at night was off for the night. For once in a very long time, Stark Anson was free of his duties.

His shirt lay in a crumpled heap beside him in the sand as he sat back. The warm water would occasionally come up and lick his toes, sending a wave of calmness through him. Stark sighed pleasantly, running a hand through his blonde hair like he always did when he's had something on his mind.

With a tiny smile, he muttered to himself, "No, it'll happen..." Rebellion. That was the only thing on his mind. Whenever he was alone and he had thinking time--it was the only thing he thought about. How much he would love to see the Capitol crumble altogether.

Stark gently ran his finger through the sand, now concentrated. He knew how unsafe it was to be out alone anymore. He could very easily become abducted.

"Nah. Anyone would be smart enough not to try and take me of all people," he thought with a silent chuckle. It came off as more arrogant than he thought, but he did truly believe the kidnapper would have some problems trying to get him.

"Unless they have drugs or something," Stark bitterly thought. Of course they would. With a disgusted sigh he muttered, "Capitol is too scared to show its face, huh?" As dumb as it was to speak against the Capitol, he couldn't help himself. He needed out. They needed a Rebellion. They needed the Games destroyed.

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[galexkatniss]

~Nerina~

The dark stormy sky, and threating clashes of thunder and lightening wasn't enough to keep Nerina from going for a walk on the beach to keep her mind clear and provide relief from the stresses at home. The ocean had a calming effect on her, she walked with the water just past her ankles. Not the smartest idea with a storming brewing, but that seemed to be the least of her troubles right now. The crashes in the distance sounding like they were slowly starting to move their way in.

Thoughts of her ill brother crept back into her mind. Why him? Why did it have to be him and not her. Sometimes she felt being the sick one would just be so much easier. But her brother always told her that he wouldn't have it any other way. That he wouldn't be able to watch her decline. Then he must understand how much it was tearing her apart, right? He was dying, and she felt helpless to stop it.

When she reached another long stretch of beach she saw something, or someone lying down. Her thoughts of it being a person were confirmed when the boy talked to himself. Words against the Capitol none the less. She hated them as well. Resorting to kidnapping children for their beloved Games. It was cruel and every night before bed Nerina was thankful she had made it another day in this crazy world. When she got closer to the boy, she noticed he wasn't wearing a shirt. A blush flared up on her cheeks. You'd think leaving in District Four she'd be used to seeing guys without there shirts. But at least with this one, she found herself feeling a bit nervous, if you could can it that even, it wasn't something she felt often. Nerina finally found her voice and was able to force out, "Storm's moving in." Stating the obvious, but at least it was something.

[Allison Arelix]

At once, shock and fear jolted through him as Stark spun to the unknown voice. A girl, a few years younger was standing there. "Could be the kidnapper..." But he quickly pushed the of his mind with a slight silent chuckle. "I saw her face and I'm pretty sure the Capitol wouldn't want that. And besides it's just a girl."

His bright blue eyes scanned over her for a moment as he grabbed his shirt. Dark brown hair, eyes like a pale ocean, and sun-kissed tan. Stark's mind raced as he remembered where he's seen her. He knew it was a couple of times. School, sometimes at work, and once just walking around.

With a charming grin, he stood up, brushing the sand off of his shorts and turning to the girl. Stark cleared his throat and said with a chuckle, "Yeah, yeah it is." It sounded a lot stupider than he intended, but he always had a quick way to back it up.

Walking a bit closer, he told her, "Actually I'm working. You see, my job is to lay around and if I see a girl that needs to be protected by a storm, I then escort her back to town safely." Stark glanced up the beach, then down it before turning to her with a grin. "And I really don't want to lose my job. It's my first day and you're my first customer. So," Stark bowed and flashed another smile, "would you please accompany me, m'lady?"

Charm was a natural gift, and besides, it was nice to get some company every once in a while. And pretty company was always welcomed. His father had always instructed him to be a gentleman and he did have to go back to the District, anyway.

((I'm so sorry my posts are always so short compared to yours D: So so so sorry.))

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[galexkatniss]

((ooc- Tis fine! I tend to ramble in my posts. XD ))

~Nerina~

Nerina founded herself blushing more when he asked her to walk back to the District with him. Why was she so nervous today? It was ridiculous. It was times like this she wished her brother was around to do the talking so that she wouldn't make herself sound like an idiot. When lightening crashed in the distance she was snapped out of her thoughts and back to what was going on in this moment of time.

"Sure." She nodded, "I should be heading home now anyway. Don't want to get caught in the storm." Well she managed to sound somewhat normal there. She didn't even stumble over her words, apparently lady luck was on her side today. Glancing toward the District she smiled a bit. The boats would all be docked today because of he storm. That meant she was also off from work today. It was a much needed break from everything that had been going on lately.

Really Nerina didn't mind storms. They were sometimes relaxing, although she didn't really want to be all the way out on this beach when things started ti get nasty and the waves started to get rough. The water was already looking choppy and not favorable for any sort of sailing or fishing. There had been times when Nerina was out on boats during an approaching storm, it could be very stressful and dangerous. But being in Four it was a part of life.

[Allison Arelix]

Stark grinned and stood up and started walking alongside her back to the District. He glanced over at her and chuckled, "I'm Stark. Stark Andson." Stark looked forward once more, trying to be friendly with charm still.

A cash of thunder roared in his ears. He couldn't help but to spin around to the storm. The clouds seemed to blacken quickly and were creeping closer and closer. His stomach twisted into knots before he could even turn back.

Memories flooded him. His father's accident in the storm. His brother Damon's face when he heard that daddy wasn't coming home. His mother's complete shock and then life-ridding illness. The emptiness of the house. Of him.

He shook his head quickly and turned around, forcing a smile at the girl. It wasn't her business to hear about his problems or even to know. It was no one's except his.

Stark brushed a wild strand of hair from his face and looked forward, still smiling as much as he could as he pushed back the memories in his head.

[galexkatniss]

~Nerina~

Nerina smiled when he introduced himself to her. Gathering up her confidence that had seemed to be failing her today she figured she best introduce herself as well. "I'm Nerina Salacia." Yes her name was rather amusing. Since she was from District Four, and the name Nerina, meant "sea nymph." Something she thanked her parents for. Well used to, until her dad died and her mom went into a depression.

That was when she noticed that Stark seemed unnerved or something by the storm. They weren't uncommon in Four, so it couldn't be like he's never been out in one before. Whatever it was, it wasn't her place to ask. Maybe it was something he liked to keep private, like her brother's illness. Nerina didn't want people to pity her or her brother. Help was hard for her to accept. She wanted to feel like she was capable of providing for her small family. But wouldn't refuse anything that could help her brother to get better.

All the work she did at the docks and in the boat shop, were for him. Someone, somehow, she was going to take him to Six, where they could make him better. all he had to do was hang in there until she afford it. Looking back over at Stark, she decided she should at least ask if he was right, maybe there was someone she could do to make him feel better. "Are you ok? You just seem nervous."

[Allison Arelix]

"Nerina Salacia..." Stark thought with a smile. He repeated the name in his head a good ten times, memorizing it just in case. At her question, he knew he was caught. He'd dare not say anything, but still caught nonetheless. He grinned over at her and shook his head lightly.

"That's a pretty name," Stark calmly said, putting the storm part off again. His bright blue eyes flashed over to her, the soft smile still plastered on his face. She was nice to talk to. Even though they barely did. It'd been a while since he'd talked outside of work or family.

Stark ran a hand through his hair and shrugged, "Storms aren't exactly my favorite thing. And this one looks like it could be bad," he admitted, his smile falling. With a shake of his head he smiled and tried to push it away. "It's been a while since I've had a decent conversation like this. So tell me a little about yourself Miss Nerina," Stark said, the charming smile returning to his face.

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[galexkatniss]

~Nerina~

Nerina was relieved to find out it wasn't something she'd done that had put Stark, a bit on edge. She always tended to want to make sure everyone around her was alright. It was a habit that formed years ago, back before everything had gone so very wrong. Then there was the stealing to add to the things that were pushing against Nerina. She was within the age target, but the one thing she did have going for her is she worked around a lot of other people, it would be hard to kidnap her without someone seeing. But you could never be to careful.

A blush spread over her face when he said he thought her name was pretty, and then asked her to tell him about herself. Nerina paused a moment to get her thoughts together. As long as she stayed away from the topic of family, everything would be fine. Not need to panic. "I'm really not that interesting. I work fishing, and help making boats. Go to school on reduced days so I can fit more work hours in. And on time off I just go for a walk or swim." Then she decided to get some of the focus off of herself, "What about you?"

Of course she wouldn't pressure Stark for any information about himself, that he didn't want to give. But Nerina needed a moment to come up with anyone thing else to say if he asked any more about her. When her brother was her whole life, it was hard to stay away from the topic of him. But bringing up her family was still to hard for her to do without getting very emotional. Something that would seem really awkward in front of someone who she just met today.

[Allison Arelix]

Stark gently nodded. Her story sounded a lot like his, but he knew there were differences neither of them would talk about. He wouldn't push her on it, but even still, he knew they were there. Stark glanced down at the sand, clenching his toes in the softness for a moment. Another roll of thunder echoed down the beach before he went into his life.

"Well, let's see. I'm seventeen. I work during the days at the docks, then at night I go work with the Apothecary. This is the first day I've had off in a long time. I swim, walk, walk, and today has been the first time in a while I've talked to someone other than work or something. I go to school maybe two or three times a week. And I think I've seen you working before," he rambled. Stark grinned and nodded mildly.

The more he walked, the more he caught himself glancing over at her and around the beach. She was pretty, and he felt a bit protective. His natural loyalty was kicking in. Whenever he met someone, even for a bit, he became loyal. And now, he was becoming a bit worried. He glanced around, looking for anything suspicious. What if the she got stolen? People would notice. "Hell, I'd notice..." Stark thought to himself. But even then, all that would happen would people would know she was in the Hunger Games.

Stark smiled a bit, his thoughts a bit bitter. "Come on. I already have to watch Damon and Aden. Now I'm starting to worry about her too? Great. I barely know her and I'm worried. This is brilliant." Loyalty was his strong point, but trusting people was his weakness.

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[galexkatniss]

~Nerina~

The thunder and lightening indicated the storm wasn't far off at all now. But she could see the stripes of one of the many lighthouses in District Four. The blinding light, spinning to direct any ships that were still out at sea, home. The lighthouses were fun to visit, on nice days you could see miles and miles of clear ocean water, and the strong breeze up there carried the sweet, but salty smell of the sea. Something that was so natural to Nerina, she figured if she ever got lost, the sound and smell of the ocean could guide her home.

Listening to what Stark had to say about himself, she noted many things that they had in common. Maybe it would be ok, someday, if she got to know him better(which she planned to do), she could tell him about her family. It would feel nice to be able to talk about it freely with someone. Without having to constantly worry about being pitied, or laughed at. Two of the things she could not stand. There was not a day that went by, that Nerina didn't think of how she wished she could change places with her brother, or better yet, none of it happened in the first place. "You've probably have seen me at work. It seems like that's where I spend the majority of my life, especially lately. It's bit nerve wracking with the stealings though, one of the guys I worked with was taken. So we all just keep an eye out for anything that isn't quite right."

The thought instinctively made Nerina look over her shoulders. Paranoid, maybe, but she couldn't get taken, not when her mom and brother needed her so badly. And then she didn't know what she'd do, if someone else she knew was taken. The images of the ones she worked with flashed through her mind, followed by Stark. Wait a second... She'd just met this guy, and she was already worried. Well deciding that it was to much to try and figure out right now, she looked up over the stretch of beach where the main part of Four, was coming into view. Almost there.

[Allison Arelix]

Stark's mouth twisted with disgust for a moment. The Capitol stealing people for sick amusement. He looked over at her, watching her look behind her for a kidnapper or something. Anger flared up inside him. The stupid Capitol. How could they even think of something like that?

Instinctively, Stark moved closer and muttered just loud enough, "You're safe with me." He had no clue how long it'd been since he was in a decent fight. A few months perhaps. Last time some alcoholic rich guy was harassing people while he was at work. Stark couldn't help himself and the two went at it. In the end, Stark managed to knock the guy out and seriously injure him. Little fights like that though kept him on edge.

Stark forced a smile and then looked over at her. "I'll make you a deal," he said, an actual smile stealing over his lips, "I'll personally make sure that you aren't going to get kidnapped, and if you do, I will hunt do the person and bring you back home. On the condition that you and I take a walk sometime. Anytime. At night, the day--whenever." He grinned, moving so he was walking backwards in front of her. He was curious about her. She didn't say too much and it was mysterious almost. Besides-- he did want to get to know her.

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[galexkatniss]

~Nerina~

Nerina was at first to surprised to respond to Stark. No one had offered or tried to keep her since before her brother fell ill. It was a nice feeling that washed over her, someone cared. But it always made her nervous, she didn't want Stark to get hurt trying to protect her. She didn't know what was worse, the way the Games used to be held, or the way they were held now. The suspense every year for the stealing kept her on her toes. She never let herself relax too much, just in case. Her brother was in the targeted age group too, but he was so sick, he'd be pretty useless, no good show in watching him lay dying from the moment he entered the arena. That was the only thing about his illness she was grateful for.

Finally able to reply to Stark Nerina gave a small smile, "Sure. As long as your up to it." She was trying to make it seem like she was more confident than she actually was. She'd never felt like this before, and didn't know what to make of it. Nerina liked the feeling, but never having experienced it in the past, wasn't quite sure what to do, or what to make of it. "With any luck, they won't go after us or anyone we know. Still it's hard to see people from your home get taken to go kill and try to survive." Thinking about it sent a chill down her spine.

She let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding when they entered back into the main part of Four. Now at least she could feel safer, with people around everywhere. Nerina figured here was safety numbers. Or at least a load of witnesses if all else failed. And in her pocket was always a knife used to gut fish, if she had to protect herself. Not the most threatening weapon, but it was something. And something was better than nothing at all.

[Allison Arelix]

Stark couldn't help but to grin happily before taking his spot back to her side as they walked into the District. He glanced around curiously, looking for any suspicion. He thought about the Games now and now no one was safe. Stark sighed and muttered, "It's hard, but don't worry... It'll all be over soon."

The Capitol crashing. Their comfortable world of watching less fortunate people die crashing to bits. The thought sent a wave of relaxation over him. It would happen. He guaranteed it. Even if he had to lead it himself and take them down--it'd happen.

(Mom is home. Sorry. Bye)

[galexkatniss]

~Nerina~

Once again Stark managed to surprise her. So he believed the Games could be brought down once and for all? Of course Nerina wanted to believe it, but didn't want to get her hopes up. Just like she told herself to make every moment with her brother count, because he just might not make it. And her mother was too depressed to do much of anything these days. Half of her was angry with her mom, the other, felt sorry for her.

"I hope so. But I think there isn't time to avoid this next stealing... All we can do is keep our guard up and pray it's not us, or someone we love." A lot of the guys she worked with could easily become Tributes... Most of them were exactly what the old Capitols were looking for. Not a pleasant thought, so she forced her thoughts elsewhere. "So where in Four do you live? I don't want you to have to go too far out of your way to bring me home." Well really Nerina wanted to spend more time with Stark, but it seemed rude to make him walk all the way to her house, which was out of the way of the part of town that most people lived in.

The storm was very close now, the wind started to pick up, and brine was whipped in the air. Nerina could taste the salt in it. Lightening out over the water looked beautiful, but the loud noise made her cringe. It was an ear splitting noise now that it was so close, and being over open ocean, there was really nothing to act as a sound barrier. She glanced over at Stark, hoping her nervousness didn't show too much. Why did she have to be so jumpy today?

[Allison Arelix]

Stark shook his head. He didn't care how far off her house was from his. A real gentleman was supposed to escort her home, and that's what he intended to do. Stark smiled happily and replied, "I live out by the coast kind of. Don't worry about me. Besides, I have a promise to keep."

Stark's hair started to whip around his head. He saw her cringe from the corner of his mind. At once, he reached up and took her shoulder and gave her a wide smile. "Relax, if the storm gets too bad, my house isn't too far and I'll take you home right after it ends. But only if you feel too uncomfortable with the storm."

A clash of lightning echoed through the sky, lightning up every space in District 4, followed by another roar of thunder. He knew Damon would be at home, hiding under the blankets. Aden was probably at work or doing favors for more money. Worry etched over Stark's face as he thought more about Damon being alone.