Remembrance [OPEN]

[Nala Cassok]

Nala Cassok made her way down one of the winding Garden pathways. The sound of people working was all around her. To her left, towards the area that housed a vital herb used in the production of morphling, Nala could hear someone singing, her voice was full and the notes of her melody carried themselves across the late afternoon air, twisting and turning through the plants before landing softly on Nala's ears. Nala stopped for a second to listen before taking off down the pathway once more. Even though, it was Winter, the people in charge of District 6 had made sure that seasonal Winter herbs, and other genetically modified plants, had been planted and would be harvested, the Capitol would not stand to let a District go without some kind of work to do for a whole season.

She would have to hurry to her destination, the sun was slowly falling and she had to be home in time for dinner and to avoid the Peacekeeper that watched over the Garden at night. The Peacekeeper was, in Nala's mind, one of the most foul men she had ever met. One time, when Nala had been less experienced with the maze that was District 6's Garden, she had gotten lost and had made it out of the Garden hours after sun down. The Peacekeeper saw her leaving and almost had her dragged away and punished severely for being in the Garden after hours. Luckily, one of her father's friends had been nearby, a high ranking District 6 official, and he managed to diffuse the situation. Since then, Nala made it a point to leave the Garden before then, or leave after sun down and make sure she didn't get caught.

Nala passed a massive downed tree, and the sound of people working began to get further away. She was close. Nala climbed over the downed tree and found herself staring out a large field. The cold weather had decimated whatever life had once been here, except for a strangely beautiful array of white flowers. The white flowers here were a popular Capitol accessory and at the end of Winter season, they would all be harvested. Nala fiddled with her gear necklace and thought of Jill. This had been their get away, their place to be together. That was, until the reapings stole Jill away from her.

Nala knelt down and plucked one of the white flowers from the ground. The punishment for doing this, unless you were a worker assigned to the job, was death. Death for stealing from the government, but Nala was unaffected, she had done this millions of times before. She lifted the flower and sniffed it. Frowning, Nala tossed it down. The white flowers were beautiful, but since they were genetically manufactured by the Capitol, they had no scent.

She was so caught up in the flowers, that she barely heard the person coming behind her.

[Aria]

Zevlin stopped his work to stare up at the setting sun. He had always loved the view from the garden. It was settling for him, comforting in a way. Although, he would have enjoyed it a lot more without the other workers and Peacekeepers around. All alone in the garden, gaping up at the sunset seemed perfect. Hearing slight voices and melodies about him, Zevlin decided to abandon his work for the moment, since their time was almost up.

Zevlin set away his things and looked around himself to be sure he hadn't missed anything. Shrugging his broad shoulders without interest he began walking through the pathways of the garden. He moved swiftly, for he had known the place by heart. Working here for only two to three years really has an impact. He would soon be working where his father had worked. Down at the station. It was exciting to be doing something other than gathering herbs and working in the garden. Although, he had to admit he would miss the beautiful sights. Where his father worked was well... a lot more hectic.

He passed a few trees, stepping over their roots and even some downed trees along the way, being cautious of his steps. Not that he needed to be, but he was used to feeling that way when he walked. It was natural in a way, to be self conscious.

Zevlin eyed the sky's colors and the upcoming flowers ahead of him. His eyes widened at the sight of a girl tossing one of the white flowers at the ground. He wanted to avoid her and he most likely would, if he kept on walking. Also he had to get home for supper anyway.

Biting his lip, Zevlin stared at the gorgeous white flower that had been thrown. He couldn't just leave it there. In his mind he had walked past the girl without a word or a flash of his eyes, but what he really saw himself doing was kneeling down to pick up the white flower. His eyes glanced at the girl as he wondered if he should say anything. Zevlin instead picked up the flower and placed it back with the other identical flowers. He then made eye contact with the girl for only a moment, nodding his head slightly before turning his back.