Star-crossed

@ sweetest_sin
Ashby smiled softly. "Thank you. It's not well known but district 4... well we like to secretly tell stories and sing songs." She bushed and looked at him. "It's the ocean. It just does something to you. There is so much wonder and mystery." she looked sad and longing. "It has been a strange year for district four. They actually had to draw from the names." she chuckled and looked up at the stars. "The sky is a lot like the ocean." she said and turned to him. "I don't know why I told you all of that." she said and chuckled before looking away again her stone wall coming back. But there was something there behind her fear that looked at life as something amazing. Ashby had often wondered what it would be like to sail into the sea and never come back. She knew what they where told that they where alone in the world but she didn't believe them. There had to be more out there than just the hunger games. Ashby found a bench and sat down looking up at Ezra. She wanted to speak but had nothing to say. She was afraid to say more and afraid to ask him questions knowing that she would only be less and less able to defend herself against him.

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Finnick felt her give into the ecstasy so he rolled over and looked at her pulling her to him seeing how vulnerable she was. Normally he would be allowed to leave after this but he could see this was different. So he silently held her to him ignoring the aching in his groin for release. Finnick smiled sadly as she mentioned four. He closed his eyes. "Do you?" he whispered wondering if she would like four. It wasn't a comfortable living but it was a wonderful one. There was so much in four that he loved and he wished he could share it with someone special but he knew it would never happen. Snow would always be loaning him out. Finnick looked back down at Adaline as she asked if he wanted to come back. He frowned not knowing how to answer that. "Adaline you are so sweet. I hate to think of what Snow is taking from you for these meetings. If I want to come back or not is simply irrelevant." he said and turned more to her cupping her cheek. "Now if you asked if I would like to know you better to spend more time with you then yes I would enjoy that. You are different Adaline and it intrigues me but I do not want you to put yourself in harms way." he said wondering if her innocence was what Snow had required to be taken from her. Finnick bit his lip. "How about this. You are privileged to having me till the next day. Why don't we shower then dress and I will make you something to build your strength back up?" he asked and looked at her knowing she would need him in the shower to keep her upright. He could tell in her body the way it was now.

@ Jinx...
Ezra enjoyed hearing Ashby speak up. Four sounded like an interesting place. He would never have guessed that she was poetic. Then again, he didn't really know the true her. He glanced away for a moment to look at the sky. He turned back towards her with a smile, "It's because we're alike." He realized how similar they were as soon as she began opening up. They both don't belong where they are now. They're just two kids who want to be back home.
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Adaline watched him as he was in deep thought. "I do." She whispered. His body was warm, it was comforting to her. She nodded as he spoke, smiling as he mentioned her well-being. He mentioned a shower and she piped up. A shower sounded like Heaven at the moment. "Well, I'd like to get to know you as well." She stated, eyeing him. "But I don't know if you'd let that happen." She continued. She was intrigued by him but it would take a lot for him to open up.

@ sweetest_sin
Ashby looked down. Was she a lot like him. She didn't know him so how was she suppose to judge that? "You don't talk about 7 like I do about 4." she said wondering if he would. She had wondered what the other districts where like but she knew she would only ever visit them if she won the games. Ashby looked at the plants knowing he had so seem them more like she did the ocean but maybe she had learned to tell stories and sing and he had not. She thought how sad that was. Why didn't he have what she did? Didn't his district want to remember the beauty and power that use to be 7? She bit her lip remembering how illegal it was to tell stories and sing songs that where not from the capital's approved list. Still Ashby thought it was something everyone would do in secret maybe she was different.

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Finnick looked at her and frowned. "Maybe eventually." he said honestly. "It's dangerous for people to know you in the capital Adaline. That is why Snow is so powerful because he knows people and exploits them." he said and stood and picked her up in his arms moving to the bathroom. He set her on the counter as he turned on the water. He brought her into the stream once it was warm enough. Finnick set her on her feet holding her to him. He sighed relaxing as the water moved over his skin. It felt so nice to be in the water even if it was just a shower. He always felt more himself in the water. "Besides Adaline I don't know if you would like the men you want to get to know. I am not the same as what I am told to be." he told her truthfully.

@ Jinx...
Ezra frowned and pulled out his token. He held it upwards toward the light. "My father cut this piece of wood from the sacred tree in seven. It's meant to bring good luck." He said as he admired it once more. He smiled and placed it into her hands. "This tree was planted before the war." He hoped she would trust him more now. He wished she could see the tree. He knew she wouldn't need to an explanation for the beauty of it.
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Adaline kept her eyes on him. Lightly touching his chest as he spoke. She listened to him intently, trying not to be mesmerized by him. "I don't think you understand Finnick." Her voice was the loudest it had been all evening. "I admire you." It was odd for her to say that, she knew, but Finnick was strong. She had known about him for years and somewhat of the things he had to do. "You don't have to put yourself down for surviving." She smiled weakly at him, hoping he wouldn't take it the wrong way.

@ sweetest_sin
Ashby watched him and looked at what he held. It was a nice story. She smiled softly realizing that 7 had it's own story but theirs where much different from 4. It seemed that 7 remembered the strength of the past where 4 dreamed up strength for the day and sung songs of the past. She was really surprised as he placed the token in her hands. She ran her fingers over the smooth wood and turned it over and over again in her hands. It felt so good to hold onto. "It's beautiful." she said and sighed as she carefully handed it back to him. "I can't believe they let you bring it with you." she said softly. It was wood and if it didn't mean so much to Ezra she was sure he could use it to start a fire and keep himself alive in the games but she instinctively knew he would never do that.

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Finnick frowned and stepped back. "I'm sorry Adaline..." he said and looked down. "You don't know what it's like. I survived yes but it was more than that." he said and shook his head. "Shh now." he said putting a finger to her lips before he kissed her again. She could never understand the pain that haunted you when you killed and watched others be killed. It was not something that left you unscared. He kissed her a while before reaching over and grabbing the soup. He carefully lathered it and started to wash her body. He stayed quiet now. He had forgotten for a moment that she was from the capital for use a moment. Long enough to realize the only one's that would ever remotely understand was other victors.

@ Jinx...
Ezra smiled at her, "It's the only thing that keeps me grounded." It made him happy that she liked it. He wondered if she had anything to remind her of home. The wood was warm from her hands. It felt nice against his skin. He took a deep breath and held it out once more, "Ashby," He paused, gathering courage. "You can keep it. A peace offering?" The last part was a question. He gave her the option to decline; though he hoped she wouldn't.
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Adaline frowned, "I'm sorry for crossing that line." She relaxed as he washed her. She could see in his face that he was remembering the events of his past. "No one should have to go through what you did." Her voice was soft again. She was trying to ease him away from those awful thoughts. She lightly caressed his cheek with her fingers tips, "I hope for the day that it all ends." She kept her eyes locked on him. She needed Finnick to understand that she truly was different.

@ sweetest_sin
Ashby smiled as he turned it back over in his own hands. He then said something that made her panic. She stood shaking her head. "No!" she said and took his hands folding them back over the wood. "I can't take it Ezra... It means so much to you. I couldn't. It's yours." she said and bit her lip. She didn't even know what to do with a peace offering anyways. Did that mean they would become allies? Did it mean they would wait until the end to try to kill one another? No she couldn't do that. She shook her head. She couldn't get attached. "Ezra I will help you train but... I can't... I can't get attached." she said and let go of his hands. "Please understand." she said and stepped back. "I should go. You too. We need the sleep." she said and then turned and started to walk back to the door.

---

Finnick frowned as he finished washing her up then he did himself and moved them both under the shower head. He let his hands run down her body until the soap was gone. Then he reached behind her and turned off the water. "You're right Adaline, no one should ever have to go through that but they still do." he said and stepped out grabbing a towel and going back to her wrapping her in the towel and drying her off. He dried her hair and then he dried himself. He took her hand leading her carefully back to her room. He stopped and picked up his cloths and started to dress. "Now let's get you some food." he said. Adaline was trying he could tell but she just didn't understand.

@ Jinx...
Ezra frowned, he had a feeling this was going to happen. But he tried and that's what mattered. He firmly grasped the token and placed it back into his pocket. "It's alright Ashby." He started. "We can help train and that's it." He raised his arms up as a sign of surrender. He felt bad for startling her with his actions. He hesitated to speak and she began to walk away. He sighed heavily as the door closed. He didn't mean for her to leave but it could be better off this way. He knew that he would be weak when it came to her. If anyone else knew that, it could cause trouble. He followed suite and went back to his. He laid in bed and shut his eyes but Ashby found herself in his dreams.
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Adaline sat in silence as Finnick dried her off and lead her back to her room. She grabbed a satin black night gown and threw it on, sneaking glances at Finnick as he dressed. She couldn't believe she had just had all of him. She didn't know what to say and she felt as if she was making things worse. She smiled softly at him, "Food sounds great right now."

@ sweetest_sin
Ashby felt so guilty. It wasn't that she didn't want an ally it was that it was to hard to have one and she was afraid to explain that to him. Ashby said goodnight as they reached the seventh floor then she hurried down to the forth floor. She hurried into her room and put on the bed cloths that had been provided for her. Nothing from home. She crawled into bed hearing the other man from four yell out to one of the career tributes. He was making allies and strong ones but not with her. She curled up in bed and put on the fake version of the ocean on the wall. She needed it to fall asleep. She closed her eyes and dreamed but they where not kind dreams to run away to. They where dreams that haunted her ever since she had been selected to be tribute.

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Finnick smiled softly and took her hand leading her into the kitchen. "Now let's see what you have." he said and opened her fridge. "Well it looks like everything. So what would you like?" he asked and looked at her smiling as if he had forgotten the conversation they had been having earlier. Finnick couldn't blame Adaline for where she was raised and her lack of knowledge. It wasn't that she agreed with the capital so he had to give her some slack. She seemed to be really genuinely wanting to know him.

@ Jinx...
Ezra awoke several times throughout the night. He had been dreaming about the future games. He was scared and nervous. His alarm finally woke him up for the morning. He sighed and turned it off. He was exhausted after the restless night. He sat at the table and ate quietly, not wanting to use extra strength to speak. The female tribute spoke to him but he didn't listen much. He was too focused on getting to training. He waved goodbye to his mentor and fellow tribute. Ezra got into the elevator and headed down towards the training center. He was one of the first to arrive, of course the career pack was already there. He took a deep breath and walked towards the weights. At least being in the lumber district made him strong. He began lifting the weights, checking the door for Ashby.
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Adaline made a face as Finnick spoke. She always had everything, her mother kept her fully stocked. "Anything will do." She replied, sitting on the couch. She poured herself a drink and sipped on it. She watched him as he moves around the kitchen. He was swift in everything he did. She hoped soon that he would be more comfortable with her. "Thank you for cooking." She stated with a smile.

(Sorry that took longer than expected.)

@ sweetest_sin
Ashby woke and showered then ate. She saw that the other tribute from four had already headed down with the career pack. She sighed and finished eating before she went down the elevator. She stood in the doorway a moment looking for two things, Ezra and something to learn. She found him lifting weights and she frowned. He was showing off to much. She moved over to him. "What are you doing?" she looked over at the careers who looked at Ezra like they either wanted him to join or anted to kill him first. Ashby got Ezra to stop and she took his hand going towards the herbs section. She sat down pulling him with you. "Are you insane?" Ashby hissed looking at him. "If they can't convince the strongest to join them then you will be the first on their list." she said. "So don't show off unless they start hovering over you and smirking. Seriously. You only get one shot to prove that they shouldn't mess with you." she whispered and grabbed the tablet. "Now teach me plants." she said looking worried. Ashby glanced up at the careers and was grateful when someone from 10 walked in and they snickered watching him. She sighed realizing she had been a little hard on Ezra. Ashby sighed and looked down. "I'm sorry it's just I don't want to see you be the first to go. The pack always take the center and they enjoy taking lives there." she said and looked at him with fear in her eyes for the first time. She looked away and flipped through the plants on the tablet.

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Finnick smiled. "No problem beautiful." he said and poured the batter into the waffle maker. He knew whenever he was feeling down his mom would make him something that would cheer him up and where they didn't have what he use to eat he knew waffles. Finnick was also making eggs and bacon. He didn't have time to look at Adaline while cooking and it was a bit of a relief. He didn't know how to be himself and yet please her at the same time. He wasn't a likable guy but she seemed to think that he was. Finnick realized she probably watched him in the games and he never broke down until after the cameras where off him. It was then that he fell apart and they placed him in a very nice room until he could hold it all together again. But it wasn't all gone. It never would be. Once he served up the food he sat next to her with his own plate and he dug in. This was good even if it wasn't 4 food.

@ Jinx...
Ezra was shocked at how Ashby was behaving. He knew what he was doing. At this point he needed allies and it could have been good to let the careers know he was worthy. If it had to come down to that, that is. He sighed and listened to her before speaking, "I figured it wouldn't hurt to let them know." He shrugged it off and glanced at the tablet. Her words shook him out of his trance. "It's okay, I understand." He whispered as he let his eyes roam around the training arena. He noticed someone else walked in so he darted his eyes towards the tablet. "That one is a pine tree, if you don't have any other food, you can chew on that." He stated. He was able to name all the plants and let Ashby know how they could help or destroy. The final plant popped up, "That's the nightlock berry. It's poisonous, stay away from those." He made sure she studied the bad plants, hoping it would keep her safe.
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Adaline took a bite of her food and made a noise of excitement. "Finnick this is so good." She still had some food in her mouth, so it was a bit muffled. She ate her food fast, it was too delicious for her to savor it. She sat the plate down on the table in front of her and watched Finnick. She wondered what it was like for him. She knew the games left the victors that cared with bad side effects. Just the look on his face let her know he was scarred. It would be oblivious to most, but she knew that look all too well. Living in the capital didn't have all the perks for certain people, she was one of them. They definitely had it easier than the games, but they were a lot closer to Snow. She scooted closer to Finnick; she seemed to be more comfortable around him now. "So is there anything you want to talk about or know about?" She questioned raising a brow.

@ sweetest_sin
Ashby frowned. She couldn't see him with he careers. "I'm sorry again. I should have guessed that you knew I just... They would use you and spit you out." she said softly between the plants. "You're to kind Ezra." she said looking sad. "You are strong and smart but to kind." she said softly. She only knew because she had watched the hunger games closely as she had been preparing for this possibility. She thought she would have gotten out of it but then they called her name and then the other boy from 4 volunteered. She looked at the berry and bit her lip. As much as she wanted to go home and never have to deal with this again she knew if it came down to it poison could be her best friend. Ashby looked up at Ezra and reached over touching his hand. "Besides you honestly don't need them. I think you really could win all by yourself." she said sadly and gave a cost of a smile. Ashby sighed as she went over the plants again with Ezra to be sure she knew which where table and which where not. "Is that right?" she asked when she finished. She smiled when she got it right. "Okay now I will teach you something. What do you want to learn?" she asked him and looked up at him.

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Finnick chuckled and nodded. "It is good thanks." he said smiling watching her. She had a streak of innocence in her that had nothing to do with her innocence and he loved that. It was like she was silently posing the capital in her own way. He finished his food and then looked over at Adaline as she spoke and he smiled. "Well let me put this in the sink then we can sit on the couch and talk." he said and kissed her forehead picking up their plates and all the dirty dishes putting them in the sink. He then moved to her and took her hands and lead her back to the couch. He sat down and pulled her into his chest. He smiled liking how warm and cuddly she was. "Will you tell me something?" he asked and looked at her wondering if she would share it or was to ashamed. "What did you give Snow to get me here?" he whispered. Finnick ran his hand through her hair gently hoping to both sooth her and get the information out of her.

@ Jinx...
Ezra smiled faintly at her. He knew that being with the careers would be one of the lower options. But it was nice to see that Ashby somewhat cared. "It's okay Ashby." He resisted the urge to call her Ash. He had a feeling she wouldn't like it very much. "I know it wouldn't be the best idea. I'm just weighing out all of my options." He stated with a shrug. He was trying to keep her at ease. His smile grew as she spoke of him. "Thank you for the complements." He glanced at her. "You're clever and kind Ashby," he paused, taking in the sight of her, "and so brave." It was barely audible but he knew she would hear it just enough. Her hand touched his and it sent small sparks across his skin. He frowned at her. He didn't want to be the winner at this point. He was already willing to protect this strange girl. "My bet is on you." He said simply; nodding at her. She learned plants quickly and he was nervous to begin fishing but he knew it would be necessary. He glanced around the arena and noticed the knot station. "Shall we start with knots?" He questioned, pointing in the direction of the station.
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Adaline snuggled into Finnick, enjoying his scent filling her nostrils. He was comfortable and she had to keep pushing away thoughts of how nice it was. She was still entranced by him but his spell was slowly breaking. She frowned when he asked about getting him here. It was a long story but she knew she could not tell him the truth. She forced a smirk and kissed his neck, "It was all my mothers doing." It was true in a sense. Her mother was tied to the visit but in a very different sense. She continued to kiss his neck and jawline. She glanced up at him, pulling away from him a little. "What did you think I had to do?" She asked, a smirk creeping up on her lips. She figured she could start playing along.

@ sweetest_sin
Ashby blushed and shook her head. "Naw but thanks for saying that." she said and stood feeling a little more level headed as her hand left his. "Alright knots." she said and walked over there and grabbed two ropes. She was only going to show him the ones he really needed. Hopefully he wouldn't need the others. But if he was quick she would show him the rest. "Alright so lets start with the knot you probably know. The over hand knot." she said and showed him. She had heard they the loggers used some knots to tie themselves into trees just to be safe. She was sure he knew more than he thought he did.

---

Finnick looked at her and frowned softly. "That bad?" he asked softly. "Come on Adaline you could tell me. I could guess all day but only Snow knows what he really wants from you. Well besides you anyways." he said and closed his eyes feeling her lips on his skin. "Are you trying to distract me?" he asked and bit his lip. Why would Snow take something from Adaline's mother when he could get something from Adaline? "What does your mom do for the capital again?" he asked though he knew he had never asked before.

@ Jinx...
Ezra caught Ashby's blush and held back a smile. It was lovely to see her taking in compliments. "I really think so." He added on. He followed her to the ropes and listened intently as she began. She mentioned the over hand knot and he smiled. He definitely knew that one. His father taught him a few years back. His father was getting too old to climb the trees so he passed it on to Ezra. Ezra was the oldest child and the only boy; he had two younger sisters. They stayed on the ground though, the men were better in the trees. He watched her, "I do know that one." His smile widened, he was proud of that.
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Adaline didn't respond when Finnick spoke. She just continued kissing his neck. She loved the feeling of his skin against her lips, it felt magical. A smile spread on her lips as he figured out what she had been doing. "Possibly." She whispered in his ear. She pulled away now that he knew what she was up to. It didn't work as well as she had hoped. Her stomach dropped when he asked about her mother. She glanced away for a moment trying to collect herself. "Actually, my mother doesn't do much, she relies on her beauty." She stated. She knew that was enough to answer but she made the mistake of catching Finnick's eyes and she was captivated once more. "My father used to work with Snow." She pulled away from his gaze. Adaline knew that more questions would arise but at least she got the subject away from her mother.

(Sorry that took so long. It's been been a crazy few days.)

@ sweetest_sin
[it happens]

Ashby smiled. She was glad he knew some things it would make it easier to go through them all. She did all the knots that tightened things and held them together then she went through the knots that moved and finally the knots that looked real but wouldn't work if any pressure was applied to them. She went through them all on her rope and watched him mimic her helping move his hands if he needed it. It took a long time but once they whens through once she was ready for lunch. "After lunch I need to work on some of the weapons they have." she said walking to the lunch hall with Ezra. "You could join me if you like but there isn't much I could teach you with that." she said. "We can save hooks for tomorrow." she said feeling as if she had talked to much today. Ashby walked into the lunch room and sat down as the food was brought out. She looked down at it never having seen so much food like this before. It was different than what she was use to.

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Finnick frowned as she looked away from him. He ran his hand up and down her sides gently. "Oh I see." he said realizing a lot of people did that here. "So what did your dad do?" he asked noticing that she said he use to. Did that mean that her father was gone? Finnick wondered how long she would let him ask questions before she wanted to move on. Finnick then got a idea and sat up some so he could reach her. He kissed her neck his one trailing over that tender spot on her neck. He pulled her closer finding this not as strange as it had been when they first met. Now it was almost a comfort to them both and it felt like there was something there. A spark of some kind. He pulled her strap down a little just so he could kiss her shoulder too.

@ Jinx...
Ezra continued to watch Ashby as she continued making knots. He noticed her hands. How fast they wove the ropes together. He was surprised to see they were smooth, then he realized the makeover team probably had something to do with it. He had his own rope and once out of his thoughts he began following her motions. He took note of which ones were real and which were not. Ezra nodded at her as they sat down for lunch, "Maybe that's where we can split up for the day." He glances around at the other tributes, "We don't want them getting the wrong idea." He ate slowly, enjoying the exquisite taste of the food. He would miss that. "Okay, that sounds good. We can review everything after that."
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Adaline frowned when he asked about her father. It was something she didn't talk about much. "He was a politician. A few steps under Snow. The capital loved him, Panem loved him." She smiled softly as she remembered him. Finnick kissed her neck and it took everything in her not to reveal anything. Her strap hung loosely around her shoulder as he continued to kiss her. "He passed away." She said lightly. She gazed at Finnick, she wanted to tell him everything but she couldn't right now. "Will you be at Snow's party tomorrow evening?" She kissed his neck to join in on the comfort. "My mother is making me go. It would be nice to have someone else there." She kissed his jaw once before looking up into his eyes.

@ sweetest_sin
Ashby frowned a bit as he said they should split up and she nodded. He was right of course but that didn't mean she liked it. He would be on his own and it worried her. She thought it was strange how she was more worried about him than herself. At least where the training was concerned. When it came to thinking about the games she doubted that she would have time to worry about him. She had to find water and she had to find a place she could hide and defend. Ashby wondered what strength she was going to show of to keep the career pack from trying to recruit her. Ashby sighed filling herself as much as she thought was a good idea before she stood. "So half an hour before the end of the day I will teach you about spears and such and we can review then." she said and smiled looking at Ezra once more. "And Ezra... be careful." she said and touched his hand a moment before slipping off just as the career pack slipped in. She got around them but they eyed her even as she left whispering among themselves then the other guy from four walked in and they kind of angled away from him. It seemed that he didn't meet their standards and they where looking for one more to tip their scales of control. Ashby went to the weapons that would be present at the done and she wondered if any of these would be risking it for. She bit her lip and picked up something she thought would likely be on the outskirts of the rest of the weapons and she learned about it then practiced using it. Close combat was perhaps not her strongest suit when it came to weapons but she would try. After all she would need it in the dome and if they tried to push her into another tribute.

---

Finnick could feel how his lips made her act and he liked that he had that much power over her. He frowned hearing that her father had died. He wanted to ask more but he could tell once she started to kiss his neck that she was done talking about it. "I don't know if I will or not but Snow often makes me attend such things." he said resenting the implications that it lead to. He was not a putter though he often was used as one. He sighed and rubbed her back resting his head on her bare shoulder thinking her skin to be so soft and beautiful. "But if I am not required to go with someone else I would happily escort you Adaline." he said softly. Finnick didn't look back up as he waited for her to ask another question. He had a feeling that she wanted to know more about him but he still believed that she would not like who he really was.