Dropped bread and a Conversation (Open)

“Aspen, put that down,” Talia told her little brother, a kind smile strewn across her face. She brushed a hand over his mess hair. It was the same tone of blonde that Talia possessed, given to them by their father. Her little brother did look just like his father. The same hair, eyes, and even that smile. It was hard to be reminded so easily of him. Then again, who doesn’t think of the one’s they had lost every day? Only a monster.

From the kitchen she rummaged the empty cupboards. The water from the rain outside leaked into the ceiling, where the desperate rags that tried to keep the water out failed. There was no money to fix them, not on paper-mill worker’s money. Her mother worked sometimes as much as twelve hours a day. Talia worked when she was not in school; but today she had off. She didn’t want to tell her brother there was no food. Instead, she told him “Aspen, why don’t you go see that little boy that lives next door?” and, with excitement, he bolted out the door. She gave a sigh of relief as she fixed at her clothing, Pulling an old rain-jacket over her. It was a few sizes too big on her small form, but it worked. It was probably black at one point, but now it was just grey with those dark seems.

The hood covered her hair, which was pulled back. In her pocket she felt a few round coins and some money. It was enough to buy bread.

Exiting the shameful home, which didn’t bother her, she walked down the path into town, which only took a minute or so. There were very few people outside, with the rain pouring down. She ducked into the bakery, and the warm air welcomed her. She greeted the Baker and looked at the Bread. Or Course, her eyes wandered over to the cakes. Looking over them, she wondered how they could afford so much baking supplies. Were his children on Tessarae? The though was one she tried to ignore. Talia purchased a loaf, one with nuts and berries in it. Maybe it had enough energy in it sustain them.

She bundled up once again and headed out into what seemed to be a storm. But the only indication was lightning, because Talia couldn’t hear the loud booms right now. All that filled her ears was muffled ringing .Of course, she had grown accustom to it’s occasional take over. But it was why she walked straight into the person entering the shop. In surprise, she dropped the loaf of bread. Her heart sank as she retrieved it; only a little bit wet.

“I’m so sorry,” She went to apologize to the person, feeling awful. Of course, it would be someone she would know.

((It says it's open, but just checkin, is it okay if I join???))

((yeah, of course ))

((Alrighty. then))

It had been nearly four days since her Calbo left. This was devistating, since he was the closest sibling, agewise, to Thalia, and probably the one who cared the most for her. No one knew why it was exactly that he left, but he did anyway. Thalia remembered it as if from a dream, very vague. Calbo had been muttering something terrible in his sleep the previous night, and the next morning, he gave Thalia a kiss and walked out the door. She'd never forget his last words; "Don't worry, Thalia, you'll see me when you wake." Thalia didn't know where he went. Maybe the surrounding woods, or the richer part of District 7, but she did know that wherever he went, he'd probably already been caught by peacekeepers.

Thalia shook her dark thoughts away; it was grocery day. Her family had earned enough money for a few items of food for the week, and nominated Thalia to go and get it. It was just fine by her.
Thalia decided to go to Bill's first, and maybe get some milk from his goat. Not a second after she walked out the door of her house, the drizzle outside turned to pouring rain.
After running inside to grab a green rain jacket, which was about 2 sizes too small, she set off for Bill's house. It was about a quarter-mile walk to his house. Around 15 minutes later Bill handed her three pints of fresh goat milk in a small earthy bag. Thalia thanked him, and handed him some coins.

Bill lived near the center of District 7, where most of the shops were, so that was fortunate on the milk's sake. Thalia had spent about a third of her money, so she figured if she went to the bakery next she'd be done with her groceries. As she walked over to the bakery, her thoughts wandered off to Calbo again. Her head was so full of questions, that she didn't even notice the girl walking out of the bakery. Both of them collided, and, after noticing the damage Thalia had accidentally caused to the girl's bread, she quickly bent down to help pick it up, but the other girl had already picked it up.
The other girl, wearing a sun-bleached rain jacket, which seemed a couple sizes too big, came over to apologize. Thalia felt terrible.
"Oh I'm so sorry. I didn't ruin your bread, did I?" Thalia quickly piped up. After glancing at the bread, and seeing that only a tiny bit was wet, she held out her hand, as if to shake the other girl's. "Anyways, as I said, I'm terribly sorry. My name's Thalia." She said, as she's always in a friendly mood.

And there was that awkward feeling that developed in the pit of a persons stomach… The one when someone else feels sorry for something they did? It was nothing big- but there was always that moment of pity or- what did you call it?

“Nonono,” Talia stumbled through the girl, watching her lips form syllables discreetly. She waved her hands in gesture. “No big deal! It’s my fault,” She said, looking down at her feet with a certain shyness- her own brand of it. Tali always had her own personality. She was a sort of shy shell, but at the same time, a very friendly person. She tucked the bread under her jacket, to keep it from the rain, that seemed to be falling even harder on the two girls.

“Would you like to go inside?” She motioned into the bakery, propping open the door for her. A blast of warm air relieved her nerves, and the scent of sweet baking filled her nostrils with complete delight. THE girl seemed nice. Though Talia could tell she was far younger, by the way her cheeks were placed, her body...She had on a rain-jacket too. Most people were smart enough o retain one in this district, especially this time of year. However hers was far too small for her, which made Tali feel a ping of sadness for her. She disliked having one too big, but at least it covered her completely. It did it’s use well enough.

Something that Capitol people did not understand- at least that was what her father had taught her growing up. Though the only time those people really came into view was during the reaping. A time all of the families in every district feared. She couldn’t imagine her little brother being taken away from her. He was twelve now, so his name was only in the pool once. However, Talia’s own name, was written on ten slips of paper. The extras were for tesserae, and it made her uncomfortable. But out of all those signed up, she was definitely not at the top of the list.

So she was grateful for her job, and her mother’s and that her little brother could go to school. If only it could be a little bit better.

"What did you say your name was again?" She asked kindly. She could have sworn that he girl had said... She watched the girl mouth the syllables. Discreetly, of course. Enough that many people didn't know when she could hear or not.

((Sorry it's late!))