True Colors // Noelle & Charlie

[Arrow]

Noelle Vangart

    From flying fragments of metal to flipping flesh in the form of back flipping careers preparation for the perils to come is in full swing. The only thing I can ever partially compare such concise chaos to is when the Seam settles in for the coming of winter back in Twelve. From mass laboring of lugging logs to the smallest of shacks to carrying tons of coal through the streets for prices lower than what it costs to buy water. Such madness is something I know as well as the inscriptions of the indentations upon my palms, this Training Center though is a foreign fight. I'm uncertain of which way to turn and whether one station will suit me better than another. I'm certain I look like the perfect piece of meat to murder seconds after the gong. Good thing I have passion to preserve my life no matter what may come, no one is killing Noelle Vangart anytime soon.

    I'm about halfway across the surging sea of shapes and shadows when I spot a young red haired boy shaking atop a swinging course. My breath escapes my lips in a gasp as he falls from his height and slams into the matted floor. Steps sprint beneath me as the mine medic mentality takes hold of every action following his fall. I'm seconds from reaching his side and I'm already sizing up so many variables. The mats seem sturdily made so I'm certain is condition is not critical, still he could have a concussion from such a critical error. I reach him and instantly begin my assessment. 

    A muddied moan escapes his lips and I implore him to stay still while I survey whether his spine is shocked at any segments. After several sets of tests he responds well and I allow him to slowly sit up while applying pressure with my palms to his head. "Hey you are going to be fine. You don't have any spinal issues or a concussion. You will have one heck of a head ache though I'm afraid." The boy nods but barely seems to notice my news as he is too focuses to the laughs lifting from those watching, one even dares to say something which makes my skin stiffen. "Easy kill." Eyes icy cold fall upon Pierce and his little posse as they walk away eyes insidiously illuminated with menace. I force my focus back to what matters, the boy. 

    A soft smile steals away my glare as I bring his attention fully onto my good natured intention. "Don't listen to them, they are just trying to make themselves seem strong because they are just as scared as you. Plus if they do anything to come after you I'll back you up okay?" Surprise sets into his eyes but I'm distracted by the body who now joins me by his side. "You're not here to make any threats are you Miss Smith?" I ask eyes narrowing with caution. 

[cameo]

Charlie Smith

The lick of poison across my veins is slowly drying from my touch. There’s a soft temptation to seek the brew of alcohol to replenish the influence - though before the debate can be finalized, another crave urges my attention. Two distractions in one sing for me between my target practice with petite blades. Just as another knife handle’s about to graze across my palm, the diversion halts my action entirely. A tiny Redhead, no larger and vaguely different from my ten year old Brother, collapses from the obstacle course; and immediately the flames of the Beauty from Twelve crumbles to his aid.

A final hit doesn’t even spike from my fingertips, as I drop my activity altogether to venture to the recent collision and ongoing event. The company of Others slows the speed of my legs, providing myself time to observe the occurrence. Of all people it’s Pierce, and his squad of minions, that gather at this incident - to laugh and taunt to innocent boy. There’s an instinct within my core to strike at him like a snake, both in hopes of gaining the female Twelve’s admiration and to the protect the youthful Five. But with the grace I’ve established with Pierce, I refrain from the opportunity. And the moment that the coast is clear, I bend beside the two that call both opposite sides of myself.

“You’re not here to make any threats are you Miss Smith?” Automatically a grin unravels across my lips from her hypnotizing voice, and the fact that she knows of my name. Such fierceness, and nurture, radiates from her Being - alluring me terribly to her whim.

“Never.” Combs across my tongue rather too sarcastically. “Threats are mere barks - where I’m more of a biter.” A subtle flirt breaches next, before I turn my attention to the Youngster. “You alright, Bud?” Questions from genuine concern. A nod responds to such, though it’s evident he is harshly frightened. “Just because you’re small, doesn’t mean you don’t have a chance. Everyone’s good at something, and you just have to find what it is and use it to your advantage.” A pause cliffs my last final word, hoping a skill of his will be vocalized. Unfortunately only a shrug welcomes me.

“Well, then let’s find it - shall we?” Blue eyes of mine pierce over to Noelle, pleading that she has an idea on what to do… and also secretly craving she’s impressed by my slither of a nurturing aspect.

[Arrow]

Noelle Vangart

    A sense of severe doubt dawns within my walls at this attitude of Charlie's, she is far from the caring girl she is presenting now. Already of the accumulation of three days have rumors ripped through the center as though an actual High School. Charlie was another bad bitch to watch out for, she cares for no one and only likes the taste of temptation. My blood burgeons a chilling blue as the only person whom I can compare her to is the devil dweller on my own floor. I keep my eyes from meeting those of such very vivid stories, her stare might just be as terrible as a single second looking at Medusa. I can't allow myself to fall as a cripple to any circumstance. Rule number one I gave myself before gracing this center with my arrival: Don't trust anyone who seems even slightly two sided. Not to mention, everyone inside this industrial hell hole knows very well where her allegiance lies and who she'll be siding with come the Maze. 

    A hand helps the boy to get his balance while he stands as I never let Charlie wander to easily into my shadow, she's dangerous in every dimension of the word. I focus my thoughts back to the fallen angel as I stand beside him scanning the center for a station of his best possible aptitude. My eyes land on that of trapping, a smile shifts across my skin. "Actually I think I do, come with me." I swiftly string my fingers into Kendrick's hands while I lead him, and Charlie reluctantly, to the station I think suits him best. "Trapping." I say with a brilliant brimming smile. "It should be perfect for a smart boy like you. I can tell you aren't athletic but I know you're smart. With this information you can make the most perfect of traps without having to fight your enemies at all." I think I happen to spot a smile stirring on his face.

    While Kendrick begins practicing I turn my attention back into the second largest worry of my wonder, maybe there is more chance to reason with this one than the last. "So," I start as though speaking for the first time to a stranger. "I think it would be smart for you to realize who Pierce's enemies are. I know quite well you will be allied with him when the gong sounds, but I hope you might have a little more reason in you. I'll make it simple, you don't go after Kendrick or I on the first day and our alliance won't touch you. I would never try to discuss this with Pierce because our argument would be senseless, I'm certain you can convince him on the other hand." I walk around her making sure to make it clear I'm not some girl from Twelve, I'm a Mother here to win. "You all probably want the wealth, I promise you we don't. But, we do want as many supplies as we can get as safely as possible. What do you say to this little agreement... Charlie."

[cameo]

Charlie Smith

A suggestion does indeed breach from Noelle’s drawing Lips, allowing a sigh of relief to brush past my own. There’s a request to follow her to her idea, leaving me questioning if that desires for me to join as well. A sense of bitter distaste seems to intertwine within her expression, while her lack of a verbal reasoning for such has me unsure of what or who it is for. Has Pierce’s interjection left her skin crawling? Or has she been informed of poor intel on me? Solely time shall share what I seek to know, which has me trailing behind without the certainty if an invitation is accompanying me or not.

The intelligence of trapping welcomes us upon the station she predicts will be Kendrick’s strong suit. A timid approach still rattles him slightly, while it’s still far better then how he was merely minutes beforehand. And to think I was going to introduce him to the opportunity of throwing knives - probably for the best that I left it amongst Noelle’s intuitive decisions. A smile even discovers itself upon Five’s features, flattered by her words of labeling him as smart.

With the tiny Redhead enveloped in the art of learning trapping, the beauty of Twelve shifts her attention upon to myself. A coy grin slithers upon my own lips, as I’m also consumed by the flattery she can indeed induce amongst anyone. What was it that combusted hatred among her and Pierce? Perhaps I’ll never comprehend, while solely seductive thoughts attempt to indulge me in fantasies.

Swiftly I collapse my focus back to the topic at hand, the arrangement that Noelle’s seeking to construct. “Now who informed you I’d be allying with anyone?” I play off her beginning statement, though that was sentences back. “He will be gunning for the most threatening Runners… and you do seem more bad ass then the pathetic supposed Careers we have this year - but I don’t see why I can’t convince him of this deal. I know you’re going to be teaming with the Youngsters that need your help, so it’s not like you’r entire alliance will be dangerous to us.” Approval licks past my tongue, with arms crossed in the seriousness of this conversation.

“I respect you for what you’re doing.” Sincerity breaches next unexpectedly to even myself. “If the victor allowance was higher, I’d be doing the same… I’ll make sure my crew doesn’t go after any of you on day one. And I’ll even try to keep them from you guys for as long as I can.” She hasn’t even slept with me yet, and I’m being sweet - what the hell has gotten into me. “Now what do you say to making this official over a drink later?” But of course the game of my true nature can’t remain tamed forever.

[Arrow]

Noelle Vangart

    Watching Kendrick wriggle into his natural state of strength at the station brings a smile to Noelle's face. Memories muddy reality as I can recall the revelation of my sister when she first started singing, I called her my little canary after that day. Several spots of anti-clarity cloud my eyes but I brush the liquid away before another can notice my nostalgia. One good thing does come from this internal chaos though, I'm well aware of how I'll be making it my quest to keep my Maze children safe from harm. My family is fighting for me to come home, and these children will be fighting for this goal as well despite their knowledge. In return I'll protect them with all my might.

    I turn my attention back to the girl beside me with an eye roll and a snort. "Keep your poison to yourself, I have no need to waste even a moment with a drink in hand. All I need is your word to make it official, if that's a problem I recommend you watch yourself come the bloodbath. So what shall it be, deal or no deal." I almost gasp at myself, all she was doing was hitting on me. Have I really become this much of a prideful prude?