Can You Hear My Voice This Time?

@sweetbalian

Balian "Balo" Wolfe ♥ Victor of the 73rd Hunger Games ♥ District 2 Native Indie THG OC Blog, Non-Selective, please read my rules before interaction. Mun Info: Katie | 18 | She/Her Sideblog to cunningfoxface.

80 posts

Balo supposed she was going to get yelled at sooner or later, she wasn’t sure if there was a rule against it or not - but she was certain drawing on the streets of the Capitol was frowned upon.

It wasn’t an act of rebellion, far from it it in fact. She was drawing realistic flowers on the sidewalk, chalk covering her hands as she carefully drew the beautiful flowers. She was focused - no doubt about that - and anyone who had walked by would likely have needed to yell to get her attention. She looks up from her work, looking around for someone to give her their opinion. Sometimes it was best to get a second one when you weren’t sure.

“What do you think, pink or yellow?” She questions a person walking by, a smile on her face. “I’m not sure which I should go with for the next one.”

#thg rp #indie rp #open starter #open rp #v: the capitol darling #v: modern #[I'm honestly good either way since it works for both just be gentle with me I'm mega nervous about bringing Balo into indie]

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fabletownslittlefrog-blog

“Well, maybe a little,” he said, mostly because she looked concerned. He didn’t know how to describe the horrors of his life past the Games, the way he had paid for everything that he had inflicted in the arena, so he lied instead.

“I’m glad you have your brother here. He seems like a good help. I know the feeling…if you ever want to talk about your Games, or, er, anything at all…” He trailed off, feeling foolish. She didn’t want to talk to him, he was sure, and he couldn’t blame her.

Balo smiled, a little hope was better than none. She couldn’t imagine how awful life could be without hope. “Hope can be important to cling to, even if you only have a little bit of it.” She told him.

“Thank you, I appreciate it.” She probably wouldn’t take him up on the offer right away - but she’d keep it in mind. Perhaps it would help at some point, having an outsider’s opinion on everything. She just didn’t think talking about it now was a good idea - she barely knew him, after all.

districtonedarling

Jasper wouldn’t argue that and it was interesting to get a little more insight. He bit his tongue at the comment that it was a pity Forrest hadn’t declared his undying love for her. It had likely crossed all their minds at least once what that rule change could have done for their own games. Not that it really mattered all that much now. “It’s easier if you can avoid the additional politics of the Capitol and the Games. And there’s always sponsors if you’re willing to compromise enough. But even then it’s how "brave” it was and how tragic the whole thing was going to be when one of them died.“ Jasper shook his head a little. Inside vs. outside.

"Snow apparently blames Twelve there. But Abernathy always seemed to have a hard enough time walking without planning a revolution.” When they were sticking to the outside of things however he wasn’t to sure that they would ever really know who was in charge here. “And why bother so hard with sponsors if you know the Games are going to end up the way they did?” He didn’t know why Snow would blow up Twelve other than to send a message.

There was a small part of him that would be honestly amused to see some of his fellow Victors have to live without the luxeries they were so used to. Even down here seemed like a challenge, but at least it was safe. And had indoor plumbing on top of indoor everything. “Sticking together would get us further than breaking up.”

Jasper nodded again though his eyes were also on the guards from 13 that made sure they didn’t sneak out of here with anything dangerous still on them. “Probably put us all into the Arena to fight down to the last Victor just to make a point… And then kill that one with Mutts.” There was no losing now. The problem for Coin now was the Victors with some of the biggest influence in the Capitol were also the ones with the most being held over them by Snow. “And go home.” He never thought he could miss District One as much as he was now, but everything here was just so confining and colorless.

Balo nodded, “I don’t know if it’s possible to one hundred percent avoid the additional politics of the Capitol. Snow always seems to know what buttons to push to get you to do what he wants.” She admits, “but the games? Ivan had the right idea there.” She told him, “The Capitol seemed to love the whole star crossed lovers thing. It’s quite scary if you think about it. Although, the Capitol’s treatment of the games is scary in general.” She never understood how they could just normalize the deaths, she tried - but that was one thing that never made sense to her.

“I don’t think he had anything to do with it. I doubt he’d be eager to get placed in a dry district.” She told Jasper, “and with the way he was getting sponsors? I doubt he knew. It wouldn’t make sense.” Not that everything going on made complete sense - Twelve especially. Why that district? Why bomb any district? There were other messages that could have shown his displeasure she was certain.

“Sticking together usually does.” That was the Career strategy after all - and it worked well in most cases until the end. But this wasn’t the games, and there was no risk with grouping up if they did get kicked out from the district.

“I’m going to hope that it doesn’t come to that.” She told him, she might not be able to help the rebellion with what Snow was holding over her, but, she didn’t want them to fail. There was no way Snow was going to be lenient after this rebellion if it failed. “I am eager to be able to go home, I miss it terribly, even after everything.”

#the gem of one

districtonedarling

“True. Some might have said that was intentional, but it all fell in your favor. And things always look different from the inside than they do on the outside.” And usually it was things inside the arena that rang more true he’d found. Particularly after having to watch his own highlights. Jasper’s face contorted in confusion that out of Two’s victors those would be the ones that had the best chances with the sponsors. Then again, after short consideration… “Makes sense. Someone who likes all the shine and glamor of the Capitol at a District level? Send in the glamor siblings. Someone who wants warriors in the games you send the one with razor teeth and the guy that could crush your skull like an egg between his thighs… Excessive charm? Odair.” No wonder they all pulled in the most sponsors.

“Doubt you exactly expected all of them to be grabbed and taken to a District that we thought was destroyed though.” Apparently there were some things no amount of watching could train you to expect when all hell broke loose. At least they were alive.

Jasper just nodded however at their new lot in life. Any other year by now they’d be celebrating a new Victor and preparing to take home their dead to have arrangements made. He had an easier time with keeping deals with Snow than he did with facing the parents at the end of another unsuccessful year. One less thing to worry about this time really. “Really worst she could do is turn us out, and then… Well find a good empty place and find out how well we’d do in an actual arena when we’re able to actually work as a team without it coming down to just one survivor.” They couldn’t be the only two Victors that would have a hard time with putting their faces out there.

“But what happens if this whole rebellion fails?”

“Always, there’s a difference between watching it on a screen and living in the moment. Forrest was a dear friend, I used to walk home from school with him every day.” She admitted, “watching the highlights was hard, but coming home was harder. I’m very slowly trying to make Forrest a little less painful for me, to focus on the good parts of his memory. It’s hard though sometimes.” She watched his face contort in confusion, “well, Ivan doesn’t mentor ever, I think the only reason he stepped up last year was because it was me. He tries to distance himself from the Games in what little ways he can.” She explained, “They’re really good at getting people to sponsor, although, this year was apparently rough due to Twelve.”

“I have to admit, I wasn’t expecting to end up here. One day I was watching the screens, the next? I was here.” She admitted. “I wonder if anyone knew what to expect? Or if they just surprised us all.”

She nodded, “Sounds like a good plan for the worst case scenario. Hopefully it won’t get to that, and Madame President will be understanding of our situations and not kick us out” She wasn’t sure what to expect with Coin though, so who knew. Maybe the wilderness plan would have to be put into affect.

“I don’t think Snow will happily welcome us back after the rebellion if it fails, so, I’m going to hope the rebellion doesn’t fail. For everyone’s sake.” She didn’t want to see any of the victors executed, and she didn’t want to know what Snow would do to the districts as punishment. The Hunger Games would probably be the least of their worries. “And when the rebellion wins? You will get to see your sister again, I’m sure of it!”

#the gem of one

fabletownslittlefrog-blog

“Yes, the less living creatures trapped underground, the better,” he said. “Very few animals are meant to live underground, people included. I don’t know how these District Thirteen people manage to live on careful allotments of vitamins and hope. Then again, I don’t have either.”

He paused, then smirked. “Looks like I’m giving into negative thinking too. Trust me, you don’t need to apologize for that, not to me. Most of my life is consumed with thoughts like that. You’re a nice break from negativity, I have to say.”

“You don’t have hope? Not even a teeny tiny bit of it?” She questioned, confused by the fact. How could one live without even a tiny bit of hope? She could understand the vitamins - that was understandable, but the hope was a little puzzling.

She nodded, “I sometimes get into periods of time where the negative thoughts become too loud and I listen to them. I try not to though, it’s better for me, looking at the positives. Even the small ones.” She admitted. “Ivan sometimes has to talk me through those periods, my games in particular can be a sore subject for me. I’m trying to work on making it a little less... painful. Some days discussing it isn’t too bad, some days? It hurts, a lot.”

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districtonedarling

“Almost ironically it’s usually the ones who don’t train that do it more on their own. We Careers aren’t exactly known for lone wolf tactics.” It was practically a given from the first day of training that their Districts would be allies as long as it was convenient in the arena along with whoever else the tributes wanted. He’d still been surprised to see them team up with the boy from Twelve. They had the sponsors and often the victories. But not always. “If Cash and Gloss didn’t have the sponsors almost fighting to give them money I might have had a mentor position. Instead I had kind of settled into my role as keeping an eye on the screens. No sending gifts without authorization but otherwise not too bad.” As far as jobs within the games went at least…

“Or what might happen if we don’t do them at all.” Their families could assume they were dead or secretly being held by the Capitol if they had any idea just who the President really was. And as much as he’d planned various escapes the idea of leaving now didn’t seem all that safe, but how long would Coin and her people be willing to house people who weren’t willing to help the cause? “I’ll try to remember that when it comes to my own and they’re making her declare something against me.” Pearl would never believe him actually a rebel, but she also needed to keep herself safe.

“Fair point, but, usually when the career pack breaks, it breaks. I wasn’t alone until the end.” She was trying to make Forrest a less difficult topic for her, but, she still couldn’t help but feel sad when she thought back to him. He had been her friend, and it was impossible for her not to regret her part in his death - regardless of him attempting to kill her. It was understandable to her, extremely so. “Enobaria and Brutus tended to cover the sponsors, I got to shadow a bit this year - learn the ropes in case either of them wanted me to mentor, but, it was hard, knowing that something bad could happen to the Tributes at any minute.”

“It’s a complicated situation. We do the propos we have to deal with the aftermath with Snow, we don’t do the propos, we have to deal with the aftermath with President Coin.” She sighed, “I’m trying to stay positive and hope that President Coin won’t punish us too harshly.” She wasn’t sure what Coin would do - if anything - but she didn’t exactly want to find out. “Try not to judge her harshly if she has to declare anything against you, Snow’s not going to make this easy on anyone. I’d rather my family disown me than something bad happen to them, and after this is over? I bet she’ll be so happy to see you.”

#the gem of one #[Jasper's tag might be subject to change but for now it's better than my stand-in tag[

districtonedarling

“I’d think a poor excuse for one wouldn’t have survived.” Not won. The rest of the world could call them Victors but there were no winners. “I don’t think you’d have nearly the number of volunteers if they told everyone out front that even when you go into the Games you never really come out.” It was one of the many reasons he didn’t mind Cashmere and Gloss doing most of the “official” Mentoring. He didn’t have to look tributes in the face as much then and bite his tongue. Though it also left him more free for whatever appointments Snow wanted to set up during the day.

No matter what happened now they were stuck in a rough spot. Disadvantages to not fighting back in the first place, but then he’d also remembered hearing whispers last year that Ivan must have done something for his sister to end up reaped. The odds didn’t usually tilt so much out of favor. “We’ll see. I think we’re all pretty much used to being told however that it’s our choice when it isn’t really.” He could have chosen to say no to Snow plenty of times but then it also likely would have left him more willing to say yes to Coin now. There was still too much at stake. “Brothers have a tendency to overlook things we don’t want to know about our younger sisters.” He had managed to keep his own little sister from getting caught up in the idea of being a Victor. She was the only one that got to see first hand what it was doing to him even if he did lie about everything.

“I didn’t exactly do it on my own.” She reminded him gently, Forrest had helped her throughout the games, and the sponsors had helped with their gifts. “That’s probably why we’re not allowed to tell anybody. People would stop volunteering.” She told him, “it was hard, seeing Cato and Clove go into the arena, knowing I couldn’t protect them. Ivan was right when he decided he didn’t want to mentor.” She hadn’t been the official mentor, but still, it had been hard watching tributes go into the arena. If she hadn’t been just shadowing, if she had been actively involved? It would have been much harder.

She nodded, “The options tend to be; “do this or your family dies.” It’s usually very easy to pick. This time? There’s uncertainty. Snow might not go after my family if I do the propos? But he also could, which makes it easier to choose not to do them.” She was very wary of Coin, she didn’t know the woman well - she hadn’t even met her yet for that matter - so she didn’t know what she was dealing with, not truly. “Thank you, that makes me feel better.” She admitted, smiling a little. “I don’t want to let him down, you know? Big brothers do so much for their little sisters, we don’t ever want to disappoint them.”

#the gem of one #[i'm still trying to think of the perfect tag for jasper and it's hard]#[but i love b's ♥]

fabletownslittlefrog-blog

“I meant what I said,” he replied. “It’s really no trouble. And yes, I do ride horses, or I did. It was my victor talent. Helps with mobility, keeps the Capitol happy enough. I enjoy it, although there are things I enjoy more. I doubt Thirteen even has any horses.”

He wasn’t accustomed to comforting people, but he wanted to give it a try anyway. How could he not, with words like that coming out of her mouth? “I’m sure your family is as safe as possible. Snow has better things to worry about.”

“Well, thank you.” She’d have to repay his kindness, probably with a painting or something made with the art supplies he was going to try to obtain. If he couldn’t obtain them? Well, she’d have to get her hands on a pencil and paper and draw him something. “That’s a pretty nice talent, it must be nice, spending time with the horses. I liked the ones in the Capitol.” She smiled, “They wouldn’t do well underground, so, I don’t think the District keeps them. They don’t seem very big on keeping animals around just for companionship. It’s probably best for the horses there are none here.”

Balo nodded, accepting his words, after all, Mowgli knew Snow better than she did. “You’re right, Snow has bigger concerns at the moment. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t give into the negative thinking. It hardly helps.”

fabletownslittlefrog-blog

“I’ll do the bothering for you,” he said. “I don’t like the idea of anyone else being stuck here without anything to do as little as I like it. But since there are no places around here for me to ride a horse or start a farm, I’ll get you those art supplies.”

“Don’t let anyone guilt you into doing a propo. Your family is important. Soon Snow won’t be able to take anything from anyone, but until then do what you have to.” He’d lost too much to the man to want to see it happen to anyone else.

Balo smiled, “Thank you, I appreciate it, but, you don’t have to. Honestly, it’s okay.” She did appreciate the gesture, but, she didn’t want him to feel like he had to go out of his way to help her. “You ride horses?” She questioned, “what is it like? If you don’t mind me asking.”

“Thank you, for understanding. I worry about my family a lot, it helps, having Ivan here, I don’t have to worry as much about him. Snow can’t get him here, but my parents...” She looked down. “I hope that Ivan and I have been sliding under his radar. I don’t want him to decide that he has to invite my parents to the Capitol.”

fabletownslittlefrog-blog

“Art? Is that your victor talent, then/ Do you have any supplies here?” he asked curiously. “District 13 doesn’t seem like it would value art very highly here.”

He tapped a song out on the bench with his fingers, a tune he couldn’t name if he’d tried. “Snow is capable of different cruelties than killing your family. For example, after your Games they’re supposed to heal your injuries and wipe away your scars…but, well, mysteriously, here I am. I hope Coin can get your family out of the Districts as soon as possible. It can’t be pleasant with that over your head.”

Balo nodded, “Technically, yes, I’ve been painting and drawing since before the games though. Ivan used to buy me supplies if I asked for them. Sadly I don’t have supplies here - but it’s okay. District Thirteen has done enough for us already, I don’t need to bother them with questions about obtaining art supplies.”

“Snow knows what his victors love and what they’re afraid to lose, my biggest fear has always been losing my family. So dangling them in front of my face? A very big motivator.” She admitted. “I doubt Coin’s going to help if I ask, perhaps if Ivan does - but not me. I’m currently not involved in the propos... if Snow sees me in one? He’ll kill my family, and I don’t want to lose them. She probably doesn’t like that fact much...”

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fabletownslittlefrog-blog

“That’s a good strategy,” he said, leaning back against the bench and abandoning the attempt to unstiffen his leg. “Always remember to keep something for yourself. Never let everything be taken from you.”

“It’s admirable to look for the best in people, especially when they’re people like Snow,” he said, unable to keep the bitterness out of his voice. “I wouldn’t call what I had with Snow deals. I did what he wanted when he wanted and he didn’t kill me for it. Keep your brother close. If Snow ever got hold of any of us again, there’s no telling what would happen.”

“Sometimes it’s nice to have one little thing that nobody takes away.” She told him, “My father approves of the weapons, he hates the art. I usually keep my art supplies in my room at Ivan’s... they’re safer there.”

“Everyone has something good in them, it’s just... harder to see it in certain people.” She told him, “sometimes you have to look for the good, I’ve seen what too much negativity can turn people into, and I never ever want to turn into that.” Balo added, thinking to her father. “It's worse when you have a family you care about, you don’t do what Snow wants, he murders your family.” She told him, “and I doubt he’s bluffing. I hope we don’t have to worry about Snow getting a hold of any of us again. It wouldn’t be good.”

fabletownslittlefrog-blog

“That does make sense,” he admitted. “Unfortunately for me, I used my hands in my own Games. A bit more difficult to separate myself from. I’m glad you have your daggers to keep using. Keeping things simple instead of complicated…well, that’s the thing to do.”

“No, I don’t have anyone here,” he said. “I don’t have anyone waiting for me back in District Ten. Made it easy to leave, I’ll say that. Snow can’t do more to me than he’s already done.” What he’d done to Mowgli was obvious, he thought absently as he rubbed his leg. He wondered if Balo’s worry about her brother was a product of Snow too.

Balo nodded, “It’s hard to separate yourself from your own body. You can toss a sword in a drawer and pretend it doesn’t exist, your hands... not so much.” Well, you could technically remove your hands and put them in a drawer, but that would be quite painful, and why would anyone want to do that? “I saw how the games affected my brother, I figured keeping one thing the same would be safe.”

She couldn’t help but pout, “I’m sorry, while I suppose it made things easier, I couldn’t imagine being alone...” She shuddered a little. “I don’t like Snow... I try to look for the best in everyone... but, he’s very hard to find good in.” She admitted. “I don’t like what he does to us - I don’t know what deals he has made with Ivan, but, I know what deals I made with him.” She admitted. “And none of them Ivan would be happy with - he’d never be upset with me, but still, it’s easier not to tell him.” He probably knew, Ivan knew Balo better than anyone else, but, still - she didn’t know how he’d react to the deals, and she didn’t want to hurt him.

necessaryocthings

describe your oc’s backstory in the shittiest way you can imagine

#smol ball of fluff murders children #< Does that count?

fabletownslittlefrog-blog

He sat after her, rubbing his leg absentmindedly to lessen the pain. “I’m the same way. About outdoors, I mean. Practically grew up in the woods around our farm. I didn’t want to spend much time at home.” She was too young for that tale, or maybe she wasn’t, she was a victor after all, but that didn’t mean he wanted to tell her. “Never practiced much with knives myself; if you did, why didn’t you use them in your own games? If I’d had proficiency in weapons I wouldn’t have wasted the opportunity to use it.”

“As for being here…well, I’m glad you have your brother. Good to have someone to keep you company.” He missed his farm, his animals, but that was about it. No people. That was fine.

She nodded, “I spent most of my time in the Victor’s village after my brother’s game. Home... home’s complicated.” She was just going to leave it at that - Mowgli didn’t need ot hear everything, “Why would I want to taint one of the things that help me relax? I love my knives, I hated swords. I can’t pick a sword up anymore... they’re complicated. But my knives? Safe as can be.” It made perfect sense to her, although she knew it was a question her father asked her. “Father wasn’t happy when I decided to use the sword, but, he’s never happy.”

“Thank you. I’m glad he’s here, while I miss home, we’re safe here.” She admitted, “although I do wish he’d take food off me, he’s very... stubborn.” They both could be, but, that was besides the point. “Do you have anyone here? If you don’t mind me asking.”

fabletownslittlefrog-blog

“It’s definitely not a problem,” he said. “I knew I couldn’t be the only one longing for the outdoors. This greenhouse is a poor substitute.”

He couldn’t help but hope that she’d stay long enough for a decent conversation, and thus gestured towards a bench. His leg had already begun to stiffen from standing so long and he wanted that to end as soon as possible. “How do you find District Thirteen? It’s quiet different from anything in the Capitol or the other Districts, that’s for sure.” A way to put it. He was inept at being friendly, but he was trying.

She smiled, nodding, good, she didn’t want to cause problems, that was for certain. “The lack of time outdoors seems to be everyone’s major complaint. Everyone misses it.” She told him. “I used to spend a lot of time outside, mother wouldn’t allow the throwing of knives in the house - for obvious reasons - so I used to go outside.” She wondered if he would question her on it, her weapon during the games was a sword - not her beloved knives - but Balo didn’t want blood on something that mattered so much for her - she didn’t want it tainted by the games - so it was better to use her second best weapon.

She noticed his gesture towards the bench, and headed towards it, sitting down. “I miss home, my knives, my mother, my paints. But, I have my brother, so it’s easier. He makes everything less scary.” She admitted, everything was less scary with Ivan - there was no doubt about that. He always protected her, he still probably was. “That’s the thing with older brothers, I suppose, they always protect you.”

#a:mowgli #[If you need links for Ivan's about let me know he's currently in limbo due to the fact Brittany's settling college stuff]

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fabletownslittlefrog-blog

This girl was an anomaly, as nice as Annie Cresta without the trauma attached. Well, visible trauma attached. Mowgli and Annie were victors you could tell were changed, but they all were. Some more than others, but the point still stood. Mowgli examined this girl, wondering how she had emerged from the Arena with her sweetness intact. Maybe Snow hadn’t been given enough time to ruin her. Maybe he just hadn’t had a reason.

“Yes, that’s my name,” he said. “No need to apologize. We’re both still standing, aren’t we? There’s no harm done. More interesting to me is why you’ve decided to visit the greenhouse.”

Balo nodded, they were both standing still - thankfully, she wouldn’t have known how he would have reacted if she had knocked him down. Perhaps he wouldn’t have been mad, but, you never knew when it came to strangers. It wasn’t like her father, discussion of artwork for example, was not tolerated. She was extremely careful not to mention her victor talent around her father - it was safer not to.

“We are.” She agreed, “I was exploring, I’ve been trying to get used to the District, and the door was open, so I decided to look. It’s very nice here, the closest I’ve been allowed to outside since I’ve been here.” She told him. “That’s not a problem, is it? I definitely didn’t mean to cause any problems.”

fabletownslittlefrog-blog

Not a lot of people came to the greenhouse. Not a lot of them had clearance, as it was one of the essential plant providers for the District. Not a lot of the ones that did had the time or the energy to spend there off time here. Him though, he had time. He had animals to take care of, yes, and the looming thought of propos, but his life was still much less structured of those who were native to Thirteen.

He was distracted from his thoughts- they were mostly boring, thoughts about hydration and crops and soil- when someone bumped into him. He looked around and realized it was one of the young victors. He ran through her Games, which were recent enough to remember. Her partner had killed one of his Tributes, he remembered, one of his few to nearly make it to the end in the last twenty years of mentoring. The victor village might have been a little fuller without the Careers from Two.

It didn’t matter. A year later, and they were all standing in Thirteen anyway. Besides, it’s not like the kid would have thanked Mowgli anyway.

“Balian, right?” he said. “Victor of the Seventy-Third. I don’t believe we’ve met before. Not talked, at least.” He didn’t bother trying to smile, it only seemed to scare people away.

Balo relaxed a little, he didn’t seem like he was about to be mean, that was good. You never knew how people would react when they were angry, but, he didn’t seem angry. Not at the moment at least.

“Correct, although most people call me Balo.” She admitted, smiling a little. “I don’t think we have either, I was mostly shadowing this past game - trying to learn the ropes. You weren’t one of the victors I was introduced to I’m afraid. Mowgli, right?” She wanted to double check, make sure she had attached the right name to the right face. But she doubted she was wrong, they covered his games at the Academy - briefly - but enough for her to remember his claim to fame.

Before her games, she probably would have just darted upon bumping into him. Now that she had been through the arena? Well, she couldn't blame him - she couldn’t blame any of the victors actually. Everybody did what they had to do to survive during the games. Not everyone was as bloodthirsty as their games made them appear.

“It’s nice to meet you, although, I’m sorry for bumping into you. I should have really been paying more attention.”

#a:mowgli #[Sorry I was babysitting the cousins]

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