the faked peace. [open]

[Colten Wrolf]

Colten wiped his forehead with his arm. A bit of sweat starting to appear. Today was hot, as it was the day before that. He always disliked summer because of this. It left him feeling overheated. But, as the light of day started to slowly fade, his gaze wandered upward. The sky was beginning to change from its lovely pale shade to a darkened coloration. He could see no sunset. But still, the natural sight was pleasant. The calm that surrounded it left him feeling comfortable. Yet, it felt artificial for some unknown reason. Running a hand through his spiky hair, he tried to settle whatever was making him feel oddly. He was always sensitive to certain things, his intuition sharp. Yet, Colten could grow uncomfortable from this with ease. Still, he pushed it aside as nothing. Being new to this place, it was most likely his lack of comfort with such unfamiliar settings. For example, he never saw much corn gathered in one place. It left him slightly puzzled.

Continuing to touch the corn without hesitation. He gathered what Emily requested. Hoping not to be stung by an insect that could have made the plant a meal. Strange how he had yet to have a single flying creature buzz past him. Colten also had yet to listen to the pleasant sounds of cricket's chirping. Only dead silence was offered from inside the field. Clicking his tongue, the young man, after gathering a bit of maize and holding it close to himself, started to walk up and down the length of corn. Admiring how it was perfectly aligned. It also appeared to be completely healthy. Not a single blemish. Not a hint of damage. Blinking rapidly, Colten realized his task was done. It was time to return to the Smith Market. And then he could go home. He was looking forward to dinner, after all. His stomach making noises in response to the hunger he felt.

[Jaime Stark]

"What's wrong?" Jaime's eyes were on the wolf, stalking through the corn fields only a few meters ahead of him. It was clear that his companion was acting a little funny, as if he had caught the scent of something... or maybe, someone?

"Someone's nearby. An unfamiliar scent," Marrok responded in a low growl that the boy easily understood.

Whoever it was, they were in the cornfields where they didn't belong. Trespasser. Jaime was going to check it out, see who was there. He followed the wolf as the canine's nose seemed to guide him on a direct path through the corn, all the way to... a boy, by himself?

"Uhh..." Jaime had stepped in the gap between the rows of corn where he could easily see the blonde kid, and the blonde kid could easily see him right back. Marrok stopped by the dark-haired boy's side, patient, quiet, and simply staring accusingly at the corn picker. "You shouldn't be in these fields. What're you doing? It's dangerous," Jaime warned the kid. The thief.

[Colten Wrolf]

Colten, distracted by his thoughts of having a meal, blinked in surprise as he became aware of a noise. He had barely caught it, and his eyes widened as someone stepped through the corn. It was very unexpected, causing the boy to jump a little. Standing in attention with the maize still in his arms, he stared at the younger male. Bemused with what had happened, he tried to find the correct words to use in such a situation. It was dark, yet, the young stranger was obviously standing there in plain sight. Unsettled by this odd occurrence he was unwilling to reveal such emotion to the other, so, he simply frowned. The eyes that gazed at him were filled with dull emotions, and he caught a glimmer of negativity. Colten, feeling as though he had done nothing wrong, boldly returned the look with own calm expression. Where had this kid come from, anyway?

"You shouldn't be in these fields. What're you doing? It's dangerous."

"Dangerous?" He repeated, eyebrows furrowing.

He scowled, a little agitated that he could not do this simple chore without interruption. Colten would be making his way back to Smith Market by now had the kid not made him pause. Slowly looking over his shoulder, he considered doing just that. Seeing no need to rethink such a plan, he shrugged it off. He, for some unknown reason, glanced downward then, spotting the glow of red eyes. This caused him to freeze for a moment, his baby blues widening to reveal a bit of fear starting to flow steadily into them. But he shut his eyes and shook his head.

"I'll go now," he said, hurriedly, eying the boy once before turning away. "Sorry."

[Jaime Stark]

The wolf flashed away from Jaime's side. His paws padded against the soil as he zipped his way over to the blonde teenager, attempting to run just past him so that he could stop in front of the thief and block his path.

"What the wolf is trying to tell you, is that he wants you to drop the crop you've stolen," the dark-haired boy explained plainly. The endless fields of corn belonged to the children of the corn, as far as said children were concerned. Of course, there was certainly enough of the stuff to feed them all with ease, and Jaime knew that a few ears of corn would probably go unnoticed. Yet, what did this kid know about any of that? Little to nothing, the demon child assumed, or else he wouldn't be out here in the corn fields all by himself. That alone gave Jaime reason enough to try to mess with the kid.

Jaime would give him one thing, though. At least the older boy had been courteous enough to offer an apology for what he had been caught doing. "So, to come out here... Tell me, are you brave, or just stupid?" he questioned, smiling almost... politely...?

[Colten Wrolf]

As he took a step toward the town, his eyes seem to widen as a blurred image shot past him. A creature was soon settled at his front, the gray fur glowing dimly in the moonlight, the reddened gaze focused intently on him. Clutching the gathered item to himself, his lips parted. Words did not leave him, nor did he display anything relative to fear. Maybe it was due to him being too puzzled by this at first. For once, he was too baffled to know what to say. Colten took a step back. He winced after eying the animal, finally feeling uncertain. Yet, he remained far from panicking despite what this creature could possibly do. He was informed enough to be aware of how running or allowing the scent of fear to occur would only arouse hostility. He perked in response to the younger male speaking, looking over his shoulder. His blue gaze revealing annoyance.

"What the wolf is trying to tell you, is that he wants you to drop the crop you've stolen."

Having no response to that, Colten hummed in acknowledgement. Wishing to handle this situation gingerly, he bit his tongue in order to remain silent. Retorts would do nothing now. He would test no one if they were able to control such an animal. But, he was incredulous to believe this was a wolf. He had never seen one before, but, perhaps what the younger child said was true. Colten watched the wolf for a moment, breathed in, but continued to keep the corn close to his body.

"So, to come out here... Tell me, are you brave, or just stupid?"

"Neither," Colten said, copying the ability to speak in a monotone.

He did not care for the smile, glancing away for a moment after shrugging casually. He would not be the troublemaker. And, he was not the one to upset those younger than himself. So, he looked down at the corn and sighed. Crouching, he set it down gingerly before standing up and brushing himself off a little. His mom would have to go without the cornmeal and wait for a later time. Blinking at the boy, he clicked his tongue.

"I apologize," he murmured and then frowned. "Do you live around here? I haven't seen you in school before."

[Jaime Stark]

Well, there was something to be a little surprised about. Jaime watched almost happily as the blonde complied with his, or rather, Marrok's request. And to think, he had thought the townsfolk were all too dumb or too prideful for that!

After the boy had apologized for the second time, the wolf started to back down somewhat. There was a look in his eye that reflected the understanding that he need not growl at the trespasser any longer. After all, Colten had given back what he had previously been trying to take without permission. Marrok wasn't some sort of monster who attacked without being provoked.

At the question posed to him, Jaime began to wonder just how much the other kid knew about the children of the corn. Clearly, since they didn't exactly know each other, the teenager didn't seem to be recognizing him as one of the 'missing' children... If the blonde had recognized Jaime, then he probably wouldn't be asking questions or really sticking around for that matter... But who knows, maybe Colten did actually know who Jaime was, and the innocent teenager really was just a bit on the stupid side.

"Yep, I do," Oh, sure. Jaime lived around here. Where else would he live? "But, I don't go to school anymore. Not since two years ago, I think..."

"And you must live around here too, or else you wouldn't be out here picking corn. You know, it belongs to the children. They get mad, if you take it. You're lucky I stopped you when I did."

[Colten Wrolf]

The tense air surrounding them seem to relax a few degrees. Leaving Colten sighing in relief as the growl quieted until it become nothing. And silence reigned once again. Once the questions were asked, the blonde allowed his mind to wander. It would be bad to come to a conclusion at this point of time. Yet, this boy caused him to feel odd vibes. A shuddering traveling throughout his body. Nerves, that was it, something was gnawing at his nerves. Their gazes clashed, and the older male concentrated on the boy. Neither moved from their original locations, with Colten staying only due to his curiosity for the boy who possessed such a companion. Now that he had relinquished what he had in hand, they did not have to dwell on the subject of him 'stealing' these few stalks. Colten felt no guilt, still seeing no problem from such actions. But, he felt no need to question such a request.

It was unnecessary. And what he was told had him aware that somehow this corn belonged to a certain person and not just the town as a whole. It was true he had never caught sight of the boy before. But, he had only been here recently, the town new to him. The images of certain locations fresh in his mind with places still having yet to be explored. Colten's eyebrows raised as the boy spoke.

"Yep, I do."

But where, exactly? He didn't know the kid well, but, if he lived in a house located around here, Colten really didn't have much of a right to question why he was here when it was getting dark.

"But, I don't go to school anymore. Not since two years ago, I think..."

Not go to school? Colten, surprised by this, only could blinked as his mind processed everything. But, he wasn't sure about the conversation at this point of time. Licking his lips that felt slightly chapped, the adolescent stared down the child with a frown. Why would he not go to school? Did his parents teach him themselves?

"And you must live around here too, or else you wouldn't be out here picking corn. You know, it belongs to the children. They get mad, if you take it. You're lucky I stopped you when I did."


Children? Almost immediately those ludicrous stories he heard came to mind. Being so new to town, he really had yet to witness these events that took place. Truth be told, he thought everybody was crazy for believing such stories. Yet, feeling on edge for some reason, he took the advantage to speak. Offering an explanation by simply telling the truth.

"Oh, okay," he said, tilting his head. "I don't understand completely and didn't know. I'm new to town. My name's Colten, Colten Wrolf. A nice woman sent me over here to collect some maize. I guess I'll just let someone else handle it if they want. If you're right, I won't touch it again."

Compromise was nice if one did not purposefully start situations. He was willing to debate, but, arguments were not necessary at this point of time. And he did not wish to anger anyone. And only hoped Emily would not be upset with him. He would make it up to her somehow.

[Jaime Stark]

"Jaime," the dark-haired boy introduced himself in return, leaving out his surname... just in case. Since Colten was new to the town, it made it difficult to guess just how much the kid knows or doesn't know about the town he's living in. Such as the fact that Jaime had the same family name as the sheriff of the town... Descriptions of all the missing children, etc...

Jaime considered Colten's explanation for a moment, touching his thumb and index finger to his chin in thought. "Well, she can't be very nice if she sent you into the cornfields without even warning ya," the boy concluded, nodding at his own reasoning. Seriously though, what sort of crazy adult literally sends a kid into the cornfields, without even cautioning him ahead of time on what could be found out here? Either that or she just wanted to get rid of the silly kid!

"Good... I guess you're smarter than you look," Jaime remarked with a smile. And now he didn't see much of a reason to prevent Colten from heading back to wherever he had come from. Jaime didn't exactly go around recruiting people so he wouldn't bring that up, nor had the kid done him any harm or anything like that, so there was no need to hold Colten up for any longer than he dared to stay. Yep, the blonde teen seemed to be pretty innocent from what Jaime could tell.

[Colten Wrolf]

"Jaime."

Colten nodded. "It's nice to meet you, Jaime."

This was going well. His mind quickly forming ideas of some sort. He had no ill intention of course. But he could spot a resource when it was standing right there before him. The way the voice sounded, that soft drawl and calm demeanor captured his attention. He inclined his head, continuing to stay in place. He did not wish to leave, yet. No, this was perfect. The ki- Jaime, seemed to process his words, his mannerisms illustrating someone who was in mid-thought.

"Well, she can't be very nice if she sent you into the cornfields without even warning ya."

"I suppose so," Colten muttered.

He did not completely agree with the boy. But, the woman could have warned him. Colten still thought she was too kind and intelligent to simply be rid of him without reason. After all, she had allowed him a job. And his parents were aware of where he went to. The idea of being rid of him would not work properly in this way. Had he vanished, she would be questioned along with his parents. The blonde resisted the urge to click his tongue, the noise coming from him when he was musing over something.

"Good... I guess you're smarter than you look."

"That's up to debate," Colten said, chuckling.

Now, it was time to take advantage of this rare opportunity. He would take what the boy said and try to question him tentatively. The blonde was not sure if it would work properly. But, it would take some coaxing through a play of words to allow bits and pieces of information to slip. Biting the inside of his cheek and making himself resist the urge to tremble slightly in excitement, Colten spoke.

"I'm confused, though, Jaime," Colten started. "It belongs to the... children, right? Then, why would Misses Smith ask me to disturb your property? It sounds a little impolite and inconsiderate."

He frowned. It seemed like this corn was precious to both this town and the children who settled themselves inside the vast fields. Of course, the many stories claimed they lived hidden away behind these vegtables. The blonde considered carefully what to say next before opening his mouth.

"Maybe I can ask the sheriff..."

[Jaime Stark]

Jaime raised an eyebrow at the older boy. "Adults tend to be inconsiderate. It's in their nature," for anyone who had ever encountered an adult, that answer should have been plain enough to see, without explanation. It was just how they were. Their other major flaw was treating children with no respect. "They're always trying to take what isn't theirs. They put their needs above everyone else's, and try to claim the property of the people who they decide are of less worth than themselves. People like children."

Jaime was talking a lot, but it wasn't exactly that he was getting worked up over anything. He just wanted to make sure Colten understood how things worked around here and, for all he knew, everywhere else. He wanted to educate him so that in the future, the blonde teen wouldn't fall for the schemes of an adult like that woman who merely saw him as an expendable thing. "The sheriff?" Jaime gave a careless shrug at that. "The property isn't his either, he really doesn't have the authority to claim these fields or anything like that. Not if he wants to continue living. The children in the cornfields take revenge pretty seriously, I've seen what happens."

[Colten Wrolf]

"Adults tend to be inconsiderate. It's in their nature."

That prejudicial quote left Colten pausing in mid-thought. His mind drawing a blank. He seemed to be confused by this on the outside, cocking his head to the side as he frowned. Seemingly bemused, he would have let his eyes to narrow in suspicion had he allowed his expression to portray his true feelings. But, Colten was actually a cunning child, his mind eager to solve problems and absorb and acknowledge facts. He enjoyed contradictions and pointing them out, that part of his arrogance evident at times. But, why not act like an ignorant little boy now? His gaze continued to remain on Jaime, the look of false concern convincing as they glinted in his blue orbs.

"They're always trying to take what isn't theirs. They put their needs above everyone else's, and try to claim the property of the people who they decide are of less worth than themselves. People like children."

That voice that reached his ears sounded as though it was speaking the truth. As though everything was absolute. Colten often pondered over the concept of maturity and experience gained as people developed. Not the one who wished to simply play, Colten enjoyed to review serious topics. Before he found himself settled here, he was a gifted student in a private school. Subjects dealing with the government and important issues captivated him. Civics and Economics, for example, was one of his best subjects. The branches of the organization that led them, that was empowered by the people and how corrupt this system was. This was why he cared so much for such a topic. This town was odd. A certain secret that was meant to be masked and solved early on now starting to unfold into something more. And he was further encouraged by Jaime's lack of suspicion, and how ready he was to speak.

"The sheriff?"

A shrug from the boy.

"The property isn't his either, he really doesn't have the authority to claim these fields or anything like that. Not if he wants to continue living. The children in the cornfields take revenge pretty seriously, I've seen what happens."

Colten's breath came to a halt. His eyes widening to reveal genuine surprise before he forced his eyelids to lower. His expression was unidentifiable. Before the false emotions faded and he eyed the boy. Taking a step back, he swallowed and breathed in deeply.

"What do you mean by 'not if he wants to continue living'?" Colten asked, wincing slightly.

[Jaime Stark]

A wide range of expressions had appeared on Colten's face throughout Jaime's explanations. He wondered if the other boy was getting it. If he was actually going to absorb the information and use it later so that he wouldn't die an early death. Because, from Jaime's perspective at least, he could just see this blonde kid heading full speed toward an early grave. Just look at the stunt he tried to pull today!

"You've been living here long enough to know what I mean," Jaime watched Colten with an unamused look clear on his face. Sure, he didn't know exactly how new Colten was to the town... But he still should have known such obvious answers. After all, everything started two years ago. Since then, it had become almost common knowledge in Jamestown. "The children of the corn sacrifice the people of this town to their god. Most of the time, it's adults... Like our dear sheriff. Sometimes children get sacrificed too though, like when they get in the way." Jaime smirked.

[Colten Wrolf]

"You've been living here long enough to know what I mean."

"To know? Yes. But, to understand and believe? No," Colten boldly replied.

It was true. How was he suppose to believe everything as fact so quickly? When such tales that seemed so filled with ludicrous fabrication traveled to his ears. He was not gullible. And he wouldn't so eagerly shy away from this despite the risk. It took him a moment to realize he was traveling deep into dangerous territory. Should he venture further? No, he didn't need to. Things had been confirmed. He inclined his head for a moment, his mouth somewhat dry from all of this.

"The children of the corn sacrifice the people of this town to their god. Most of the time, it's adults... Like our dear sheriff. Sometimes children get sacrificed too though, like when they get in the way."

Colten bowed his head a little. The move displaying that he was nearly cowed. He did not wish to risk his life. Nor did he care enough to give it up for this. The blonde heeded the boy's words. Those eyes serious, with no attempt to pull a false scare there. Colten could not help but be fascinated by this aura. Such an air of confidence and something different surrounded the other child. His intuition tingled once again. He should take his leave soon. It was dark, and the stories that he once saw as nothing willed him to return to the safety of his home. He took another step back, struggling to remain calm. Yet his expression remained flat, and so did his tone of voice.

"I.... apologize once again for my ignorance. But, being so new, how was I suppose to believe this from simple stories? But just by listening to the adults, they attempted to make me believe you were nothing but monsters," Colten started. "But, no more excuses. I won't bother, I am just curious. I'm not someone who picks sides. The children have separated themselves from the adults, correct? Meaning, I have no right to intervene. You are your own people. And I'm grasping at straws here, so, I do not mean to conclusions. All I know, is that I think everything is not what I expected before I came here a few months prior. And, I'll leave you to your business. No reason to stay and take up your time."

His gaze wandered upward to the sky, eying the stars that twinkled.

[Jaime Stark]

Okay, so Jaime was a part of these 'children of the corn'. Yet it bothered him, as slightly as it was, when every time Colten referred to Jaime as being one of them. Why did it bother him? He couldn't even be completely sure himself. So annoying...

Our own people...

"Go ahead and leave, then," the boy agreed, although the blonde had yet to make a movement to leave. Jaime noticed, as he watched the other stare upward at the sky. Maybe he was still wary of the wolf, whose staring had not ceased this entire time.

There was one little thing that Jaime just couldn't successfully hold in, though. His eyes were still focused upon Colten, solemn and unblinking. "And they're Lillith's people, more so than they are their own. While I prefer being on my own." Even more right now, as his anger had him keeping his distance from the other children for as long as Lillith's plan was fresh in his mind.

Jaime waved in farewell to his acquaintance, expecting the other to leave as he said he would. "Take care, Colten."