Post by Katrina Marie Botticello on Nov 27, 2012 23:32:27 GMT -5
A shaft of sunlight broke through the curtains, bathing Katrina's face in a golden light. Her sensitive hearing picked up breath of her peer's as soon as she was awake. She could hear Jenny, the person in the bunk above her, 's heart beat. But for the most part, it was just the breeze outside rustling the windows, and the rustle of sheets as people moved around. After her encounter with Mitch Frost the previous day, she was eager to get a head start on the day to see what other kinds of stuff and people there where. So, without hesitation, she sat up and found her suitcase, pulling out various items and feeling the braille on the tags and the material to try and find what was what. She ended up pulling together a red "Let the Music Take Hold" t-shirt and jean shorts, then slipping on regular tennis shoes. She figured it was still early in the morning by the time she was strolling out the door.
Instantly, the strong aroma of the strawberry fields hit her. But why would she go there again when there was so much more to do? Katrina had no idea. Mostly it was quiet–sounds of nature; wind, rabbits, a few footsteps - but there was no human sounds. Except for something that Katrina couldn't quiet figure out. It was a thump, thump, thump. Just softly, as if it were a million miles away. She was curious on what it was, so of course, when you curious; you follow! She walked away from the scent of the strawberries, walking until she could hear voices.
"Man, I LOVE volleyball!" A male voice said. "I know, right? It's the best!" a female said. They kept conversing in between thumps. Volleyball... was that the thing where you hit the ball over the net? If Katrina counted her steps and knew where the net was, and was able to listen to others walking, she might have a shot at playing. Granted, she didn't even know the rules, but still. She kept walking until she heard footsteps, thumps and voices. When she stopped, she was able to hear someones heavy breathing. "Ahh, damn! I lost!" A female said, several males and a few females cheered. "Two outta three?" A male asked. "You guys can, I need to go finish up some Greek." The same females said, then she heard footsteps as people shouted in protest.
"No! We need another player!"
"Yeah, you can't leave! C'mon, stay, Britt!"
"Uh, hi? I'm Katrina... I mean, I know I'm blind... but I have a high skill set? I could take uh... 'Britt''s place if you need another player?" Katrina asked, tilting her head slightly in the classic Katrina question-smile. People replied in less-enthusiastic answers. "Sure? and "Okay..."'s where spread around the court, as Katrina walked a few steps, realized she was on top of sand, and shook her shoes off, enjoying the feeling of sand between her toes. The daughter of Demeter touched the net, then walked backward one, two, three, four steps, stopping when people told her. Someone called out, "Kay, serving!" and then there was a loud thump. Katrina figured that if it was hit over there, it would probably swerve a few inches in the wind, so it would come right next to her. She figured this out fast enough to try and dive to the side, but instead of hitting the ball, she slammed into someone else and she smashed into the ground, hearing the ball hit right by her head. "Owch!" A girl on the ground next to her called. "Oh my gosh, sorry!" Katrina called out. "Naw... it's cool." She said.
Someone else served, this time, Katrina payed more attention to footsteps, so she just sat there while people ran around her, hitting the ball. Then she realized that it was coming right above her head, so she jumped up and spread both her hands out, trying to smack it. She was able too by the tip of one hand and the brunt palm of her other. She landed n the ground gracefully, listening to a loud thump of it hitting the ground. People shouted congratulations and things like, "Oh, you're actually kinda good at this!" So Katrina smiled wider, saying thank you and things. She was having a lot of fun. She didn't care about the winning and losing; it was all fun. The next time their team one, but she only hit it once, and the next time they lost twice, but it wasn't her fault. She was able to hit it a few times, but the times that she swung and missed, the person behind her got it. The fifth round, she heard it being smacked somewhere in front of her. So it should have moved to the right because of the wind, and that sounded pretty hard, so it's probably going to land–
CONK!
Her ears were literally ringing as she laid crumpled on the sand. She understood for the first time why the ground was sand on these things. "Ow..." she said blankly, having the smile wiped off her face for the first time since she had gotten up. People swamped her and said "Omigosh, are you okay?" "I am so sorry!" and things of that manner. But her head was throbbing, so she was a bit preoccupied with clutching it and trying to ignore the ringing and sort out sounds and smells. If she could have seen, her vision would be flashing red. She laid there for a good fifty seconds, trying to gain herself enough to get up. You're a huntress! Get up! She thought. The thought of Artemis made her have enough motivation to get up, ignoring the blaring pain of her still-throbbing head. Someone offered her ambrosia, so she stuffed it into her mouth, feeling better instantly. "I'm fine guys, really." She said, smiling once again. "So, who's up for another round? I know I am! In fact, I'll serve!" She said, and people cheered; someone handed her the ball. And with all the force in the world, she threw it up into the air and smacked it with her palm.
Man, volleyball was awesome!
