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Post by Light on Dec 4, 2013 20:59:47 GMT
The night had been uneventful; just the usual routine that had been expected when watching ones back in a dangerous environment. Nothing out of the ordinary as yet, thought it was early days, and things would get more dangerous as they progressed.
Morning now. So it was time to get moving again, time for another day of hunting. Persephone woke as the first light crossed the sky. Grabbing her weapons and kit, she joined the others as they set out for another day of hunting.
__________
It had been a hard night; Pod had just about managed to find a way to get the arrow out of Hanya's arm, and between them they had managed to patch up the wound as well with some cloth from the clothes they had been issued before entering the arena. Not exactly great, but better than leaving it in there. What they really needed was some decent medical supplies, and that was either from sponsors, the Cornucopia, or the other Tributes.
He woke up the next day, and began to try and find something for them to eat. Then they'd have to move on. They couldn't stay there forever, either the other Tributes or the Arena would get them if they stayed still.
__________
They'd been in the forest a while when they came across the setup the Gamemakers had intended. The Tracker Jacker nests were obvious in the trees, making the left path too much of a pointless risk. So they instead headed to the right, just as their unseen observers had intended of them.
It was at that point that they heard the voices along their path. Raising a finger to her lips, and pointing ahead, Persephone indicated the small camp of the three Tributes that they had come across so early in their hunt.
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Post by Tonks on Dec 5, 2013 19:43:16 GMT
Catalina saw where Persephone was pointing and strung her bow. She just needed to get a kill in. As soon as she got a shot on someone she fired her arrow, saw Evelyn Hart drop to the floor and the canon boomed mightily.
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Post by PenguinNinja on Dec 5, 2013 20:55:12 GMT
The booming of the cannon jerked Tara awake and it took her a few moments to remind herself she was in the arena. She let out a deep breath and dared to peek out from her spot in the rocks. It offered little view and she sighed, falling back on herself.
She needed to leave and soon. She needed real food. Something other than leaves. But she was safe here in her hole. It was hidden from sight and nobody was nearby. She was safe.
Her stomach growled and she bit her bottom lip, took several deep breaths before she pushed the rock away from the opening and stepped out with cautious eyes. There was nobody nearby and she couldn't see anything in the tree line. With a sudden burst of confidence she ran across the small space, ducked behind a series of bushes and scoured their branches until juicy pink berries showed themselves. She plucked a couple of handfuls, stuffed some into her pockets and stole another look around herself.
There was nobody in sight.
She took her treasure, stood and ran back to her hole in the rocks. The berries were dumped at the back of the cave and she pulled her rock back into place, sealing in the warmth and she let a single berry drop onto her tongue and sit to slowly dissolve with water and sustenance.
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Playle
Talking In Your Sleep
Posts: 441
Deadly Sin: Sloth
Hogwarts House: Ravenclaw
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Post by Playle on Dec 6, 2013 18:05:33 GMT
It happened in a matter of seconds and in slow-motion all at the same time. Evelyn’s body was pierced through like it was paper, her body fell lifelessly to the floor, the thunderous sound of the cannon. Hanya was rubbing the sleep from her eyes seconds ago, but now she was in flight as fast her legs could take her. There was no time to converse with Pod, no time to plan a route – just time to run.
Every yard she ran might as well have been an inch, for she felt like whomever had fallen upon the camp was right behind her every step of the way. Her arm jerked with pain every now and then, but there was only adrenaline coursing through her now. She tried to wind her path a little, attempting to throw off anyone who may be pursuing, but mostly she thought of escape.
She thought of escape and Pod. If she hadn’t got away, she prayed that he did.
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The cannon rudely awoke Onyx, but he was annoyed at himself more than he was at the boom. Someone was up before him, killing. They could have killed him whilst he was dozing. Unless some poor tribute had fallen prey to the arena, which would be comical more than it would be annoying. After surveying his surroundings, he realized it was not close to him. For that he was thankful.
He threw his weapons down and then jumped off the tree – tonight he would find a different camp, because today he would maraud for kills. His axe was in his right hand, his hammer in his offhand. The tinderbox was supported thanks to some stringy vine-like leaf he fashioned as loop on his belt.
His stomach was at a slight rumble, but nothing too distracting. He would find something to eat at some point, or he could resort to the last of the rabbit meat if need be. Mostly he hungered for action. As long as it wasn’t against the careers, it would be easy pickings.
He departed in a north-westerly direction, eyes keen on the outskirts.
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Post by Light on Dec 6, 2013 19:57:28 GMT
The sound of the cannon was like thunder as he returned to the small camp with the rabbit he had somehow managed to catch for them to eat; then he saw Evelyn's body, and the Careers. Oh God. How had they found them? It didn't matter now, they were here, and that meant it was run or die. Pushing back the guilt over their second fallen ally, he caught a glimpse of Hanya disappearing into the trees, and bolted in her general direction, in the panic not really thinking what a bad idea that was.
__________
As the arrow struck and the cannon thundered overhead, Persephone made a note of how good a shot Catalina was, then looked to the other two Tributes that they had stumbled across dart into the tress again. They could probably get another one, though if they didn't it wouldn't matter that much in the scheme of things. There were only so many places they could hide before the Gamemakers got bored.
The Careers started off again after them; they weren't about to make it easy for them to escape, even if they did manage it.
Run little rabbits.
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Post by Tonks on Dec 8, 2013 21:43:46 GMT
Catalina was happy with her kill, she knew she'd shown that she had power. But wait, was that a bad thing? Would they be after her now? What should she do? She watched as Amee dashed into the trees, she knew Amee would cast the first vote to kill her off. She'd seen the looks she'd been giving her. In a fit of panic, Catalina pulled back her bow and prepared to fire.
Neil Mason had been stood behind Catalina but it was obvious she hadn't seen him there despite his huge frame. As soon as he saw her aim at Amee he grabbed her head exclaiming, "Bitch!", lifted her slightly and smashed her head against the tree she was stood next to. He dropped her bleeding body as another canon boomed.
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Playle
Talking In Your Sleep
Posts: 441
Deadly Sin: Sloth
Hogwarts House: Ravenclaw
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Post by Playle on Dec 8, 2013 23:08:44 GMT
BOOM!
The next cannon thundered, and Hanya was fighting back tears now as she carried on running. It was going to be Pod, Pod would’ve been mowed down by the stampede of career tributes. They would tear him apart like he was nothing. Her face was red and flustered, from sweat and upset, but she kept at a rapid pace. Her lungs were on fire, her feet throbbed, her arm stung from her arrow injury.
Over logs and ridges she dashed, not even daring to look back for an instant. She did not need to face her killer if she was truly being pursued. Death would be anonymous, and perhaps that would be a little sweeter as a release.
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“Oh you’ve got to be kidding me!”
Onyx still felt far from the action, but another tribute had been killed. He held his weapons with a white-knuckle grip and surveyed the surroundings. Each leaf he heard crunch made him turn his head. Each step he took with a cautious zeal – he desired to hunt, but not be hunted. His eyes were keen, keen enough to notice a squirrel on a nearby tree. He crushed the squirrel with a blow from his hammer. He gathered the animal’s carcass and decided cooking that later would be wise.
He trod another step through the leaves, just waiting for it to all kick off.
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Post by PenguinNinja on Dec 9, 2013 14:38:15 GMT
Tara listened carefully to the sounds that were resonating throughout the arena. There was a fight going on. She let out a sigh of relief that she was no longer out in the open and let her eyes drift back to her bag. The game makers would no doubt try to encourage her close to the other tributes. It was only a matter of time. But she wanted to be anywhere but near the other tributes. She would be more than happy to let them kill each other and let the arena finish the last one off so that she was left.
Unlikely. But she forced herself to think of a way to prepare for when that time came.
Fabric. Knife. Copper wire. Matches. Thoughts stirred and a plan started to form. With a curious thought she grabbed the knife and fabric and sliced of a thin square from one corner of the fabric. She grabbed the matches, lit one and put the tiny square of fabric onto the floor of the small space, put the lit match on top of it and watched.
It only took seconds for the fabric to catch alight and she grinned. She shoved the rest of the fabric and matches into her bag, pressed her knee into the still burning fabric and wafted the smoke tendrils away. She kept the knife in her hand, knowing that people were still out there and sighed. Her plan could wait until night. At least that way people would be less likely to see her traipsing through the undergrowth and back to the cornucopia.
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Post by Tonks on Jan 10, 2014 16:26:07 GMT
Amee ran through the trees, she could see Hanya with Pod in front of her. A smile spread across her face as she held her two short swords out ready for the kill. Hanya tripped over a branch and as she began to get back up Amee swung with her sword and hit her in the leg. Hanya fell, her left leg now barely attached to the rest of her. Amethyst stopped and wiped her sword on her trouser leg before she approached the girl on the floor.
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Playle
Talking In Your Sleep
Posts: 441
Deadly Sin: Sloth
Hogwarts House: Ravenclaw
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Post by Playle on Jan 10, 2014 16:48:14 GMT
Her lungs were on fire, her feet throbbed, her arm stung from her arrow injury. Then she tumbled.
Her lungs were still on fire, and her arm still stung from her arrow injury. Except now, just the one foot throbbed.
Her calf had exploded on impact, the bone split asunder, her bottom half was spattered in gore. She thought she screamed out, but the moment was hazy. The cool grass absorbed her tears. She thought she could see the outline of Pod running in the distance, but all she knew was pain.
She attempted to roll to see her attacker, but she was only successful on her third attempt. Her severed leg did not roll with her – it was completely detatched. Sinew mixed with soil and the blood drenched grass was filled with flesh chunks. She turned to meet the eyes of the tribute. A career. Of course it was.
She closed her teary eyes. She tried to hush her screams. She held the thought of her dear mother, and awaited the killing blow. She was the animal, the tribute was the butcher. Role reversal. Cruel fate.
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Post by Tonks on Jan 10, 2014 17:07:58 GMT
Amethyst grinned as the girl whimpered. With a sword either side of the girl's neck, Amethyst beheaded her. She looked to see Pod but he was far ahead. She was happy with this kill at least, it should make for good footage. Terrence caught up with her and smiled when he saw the body. "Nice one, Amee. Brutal."
The cannon boomed.
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Post by PenguinNinja on Jan 10, 2014 17:18:06 GMT
The sound of a cannon had Tara jumping. People were dying. She just needed to hope they killed each other enough that she could slip through the darkness unseen.
With a sigh she picked at the berries she'd picked up and waited, eyes pressed to the slither of the forest she could see from her position.
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Playle
Talking In Your Sleep
Posts: 441
Deadly Sin: Sloth
Hogwarts House: Ravenclaw
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Post by Playle on Jan 10, 2014 18:05:04 GMT
Onyx had missed out on three kills now. Three! This wasn’t fair. Those careers were having a field day, and here he was just wandering through the woods aimlessly. He was probably lost, probably going in circles. It sure felt like it.
But those in the combat had to be exhausted by now, had to be weary, had to be easy to kill. Frustratingly he could not find them, no matter how hard he searched. All he heard were mockingjays and other wildlife. This was aggravating beyond belief.
He kept wandering, but he didn’t know he was wandering south. Away from everyone. When he found himself gazing at the lake again, he knew he was nearer the cornucopia than the combat. Surely the careers had people watching. Better not to risk it. He roamed around the forest near the lake clearing, gathering an ample supply of food and keeping his eyes peeled.
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“Oooph, and if the careers hadn’t already had their fair share of kills today, there goes Hanya Thorne’s head! Amethyst Ricken sliced through it like a hot knife through butter!”
The crowd went wild at Caesar Flickerman’s announcement, as the screens portrayed the murder from many angles. From luxurious seating, Merlot Twistleton cackled as he supped from a glass of candy pink liquid. He was applauded by some of the other mentors, whilst he watched the District Ten mentor leave in a rush.
“Oh Brigid. Brigid, Brigid, Brigid. You’ll have a victor one day… nah I’m just joshing ya, you should quit now!”
Merlot cackled while the District Ten mentor swore back at him. An avox brought him some orange slices smeared in sugar, and he gorged on them as he carried on watching the hunger games.
He was beaming that both his tributes were still alive, having both killed others as well – they were surely popular enough for sponsorship, to receive some things they would need if it came down to it. He stroked his beard which was a pointed fork of three different bright colours. Those around him celebrating the hunger games were bustling with talk. He thought of how to increase the popularity of the district one tributes. But really, his tributes could only do it on their own. By keeping the kills coming.
Merlot giggled to himself, hiccupping a little too. He had trained the tributes well, and surely one of them had to win this years games.
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Post by Light on Jan 10, 2014 18:25:45 GMT
One down. The girl. One less Tribute in the way. No doubt the viewers would love that kill.
The cannon thundered as Persephone reached the spot where Amee and Terrence were, looking after where the District 10 boy was running, far in the distance. So, what now?
"After him, or somewhere else?" she ran the question by the other two. Either was good. They'd probably still find someone else if they chose another way.
__________
They'd gotten Hanya. Oh God. First Lorton, then Evelyn, now Hanya. The second day, and he'd lost everyone. He didn't care now if the cameras did pick it up, because after that he couldn't stop the tears streaming down from his eyes as he ran through the forest away from the carnage.
If ever he'd felt useless, it was now. Those three were supposed to have been the ones he was protecting. Those were the people, who despite their unfathomably low chances in here he was supposed to be trying to get through, even if it meant dying himself, because he was sure he couldn't take a life.
Not like the Careers, who killed so easily, without thought, and with such brutal efficiency. No wonder it was one of them who won nearly every year. They weren't so much people as machines, brutal, remorseless murderers. What was he supposed to do against creatures like that?
For now, he did the only thing he could do; keep running, and hope against hope to live a little longer.
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Post by Tonks on Jan 11, 2014 15:57:25 GMT
..................
Night took over the arena and most of the tributes were seeking shelter and food for the night. Mya from six had been wandering around the forest, too scared to return to the cornucopia but unable to find a water source. She was beginning to feel very weak when she reached the rocks in the north of the arena. Too exhausted to move, she lay down in a cavern and fell asleep. Finley from eleven had nearly gotten stuck in the swamp but managed to pull himself out of the mud using a nearby tree. He found a stream in the tall grass as night took over so he drank the water and began to wash his clothes. June from seven had found the stream also and spent some time drinking from it before heading to the rocks. She was in the rocks by nightfall and managed to find shelter. Michael from nine had managed to hunt and cook small wildlife around the west of the forest and had done well to avoid encounters with the career tributes. Needing water, he decided to head back towards the cornucopia as night fell. Terrence from 4, Neil from 2 and Amethyst from 1 stayed together with Persephone in the career pack. They had no more kills that day but managed to eat wildlife and berries and stay hydrated from the water they had bottled back at the cornucopia. They settled just south of the swamp for the night as the Capitol music played.
Tributes watched as Catalina Fern's face from 4 was displayed in the sky followed by the image of Neil Mason killing her. The first career tribute to die. Chum looked at Neil, ready to question him as soon as the clips were over. Next, Evelyn Hart from 5 and the clip of the arrow piercing her body. Finally, Hanya Thorne from 10 with her gruesome beheading. 13 deaths in 48 hours. This left 11 tributes in the arena; 5 of which were careers.
Howard Rinter lent back in his chair, impressed with his work. "Let's slow it down a bit tomorrow guys, don't want a 5 day games. We'll find a way to keep them apart."
Chum stood up and confronted Neil. "Right, big guy, am I ok sleeping or will you kill me in my sleep?" "Fool!" Neil replied, "I wasn't the betrayer here. She was about to shoot Amee!" He shouted, pointing in Amethyst's direction.
"Bitch!" Amee stood now. "I knew there was something not right about her. Bitch!"
"And how do we know that?" Chum retorted. "We're going off your word here, Neil." Neil squared up to him now. "If I wanted to kill you, I would've done already." Chum snarled his teeth as he stared Neil in the face.
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