hopping mad // maddox v mutt // day 2

ghosty
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hopping mad // maddox v mutt // day 2 Oct 23, 2021 15:43:36 GMT -5

Quote

Post by ghosty on Oct 23, 2021 15:43:36 GMT -5

H-0P

This, this, was your home. As long as you remember, and maybe even before then. The buildings towering above you is the only landmark that matters, childhoods aging into adults in an instant before all the others like you disappeared. The creatures on two legs, no tails must have taken them. Left you lonely, meddling again with what they don't understand. They looked at you through glass, looking at all hours, looking at everything. You still feel the pain, the heat of the brand scalding your fur with your name. They left you then, but one is back now. Smaller, younger perhaps. Still one of them.

This is your home. They will pay for the pain. You jump over the railing, falling, falling, down.

[ kicks maddox, blunt ]

SrWqb4opO8blunt

[ 7151 -- Gash/Bruised Left Shin -- 3.0 damage ]

blunt

Last Edit: Oct 23, 2021 15:44:02 GMT -5 by ghosty

10th retro gm | paxton hayes
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probably flailing over something

hopping mad // maddox v mutt // day 2 Oct 23, 2021 17:59:14 GMT -5

Quote

Post by 10th retro gm | paxton hayes on Oct 23, 2021 17:59:14 GMT -5

The eggs rattle, and at the moment the only thing Maddox wants to do is to run away. Something is inside them, and while the biggest threat right now is running into a tribute, these eggs have become more threatening.

What if they hatch?

Shaking their head, Maddox gathers their belongings and starts moving on. Staying in one area for too long is dangerous especially when the eggs are threatening to come to life. Not to mention it is starting to get dark. Finding a safe place to rest for the night is important, but Maddox isn't sure where to turn or which way to go.

It doesn't take long to lay the tarp out on the ground, and soon Maddox stares at the sky wondering if it's real or some sort of fantasy. Is anything in this place even real?

As the anthem plays, a feeling of sadness and sorrow fills their chest. Innocent lives are taken, but those who have already gone bring home one step closer. This is it. This is the hunger games, and Maddox knows that it is up to them to decide whether or not they make it. Finding a reason to live, a reason to fight for, something to give the motivation to succeed in every situation is important.

Maybe that's why getting some sleep is even more important.

Early the next morning, Maddox wakes to a rumbling stomach, and it takes every ounce of strength not to burst into the lunchable they obtained just the day before. The games are long and saving what little food they have is going to be more important. But the water. All they need is a little sip to cure the parched tongue and take away the muscle cramps from dehydration. Even then it might not be enough.

Taking a deep breath, they pack up the tarp and shove it down in their bag, and they start moving on.

Time doesn't seem existent right now, and Maddox only stops when their eyes land on these giant buildings seated high in the sky -

"What are those?"

Moving forward one step after another until their hand touches one of the giant beams.

"I've never seen anything like this before."

Turning around, Maddox takes them all in, and they want to know what sits inside them. Maybe a place to rest. Maybe a place to hide out for as long as they possibly can until only a couple of people remain.

It is a smart idea.

But everything is taken away when pain shoots through their leg.

Maddox grabs their spear and takes a step back trying to figure out what is going on. They hadn't moved. That is when they see this mutt that is likely defending its home.

"Come on little guy, you don't have to do this." Maddox carefully moves the spear hoping to just scare it away because they really don't feel like killing this thing.

by griffin

Maddox attacks H-0P

4vZA7dNH9Nspear

{ 3189 -- Deep Gash on Cheek -- 8.5 damage +1 strength }

spear

Last Edit: Oct 23, 2021 17:59:51 GMT -5 by 10th retro gm | paxton hayes

lest we forget [the characters]

credit to Zoe

ghosty
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hopping mad // maddox v mutt // day 2 Oct 24, 2021 8:29:45 GMT -5

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Post by ghosty on Oct 24, 2021 8:29:45 GMT -5

H-0P

They, somehow, dodged you falling from above, your feet catching the bottom of their leg, no blood, no real damage to show for. It felt good to stretch those legs, more than you've done for forever. But they didn't feel the same, and their long rod stretched out towards you. They used to use these on you, metal tightening around your neck to keep you away from them; they were scared of you, you were sure of it. But, the metal did not tighten, agony erupting from your cheek instead.

They dared let your blood fall to the ground, attacked you for their own fault. Anger seethed out of your mouth, showing the teeth that they feared before. The teeth were they only thing you had for company, all 30-odd. Sharp and ready, you dove in for the human's insolence.

[ bites maddox, knife ]

|IlFQpgvxaknife

[ 2075 -- Shallow Cut on Left Calf -- 3.5 damage ]

knife

Last Edit: Oct 24, 2021 8:30:08 GMT -5 by ghosty

10th retro gm | paxton hayes
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hopping mad // maddox v mutt // day 2 Oct 24, 2021 17:43:10 GMT -5

Quote

Post by 10th retro gm | paxton hayes on Oct 24, 2021 17:43:10 GMT -5

It is their hope that this creature leaves, but it doesn't. Instead it stands its ground, and Maddox feels a pang of guilt from deep within. Of course it wouldn't leave. This thing wants to defend its home, plus it is bred for this. Attacking and killing, and figuring out ways to constantly survive. Just like the tributes. Very few asked for this. Maybe that is why it refuses to give up. A heavy sigh leaves their chest as they ready their spear once more. One quick attack to push it away wasn't enough. Leaving isn't an option either because this creature will likely follow until one of them has died.

Taking a deep breath, Maddox turns once more, just in time to move out of the way of the sharp teeth coming towards them. It will leave a mark, but this is nothing more than a superficial laceration. It only hurts for a moment.

"Come on little guy." They sigh. "All you had to do was leave."

Talking to the mutt won't do any good anyway since it probably doesn't understand, but it was worth a try. Maybe this is like leading a tiny cow to slaughter. Maybe pushing them to the edge will do more good than it will do harm.

Its hard to see. Sweat rolls into their eyes forcing Maddox to wipe it away. The temperature here isn't ideal, and ending this now will give them a chance to find some place to cool off for a while. Maybe even find a place to sit down and grab something to drink.

"Have it your way then."

Maddox swoops the spear forward because it is the only way. Whatever happens, happens. Giving it a chance was all they hoped for, but now they are faced with the only solution, and that is to kill.

by griffin

Maddox attacks H-0P

2K_1nm2Szxspear

{ 3020 -- Shallow Cut on Chest -- 4.0 damage }

spear

Last Edit: Oct 24, 2021 17:43:46 GMT -5 by 10th retro gm | paxton hayes

lest we forget [the characters]

credit to Zoe

ghosty
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hopping mad // maddox v mutt // day 2 Oct 25, 2021 14:54:11 GMT -5

Quote

Post by ghosty on Oct 25, 2021 14:54:11 GMT -5

H-0P

You didn't understand their growls, but they did not seem aggressive as your own. Their actions spoke louder than words as you felt warmth trickle down and matted into fur. They trespassed onto your home, and let your blood drip and pool onto the only ground you know. They have no respect, never did. You will leave your mark here, on this human. Their blood still fresh on your teeth, how you hope they'd sink deeper in. You lurch like the tip of their spear.

[ bites maddox, knife ]

7UJ0qT19olknife

[ 2006 -- Deep Gash on Right Bicep -- 8.0 damage ]

knife

Last Edit: Oct 25, 2021 14:54:40 GMT -5 by ghosty

10th retro gm | paxton hayes
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hopping mad // maddox v mutt // day 2 Oct 25, 2021 15:39:53 GMT -5

Quote

Post by 10th retro gm | paxton hayes on Oct 25, 2021 15:39:53 GMT -5

The mutt is resilient, and Maddox wants nothing more than for this to end so they can carry on their way and climb to the top of these buildings. Yet the mutt just doesn't know when to stop. Clearly it is outmatched, and right now the only thing running through their mind is surviving another day. Of course, it would be easy to start climbing and leave the bleeding creature behind, but deep inside they know it would follow, and the only way to make sure that doesn't happen is to destroy it. It isn't easy though. Back home, Maddox wasn't trained to hurt people or creatures. No, it was more of healing them, of giving them a better chance at life. Here in the games none of that matters.

Maddox turns once more to simply walk away hoping it would leave them alone. Their action is only met with pain as blood gushes down their arm. A small yelp leaves their lips as they twirl around once more.

"I didn't want to do this, but you leave me no choice."

Raising the spear into the air, Maddox strikes again. Killing isn't the first choice, but it has to be. It needs to become priority as they navigate through the games. Giving second chances will never help anything, and this has proven it twice now. It is time to change their thoughts, and maybe things will fall into place afterwards.

by griffin

Maddox attacks H-0P

kQmdyO0CTNspear

{ 3067 -- Shallow Cut on Stomach -- 4.0 damage }

spear

Last Edit: Oct 25, 2021 15:40:23 GMT -5 by 10th retro gm | paxton hayes

lest we forget [the characters]

credit to Zoe

10th retro gm | paxton hayes
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probably flailing over something

hopping mad // maddox v mutt // day 2 Oct 26, 2021 11:14:48 GMT -5

Quote

Post by 10th retro gm | paxton hayes on Oct 26, 2021 11:14:48 GMT -5

For a moment, Maddox stands still unsure of what happened, but then the creature falls. A sigh of relief leaves their chest as they move towards it. It doesn't deserve the fate that has been handed to it, yet this is the only life it likely knows. Freedom from here going to a better world where every creation can run free is a much better escape especially if it exists.

It doesn't make it any easier though.

Maddox looks at the wound on their arm, and decides to find a place to hide to take care of the terrible looking gash. It's raw and stings, and it's terrifying knowing they have no clue what the creature was eating before it found them. With a quick bow of the head, Maddox turns and walks away. Today was really only the beginning.

by griffin