a little bit psycho // ssquad day 2

I’m not a feelings person, unless you’re talking about feeling someone like Bastian up. And I can tell that Laurence is like—sad that Liza’s gone, but I mean, read the writing on the wall? Obviously, she was just planning to use him as a packhorse until he stopped being useful. I mean, what could a boy with no hard edges have to offer? I glance over at him while I hiss and stitch up the hole in my neck.

I’m going to look like a freakin rag doll by the end of this, gawd.

But Laurence—he’s just—a soft boy with a district ten drawl tinging his words. Like—I guess we’re stuck with him? Much as I hate to admit it, with half the careers gone it’s hard to keep the career pack going. I guess I could find a use for him? I mean he’s not completely bad-looking. Wonder if my charms would work on him like Abel, or if he’s gonna pine for Liza.

On the other hand, guess who’s now the most dangerous couple in the arena? Could it be district one with their training scores of 11 and 9? Why yes. I expect more sponsorship any minute now. As long as Lamence doesn’t start to bring down our average.

Ugh. I’m going to have to market us as a polyamorous threesome for the cameras, aren’t I? Like—okay, yeah, I had planned to do that with the boys, but then, you know. Actual blood in the bloodbath.

Honestly they need to rename that thing to the blood sprinkle. Oh for the days of tributes beating each other to death with severed limbs in the bloodbath. Aw, I should have kept my forearm around to do that. Then again, it probably would have gotten gross. Ah well.

I’m still doing pretty well.

Ridley lost a hand. Check.

Ridley allied with and lost the girl from district two. Check.

Like—I’m really following in her footsteps, you know?

Eighteen more graves just need filling.

I pull out my walkie-talkie on a whim. I set it last night, but I haven’t had a chance to use it yet, and I know who I want to call.

“Abelll, are you there? I only heard one cannon today and I know it wasn’t youuu.”

Wow, the timer on these things are ass. Fifteen seconds?

But I hear his voice come through soon after.

“Nylon…? Is that you? I’m so glad you’re alright! I’m here… are you okay?”

Such a gentleman. I think I’ll put a top hat on his tombstone when this is all over; you know to take a teary selfie for my fans. Hashtag, nice guys finish before the top eight.

“N-no.” I let my voice break and shoot Bastian a grin, honestly, I have to cover my mouth to stifle my laughter, taking my thumb off the button, to point at the walkie and mouth "what a loser" Gawd, a boy like Abel would never make it in district one. Pretty sure one of his siblings would have strangled him in the womb.

“The boys from s-six and n-nine cut off half my arm, Abel.” Cue a sob for effect.

Like—fuck me, I already lost a hand and the other one just went and took the forearm. I mean, I guess I didn’t need it. Ridley manages. I told her I was gonna get a platinum anyhow.

“Do you still think I’m pretty?”

Click.

Let him chew on that a while. It’s a shame I can’t call more than one channel a day. I’ve got words for Arthur and Whiskey too. But for now, there’s Basty. I stroll over to Bastian and drape my arms around his shoulders from behind.

“So is that a rifle in your bag or are you just happy to see me?” I add some husk to it, because why not? He’s like a fire. Like—yeah, watching him fight and bleed and kill gets me hot under the collar, okay? And me, I’m like—another fire.

Yeah, get too close to either of us and you’ll get burned.

I think that’s why we get along so well. And I try to peck him on the cheek, fluttering my eyelashes a little. It would never go anywhere. I know that. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun before he burns out.

[actions in maint, dialogue from abel used with birdie's permission]