Dazed & Confused || Bentley v. Eyvindr

josh
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Dazed & Confused || Bentley v. Eyvindr Oct 22, 2023 18:02:45 GMT -5

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Post by josh on Oct 22, 2023 18:02:45 GMT -5

B E N T L E Y.

3.

I could still hear the countdown buzzing in my ears as I stood in the ring across from another tribute I had only seen a few times. Part of my brain wanted to convince myself that this was all a dream that I would wake up from, but even my worst nightmares hadn't filled me with the amount of dread that seemed to consume my entire being. With a clear head, I would have taken off running and risked my chances with the security system. But instead, I find myself back in a ring where I had just embarrassed myself only a few days before.

My eyes wander away from the person across from me, catching a glimpse of the Gamemaker's suite and the two figures flickering in the window. Their figures make me feel like an animal trapped in the zoo, on display for their entertainment. The entire nation's entertainment. The crushing realization that if I fuck up this fight too, that memory of me is going to be burned into the mind of every person watching. I know, because that was me last year -- laughing at the stumbles of the tributes that eventually led to their demise. Funny how things like that always come around. I'd never been a believer in karma, but this might be the moment to force my hand.

2.

In the distance, I can hear someone speaking over the intercom but the sound never truly makes it way to my ears -- staring forward at the platinum blonde across from me. A shaky breath falls from my lips, trying to soothe myself in any way possible through the adrenaline rushing through my veins. I flex my fingers out before balling them into a fist, doing my best to keep them from visibly shaking by either of my hips.

I'm not a fighter in any sense of the word, and I think everyone watching the two of us staring at each other in the ring can easily notice too. If they hadn't already from my Training Center performances. Getting a read on Vin is almost impossible, the stoic expression on their face seems to be plastered on like a mask. Almost like they're somewhere else completely. Part of me wants to join them in that fantasy land, and the other half wants to rip off the mask and see what's lying underneath. But I can't judge them too harshly, considering the mask of my own I wear. Hiding behind my humor like a shield that will protect me from anything that flies my way. We can only hope it works for punches too.

1.

"Just don't go for the face? Would be kind of embarrassing to get my nose busted on day one." The words fall from my lips before I can put too much thought into them, a strained laugh following the words into the air. I know ignoring the gravity of the situation won't help me in the slightest, but it somehow feels easier than facing the strange reality that I've been thrust into. Furrowing my brow, I do my best to focus on the tips I'd picked up in my brief run in the sparring tournament: eyes open. chin down. aim high.

Let the games begin.

I wind my hand back and keep my eyes locked on the other tribute, pushing down the sick feeling bubbling up into my throat. And before I can change my mind, I swing.

[Bentley attacks Vin, unarmed]
BTia07Yfubunarmed
[ Thrown to Ground -- 1.5 damage (+1 from Hand-to-Hand) ]

unarmed

Last Edit: Oct 22, 2023 18:04:13 GMT -5 by josh

lucius branwen / 10 — fox
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Dazed & Confused || Bentley v. Eyvindr Oct 23, 2023 1:30:12 GMT -5

Quote

Post by lucius branwen / 10 — fox on Oct 23, 2023 1:30:12 GMT -5

❦

in my dream, i meet him on the road.

he looks at me before he runs, eyes pools of light in the dark. someone dies. the most ancient story.

i know.

the first story.

i know how it ends.

little prophet,

yes.

are you supposed to be here.

yes.

do you remember what you did.

the wind touches my cheek. soft, it brushes my hair back from my shoulders. green under my tongue, blood ripe in the air. i am fifteen again.

in the room, the television is still and quiet. i remember she was here, laid at the edge of the bed. look, it's me. she pointed to herself on the wall, bubbling like a stream. she'd kissed another girl on the show, laughing between sips of grape juice, the scent sweet, faintly dark, eyes bright in the late hours.

my head hurts, like a leaking. like a breaking.

i rested on my stomach, arms tucked beneath my chin. her image casted us in blue light.

everyone you kiss dies.

lips stained, she turned to me. a curtain of gold was tucked behind her ear. she smiled, sly and bruised. the secret is in the lipstick.

i touch the space, cool and empty. Arcadia is gone. in the shadow, the orange flame burns, eyes pools of light in the dark. my little fox. you have finally arrived.

come to the vale where all is dark, the raven croaks. the room thunders awake.

𓅪

all heroes fought despite knowing their fate.

when Vargen died, i was still a child. in the years after, i grew up learning the words of Vargarkviða where he lived eternally, deified in verses. when Sigurth had asked for his fate, the world cradled him and spoke. when you die, no better man will walk beneath the sun.

for honour, i suppose.

to belong to something greater.

are you doomed to die, or already dead? i cannot say. another answers, inky-voiced, perched on a rib. there is a better choice than cowardice. all men must die.

i step into it the cage.

the floor is stained, blood half-smeared, iron undertone splits through me like a vein. his hands crush against my chest. i stagger back. fed we will be. feather-soft at the wings of my lungs. i touch the growing bruise, watch the slight tremble in the silver of his shape against the light. Bentley, above us the board reads.

"okay." okay. "as you wish."

vin attacks bentley, unarmed
CxTDfadIBUunarmed
5184 -- Bruised Left Calf -- 2.0

unarmed

Last Edit: Oct 23, 2023 1:31:45 GMT -5 by lucius branwen / 10 — fox

josh
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Dazed & Confused || Bentley v. Eyvindr Oct 23, 2023 9:31:44 GMT -5

Quote

Post by josh on Oct 23, 2023 9:31:44 GMT -5

B E N T L E Y.

"Okay, as you wish." The words from Vin cause my eyebrow to raise, watching as their fingers brush across their ribs where my fist had just thrown them backwards. My own strength was almost as surprising as Vin agreeing to keep their punches away from my face, feeling my shoulders loosen up. Kindness was the last thing I had expected when I chose to fight, but there was something about Vin that felt so fragile. Like their entire being was held together so tightly, and the slightest pressure would cause them to crack.

But my thought was proven horribly incorrect the moment I watched them move forward, an eerie precision as their heel connects with the back of my calf. A cry falls from my lips as a sharp pain shoots up the entire length of my leg, staggering back on the balls of my feet to regain my composure. I try to keep myself focused on the other person across from me, but I can almost feel a fog floating around in my head still -- dragging me out of the moment with every small distraction around me. The obnoxiously bright lights in my eyes, the scraping of my shoes across the floor, even the involuntary shaking of my hands begs for my attention.

"Any chance I could convince you to just not hit me at all next time? The whole no face thing worked out pretty well." My voice echoes into the ring between us, causing my usual goofy grin to slip back over my features. I stay back far enough away from them to hide the small tremble in the corner of my lips, pulling my hands back in front of my face. My fingernails dig into the palm of my hand, working up the courage to inch back closer towards Vin across the way.

My eyes lock on the spot that I had hit Vin before, remembering the delicate way that their fingers grazed across their shirt. Vin wouldn't have bothered to touch it if my fist hadn't hurt them, at least a little bit. So, as I wind my hand back once again, my eyes lock with the same spot. Determined. "Just don't embarrass yourself again, Bents.." the words come out of my lips barely above a whisper, teeth gritted together as I feel my knuckles land against bone once again. The feeling draws my hand back, shaking my hand out of shock.

The feeling doesn't get any easier each time I feel myself hurt someone else, swallowing down the ache in my own chest that matches the pain I'm inflicting. But the hesitation only lasts for a moment before I throw my fists up in front of my face -- quickly realizing the odds that Vin will actually listen to my plea for an easy win will go unanswered. Or worse, answered with a fist straight to my mouth to shut me up.

[Bentley attacks Vin, unarmed]
TWkB7B4WZQunarmed
[ Knocked Backwards -- 1.5 damage, +1 from Hand-to-Hand ]

unarmed

Last Edit: Oct 23, 2023 9:39:08 GMT -5 by josh

lucius branwen / 10 — fox
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Dazed & Confused || Bentley v. Eyvindr Oct 23, 2023 19:47:16 GMT -5

Quote

Post by lucius branwen / 10 — fox on Oct 23, 2023 19:47:16 GMT -5

❦

looming over us, our names reflect unnaturally bright from the board. he nears, shape of his shadow stretched long and formless. it looks liquid over the iron. an axe-age, a sword-age. i kick his legs. lurching back, the boy shouts in pain, in astonishment, for the briefest moment before his fists clench. he grows taut, pulled together by his own hands, smile tightened on his face.

"any chance i could convince you to just not hit me at all next time?"

i was allowed one softness, i think. given by my father, runt of the litter. too small to be. when he was born, he could fit in the palm of my hand. i could crush him in his sleep.

of all things i couldn't have. i was allowed Sindri.

once is enough. i told myself.

once is enough, in my mother's voice. i turn to it, searching in the dark.

thick, leaden ache. he collides with my chest again, stepping back from the impact, and this time, i reach for him as he withdraws, pull until we are close, hand twisted in mine. i smile, and it feels biting, bitter. the world shudders. no longer is there mercy among men. its shadow falls over us, feathers translucent.

he watches, silent in the corner. my fox.

"well. only if you promise too."

vin attacks bentley, unarmed
Ly4ZpkSEbNunarmed
5122 -- Gash/Bruised Left Hand -- 3 damage

unarmed

Last Edit: Oct 23, 2023 19:48:20 GMT -5 by lucius branwen / 10 — fox