Dies Irae [[SE; Day 3]]

Air escaped out from the lungs, burning ablaze out of the system. Takeba had the speed and audacity to escape the beast cleanly - not considering the injury she suffered from the fight in her arm, gushing out fresh blood down the limb. Taking a random set of turns and paths away from the creature - if it was following her or not, to her ignorance bliss - she felt the toll of such frantic activity, huffing out hot oxygen and feeling like she could not replenish enough in time. Her pace was drastically slowing, almost coming to a halt near the edge of the lake. Knees were caving in; and, finally, when enough of a reach for water, the girl tripped on her feet and fell to the floor, chest heaving up and down against the ground.

With the last bit of strength for the moment, Takeba had weakly threw out the jug into the water. She waited for the bottle to sink into the depths of the lake - the weight of the collecting liquid drowning it. After waiting a while, quickly the jug was pulled out by the tied rope - with much difficulty, at first. Having to sit up and use all last bits of power for the retrieval, Takeba nearly exhausted herself to sleep for just water; but the effort was worth the trouble. Slipping in a purification tablet and shaking the bottle, the District 4 Tribute made sure all the particles would dissolve before taking a swig and then the entire jug. Glory run down the throat, the taste of crispness and goodness swished together in a rush of delirium. Days has passed since the last liquid intake, and the feeling of being quenched was pure happiness.

Following the liquid filling, Takeba took another jugful of water and capped the top. Panting did not cease despite the satisfaction of a need obtained. Takeba breathed in deeply, taking in the oxygen of the world and attempting stabilization. Slowly, with each intake, she could sense the sensation of equilibrium being reached, the adrenaline starting to seep out from her body. She smiled greatly to herself, a big grin for the lonely self.

With a thought, Takeba found herself hugging the knees tightly, eyes devoid of pure light but then were covered over by the eyelids. Breathes escaped the lips silently. Past events replayed in her head, which made the eyes tightened in emotional pain. She had sorted out the emotions and heart chemicals to discern the pangs and malaise, and further discriminating them settled the pain to a dull numbness. Still, a single tear came down the face; Takeba banished the liquid sadness away in a swipe and opened the orbs fully, alert.

Her head tilted up to inspect the world; and, in the corner of her eye, spotted a being on an edge of the lake across from herself. Takeba stared at the figure, watching intently with the dagger in hand. She hid away the jug behind the back and hugged tight to the weapon. Takeba was on full attention for any movement on the offensive side; however, after a few moments and much pondering, let go of the defensive state and loosened the grip on the knife. She even dropped it between the feet, frowning deep.

In the perpetual silence, she called out, unable to see the person from the angle, "In the interest of acquaintanceship, I hope to not intrude in inquiring for your name. Although, if you are more comfortable about not disclosing such personal information about yourself, I will flee away from asking any further, to prevent making any uncomfortable feeling rise." Afterwords, Takeba released her knees and relaxed the body slightly. Reserves of energy were building up in the arms, a natural adrenaline rush, but she mentally repeated not make any sudden movements.

[Takeba has drunk purified water.]
[Takeba has replenished the jug.]

Takeba seemed to have started the figure, watching from her spot the person move with such apprehension, hesitation. Adrenaline went through her body, yet she trained to restrain urgency to take up the weapon and go for an attack. All in the mental energy was invested to stay put. Instead of moving for the knife between the legs, the girl had begun to dig into the backpack, eyes distracted for the moment.

Receiving a response of both a question and a statement, the purple-haired girl smiled slightly, tiredness manifested in the face. "That is understandable; however, by the judgment of voice and general structure, I am led to believe you are Theodore Croggstad of District 2. By the process of elimination, the available choices are down to four male Tributes; but, I do apologize if I am not correct in my guessing." Withdrawing some common medical supplies, she had proceeded to treat the wound from the previous fight, breathing still abnormal. She could hear the heart beating come to a slow and return to normalcy.

Dabbing at the blood, she continued, "Proceed with any offensive maneuvers, Theodore. I am not impending your ability to take up arms." Takeba, using a hat days obtained, scooped out water from the lake and, with finger dipping, warded away blood stains - being careful not to have any liquid slip into the wound. Further caution forced the girl to wipe off water after it was done with its desired usage.

She said, smiling, laughing a bit, "This washing of the blood and dirt is the best bath I will have in the Hunger Games Arena; and, for that, I am thankful for the supplies presented by the Capitol." Takeba dumped the rest in the head gear back into the original source. "I suppose I should not have returned the water back into the lake, in the case that you assault me; yet, if I left the makeshift water bowl out, I would have no say to which if I would still possess my soul or be handed death as a mercy present." Looking over the lake, she pondered. "I do not mean to sound akin to a threat or given uncomfortable feeling, but perhaps we will see following our potential duel, but do correct me if such an event does not occur."

Her eyes rested on Theodore, a bit of light dazzling in them. "I have always been prepared and preparing to be slain one of the days, but I have the happiness to state that I had served the alliance long enough to be of some assistance. I lived to serve them as potentially capable, and I have done so." She tilted her head a little. "What option will you grasp in hand, Theodore?" Takeba sat at the spot, looking on at the boy.


[Takeba has performed basic healing]