{ things much worse than death // finale

cameron
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MY SHIT IS TOGETHER - Shy Aubergine

{ things much worse than death // finale Dec 11, 2015 11:50:17 GMT -5

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Post by cameron on Dec 11, 2015 11:50:17 GMT -5

h e a t h e r

My body was crashing and I could tell. I needed sleep. I needed the rest I hadn't been afforded since I left Tyler, since I ran from him and our issues, since I knew I couldn't protect him forever. But now, now I had to protect his legacy, I had to protect his name forever. For a moment I was strong, hopeful, but it fell back to crashing again, and I knew the second I left Harbinger for dead I'd be taking a long nap.

I turned toward Septys, toward his collapse, and I knew that he'd never be short on sleep again. Not like me. But I had to make it out. I did not want the kind of sleep I had given Septys. Not yet.

But Harbinger did not want that sleep, either. He thanked the fallen Career, and turned to me, ready to dash the life from my bones. It was terrifying and exhilarating all at once - I could feel my pulse pounding in my veins, my heart fighting to break free of its holds, the sweat beading on my forehead and freezing thereafter. I could feel it all. And I didn't want it to end. That feeling, that surge of energy and motivation was something lost throughout the Arena, but it had found its way to me and I was prepared to utilize it as handily as possible. He wouldn't be going down without a fight, but he was strongly mistaken if he thought I was anything short of deadly. Now especially I was a torpedo, I was locked into my target and I wasn't letting anything come between us. I would strike and I would strike to kill.

He swung at me and I threw my arm up to stop it from reaching my face. The blade sliced through my armguard, making contact with my skin and I let out a small, aching sound before pushing back with my arm. "Is that it, Harbinger?" I asked, readying my own weapon in his direction. "That can't be it." I had watched enough finales, I had witnessed the emotional, taunting banter via widescreen. It was my turn to interject.

"Which one did you take?" My eyes narrowed to a glare, my face laced with arsenic. He needed to burn, regardless of which of my allies he had claimed as his own when they so rightfully belonged with me. Either way, I had just taken down one of their killers, and I'd fight like hell to make sure I took down the other. The game was nearing its end, and I'd be damned if I didn't claim them as my own. Because they were mine, and they had been for a while now. My insides twisted, a corkscrew pulling and spinning and ripping me apart, but gravity held me firmly to the ground. I did not fall.

And I wouldn't. I couldn't fall. I was balanced and ready and I was going to take Harbinger's head. It was nothing personal, except, it kinda was. The wind blew hard, my hair whipping to the side, my body shivering from the cold. I could feel the heat of the sun on my skin, I could feel my mother's deathly gaze peering into my soul. I could feel a hundred hours of bleeding feet and diminished fight, I could feel my spirit wavering, but not anymore. My fight had grown exponentially, my spirit was strong and hoisted up the S. S. Despair to be waved proudly. There was no white flag of surrender like had been shown for my whole life before; I had torn it down, stomped on it, set it ablaze. It would never return to me. The wind stirred the new flag, and I looked out from the crow's nest, seeing nothing but hope on the horizon.

And it was with that hope that I struck at Harbinger.

attacks harbinger
|ToqCVLpglaive
miss oops

glaive

Last Edit: Dec 11, 2015 11:51:41 GMT -5 by cameron

Noah Vau - D2 (Cato)
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I wish Cato didnt die

{ things much worse than death // finale Dec 11, 2015 13:09:33 GMT -5

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Post by Noah Vau - D2 (Cato) on Dec 11, 2015 13:09:33 GMT -5

Armor is definitely an important part in the game. It saved my life yesterday, and now it could easily save her’s. Seven is a fighter, and she's proven that by making it this far, but I have fought hard as well. I've worked for this, and it's my will to return to my family that's keeping me alive. Nothing could stop me. Nothing will ruin it. I made a promise to Elido, and I want to keep it, but no matter what happens I will keep it. I will return home dead or alive. A silent sigh escapes my lips as the blade cuts clean through the armor placed on her forearm before her own taunting, demeaning words fall from her lips. I watched this with Crusader. Patricia tormented him. She made it very clear of her intentions, and he fell to her. My brother couldn't muster up the courage to push past it despite the lies that were shed.

I will not fall to her. I will not become like my brother. Crusader was a gentle giant. He fought with honor and pride, and he stayed true to himself. If I am to stay true to who I am, I wouldn't have made it this far. I wouldn't have killed three people all ready. But I am the same person. All I want is to see my family again. My eyes focus on her weapon as it comes towards me. But I see it, and I know where it's going to land if I don't move. Staggering out of the way, I chuckle as the blade misses completely. For a girl who can talk like her, she can't hit the broadside of a barn, and that will become her downfall.”Which one did you take?” Her words float through my mind bouncing through my skull before leaving my mind forever. Her words do not matter. And I will not let them stop me from moving forward.

”It doesn't matter, does it? We're both here because we've killed." I hiss through gritted teeth as I lift my own blade into the air once more. This fight is only just beginning, and I know it still has a long way to go because neither of us want to give up. My eyes narrow as I look for my mark. I look for a chance to show that I will not let this moment die. She's fueling my fire. She's adding to my flame, but she will not get to my head. A grin laced with malice twists across my face. I am not afraid any longer. A silent chuckle escapes my lips before I launch my attack.

OOC Notes
Roll

-Harbinger attacks Heather-

6cfWrteqsword
1138 -- Deep Gash on Back -- 8.5 damage +1 claymoresword

Last Edit: Dec 11, 2015 13:12:04 GMT -5 by Noah Vau - D2 (Cato)

cameron
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MY SHIT IS TOGETHER - Shy Aubergine

{ things much worse than death // finale Dec 12, 2015 17:08:25 GMT -5

Quote

Post by cameron on Dec 12, 2015 17:08:25 GMT -5

h e a t h e r

Similarly to Paige, having hope did very little for me. I had done everything I could to build myself up in my head, to give the human something to fight for, but it had led me to nothing but a sword in my back. I yelled out as the blade made contact, slashing into me, ripping flesh in a way I had never felt. I buckled over, falling to my knees, and I could hear her voice chastising me. "Get up, Heather. Do not show weakness," she had said, as I struggled on the ground, trying to push myself up, trying to find any strength in my bones.

I was rattled. Lurching forward, my stomach tried to empty itself of its contents but only had oxygen to offer as a sacrifice. Pressure seeped into my skull, a feeling of regret mixed with relief accompanying its flooding. I gagged on the bile billowing at the back of my throat, fighting to keep it down but ultimately losing to its acidic stream. Three more times my stomach twitched, with nothing to come out but air, and I couldn't even scream as my body feigned retching and my head filled with pain. Snow fell softly, dancing past my face as if there was reason at all to dance. "I said get up." I lifted my head, eyeing the woman who stood above me, towering over me purely for the sake of her own ego, to make me feel small and helpless in my lowest of points. I wiped my mouth and stood, slowly, to raise myself to her level. Our eyes were inches apart, my sick, hot breath bleeding out of me as I spoke. "I am not weak."

She laughed then, a shrilling cackle that made me step back, proving exactly the opposite of what I'd just said. Charlotte Tenley looked me straight in the eye, the eyes that still worked, the eyes that still could see the cruelty in my mother's face, the eyes that had seen the end. "Do not fool yourself, Heather." She turned away from me, a sneer too good to show someone such as myself. I watched as she retrieved her scarf from a tree limb, wrapped it around her neck, and began to leave. "You will never be anything more than a disappointment," she spat venom with her words, the sting burning more than my throat. I stood there a few minutes longer, glaring in her direction, before shuffling through the snow back to the lake ten steps away. Even then I couldn't stop, couldn't give in to her torment. Or maybe I had given in, and that was why I couldn't stop. Either way, I dove into the lake, my body instantly shouting, panicked, for warmth. I wanted to sink to the bottom of that water, sink and let myself freeze, let myself be taken away and join her. It was where I belonged. But as much as I tried, I could never bring myself to go through with it. I chopped the water, turning my head to breathe, and kicked my way across, my mind as numb as my limbs. But I didn't cry.

He pulled the blade from my back, but I knew it wasn't Harbinger that had struck me down. It was my mother. It always would be.

His voice broke in, deeper than my mother's but never as frightening, and I hated him for it. I needed answers, not cynicism, and he was going to give them to me one way or another - whether by death or concession was yet to be determined. He was big, but I was a queen. Funny how it took me years to consider myself as such when I had been taught to act like one all my life; but here, in the Arena, I truly was. Beretta's skin adorned my crown, the mark of the beast resided upon my breast, and I was not weak. I was not weak and I would prove it to her, for once and for all, and she would have no choice but to watch and listen to the sounds of my strength. She wouldn't be able to turn her head from my direction.

So again, with all the virulence of my mother, I asked, "which one did you fucking take?"

attacks harbinger
mD|HcaWQglaive
its a miss (((((:

glaive

Last Edit: Dec 12, 2015 17:09:54 GMT -5 by cameron

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I wish Cato didnt die

{ things much worse than death // finale Dec 12, 2015 18:35:53 GMT -5

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Post by Noah Vau - D2 (Cato) on Dec 12, 2015 18:35:53 GMT -5

This girl standing in front of me is all that's left. The blood of twenty-two others stain my hands even though I've only taken three. Those three stain my memories. The last look on their face. Their smiles, and knowing that family is mourning makes it somewhat rough, but all I want to do is return home alive. I've never wanted it more than now. I didn't want it until Annora's face glared down at me from the night sky. All I wanted was to bring her home, yet it seems I wasn't capable of doing it. Chloe stood before me, my own friend, and I struck her down because I was angry. I couldn't deal with seeing my district partner dead. I couldn't handle it. Killing Chloe hurt more than I ever imagined, but I've made a promise to myself to keep her in my heart. Then was district four. How did she not kill me? I should've died, yet somehow I found my strength to keep going. I had accepted my fate, however, Crusader kept me going. Then it was the other district four tribute. I've seen him so many times, and he's gone down a warrior. A strong being, and he's someone I'll never forget as long as I live.

A twisted grin twirls across my face as blood slowly pours from her body. I take a step back as she falls forward onto her knees having some sort of fit. Perhaps this is it. She's weaker than she's ever been. I don't even know what she's doing until she randomly mutters words into reality, but even then it doesn't make sense. I watch as she stumbles around helplessly. She asked me again who I killed. Which one did I end? It honestly doesn't matter. It doesn't matter anymore because soon one of us will wear them on our shoulders for the rest of our life. It's not something I want. I don't want to keep living this nightmare every single day. I don't want to have to carry them around with me, but my will to see my family and friends again keep me going. I had given up the moment my name was called. I knew I didn't stand a chance, but here I am today fighting in the last fight knowing that for one of us, our attempts were futile. Nobody wants to die, but this is the hunger games, and killing is the only option we have.

"It doesn't matter who I took. It'll never matter because whoever gets out of this will carry them for the rest of their life." I try to keep my voice calm as her blade swings towards me one more. But I move out of the way before it can reach my skin. My body feels weak, yet my mind is strong. It's what's keeping me going right now. This entire game has been about making my family proud. Elidor. Tamron. Navya. All of them have gone through my mind at least once this game. They've never stopped encouraging me to keep going. Lifting the sword into the sky, I look around taking in my surroundings looking for the best route to attack. This is it. It's life or death, and I'm choosing life.

OOC Notes
Roll

-Harbinger attacks Heather-

kTXT4lyzsword
1020 -- Shallow Cut on Forehead -- 4.5 damagesword

Last Edit: Dec 12, 2015 18:37:56 GMT -5 by Noah Vau - D2 (Cato)

cameron
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MY SHIT IS TOGETHER - Shy Aubergine

{ things much worse than death // finale Dec 14, 2015 16:44:40 GMT -5

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Post by cameron on Dec 14, 2015 16:44:40 GMT -5

h e a t h e r

Two attacks in a row failed to make contact with the brute. Two times in a row I'd been so sure I was going to take him down, claim him as my own and I had ended up so miserably short. He hit me again, this time a slice across the face, cutting through the layer of Beretta's skin as well as my own. I was wrong. She was right. I was weak.

She had always known that about me. Charlotte was sure from the moment I was born that I would never be what she wanted me to be. I came out with failing lungs and a barely beating heart, and from that moment on she treated me like a disgrace. How dare I exit her body and embarrass her, after all her hard work and public humility over gaining weight, after all that she had done. And she took it out on me every day. Under the guise of training me, the notion of being an extraordinary woman, being well-respected and highly regarded. She had me fooled. It was under her tutelage that I learned everything, but it was in rebellion to that authority that I became myself. Secretly planning birthdays, stolen moments of whimsy, stopping to smell the flowers - all things that I was promptly reprimanded for if caught, but things that were so worth it. So very worth it.

She had owned me for so long. My youth was hers but the rest of my life was mine. It was all mine.

Beretta's skin fell to the ground before me, but I did not fall. Not this time. Harbinger spoke to me then, but I couldn't disagree more with what he said. I would not leave the Arena with twenty-three more stories to tell. I would not carry all of them on my back and I wouldn't allow myself to be weighed down by the burden of their deaths. I wouldn't be like some of the Victors I had seen in the training center, fattening themselves up or smashing beer after beer into their faces. I would walk out of the Games more alive than ever before, carrying only Daria, Rowdy, and Tyler with me, but not the way Harbinger seemed to think. He spoke with a sense of pain, whereas I would be carrying my friends with pride, with love. I would march my way into the Capitol and parade my wounds for opening me up, for teaching me who I was. I would be fine.

Nothing she could do now would ruin that.

attacks harbinger
LsbQoJNRglaive
shallow cut right forearm, 3.5

glaive

Last Edit: Dec 14, 2015 16:46:01 GMT -5 by cameron

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{ things much worse than death // finale Dec 14, 2015 18:55:30 GMT -5

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Post by Noah Vau - D2 (Cato) on Dec 14, 2015 18:55:30 GMT -5

It's hard to stand here knowing that I have to kill her or die. Yet it's enough to keep me going. To know that I'm so close only brings a bittersweet feeling. All of these tributes will always rest heavily on my mind. Chloë, Beretta, Kitty. Oh how I miss them so much right now. I wish they were here in my place because they deserve it so much more than me. Turning on Chloë was a horrible mistake, and even to this moment I regret every second of it. And I didn't even have the courage to stay by her side as she died. I couldn't bring myself to think about losing her, but reality slapped me across the face the moment her face appeared in the sky. To go through life not keeping them alive would be a disgrace. It wouldn't do anything except push me further and further away from a human being. All twenty-four of us are humans. But only two of us are standing right now. Me and her. District seven versus district eleven. Just like the sixty-ninth games. History repeats itself, and soon the world will know the outcome once more.

It amuses me when she doesn't speak. Perhaps what I said hit her hard, and I hope for it. I long for her mercy, and only if she gets to watch the games will she see the fight I had before when I stabbed the girl in the eye repeating what Kirito did last games. I watched him many times since the reaping. I just hope I made him proud. Biting my lip, I watch as the blade slices into my arm. Blood trickles from the wound, but it's nothing compared to what I experienced many times already. The wounds haven't healed, and I doubt they ever will because a part of me has vanished in the games. The moment I struck Chloë down, my world collapsed around me. The roots of the ground are slowly dragging me under with each passing second. How can I remain true to myself in a mess like this? How can I promise someone something so huge? It's terrifying, and I have nothing more to give except my life. Everything rests here. Right now. In the midst of the storm trapped in a place where nobody cares anymore. But I care, and I will always care no matter what happens. I just refuse to let anyone else bring me down.

I turn my gaze to her wondering what she's fighting for. Something other than her life. Something has had to keep her alive this long. But I don't ask anything. Speaking will only slow me down. It'll give her a chance to swing again, and that isn't allowed until I've swung once of my own. Shaking my head at her, I lift the sword once more. Part of me wants to be like Crusader and give up right now, however, the other part of me wants to kill her. I want the blood once more, and that scares me more than it should. But I won't hold back anymore. One of us has to die, and it has to be her because I am not ready. The question is, who in here was ready to die? The answer is simple, nobody was ready to die; some just chose to live longer than others.

OOC Notes
Roll

-Harbinger attacks Heather-

K9Y6xAOGsword
1005 -- Block -- 0.0 damagesword

Last Edit: Dec 14, 2015 18:57:24 GMT -5 by Noah Vau - D2 (Cato)

cameron
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MY SHIT IS TOGETHER - Shy Aubergine

{ things much worse than death // finale Dec 16, 2015 15:17:34 GMT -5

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Post by cameron on Dec 16, 2015 15:17:34 GMT -5

h e a t h e r

I could hear his lips turn up, shifting from a grimace to a grin. For a moment I was terrified of his confidence, terrified that my sight would finally be a hindrance, that he would take my life and leave me and my friends here, dying in this Arena, our spirits rotting away from our bodies. He would go about his life as a Victor thinking he could carry all of us, but that could never be. No matter how hard he tried, he could never give Tyler or Rowdy back to their brothers, he could never give Daria the life she deserved. That was on me. I had to live for them. Harbinger thought he could leave here and carry all of us with him, but he wouldn't begin to know how to carry me. And he wouldn't want to. I was not something that could be just stacked on to the end of his list. I was much more than that. The fear that crept over me left as quickly as it came, though -- I could smell the same fear on him. He was not as sure of himself as he wanted me to believe. And that was enough for me to give me back my fight.

He swung at me but this time I was ready. I ducked, hearing the blade whoosh past my head. Spreadsheets gripped my hair tightly as I dodged the brute's sword. She nestled her way into my hair, hiding out there, her tiny heartbeat pitter-pattering against the back of my skull. I stood back up, a little bit away from him, and smiled. Someith had been right about him. He was a rook after all.

"Don't underestimate the rook, Heather."

He never looked me in the eye. I sat across from him, the chess board between us seemingly stretching miles and miles. The distance we shared was something much closer than anything I shared with Charlotte and I cherished it. I enjoyed sneaking into his room when I could to feel the pendulum of our relationship swing side to side, coast to coast. Most people would want their father to love them, to look at them or hug them or have real conversation with them, but I didn't need that. Anything with him was more than I got from her.

My dad grabbed his rook and slid it towards me, a disinterested "checkmate" sent my way. I laughed, childish and amused despite everything, and reset the board. "One more time!" I cheered; he replied with a grunt and flicked a pawn forward.

The game went on for a while. He always took more time than needed to move a piece and I always made my move in seconds. A similar board as the round before laid before us, and he said once more, "don't underestimate the rook, Heather." But I hadn't that time. I had learned after years of chess with him that the rook was more powerful towards the end. I knew that the rook would easily take down the knight, and a king was no match for a surrounding tower. But what the rook wasn't good at was defending from pawn promotion. I had set myself up to become queen, hiding behind nonchalance and lighthearted behavior. He hadn't suspected me - no one could have - and so taking him by surprise was all the more satisfying.

As I went in for the throne, I saw a glimpse of emotion light up his face; seconds later, the usual apathetic expression returned, his features dimming.

"Don't underestimate the queen, Dad." My grin could have powered the Capitol's electricity for years.

That rang true still today. I wore my smile like a warm winter's coat, shielding me from the elements and the enemies headed my way. I gripped my glaive, pointed it in Harbinger's direction, and left my grin there for the world to see. "I'll ask one more time, Mr. Castle." I knew he was scared. I knew I wasn't. I was not weak, like my mother thought, and I was never to be underestimated. I hoped he was watching, hoped he could see his daughter beaming across the chess board. I hoped he could see me call out checkmate. "Which one did you take? And don't give me that pretentious 'it doesn't matter' shit, either." Momentarily I lost my smile, my venom taking hold of me. I needed the answer. I needed to know. I pushed my face back into one of eager joy, and readied my weapon once more. "The truth, rook. I need the truth."

attacks harbinger
HEHj3Uotglaive
shallow cut 3.5

glaive

Last Edit: Dec 16, 2015 15:19:02 GMT -5 by cameron

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{ things much worse than death // finale Dec 16, 2015 15:56:13 GMT -5

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Post by Noah Vau - D2 (Cato) on Dec 16, 2015 15:56:13 GMT -5

Over and under. Left and right. That's all this seems to be anymore. Fighting and killing. Living and dying. It's all a faint memory. A chance to show myself that I can push past anything the Captiol throws at me. I've fought in this place. It is day nine. Eight nights I've slept here praying I wouldn't wake up in a different world. Yet somehow every morning when the sun rose, I was on my feet allowing myself to carry on. The will to return home is the only thing keeping me going. But I can't even think about the future. It's impossible, and it's possibly filled with a lot of pain, but even the weakest wouldn't allow that to stop them. I don't care about the honor and glory or anything that comes with winning. I don't want to become some celebrity. I don't want my name remembered by everyone who's living. No. I want those who have died to be remembered. I want the twenty-two who have died so far to live on in the hearts of the citizens, but it won't happen. Once the games end not a single person cares. I saw it with Crusader. I saw how life went on leaving us all behind.

Thinking of Crusader has kept me going as well. I remember his journey very clear. Every single step of it; even the fight that eventually killed him. I remember how Patricia taunted him making him emotional. I remember the words she said to him about how she killed his friends. I remember him becoming emotional and trying to fight as hard as he could, yet he couldn't overcome the emotions living inside of him. He couldn't overcome it, and eventually gave up throwing himself out of the games. My lips twist further across my face. Perhaps that could come into play right now with her. She wants to know who I killed, but not knowing is making her visibly emotional. Perhaps I can keep her like this just like Patricia kept Crusader. Maybe she'll keep throwing herself at me with moves meant to kill. I keep my lips sealed as she tells me again to tell her who it was that I killed. I could tell her, however, that seems like the answer she wants. So I decide I won't say a word.

I look at the blood pouring from her body. I look at the two lifeless bodies lying next to me. I shift my gaze back to her as I casually shake my head. Ending up like one of these isn't an option. I have come too far to give up now. I stare the girl down like a predator waiting for the perfect chance to attack its prey. I can feel the monster growing inside of me. I feel it's violent chills pulsating through my veins while it tries to take over my body. Cracking my neck, I lift my sword as I slowly circle around her looking and waiting, but I can't wait too long because time is of the essence. Hoisting it higher and higher into the air, I keep my mind blank blocking every single emotion away. Nothing will bother me now. Nothing will compare to the storm raging around me. All I can do is attempt to calm it.

OOC Notes
Roll

-Harbinger attacks Heather-

qq6aJCiOsword
1135 -- Deep Gash on Right Bicep -- 8.0 damage +1 claymoresword

Last Edit: Dec 16, 2015 16:02:00 GMT -5 by Noah Vau - D2 (Cato)

cameron
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MY SHIT IS TOGETHER - Shy Aubergine

{ things much worse than death // finale Dec 17, 2015 19:37:11 GMT -5

Quote

Post by cameron on Dec 17, 2015 19:37:11 GMT -5

ooc: warning pre-reading this is absolute shit and im sorry

h e a t h e r

He didn't respond. He gave no inclination one way or the other. And it infuriated me. I had fought so hard for them, so hard to keep them alive. I blew the fire, I fanned the flame, I kept us burning bright for so long, and to have that blaze dim so close to the end of the night was eating me alive.

But they were counting on me. Harbinger couldn't be allowed to falsely carry us through the world. I couldn't let him drag our ghosts behind him. I had to stop him. I had to be the one. I had to be the one to reach the top rung and push myself to the roof. I had only been on the roof once before, and it was nothing that exciting. The wind was a little rougher, the sights a little better, but mostly it was any other view. The first time I had been sent by my dad, just as a way to get me in trouble with my mother. He knew she would catch me and he wanted it, but I listened to him anyway. I listened and I pulled the ladder out, extended it to the second story, and climbed.

It was nothing unlike what I had been doing in the Games. Each day I made it up a few more steps, closer and closer to the top, pacing myself along the way so I would never overdo myself. Looking down wasn't fun. I tried to avoid checking the ground beneath me, but the higher up I got the more tempted I was to look down. Finally, once I reached the top, I let myself glance down, but that was enough to do me in. I stumbled and I fell, I fell all the way to the ground, the progress I had made over the duration of my climb being undone in a matter of seconds, just as Harbinger had done to my chance in the Games. I was pissed at myself more than anything.

I knew he was just avoiding the answer to get under my skin, and I hated him for it. But I hated myself for letting it work. And I hated my father for sending me up that ladder just to laugh when I fell, when I broke my arm in two places and my mother still made me go through my training, still made me balance teacups and walk on my toes. Narvila had painted my toenails before I left, a lively green that probably matched well with the scenery of the Arena I had been able to witness before my fateful blinding. And there was that time that I tried to sneak out and she shined that flashlight in my face, it was so bright and blinding and I fell down the staircase on my hurt arm, and that's when Harbinger swung and slashed right into that very arm.

I screamed.

I screamed like I had when I fell from the roof, when my past caught up to me and weighed me down and sent me straight to the ground. I screamed like I had the second time on the roof when I called her name, when I was desperate to find her no matter how she treated me. I screamed and I screamed and I screamed and there was a rat somewhere in the house. Nobody had actually laid eyes on it, but food had gone missing from the pantry and things began to have small holes in them, tiny bite marks appearing over everything we owned. We knew it was a rat. We set up traps around the house, hoping to catch it, hoping to stop it from eating away at our resources. But I was hesitant. I did not understand why we had to hurt the rat when it was just trying to survive like the rest of us. I did not understand why the rat brought out such vehement hatred from my parents, or why they were so hellbent on catching it in a painful wooden trap. When the rat ran across the kitchen one day, straight towards a piece of cheese positioned on a trap, I did not know why I raced after it and jumped on the trap first. I did not know why I let the trap clamp down on my toe, why I let my toenail polish chip away, but I did know why I let the rat escape. I knew it didn't deserve to die just for getting in the way of my survival.

But now I wished I had let the rat die in that trap. I wished I had killed it myself because now he had grown, he was huge and bulky and killing me and I couldn't stop it. I let him hinder my survival when I should've stamped him out myself. I was caught once again in the rat's trap, and I screamed.

attacks harbinger
xMq|ADEbglaive
deep gash right thigh 8.0

ooc: see what did i tell u what the fuck is this post im sorryglaive

Last Edit: Dec 17, 2015 19:38:42 GMT -5 by cameron

Noah Vau - D2 (Cato)
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last seen Nov 14, 2024 5:29:49 GMT -5

I wish Cato didnt die

{ things much worse than death // finale Dec 17, 2015 19:59:20 GMT -5

Quote

Post by Noah Vau - D2 (Cato) on Dec 17, 2015 19:59:20 GMT -5

Her screaming only made me happy. I knew what I was doing was working. It was getting to her drawing her from the fight. Part of me felt bad, but I wouldn't give in. Seeing her in pain was hard, however, only one of us can win. Only one of us will walk out of this alive. Yet her screaming was harsh and broken as it bounced through my skull. Perhaps I'm stronger and braver. Perhaps I can finally end what I've started. I set out on a mission when my name was drawn. I've gone through hell although this girl has gone through the same hell. Our friends have died. But she didn't kill her own ally. Chloë was more than an ally to me. She was more than that. Chloë was my friend. Someone I cared about so much more than myself. Someone I wanted to spend forever with. It's a shame that her forever was here in this horrible place, and what made it all worse is knowing that it's my fault she's dead. It's my fault. It's always my fault.

I try to move as she runs towards me, but I can't move as the blade of the weapon slices against my leg. Grimacing in pain, I don't say anything. Biting my tongue I hold the anguish and pain back because it's nothing compared to anything right now. I was knocking on death's door just the other day, and here I am standing in the very last fight of the games, and I will give the game makers a fight they've been wanting. Blood pours down my leg as I fight to block out the screams coming from her lips. None of it matters right now. None of it, and I know I can't let it get to me. I can't let her steer me away from my goal of keeping my promise to Elidor. I just hope he doesn't hate me right now. I hope he doesn't think I'm a horrible being for what I've done because truthfully I feel he would be doing the same right now. He would be fighting for survival just the same as me. Though his heart may have gotten in the way. Elidor has a future, and my future rests on what happens in these last few seconds of the game. Either I'll be spending the rest of my life with my family and friends, or I'll be pushing daisies with Crusader.

Dropping my gaze, I try to calm myself down. Panic is trying to take over my body because the time is ticking away second by second. It's slowly ending as its trying to stand still for the rest of eternity. Taking a couple deep breaths, I allow myself to exhale every tension in my body. I try to make sure that this fight sets me apart from who I've ever been. But I don't move yet. No, I lift my sword into the air, and I swing it a couple of times trying to find the perfect grip. I want to go home. I want to live a life outside of this arena. I want to show the world that district eleven is a force to reckon with. But most importantly, I made a promise to Elidor. I promised I would return. I told Navya the same thing. I said I would return, and that they shouldn't worry about me right now. Nobody should because I'm capable of caring for myself. Steadying myself, I take one last deep breath allowing it to fill my entire body before exhaling it all into the frigid wind once more.

OOC Notes
Roll

-Harbinger attacks Heather-

BmPEWM9ksword
1099 -- Severed Left Ear -- 8.0 damage +1 claymoresword

Last Edit: Dec 17, 2015 20:07:39 GMT -5 by Noah Vau - D2 (Cato)

cameron
Retired Staff

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last seen Oct 3, 2024 17:10:15 GMT -5

MY SHIT IS TOGETHER - Shy Aubergine

{ things much worse than death // finale Dec 21, 2015 11:58:14 GMT -5

Quote

Post by cameron on Dec 21, 2015 11:58:14 GMT -5

so I'll fill this in later but I haven't been home to post and I don't wanna hold up ratmas

but this will be a nice long post about her mom and dad and the bagpipes and letting everyone down and spreadsheets is gonna honk cry and she's gonna see chatter and be all "I'm sorry... I tried" yep

attacks harbinger
x39Puuadglaive

deep gash left forearm 8.0glaive

Last Edit: Dec 21, 2015 11:59:33 GMT -5 by cameron

Noah Vau - D2 (Cato)
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I wish Cato didnt die

{ things much worse than death // finale Dec 21, 2015 12:24:15 GMT -5

Quote

Post by Noah Vau - D2 (Cato) on Dec 21, 2015 12:24:15 GMT -5

I don't know what to expect anymore. Going into the games I expected so many things. Never once did I imagine I would make a friendship. I never imagined myself living past the bloodbath. I never imagined myself turning on my own friend and killing her. I never imagined stabbing the girl from four in the eye. I never imagined killing the other man from district four. I never imagined myself standing here in the finale slowly slaughtering a girl. In a way, it pains me. I never wanted to kill anyone. I never wanted any of this, but who did? Even those who volunteered surely didn't want to die. I just can't understand why they would throw themselves into the face of danger. Sure, the careers would volunteer because they want to kill because it's all they've been trained for. They're cold hearted murderers, at least that's how I was starting to see them, but even that assumption was wrong. Dying leaves an impact, and seeing how so many of them tried hard to return home only makes me realize the love they have for their family and friends. My family knows how much I love them. They know how much I care about them. But the one person who doesn't know is Chloë.

Slowly sliding my backpack from my shoulders, I remove the carved turnip from inside. Tears stream down my face like they've done so many times this game. My biggest regret is killing her. It was a horrible mistake, but even if we would've both made it to the finale one of us would've eventually killed the other. I lift the turnip into the air. Each breath catches in the back of my throat before I finally allow myself the chance to relax. "Chloë, you'll always live on inside of me. No matter what happens. Even if I die right now, I'll always remember you forever. I look forward to seeing you again. Thank you for showing me what it's like to have such an amazing friendship in a place where I originally thought nobody cared." Right as soon as the words fell from my lips I felt the sharp end of a blade slicing into my arm splitting my piece of armor in half. Letting out a sigh, I slowly replace the turnip back inside my bag knowing what I have to do. I know that I have to keep going because she would want me to. I can't give up, and I will not carry the weight of the world any longer. I'll carry on the relationships that I've made. I'll try to show the world that I won't let the weight devour me, but it all seems impossible now when twenty-two souls scream at me begging me to keep them alive. Soon it'll be twenty-three.

Swinging the backpack straps over my shoulder, I hoist the sword into the air. All I can do is stare at the girl in front of me. I'm so close to returning home to my family. To Navya. To district eleven. But I don't want to kill anymore. I've killed three people. I didn't want to. I didn't want to kill anyone, however, I have no option. I can't just lay my life down for her. I can't let her stand up and strike me down because I know it's what she wants to do. I know she wants to kill me, and that keeps me standing guard. I let my guard down for a moment, and I almost lost my arm. I can't do that anymore. I have to fight. I have to remain strong. Closing my eyes for a moment, I wipe my tears away with the palm of my hand before tightening my grip. I've done it before, and I'm not afraid to do it again despite everything screaming inside of me. I open my eyes, and I exhale all that's inside of me before I swing the blade once more praying I make no more mistakes.

OOC Notes
Roll

-Harbinger attacks Heather-

02KHA2Hysword
1159 -- Shallow Cut on Left Thigh -- 3.5 damagesword

Last Edit: Dec 21, 2015 12:33:02 GMT -5 by Noah Vau - D2 (Cato)

Noah Vau - D2 (Cato)
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last seen Nov 14, 2024 5:29:49 GMT -5

I wish Cato didnt die

{ things much worse than death // finale Dec 24, 2015 16:20:20 GMT -5

Quote

Post by Noah Vau - D2 (Cato) on Dec 24, 2015 16:20:20 GMT -5

It felt like an eternity. Like the entire world slowly fell apart as I swung the sword for the very last time. Time froze, and nothing happened. Nothing made sense as I fixed my eyes on the blood pooled below us. I stared at the corpses. District four and district one sprawled out on the ground. My gaze shifts towards seven. Blood stains her body, and for a split second I can see the life fleeing her body. I can tell that it's just a matter of time before she falls over. The sword slips from my hand, and it lands on the ground. My entire body shakes as I try to keep myself balanced, but even that doesn't work because the ground shakes beneath me. It's rolling beneath me as I fight to remain standing. But not even that makes sense anymore. Nothing does. Every single person in this game has died. From the time of the bloodbath when I saw the boy from seven stabbed in the eye, till now. Soon another cannon bellows through the arena. Chills run across my body. Every hair stands on end as I try my best to not break down sobbing right now. Violent howls escape my lips as I slowly lose my balance and falling forward as all twenty-three cannons echo through my mind over and over again.

I can see their faces. I can feel them all staring at me trying to make sure I live for them, but I can't. Catching my fall, vibrations of pain shoots through my arms and into my shoulders. Slowly rolling myself over, I force myself into a seated position. Wrapping my arms around my knees, I slowly begin to rock back and forth. This has to be a dream. A terrible nightmare that I won't ever wake up from. Maybe if I close my eyes long enough, I'll wake up in my own bed at home. But it won't work because none of this is a dream. I fought through the games. I killed people, and now I have to go on living. I don't want to carry their weight for the rest of my life. I want to make them proud to show them that I am not some weak coward I was once made out to be. No, I've reigned victorious of the games. I kept my promise to Elidor. I told him I would return home, and when I get home I'm going to slap him across the face for ever doubting me. But even that won't compare to the pain that's registering inside my mind. All I wanted was to live. I didn't want to kill anyone. I didn't want to betray the friendship I made with Chloe. I didn't want to do any of this, but sadly I had no other choice.

"The victor of the seventy-first hunger games, Harbinger Rhodes!" Loud violent shrieks fly last my lips as the celebrations begin. Tears pour from my eyes as my hands ball into fists. They shouldn't celebrate this. They shouldn't be happy that I lived because I murdered innocent people. The wind from the hovercraft sweeps above me, and I can hear it growing closer and closer with each passing second. Slowly, I remove the carved turnip from my backpack, and I quickly place it inside my uniform allowing one arm to hold it in place before tossing everything else off to the side. Somehow I will preserve this turnip for the rest of eternity. I'll make sure that it never dies because it's a memory I want to keep alive forever. I watch as the ladder descends from the bottom of the hovercraft, and I slowly scoot myself along the ground over towards it until I'm finally close enough to stand. Hoisting myself up, I grab the ladder with one hand, and I'm frozen in place as it slowly lifts me into the sky. For twenty-three individuals, this is their final resting place, but for me it's a nightmare waiting to return even in the darkest hours.

Staring at the ground, I scream again, but nobody cares anymore. Nobody can hear me. I'm alone trapped in a world where very few people care anymore. I'm stuck in a place where the wrong is right and right is wrong. But before I'm pulled completely into the hovercraft, I make a promise. I will always remember every single one of you for the rest of my life. I will honor you. I will make you all proud. And I will carry you all with me for as long as possible. I won't forget what has happened. But know, I will go on living. I'll live my life to the fullest, and I'll always be thankful for the chance I had to get to know each and everyone of you all in some way or another. Just please, don't hold me accountable for too much right away. Because I'm going to fall. I'm going to mess up, and I'm relying on you all to help me. I would say goodbye, but this isn't a goodbye because one day I will see you all again. The door closes below me, and darkness slowly begins to devour my soul. And I know it's only the beginning.

THE END OF THE 71ST HUNGER GAMES

OOC Notes
Acknowledgements

Muffins, Kire, and Cameron: We had such a well written finale. I didn't know what to expect in a four way finale. The worry for our tributes were intensified so much more than a normal finale. I couldn't sleep. I'm grateful to have shared the experience with all three of you.

Kay and Aya: Thank you both for another fantastic games. I'll admit that it was hard from the very beginning not being able to count on your support due to you two being GM's. I felt like I couldn't open up to the both of you from games stress and that's what made everything so tough on me. Not being able to talk to two people I can count as my closest friends.

Cameron: Baenanan :bananan: Where do I begin with you? Kay told me several things about you and introduced us to each other. I'm going to cherish the many talks we've had during the games about literally any and everything. You got me into Survivor and that is now one of my favorite shows. I could go on and on about why I love our friendship. Thank you for everything you've done for me.

Ems: I couldn't have done this without you ems. When I felt the games getting to me, we would talk and everything would be better in an instant. Rather than the games stressing me out, I knew that just talking to you about anything be it Kentucky stuff, video games, Wrestling, or anything that happened to cross our minds, I knew that talking with you would help drive out the stress.

Lalia, Anzie, and Dee: Cat Pack! What a great alliance we four made. I couldn't have asked for better allies and I love all three of you.

Rade and Arrows: My mentors! I loved reading Katelyn and Kirito's posts throughout the games. I look forward to how our trio interacts. I knew I could count on your guys support throughout the games and that made everything so much smoother.

To anyone else I may have missed I am sorry!

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{ things much worse than death // finale

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