shampain .| {peaches & cream + star squad; day one}

Strong hnds lifted me up and tossed me into a dinghy. I know those hands almost better than my own now, the way they grip me so firecely. Kaiser runs, sun shines on his head. He wears it like a crown.

I bend my head over my knees, fingers curling against the skin of my face as it drains of colour.

The boat bumps along the hard ground but Kaiser doesn't seem to care, strong legs pumping as he runs without thought or plan, just ahead.

Basil and Lace run alongside us, right up until we hit another alliance. A spark of recognition hits me as I stare between my fingers, Ree. A memory of the dining hall on the fist night in the training center. It feels like a week ago when I stood beside a buffet table, eagerly stuffing pastries into my pockets. Something in me couldn't comprehend that they'd be there all week. I'd never seen so much food in my whole life.

Ree had joined me and we'd laughed a bit at all the food. We'd snuck under a table and split our spoils, the concept of death far away on that first night.

Now he sits, tenderly massaging a broken jaw.

I hop out of the dinghy as Kaiser talks to some girl. I think her name is Lowe or something, linked to some victor that won when I was really little and my parents had still wanted me. I don't feel afraid about Ree. He's my friend and maybe he's gonna kill me in a day or so but after the bloodbath I almost feel nothing at all. There's no fear, no anger. I just see his broken jaw.

"Hey Fer," I say, squatting down in front of him, "Let me."

I pick a couple of sticks up off the ground and snap them in halves, working at creating a frame for his broken jaw. My memory of how to fix one is a mish mash of the gang doctor using whisky and duct tape and then what I've learned in the training center this week. Not really the best but better than nothing.

"So do you offer to fix every guy's face you see or is it just me?"

"I only fix my friend's faces."

He hands me a roll of bandages in payment and I sit back in the boat, turning the roll over and over in my hands. What if giving me this kills him?

Everything we do from this point on matters.

I stare up at the sky as Kaiser figures shit out with emberly and try staring at the sun. It burns a hole into my head and when I blink, I still see it in tones of green and red behind my eyelids. I turn my face away and blink rapidly, trying to get my vision back when I see it.

A parachute falls a little way away from everyone.

Climbing out of the dinghy, I walk underneath it, trying to meet it where it lands. I bend down in the dirt, fingers dancing over the large capsule it carries, looking for an edge. It opens at my touch, a soft hiss filling the air with a click.

You're very cute! Let's meet after the games? - Love Derrick Huntington

My fingers wrap around a soft, brown coloured backpack that's got a bear making up the bag. I stare at it for a solid moment, embarrassment creeping its fingers carefully over my cheeks. I'd never hear the end of this from the guys at home. Inside, there's a matching plastic bear canteen.

I set them both aside and glare up at the sky.

"Never happening, you gross fuck."

The backpack also holds a weird contraption with a tiny window and a little package with paper that has visual instructions on how to put it inside the thing. After a moment of playing i realize it's something like a camera. I've never seen one. I shove it in the backpack, maybe one of the older kids can show me how to use it.

At the bottom of the capsule is a wooden baseball bat wrapped in a thick layer of spiked wire. I pick it up and heft it carefully in my hands, standing to take a couple of practice swings. It feels good there, a solid weight.

I nod at the sky begrudgingly and turn back to stow my stuff in the dinghy.

Weirdest fucking day of my life.

[titus uses f/a for -3 on ree fer]
[titus receives a roll of bandage from ree fer]
[titus receives a spiked blunt from sponsorship]
[titus receives an empty canteen from sponsorship]
[titus recieves an instant camera and 15 sheets of film from sponsorship]
[titus receives a backpack from sponsorship]
[attempts to catch koala]
sSxJxAqr1-4

He dragged the boat across rocks and dirt until a parachute bonked him in the forehead. He hadn’t heard its signal over the echo of his own rapid heartbeat and racing thoughts. He wondered where all of the tributes were, and whether or not he could find them and kill them at this moment. Everyone had scrambled from the bloodbath by now, and although he had fled empty-handed all he needed was bare fists. Breaking necks and crushing skulls were two of the simplest killing methods learned as a career, yet they were so underappreciated.

He was glad to see the sword, however. A curved masterpiece that glimmered beneath the sky’s misleading sunlight. He grinned at the reflection of himself, eager to replace it with blood. It was only a matter of time.

In the midst of his fantasy, a lovely and familiar faced appeared beyond the trees. It was the Lowe girl, and she walked with a purpose. His mind debated for a split second and decided upon the simplest route – don’t attack. For once his self-control was rewarded; she had a decent trade offer for him. He didn’t know why there was a giant fucking boat in the middle of this arena, but pushing it would be no issue. The medical supplies would be worth it.

It was ironic. Years ago he had silently judged his brother for wasting time in the arena by stalling deaths and participating in funerals or whatever the fuck they were. Now he was repeating said stalling actions, but with a boat. Also, I’m getting something out of this.

An easier ticket to the crown, right? Because even Kaiser could admit that medical supplies were a necessity. He wasn’t a medical professional, but every career – even the idiots – knew what an infection could do. It was nasty shit.

He didn’t mind the effort. It was somewhat of a strain, but not enough to create fatigue. The boat was now stationed near a hot spring, a solace after the disappointment of no kills. Patience was unnatural to him; it twisted is being into knots just thinking about waiting until tomorrow. Even the idea of champagne couldn’t satisfy him. Drinking didn’t sound like a good idea anyway. Fuck, did I actually just think that?

There were other ways to have fun.

He smirked at Basil and called her over. ”Pour that fucking champagne on me!”

She probably hated him by now, but that was okay.

[ dars ]