all that glitters is gold | nice, ron vs dragged queens

The gaping portal to a hellscape was not what Minx had in mind when he said campsite. Sable's bravery was both terrifying and inspiring; she was fearless when she walked into dangerous situations, and Minx didn't yet know how to feel about that. Stumbling into four tributes should've been a death sentence, yet Sable acted as the threatening one. They were fortunate the group was not feeling hostile - they would've been sacrificing themselves otherwise. Sable's ability to remain calm and confident inspired him to muster bravery, but how far would she take it? What if they got themselves killed for going overboard?

They had to exercise caution. Bravery wasn't everything, survival was. Knowing this, he was hesitant to enter the mines during sunset. The cavern was dark, uninviting, and crawling with mysterious shadows. What little light remained illuminated shimmers of gold that decorated crevices. Wealth found in a worthless place. No amount of gold in the world could save them, and what would it matter if they won? Winners of the games would be showered in more than just gold.

The caves were cruel in that sense. You could have this, but you won't achieve it. Death whispering doubt in his ears, making him feel smaller and smaller as they ventured further into the mines. It was good shelter to hide from tributes and terrible weather, but everything about it was ominous. Every shadow made him jump. He wasn't built for this sort of adventure and it was clear in the way he curled himself up that night, spear at his side. He had to wonder; would he wake up tomorrow morning, or would someone kill him in his sleep? Was that considered mercy?

It didn't matter because he did wake up the next day. Appendages missing, arm in a sling, yet he had managed to survive the first day. He as rather impressed with himself - and with Sable, who failed to let the arena bother her in any way. He also had water under his belt. Perhaps their beginning wasn't so bad after all.

He froze when he spotted something moving. Red eyes glared at him from the shadows, a figure emerging slowly. Larger than any animal he had ever laid eyes on. "Oh, that's a big dog," he mumbled, backing away slowly. What a dumb thing to say. Were these to be his last words? "Nice doggy..."

It howled and he held up his spear in defense. Those snapping teeth would surely bite him or Sable in half.

"Sable! We need to go!"

Tell me somethin', girl
Are you happy in this modern world?
Or do you need more?
Is there somethin' else you're searchin' for?

My sword barely managed to graze the mutt's skin, and I mumbled a few curses under my breath. Hopefully the cameras didn't pick it up, I can only imagine the talking to Everly would give me when I'm home if they did. It was frustrating to think how I trained for so long, but I can do such little damage. It's even more frustrating that after preparing us to battle to the death they send some stupid mutts to off us.

Fucking cowards.

Anger begins to consume me, but all of the sudden, time slows down as one of the mutts leaps from the ground and onto Minx's chest, knocking him to the ground. My body wants to do something, but I am frozen, solid as stone.

Skin cold as ice.

He manages to kick it off of him. Briefly, it squeals in pain but then begins to growl again. Cold sweat drips from my forehead as he calls my name. I should have done something. Anything. He doesn't know it, but I let him down.

But I promise myself it won't ever happen again.

"Hey! Wanna play fetch?" 

I'm hoping to draw its attention as I ready my sword again. I'm already tired of their shit.

"Yeah, not exactly my dream spot for a vacation either,"

A laugh escapes my lips as I turn to face him. Then I swing my sword.

I'm falling
In all the good times I find myself
Longin' for change
And in the bad times I fear myself

song: shallow

Red was his least favorite color. He could see it through the lens of rage in his eyes, spear thrusting forward like a viper. Out the color spilled from the creature's guts and onto the cavern floor. Out the color spilled from his own abdomen, hot like the morning sun waiting for them outside. He didn't live to hurt animals but he would if he had to. He didn't take pleasure in its yelps or cries; the only victory he felt was the possibility of leaving this place alive. The poor creature was trapped just like he was, yet he could not feel sympathy for it. He was too angry at his own wounds and at himself. And at Sable, who watched him fight helplessly.

Perhaps she was not his savior at all, but a knight holding him up as a shield. He hadn't considered that his weakness could be her strength. Cast him out like a fishing line and everything would come to feed, while Sable sat at the sidelines watching, breathing, living.

The thought made him livid.

"Yeah, not exactly my dream spot for a vacation either," she added. He had nothing to say to such a casual statement. He was the one that had gotten bitten, he was the one with the missing fingers, the broken arm, the bleeding stomach. He couldn't focus on anything but his own paranoia - what if she's using you?

Right now, that was outside of his control. What he had in his power at this moment was the ability to hunt these coyotes down before they hunted him first. At the very least, he would do that.

Tell me somethin', girl
Are you happy in this modern world?
Or do you need more?
Is there somethin' else you're searchin' for?

I am so sorry i had two projects when I have time tho I’ll do this xoxo

I'm falling
In all the good times I find myself
Longin' for change
And in the bad times I fear myself

song: shallow

filler until i'm home from work