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Post by Kulvar on May 15, 2013 17:03:55 GMT -5
Caleb held still, keeping his attention not on the fake-Eris before him, but on the pair of Pans deeper in the shadow. He felt his heart pick up as he heard first Olivia, then Aurora speak. He anxiously waited for the fake members of his alliance to retreat. He held his breath through the exchange between Psyche and the fake-Pan. And then the boy Caleb'd told he would lead was released and tossed forward. Caleb's previously frozen posture broke and he sprinted the few feet to Pan, a hand going across his shoulders. Caleb couldn't describe the relief he felt that the boy hadn't had his throat crushed or neck snapped by the nasty Mutt. "Are you alright?" Caleb knew it was a stupid question to ask. He'd seen bruises like this before. District Six had two methods of execution: firing squad and hanging. The latter took longer and almost always resulted in a bruise like this. He shook his head and patted Pan's back once more, standing up and offering the boy his arm. After he got Pan to his feet, he turned back to Liv, crossing the distance to her and drew her into an embrace. That was too close for comfort. He'd not enjoyed it, and holding her was about the only thing that helped to quiet his racing mind. After a second, he broke back, looking at the others. He studied them each. "I think... I think the Game Makers might be trying to tell us something here. I'm not quite sure what, just yet, but certainly something significant."He was, in truth, quite certain as to the message: Don't trust your friends. It was a subtle reminder that only one of them would make it out alive. It was something that he intended to get changed. He bent his head close to Liv, saying quietly: "I need to ask you something."Now was a good time... The tension was high and the cameras would be on them. Hit points: 24/24 Defense: 5 + 3 armor (3 chest) Willpower: 5/5 Caleb’s Mantra of the Dead: Lazuli Somnus
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CuteLikeMurder
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on May 15, 2013 19:33:11 GMT -5
“Here, someone help with him,” Olivia said, going to Pan without question. She began to ease his pain without a second thought. “Aurora, can you help me with him?” She gave Caleb a worried frown and then nodded. “As soon as I'm finished here, I'll find you...” Liv smiled. “I always do.” She treated Pan quickly. “The aspirin will help with the pain and it will help you sleep.” Liv told Pan before she got up to speak with Caleb. “Aurora, will you set up a watch schedule?” She waited for Aurora's answer then joined Caleb. “Don't blame yourself for what happened, Caleb. You made the right call.” Did someone just tell Aurora Noland, Victor of the Quarter Quell to be silent? The look on Aurora's face said that it wasn't something she was used to hearing. How dare someone tell her to be silent? Didn't they know who she was? Aurora took a deep breath and let it out. Pride. That was her pride talking. She must be strong. Aurora nodded to Olivia. “I'd be happy to help.” After they were done healing Pan, Rory nodded again. “I'll be happy to help with the watch.” Once Olivia went off to see to Caleb, Aurora looked at the other tributes. “Get some rest everyone. I'll help with the first watch. If anyone wants to take the second and third tell me now before going to sleep. I'll fill the waterskin during my watch.”
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Post by Kulvar on May 15, 2013 20:02:21 GMT -5
Caleb watched her work on Pan. She was a healer, he wasn't. He wished he were... but, if wishes were fishes and all that jazz. He smiled softly, knowing she was who he wanted. Who he needed. Her words, as he held her, touched him. If she felt he'd made the right call, then he'd made the right call. Pan was still alive, injured, but alive and that was all that mattered on that front. He knew it, she knew it... And all this circular thinking isn't getting you closer to asking her,[/i] he told himself. The butterflies were back in his stomach, busily trying to find their way out as he studied Liv. The seconds seemed to drag out into minutes, into hours, into lightless days. He was stricken with a sudden nervousness that made the whole encounter with the rats, with the fake people, with the careers and bloodbath pale in comparison. He knew what he wanted. He wanted Liv. He knew what she wanted. She wanted him. They'd talked, and planned, and plotted and schemed, and discussed and dreamt of this moment. Not here, and not now, of course. But certainly this moment was one they'd both wanted and waited for. He, in that moment as he cleared his throat, was terrified of the red-headed girl before him. He was fearful she might tell him 'no.' He was horror-stricken that she might tell him 'Not now, Caleb.' His nervousness was written clearly on his sweaty brow, and worry creased forehead as he disengaged from her. He cleared his throat once more. "Miss Noland, Psyche, Pan... A moment please. Everyone, I need your attention, as I want you, ask that you, be witness to this," he said. For the first time ever, he sounded almost desperate instead of strong, with tendrils of nervousness punctuating his tone. He slipped a hand into his pocket with the velvet bag and opened it, slipping the band with a diamond in it out and into his palm. He looked at his alliance, his friends, his witnesses. And by the One he was nervous as he returned his gaze to Liv. He knew that the whole of Panem would be watching, barring a fight going on between the Careers and... something, and knew that his family and hers would see him. A large part of him had wanted this to be private, just between him and her and her grandfather Seamus. But that wasn't to be, and he wasn't going to stop now. He reminded himself that he had Seamus's blessing as he pulled his hand from his pocket. He knelt before Liv, setting his bow down and taking her left hand gently in his left, as he held the ring up with his right at such an angle that it would easily catch the light from the fire. He took a deep breath, and in a loud and proud voice, one that didn't crack like it had moments before, asked her something he knew he'd ask from the moment he'd seen her that cold November day: "Olivia Moira Tully, would you do me the greatest honor in all this world... make me the happiest man ever to walk her fields and stand before the One," he took a breath and continued, "Will you marry me?"Hit points: 24/24 Defense: 5 + 3 armor (3 chest) Willpower: 5/5 Caleb’s Mantra of the Dead: Lazuli Somnus
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CuteLikeMurder
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on May 18, 2013 13:24:02 GMT -5
Caleb had a flair for the dramatic. That was what Olivia was thinking when Caleb spoke. And just like any performer, it wasn't a thrilling drama without an audience. Caleb might have been okay with their witnesses. However Olivia was a spy... well spy-in-training. Before the Games her life at times depended upon her ability to stay hidden and out of the spotlight. Caleb's plan and his giant alliance put them on center stage and Olivia was beginning to... not hate but loathe this part of her life. In a perfect world, Olivia and Caleb would be at home, preparing for their futures together. Caleb would probably have some job where he can still get that safe adrenaline rush he so craved. And Olivia, well without a Capitol to rebel against would simply used the gifts she inherited from her mother and be a healer. However, there was a Capitol to rebel against. And they were in the Hunger Games. Her eyes widened when Caleb went down on one knee. Her face reddened. Olivia glanced at the others and then back at Caleb. And that's when she saw the ring. Olivia always knew this day would come. She always knew that Caleb would ask her to be his forever. He'd have insisted on a big grand wedding. She would have insisted on it being a small affair. Family and friends, she'd tell him, knowing full and well that Caleb would invite the whole of District 6 because they were all his friends. She wanted to smile at that thought. But instead years welled in her blue eyes. “You're a dope...” Liv said, pausing at what he was asking her. “But you're my dope. A part of me believes I was born to be your wife. So of course I'll marry you.”
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Post by Kulvar on May 19, 2013 20:10:08 GMT -5
Caleb's stared at her. A dope? But.. the pause. His features sank for just a moment. She was going to say 'no.' He was always doing the stupid thing, but this... He wanted to have her for-- And there was the answer he'd hoped for, the answer he'd waited and wanted to hear for years now, even if he hadn't expected to hear it for years to come. This was a change to his plans he was okay with. The fact that either of them could die at any given moment tended to accelerate plans. He hadn't expected or intended to sleep with her before they were one before the One, but he certainly didn't regret it. And he hadn't intended to have an audience of tributes, and the rest of Panem for that matter, but that too he didn't regret. He couldn't afford to have such regrets right now. He let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding at her sweet words. He was her dope. He was her soulmate and partner. And he was happy. In that moment when she'd said yes, the world melted away for him. He slipped the ring from Mel onto her ring finger and rose before her. He wrapped her up into a tight embrace, holding her to him. He murmured, quietly, next to her ear: "I love you so, Olive. So very much."And with those words uttered, he broke back just enough to slide one hand up to slide against her cheek and settle near the back of her head as he drew her into a kiss. He kissed her with a wanton passion and desire typically reserved for the most private and intimate of settings. He held her to him, breaking the kiss with a heated murmur to her, "Thank you... so much."Hit points: 24/24 Defense: 5 + 3 armor (3 chest) Willpower: 5/5 Caleb’s Mantra of the Dead: Lazuli Somnus
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Post by Seryna on May 19, 2013 21:03:32 GMT -5
The Camp "Oh, Olivia..." Eris smiled, finally relaxing a twinge over the confrontation with the mutt.
"Thats so amazing... congrats to you both. You deserve to have had this somewhere in your home, but I'm so glad you managed to put this together, Caleb. "Oh..." Willow sighed as Olivia accepted Caleb's proposal.
"Congratulations, Olivia; Caleb!" The girl from seven moved to hug Olivia, pausing with her arms out to see if Olivia would be receptive.
"Haha. Dope." Psyche laughed, enjoying the phrasing. "Congrats!" She said cheerily. The girl nestled into the sleeping bag, watching but keeping warm.
"Oh, look at the ring." Eris scooted closer, holding her hand out for Olivia's hand.
"Lets see."
The young men drifted towards Caleb. "Congrats." Pan extended his hand towards Caleb for a hand shake. "Engagement..." How'd you pull that off? seemed to be in his eyes, but Pan smiled. There wasn't a lot of joy here in the arena, and this brought genuine celebration.
"Wow." Isaac stated as he walked over to Caleb's side. "Think you surprised her." A smile to Olivia with a friendly smirk. Isaac extended his hand towards Caleb.
"I'm happy for you both."
Star and Titan continued to slumber. Dupioni and Theodore smiled and glanced towards each other. Dupioni sheathed her knives and approached, extending her hand to Caleb and then Olivia. Theodore remained where he was, watching the black.
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Post by Seryna on May 22, 2013 14:31:03 GMT -5
As people reacted to the good news of Caleb and Olivia, parachutes began to drift down. It seemed some mentors chose to wait a few hours... A small parachute with only a glass bottle with a note inside drifted to Caleb. "Congrats! Say 'train' when you need us back' ~ LorneThe bottle would be good for storing 12 ounces of water... District 3Eris evaluated her parachute and un - packed her parachute items and her bag, preparing to re -pack her pack to make it more efficient. "I almost forgot." Eris placed seven muffins and twelve cookies on top of her parachute and pushed them out towards the others. "This was found in the ship. Please, feel free to take what you need. Kris and I will take this one." She indicated the muffin that she had tested the hour before. Eris placed her gorget around her neck. The girl from three nestles the sleeping bag around the slumbering Kris to keep him warm. The utility knife was tucked on the outside pocket of the pack, the clothing placed inside. The sewing kit and muffin went in last. Her shurikens and water skin remained on her belt. "Should we give Star and Titan one of the blankets we recovered?" She asked Caleb and Olivia quietly, likely overlooked in the excitement of going through the bags. District 5 Titan reached forward and took two of the cookies, handing one to Star. Star accepted the cookie and ate it before looking within the parachute that had arrived for them. She pulled out a black fleece pull over and handed it to Titan. "Is there one for you?" He inquired, waiting for Star's affirmative and for her to don the tan fleece pull over. Star zipped her pull over up tight and evaluated the parachute. "Oh, look." She said happily as she pulled out a tool apron. It was made of leather and had twelve pockets of various size. Some contained tools that Star and Titan evaluated. They passed a hammer, box cutter, a hand held saw, tape measurer, sanding paper block and level back and forth before deciding how to pack them into the apron. Titan donned the apron, taking out the hammer and the box cutter to hand to Star. Star took the hammer and box cutter and placed the items on her belt. A pair of improvised weapons..."Hand me your skins." Theodore requested. He filled both the skin that Star had left the Bath with and Titan's new skin with the cooled water that they had boiled earlier, handing it back to them. He noted that the skin that Star had was half full. The two had been drinking sparingly during the night. "Drink up. We have a whole lake over there."District 7 Willow reached over and took a muffin and two cookies. She placed the muffin in her pack and handed the second one to Pan. She reached out to the parachute and pulled it closer to her. She pulled out a quiver of fifty arrows with a smile. "Good. I didn't get that many." The next item was a [+1] Helmet (Eyes, Head) that she donned. She passed the parachute to Pan. Pan pulled out a warm fleece pull over that he donned immediately, relieved at the warmth. The second item glittered in the fire light as he pulled out a [+2 axe]. "Oh, nice." He grinned.
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Post by Kulvar on May 22, 2013 22:47:57 GMT -5
Caleb smiled, slowly breaking away from Liv as the others moved over and began the congratulations. He took Pans hand in a shake. He took one small shake of his head, his smile bright and genuine. "Thanks a load."He'd pay Mel back a thousand fold if this got th em both out alive. He smiled at Isaac and took his hand and shook her. "I know... Isn't it wonderful?" He looked over his shoulder at Liv, the smile staying on his face. He drank in the joy that the proposal had brought, not just to him, but to everyone present. He was glad that they'd been there to witness it. He smiled and looked to Dupioni as she approached and took her hand. "Thank you... thank you all for being here for us." He smiled and slipped closer to Liv once more. He reached up and picked the parachute out of the sky. He tugged it open and smiled at the gift from Lorne. A moment later he slipped the note into Liv's hand. He bent and whispered to her, brushing his lips against her ear. "Our mentor approves of us."He smiled and slipped his arm around her shoulders. He tossed his drained skins to Theodore. "Thanks. Make sure they're purified."He held Liv long enough for the Theodore to return with the water. He added it back to his belt before stooping and picking up the waterskin to his belt. "I think it might be time for everyone to get some rest... It's been a long day. Unless you guys have an objection, let's set up three sets of watches: Liv, Rory, and I'll take the first... We haven't been injured and are likely the freshest... Isaac, Eris, Psyche, Kris, mind taking second watch? Tha'd leave Theodore, Pan, Willow, Star, Titan, and Dupioni on third watch."He looked between everyone who was awake, and smiled. They were friends, and witnesses to his and Liv's engagement. "We'll get second watch up in a few hours, rest well..."
Caleb slipped into the sleeping bag next to Liv. He wrapped his arms around her. He rested his head on her shoulder, reflecting on the day's event. He felt his thoughts settle on the sole death today. Lazuli Somnus had died because they stayed at the Bloodbath for too long. His arms tightened around Liv as he let out a soft sob. He'd nearly lost Pan as well. He shuttered, trying not to think of the deaths that would come. He shuddered again, drawing a shallow breath. "I'm... sorry..."He didn't mean the words for anyone in particular, but knew Liv would be able to guess his intent, even as tears streaked his cheek, and dampened her fleece. He said quieter, and this one to himself, though Liv would be able to hear him as he spoke, "The best we can do is remember the fallen... District One, Lazuli Somnus."Hit points: 24/24 Defense: 5 + 3 armor (3 chest) Willpower: 5/5 Caleb’s Mantra of the Dead: Lazuli Somnus Caleb Hunnington rolled 8 dice to "Perception" 6,2,5,5,1,5,2,9 (1 successes) Caleb Hunnington rolled 8 dice to "Perception" 7,9,3,6,8,2,2,2 (2 successes) Caleb Hunnington rolled 8 dice to "Perception" 2,1,5,4,7,6,2,9 (1 successes)
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CuteLikeMurder
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on May 23, 2013 14:07:27 GMT -5
Between the proposal and everyone swarming around her, Olivia didn't couldn't even begin to process all of this. She showed off her ring to those who wanted to see it. Trying to smile, to be happy about this, because she was, but the weight of a future that would never be kept her grounded. Liv couldn't pretend that she was fine and everything would be okay, because everything was very far from okay. When everyone went to sleep she took the time to lay out their sleeping bag away from the fire. Liv collected the waterskins and placed them near the fire ring. In the morning they'd drink water and then refill them again before they left. Then Caleb snuggled next to her and she smiled, it faded the moment she heard Caleb's sob. She looked at him and he apologized. She nodded, touching his face. “May he spend forever bathed in the light of the One. So shall it be.” She crossed herself, holding onto Caleb's hand and then kissed his hand. “Come on, we can't keep watch here.” Olivia Tully rolled 7 dice to "Perception" 3,1,3,2,3,10,1,5 (1 successes) Olivia Tully rolled 7 dice to "Perception" 10,7,6,2,7,4,4,4 (1 successes) Olivia Tully rolled 7 dice to "Perception" 6,10,1,5,7,3,6,9 (2 successes) Aurora smiled at the young couple. Wondering if these two won if they won't be forced to partake in the ritual torture that Jan, Ember, Gable and herself would be subjected to next year. “You two look well-suited to the engaged life...” “You're engaged too aren't you?” Olivia asked. Aurora shook her head. “Not yet. I think my Gable is much like your Caleb, Olivia. He's waiting until he can ask my father and I'm of age. I hope he's watching. You two remind all of us that we're not promised tomorrow that today is a gift. I suppose that's why they call it the present, eh?” Olivia nodded, walking the perimeter again. Aurora could hear something coming toward them. She hoped up but she'd be too late. “Olivia! No!” Arms already had Olivia around the neck. Olivia was dwarfed by the man that held her. “Caleb!” Olivia's voice was high with fear. “Relax, youngling...” the Victor of the First Hunger Games spoke. “It hurt worse when you struggle. The best thing is to just let this happen.”“Leave her alone!”“And if I don't?”“Then I will kill you.”“Oh? You and a bunch of children? Not bloody likely, girl. But... maybe you will kill me. But not before I kill a few of these tributes first. And especially not before I kill her. You see? She's already turning blue. All I have to is squeeze, Aurora. Are you will to sacrifice her? Or any of them?”Aurora took a deep breath and let it out. “A trade then. Her for me.”“Well that is interesting... I was hoping for just a tribute. But the famed mentor from District 7... well that is a better quarry.”“Enough talk, do we have a deal?”Silver nodded. “You come to me first.”Aurora shook her head. “Release the girl first.”Silver smirked and then pushed Olivia toward Caleb. “Deal.”Aurora walked over to Silver, unarmed. “Caleb, Olivia do not try and find us. Whatever happens, whatever you see... DO NOT come for me.”“You better not listen to her, boy. Because I'm going to kill her. But first I'm going to have my fun with her. However, if you try to follow us now, I'll just slit her throat. And then I'll take my pound of flesh from the pretty little thing in your arms. And I'll make you watch.” Silver said before he and Rory disappeared toward the Horn. Aurora Noland rolled 8 dice to "Perception + Danger Sense" 3,7,4,1,7,8,4,2 (1 successes) Aurora Noland rolled 8 dice to "Perception + Danger Sense" 2,9,1,10,9,7,4,1,8 (4 successes) Aurora Noland rolled 8 dice to "Perception + Danger Sense" 2,9,6,10,5,5,1,9,9 (4 successes) Silver rolled 5 dice to "Stealth + Will" 4,6,3,10,2,10,7 (2 successes) Silver rolled 5 dice to "grapple Olivia" 2,10,7,2,10,2,7 (2 successes)
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Post by Kulvar on May 23, 2013 17:20:30 GMT -5
Caleb nodded to Liv, crawling back out of the sleeping bag and standing watch as she and Rory talked. He smiled, though it was a muted, sad smile. Laz was still on his mind, and even the talk of the recent engagement and the discussion of a gift. It was likely that that caused him to miss Silver's approach. The world slowed at Liv's panicked shout. He turned toward her, his bow coming up, an arrow moving to the string. He had it drawn to his ear and a bead on the man's, Silver's, throat in one fluid motion. The fact he held Liv was the only reason he didn't loose. Caleb shivered. If he killed Liv, he was prepared to exact revenge, and knew that he'd have Aurora's help in doing so. "It's gonna be okay, Olive... Just breath, feel for a finger."The next bit happened faster than he anticipated. One moment there was a standoff, the next he'd released the arrow into the ground and was wrapping his free arm, he didn't let go of his bow, around Liv. He held her, and while he might look strong on the outside, she could feel him trembling, fine gentle tremors. But were they of fear, anxiety, or anger? He stared at Silver, eyes hot, lips just barely restrained from a sneer. "You would try. You would try."There would be no way he would let Silver get that close to Liv again... But Aurora... He watched Silver disappear into the dark before dropping his gaze to Liv. His eyes burned with unshed tears. "By the One, Liv... What're we going to do?"He, and this frightened and sickened him, had it in him to kill in the heat of the moment. He knew he'd regret it forever afterward, but... If it had saved Liv... and his inaction had cost them Aurora. He dropped a small expletive. Hit points: 24/24 Defense: 5 + 3 armor (3 chest) Willpower: 5/5 Caleb’s Mantra of the Dead: Lazuli Somnus
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CuteLikeMurder
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on May 23, 2013 23:06:04 GMT -5
Olivia had been reduce to a crying mess by the end of it. Even then it was silent. Her throat hurt too much to venture making a sound. There was already a darkening red ring forming around her neck. Liv looked around for a stick and in the sand she wrote: We R going 2 get her. Follow tracks come morning. Must rest now. 2nd watch. She ran her hands over the sand until she could visibly add more to their message. Tell everyone now. They can choose 2 come or not. We’re going in the morning w/ or w/out them.Liv met his gaze. She looked like she wasn’t going to back down from this. She was going to rescue Aurora. Because it was the right thing to do.
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Post by finaldisnerd on May 24, 2013 1:43:20 GMT -5
The trip leaving the Horn had been a difficult one. The shot to his shoulder throbbed painfully with each pump from his heart, which was beating like a drummer playing his last solo. He heard the cannon blast (how could he not?), and the concussive sound only served to add a pounding in his head to match the one in his arm. He wanted to know who had fallen, but there would be time for that tonight, when the Capitol made sure that each and every last citizen of Panem knew who it was. He hoped that it wasn’t one from his side of the “great divide”, but at the exact moment, he only knew that it wasn’t him, and if he stayed in the bath any longer the next one just might be his cannon. The call to retreat had been called, the plan still in motion. A flurry of bodies flew all around Kris: Caleb and Liv holding the line, Eris fighting her way out of a net, he lost track of everyone after that. The next few minutes were all a blur, and the next thing he knew he was laying on the beach with Liv tending his wound, asking about life in District Three. He wanted to make a joke about never getting shot by an arrow back home, but instead his body decided that it was done, and he proceeded to pass out. Over the next few hours, Kris drifted in and out of consciousness, never fully aware of himself in either case. He vaguely remembered a few things that he could assume were real: seeing friends getting bandages over various wounds, being moved from the Beach to the Peninsula, the smell of half a muffin being placed near him. And there were a few others that he knew had to have been hallucinations: waking up back in his bed in District Three, burying his head in his mother’s stomach as he watched his sister die again… Oh, and the fight with the two voices of his subconscious, that was definitely not real. Kris found himself running down an alleyway, the grunge and decay told him this was District Three. He was twelve years old again, and running from… Actually, he wasn’t sure what he was running from. Was it Peacekeepers? A local gang? He simply couldn’t remember, but he did know that he needed to keep running. He ran for what felt like hours, twisting and turning through the maze of buildings. More than once, he tripped over loose garbage, rats, and even his own panic, getting himself more and more scraped and bruised as he ran. Finally, after taking one major spill that landed him face first in the pavement, he found himself tattered, bleeding… and facing a dead end. He stumbled to his feet, and ran forward, feeling the wall in disbelief. A new wave of panic overtook him, and he looked around frantically for a way out. Instead, he heard the sounds of running footsteps, and dove for cover in the closest thing he could find, a half rotten cardboard box that smelled like wet dog, blood, and urine.
He sat in that box, scrunched up as tightly as he could, as the footsteps ran into the alley in front of him. Many voices shouted words that he couldn’t understand, and all he could do was watch, helplessly, as shadows danced just beyond his view of cardboard. The voices were getting more and more frantic, and sounding angrier and angrier as their search seemed to continue for ages. Suddenly, a massive shadow blocked all the light from outside the box, and Kris saw a pair of massive black boots standing before him. Terror welled up inside of him again, and he thought that he was found for sure, when a loud blast erupted from the alley’s opening. It had to have been a gunshot, but the blast was so much louder than any weapon that Kris could imagine. The shadow had disappeared from before him, but the ground where the boots had been standing where now stained with a rather large pool of blood. A scream escaped from Kris’ lips, but the sound was drowned out by the sounds of conflict in the alley. Violent shouts, the crash of crates and barrels, metal clashing with metal, his box getting tossed around like he was on the ocean. More than once, there had been a sound like rain hitting his box, but a splatter of blood on the ground in front of him told him not to think about what it really was. Shouts of pain, and what sounded like someone gargling mouthwash filled Kris’ ears, and he tried his best to cover them, and closed his eyes as tight as he could. Even then, he could not shut out all of the terrible sounds, and the feeling as things collided with his hiding place. A few more loud blasts rocked the area, Kris couldn’t help but count. Amidst all the death and destruction, counting was all he could do to keep his sanity. Two… Three… Four…
23 blasts in total, and then it was all over. The fighting must have only lasted a few short minutes, but it had felt like days. He uncovered his eyes and ears, and slowly peeked out from under the flap of his box. A female voice called out to him, ”It is all right, you can come out now.” Trembling, Kris slowly crawled out from his safe place, and into the unknown. He tried to not look at the carnage around him, but the sight was just too much to look away from. Almost two dozen dead bodies, and more blood than anyone should ever have to see in a hundred lifetimes. The young Kris lost it, and threw up all over his precious little box that had protected him so. A gentle hand touched his shoulder, and with a bright flash, the world was gone. In its stead, he found himself on top of a giant rock in the middle of a massive field of flowers. He felt like all the flowers were watching him, waiting to see what he would do next. On either side of him, two females stood watch, each with a hand on his shoulder as if to steady him as he went.
The figure to his right was a slender woman, about 19 years old, with short black hair, piercing blue eyes, and dressed in a floor length red dress, and every inch of her screamed of controlled anger. It took Kris a second, but he recognized her as Karen Falco, a friend from his childhood, but she looked great, not at all like the half-starved, recovering Morphling that he knew she had become. On his left, however, was a woman that took even longer to place, but when he did, he almost burst out into tears. She too was about 19, with shoulder-length dirty blond hair, soft hazel eyes, and dressed in a dress identical to Karen’s, but in white. A person who even a young Kris knew shouldn’t be standing there: his sister, Anne. Kris tried to speak, but he was too choked up over everything to mutter anything more than a weak whimper. Anne smiled, and gave Kris a hug, and that sent Kris into a wave of tears. He held her tight, not wanting to let go, until Karen’s voice broke in. ”Y’know that you’ll be seein’ her soon enough, right?”
Kris turned his head, and saw that Karen had climbed down off the rock, and had begun picking flowers from the field, two at a time, each from different patches. Anne stood up, gently pulled herself away from Kris, and walked to the edge of the rock near Karen.
”Must you do that now?” Anne asked, clearly very tired of Karen’s actions. ”As long’s nobody’s gonna’ try’n stop me,” Karen spat, almost seeming disgusted with her actions as well. ”One of th’old ones pricked me once, so these ones’ve gotta go, now ‘n’ firever.” Anne sighed. ”I understand how the system works, better than you, as it were. My question is that of not understanding what you are trying to accomplish by doing this with flowers here and now.” Karen brought her bouquet back onto the rock, and began tossing flowers, picked at random at Kris, one by one. ”He doesn’t get it, and he never will.” The throws had started out soft, almost playful, but as her bouquet got smaller and smaller, she flung them at him harder and harder, until the last few had actually struck him like thrown blades. Anne stepped forward and grabbed Karen’s arm, a single flower remaining in her hand. ”And just what exactly do you expect that this metaphor will teach him? All that you are doing is showing him what the world is already like. How is this supposed to help him when he wakes up?” Karen sneered and yanked her arm away, causing Anne to stumble to the ground. She walked over and held the last flower in front of Kris’ face. ”You’re still just a flower,” she whispered, and Kris wasn’t sure if she was talking to him, or the plant. ”And flowers have no power compared t’someone bigger. All it would take’s one little snap…” and snap she did. The flower between her fingers exploded, and one final blast of the canon sounded. In that instant, Kris finally woke up. It was dark, and cold; quite a difference from the warm sunny beaches he remembered being at before passing out. As the haze of sleep lifted off of him, he noticed a few more things about his surroundings, and tried to list them in his head to focus himself fully awake. One, he was in a sleeping bag, which meant that his allies had put him there. As much as he hated feeling helpless, he was glad that they cared enough for that. Two, Eris was asleep beside him. For a brief moment he found himself incredibly embarrassed. This was the closest he had ever been with another girl, and honestly, he didn’t know the first thing about her. He swallowed hard, and continued taking in his surroundings. He’d have to remember to make time to chat with her one-on-one. Three, Caleb and Olivia were awake, and seemed to have taken watch duty. He glanced up at the moon, and figured that they had most likely taken first watch. Caleb probably would have insisted on that one. Kris hoped that that meant that he had only been out for the day, and that this was their first night of needing a watch party. He looked back down to the pair, and noticed their somber moods. Four, and he was suddenly wide awake now, something was wrong. It was night, the two of them were alone, and their body language told him that they weren’t just enjoying each other’s company. Something was bothering them, and Kris had slept through it. ’Some start this turned out to be… he thought to himself, carefully extracting himself from his bedroll and making his way toward the pair.
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Post by Kulvar on May 24, 2013 6:26:55 GMT -5
As Liv scrawled in the sand and the red mark around her neck became lividly"I' obvious, Caleb, for the first time in his life, hated someone. He didn't know if he could kill Silver, probably not while he thought about it, but he certainly held no doubt that he'd not hesitate to put an arrow through some of his less vital body parts. He stared at Liv, a frown creasing his features as he shook his head. Silver'd robbed, at least for the moment, the voice of Caleb's angel and that, by itself, made the situation ever more dire. He leaned in and embraced her. "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry... You get to sleep, get some rest. We'll go in, tomorrow... This might be the divide of our alliance, but..."He paused. It'd be dangerous, and he doubted that the big ***hole of a career was insincere in his threat to kill Aurora and then do horrible things to Liv as he was forced to watch. But it was the right thing to do and doing the right, if not stupid, thing was what Caleb was terrifically good at. "I'll get the others up, you get into the sleeping bag and wait for me."He let go of Liv, turned back to the camp and saw Kris walking toward them. Were it any other time, Caleb'd be elated to see his friend and ally on his feet for the first time since the Blood Bath... Right now, it just warmed his heart slightly, and kept the bitter despair he was feeling at bay. He moved the handful of steps toward Kris to meet the boy and said, with a heavy heart. "It's good to see you're up, my friend. You're on second watch... Be careful out here, Silver's taken Miss Noland and there's nothing in his... tone that said he wouldn't come back for more. You're with Eris, Psyche, and Isaac... I'm glad you're up, Kris. We were worried for you."Caleb wasted no time in getting the others up for second watch before retreating, with a cool waterskin, to the sleeping back with Liv. He encouraged her to take a few sips before settling in to rest, not that he expected to sleep at all... And before long, he was crying into her shoulder, softly repeating his previous mantra. He hoped he'd never have to add Aurora's name to it... And he knew he'd die inside if he had to add Liv's name. Hit points: 24/ 24Defense: 5 + 3 armor (3 chest) Willpower: 5/ 5Caleb’s Mantra of the Dead: Lazuli Somnus Anne I think we're ready for Morning.
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Post by Seryna on May 24, 2013 14:26:35 GMT -5
As the second watch assembled, a parachute drifted down for district nine. Psyche pulled on a warm jacket and Isaac donned leg bracers. The two read small notes attached to thier items; securing something not seen well in thier pack.
"Nice to see you're awake." Isaac said to Kris. "How about you and I stand with our backs to the fire over here; where Silver and the fake Eris came in."
Isaac held his [+2] spear in his hand, a [+1] was secured on the back of his pack.
Psyche looked upwards at the ship.
"That'd be a good look out point." She mused. The girls - with Eris' head light on - stood the opposite way of the boys; staring out towards where the tributes would pass to reach them. Psyche held a throwing knife in her fist; Eris a shuriken.
The night progressed, with some tributes standing sentry against the night and some slumbering as best they could. Within a few hours, the amber light signaled that the sun was coming up. As the sun rose above the horizon, the temperature began to rise. As the sun continues its path across the sky, the temperature slowly rises to sixty degrees.
The tributes can now see this area in full light. The waterfall babbled invitingly. The grass patches were now kissed with dew. The scattered trees seemed green and spring - like. The mentor Silver had not returned, nor had Rory. What do you do?
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CuteLikeMurder
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on May 24, 2013 15:11:22 GMT -5
Liv woke up with a start, caught in the grips of a nightmare. With each quick intake of breath Olivia throat burned. Warm tea would have helped. But she had none here. It didn't matter. The pain wasn't forever and there wouldn't be a lasting scar. She looked down at Caleb, brushing the hair from his forehead. “It's morning...” she whispered, hoarsely.
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Post by Kulvar on May 24, 2013 19:28:21 GMT -5
It took Caleb a long time to get to sleep. Even nestled in Liv's arms, he found warmth and comfort there, but he kept playing the scene with Silver over and over in his head. When he did get to sleep, it was hardly restful. Caleb walked through a dark street. He recognized it for one of the many alleys at home in District 6. A light drizzle had made the paving stones slick with grime and muck, but that didn't stop him. He was used to walking across slicker surfaces. He was used to driving across slicker surfaces. While he'd never told Olivia he'd volunteered for driving across an oil slick before for the extra credits.
It'd bought them a nicer breakfast.
And suddenly, as he rounded the corner of a slate gray, stone building, there she was. He smiled at Olivia, dressed in the same shirt and trousers that she wore the day of her father's execution; though she was her current age. She smiled at him and he returned her smile.
Caleb picked up the pace and she turned, a coy little smile on her lips, to run from him. Caleb chased her through the tight streets of District 6, and out into the open. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he knew that the route he'd taken should have brought him out into the open air of the train graveyard.
But instead, the scene opened up onto the beach from the Arena. Liv stood before him, dressed in the finery of the Capitol: a red gown that brought out all of her best features. He smiled again, jogging toward her, though his feet now sank into the sand and she never seemed to get any closer.
Behind her, the hulking Silver rose from the ground. The career mentor dwarfed his love, and snatched her up with a single hand about the neck.
"I told you not to come, boy." Silver smiled, cruelly, at Caleb. He lifted the struggling Liv closer and slowly licked her cheek as his free hand lifted the hem of the gown. "I'm going to enjoy this one."
Lazuli stood next to Caleb. The gaping, red hole in the back of his head spoke volumes to that he shouldn't be alive, much less standing with Caleb.
"I'm sorry..." Caleb murmured. "I didn't want for you to die."
The spectre of Lazuli shrugged. He opened his mouth to speak, but only pink foam and red-tinged water spewed forth. Caleb swatted at tears forming in his eyes. He shook his head twice. "I wish this hadn't happened to any of us."
Lazuli closed his mouth and pointed over Caleb's shoulder. Caleb turned and let out another sob. On a field of grass and flowers, an otherwise peaceful, and beautiful scene, was Liv. She was stripped down to her panties, just the same as when they'd first gone skinny-dipping in the underground aquifer. But, and Caleb could see from where he was, that was where the similarities ended.
Her throat was a solid, purple and black bruise and her eyes stared unblinkingly at the sky. He didn't need to move closer to see that her chest wasn't rising and falling; that her gorgeous green eyes would never see him in this world again.
But he moved to her side anyway. Lazuli's footsteps followed him. He sank down to his knees, slowly putting his hand out and onto her chest, right between her breasts. Her skin was cold to the touch, and in a heartbeat, he'd snatched her up, cradling her torso in his lap as he sobbed hot tears down onto her cold corpse.
Caleb's heart sank as false-Pan's hands tightened around real-Pan's neck and gave a sharp twist. The sharp crack of bone told Caleb all he needed to know. He'd failed the boy from District Seven. He knew it before the cannon blast.
He moved the moment false-Pan's grip loosened and real-Pan slumped from his arms. Caleb dropped his bow, sprinting the handful of feet forward, past the false-Eris, and caught the limp, cooling District Seven boy before he hit the ground.
He'd failed Willow...
Caleb ignored the retreating Doppelgangers. He didn't care that they still had the chest, or Pan's axe, that was meant for Aurora. All he cared about, in that moment, was the sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. His eyes brimmed with hot tears as he stared down at Pan in his arms. Caleb tried, in vain, to close the boy's eyes before he half-dragged, half-carried toward Aurora.
He'd failed Aurora...
He lowered Pan down before her. Tears spilled over Caleb's eyes and down his cheeks, and he didn't have the mind to wipe them away. He slowly moved Pan's arms to cross over his stomach, clasped just below the navel, and tried, once more, to close the boys eyes. "I..I'm so... I'm sorry, Miss Noland.. I'..so sorry.. sorry..."
He hung his head, tears flowing freely now as he cried without stop. He was breaking. Pan's death had broken him, at least for the moment. And in that moment, he knew he didn't want to be there.
He'd failed his Alliance...
"I.. I'm sorry... his eyes.. they... won't stay... I don't know your... I'm sorry..." The words came out in a hurried rush. He pushed himself up, with a hiccup and staggered away from the body and from Aurora and the fire and everyone else. "I...I..I.. ned..need some air..."
He staggered out into the darkness, collapsing to his knees a few feet away, staring at his hands and sobbing uncontrollably. They'd trusted him to see them through this alive... at least for a while. At least until they had to split... and he'd failed them. Oh the One... Why? Why him? Why now? [/color] Caleb, in that moment, understood that the games changed people. Changed them or killed them... And that he was, quite likely, far too good for them.
The world slowed at Liv's panicked shout. He turned toward her, his bow coming up, an arrow moving to the string. He had it drawn to his ear and a bead on the man's, Silver's, throat in one fluid motion. A cold certainty crept into Caleb. Silver had Liv, and he couldn't hesitate. Not now, not ever again. He loosed the arrow and Silver dropped Liv as he staggered back, a silver arrow protruding from his throat. He snatched at it, hands quickly becoming wet with hot, red blood as he gurgled. Caleb, a touch slower this time, drew a second arrow and let it loose, pinning Silver's right hand to his neck. The first victor died gurgling, drowning in his own blood.[/blockquote] Caleb jerked awake from his last nightmare. He stared up at Liv, and let out a soft sob at the sound of her hoarse whisper. He lifted a hand, stroked her cheek, and pulled her into a kiss. A deep one, as though he'd not seen her in weeks. As though he'd lost her forever and found her just this morning. He let out another soft sob as he loosed her. "Thank the One you're still here, my love..."He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight for a few moments longer, savoring the feel of her against him, warm and living, and forcing the dregs of his nightmares away. "Don't leave me... ever..."Hit points: 24/24 Defense: 5 + 3 armor (3 chest) Willpower: 5/5 Caleb's Mantra of the Dead: Lazuli Somnus
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Post by Seryna on May 26, 2013 12:13:35 GMT -5
As the others slowly came awake, the district fives hurried away; enjoying the sunlight. Two of the oldest trees fell prey to Titan's saw as he carved off edge branches. He gathered the wood near the fire, remarking. "Too green to burn, don't try it. But we could make arrows. Torches. A club. Any one want to help me find longer pieces? A fallen log?" A glance towards Isaac. "I could make spears."
Star remained by a tree; the tallest one. She climbs up a few feet and measures the bough of the branches, looking hard at thought.
Willow, Dupioni and Theodore move to the lake. Theo's pot is filled with water and he returns to the fire, boiling the mornings ration of purified water. Willow and Dupioni dip their toes in the lake, investigating the water.
"Fish..." Willow noted. Both girls bring their weapons with them. Every one is soon peeling off the warmer layers as the temperature warms to sixty. Isaac and Psyche work on neatening camp, adding the last piece of wood to the fire and rolling up sleeping bags. Eris neatens her area with Kris and hands him his half of muffin, eating hers.
"Every one, eat the cookies and muffins. They won't keep and we need energy." Eris, Psyche and Isaac turn, looking around the area. Searching for something. Or someone.
"Is she hunting?" You overhear Psyche ask Isaac.
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CuteLikeMurder
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on May 26, 2013 12:45:04 GMT -5
The kiss surprised Olivia. It didn't take long for her to forget that shock. For a moment she allowed herself to forget the danger that surrounded them. For a moment she allowed herself to find comfort in the arms of a lover. She allowed herself to be human. Tears welled in her eyes but Liv still held on to Caleb as if he was the only thing anchoring her to the ground. When the kiss broke she was half-gasping, half-trying-to-keep-herself-from crying. What happen with Silver last night shook her to her very core. For the first time since she had volunteered, Olivia had tasted death. She thought she had come to terms with the idea of dying, especially of dying in the place of a loved one. But she didn't realize how utterly terrifying dying would be. Liv didn't like that feeling. And she still didn't know how to process it either. “I won't... So long as you have breath in your lungs I'm not going anywhere,” she whispered to Caleb again. “We'll need all of the weapons we can gather, Titan,” Olivia finally said to loud enough so people could hear her, clearly. The way she grimaced let everyone know how much speaking hurt. Liv took off her outer layer of jacket, gathering her waterskin and Caleb's. She handed it to him and drank from hers. Again, a grimace of pain washed over her face. But she didn't stop until the waterskin was emptied. It was only then did she get one of the muffins, broke it into two pieces, and handed one to Caleb with her thanks to Eris. “Thanks...” she looked at the trio and then frowned. “Who are you talking about? Aurora? Because we have something to tell you all... Silver... the mentor from two he came into camp last night and he took her.”Liv looked at Caleb, hoping he would fill in the details.
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Post by Kulvar on May 26, 2013 14:00:27 GMT -5
Caleb nodded and embraced her again. He held her tight to him, drinking in her scent. After a few moments, he broke away, paying attention to the others around him for the first time that morning. He let Liv speak, drawing attention their way and frowned when she grimaced and winced with the effort. He mirrored her, drinking the water from the skin she handed him. He'd almost lost her last night and it took real effort to draw his gaze away from her and direct it toward Psyche and Isaac. "Miss Noland was taken last night by Silver," he picked up where Liv trailed off. "He came an hour into our watch... Snatched Olivia up by her neck and threatened to make off with her. Threatened to... Miss Noland took her place and left with Silver. We're going to go get her back. I can't ask you to go with us... But we're going, and I would appreciate for any assistance any of you could provide. It's the right thing to do."His voice had the steel of a leader to it as he spoke. Steel he didn't feel. Steel, he likely didn't look like he had, with puffy, red eyes and a visage that spoke that he'd not slept the night through. But he held himself with a gusto that said he was going to go through with this no matter what, even if it were just him and Liv doing so. He looked at his alliance and hoped to the One that this wasn't their dividing point. He slipped his arm around Liv's shoulders and ate the half a muffin she'd given him, taking a little solace that she was still here... She was still here and with him. Hit points: 24/24 Defense: 5 + 3 armor (3 chest) Willpower: 5/5 Caleb’s Mantra of the Dead: Lazuli Somnus
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Post by Seryna on May 26, 2013 14:54:43 GMT -5
"He's a bold jerk, isn't he?" Eris remarked dryly. She glanced to Olivia with concern. "Are you all right?" "A first victor???" Theodore exclaimed followed by several curses. Dupioni inspected both of her knives, stating. "We'd better go, then. Longer he has her, longer... well, it can't be good."
Eris, Isaac and Dupioni adjusted thier bits of armor somewhat nervously and made preparations to leave. "Where to?" Eris asked.
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CuteLikeMurder
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on May 26, 2013 15:11:25 GMT -5
“I'll be fine...” Olivia replied to Eris. “He went back toward the Horn. But there's more to this story... Aurora said not to follow us. Silver said he'd kill if we don't. So like Caleb said, you don't have to follow us. But we're going. I'm not going to let Aurora die for me.”Olivia put on her armor and clipped her weapon to her belt. She put the medkits into a backpack. “If there are people staying behind we need to come up with a code. Something that when you say it we know it's you and not a double. It'll have to gave ever so often.... I know... Flash. If one of us says 'Thunder' to another, that person responds with 'Flash.' That'll be the first code word for now. We'll change it when we get back.”
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Post by Seryna on May 28, 2013 14:44:45 GMT -5
Willow hugged herself as Pan put a comforting arm around her. "Could she be dead?" Willow worried "No." Pan said quickly. "She's not dead. She's Rory."
Willow did not look convinced. Pan frowned and rubbed her arms, giving Olivia and Caleb a worried look. "We're going in with you. "
"You'd better hurry." Mel stated as he and Jasper walked towards the tributes. "Mathias is pissed. He says we have twenty minutes to get to Rory and get her out before he sends in someone to clean up the mess." "He wasn't specific on how he's going to do that." Jasper emphasized.
"Lets go." Psyche declared. She and Isaac began walking towards the Beach; the shortest way to the horn. Willow and Pan were right behind him. Pan held his extra [+1] axe towards Kris.
"Can you use this? Or would you rather give it to the mentors?"
Eris handed one of her rolls of shurikens to her mentors, who smiled. "You haven't done bad." Jasper remarked. "Time to make memories, kid. Don't die."
All of the tributes fell in step towards the Beach. Jasper led the way and Mel stood beside Olivia.
"Are you all right?" He asked quietly. "That was terrible. Lorne feels awful about leaving."
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Post by Kulvar on May 28, 2013 16:59:20 GMT -5
"She's not dead. She can't be dead," Caleb said as he dressed for war. He was glad that the actions hid his features. He couldn't stand to think of what might happen to his psyche, his morale, if Rory was dead. The image of Silver gurgling on his own blood with Caleb's arrow in his throat flashed through Caleb's mind. Aurora deserved to live, as did Silver... but if he had to choose, he'd choose Aurora. He straightened, tightening his armor straps and making sure his quiver was situated for easy access. "Thank you, Willow, Pan." Caleb looked to Mel and Jasper as they approached. "Glad to hear that we're not the only ones upset over this little happenstance. Kris, would you hold the fort here with... I don't want to put you at risk, and you still seem to be recovering from yesterday's wounds."He waited long enough for a reply, before turning with the other tributes and mentors and making their way away. He sidled into step with Mel and Olivia. "There wasn't anything any of us could do... And it was bad, but... we'll survive. Mel... Thank you for getting me the ring. Means a lot to me. And for standing with us now."Hit points: 24/24 Defense: 5 + 3 armor (3 chest) Willpower: 5/5 Caleb’s Mantra of the Dead: Lazuli Somnus
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CuteLikeMurder
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on May 30, 2013 0:22:22 GMT -5
Olivia was focused. A stern look on her face. Silver wanted to bring them to heel. Well Olivia Tully wasn't so easily shaken. Not anymore. The worse had already happened. And now she had a steely resolve that felt unwaverable. Having everyone with them was a welcomed relief. Still, would their numbers be enough to take out one aging mentor, Olivia wondered. Like Willow Olivia wasn't convinced that Rory was fine. But that wasn't going to stop her from going into the Horn and retrieving the mentor that had nothing but kind words from everyone she interacted with. “Good.”She looked at everyone. “Everyone follow in behind me and Caleb. If Rory's alive we can't risk him hurting her further. If she's dead... Silver's dead...”Olivia glanced at Caleb and hoped he understood. She didn't want to kill but she'd murder Silver for being a dishonorable old brute that murdered someone whose only crime seemed to be being too... (what was that word they used for Jace Colton two years ago?)... noble. “Don't blame yourself. Aurora in this situation because I wasn't careful enough. I won't be making that same mistake twice.” she told Caleb.
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Post by finaldisnerd on May 30, 2013 16:31:43 GMT -5
Saving Aurora would be dangerous, Silver himself had promised that. There was something far bigger at work here than just a simple grudge between past Victors. That said, the intangible spoils of a successful rescue here would incredible: Saving a crowd favorite, getting on Jan Colton's good side... If they could pull this off without getting killed, they would be sitting pretty with the sponsors. And this star-crossed lovers thing, especially after a marriage proposal? Liv and Caleb would have all the attention on them, and that was potentially a very good thing.
He shook his head at Pan's offer. "Thanks, but there are plenty of others here who could put that axe to far better use than I could. Besides, I think you'll need all thet help you can get if you're planning on fighting Silver." He turned to Caleb. "I don't know why the Bath hit me as hard as it did, and I'd only be a liability to you out there, so I'll stay and help hold down the fort. You guys go and bring here back. Just... Don't get yourselves killed, all right?" He had a nasty feeling that this wouldn't be the last time he'd have to tell Caleb that, but such was the way of the Hunger Games.
He turned back to Willow and Pan, and gave them a stern look. "Aurora is both your Mentor and your friend, that much is painfully obvious. If you two are going to bring her back, you'll need to keep your emotions in check, and don't do anything stupid. You can bet that Silver will try and goad you into the open; don't let him win."
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