The Hunger Games-Roleplay discussion

Thanks to Ambz for this arena.


Your Stylist has dressed you in a dark t-shirt and a thin jacket with a zipper and pockets on the inside and outside. The jacket is reversable, one side protects your skin from the rain and the other keeps you warm, and the jacket has a hood. You were also given fresh, unused runners and dark pants that match your jacket. As you are rising from the ground, you shield your eyes from the afternoon sunlight, and take in your surroundings.

As usual, you notice the Tributes make up a perfect ring around the gleaming bronze Cornucopia. Supplies and dufflebags litter the ground inside the ring of Tributes, taking on more value and use closer to the bronze horn. The next thing you most notice are the mountains in the North, monstrously tall and snow-capped near the top. Few coniferous trees are scattered here and there, and there are many steep slopes that, if taken a wrong step, could cause you to plummet to your death.

In the East, you'll find the main water source. It is a very large lake, surrounded by large, towering trees that are perfect for climbing. But beware; You aren't the only living creatures around who need a drink now and then. Muttations lurk in these forests - poisonous critters, vicious birds, ferocious wolves and bears. Several trees are home to many of these creatures.

The South houses the tall grass. It's easy to get lost here; unless you get a compass, you could be wandering these plains for days, until you shrivel up and die of starvation and dehydration. But this isn't just something useless part of the Arena; If you're lucky, you might find a hidden entrance to the tunnels. The lead down quite a ways, a the trek is long and tiring. But it is worth it - there is a connection of small streams here and there, and there are few defensless creatures down here for a juicy meal. It's easy to get lost here, too. But at least you have water and food.

Finally, the West. You'll immediately notice the gorge. It is very dry, with dozens of crevices and caves in it's walls. What seems to be rats scurry around. But if you try to provoke or hunt the rodents, you better be ready. They'll leap out at you, claws and teeth ready to savage you. Snakes are also common to find, and two thirds of them are deadly poisonous. If you fall from the very top of the gorge to the bottom, you'll definitly be dead in a second.

The Arena is dangerous, and there aren't many water sources, only the streams of the tunnels and the lake of the East.

Rae Carson felt her stomach twisting into impossible knots, felt her hands trembling and her legs shaking as she rose from the ground. It wasn't fear that made her seem so vulnerable; It was the adrenaline, the fact that even though she has trained for years to be in this, and that she thought she knew what it was like to be in a battle, makes her want to vomit because she doesn't know what it feels like to be so close to death. Not until now. Any second could be her last, every move could be the cause of her death. Quickly, sh analyzed her environment. Mountains behind her, grass plains in front of her. Woodlands to her left, and to her right seemed to be a gorge, judging from the huge crack in the earth. Supplies were scattered around inside the Cornucopia and the ring of Tributes. There was a small, neon green pack about two yards from Rae's plate, a knife a little ways from the pack, and a half-filled water bottle sitting a foot from the knife. These were the first things Rae was determined to grab. If she had the opportunity, she would go further towards the Cornucopia. If she could snatch up a better weapon than a knife, she'd be set. Strategies were running through her head. She could go to the tall grass, as she's lived in a grain field practically her whole life. She'd wait for a lost victim to stumble through the grass nearby, and quietly swim through the tall stalks of grass, hidden. Or she could hide between the boulders in the mountains, waiting to ambush another Tribute. But that plan had lots of flaws. But the one Rae decided on, just the second the Gong sounded, was the promising woods.

Rae shot off her plate in one big leap, heading off most of the other Tributes from her years practiced long jumping. She dashed across the field with ease after her boost, quickly snatching up the neon green pack. It danced across her back as she made a break for the knife and the water bottle.

((Anybody going to post?))

i will

((...When? :/))

Rae snatched up the knife first, swinging it into a passing Tribute's shoulder. He gasped at the pain and whipped around at Rae, fierce for revenge. He threw a fist into Rae's cheek, but she came back strong and hard, her knife sinking into the boy's collarbone. He screamed and Rae brought the knife out of his neck, finishing the boy off when she quickly slit his throat. The cannon sounded and Rae picked up the half-filled water bottle, shoving it into her pack. Her head shot up, her emerald green eyes searching for an attacker. There was surprisingly not many other Tributes at the Cornucopia, so she raced deeper into the Cornucopia's general center.

((cannons don't go off until after the bloodbath. ;) ))

Alexandre took in the arena with one sweeping gaze, his heart pounding and his breathing heavy. His slick hands ran down his pants in a rushed attempt to wipe away the sweat.
'I'm not ready for this! What did the mentor say to do?' He looked around frantically before his eyes fell on a thick spear by the cornucopia. A spear! He could use a spear! And there was a backpack and a... He squinted into the light to see it better. A set of knives? Perfect.
Heartened by this realization he took off running as the gong sounded. His feet pounded hard in the dirt, the fog in his mind clearing up as he got his mind in the game. He didn't stop for anything on the way, knowing it would slow him down. 'Let them fight, let them fight. Don't let them see me....' He slid to a halt by the cornucopia and quickly freed the spear. The backpack swung over his shoulder in time to smack a tribute hard in the face. "Sorry." Alexandre muttered, then remembered that this really was the games and they were really in a life and death situation. "Oh snap." He ducked as someone - Marble, he thinks - slashed at his head with a sharp knife. Marbles attempt was met with a sharp jab from the butt of the spear into his gut, winding him briefly.
Alexandre scooped up a few more useful items, anything he could grab really, and started sprinting away, dodging and weaving through the fighting people. Luckily he was good at running, dodging, and carrying things. He'd often had to chase down some rebellious little sheep who left the flock, or would have to save them from the ravenous wolves that stalked the fields. So this? Hey, it wasn't a squirming animal. It was an improvement.

Marble caught his breath back and straightened up, murder in his eyes. That boy would pay for that.
Marble's hand snapped out and gripped a tribute by the throat, a twitch of his large hands cracking the tributes neck with a gruesome snap. Expressionless, Marble let the body crumble to the ground before grabbing a thick broadsword and giving it an experimental swing. Grunting his satisfaction he turned to face the closest tribute.

At the gong, Maple scooped up the closest thing - some rope - then turned and ran away, to the water source and the trees. Hoping desperately that he could at least survive the day.

Blood rushed through his veins as the thrill of the Games took over Marble. "Oh yes...." He hissed, his eyes narrowing as a broad, joyful grin slithered onto his face. It was time to play.
With a powerful swing he brought his blade down in a fast slash towards the girl freeing a large wooden bow from the stack. With a startled yelp the girl jerked back and ducked out of the way, sending the item she had been holding - a water bottle - spinning towards his face in the process.
"Thanks." Marble expertly caught the thick plastic bottle and popped off the top. "I was hoping for a drink." He took a swig of the water, eying the girl as she started to scamper away. "You see," he continued, walking towards her casually, as though oblivious to the fight around him, "water is a precious thing in the arenas. To give it to me like that was very kind of you. Some would say you would make a good ally," he lazily sidestepped the dagger she threw at him. "But me? I'll do better. I'll save you." With that he snapped the lid shut on the water bottle, closed the distance between them, and cleanly chopped off her head. The startled, terrified look the girl had had as she died still clear on her face as it rolled through the grass to come to a halt by a green bundle just feet away from a girl.
A sly smile lit up Marbles eyes. "Kestral, isn't it? What a surprise. I thought someone would get to you before I got the chance!"

Petal waited for the gong. Her heart pounded in her chest, like someone was playing the drums inside of her. She scanned the arena. She was the weakest, no doubt, but could also be stealthiest due to her small size.

She bit her lip. The tall grasses seemed promising. She was tiny, so she could hide there. She thought of home. Was her mom even able to watch the games? She took a deep breath. Twenty seconds. Should she try and get something from the cornucopia? No, she'd get slaughtered instantly. An ally. She needed an ally. Fifteen seconds. She mouthed 'Wish me luck', and turned again. 13 seconds. She took a breath and positioned herself to run in the direction of the forest, to trick the others. Ten seconds. Her brown eyes gleamed with fear and hope. She had to get out of there the second the gong sounded. Five seconds. Four. Three. Two... One.


***Gong sounded***

She hopped off the stool thing and sprinted to the tall grasses, checking to see if anyone was following her. No one payed her any attention. She smiled at her slyness and kept running. She was used to this, running for a long time. She paused and looked back, to see someone far away getting beheaded. She sprinted away, Checking behind her often at the cornucopia that kept getting smaller and smaller until it was merely a speck in the distance, although that did nothing to stop the blood curling screams that came from the dying tributes. "Some water would be nice." She smiled at the ground. She hoped she had sponsors. As she jogged she remembered her interview.

"So, Petal, why do you want to win." Cesear Flickerman smiled. "For my mom, she's ill." Petal blinked her large, innocent eyes and continued to speak in her cute accent. "With the winnings I'll buy her medicine. That's why I gotta win. If I die, she'll die. I'm all she has left"

Petal shook her head. She couldn't get distracted. She needed to find water, and fast.

Rae sped far enough into the shade of the Cornucopia. She saw two Career girls fighting a 12-year-old. Sick. But Rae didn't do anything to help the boy. She had to win, or atleast kill District 1 to avenge her brother and sister. So instead, she snagged a dufflebag and turned to corner sos she wouldn't be seen by the two girls. She unzipped the bag and sifted through it's contents. There was a completely filled water bottle, two bags of beef jerky, a sleeping bag, several knives, iodine, and a long, curved dagger. She took everything but the sleeping bag, stuffing her new supplies into her own bag. She stood up and grabbed a nearby hatchet; small but very light for quick movements.

Lily's green eyes, pale and sparkling in the harsh sunlight, swept the arena the moment her head was about the rim of her platform. Her heart pounded in her chest and her hands trembled slightly, but she held them firmly by her sides, fists clenched. She would not show weakness. She had to be strong.
She might be a bit stronger if she'd had a cigarette before coming into the arena, but, she thought, that was neither here nor there. Besides, she needed to save her precious pack for moments of dire need.
Lily took in the arena slowly, seeing all the different terrains. She saw a faint glimmer of sun on water to the East, but couldn't see any water sources elsewhere. Lily thought about going there first, but realized it was far too obvious a destination. The gorge in the West appeared far too treacherous, and the grass of the South struck her as too much of a maze to be safe. Which left one option; the North. The mountains looked cold and menacing, but treacherous wildlife was likely to be scarce there, and snow could be melted down and drunk. She'd need to get her hands on some food, that she knew for certain, and some source of warmth.
When the gong rang out, Lily charged for the cornucopia, snatching up a large black pack and a sleeping bag. Running farther in, Lily snatched up a small axe and two knives, along with a piece of black tarp. Then she sprinted off towards the mountains, pleased with her speed and what she had gotten.
When she was a safe distance from the cornucopia - she had alternated between running and walking along the edge of the forest - and had not yet reached the mountains, she took out her axe and chopped some branches from the trees nearby. It was a sloppy, poorly executed process, but she was satisfied with her work. She wrapped the branches, most a few inches thick, but some smaller, in the tarp and continued walking. When she reached the base of the mountain, she slipped her weapons into the side of the belt and squeezed the tarp and branches into her pack. Then, she began to climb. She went along the side of the mountain, so it was less likely for her to be seen. It was slow work, but she managed to get herself to a sturdy ledge where she was not likely to be discovered.
Panting slightly, she opened up her pack. Laying the tarp aside, she found an empty water skin, some water purifier, dried fruits, crackers, dried beef, a bit of rope, a small blanket, and a bar of high calorie chocolate. She smiled at her last find, knowing the bar would come as some comfort in the days to come.

Iris Kommen was shaking like a rattle snake's tail by the time she reached the top of the tube, her green eyes shut in terror. It took some time because the fear made her thinking slower, but she soon realized she had to open her eyes so she knew where to go. Only the forest in the West stuck in her mind as the Gong rang out across the Arena.

Without even thinking, Iris shot off her plate and dove for a small pack, a navy blue napsack. A knife whizzed over her head, and if she waited a nano second before leaping to the ground, her head would be clean off. She didn't look to see who threw the blade, she was on her feet in moments, racing off into the West. What was I thinking? I almost died, why did I bother for the pack?! Adrenlaine made her shake even more, a few tears flying down her cheeks. Iris wiped away the salty drops on water from her rosy pink cheeks, throwing herself through the wood. Eyes were watching her, she knew, but from what? There was a quiet growl or a twig branch snapping as she raced by the shadow cloaked mutts, but nothing bothered her, her speed was too fast.

Taking the items she had gathered at the cornucopia, Lily moved to the edge of the mountain, where the ledge she had found touched the rest of the mountain. She estimated her ledge to be fifteen feet long, and ten feet wide at its widest point. It was well concealed among many other ledges, and protruded about 200 feet above the ground. Lily sat with her back resting against the side of the mountain. She repacked her supplies, managing to comfortably fit them all, plus the wood wrapped in tarp, in the pack. She used the rope to tie the sleeping bag to her pack, so that she was ready if she had to move quickly.

((Would anyone be interested in becoming Lily's ally?))

Maple's breath came in short bursts, his chest aching from the speed he was struggling to maintain. He was best at sprinting. Not distance running. Not by any stretch of the imagination.
When his running became too labored for him to continue without collapsing or stumbling around making as much noise as a herd of buffalo, he stopped. Hands on his knees and doubled over he gulped some deep breaths of the sweet, wonderful air.
His gaze slipped up to focus on a little squirrel. A smile twitched at the corner of his lips, his red face brightening at the sight of the animal that reminded him so much of home. And if the animals weren't scared it meant that there were no major threats around, right? "Hey there.... buddy.... How's it... going?" He wheezed between breaths.
The squirrel cocked it's head, giving him a curious look. It's dark, intelligent eyes seeming to glimmer in the low light. The squirrel didn't move, just sat there. It's tail twitching ever so slightly.
"You... hungry?" Maple reached down and grabbed a nut from the forest floor. "Here you go." He held the nut out to the squirrel. He'd always been good with the wild animals of the forest. Got along well with them and them with him.
The squirrel eyed the nut, then looked back at Maple. It scampered forward then paused and seemed to sniff the air. Chattering quietly its tail flicked up and down before the squirrel took off at a full run. Towards Maple.
"Holy..." Maple dropped the nut and jerked up quickly, stumbling back in surprise. The squirrel jumped onto his leg and started scrambling up his pants. "What the fudge?" Maple reached down to move the squirrel, only to have the squirrel bite him! Pretty badly too, for a squirrel.
"Gah!" He shook his hand frantically and knocked the squirrel away from him.
The squirrel rolled a couple times - in a very animal ninja fashion - and landed on it's feet. It stared him down, it's dark eyes gleaming with hunger. More squirrels were joining behind the other squirrel, ready to attack their new food.
"HOLY FLAMING BALLS OF FUDGE!" Maple turned around and took off running, his heart beating wildly and his eyes wide with panic as the demonic squirrels took off after him.




Marble smirked, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Oh yeah. Your brother went down pathetically easy." He shrugged, looking bored. "Died a cowards path. He was begging to die by the time my brother was done with him." He took a couple steps forward casually, his hands loosely gripping his blade and the end of his sword bouncing softly on the tip of his boot. "The question you should be asking is if I will give you a chance. You see? We have our lovely audience cheering us on!" He held out one arm in a dramatic gesture. "They love a good show," he purred, "and everyone loves a good chase scene. What do you say? I'll even," he paused briefly, "give you a headstart." He shot her his winning smile. "What do you say, pretty lady?"





((I still have Alexandre. I don't know where he's going at the moment.))

Kieva (We're All Mad Here) wrote: "((Would anyone be interested in becoming Lily's ally?))"



((Petal :). She's twelve, D12. She's in the tall grasses. ))

Rose wrote: "Kieva (We're All Mad Here) wrote: "((Would anyone be interested in becoming Lily's ally?))"



((Petal :). She's twelve, D12. She's in the tall grasses. ))"

((Okay. Lily's across the arena in the mountains at the moments, on a nice ledge. Do you want her to find Petal or Petal to find Lily?))

Hannah wrote: "Kestral eyes narrowed and she clenched her fists, anger and fear rippling through her. “You little bastard” she hissed as she took another step towards the green bundle. “Don’t you dare talk about ..."

A wave of satisfaction swept through Marble, but with the satisfaction came a flicker of doubt and anger. He shifted his weight, his eyes narrowing as he tightened his grip on his sword.
"You say. But we all know you won't do," he scoffed. "You and your brother. Always the same, always so predictable. You will fall the same way he will." He pointed at her, his hand shaking with anger. "You will fall a worthless piece of shit," Marble spat the last word, then spun and chopped off the head of the tribute who had been sneaking up on him.
The gleaming silver blade tainted with dripping red blood was moved to point towards Kestral as Marble bent down swiftly and picked up the head of the tribute by the hair, his gaze warily on the girl. Straightening up he shook the head at Kestral, blood flying to splatter on his clothing and the ground. He started to speak again, his voice at a shout as he hollered, "You will die!" Stepping forward he tossed the head at her, his voice dropping to a hiss. "But I won't give you the mercy I showed her. You better run little rabbit, the wolf is out to play."

Belle looked around as she rose up to the arena. She closed her eyes and took in a couple of deep breaths while counting down in her head. She opened them again at 3 and was off at 0. She grabbed a backpack and a dagger lying nearby and took off towards the South where the grass was.

Petal heard something, someone approaching. She turned and looked at the figure who was coming closer, a girl. She waited until the girl was in earshot and she could make out her face, she was really pretty. Petal's eyes grew in fear and she rose on her tip-toes, prepare to sprint away at sudden movement by the girl.

((Want them to be allies? She's about to be allies with Lily, but y'know, it can't hurt to have two. :) ))

Her words stabbed through Marble deeply. It was something he had never experienced before. Emotional shock. It was such a strange feeling. It struck so much deeper than any blow he had ever received physically. It amazed him how words - such small words - could affect him so. He had been trained to box up his emotions, put on a show to get the sponsors, and kill people. But this... this brought everything up. This showed him for the first time in years exactly what it must look like to others. He had vague, fuzzy memories of being a child and crying over his training and the idea of killing innocent people. He had built up walls and created a whole mindset for himself. He had convinced himself that he was saving people from the torture of the rest of the arena. Killing them early so they wouldn't feel the pain before they died later. He was showing them mercy. He was saving them! Sick? No, no. He couldn't be sick! He was their savior.
Yet a small inkling of doubt had crept into his heart. She was cutting through his defenses. But he wouldn't allow that.
His eyes lost their hurt, broken look as he slapped his defenses back up. He let hatred flow in to fill the space she had broken. "You b****. I'll kill you!" He lurched towards her, not noticing the knife hurtling towards him until it was too late.
He howled his pain-filled frustration. He had never imagined the games starting like this. This was one crappy first day. He jerked away from the blade(lucky for him it had only cut lightly into his foot before lodging into the ground), and grabbed the blade. He shoved it into his belt, swearing to himself that this very blade would be what would be her downfall. With a quiet grunt he took off at a trot after Kestral. He knew he wouldn't be able to keep up. But he had to keep the show going.

Iris whipped her head around at yelling, the voice was one she knew. She took off running in the direction of Maple's yelling.

((Sorry it's so short >.<))

((it's okay. :) A little bit of a relief, actually. I don't have much time.))

Maple stumbled loudly on a tree root, but kept running. He had an urge to call for help, but knew that he wouldn't be able to get help. This was the Games. So he struggled, huffing and puffing away from the squirrels, trying to come up with an idea of what to do.

((Same :) I've got a soccer tournement soon))

Iris follow the shadowy figures past the foliage that seperated them, gripping one of the 4 throwing knives she found in her pack. There were so many squirrels, she wouldn't be able to take more than a few of them out with four knives. She considered using the rope in her pack to create a trap for the squirrels, but it would take too long. Climbing a tree to get Maple away from the mad bushy-tailed rodents, but there freakin' squirrels. What else...

((Oh! Have fun! Good luck. :) ))

A thought hit Maple. Water! He was by a lake! He could still see the sparkling silver of the water off to his right. Squirrels couldn't swim, could they?
Maple veered to the right, almost falling by his sharp turn. "Come on, come on." He muttered under his breath between each rushed breath of air. He was so close.....

Pain shot up his foot with every step. It wasn't long before Marble had slowed to a fast walk. He couldn't keep up more than that without the pain being too much for him to hide. He had to look tough.
Straightening up he ran his hands through his hair, taking the moment to compose himself. He needed a plan. There was no way he could keep up. He could cut down the grass? No. That would take too long. What was the one place he could find her.....
"Ha. Stupid girl." It's hunting time.
Marble spun around and sauntered - as well as he could - back towards the cornucopia. A large portion of the fighting had ended, but there was still some people fighting here and there. A few seemed to be trying to take control of the rest of the equipment there.
'I'll need some food and water. Backpack. Tent, perhaps. Some extra weapons. Rope?' Mentally he made a list of what he would need. He had decided to wait it out. He would go on the hunt. Save the others as he brought the numbers down. The Gamemakers would draw them together, he knew it. They wouldn't let her die until they had met up. They were too good of a story. So he would hunt the other tributes by staying near the water source. The lake. It was a slow strategy for him, he preferred hunting and killing over waiting and using stealth, but with his foot injury he had to play it smart. He would let the girl find him. Then he would kill her.

Petal made a scared sound. Two girls, now, both stronger then her, both jogging/running in her direction. They must of seen her. Right? She bit her lip. Flee or try to be allies? Girls are most likely to be her ally, right? But there's two of them...

Lily's sleep was uneasy that night. A combination of fear, desperation, and the hard rock ground rendered her extremely tired when the next morning came. As she hadn't eaten anything the day before, she had some dried fruit, but it did nothing to sooth her parched throat. Lily knew she wouldn't be able to climb up the mountain. Her best bet was making it past the river and heading to the grass.
Slowly but surely, Lily made her way down the side of the mountain. When she was near the bottom, and her arms and legs ached painfully from supporting her weight, she dropped the last six feet. A rock sliced a long cut down her thigh as she fell to the ground, landing in a heap. Tying her unnecessary jacket around the cut, she began to walk to the East, wincing slightly. Stopping after a few minutes, Lily decided to take out her compass. She debated using a bandage, but reckoned she would need them later.
Lily got to the river without much trouble, checking her compass occasionally to make sure she was headed in the right direction. She had a small knife out as a precaution, but she met no one.
At the river, she dipped her hands in the cool, clear water and rubbed them over her face. She filled her water skin and put a few drops of purifier in it. Then she began to walk again, this time in the direction of the grass.
She had gone about half a mile, when she heard a twig crack nearby. She stopped short, listening. There were definitely footsteps to her right. She drew her larger knife. Whatever it was did not sound small. Suddenly, bounding out from between the trees came a wolf, fangs dripping with saliva, eyes an almost unnatural yellow. Its coat was a rich, steel gray, its paws massive, claws manicured sharply to a point. One look at this creature, and Lily knew it was no natural occurrence. It was a Capitol mutation.
The wolf stopped a short distance away from Lily, a low growl emitting from its chest. Lily stepped back slowly, knees bent in a crouch of sorts. She had almost made her way to a more concealed crop of trees, when a twig snapped underneath her foot.
Damn.
The wolf leapt, closing the distance between himself and Lily all too easily. Lily swung blindly with her knife while simultaneously dodging the wolf's attack. She managed the latch her blade into the beast's paw, but her movement and awkward angle only allowed her a shallow cut. The wolf, however, had been more successful. It had left three long scratches down Lily's right arm, and they were by no means shallow. Crying out in pain, Lily swung the knife quickly towards to wolf, and it only barely dodged her blow. Lily turned around to face it, just as it leapt towards her face. She did not react quickly enough, and its claws latched into her cheek, mauling her face and lip, but thankfully missing her eye. The wolf did not anticipate Lily's swift recovery, and she dug her knife into its back. It fell to the floor, and she stabbed it again, trying to tell herself that it wasn't real, that it was a mutt. But the tears stinging her eyes were not from the pain of her wounds.
At last, the wolf was still. Lily's face and arm were numb. Using some moss from a nearby tree, Lily mopped up her blood. The arm wound was large, but not terrible. The cuts on her face, however, throbbed painfully and bled profusely. She couldn't move the left side of her mouth, where the wolf had scratched her. And even still she felt remorse for the beast.
Lily could not dwell on her pain. Since she could still walk and see, she had to keep moving. Holding a fresh piece of moss to her face, she proceeded towards the grass.
She arrived around mid afternoon, after rewarding herself with a bit more food and a couple small sips of water. Slipping between the folds of the grass, she breathed a sigh of relief. Her knife was still in her hand, and she used it to separate the blades.
It wasn't long before she heard movement nearby. She tensed, but was already too close. She could see the person moving. She stepped closer and saw that it was a girl.
"I'm not going to hurt you," Lily muttered quickly.

((And know Petal is surrounded. :D))

Rose wrote: "Petal heard something, someone approaching. She turned and looked at the figure who was coming closer, a girl. She waited until the girl was in earshot and she could make out her face, she was real..."

((Sure))

Belle saw a girl ahead of her and slowed down a bit deciding to try and ally with her.

Petal held her breath. She was surrounded. If these girls were to attack, she knew she wouldn't survive. Her lip trembled. Her eyes were wide and her heart was beating so hard it felt as though it would leap out of her chest. She had no weapons, no strength, and three older girls were coming towards her. Fear sliced through her like a knife. She took a deep breath and slowly put up her hands to show she had no weapons, and waited for the outcome. She then heard the injured one say the four magic words. 'I won't hurt you'. She could only pray the other two would do the same.

(( Well Petal isn't exactly going to kill anyone, so whoever wants to be her ally can. So far it's Lily, maybe Belle and maybe Kestral. :) ))

Iris noticed Maple had taken a sharp turn. She followed, a heen of sweat appearing on her hairline above her eyes. She tried her best to breth in and out through her nose, knowing it would mean a paiful stitch in her side in she breathed any way through her mouth. But it was getting harder with the ammount of running she's been having today, the sun beating down on her fair skin. What's he doing? She thought. Maple must be trying to disorient the squirrels, to buy him time to lose them. But it didn't seem to be working very well. Suddenly, the crystal-like blink of light caught her eye. The lake. She soon caught on. But the lake was still far away, would he reach it in time? The squirrels were gaining on him, slowly but surely. Soon, they were practically on his heels. Iris had to do something. Gripping her dagger with sweaty hands, she burst through the foliage. "Hey, bushy-tails! Over here! Come and get me!" She yelled, jumping up and down and sprinting off in another direction than Maple's, not checking to see if she got the squirrel's attention. At a certain point, she turned back to the lake and ran to it.

Rose wrote: "(( *Facepalm* So much for petal's slyness. :3 ))

Petal held her breath. She was surrounded. If these girls wanted to attack, she knew she wouldn't survive. Her lip trembled. her eyes were wide a..."

((Is it okay if Jerome joins your guys' alliance? He comes from District 1, but trust me, he is not at all a Career, he's actually really nice))

(( I don't mind at all!! Not sure if Kestra and Belle are in the alliance, but I think they will be. And I don't think the others would mind Jerome joining, but you should wait until they reply. :) If we all are allies, it'd be a group of five! ))

((I also still have Alexandre. He can ally with whoever.))

Marble made swift work of the remaining tributes by the cornucopia. He did receive a deep cut in his left arm and some bruises(one of the tributes knew how to put up a fight) but he had bandaged what he could.
Slowly he turned in a circle, examining the landscape. He was thinking maybe he should skip going to the lake for the time being. The cornucopia was right in the middle of everything. He'd be able to see smoke from fires, or people who started coming close. It was perfect, really. And there was still plenty of supplies.
Marble rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck, then got to work gathering all the extra supplies and putting them by the cornucopia.



Maple's breath came in painful gasps, his vision dancing with the stars as he struggled to keep up the pace. He was just about to give in when he heard someone come into the scene.
"Hey, bushy-tails! Over here! Come and get me!" Something about the voice was familiar to Maple. Iris?
Half of the pack took off after Iris, the others hesitating briefly before continuing after the boy. But that hesitation and the realization that someone was on his side kept Maple going.
One hundred yards from the lake he felt some squirrels latch onto his legs and scramble up his pants to his shirt. Frantically he tried to beat them away, yelping as they sank their teeth into his skin.
Seventy yards. He managed to shake off those clinging to his pants, but it seemed like whenever he lost one another caught up to him.
Fifty yards. An annoyingly persistent squirrel kept gnawing at his arm, refusing to be shaken off. In his panicked attempt to get rid of it, he slowed down and lost focus on the ground. Tripping and collapsing in a heap. Despair swarmed over him as the squirrels attacked in a group. But he found the strength to get up and keep going.
Thirty yards. His strength was failing him and blood was dripping down his arms and leg.
Twenty yards. The legs of his pants were almost shreds, his legs and arms damaged by many shallow squirrel bites.
Ten yards. Maple wasn't sure he was going to make it. He was so close, yet it seemed so far.
Five yards. Hope struck his heart. He pushed himself harder than he ever had before throwing himself into the lake.

(( Sure!))

Petal watched warily at the two girls, waiting to see who would make the first move. She took a deep breath. "I don't want to fight." She tried to say it calmly and clearly, but came out as a frightened whisper.

((yeah, really. If anyone wants to ally with Alexandre let me know. He can go anywhere, I don't have him in any specific place right now other than somewhere away from the cornucopia.))

Rose wrote: "(( I don't mind at all!! Not sure if Kestra and Belle are in the alliance, but I think they will be. And I don't think the others would mind Jerome joining, but you should wait until they reply. :..."

((Belle is))

Belle finally reached the girl.

((Sorry it's short but I want to know how old Petal is before I say more))

Lily, in her slightly hazy mental state after the battle with the wolf, had not quite registered the fact that she and the girl were not alone. There were two others there, too.
Think, Lily, think! She commanded herself, trying to find away to get out of the situation without hurting anyone or being hurt.
The answer was rather obvious, really; allies. And if there was one thing Lily was good at, it was making friends. Even here, maybe it would work.
If only she didn't look so bloody.
"Oh, hello everyone," Lily said, her voice slightly shaky. She stood up straight and tried to smile, but the left side of her face that the wolf had mauled rendered her mouth twisted down into a sort of grimace, perhaps permanently.
"Those animals, wow, they're vicious," She tried to laugh, but failed. She was screwing up badly, and she knew it. Maybe the better approach was to be straightforward.
"Look," She said seriously, "I don't know about you all, but I don't want to fight. I don't want to kill any of you, and I don't particularly want to die. So how about we either go our separate ways, or become allies?" She tried to smile again. "I'm Lily, District 11. 16 years old. I have a food addiction and am currently struggling with withdrawal symptoms," She remarked jokingly. "Now let's say we all make a friendship circle and learn each other's back stories."
Lily knew she was rambling, and that she definitely sounded completely idiotic. But if it saved her life...
Or maybe the girls would get annoyed and kill her, either or.

Rae suddenly realized she didn't know what was in her own pack. But she couldn't check here; the Bloodbath was beginning to let up, and soon just the Careers will be here, setting up camp as usual per year. They would find Rae, and no doubt kill her. Once this fact hit her, Rae was sprinting her way out to the north. Without warning, she was thrown in the air and fell to the ground, the impact having sucked the air out of her lungs. She lay there, unable to get up in her dazed state, desperately choked for oxygen. A dark shape came across her blurry vision, and come closer and closer until she felt the weight on her, making it even difficult to breath. The feel of a thin steel object pressed to her cheek, the cool knife against her hot face. Her vision was coming back, and she could tell it was a female Career. What District, she didn't know.
"Look who I've got," The Career said to herself. "Daddy's gunna' be so proud when he hears your screams!"
Rae bit down down on her tongue to keep from hissing a remark. Instead, the metalic taste spread acros her mouth, and she spat the crimson blood of her tomgue onto the Career's face. The knife was let up from her cheek, and with her vision slowly coming back, she saw it was to wipe the blood from the Career girl's jaw. She spat back in Rae's face, but with spit.
"Don't you think I don't know who the hell you are, Nine," She hissed, still trying to wipe the blood from her face. "So naive. I saw your brother die, all those years ago. It was fascinating, and very bloody, too. But to me, at that point, it was just another Hunger Games death." By her voice, she sounded like she was about 14 or 15. Pretty young. "Then, my sister and your sister met. Huh, isn't that nice? Just a few years later, she's Reaped! That first day, how lovely. What was her name, Chrissy? My sis' killed your's! She was a naive little bird, wasn-"
Rae threw the Career off of her, unable to contain the anger. The pther girl landed on her side with a grunt, while Rae reached for her hathet. The Career girl saw it and slapped Rae's face, hard. She grabbed the hatchet and threw it at Rae, missing by a millimeter from her neck. Rae snatched it up and scrambled to her feet, the Career girl's knife laying in the ground where she just was.
"Don't talk about my siblings, rat!" Rae spat, grabbing a handful of the Career girl's hair before she could run away. To Rae's luck, no other Careers happened to be around. Good.
Rae threw the Career to the ground harshfully, sittig down on top of her, her knees on Career girl's shoulders. "Does you family love you, princess?" Rae teached, the blade of her hatchet against Career girl's neck. Career girl nodded. "Good. Well, let's find out just how they react to their lttle girl dieing. I want them to know what it's like to lose someone to the Games," She spat out the last few words, throwin a fist into Career girl's face several times over. Soon, Career girl face was a bloody mess of blue and purple splitches.
"For Lucas."
Rae flipped Career girl on her stomach, and brought the Career's own knife down into her back. A screaming erupted from her mouth, which soon turned into choking, blood spraying out from her throat.
"And for Chrissy, you b****."

----------

Iris saw the figure throw itself into the lake, before disapearing altogether under the surface. Relief struck her heart, but she wasn't quite down with her own squirrels. Her heart was pounding in her chest, sweat trickling down her temples, and her breathing becoming labored. The lake, the safehaven from the Muttated squrrels, was coming closer into view. She burst from the trees, launching herself down the meadow around the lake, and leaped in. The sweet water cooled her down, almost relaxing her. But her bursting lungs felt on fire, and she began scrambling inside the water for the surface. Her hand caught past the surface moving freely in the air until slamming back into the water. Up. Iris flailed her arms, her head soon breaking the calm surface of the lake. She gasped for breath, taking minutes at a time to regain herself.

----------

Jerome launched himself off his Plate and hurled himself into the Cornucopia maze. He swung a navy blue dufflebag onto his shoulders, bouncing upon his back. He wrapping his finger around the hilt on a deadly axe, and ran. The grasslands was his destination.

((yeah, where should they meet up?))


Maple struggled weakly to the surface of the water. His head broke the surface and he gulped in some sweet air. His heart was still pounding wildly and his breathing was still rushed, but he had made it! He had gotten away from the squirrels.
Maple let himself sink below the surface for a couple seconds then popped back up and clumsily worked his way to the shore again. Thoughts rushed through his mind as he wondered what had happened to his savior, Iris. He would look for her once he reached the shore. He owed her so much.

Lily shifted her feet nervously, awaiting the response of the other three girls around her. “Is that a no? Because you’re really missing out; I happen to be a qualified expert at get-to-know-you games,” She attempted to conceal her anxiousness and intimidation with a light tone. She wasn’t sure if the other girls heard the shakiness of it, or if it was just Lily’s imagination. Her face throbbed painfully, and she desired nothing more than to know if her current situation resolved in one of three possibilities; her, Lily that is, sprinting away with her life and dignity; a bloodbath in which at least half of them ended up dead; or a rather powerful alliance. The latter was definitely preferred, but Lily was ready to run anyway. She wasn’t sure if she could handle any more injuries.

((Anybody??))

((Petal's Twelve... Sorry I was away.))

"I..." Petal's eyes flicked warily between the two older girls. "I'm not... I can't hurt anyone. An alliance..." She trailed off again, sure she sounded pathetic. On her toes, she was ready to run away if needed. "An alliance would work."

Relief surged through Lily, but she tried not to let it show. Smiling at Petal, she walked over to stand beside her, the hand holding her life was limp, but still ready, at her side. "I'm Lily," She said, "District 11. And you?" She asked, her eyes darting from Petal to the other girls.

"I'm Petal. District 12." Petal said, cautiously. She looked at Belle warily. A knot formed in her stomach. This could be a trick. This has to be a trick. They most likely have met each other, and were going to ambush her. Why would they do that, though? Why her? She was no threat, she couldn't hurt a fly, and they didn't seem to be the types who kill for fun. "I have a quick question." She said timidly. "Why would you want to ally with me? I'm kind of... Useless."

"Most simply because I don't want to kill you, and after being attacked by a wolf just now, I don't really want to be alone either. Useless or not - and nobody's useless, not really - you seem like a good ally," Lily shrugged slightly, "I'd rather have you than an arrogant, bloodthirsty jerk who is a brilliant fighter."

Shock filled Petal's eyes. "Thank you." She mumbled, unsure of how to respond to praise. The wound on Lily's face was bugging Petal. She knew she could help help it...

Lily smiled - only with the right side of her face, of course - the pain had mostly subsided, leaving behind a slight stinging sensation, but otherwise numbness. Lily wasn't quite positive if numbing boded good or bad for the recovery of her face. She could probably find plants to heal herself, but that likely meant returning to the woods, something she was not at all comfortable with.
Lily brought her hand to the wound, prodding it gently. She winced as pain shot into her skin where her finger touched the wound. It would definitely scar, Lily decided, and last quite some time. If she made it out of the arena alive, the Capitol medics would heal it for her, but that was wishful thinking. And if sitting by her father's bedside taught her one thing, it would be that too much wishful thinking can only lead to disappointment.
Instead, Lily gently worked some water into the wound, cleaning out any dirt or dust that may have gotten into it.
"You're 12, are you?" Asked Lily as she closed the cap to her water, wincing as she patted her face dry with her sleeve. She bit back a curse.

((Okay it looks like the other girls aren't responding... so should Lily and Petal just run off and they can follow if they want?))

(( Sure! ))

Petal nodded. She bit her lip, trying to stop the words from coming out, but it was to late. "I can help you." She blurted. "With your..." She touched the side of her own face to show Lily.

"You can?" Lily asked, a hopeful look jumping to her eyes. "That would be brilliant, you have no idea." Lily smiled with half her mouth. "How? Where did you learn to do that? I'm sure I could figure it out with the right plants but..." Lily paused thoughtfully, then plowed on before Petal had a chance to reply, "Did you get something from the cornucopia? Ooh or from a sponsor?" Her curious look morphed into one of delight, "I myself haven't got anything from a sponsor yet. I guess I'm not what one might call ruthless and powerful, but that's how this whole thing works, yeah?" Lily caught her breath. "Sorry. I tend to run on... a bit," She admitted sheepishly. "I'm 16, by the way. And you can patch my up now, if you want."