Sword and Thread

#arena day 2 #rowan #the road we travel #gvenna is being trash

Rowan stands and I flinch again. But she doesn’t try to kill me. Or hit me. Or do anything at all. The girl simply turns to the fire and fixes the now-dead flame. Oh God. I seriously messed up.

“I’m...” I stop, knowing another apology won’t do me any good. If anything, it makes the situation worse. So I yank back all babble and words and decide that, given the chance, I will cut off my tongue and become and avox. Unfortunately, I don’t have that luxury, and the words come unbidden again.

“That was awful of me to do. I shouldn’t have. I understand if you want to murder me.”

I curl up into even more of a ball on the forest floor, hoping that I’ll disappear entirely.

“I’m going to never talk again now.”

The Road We Travel || Arena Day 2 || Gvenna & Rowan

Her laughter reassures me slightly- I chose to assume it’s not awkward, why are you like this? laughter- and feel myself lighten at her smile. “Yeah? That sounds pretty intense.” I say as I pour a bit more kerosene on the fire, fanning the small flame. It takes a minute or so, but it finally starts to grow, despite the dampness of the wood.

I watch as her fingers move, twisting and pulling the roots of the plant to form a little chain. Suddenly she stops and I tilt my head, my eyes glancing around in case she heard something until she starts explaining about the properties of the plant. Reaching out, I take it from her, examining it, before laying it on the raw meat.

Her babbling is undeniably adorable, though, and I can’t help the grin that comes to my face. “No, don’t apologize. That’s good to know.” I say with a nod. When the conversation turns to a more serious note, I shake my head, “No, you’re are being helpful. Don’t sell yourself short.”

I pause, fidgeting with the blades of grass under my fingertips. “I mean-I think you’re really great. You’re sweet and thoughtful and clever and beautiful.” I force myself to look up, “I just, I think you’re really great and I really like you. Like, really like you.” I say, biting my lip nervously as I threw caution to the wind.

#arena day 2 #rowan #the road we travel #yes you fucking are gvenna

My stomach drops out from under me. With every syllable, my face grows hotter-- every sound, a whirl of somersaulting feelings. I feel myself gravitate toward her, till I’m so near our knees brush. The touch sends another jolt of confusion. And then, she says it:

“...Like, really like you.”

It’s the last straw. I promise-- I swear I try to keep myself from doing it. But, as if I have no control over my own body, I take her hand. She’s still as a statue, tense the moment my fingers close around hers. My daggers are left behind me. I’m unarmed and her axe lay just behind her. I won’t lie. I do manage to think of these things before leaning in and pressing my lips to the corner of her mouth.

But I don’t think of Valerie til after.

I lean back faster than I came in, choked up despite it being the faintest kiss I’ve ever given. Perhaps it’s because it’s the most dangerous.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m--” I cut myself off, pushing away from her and flinching. I’m sure she’s about to take that damn axe and chop me in half. Especially after I finish my sentence. “I’m dating someone. And I know I’m probably going to die and she just saw me do that--I know and-- I shouldn’t have done that but you are so, so pretty--but it doesn't excuse what I did--”

My words are chopped up, like the meat Rowan just sliced. I wish I were the meat at this point.

Christ. I am a terrible person.

The Road We Travel || Arena Day 2 || Gvenna & Rowan

Gvenna keeps glancing over as she collects branches and I look down at myself. I’m still a bit torn up from the bats from earlier, but the gashes have already started scabbing over. Other than the fresh blood on my pants- which you can barely see since the material is so dark in color- I can’t think of what it might be that’s causing her too keep looking over at me. Maybe I’m just imagining it?Shaking it off for the time being, I get to butchering the deer.

“Well, if it’s any consolation, not everyone in Seven knows all this. I barely do either. It’s only because Harrison lives pretty much in the forest. A lot of people in my District work in lumber mills and paper factories, so there’s less access to the actual forests and trees.”

I speak as I work, skinning the beast before getting to the meat. It’s crude and messy, but I get the hang of it with relative ease. The dagger is sharp and soon I have a quite a few slabs of meat ready to be cooked. Without any immediate threat and the promise of food soon to eat, I relax a bit, watching as Gvenna begins setting up the wood for a fire, forming a makeshift spit to cook on.

“I imagine you have good hands, though. I mean, I know you have good hands, but I meant motor skills-fine motors skills with the sewing and the patterns and..yeah.” At this point I kind of just want to turn around and walk away, but there’s not really anywhere to go, and I did just finish butchering this deer, so instead I push down my embarrassment and try to ignore the redness in my cheeks.

For what feels like the first time in decades, laughter bubbles in my chest. It’s weak--almost strangled--but I get through my cat-scratch giggle with a flushed face to show for my idiot noise. At least, I believe I’m flushed. My cheeks sure feel hot. Though, maybe it’s just from the small fire I’ve barely managed to get going. I watched Rowan start the fire last night, so I remember her actions well.

Composing myself, I take a deep breath and flash her a genuine smile.

“Well, I suppose you are right. I’m pretty good with hand-eye coordination. If I could, I’d knit or stitch something right here and now.”

In response to my own comment, I attempt to move my hands. I pick out a weed next to me, leaning back from the weak flame to let Rowan finish the poor fire I’d began. I twist the roots together and work to make a small chain. Then I stop, staring at the plant.

“Oh. This is, like, a flavor thing. I mean, uh what’s the word...” I hold it out to her, “like a herb for seasoning. I spent some six hours at a plant station one of the training days, so I recognize this. It grows everywhere apparently. You can cook it on the meat so it doesn’t taste bland.”

I’m babbling again, I realize, then bite the inside of my cheek hard enough to draw blood. I hate my fluctuating feelings.

“Sorry. That was unnecessary. I just wish I was more useful to you. Even if you say it’s only a little knowledge you have, it’s helping us get through the arena. Something hand-eye coordination skills couldn’t do. I’m really, really grateful.”

The Road We Travel || Arena Day 2 || Gvenna & Rowan

I grin, pleased to see that she was one step ahead of me. Glancing back down the road that we had come, I stepped into the brush, my eyes peeled for any movement nearby.

I’m regretting not insisting that Harrison take me on his hunting trips as we wander around the woods. It feels like it’s been ages, and all we’ve seen was a whole lot of nothing. At this point, I’d be happy for just another rabbit to satiate my hunger.

That’s when we spot it. A deer. It’s not too large, but a hell of a lot bigger than the rabbit we’d split the night before. I gesture for Gvenna to go around to try and startle it into running towards me. It’s a risky move, but it’s the best I can come up with for the time being.

Luck seems to be on our side because when Gvenna rustles some branches, the deer bolts straight towards me, rather than sideways. With a well timed swing, I managed to catch it’s leg, sending it crashing to the ground. I waste no time finishing the job, hacking it’s head off as efficiently as possible.

My jacket- torn up as it is- still manages to restrict my movements, and after a moment of struggling, I pull it off and shove it into my bag. It’s a bit chilly, but without it, I can maneuver the corpse into a nearby clearing a lot easier.

“Do you think you can grab some twigs to make a spit or something to cook this on?” I ask, pulling out my dagger and trying to decided how best to butcher the beast.

I don’t respond. My mood swings wildly between the urge to babble off fear and the need to save my breath. It wasn’t pleasant watching the deer go down. It’s much larger than a rabbit... eyes black but filled with life. Beautiful. And dead now, too.

But I know it’s necessary. I knew when I scared it in Rowan’s direction. So I grit my teeth and, in my shifting state, collect twigs for what seems like the hundredth time. The only difference is that I’m a bit distracted by my thoughts this round. And Rowan’s bare shoulders-- though, I mean, I’m not looking. Really.

God. I’m in the middle of a damn death trap and I’m still distracted by the stupidest things.

“I’m wishing I was born in seven right about now. Then I’d know how to do all these things,” I finally relent, confused by, well, everything.

“In eight, we have sewing tables. Which is fine. But it doesn’t help you when it comes to stuff like this.”

The Road We Travel || Arena Day 2 || Gvenna & Rowan

I nod, glad that she’s at least willing to try and find some food. Shouldering my bag and making sure my dagger is secure in my boot, I glance around trying to decide which way to go.

“That trap will probably help. We can set it near by and come back and check on our way back?” I suggest.

I’m not sure if there will be as many creatures since it’s day time, but it didn’t seem so different from home, so maybe we’d luck out and find a deer. At the very least, her trap had to yeild something, right.

“I think if we leave the trap near the carriage, we should be able to find it again and we can go forward in the mean time.”

A give a weak smile, then shrug my shoulders.

“Already set up over by that tree,” I say, pointing to one a few trees down from the carriage, “but I agree we should move on, I suppose. Nice spot while it lasted, yeah?”

I pull the straps of my backpack closer. Look down. Roll my shoulders. Don’t stare at her.

“If there’s anything else I can do, let me know, okay?”

The Road We Travel || Arena Day 2 || Gvenna & Rowan

“You’re weak, girl. Weak and stupid. And you’re going to die soon.”

I jolted awake, my heart pounding and my blood rushing in my ears. It takes me a minute to regain my bearings, but as soon as I do, I realize that Gvenna is staring intently at me. Did I scream? It’d been years since my nightmares had evoked an external reaction, but there was always the chance my body betrayed me.

I’m not sure how long I was asleep and I wished not for the first time that there was a clock for us to refer to. The sky is still grey, but the rain has let up a bit, thankful. Standing, I brushed myself off and picked up my axe which had fallen off my lap during my nap.

“I need to eat. Are you good for some hunting?”

Surprisingly, I only feel tired. Not hurt, or like death, but simply tired. As if all I need is a nap.

I do not do that, though. Instead, I stay on look out, not trusting the gamemakers despite their generous gift from yesterday. The kit would be a lifesaver if we needed it. But, still, I’d rather stay vigil.

I find ways to keep myself preoccupied for the next hour. Getting up, I move around, straying but never too far from Rowan. I attempt to build a small trap out of some of the more bendy branches laying about the forest floor. It’s a shoddy attempt; yet it turns out stable. Satisfied, I leave my work to sit back beside Rowan. And, of course, my mind and eyes wander over to her.

She’s strong. And smart. And really, really pretty.

As if I’d said the words out loud, in the same instance I think such thoughts, Rowan wakes from her slumber. Her eyelashes flutter open and I’m certain she catches me staring, so I snap my gaze to another point. She gets up and speaks. I nod.

“I tried to make a trap while you were asleep-- for an animal or whatnot. It’s not fantastic, and I doubt there’s anything in it yet, but I can try to hunt.”

They Live || Day 2 Arena || Rowan & Gvenna

soundofacannon-blog

rowan-emerson:

As you bear left and continue down the trail you come to an overturned horse-drawn carriage blocking the path. The door to the carriage is closed. Do you take a look inside or do you bypass it?

#arena day 1 #rowan #they live

It’s a ways down the path, but sooner rather than later, we find something other than a fork in the road. An overturned carriage, the color of wine and cracked along the side. I’m almost eight hundred percent sure some monster will leap out at us if we so much as touch the faded wood. Yet, I watch with mild surprise as Rowan starts towards it.

“Wait--” I choke, touching her arm to keep her in place. “Are you sure you want to check that out? It practically screams ‘trap’.”

Knots form in my stomach.Though, I know if she really wants to, I won’t stop her from checking out the carriage. I do my best to keep the worry off my face.

They Live || Day 2 Arena || Rowan & Gvenna

soundofacannon-blog

You weave in and out of the brush and trees following this shapeless mass, who always seems to be one pace ahead of you. You encounter some rabbits and other small animals but nothing seems to jump out at you along the way. It’s almost like this lead is too good to be true.

Eventually you find yourselves back on a trail near a trail marker with the number “10″ etched upon it and your guide is no where in sight. Para out your next move (do you go left or right?”

#arena day 2 #rowan #they live

When Rowan suggests we follow the glowing eyes, I tense. My first instinct is to do the opposite. Walk the other way; evade whatever horror the gamemakers have in store for us. However, Rowan seems sure, and she is strong. So I choose to trust her. I don’t argue or complain as we trail the shadow, which eventually leads us to yet another fork in the road. I say nothing, but Rowan suggests we go left:

“Maybe best to stay by the edge of the arena... keep the wall to our backs, you know?”

It’s a smart plan, leaving me to wonder if I would have thought of that on my own. So like before, I don’t argue. We go left.

They Live || Day 2 Arena || Rowan & Gvenna

There is no sun to greet us in the morning. Instead, a light rain taps me awake, gently prying open my eyes and reminding me of the deadly arena. Of course, that’s not the only thing I’m reminded of. I also wake to the sight of Rowan sleeping next to me. She’s very, very pretty--and very, very close.

I bolt upright, hands flying to my chest as to keep them to myself. Every muscle in my body yells in protest. I nearly yelp in surprise at such soreness, but I clamp my tongue between my teeth, wincing at tender limbs. Damn running.

As I bite back any further hissing, I try to shake away the sleep from my head. Scan the area. Squint through my discomfort. And then, catch a glimpse of what may be a set of ghoulish eyes, peering through dampened trees. I can’t be sure though. It may have just been a trick. But all the same, I immediately hiss out:

“Rowan-- Rowan wake-- there’s-- bush. Eyes.”

#soac82a2 #rowan #they live #arena day 2

Day 1 Arena Update

Location

Nearing area 15

Allies

Rowan Emerson!

Inventory

1 First Aid Kit (10 band-aids, 2/3 a tube of disinfectant cream, a gauze pad, a splint, needle and thread, and one tablet of morphling)

2 Daggers

1 Empty Backpack (to carry the kit)

1 Blanket

1 Bottle of Water

Injuries

Cut on Cheek

Noteworthy Events

Here Comes the Sun (Para) - Made an alliance with Rowan, thank lord.

Light it Up (OS by Rose) - We got swarmed by a hoard of bats, walked away with only a few cuts.

Settled down for the night; Rowan caught some food. I swear I’ll be more useful next time. In the meantime, I’ll share my blanket with her.

#soacupdate #arena day 1 #update #i will be more useful tomorrow ahhh

Here Comes the Sun || Alliance || Gvenna & Rowan

When she takes the water, I let out an internal sigh of relief. It was only a bit of water, but I was considering it a peace offering for now. I can’t help but stare at the expanse of her neck as she drinks, before she hands back the bottle. “Uh, you’re welcome.” I say with a weak smile, mentally scolding myself for letting my mind wander.

I tuck the bottle into the bag before we begin to walk, absently watching the ground as we go. It’s definitely a forest, but it’s not the same as the one back in Seven. Still, if there are any familiar looking plants, I wanted the opportunity to grab them, just in case.

I nod absently as she begins speaking, not looking up until she mentions Harrison by name. The question surprises me, I turn to look at her, only to see an expression of genuine curiosity on her face. I look back at the ground as I speak, a slight smile coming to my face without my permission.

“He’s my godfather. I live with him, well, mostly. He- uh- he took me in when I was fourteen when it-when I needed him too.” I curse voice for cracking, but I keep speaking, hoping to that she won’t notice. “He’s been watching out for me my whole life, though. He’s cranky and crotchety, but he’s a good guy.”

#arena day 1 #rowan #here comes the sun #btw if you wanna bold anything to get the gm's attention or start something else up feel free to do so

Rowan’s voice breaks in the middle of her speech, and I’m suddenly much more comfortable. It’s sounds cruel, yes; but now I know she’s still just a girl. She may have hurt (or killed) someone with that axe, and she may have to hurt me too, but at least she isn’t a husk of a person for it. Obviously there was a little emotion leftover.

I’m grateful she’s strong enough to let only a touch slip through her demeanor, however. It doesn’t matter that I’m in an arena-- I will always a hard time keeping it together when others are down.

“He sounds like a good man,” I say. Absentmindedly, I add: “I suppose that’s why you’re a good person.”

I don’t think too much on it all. I concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other. Have to be determined, if I want to pull my own weight.

Here Comes the Sun || Alliance || Gvenna & Rowan

Nodding in agreement, we begin walking down the left path as soon as her bag is repacked. While neither of us are fully at ease, the air seemed to have cleared a bit.

I can’t help the slight smile that comes to my face as she speaks again, explaining her knife as if I needed an explanation. “No, it’s good that you’re prepared. This arena is as deadly as the people in it.” I comment offhandedly. “We’re allies, though, so you don’t have to worry about me hurting you.” For now, at least. I don’t say the last bit out loud, but I’ve no doubt she filled it in for herself the same way I did. As fearful as she came off, I had no doubt that, in defense of her life, she would prove to be a worthy opponent.

The crossroads is out of sight when I hear the soft tinkling of chimes, one I know to signal a parachute, and a moment later I see one float down onto the path. I glance at Gvenna, before scooping it up and opening it. Inside is a small backpack with a bottle of water, a dagger, and a note from Wyatt. Smiling, I tuck the knife into my boot, before pulling out the water bottle.

It’s not until I have the water in my hands that I realize how thirsty I am and crack it open, taking a swig. “Do want some?” I ask, offering the bottle.

#arena day 1 #rowan #here comes the sun #gvenna never asked #dumb gvenna

Thus far, I’d forgotten all about basic human needs. Food, sleep, water. All of it had been pushed to the side after stepping off the platform. Instead, my body ran on pure adrenaline and dismissed the fact that I was absolutely parched. But now, with water only a few feet away, I all but faint at the sight.

“Yes, ah, please,” I nod, carefully taking the bottle from her. I make sure our fingers don’t touch. We may be in an arena, fighting to the death, and yes I still needed to worry about her killing me (despite our alliance)-- but I was just as human as I was yesterday, and the ghost of infatuation lingered.

I take a sip and no more, quickly giving the bottle back to her. I may be thirsty, but I would not let her waste too much on me.

“Thank you,” I rasp, sobering up.

“And if your jaw gets any worse, let me know. I really want to help if I can. And...” my voice falters. I want to make conversation, to erase the looming threat in the air. “...and, ah, I know I must have come off as rude for not asking this, though if you don’t want to answer that’s fine, but you took so much interest in my life...”

I compose myself again.

“Who are your friends you talked about? Harrison, yeah? You don’t have to answer, if you don’t want to.”

Here Comes the Sun || Alliance || Gvenna & Rowan

As she moves cautiously to collect her fallen things, I realize how daunting I must seem to her. The bloodbath is a haze in my mind, but I clearly remember fighting with the boy from Eleven, the boy with the family, I had heard, that he was fighting for. I guess it was fitting that I killed him by breaking his heart.

I shook my head slightly to rid myself of those thoughts. It had to be done, I reminded myself. It had to be done.

“No, I’m fine. But thanks. Other than a few mug shots, I got off pretty easily.” I say, hoping to lighten the mood a bit as I stepped closer, being careful not to move too quickly, though.

“Which way do you think we should go?” I asked, gesturing to the fork in the road.

#arena day 1 #rowan #here comes the sun

The tension in my stance remains, but I allow a whisper of a smile to pull at my lips. A few mug shots. As if getting punched were nothing. She moves closer and I don’t back away.

“Either works. I guess left? It doesn’t matter to me.”

I finish packing away the medical kit into the backpack, slipping the straps over my shoulders. I don’t put the knives away, however, though this time it’s not because of Rowan’s menacing axe. Which, is still covered in blood. I try not to think about who’s it is. I don’t ask, either.

Tentatively, I take a step towards her as well, glancing down at my stiff fingers and sharp blade.

“Ah, and this is just for, uh, just in case. I promise.” My voice is softer than usual, all pep tucked away for now. I don’t know if I’ll have an opportunity to use it anyway. Then, I motion towards the direction I suggested.

Here Comes the Sun || Alliance || Gvenna & Rowan

My eyebrows raise as she speaks, considering her words, and their implications. We’ve already established a tentative peace, but we can’t stay here for very long, which leaves only one option.

I’d never really liked the idea of allying with anyone. Even if that hadn’t been the cause of my father’s death, ultimately, the thought of relying on someone else who would eventually have to kill me? Definitely not ideal. Still, it was early enough that it probably wouldn’t come to that. And maybe I’d luck out and something, or someone, else would do the dirty work for me.

I must have taken too long to reply, though, because a moment later she proposes it explicitly- well, she shouts it at me- her expression nervous and worried and the words leave my mouth before I can stop them.

“Yeah,” I shifted my grip on the axe, holding it just below the blade and letting it hang by my side. “Allies.”

#arena day 1 #rowan #here comes the sun #its cool gvenna is just afraid and a little scattered and worried

I nod, cautious still.

“Thank you,” I mutter. My words are barely audible.

Slow as can be, I lower one of the daggers and bend down to pick up the empty backpack and medical kit. I make sure to keep one eye on her as I do this, still uncertain. It’s a quick, shaky alliance, and if she decides do, Rowan can easily kill me. But I suppose dying at her hand would be better than biting it due to some stranger-tribute.

“I have- I have a medical kit, if you’re hurt,” I offer, though she doesn’t appear to have taken any damage.

My weak suggestion makes me think of another pressing matter. What did I have to offer in an alliance? Hardly anything. I could tie knots and make a decent shelter. How long would it be before Rowan realizes I’m more of a hassle than an ally?

Here Comes the Sun || Alliance || Gvenna & Rowan

My fear starts to abate as she drops all of her things on to the ground, her arms physically shaking as she speaks. In the back of my mind, I hear Ivy’s cheerful voice telling me how easy it would be to kill her. She’s scared and armed with only a few knives, where as I have my axe and a kill already under my belt but the thought of actively killing her makes me a bit ill.

Do what needs to be done.

For me to win and go home, Gvenna would have to die, but did I really have to be the one to do it? As she continues speaking, I know I’m not going to do it. As much as it hurt me that she already had a girlfriend, I still didn’t want to hurt her.

“We’ve reached an impasse, then, I suppose.”

#arena day 1 #rowan #yeah thats cool #here comes the sun

Her words are sharp in my ears, ringing about as I try to fumble my way out of this. Somehow, I feel like I’ve already done something wrong. Like I’ve already tried to lunge, foolishly, at her. But I know I won’t do that. The next words fly out of my mouth.

“We can try to remedy that.”

I refuse to lower my knives, though I’m trying in earnest to be civil and docile. Even if it were a bunny in front of me, I would still feel the need to try and protect myself in this arena. Obviously Rowan isn’t a rabbit. If anything, she’s a lioness. Arched and ready. Golden haired and strong.

“We could alliance. Just for a little while. Please,” I bark out, too afraid to say anymore.

Here Comes the Sun || Alliance || Gvenna & Rowan

Slowing down to a brisk walk, I panted heavily as I glanced behind me, before looking forward. There were trees surrounding the path I was on, which served both as a reassurance and an anxiety inducer. They were familiar, but I knew that there were many things that lurked in the forest, and not all of them particularly friendly.

Bearing that in mind, I gripped my axe tighter as I walked, listening for any sounds of movement. It wasn’t long before I reached a fork in the road, but I keep to the main path, not doubting that someone before me had already turned down that way. At the second fork, I decided to veer left.

It wasn’t long until I came to another split in the road and I scowled. Just as I take a step towards the left branch, I hear the sounds of feet in underbrush and I whip around, raising my axe. Before I can swing it at whoever tried to sneak up on me, they shouted and I realized who it was.

“Gvenna?”

I lowered my axe slightly, but not entirely, just in case this was a trap. Maybe she was distracting me so someone else could come in for the kill, or maybe she wasn’t even herself, but something the Capitol whipped up to get in my head.