I was feeling rather proud of myself, having dispatched of Elias and Alastair, making me the last man standing. While I had nothing against Alastair (I hadn't even know the poor guy), he was the last thing standing in my way. My idea had worked, leaving me alone in a dark cavern that slowly seemed to be caving in. That was the very last thing I needed after winning, getting crushed by a massive rock before my fingers get to wrap around that shiny crown.
Nursing my wounds, I pressed myself against the wall of the cave, praying that this would end and someone would get me the fuck outta there. A giant rumbling caused more stalactites to fall from the ceiling, so I buried my face in my knees. A first, the tremors were mild, something that I assumed would come to a stop. But instead, it just got worse and worse until I lifted my head, afraid to see what was happening around me. The cave floor opened up, pieces crumbling into thin air as the water drained into the sky. I gripped my knees for fear that I would plummet to my death now, instead of being crushed by a rock, when I caught sight of the hovercraft.
"It's about fucking time," I huffed, shakily getting to my feet as the voices of the Game Makers blared from the hovercraft. This was it. I had made it. I was alive and as well as I could've been for taking down two foes in such a short period of time. And as I boarded the craft, all I could think about was how much Link must really hate me right now.
As soon as our eyes met, despite how exhausted I was, I couldn't help but smile. His arms were crossed over his chest, and as much as he probably wanted to congratulate me, he merely shook his head.
"Oh out with it already, your sullen mother fucker. Just say it," I laughed a little as I was guided to a medical bay on the craft. Link followed me, along with Jezebel, who seemed much more eager to see me. "You were hoping I'd die in there, weren't you?"
"I don't hope for things like that, you should know that," Link replied, holding the door for a technician.
"Don't worry," I shrugged. "No one wanted me to win, so you're not alone." It was true, I knew it was. No one wanted the girl who'd paired up with the boy from 12 to win. No one wanted an ex-underage felon to rise to the grandeur that awaited me back home. No one wanted to see me wearing that crown... no one but me and daddy.
"Just think, we're going to be be neighbors for the rest of our lives," I smiled, reveling in the fact that I would be able to pester Link until we were old a gray. With a small 6 year age gap between us, I was sure that the ghosts of his fallen friends wouldn't be the only things haunting him until he was 6 feet under. I could tell by the way he groaned as he rolled his eyes that he was overjoyed.
"You and me, Linky Poo, we're gonna be best friends," I teased, pushing all his buttons. Of course, I really had no interest in things like that, but the notion gave me enough entertainment to distract me from the nurses that were now doting on my wounds.
"Great. A real dream come true," Link murmured, closing the door behind him and joining Jezebel back in the hallway.
As the nurse hooked me up to an IV, I drifted into a drug induced sleep. One where I found myself face to face with figments of my imagination... or so I thought. Sloane was there, North, too. Dotev and Kyera, Raf and Roman. Calin... and Pach. Their voices were muffled, the words they spoke to me blurred by the haze of the drugs in my system, but their faces were clear as day. I could feel my heart rate increase, looking over those I had learned to care about and those which I left willingly behind to suffer. But it was Pach's face that wouldn't fade away, even as the other's did. I tried to call out to them, but my voice was muted by some uncontrollable force. And then suddenly everything was black.
3 days passed before I was crowned the victor. 3 days passed before I was dressed in a slim black dress and paraded around by President Snow as his latest Victor. I put up with it all, painting a smile on my face during my final interview with Caesar and signing autographs for all my new fans. I put on a show until the day I boarded that train, finally able to return to my daddy, to a district that probably didn't want me back. Even as I raced back towards One, I didn't care about any of that. I had earned my place, I had proved myself, haters be damned.
I woke up in a hot sweat, my pink silk pajamas soaked and the bed sheets moist. If my hair and forehead weren't soaked, I would've questioned whether or not I pissed myself in my sleep. Pushing the sheets back, I crawled out of bed and finally noticed the fog... the steam. I grabbed my pack and all my weapons, making sure my uniform was inside. Breaking into the hallway, I screamed for Calcifer. The walls shook and the bathroom fixtures rumbled as if they were about to rupture. Racing down the stairs with my stuff, I shouted once again.
"Calcifer, what the fuck is happening?" I screamed, hitting the main floor hard and choking on the humidity. "Calcifer!"
His flame grew larger in the hearth, increasing the heat in the room by an insane amount. I was already a sweaty mess, but somehow it was just worse.
"Calcifer what is going on!" I screamed again, thinking that I better head out before something really crazy happened.
Wait what? What did I take? I spun around to face the massive flame, furrowing my brow. "What are you talking about?" I retorted. "I haven't stolen in years!"
"Lies!" Calcifer shouted back. "You stole it! I know you did!"
By now, I'd had enough of Calcifer's shit. "Look here, I ain't stolen a mother fucking thing! I haven't touched a thing, not one fucking trinket. Did I put on these pussy-ass pink pajamas? Yes! But I wasn't going to steal them!" I screamed. "You tell me what you think I stole or you let me outta here!"
Calcifer's flames licked the ceiling now, darkening the wood on the ceiling. His kindling was bright blue, the tips of him white hot. "Lies! You took his heart, you stole his heart! You must give it back, you must pay!"
"His heart? Who's heart?" I was confused. Pachenko's? No way. And no other person was even in danger of me doing such a thing. "Calcifer, just let me go!"
After quite a bit of arguing, I managed to convince Calcifer that I, in fact, hadn't stolen anyone's heart, much less the one he seemed to be protecting. It was a ridiculous argument that ended in me finally escaping the steaming hot windmill without a scratch. I was, however, insanely dehydrated and soaking wet by the time I hit the cooler morning air. Giving very little fucks, I stripped the pink silk off my body, leaving it behind in the grass.
Maybe it was stupid of me, but I really didn't give a fuck at this point. Heading straight back northwest, with the river I nearly drowned in in mind, I hiked in my underwear. Canteen emptied by the time I reached the river, I was in desperate need for a swim and more refreshments. Dropping my stuff down on the riverbank, it became clear that the river had shallowed and slowed, giving me the perfect opportunity to bathe without being swept away by the current.
Keeping my eyes on the bank, I watched for fellow tributes as I cleaned myself up. Sunbathing and enjoying an apple, I laid out until I was dry before slipping back into my uniform. Some would say it looked as if I was on vacation, and maybe, for once, I was. But not soon. Soon I would sink my claws in someone.
Location: Calcifer's windmill, south-east side of the island
Allies: I wouldn't say Calcifer's my ally, but he is protecting me for the night
Weapons: Double-bit felling axe, trench knife, dao sabre, and kitty claw brass knuckles
Items: Survival pack (with all that stuff inside), vial of black widow venom
Injuries: None
Comments: Woke up and lost Pach right away to a stupid fucking lizard... not even to a battle with another tribute. I still haven't run into anyone since the Bloodbath, but with 3 cannons today, I know there's been activity. With 11 of us left, I made it back to the main island and hid out in another windmill. There, I met a feisty fire demon named Calcifer. We struck an arrangement and after I cleaned his windmill, I got a hot bath, dinner, and a comfy bed to sleep in. I found out Saxon chose me just after dinner and I'm excited to use my new toys. The Fallen didn't make me happy at all, so I curled up in bed and tried to tell myself that no one else matters but me.
I'd struck a pretty generous deal, if I thought so myself. Generous on Calcifer's behalf. All I had to do was clean up around this place and he'd feed me, protect me, give me a bath and a bed for the night? He was losing out on the deal, that was certain.
"Alright, Caly baby, think of me as the new cleaning lady," I smiled. "Let's get started, shall we?"
"It's Calcifer, not... what did you call me? Caly baby?" he huffed, letting out a bit of black smoke. "It's just Calcifer. And another log please, I want to stay awake while I watch you work."
"Alright, Calcifer, you got a broom or something around here? Some trash bags... anything I can use?" I asked, stopping in front of him and realizing there was no way I could get anything clean without it. He gave me another huff, causing me to pop out my hip and glare at him. "Can't help you if there's no way to clean."
"Fine fine," Calcifer sparked, pointing to the cupboard under the stairs that I hadn't seen before. "In there, everything you need."
Inspecting the cupboard, Calcifer was right. Inside, I found a bucket, soap, bleach, a broom, two sponges, a mop, and trash bags. I smiled, thinking of Soft Scrub as I slipped on a pair of rubber gloves. I had to channel her while doing this task. Looking up at the ceiling, trying to find a red light that signified a camera, I winked. "This is for you, SS. Miss you girl."
I spent what felt like hours cleaning up Calcifer's flithy windmill. I washed the dishes, I swept the floor, I bagged up trash, I dusted for cobwebs. The more I worked, the lighter the room felt. The stairs were no longer covered in a thick layer of dust. The walls began to brighten, the room began to smell better, and with each bit of progress I made, Calcifer sparked and grew.
By the time I was done, I wasn't sure if I wanted to eat, bathe, or sleep first. But I was covered in grime and dirt, a bath would be in order first. Heading up the stairs now that Calcifer had lit some of the wall sconces, I made my way to the bathroom. Finding the bedroom first, I stopped in to look, shocked to find the amount of cheesy trinkets, shiny objects, and girly mobiles. My jaw dropped, the temptation to pocket a few treasures boiling in my blood.
Later. Definitely later. No one would ever know.
Appalled by the rainbow stained bathtub, I whined a little, thinking that I'd need to clean the bathroom, too, before I took a bath. I was beginning to feel like Calcifer had really known what he was doing when we struck a deal. My nose upturned, I walked in to inspect the damage done in the bathroom. Deciding that I really needed to clean it, too, I hauled ass downstairs to retrieve the bucket and some of the supplies.
"You're a smart little fire demon, you know that," I teased, sticking my tongue out at him. Calcifer merely chuckled, clearly pleased with himself.
"But look, everything looks so nice now."
"You could say thank you, you know," I pointed out.
"We made a deal, we both win, either we both say thank you or neither of us does," he replied, crackling in the hearth.
"Fair point," I nodded, trudging back up the stairs to clean the bathroom.
Another hour later, I had scrubbed the bathroom clean and was running a bath for myself. Calcifer had kept his promise, keeping me guarded and safe. I wasn't sure how he did it or if he even had too. Perhaps no one came around this way, but I was thankful regardless. I slipped into the tub, letting the water soak into my dusty, dirty, and overworked skin. But I couldn't last long, as my stomach began to grumble while rinsing my hair.
Wrapping myself in a fluffy towel, I had dried myself off and made my way to the closet in the fancy bedroom. I draped myself in a nice, pink silk set of pajamas, complete with fuzzy slippers. I had no idea who this stuff belonged to, but it was big, possibly for a taller woman or even a man. I laughed, trying to imagine the kind of guy who's wear things like this. Returning downstairs, I found Calcifer's flame fading.
"No naps, Calcifer. It's time to cook!" I chimed, waking him up. "Tut, tut tut sleeping on the job you lazy son of a bitch."
"Excuse me, I am not a son of a bitch. I am a scary and powerful fire demon! And I do not cook!" he protested, sparking a little and letting out a huff of grey smoke.
But as promised, Calcifer presented me with bread, eggs, and bacon. I brought over a pan and a spatula from the cupboard, freshly washed and ready. Cracking the eggs into the pan and adding the bacon, I stacked another log on Calcifer before placing the plate into the flame.
"Hey, hey, I said I don't cook!" he shouted, spitting fire in my direction. "Here's a curse for you, may all your bacon burn!"
"Oh you don't really mean that, Calcifer," I laughed, flipping the bacon.
Another hour later, I sat in front of Calcifer, sleepy and stomach full. Just as I was nodding off, I heard a knock at the door. It startled me so much that I fell off the chair onto the (thankfully, now clean) floor. Calcifer laughed for a moment before announcing that there was a present outside for me.
"A present?" I asked, weary of Calcifer's tricks.
"A parachute," he said.
"A parachute! No shit..." I smiled, shocked. Running to the door and opening it, axe in hand just in case, I found what was, in fact, a parachute, on the doorstep.
"You were right, Calcifer," I said as I brought the chute inside, shutting the door behind me. Inside, I found the most beautiful pair of kitty clawed brass knuckles and a vial of black widow venom. The idea that Saxon had picked me was one thing, but the gifts he'd bestowed upon me was on a whole other level. Frowning at the note, as it mentioned Pach briefly, I set it aside and focused on the shiny. Slipping them onto my fingers, I held them up in the fire light to admire them. "Thank you Saxon," I whispered, knowing he would hear. "Tomorrow is going to be a great day."
Once in bed, I found myself staring at all the trinkets. The sky was dark outside and the Fallen was surely to begin any moment. I wasn't interested in seeing Pach's face again, unwilling to admit how he'd made me feel, how he'd tripped me up, how I'd let him in. But because I knew it was important, I made my way to the window anyways. To my surprise, Calin's face was first in the sky, causing me to release a little gasp. Pach's face followed, and instead of looking away I found myself staring at his face one last time. Fighting tears back, I shook off my emotions, telling myself to chin up. Attachments are for the weak. The final face signified that there had been a cannon I hadn't heard today. I wondered how I had missed it. Dotev's face beamed down at me, yet another person that I'd come into contact with. Her death was brutal, disgusting even. I turned away as some odd monster ate her remains, wondering what the hell the Game Makers were doing this season.
I knew I should've mourned more, but I wouldn't let myself. Instead, I curled up in the most comfortable bed I'd felt since my mother's mansion... more comfortable than my bed back in the Capitol. Perhaps I was just tired, though. Either way, I was out like a light within minutes.
Calcifer frowned, seeing that you are smart. He can’t just con you into cleaning for a simple roof over your head. He sat there, silent for a moment, crackling and burning down the logs, deep in thought. By the time you’re ready to give up on the deal, Calcifer relents.
"Fine. I have edible food here. I was saving it for when H-" he paused. "For when he comes back… but he won’t. So it’s yours. Eggs, bacon, toast. And a comfortable and warm bed upstairs. A hot bath? It’s all yours, if you do what I ask…"
Now, the back breaking cleaning didn't sound very appealing, but the rest of it did. And I figured that a hot bath and a comfortable bed was more than most tributes were getting at this point.
"I agree. On one condition," I smiled, having one last demand to be met. I stood up, scooting the chair to the side. "While I sleep here, you keep anyone else out. You keep me safe for the night. Just one night."
Calcifer smiled widely, crackling against the wood with excitement. “I can’t function properly with a house this dirty. Both of my previous residents have left me alone and I feel as though I’m living in shambles. It takes twice as much of my energy to run the windmill. Can you clean for me? At least this room?”
He wanted me to clean just so that I could stay here tonight? He had to be out of his mind... if a fire demon had a mind at all. He must've, though, to have enough power to negotiate, so I figured I would try my hand. I got up, scooting the chair closer to the hearth.
"I'm interested. But what's in it for me? I don't have any reason to stay here when there's other places I could go. Give me a reason why I should do this for you," I purred, spinning the handle of the axe in my grip, waiting for him to sweeten the deal. After all, there was a lot of manual labor to do and I had no reason to help him without more incentive.
The face in the flames stared back at you, it’s red hot arms wrapped around the log it was quickly consuming. It laughed a little before answering you.
"I am Calcifer. A fire demon. And this is my windmill, I power it," he replied as the windmill began to shake a little. The blades of the windmill are now rotating since Calcifer is awake. The door slams shut and he ignites a brighter and bigger flame. "You can stay here tonight if you cut me a deal. Do me a favor… help me out with something? What do you say?"
A fucking fire demon? Is this real life? I rolled my eyes, which I think he didn't appreciate. I wasn't feeling at all threatened until the door slammed shut. He was telling me I could stay, but for a price. I had the feeling he wanted me to stay, after all, the door was shut. He really wanted me to take this deal, he wanted my help, hell he probably needed my help.
"I'm listening," I perked up, elbows resting on the back of the chair. "Tell me what you want and I'll tell you if I agree to it."
snowghoul
stormborns
2087
pixelskylines
