rowan emerson

Rowan Emerson || 17 || District 7 || RP Blog || FC: Rita Volk "The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness." - John Muir

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Finale Part II: Dina v. Rowan

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[rowan-emerson]

Arena Day 3

Location: An underground castle

Allies: None

Inventory

Weapons: Axe, Dagger Food: - Other: A bottle of kerosene

Injuries

Scratches and bites from the swarm of bats (cleaned and healing)

Shallow stab wounds to the side and lower back (stitched and healing)

A deep gash to the upper thigh (stitched and healing)

Broken nose (reset- kind of?- and healing??)

A cut off ear (uh...stitched and healing??)

Notable Events

After facing off against Rain from District Three, I managed to make it to the castle in relatively good shape. Well, I was alive, at least.

Wyatt sent me a suture kit and a Morphling tablet and I sewed myself up, but resisted the urge to use the Morphling just yet. After all, I’d need it for whatever came next, though I nearly passed out just from the stitches, nevertheless trying to snap my nose back into place.

I ate what as left of the deer meat- which honestly wasn’t much- and rested a bit until I knew lingering would be unsafe. 

Popping the Morphling pill, and choosing my axe, dagger- which was safely tucked in my boot- and the bottle of kerosene, I squeezed into the passageway and hoped for the best.

[soundofacannon-blog]

As Rowan catches her breath a parachute drops from the ceiling containing a suture kit and a tablet of morphling. There is a note included:

I’m so proud of you!! Stitch yourself up and give ‘em hell! -Wyatt

[soundofacannon-blog]

Rain v. Rowan

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[soundofacannon-blog]

Rain v. Rowan (the true story)

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[rowan-emerson]

Arena Day 2

Location: A Clearing in the Forest (9)

Allies: Gvenna Hawthorne

Inventory

Weapons: Axe, Dagger Food: Cooked Deer Meat Other: A half carved branch, a backpack, a lighter, an bottle of kerosene, a parachute with pod attached, a dart with a silver tip

Injuries: Scratches and bites from the swarm of bats (cleaned and healing)

Notable Events

I was shaken awake by Gvenna who saw some eyes peering at us through some underbrush. We packed up and followed the weird hooded figure to find ourselves at a marker labelled 10.

We walked on a bit more and came across an overturned a carriage in the middle of the road. I decided to take a look inside and found a dart with a silver tip. 

After an impromptu nap, I woke up hungry and in need of food, so we went hunting. It took a while, but Gvenna and I were finally able kill a deer and get it on a spit for eating.

Gvenna kissed me and then said that it was a mistake and everything was awful and I was sad.

[rowan-emerson]

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

[ghuerifuhgugdfdgj]

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.”

[rowan-emerson]

I want to scream and yell and break things, but I don’t. There’s no motivation to do anything like that, even though my mind is begging me to. I feel cold inside, empty, and I cringe as I remember the last time I felt so bad. Mentally, I chastise myself. Being turned down is nothing in comparison, so why do I feel this way?

Gvenna starts speaking again and I squeeze my eyes closed as she apologizes some more. When she mentions me murdering her, my mind catches. I should want to murder her, now more than ever, but I don’t. I still want to be around her, to talk to her and that’s so much worse in so many ways. 

Finally, I find my voice. I still can’t look at her, so I begin skewering the meat as I speak. “Don’t apologize. You shouldn’t apologize for not having feelings for me. Honestly, we’ve known each other for hardly a week. Just forget I ever said anything.”

My voice sounds empty even to my ears, but I can’t bring myself to care at this point. I feel tired and hollow and honestly I just want to focus on the task at hand, even if I’m not really hungry anymore. Still, it’s better to focus on the physical ailing rather than my emotional ones.

[rowan-emerson]

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

[ghuerifuhgugdfdgj]

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.

[rowan-emerson]

As soon as I say it, a wave of dread rears up within me. I hear Ivy’s voice in my head, scolding me- disappointed. She has a girlfriend, you know. I did know. And yet, I couldn’t have stopped myself from saying it, even though it would have probably been better than not.

I’m not expecting her to move closer to me at all. In fact, I expected her to slap me or something. My heart is pounding as she takes my hand and my eyes slide close my eyes as soon as her lips touch mine. It’s brief and and fleeting, but somehow it still manages to make me feel like I’m on fire.

She whips back a moment later, and I wish that I could say it didn’t matter to me, that I didn’t care- after all, I knew it was coming- but for a single, fleeting moment, I thought that maybe she really did return my feelings. I don’t open my eyes, I can’t. It was bad enough hearing her say the words. I didn’t want to see the apology, the regret.

Her apology is rushed and stilted and she suddenly stops speaking. I feel winded, barely even able to breath as I finally open my eyes. I don’t look at her quite yet, though, and instead stare into the fire that has, ironically enough, gone out in the time I had been distracted.

Without a word, I stand and move around to pick up the bottle of kerosene, squirting some onto the dying embers, my limbs feeling heavy and my movements sluggish. Why didn’t I just listen to Ivy? I thought I had everything under control, that I wouldn’t be disappointed when she chose her girlfriend over some girl she just met five days ago.  

Why did I have to open my stupid mouth? 

[rowan-emerson]

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

[ghuerifuhgugdfdgj]

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.”

[rowan-emerson]

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.

[rowan-emerson]

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

[ghuerifuhgugdfdgj]

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.”

[rowan-emerson]

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.

[rowan-emerson]

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

[ghuerifuhgugdfdgj]

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?”

[rowan-emerson]

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.

[rowan-emerson]

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

[ghuerifuhgugdfdgj]

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.”

[rowan-emerson]

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.”

[rowan-emerson]

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?”

[ghuerifuhgugdfdgj]

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

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You open the door and find the inside of the carriage vacant, save for some cushioned carriage seats and a small box containing a single dart with a silver tip!

[rowan-emerson]

I let out a sigh of relief when I don’t find some jump scare. Before I turn back, I notice a small box that had fallen to the floor- wall?- and grab it, opening it to find a small dart with a silver tip. It’s certainly not something I could eat, but I certainly wasn’t going to complain.

I called the all clear to Gvenna, showing her the dart before tucking it into my pocket. Now that we’ve stopped walking, I feel my exhaustion kick in and I dive back into the carriage, pulling out the upturned cushions and setting them on the ground. They’re plush and a rich wine color and at this point nothing looks more inviting after my sleepless night before. 

Propping up against the bottom of the carriage, I sit down on one cushion, setting the other beside me, and let out a sigh of relief. I’m no stranger to walking around, but this much walking on no food was starting to get to me. Mix that with my restless sleep and I’m ready for a quick nap.

“I think I’m just going to rest a bit, if that’s alright with you. Feel free to sit down and take a break.” I say, vaguely gesturing to the other cushion, my axe resting on my lap as I started to doze.

At this point, I’m fairly certain she’s not going to try and off me, but I had no doubt the Game Makers would love to set something on me while I was sleepy and vulnerable. Leaning up against the carriage, I fell into a light sleep before she could answer.

[ghuerifuhgugdfdgj]

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

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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?

[ghuerifuhgugdfdgj]

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.

[rowan-emerson]

Gvenna’s worried tone and warm hand on my arm stops me in my tracks. She makes a good point- what about an overturned carriage in the middle of a murderous arena sounds like a good idea?- but I still want to investigate. And besides, maybe there could be something of use inside.

“There could be food or weapons or resources inside of it.” I reason, It’s fairly large, after all. Of course, that could also mean there’s a giant mutt inside waiting for us as well... “Even if it’s something bad, at least we have the element of surprise.” I say with a shrug. It’s been pretty quiet so I don’t doubt the Game Makers will want some excitement soon. If it comes to it, I’d rather have the upper hand to start. “Just, uh, have your knives ready, yeah?”

With that, I take a deep breath, raising my axe in my dominant hand and open the door with my other.

[ghuerifuhgugdfdgj]

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

[soundofacannon-blog]

You come to a fork in the road: do you bear right towards a clearing or left further into the woods (followed by a right or left at the second crossroads)

[rowan-emerson]

We walk along the path relatively quickly, our ears listening intently as we go. So far we’d managed to avoid running into any other Tributes and I was more inclined to keep it that way. At least for the time being.It’s not long before we hit another crossroads- seriously?- and to the right lies a clearing of sort, while to the left, more woods. 

“I think left is the best option.” I say after a moment of consideration. “The clearing is too empty. It’ll leave us too exposed.” And anyway, I was always more comfortable in the woods. It was more familiar.

She nods her consent seeming to trust my judgement for the time being. I just hoped I didn’t steer us wrong. With that unpleasant thought, we make our way left further into the woods (9), stopping after a few minutes in order to gather our bearings.