Cosmere Hunger Games - RP

[J. Magi she/her]

1 minute ago, Spark of Hope said:

“If you were, well, I doubt you would have made any allies in there. But you had Dougella, Connor, Tinker, Mare… They’re your allies. One might even say your friends. If you really brought death with you, that wouldn’t be the case.”

She had a point.

But so did over a hundred years of history. 

He wanted to go with her. She looked so kind, so inviting. The same as his own mother, the last time he saw her. But she had left him and father for a reason.

"I . . . They'll look for me." His hand clenched over the blood-soaked bundle of cash. "She'll come after me."

[Spark of Hope Oompa/Loompa/Doopidy/Doo]

3 minutes ago, J. Magi said:

She had a point.

But so did over a hundred years of history. 

He wanted to go with her. She looked so kind, so inviting. The same as his own mother, the last time he saw her. But she had left him and father for a reason.

"I . . . They'll look for me." His hand clenched over the blood-soaked bundle of cash. "She'll come after me."

“You could change your name, the way you look. You don’t have to be as they know you.”

[J. Magi she/her]

Just now, Spark of Hope said:

“You could change your name, the way you look. You don’t have to be as they know you.”

He hadn't thought of that.
"I . . . I couldn't, it wouldn't work . . . it . . ." It shouldn't work. It shouldn't be that easy, not for him.

[Spark of Hope Oompa/Loompa/Doopidy/Doo]

10 minutes ago, J. Magi said:

He hadn't thought of that.
"I . . . I couldn't, it wouldn't work . . . it . . ." It shouldn't work. It shouldn't be that easy, not for him.

From their group farther away, Marewill looked at him. Her mouth was slightly open, and then she smiled slightly. 

[J. Magi she/her]

6 minutes ago, Spark of Hope said:

From their group farther away, Marewill looked at him. Her mouth was slightly open, and then she smiled slightly. 

Sharp noticed her looking. What was she smiling at?

He hadn't agreed to come . . . he wasn't going to . . . He didn't want to . . .

But he needed too. He hated to admit it, but it was true.

The bills fell out of his hand and hit the ground with a squelch.

[Scars of Hathsin he/him]

Dougella, HG Arena

Dougella looks at her father, in a uniform she does not remember, covered in blood as well. What happened to you? She thinks to herself looking sideways at Pigment. He shakes his head. I dont think your house is the place for you he says through the mental connection. She nods, taking a sidelong look at Sharp, who was talking with someone, who she presumed was Mare's mother. She nods again. She breaks her father's embrace. "Dad, I don't feel the same anymore" he smooths her hair, "Why would you?" he says in  response, looking her up and down, noticing the changes to her, her stance, and her attitude. he leans in for another hug, whispering in her ear. "I approve" she blushes, before whispering back "Daddddd" he laughs before pushing her away slightly, "Fly little bird, do great things in this world" he says, tears springing to his eyes. 

She looks at him surprised but happy at the same time. She rushes in for another hug, whispering in his ear, "I love you and mum" before running to go to Sharp. Her father looking on, proud, and sad at the same time. 

@J. Magi

[The Stormfather He/Him]

Quote

I actually cried reading all of this.

 

[Scars of Hathsin he/him]

Quote

mmmm. I am thinking it is leading to everyone living together. And yes, I almost cried as well

 

[The Stormfather He/Him]

Just now, Scars of Hathsin said:

 

Quote

I mean, Mark would go with y'all if you like... asked him to. 

 

[Lotus Blossom she/her]

14 hours ago, The Stormfather said:

It's over. It's...over.

His blade fell to the ground, puffing into insubstantial mist. He looked around, seeing many of the tributes in happy reunion with family and friends. Well, maybe not all were happy, he noticed when he saw Sharp.

Tinker, Marewill, Sharp, Dougella, Connor... They were all safe. And... Astra.

His eyes found her across the tunnel from him. He dropped the gun he had stolen. There was blood on it from having to bludgeon someone, and then he began walking over to her.

It felt as if it took years, the most exhausting sprinting of his life. In truth, he was limping about thirty feet. It took him a solid minute.

"Astra? I think I might..." Mark's eyes nearly closed, and he gritted his teeth. "Need... Some more..." He grunted, stumbled and nearly fell over. He dropped to his knees. "Light..." He slumped over to the side, laying down in front of her. "Then.. I'll be..back." He had been fighting for too long. Been running in the arena for too long. He had hardly eaten in the days in the arena, only a few meals of verdant vines. Now... Well, he said the truth when he said he needed light. 

Astra cradled Mark's head in her arms as she pressed the flower into him, spilling endless light from the petals.

She lightly trailed her nails through his hair, then toyed with the hem of his clothes. They were so close to freedom when he was so close to death. All the other tributes had everything to fight for, but there was nothing waiting for Mark and Astra. They led dark lives, and their sacrifice repelled all. It was hard enough to cling to each other, trembling from the future. It was hard enough.

"Astra?" a salted, deeper voice called out. Astra looked up from Mark to see a tanned, almost reptilian skinned girl about her age with dark oiled hair in thick coils that cascaded down her shoulders. Her lips were unnaturally red and her eyes caught the gold of the sun. They were squinted, not from light, but from what used to be humor. Now, they seemed more to be filled with sweet nostalgia. The mirth once in her light smirk was gone, and replaced by the friendliness of shared triumph. After the shock of her shining beauty faded, Astra could make out the points of struggle and vulnerability. Her curves were full but tilted, as if limping. Her skin had suffered scars and a gash stained her right eyebrow with blood. 

Kayra.

Kayra had come back.

Kayra had come back to save her.

The girl smiled warmly, but it made Astra uneasy, as if Kayra had listened carefully to her thoughts. She approached where Astra was sitting, holding Mark. Astra remained wary. I have battled for so long in these games. I will not fall again. Not for this. Not for her.

Kayra held out a hand, but Astra wouldn't take it.

"I heard you went to the games," Kayra began, almost as a coo, "These arenas are slaughterhouses. When a rebellion was trying to be organized, I thought, if Astra were in my place, she would do it too." She winked.

Astra stung with bitterness. Those were the same words Kayra had said after the betrayal. If you were in my place, you would do it too. She said that after she left her. How could she come back like this? Repeating those words?

"I wouldn't," Astra whispered.

"I suppose we'll never be sure," Kayra smiled, retracting her hand when she accepted that Astra wouldn't take it, "But I did. I came back for you to set you free."

"I set myself free," Astra snarled.

"I fought against the peacemakers to break open the gate," Kayra shook her head, almost condescendingly, but from a good place. Astra did not doubt that it was from a good place. Still, she was sour, for some unknown reason. She clung to the past.

"I got the first gate open, I could've opened the second. I fought for my freedom, and they fought for theirs too," Astra nodded to the other tributes, "And they fought for mine. Whatever saving you've convinced yourself you did, it was too late, and too useless. We fought our way out. We sacrificed ourselves. There is no one here braver than these tributes," Astra looked at Mark, "He would've kept fighting until he died if only for us."

Kayra scoffed, "You're right. You wouldn't have come for me. You flit about from place to place, person to person, with no true ground. Obsessed with gambling, liquor, bets, auctions. Your heart and moral compass belongs to the black market. It's who you are Astra. You've always been selfish. It's in your blood." Kayra looked over her shoulder, "Speaking of, there is someone here you should meet."

An older woman stepped forward. Her long hair was pinned up in a silky bun with a ceramic flower. She presented herself neatly, but in her face burned a fire of defiance, the same fire that raged through Astra's eyes. Her face had smile lines and frown lines, freckles and scars. She seemed frail yet strong. She seemed to be held captive by a young spirit.

"Astra..." she said, almost trying the word on her lips, "Do you know me?"

She didn't. And she didn't have the energy to continue this uncomfortable conversation.

"Astra," the woman repeated, more insistently this time.

The woman was persistent and firm, just like her.

"No," Astra replied curtly.

"Aeryn," the woman said, lost in space. After a pause she turned back, "Do you know the name?"

"I haven't heard of an Aeryn, ma'am."

"Your father truly was a mess after your mother died," the woman shook her head with displease.

"My father?"

"Yes, the artist and drunkard. He wasn't always sick and crazy, you know. Before he met your weak mother, he was a fine gentleman."

"Did you know him then?" Astra's fingers clasped Mark's for stability.

"Why, my dear. He was my son." The woman smiled crookedly.

Astra's jaw clenched.

"Did you know I was alive?" Astra demanded.

"Yes, always."

"Why didn't you take care of me?" tears slid down her face, "I was a child. I was told I had no one left. That my entire family was gone. My father always told me, before he went insane, that his mother didn't know who his father was. He told me my grandmother had died and that my birth was the cause of my mother's death. He told me I had no one, and then he left. Where were you?" Astra raised her voice.

"I was watching," Aeryn replied politely.

"Watching for WHAT? Watching to see what it would take for a young teenage girl alone in the world to break?"

"You didn't break," Aeryn comforted her, "You were quite successful, really. You owned most of the casinos, and world hopped everywhere. A true storyteller."

"WHY DIDN'T YOU WANT ME? You should've been there earlier, not now."

"We all should've done many things, but I wasn't going to lose another Ay girl to the games."

"Another?" Astra narrowed her eyes.

"My twin sister. Amyra Ay. She wasn't like us. I was hot tempered when she was kind. She was selfless, a Windrunner. You were born to be a Willshaper though, Astra. You were born to survive."

Astra used the back of her hand to wipe the tears from her cheeks. She embraced Aeryn, then shifted gaze to Kayra. She extended a hand and Kayra shook it, but a moment later, they too were holding each other tight, as if this moment was the last.

"I can't go back with you," she said as she pulled away.

"Either of you."

Edited August 31 by Lotus Blossom

[Edema Rue she/her]

56 minutes ago, Lotus Blossom said:

Astra cradled Mark's head in her arms as she pressed the flower into him, spilling endless light from the petals.

She lightly trailed her nails through his hair, then toyed with the hem of his clothes. They were so close to freedom when he was so close to death. All the other tributes had everything to fight for, but there was nothing waiting for Mark and Astra. They led dark lives, and their sacrifice repelled all. It was hard enough to cling to each other, trembling from the future. It was hard enough.

"Astra?" a salted, deeper voice called out. Astra looked up from Mark to see a tanned, almost reptilian skinned girl about her age with dark oiled hair in thick coils that cascaded down her shoulders. Her lips were unnaturally red and her eyes caught the gold of the sun. They were squinted, not from light, but from what used to be humor. Now, they seemed more to be filled with sweet nostalgia. The mirth once in her light smirk was gone, and replaced by the friendliness of shared triumph. After the shock of her shining beauty faded, Astra could make out the points of struggle and vulnerability. Her curves were full but tilted, as if limping. Her skin had suffered scars and a gash stained her right eyebrow with blood. 

Kayra.

Kayra had come back.

Kayra had come back to save her.

The girl smiled warmly, but it made Astra uneasy, as if Kayra had listened carefully to her thoughts. She approached where Astra was sitting, holding Mark. Astra remained wary. I have battled for so long in these games. I will not fall again. Not for this. Not for her.

Kayra held out a hand, but Astra wouldn't take it.

"I heard you went to the games," Kayra began, almost as a coo, "These arenas are slaughterhouses. When a rebellion was trying to be organized, I thought, if Astra were in my place, she would do it too." She winked.

Astra stung with bitterness. Those were the same words Kayra had said after the betrayal. If you were in my place, you would do it too. She said that after she left her. How could she come back like this? Repeating those words?

"I wouldn't," Astra whispered.

"I suppose we'll never be sure," Kayra smiled, retracting her hand when she accepted that Astra wouldn't take it, "But I did. I came back for you to set you free."

"I set myself free," Astra snarled.

"I fought against the peacemakers to break open the gate," Kayra shook her head, almost condescendingly, but from a good place. Astra did not doubt that it was from a good place. Still, she was sour, for some unknown reason. She clung to the past.

"I got the first gate open, I could've opened the second. I fought for my freedom, and they fought for theirs too," Astra nodded to the other tributes, "And they fought for mine. Whatever saving you've convinced yourself you did, it was too late, and too useless. We fought our way out. We sacrificed ourselves. There is no one here braver than these tributes," Astra looked at Mark, "He would've kept fighting until he died if only for us."

Kayra scoffed, "You're right. You wouldn't have come for me. You flit about from place to place, person to person, with no true ground. Obsessed with gambling, liquor, bets, auctions. Your heart and moral compass belongs to the black market. It's who you are Astra. You've always been selfish. It's in your blood." Kayra looked over her shoulder, "Speaking of, there is someone here you should meet."

An older woman stepped forward. Her long hair was pinned up in a silky bun with a ceramic flower. She presented herself neatly, but in her face burned a fire of defiance, the same fire that raged through Astra's eyes. Her face had smile lines and frown lines, freckles and scars. She seemed frail yet strong. She seemed to be held captive by a young spirit.

"Astra..." she said, almost trying the word on her lips, "Do you know me?"

She didn't. And she didn't have the energy to continue this uncomfortable conversation.

"Astra," the woman repeated, more insistently this time.

The woman was persistent and firm, just like her.

"No," Astra replied curtly.

"Aeryn," the woman said, lost in space. After a pause she turned back, "Do you know the name?"

"I haven't heard of an Aeryn, ma'am."

"Your father truly was a mess after your mother died," the woman shook her head with displease.

"My father?"

"Yes, the artist and drunkard. He wasn't always sick and crazy, you know. Before he met your weak mother, he was a fine gentleman."

"Did you know him then?" Astra's fingers clasped Mark's for stability.

"Why, my dear. He was my son." The woman smiled crookedly.

Astra's jaw clenched.

"Did you know I was alive?" Astra demanded.

"Yes, always."

"Why didn't you take care of me?" tears slid down her face, "I was a child. I was told I had no one left. That my entire family was gone. My father always told me, before he went insane, that his mother didn't know who his father was. He told me my grandmother had died and that my birth was the cause of my mother's death. He told me I had no one, and then he left. Where were you?" Astra raised her voice.

"I was watching," Aeryn replied politely.

"Watching for WHAT? Watching to see what it would take for a young teenage girl alone in the world to break?"

"You didn't break," Aeryn comforted her, "You were quite successful, really. You owned most of the casinos, and world hopped everywhere. A true storyteller."

"WHY DIDN'T YOU WANT ME? You should've been there earlier, not now."

"We all should've done many things, but I wasn't going to lose another Ay girl to the games."

"Another?" Astra narrowed her eyes.

"My twin sister. Amyra Ay. She wasn't like us. I was hot tempered when she was kind. She was selfless, a Windrunner. You were born to be a Willshaper though, Astra. You were born to survive."

Astra used the back of her hand to wipe the tears from her cheeks. She embraced Aeryn, then shifted gaze to Kayra. She extended a hand and Kayra shook it, but a moment later, they too were holding each other tight, as if this moment was the last.

"I can't go back with you," she said as she pulled away.

"Either of you."

Quote

 

[Spark of Hope Oompa/Loompa/Doopidy/Doo]

12 hours ago, J. Magi said:

Sharp noticed her looking. What was she smiling at?

He hadn't agreed to come . . . he wasn't going to . . . He didn't want to . . .

But he needed too. He hated to admit it, but it was true.

The bills fell out of his hand and hit the ground with a squelch.

She watched them fall, then looked back at him. 

10 hours ago, Scars of Hathsin said:

Dougella, HG Arena

Dougella looks at her father, in a uniform she does not remember, covered in blood as well. What happened to you? She thinks to herself looking sideways at Pigment. He shakes his head. I dont think your house is the place for you he says through the mental connection. She nods, taking a sidelong look at Sharp, who was talking with someone, who she presumed was Mare's mother. She nods again. She breaks her father's embrace. "Dad, I don't feel the same anymore" he smooths her hair, "Why would you?" he says in  response, looking her up and down, noticing the changes to her, her stance, and her attitude. he leans in for another hug, whispering in her ear. "I approve" she blushes, before whispering back "Daddddd" he laughs before pushing her away slightly, "Fly little bird, do great things in this world" he says, tears springing to his eyes. 

She looks at him surprised but happy at the same time. She rushes in for another hug, whispering in his ear, "I love you and mum" before running to go to Sharp. Her father looking on, proud, and sad at the same time. 

@J. Magi

She turned as Dougella approached. “Well, hello there.”

10 hours ago, The Stormfather said:

 

Quote

OOC I would, but it’s not going to come from Mare initiating it at least. Once he’s better he could ask.

 

13 hours ago, J. Magi said:

Sharp stared at for a few moments. Could he really escape so easily? Go live somewhere far away from them and keep his head down?

"My name is Sharp . . ."

A horrible name. A violent name. A cursed name.

He tilted his head, watching for her expression. "Does that mean anything to you?"

Quote

Sorry if this makes a double post

Didn’t see your edit before

No, she wouldn’t know them. She would be more concerned with her family and things that are closer to them in their old district 

 

[The Stormfather He/Him]

12 hours ago, Lotus Blossom said:

Astra cradled Mark's head in her arms as she pressed the flower into him, spilling endless light from the petals.

She lightly trailed her nails through his hair, then toyed with the hem of his clothes. They were so close to freedom when he was so close to death. All the other tributes had everything to fight for, but there was nothing waiting for Mark and Astra. They led dark lives, and their sacrifice repelled all. It was hard enough to cling to each other, trembling from the future. It was hard enough.

"Astra?" a salted, deeper voice called out. Astra looked up from Mark to see a tanned, almost reptilian skinned girl about her age with dark oiled hair in thick coils that cascaded down her shoulders. Her lips were unnaturally red and her eyes caught the gold of the sun. They were squinted, not from light, but from what used to be humor. Now, they seemed more to be filled with sweet nostalgia. The mirth once in her light smirk was gone, and replaced by the friendliness of shared triumph. After the shock of her shining beauty faded, Astra could make out the points of struggle and vulnerability. Her curves were full but tilted, as if limping. Her skin had suffered scars and a gash stained her right eyebrow with blood. 

Kayra.

Kayra had come back.

Kayra had come back to save her.

The girl smiled warmly, but it made Astra uneasy, as if Kayra had listened carefully to her thoughts. She approached where Astra was sitting, holding Mark. Astra remained wary. I have battled for so long in these games. I will not fall again. Not for this. Not for her.

Kayra held out a hand, but Astra wouldn't take it.

"I heard you went to the games," Kayra began, almost as a coo, "These arenas are slaughterhouses. When a rebellion was trying to be organized, I thought, if Astra were in my place, she would do it too." She winked.

Astra stung with bitterness. Those were the same words Kayra had said after the betrayal. If you were in my place, you would do it too. She said that after she left her. How could she come back like this? Repeating those words?

"I wouldn't," Astra whispered.

"I suppose we'll never be sure," Kayra smiled, retracting her hand when she accepted that Astra wouldn't take it, "But I did. I came back for you to set you free."

"I set myself free," Astra snarled.

"I fought against the peacemakers to break open the gate," Kayra shook her head, almost condescendingly, but from a good place. Astra did not doubt that it was from a good place. Still, she was sour, for some unknown reason. She clung to the past.

"I got the first gate open, I could've opened the second. I fought for my freedom, and they fought for theirs too," Astra nodded to the other tributes, "And they fought for mine. Whatever saving you've convinced yourself you did, it was too late, and too useless. We fought our way out. We sacrificed ourselves. There is no one here braver than these tributes," Astra looked at Mark, "He would've kept fighting until he died if only for us."

Kayra scoffed, "You're right. You wouldn't have come for me. You flit about from place to place, person to person, with no true ground. Obsessed with gambling, liquor, bets, auctions. Your heart and moral compass belongs to the black market. It's who you are Astra. You've always been selfish. It's in your blood." Kayra looked over her shoulder, "Speaking of, there is someone here you should meet."

An older woman stepped forward. Her long hair was pinned up in a silky bun with a ceramic flower. She presented herself neatly, but in her face burned a fire of defiance, the same fire that raged through Astra's eyes. Her face had smile lines and frown lines, freckles and scars. She seemed frail yet strong. She seemed to be held captive by a young spirit.

"Astra..." she said, almost trying the word on her lips, "Do you know me?"

She didn't. And she didn't have the energy to continue this uncomfortable conversation.

"Astra," the woman repeated, more insistently this time.

The woman was persistent and firm, just like her.

"No," Astra replied curtly.

"Aeryn," the woman said, lost in space. After a pause she turned back, "Do you know the name?"

"I haven't heard of an Aeryn, ma'am."

"Your father truly was a mess after your mother died," the woman shook her head with displease.

"My father?"

"Yes, the artist and drunkard. He wasn't always sick and crazy, you know. Before he met your weak mother, he was a fine gentleman."

"Did you know him then?" Astra's fingers clasped Mark's for stability.

"Why, my dear. He was my son." The woman smiled crookedly.

Astra's jaw clenched.

"Did you know I was alive?" Astra demanded.

"Yes, always."

"Why didn't you take care of me?" tears slid down her face, "I was a child. I was told I had no one left. That my entire family was gone. My father always told me, before he went insane, that his mother didn't know who his father was. He told me my grandmother had died and that my birth was the cause of my mother's death. He told me I had no one, and then he left. Where were you?" Astra raised her voice.

"I was watching," Aeryn replied politely.

"Watching for WHAT? Watching to see what it would take for a young teenage girl alone in the world to break?"

"You didn't break," Aeryn comforted her, "You were quite successful, really. You owned most of the casinos, and world hopped everywhere. A true storyteller."

"WHY DIDN'T YOU WANT ME? You should've been there earlier, not now."

"We all should've done many things, but I wasn't going to lose another Ay girl to the games."

"Another?" Astra narrowed her eyes.

"My twin sister. Amyra Ay. She wasn't like us. I was hot tempered when she was kind. She was selfless, a Windrunner. You were born to be a Willshaper though, Astra. You were born to survive."

Astra used the back of her hand to wipe the tears from her cheeks. She embraced Aeryn, then shifted gaze to Kayra. She extended a hand and Kayra shook it, but a moment later, they too were holding each other tight, as if this moment was the last.

"I can't go back with you," she said as she pulled away.

"Either of you."

Mark stays still as the scene plays out, absorbing the light from there flower to begin to heal the damage of the arena. 
He looks up at Astra, knowing vaguely what was going on.

”Astra…Whoever you are… Whoever you were… You don’t have to be that person anymore. Neither do I. We’ve lead messed up lives, but we can change it now. Somehow. Somewhere, there will be a place for us. But it can’t be here. It can’t be in a place where our pasts will come back to haunt us. We need to either get through the troubles our past or abandon them in the Ruined outskirts. There will be somewhere for us. There has to be.”

Mark groans and sits up, clasping Astra’s hand. 
“For now, though…Well, everyone else seems to have someone who came to rescue them. Someone to take them back to society, to return them to whatever life they once lead. Clearly, the people who came for you are not the people you want to go with. So we have no one. Except each other. Hopefully that’s enough. But we need allies. Somehow. But I think… I think maybe we should go with the others. I… going anywhere won’t be very safe for either of us. And… well, let’s just say there may be a few people after me. So going somewhere with the people who lead the rebellion? There’s no way the Steeles will attack them. It’s… well, it’s my only chance to get away from them without having to…” he looks around at the smoking eyes of the Peacekeepers.

”Enough eyes have burned out for a century. No more. Never again.”

[Lotus Blossom she/her]

4 hours ago, The Stormfather said:

Mark stays still as the scene plays out, absorbing the light from there flower to begin to heal the damage of the arena. 
He looks up at Astra, knowing vaguely what was going on.

”Astra…Whoever you are… Whoever you were… You don’t have to be that person anymore. Neither do I. We’ve lead messed up lives, but we can change it now. Somehow. Somewhere, there will be a place for us. But it can’t be here. It can’t be in a place where our pasts will come back to haunt us. We need to either get through the troubles our past or abandon them in the Ruined outskirts. There will be somewhere for us. There has to be.”

Mark groans and sits up, clasping Astra’s hand. 
“For now, though…Well, everyone else seems to have someone who came to rescue them. Someone to take them back to society, to return them to whatever life they once lead. Clearly, the people who came for you are not the people you want to go with. So we have no one. Except each other. Hopefully that’s enough. But we need allies. Somehow. But I think… I think maybe we should go with the others. I… going anywhere won’t be very safe for either of us. And… well, let’s just say there may be a few people after me. So going somewhere with the people who lead the rebellion? There’s no way the Steeles will attack them. It’s… well, it’s my only chance to get away from them without having to…” he looks around at the smoking eyes of the Peacekeepers.

”Enough eyes have burned out for a century. No more. Never again.”

Astra watched with dull, scowling eyes as Kayra retreated joyfully into the crowd, joining her newer acquaintances who she would, someday, dispose of apathetically. She raised an eyebrow at Aeryn, who lightly bowed her head, the corner of her mouth twisting into a knowing smile.

"Till we meet again, my dearest. You are a true Ay daughter, carry the name with pride," Aeryn twinkled. She left on her own terms, fading into the shadows of her own high-end crowd.

Astra grit her teeth and didn't ease until they had both gone. This wasn't the welcome she had dreamed of. She thought the worst outcome was if no one came for her, so why did it hurt more when people did?

She locked eyes with Mark, seeking comfort in his gaze. "We'll find somewhere for us," she repeated.

She held his hand, "Let's go with the rebels. Let's go together. No one else must die again."

She smiled weakly, looking about the ruins and debris. "We may not have a home in a place, but we'll have one in each other." 

A weighty promise from a Willshaper like her.

But this time, it didn't feel like lying.

Edited August 31 by Lotus Blossom

[J. Magi she/her]

22 hours ago, Scars of Hathsin said:

Dougella, HG Arena

Dougella looks at her father, in a uniform she does not remember, covered in blood as well. What happened to you? She thinks to herself looking sideways at Pigment. He shakes his head. I dont think your house is the place for you he says through the mental connection. She nods, taking a sidelong look at Sharp, who was talking with someone, who she presumed was Mare's mother. She nods again. She breaks her father's embrace. "Dad, I don't feel the same anymore" he smooths her hair, "Why would you?" he says in  response, looking her up and down, noticing the changes to her, her stance, and her attitude. he leans in for another hug, whispering in her ear. "I approve" she blushes, before whispering back "Daddddd" he laughs before pushing her away slightly, "Fly little bird, do great things in this world" he says, tears springing to his eyes. 

She looks at him surprised but happy at the same time. She rushes in for another hug, whispering in his ear, "I love you and mum" before running to go to Sharp. Her father looking on, proud, and sad at the same time. 

@J. Magi

"O-oh, Dougella. Did you decide you wanted those breaths back?" 

11 hours ago, Spark of Hope said:

She watched them fall, then looked back at him. 

She turned as Dougella approached. “Well, hello there.”

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Oh, your good. It's my bad for forgetting to add it first.

[The Stormfather He/Him]

3 hours ago, Lotus Blossom said:

Astra watched with dull, scowling eyes as Kayra retreated joyfully into the crowd, joining her newer acquaintances who she would, someday, dispose of apathetically. She raised an eyebrow at Aeryn, who lightly bowed her head, the corner of her mouth twisting into a knowing smile.

"Till we meet again, my dearest. You are a true Ay daughter, carry the name with pride," Aeryn twinkled. She left on her own terms, fading into the shadows of her own high-end crowd.

Astra grit her teeth and didn't ease until they had both gone. This wasn't the welcome she had dreamed of. She thought the worst outcome was if no one came for her, so why did it hurt more when people did?

She locked eyes with Mark, seeking comfort in his gaze. "We'll find somewhere for us," she repeated.

She held his hand, "Let's go with the rebels. Let's go together. No one else must die again."

She smiled weakly, looking about the ruins and debris. "We may not have a home in a place, but we'll have one in each other." 

A weighty promise from a Willshaper like her.

But this time, it didn't feel like lying.

"I-" Mark pauses. "Thank you. For everything."

[Lotus Blossom she/her]

1 hour ago, The Stormfather said:

"I-" Mark pauses. "Thank you. For everything."

"You mustn't. The games were filled with unspoken favors. We'll start anew today."

Astra gently tightened her clasp on his hand and then loosened, assuring him of something she didn't know herself.

[Scars of Hathsin he/him]

13 hours ago, Spark of Hope said:

She watched them fall, then looked back at him. 

She turned as Dougella approached. “Well, hello there.”

 

 

 

1 hour ago, J. Magi said:

"O-oh, Dougella. Did you decide you wanted those breaths back?" 

Dougella, HG Arena

Dougella nods a hello to Mare's mother, one that shows the thanks to her and her daughters family for helping them break out. She turns to Sharp, "No, as I have already said, I don't need those breaths anymore" she says gently to him, before saying something else. "What I think we need is to fall of the face of the planet"

[Edema Rue she/her]

Corin? Ariya spoke kindly, but firmly. We have to go, Corin. We can’t just stay here. I’m sure the rebels won’t be happy with you, and we’ll never know if we just stand here. Corin didn’t answer. Corin! The spren said it again, sharper this time.

”Can I really go back, Ariya?”

Of course you can. What are you talking about? Even if your friends are gone—

“My brothers, Ariya. They’re my brothers.”

Ariya was quiet for a long moment. Even if they’re gone, she finally said, we have work to do. There are so many more kids living just like you were. People you can protect.

”I know,” Corin said. “But that isn’t what I meant. I’m different now, and you know it’s true. For a start, I talk like one of the people we always hated. But more importantly…so many people died in there, and I didn’t do anything. I helped kill them, even if it was indirect. How can I really call myself a Windrunner?”

It took her a long time to respond to that one. Humans make mistakes, Corin. So do spren. It’s too late to change them. All we can do is change what we do next. All we can do is promise to try harder tomorrow than we did yesterday.

The corner of Corin’s mouth tilted up. “It sounds so nice,” he admitted. “Being a bartender again. Having a home and not a prison…” He watched the tributes for a long, long moment. “But I can’t. They’re different too, Ari. The whole world is. And if it isn’t…I’m going to change it. I’m going to make a world that doesn’t need people like me. Maybe then I’ll be able to go home.”

That’s a brave choice.

Corin shook his head. It wasn’t. It was the only thing he could do to try to make up for all the things he’d done. And for all the things he hadn’t.

You know the Words, Corin.

And he did. “I accept,” he whispered, “that there will be those I can’t protect. But that does not mean I’ll stop trying.”

[The Bookwyrm he/him]

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Let me know when all the endings are finished, guys.

I want to do a big flash forward for mine.

 

[Scars of Hathsin he/him]

3 hours ago, The Bookwyrm said:

 

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Mine is not finished, but do you think it would be suitable for the tributes to live in the same town, after all they have been trhough?

 

[Spark of Hope Oompa/Loompa/Doopidy/Doo]

4 hours ago, Scars of Hathsin said:

 

Quote

Yep

 

[J. Magi she/her]

On 8/31/2024 at 7:23 PM, Scars of Hathsin said:

Dougella, HG Arena

Dougella nods a hello to Mare's mother, one that shows the thanks to her and her daughters family for helping them break out. She turns to Sharp, "No, as I have already said, I don't need those breaths anymore" she says gently to him, before saying something else. "What I think we need is to fall of the face of the planet"

"What . . . on earth are you talking about?" Sharp asked, his tired mind not understanding.

--------------------------

Abandoned Mcdonald Warehouse/ House HG:

Sharlin had rushed back to base ahead of the rest. While her battalions finished up in the arena, and helped the tributes out, she had more important things to do.

Sharanna would want to here about her brother, but more importantly, Sharlin had gotten bored of watching teary-eyed reunions. Plus she didn't want to talk to him anymore.

She slid through the warehouse's ground floor, dodging past guards in House uniforms and makeshift workstations. She didn't need to sneak in of course, but it was funnier to see if she could. After using some old rusty crates as cover from one last set of soldiers, she ducked down a stairwell in the buildings far corner. Greeted by the familiar musty smell, she bounced down the steps and pulled the creaky door at the bottom open.

Few people were allowed in here, Sharanna's lair. 

The first room was pleasant, like the sitting room of some rich guys house. The carpet was soft under Sharlin's mud-covered boots, and it smelled too clean. The expensive looking coaches and bar were of little concern to her, however, and she moved through the room without acknowledging it. 

As her hand touched the handle of the next door, her breath caught as she heard movement. Turning rapidly, and whipping out her hand-gun, she came to face the 'intruder.' 

Not a spy, just a young boy sitting on one the coaches, staring vacantly at the floor. She'd walked right past him and hadn't even noticed him. He hadn't noticed her.

Taking a breath, she stuffed her gun away, forcing herself to relax. Just a new friend of Sharanna's, nothing to worry about. 

(I hope this is okay with Eddie, Gavin would logistically be here, which is why I added it, I can edit this bit out).

She turned, hand on the nob again, and swung the heavy door open. Just as she always had.

Unfortunately, the room beyond was not, just as it always was.

Sharlin screamed, of course. She was still a thirteen year old girl.

Even bloodthirsty, jaded, cult-leading thirteen year old girls still screamed when they saw their sister laying on the floor, her blood painting the tiles a lovely scarlet. Even Sharlin would ignore the message on the wall (FOR SHARLEE, it said) and stare at the body.

Because death wasn't really something thirteen year-old girls should face.

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after this I'll be done in a few posts. Sharp needs to finish his convo and then we're good.

Edit: guys I'm sorry this was kind of incoherent but it happened late last night. Should be easier to read now.

Edited September 5 by J. Magi

[The Bookwyrm he/him]

17 minutes ago, J. Magi said:

"What . . . on earth are you talking about?" Sharp asked, his tired mind not understanding.

--------------------------

Abandoned Mcdonald Warehouse/ House HG:

Sharlin had rushed back to base ahead of the rest. While her battalions finished up in the arena, and helped the tributes out, she had more important things to do.

Sharanna would want to here about her brother, but more importantly, Sharlin had gotten bored of watching teary-eyed reunions. Plus she didn't want to talk to him anymore.

She slid through the warehouse's ground floor, dodging past guards in House uniforms and makeshift workstations. She didn't need to sneak in of course, but it was funnier to see if she could. After using some old rusty crates as cover from one last set of soldiers, she ducked down a stairwell in the buildings far corner. Greeted by the familiar musty smell, she bounced down the steps and pulled the creaky door at the bottom open.

Few people were allowed in here, Sharanna's lair. 

The first room was pleasant, like the sitting room of some rich guys house. The carpet was soft under Sharlin's mud-covered boots, and it smelled too clean. The expensive looking coaches and bar were of little concern to her, however, and she moved through the room without acknowledging it. 

As her hand touched the handle of the next door, her breath caught as she heard movement. Turning rapidly, and whipping out her hand-gun, she came to face the 'intruder.' 

Not a spy, just a young boy sitting on one the coaches, staring vacantly at the floor. She'd walked right past him and hadn't even noticed him. He hadn't noticed her.

Taking a breath, she stuffed her gun away, forcing herself to relax. Just a new friend of Sharanna's, nothing to worry about. 

(I hope this is okay with Eddie, Gavin would logistically be here, which is why I added it, I can edit this bit out).

She turned, hand on the nob again, and swung the heavy door open. Just as she always had.

Unfortunately, the room beyond was not, just as it always was.

Sharlin screamed, of course. She was still a thirteen year old girl.

Even bloodthirsty, jaded, cult-leading thirteen year old girls still screamed when they say their sister laying on the floor, her blood painting the tiles a lovely scarlet, would scream. Even Sharlin would ignore the message on the wall (FOR SHARLEE, it said) and stare at the body.

Because death wasn't really something thirteen year-old girls should face.

Quote

I missed something.

 

[Edema Rue she/her]

8 hours ago, J. Magi said:

"What . . . on earth are you talking about?" Sharp asked, his tired mind not understanding.

--------------------------

Abandoned Mcdonald Warehouse/ House HG:

Sharlin had rushed back to base ahead of the rest. While her battalions finished up in the arena, and helped the tributes out, she had more important things to do.

Sharanna would want to here about her brother, but more importantly, Sharlin had gotten bored of watching teary-eyed reunions. Plus she didn't want to talk to him anymore.

She slid through the warehouse's ground floor, dodging past guards in House uniforms and makeshift workstations. She didn't need to sneak in of course, but it was funnier to see if she could. After using some old rusty crates as cover from one last set of soldiers, she ducked down a stairwell in the buildings far corner. Greeted by the familiar musty smell, she bounced down the steps and pulled the creaky door at the bottom open.

Few people were allowed in here, Sharanna's lair. 

The first room was pleasant, like the sitting room of some rich guys house. The carpet was soft under Sharlin's mud-covered boots, and it smelled too clean. The expensive looking coaches and bar were of little concern to her, however, and she moved through the room without acknowledging it. 

As her hand touched the handle of the next door, her breath caught as she heard movement. Turning rapidly, and whipping out her hand-gun, she came to face the 'intruder.' 

Not a spy, just a young boy sitting on one the coaches, staring vacantly at the floor. She'd walked right past him and hadn't even noticed him. He hadn't noticed her.

Taking a breath, she stuffed her gun away, forcing herself to relax. Just a new friend of Sharanna's, nothing to worry about. 

(I hope this is okay with Eddie, Gavin would logistically be here, which is why I added it, I can edit this bit out).

She turned, hand on the nob again, and swung the heavy door open. Just as she always had.

Unfortunately, the room beyond was not, just as it always was.

Sharlin screamed, of course. She was still a thirteen year old girl.

Even bloodthirsty, jaded, cult-leading thirteen year old girls still screamed when they say their sister laying on the floor, her blood painting the tiles a lovely scarlet, would scream. Even Sharlin would ignore the message on the wall (FOR SHARLEE, it said) and stare at the body.

Because death wasn't really something thirteen year-old girls should face.

Quote

Holy chasms I missed something too—but yeah you’re fine

At the scream, Gavin stood and walked to the office, staring past Sharlin at the body.