All I Ever Wanted (Day 2 Dustin vs. Lizard)

[jimmylost]

I had run, I didn't know where or why just kept moving. When my lungs began to burn I turned at a right angle so that my back was to the cornicopia. My feet kept moving. So does my mind, for once. I play the day through my head. Dawn; in the bloodbath getting nothing more then a weapon and a satchel and gaining more then enough injury for my trouble. High noon; getting attacked and running from my only ally. Dusk; getting to this place just in time to look to the sky and get a proper account of the day.

Jaimie's face looks back at me from the sky and my feet finally find their moment to quit. Well isn't that just great, just what I wanted. Now all that's left is to find my own demise. Enough failure and betrayal now I can finally get out of here with what little of myself I have left. Dawns breaking again now, so am I. What does it even matter?

“You're coming back”

Shut up.



I had sat in that dark little room after the Reaping. I let myself think I could feel Ashes getting closer and closer and at any moment the door would open to reveal her. As time stretched on I began to fear that her outburst earlier might have got her into trouble. What punishment might that peacekeeper have given a twelve year old girl? I began to shake at the thought.

Just when I began to fear the worst the door opened and there she was. She was completely guarded no movements toward silent communication just her eyes stabbing into mine. “You're coming back” she said simply “I don't want you giving up on me because I'm telling you right now you're coming back”

“Ashes you know-” I start but she interrupts me with a step forward.

“No. I do know, I know things in this district catch fire far too easily. Buildings, objects, people, you and me. You're coming back or I'll be all the more attached to the name you gave me. Me and this entire wretched District.”

Ashes always knew me too well. Knew just the thing that would force me not to back down, to try and win even if it cost me my humanity because she had just put her own life on the line. It was as easy as an admittance of all I had ever suspected of her and now she held it against me. She would. That was the simple fact the certainty of the fact reflected in both our eyes. She'd die if I did because there really was no Ashes or Dustin, it was Ashes and Dustin nothing as vast as death was going to span the distance between us.

I didn't want that, I wanted Ashes to live.

“Then you better make it home” she said reading me again.

I felt my choices closing off around me. I couldn't let Ashes do what she planed, I couldn't keep the capitol from taking me away. I'd have to fight using their rules. I'd have to come home. Ashes had left me with no room for failure, I could almost hate her for doing this to me. I could never hate her. Certain that her point had been made she left with her head held high.



It was later that I came to my realization about my life bringing her danger. She probably knew this before I did, she always did. So she had made that crazy threat because she thought it left me no choice. “Well why the hell should I have to live through all of this for you? It's scary, and bloody, and terrible and f*cking hot!” I feel gettting to my feet again “What am I supposed to do I can't live for you, I can't die for you. Why did you ask this of me Ashes” I look up to the sky now shouting into the camera's I hope are catching all of this so she can hear me “You ask the impossible, you know that?”

I bring my hand to my my neck and tear off my district token. I want to just throw it to the ground but I can feel a tiny little pull in the center of my chest, right under my my heart. “You bitch” I mumble shoving the bow tie into the very bottom corner of my satchel. I know she'll be able to read the action, it says more then my words. I haven't given up yet, or more accurately she's still got me. I can almost hear her telling me that once I get back everything will be fine, telling me we'll find a way to keep each other safe from all this danger. What she means is that she'll find a way to burn all our troubles away, just like she always has. Well you can't burn the capitol down, can't just wash the games away.

“Ever think that maybe what you want isn't what I want.” Of course she hasn't, because we've never been this far in opposition. Can we even be fighting against each other when she isn't even here? Well it surprises me more that we're disagreeing then that fact that we can. The former always seemed much more likely then the latter. “I don't... I want what I want”

And what is that?

It then that I see the eyes staring at me through the blades of grass. “Do you know monster?” I say half-crazed to the eyes. They don't answer just keep staring and staring. I pull my whip from my belt.

Attacks pitfall lizard.
Whip: [dice=200+6000]
(Deep Gash on Cheek 8.5 )

“Hey monster! I asked you a question!” I shout at the thing in front of me.[rand=29740653511882857918327781702437514438447961850762016642875144]

[shrimp]

Sabor: The Pitfall Lizard

Sabor had always wanted a mate. However, the male, although ferocious if necessary, was normally a docile kind of lizard; perhaps this deviated from the norm, but he always found that violence was not the best policy - no violence meant that he'd survive another day, even if he was driven off of his territory or lost some prey to another, stronger, more arrogant lizard. Sure, it meant that he was not particularly popular among many of the eligible females, but he was sure that eventually, he would find a gal who would appreciate his logic and optimism, and perhaps they would have a life together. A life filled with running away from others, yes. But it would be a life nonetheless, and he looked forward to the days when he could bring back prey for another.

And he had found one - a particularly ugly pitfall lizard, but she had a good heart, and he could sense that. And when their eyes met it seemed to be magic, for at that moment they knew that they were destined to be together. Or at least, he liked to think of it that way. Food became more plentiful with two of them hunting, and Sheeta's quick thinking and particularly scary nature had been able to drive off some of the more terrified lizards, and soon the two had a modest territory for themselves. Soon, Sheeta had laid her eggs - they were nestled among the grass, hidden by the hot blades, protected by the ever-ominous female. Therefore, the food hunting was left up to Sabor; Sheeta was too nervous to wander too far away from her eggs, which were only days away from hatching now, and since the two had built their residence in a slightly prey-free [and therefore, somewhat predator free] area, food required a not-so-long journey to the edge of their territory.

So on this particularly hot day, Sabor had wandered out to the edge and was just about to pounce on some delicious looking food when he heard a noise. The lizard quickly scurried into the dense grass, watching as a strange organism seemed to be talking to itself. He could not discern the gender of this animal, not was he able to figure out why he was here. He had never seen this kind of predator/prey before, and the curious lizard stayed put, watching the tribute yell into the blue sky. And then suddenly the eyes locked onto his, and a deep searing pain was felt on the side of his face. The lizard didn't know what he had done to deserve such a fate - he had just been watching the monster, and now he had gone and infuriated it. What if it found Sheeta and destroyed her, as well as the eggs? He couldn't let that happen. As much of a wimp that Sabor was, protecting the family was a the forefront of his mind.

He hissed as loudly as he could, and pounced, teeth bared to bite the human wherever possible.

[attacks Dustin with knife [teeth]]

[dice=200+2000]

[2181 | Shallow Cut on Left Hip | 3.5 damage | Poisonous]

[rand=90623569467702956792121878674591313533576676870117936827722686322]

[jimmylost]

A quick burst of motion and the eyes reveal they are attached to a face, and a head, and a body. Jumping out of it's hiding place to land a biting blow at my hip. I shuffle backward and run my fingers over my new wound, not too deep but I'm sure that's the least of my worries. Memories of the same sort of monsters meeting with other tributes, soon after those fights many of their sponsors would send them anti-venom. The bites are poisons. Of course they are.

“I think you've killed me” I say to the lizard, though it hardly needs saying. The hope of the antidote I had seen wasn't much of a worry for me “Well it seems only fair that I return the favour don't you think?”

I give the lizard a bow. Sending out my whip again.

Whip: [dice=200+6000]
(Welt on Left Thigh 2.5)

Well I did ask. This could be my answer, well it was always the more likely outcome regardless of what twelve-year-old threats ran around my head. Didn't make mush sense though, after yesterday I was sure I was trying to live. This pretty little thing seems certain that I want the opposite. Well he must be right, who knows monsters better then each other? It always seems to be those other people who know me better then I know myself. They all know I'm a fool don't they? All knew I didn't stand a chance, the only exception was the greater fool. The one who believed she could will me back because I knew that's what she was trying to do. She's be sitting there trying to force the screens to tell her a different tale. Well we all have to face the truth eventually.[rand=5566938110072971502142500822397192467493754701079859469504338975]

[shrimp]

Sabor: The Pitfall Lizard

Bite, hiss, intimidate, don't back down, protect Sheeta, protect the children - you can you need to you must.

Sabor lept back after biting the monster's appendage - he would surely die, even if slowly, by the poison that had been inserted into the Lizard's teeth. By the time day rose again, its heart would stop, and perhaps that would protect Sheeta and the unborn lizards from destruction via this monster. True, there might be others lurking in the distance, wanting to attack to invade to drive out, but hopefully that wouldn't happen. The muttations wandering around the african arena were strong, and they would be able to drive them all out eventually.

But now, Sabor only thought about the sharp smack of a long rope against his leg. It hurt a bit, but not as much as the previous wound, which was still gushing with vital liquids and would surely kill him if the other survived. Sheeta would have been able to hold her own against this thing, but Sheeta was not here - Sabor was, and even though blood gushed down his face and onto the dirt, he knew that he would be the hero today. This creature would not last another night, and even if he perished, it would all be for the greater good. Sheeta would have the children, and they would grow up and the lineage would survive.

They might not be able to wander together in the sunset, catching prey and casually giving it to their young ones, raising innumerable amounts of young lizards who raced around and got into fights and became tougher and stronger than even Sabor [which of course, was not a particularly difficult task, but nonetheless it would occur, and he would be proud]. But if he killed this thing right here, right now, the dream could be half-fufilled. They'd live, and that was the important part.

[attacks Dustin with knife [teeth]]

[dice=200+2000]

[2188 | Severed Finger on Right Hand | 8.5 damage]

[rand=9418016537131114067595476980771623907632704762708716559469428753]

[jimmylost]

You've gone and taken my finger, life, digit, counting down, no need already up. Not even going to eat it I bet, wouldn't be good for you, poison, everything about me, here, no, yes, how kind. How very kind you are I can no longer hold this thing my left hand is broken my right a mess of blood neither will close enough to be of any use. I'll just let it fall, my whip that is, though I suppose quite a bit more.

You are right after all, and very kind. Poison it hurts, is painful but I can look at your eyes now and see you're willing to save me from that aren't you? You've always looked out for me, would want the best, for you, me, both, neither. So very kind I can see why I like you, chose you to save me I can see your kindness, weakness really but I can keep that away. No I have no way to but I believe I can, isn't that enough? No? Well of course it is, see I just said it was. That's how willpower works after all. How stealth works. I have more then enough, don't you know, don't doubt me, trust me, everything is both.

Not just that I'm an idealist! Look at me I'll fix everything, I will. You didn't want her to die? Well don't be silly of course you did. Aren't things better now? I'll always look out for you, if you're happy it's because you know I'm right, Because we think the same, are the same. You're just like me, look at us getting closer, more then siblings the same. Exactly the same, never whole without the other. Now I'll make sure you can't leave. YOU CAN'T LEAVE!

I'll have to make you stay, I know how I'm so sorry. This will have to do I know you'd want me to fight more but, well this is how things are. Will always be, have always been. How long have I been dead now? Two days, weeks, eight years, twelve, forever.

Unarmed: [dice=200+5000]
(Broken Nose 5.5)

You see you're never leaving, haven't left, will return. You're coming back. Surviving will destroy. We're all dead children. You just have to kill us first.

OOC:I just... I just don't know @_@. No colour text means he may or may not be speaking out loud [rand=364814998493451334826588787646636709260900502407613381190272984528]

[shrimp]

Sabor: The Pitfall Lizard

His nose hurt - it was probably the most life threatening wound he had recieved in this attack, second to the cut on his face of course. But all of a sudden the creature began to shout loudly, babbling endlessly and scaring the living daylights of Sabor, who felt as if he should just run away while he had the chance. Yet if he were to do so, the family would be in jeopardy until the monster finally succumbed to the poison, which would take until the darkness fell. That couldn't happen - nonono. Sabor had to attack now, and fast. So willing himself to make more attacks, he lunged forwards.

[attacks Dustin with knife [teeth]]

[dice=200+2000]

[2196 | Deep Gash on Right Forearm | 8.0 damage]

[rand=9807397859924561132006065566453457827207496716481600180523026753]

[jimmylost]

Kill us all, bleed us dry. Look at me, us, you. All of you, evil. To Harsh? F*cking hell no it's not! Not even close, relevant, words come nowhere near to the, dark, creeping, forever. Ever and always what have you done, aloud, participated and enjoyed? Can't you see, can't blind, like him, her. Well listen then, of course you won't, you're trapped pined down. Moths with pins shoved in the wings, too many pins I can't see the moth eating away at the beautiful fabric can't. Every wall, fence, boarder, built up so high every movement is into a corner. Isn't there a saying about cats and corners? Nah of course it's not relevant. What have you done to us, you... me.

I can tell you now, now I can't, dead, gone. Well of course that was the point wasn't it now you're free, trapped, dead, alive. You're alive. Please stay alive. Please just die. No one lives for ever, no one lives, not here. Make it stop, you have to stop this! You won't, won't ever, could you even? You'll die, we'll die, live forever. I can see you watching me, forever you'll be watching me. You've killed me, saved me, copied, pasted, forever. It's always now. I think I can live with that, die with that.

I'll kneel to you. Teeth and claws and poison and eyes ready to deliver me from this place. Save me please, I know you can, you're kind I know you are... We'll go together.

Unarmed: [dice=200+5000]
(Miss)

We always did move forward together right? It wasn't just you leaving me behind and letting me thing I was exactly half, less then half, not even whole. It's right though, how else would you have me, make me. You constructed me, not real, you made me this way. I'm just you. I'm just dead.[rand=3694899820619131351062010764582872968814509246328634487479634077034]

[shrimp]

Sabor: The Pitfall Lizard

Was it okay to attack something that looked as if it would die on its own accord? The thing was babbling endlessly, maybe even louder than before. Sabor simply didn't know what to do - would it be better to let the monster die from the poison, or would it be best to just kill it now, so it wouldn't need to be in pain? Sabor was a particularly peculiar Lizard, but he didn't think with things such as morals or anything of that sort. Rather, he would be calculating the best option, and killing the creature before it got to Sheeta in a fit of rage was the best option.

Pounce, bite.

[attacks Dustin with knife [teeth]]

[dice=200+2000]

[2091 | Shallow Cut on Right Hip | 3.5 damage]

[rand=4546170273595273625232652473530853717295353912827325649645692227097]

[jimmylost]

You repeat yourself, repeating yourself. Are you alright? I think there's something wrong, what was it again. Oh right dieing that was it. Thank you so kind, that's right you can help. I'll let you help, trust you, with my life. Love you.

I love you Ashes, I hate you too. Isn't that funny?

I think you know, I think you'll understand, hope you will, know you won't. So sorry, but it hurts, you can forgive me right? Well no, I don't think you can, who was the last person that wasn't you that you let disappoint you. Hahaha none that are still alive isn't that right? Father! You, you can't hurt him please, he thinks it was me, he loves you too. Please I know, I know, please. Useless isn't it? Could warn, wouldn't wok though. So that's it, we all fall down. I hope they let a good one go, but since there can't be one I guess not

Where are your eyes? Come here my eyes, come here, come here. I won't need this life I think you'll do better with it, you at least look like the monster you are, look nothing like it, they'll never see you coming. Will they sis, never suspect how evil you are.

Unarmed: [dice=200+5000]
(Bruised Right Foot 2)

Life, I think it was alright. Ending wasn't too nice but I think I was happy, not sad, not for most time. Can people who aren't people say they where ever really happy, I hope so, know so, I was happy. [rand=53188322009690377863766247411932705368082241651520338008851669848]

[shrimp]

Sabor: The Pitfall Lizard

Almost there - the monster was close to falling, and Sabor knew that this was his moment. Soon, he'd be able to go rushing home to Sheeta, telling her all about the big bad creature that he had defeated all by himself. Perhaps she'd be happy for him - most likely she would just be angry over the fact that he had brought home little prey again, but Sabor knew that this was a personal victory. He had proved to himself that he was tough - he could prove everyone else as well, but only if provoked of course. No use losing your life over bragging. His foot was hit, but he barely noticed it. All that was in his mind was that he was going for the kill.

[attacks Dustin with knife [teeth]]

[dice=200+2000]

[2157 | Block | 0.0 damage]

[rand=78547348021248822249813711305168650493645410789721737562346474122]

[jimmylost]

No that's not right, stop it, stop that Dustin. You're supposed to die silly now put your hands down and fight. Fighting what's got you here, you never fight, man up, stop being so mean. Fight it, burn it down, burn it all away. Away, going away and never coming home. Never ever coming back

You're coming back.

SHUT UP!

Shut up shut up shut up shut up. Quiet, stop talking, moving, communicating, how did we do that? I'm staying here, I like it here, eyes are beautiful. It's an honesty here, can't you all see it the eyes? Animals will win, we're all animals, we'll all win. Winner with no points or hope, Dustin Summerfield that dead boy over there. Don't see him? That's because we burnt him up, turned him to Ashes. Turned to Ashes, you better run girlie.

Unarmed: [dice=200+5000]
(block)

Better run for your life if you can little one, better hide forever. Run and hide, hide and seek, I found you, you're it, now you've gotta find me. Find and hide, kill, hide, find, burn. I'll just burn it all away. It will never work, you'll never care, we're all dead because of you. Goodbye.[rand=211247276505998456902759693276499105310309464682343367731917319218]

[shrimp]

Sabor: The Pitfall Lizard

If lizards had curse words, Sabor would have been uttering one as he completely missed his golden opportunity. He had it in the bag! He could have defeated it, maybe even brought scraps of it back to Sheeta, although then again it could be poisonous. Eyes narrowed once more, and the lizard dashed forwards as the monster missed, leaping forwards, teeth and claws bared to attack. This was his true golden opportunity, and if he missed then he was a very very very uncoordinated and all-around pathetic lizard. And a part of that was already true, but Sabor didn't want to prove that to himself - it'd be horrible for his self esteem.

[attacks Dustin with knife [teeth]]

[dice=200+2000]

[2072 | Miss | 0.0 damage]

[rand=35785608386730816204347735612215193182105584000458980565009880429]

[jimmylost]

You. Are. Not. Making. This. Easy. Why can't this be easy, life is never easy. Fool, well that's a given. Foolish boy, foolish girl, silly little world. It's time to sleep now, darken, end. Just let it end, this was supposed to be the easy way. Why have you gotten so mean.

inhale

I can't stand cruelty, can't stand for it. Lies I'm here so I must, I can't stand liars, or hypocrites. I think they should all die.

exhale

Unarmed: [dice=200+5000]
(Thrown to Ground -- 0.5)

inhale

Yes all of us should just give in, give up, die. We should die. I think I've got it wrong, right, wrong. I don't, I don't think I can breath.

exhale[rand=040286883326732588703888177150088077745560738961274589205861436306]

[shrimp]

Sabor: The Pitfall Lizard

The frustrated Lizard missed again, and proceeded to be thrown to the ground, landing with a particularly large THWUMP. Immediately, he sprang back up and hissed extremely loudly, in a rather terrible attempt to seem more threatening than he actually ways. Then again, he did not look extremely threatening in the first place, but he was about to finally kill this monster. So perhaps looks aren't always what they seem. He sprang forwards again, teeth ready to kill. Or seriously maim - that would work too.

[attacks Dustin with knife [teeth]]

[dice=200+2000]

[2126 | Shallow Cut on Right Calf | 3.5 damage]

[rand=626303316701960624279271693181748713740650462794204650907714557695]

[jimmylost]

A quick taste of the poison
A quick twist of the knife

The Grasslands had made an interesting challenge for filming. A lack of face level hiding places for cameras meant any shooting would come from either extremely high or extremely low angles. This was quickly turned to advantage, making any interaction in that section of the arena shot in a wide dramatic manner. It seemed a shame that the first tribute to stumble into this environment so perfectly set for drama was the male tribute from twelve. There was no chance of survival, no drama. What a waste of capitol creativity. What a waste in general really.

Regardless the cameras gathered up his form, spending most of there time pulled far back. Everyone could gather just how alone the tribute was as his speck traveled slowly from one side of coverage to the next. In a quick zoom everything centered in on a lower angle. From here you could see both the pitfall lizard no doubt sent in by the capitol to eliminate the last of the district twelve threat. From the camera's spot low in the dirt of the grasslands the wide-angeled lens made the mutt look even larger and far more deadly.

If there was one thing the capitol had become experts at, besides total and cruel control of everything they could see of course, was entertainment. As imposing as the mutt may look the angel was far better for the boy. His speech, no doubt to some person back home had apparently been deemed appropriate enough the volume turn up allowing his words to echo through the best and smallest speakers in all of Panem. The boy looks up no doubt seeking the cameras there, the cameras oblige taking in the rest of his words and zooming in on the pain and desperation of his face.

Back to lower view as he removes his token, this is excellent. The tribute cursing his own district is perfect for the viewers, perhaps that's not what the boy intends to say but it's how the cameras will play it. Then in a move not even the capitol could fabricate the boy looks unknowingly directly into the lens “What do you think monster” I quick lowering of volume occurs when it seems he may be addressing the capitol but the second his whip cracks the sound trips a quick change in camera. This time a slow sweeping look at the two, man and mutt, facing each other. Then the camera circles faster as the battle begins.

It seems fine, a proper and exciting battle. A move made no doubt by someone who's spent their lives picking these kind of things up fades out the arena volume and raises a more dramatic music score. The camera continues to circle with constantly increasing speed. This is what gives away how quickly the tribute is deteriorating far more then his words would have while at the same time hiding any unwanted words from capitol ears. There's no escaping his body language though, it seems to be telling it's own story, though who the tale is for is anyone's guess.

The snap of poisonous jaws have sealed the boys fate but he does as the bloodthirsty viewers had hoped and stays to fight to the end. His one good hand is rendered useless and the boy takes a turn for the worse. He abandons his weapon and moves dangerously close to the mutt. In a move that no doubt astonished many the boy snaps his skull forward to meet the lizard's. A defining crack echos, that sound deemed appropriate for audience ears. A quick replay is immediately shown, slow motion put to use to show just how close the boy had gotten to getting his head ripped off.

The mutt rewards his foolishness with a deep wound to the tribute's arm. He seems unaffected, happy even. He is clearly weakened though, his next attack leaving no where near the same impact as the last. The mutt seems no better off. The Fight seems to be gaining little intensity. Quick cuts from this fight to the others talking place in the arena are made to keep audience interest but when the tribute pushes back the mutt that gives the creature enough space to land a proper blow. The injury itself seems small but it's clear this boy has reached his limit.

He gathers the last of his strength together and uses it to send his satchel far into the grasslands {satchel with Dustin's district token as wall as his cat-o-nine tails now hidden in the grasslands... if that's alright}. The cameras close in as he falls first to one knee then to the ground. The focus is drawn to the rising and falling of the boys chest but those who choose to look would also see the hint of a smile on the boy's lips. His breathing stops and the camera zooms back quickly giving everyone a good look at the blood-soaked ground and the body of Dustin Summerfield. The cannon sounds and the screen switches to something far more interesting then the inevitable death of the final tribute from twelve.

End of Dustin Summerfield.

When the obsession with death
The obsession with death becomes a way of life