Aiming for the right target [Cecian; Ems]

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Cecilia Brontz

"lain... where are you?" My voice saunters out as the ever present feeling of eyes creep upon my person. Being here exposed while all the rest of the tributes are happily going about their business is a little off setting. The worst thoughts that are going across my mind is that someone has taken it upon themselves to show lain a few things about being bait or that he got lost somewhere or maybe he even isn't up to showing up. Maybe our friendly spat over the grapes was wrong on my part, but I could have sworn that we had became something more than possible blood spillage for each other?

My thoughts run out of control. As I once again scan the training center, I'm forced to come to terms that our friendship was only a one time, one day deal over a meager amount of grapes and nothing more. If only it was. If only it could have been something more then right now, as I lay my hand on the sharpest of sharp throwing knife, as his absence is giving me the most horrid of feelings. The other two though, Hettie and Insanis, I am more than curious now if they have something to do with his disappearance.

I sigh.

My delicate fingers pick up a weapon instead of my baby sister and the cold metal is very uncomfortable to deal with. I bring it up to my eyes, examining the blade and pretending to press the blade against my forhead, testing the atmostphere. Testing the sharp metal and testing my own courage. Pain will come soon, and that I'm sure of. Perhaps, all it'll take is a little conditioning to not feel the sting of a blade once inside the arena? Inside that death trap...

Another sigh.

"Fine. Alone it I'll go." Having hope in this type of place is what makes you a tribute and I'm not going to let any of these so called meat sticks and grinders have a peice of my insecurities. I put my chin up and then hold that knife with the tightest grip that I can and aim at the dummy closest to me. Training for a kill. Training to go home is what this is all about, right? Everyone is watching me. Everyone is judging me. The sooner they see that I am participating in their game, the sooner their eyes will fall from me. Blending in...

"HA!" The knife holds all my fears. It is chained to the thoughts that I will fail and that people will be my undoing. However, his face suddenly appears on the dummy just as it pierces it's arm, deep into the muscle.

"No... lain"

[10th retro gm | paxton hayes]

Iain Miristioma Fourteen | Male | District Eleven | 72nd Hunger Games

My hands gently caresses the soft sheets spread across the bed as tears run down the side of my face drenching the pillow beneath me. Life isn't even worth living anymore. All that awaits me is a future filled with pain, agony, and death. I stand no chance in the arena, and Kirito has to know that. He has to know that I'm a walking dead person. Just the other day I found something worthwhile. Something that made my mind completely forget about the horrors lingering before me. But now it all sits before me. Reality has slapped me across the face leaving me dumbfound. Twenty-four go in and only one comes out alive. Many questions fly through my mind forcing me to face the odds before me. I don't want to die. But do I really have an option if I want to remain true to myself? It's impossible especially when I look at what happened to my cousin. Watching his games terrified me, and I know it's not going to be easy. Nothing ever comes easily especially in a life where the nature of the world is to torment the innocent souls. Wiping the tears away from my eyes, I force myself into a seated position on the bed knowing that I need to get ready to head back down to training. I promised Cecilia that I would meet her and we could find something we can do together. There has to be something I can do. My eyes turn towards the clock on the wall, and I realize that I'm running behind. In a split second the world crashes on top of me leaving me lifeless in bed. Throwing myself into a standing position, I run my hands through my hair trying to make it look decent before straightening out the uniform. The thundering of my heart echoes through my mind over and over bouncing around inside my skull as I head out of the room trying to run as fast as I possibly can while not making a fool of myself. I've already done that. Don't need to do that anymore. Seconds pass by before the elevator opens in front of me. Soon I'm on the floor making my way as fast as I can towards the gym. My eyes dart around from station to station as I look for Cecilia. I would understand if she didn't want to be a friend anymore. It was probably a mistake to even make a friend here, but I had to have someone I can trust wholeheartedly, and Ceci is the person I ended up choosing. A friendly argument over the grapes changed the entire world for me. That's when I find her standing by herself at the knife throwing station. My heart sinks deep into the pits of my stomach as I try to figure out the exact words to say. Sliding along the shadows of the gym, I make sure I don't make eye contact with anyone. My eyes focus on the ground. I'm overwhelmed by the horrible sense of guilt as I make my way towards her. I hope she's not mad. With a sigh, I force myself to stand as tall as I possibly can. Keeping my chin up, and my head held high, I refuse to let anyone knock me down - even Ceci. Only standing a few feet behind her, I watch as she launches one of the knives towards the dummy hitting the bicep. It's probably a lot better than anything I can do, and everything inside me tells me to run away to not even try to throw a weapon because it's only going to end bad. Yet I can't move. I can't do anything except hang my head as I fight to find something to say to alert her of my presence. Maybe congratulating her is a good place to start? Yeah. That'll work. "Nice shot, Ceci." I say confidently allowing myself to take a deep breath before allowing myself the chance to continue speaking. "Sorry I'm late." I raise my gaze hoping she can see past the pain and tears lingering deep within my eyes.

OOC notes go here

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Paralyzing fear makes me succumb to the thoughts that appeared just after the release of the bladed weapon. All of my thoughts were attached to that blade - both negative and positive - and at the last moment, a small yet tiny fraction of a thought remained. A horrible thought that I prayed would never have to happen and that would be that I would have to endure the pain of hitting this new friend of mine. I can only hope that we will have to part should we have to go down to that. He needs to turn and walk away from me first before I will ever throw anything harmful in his direction but would he do the same to me? Could our friendship last only as long as the first and last day we met?

His name leaves a sour taste in my mouth as well as that image of hitting his body with the knife. The misuse of his face in the place of the faceless dummy who is staring at me without even so much as a taunt. The longer I stare at the dummy, the face begins to recede and fade away right before my eyes and only then do I begin to see the aim and amazing shot that I just made, but at what price? Perhaps, it is all in my head and if I can only see him again, it would resolve all and any bad thoughts about us having to come down to harming one another.

My hand drops and with a lasting breath, I catch his words into my ear and my body reacts with a simple startle reflex. "lain! You scared me." I begin to grin a great smile to him and without even a warning, my arms are finding themselves around his neck. "I'm so glad you're okay!"

I pull away from the hug with a bit of redness in my cheeks. The smile though, never fades until I notice that look on his face. Something about his eyes isn't right. Did he hear me? Did he realize what I thought about right as the dagger held the most horrendous of thoughts?

"It's okay, lain. I was worried you got stopped or someting by someone." What I really meant to say was that I was hoping that no one decided to bully him today. Also, I am more than pleased to see his mug because I was more afraid that our friendship had been terminated early. The look in his eyes though tell a totally different story. What is that? Sadness? Regret? Is something going on that I can't tell?

"You can talk to me, lain. I won't judge you. We're friends if you wanna chat. I have three younger brothers and a baby sister. I'm a really good listener with sometimes some great advice." I nod at him and without waiting for an answer, I turn to grab one of the knives and place it in his hands. "But first... you're turn to shoot since your late!"

[10th retro gm | paxton hayes]

Iain Miristioma Fourteen | Male | District Eleven | 72nd Hunger Games

I never imagined I would find myself a friend. Kirito told me to try to look at this all from a different angle instead of just focusing heavily on the arena, and it has helped because I have found a friend who will honestly last a lifetime. This is one of the most unlikely places to find a friend especially being enemies with everyone, but I'm glad I have her at my side. It makes all this a little bit easier, yet it potentially makes it worse. Knowing that I could easily have to fight her destroys me. Honestly, I would rather kill myself than have to throw a weapon at her - I would rather kill myself than kill anyone. A small chuckle escapes my lips when she turns around startled, and a genuine smile creeps across my face. A warm feeling sweeps through me as she throws her arms around me. It feels strange standing here in the training center with her hugging me, but at the same time I feel at ease because I know she's beside me. I know she cares about me, and I pray she doesn't hurt me. For someone to accept me, limp and all, is amazing because nobody out of my family has ever done this. I've been ridiculed, laughed at, left as an outcast so many times in my entire life that to finally have a friend makes this bad situation a good one. "Why wouldn't I be okay?" I ask with a shrug of my shoulders. If there's one thing I've learned from all of this, it's to stand up for myself and never let anyone put me down. Maybe it's because I'm fourteen and I'm a scrawny kid from district eleven. Maybe it's because I have a limp. Does she really worry about me that much? "I'm okay Ceci. Really." I keep my eyes fixed on her's watching her movements. It's a shame that we had to meet like this. It's a shame that we both had our names drawn from the reaping. Ceci didn't deserve it. Carrita didn't deserve it - none of us did, but here we are trapped against our own will with the exception of those who volunteered. She tells me I can talk to her. But first I have to throw a knife. Lifting one from the table, I slowly aim at the dummy. "You may want to watch out. I don't have good aim." Gripping one of the knives, I stop myself just before throwing. "I feel like I'm being held to a higher standard because of my cousin, and it's starting to wear me down." Shrugging my shoulders I release the knife, and just like I anticipated it flies out of my hand far too soon ending up somewhere behind me.

OOC notes go here

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He questions my question with a question. One that I am not prepared to respond to. Surely if I tell him, he'll think it's nothing but a stupid overactive imagination. Maybe even find it funny that I would even think that. I also don't want him to question our friendship. It's too early for that to happen and I don't want him to think anything alternate between us other than just being placed into the same situation as the other person. And again, he reassures himself and me that he's okay. Too many reasons why I think he's not okay but none of that has to do with his physical being. It's being here and at risk of death from all the older tributes. There are only four young tributes this year. We are the easy targets.

Slowly, he heeds my warning that he is up to throwing now because he's late to joining this place. All negative feelings have disappated now and he's weary in picking up the knife to throw it. I am curious why he seems so apprehensive about it but the next sentence out of his mouth has me grinning from ear to ear.

"I'm not afraid." I confidently tell him and just as he takes aim, he proclaims what's bugging him. "Hmm. Well, maybe you are but you also gotta remember that you are two different people. I am different from my siblings."

As those words slip from my mouth, so does the knife from his hands, proving his warning that his aim is horrid. I try to hide the giggle wanting to escape and come out to mock him in jest for his bad aim, but I hide it almost completely . The smile behind my hand though is too apparent.

"Well... let's see if we can work on it? I take it you've never done this before though? Well, guess what? Neither have I. The look of surprise on my face is priceless as I go and pick up the knife that slid across the floor. As I hold it in my hand, I grip it tightly. "I guess, you gotta learn when to let it go. Hold tight until you get it even with your head? Let's just practice and see what happens, or we can hold a tiny competition between us? Winner gets... to do whatever the other person says for an hour?"

I walk back up to him, and gently place the knife back in his hand. "Game on." I say with a smirk.

[10th retro gm | paxton hayes]

Iain Miristioma Fourteen | Male | District Eleven | 72nd Hunger Games

A grim smile crept across his face as the knife flew from his hand landing somewhere behind him. Iain wasn't a fighter, and he knew this was impossible to learn especially with the weight of the world collapsing against his shoulders. Nothing compared to the agony lingering inside him as a storm raged through his body tearing his soul in half. Living up to the Miristioma name was one of his main priorities; however, in the few short days he has been here, Iain has done nothing but ruin it. First opinions were hard to take back, and now all anyone at the Capitol would remember him for was the foolish boy who tried. His eyes focused on Cecilia's as she started speaking. Ceci suggested they work on it together because neither of them had thrown a knife before. Shrugging his shoulders, Iain watched as she lifted another knife from the table. He watched as she gripped it tightly trying to figure out exactly what to do. Because right now nothing mattered except mastering something. Right now Iain was a sitting duck, and that was something he wanted to change. "...Or we could have a tiny competition between us." Those word caught his attention drawing the fourteen year old in. A competition was fun especially when it was a friendly one, yet the reward awaiting at the end wasn't enough to ruin the friendship Iain shared with the district eight female. But before he could respond, the competition began shattering through his eyes as a glass dropped inside him. Broken pieces flew everywhere clenching his heart together as he stared at the knives in front of him as she placed her knife in the palm of his hand. Sweat rolled from his brow plastering his shaggy hair against his face. Iain stood in front of the target staring at the marks trying to figure out what to do. "But Ceci." He said quietly before lifting the knife into the air holding it beside his head before tossing it. This time at least it went in the right direction, but it fell right in front of him; the blade almost drove through his foot. Sighing to himself, Iain leaned forward picking up the knife in front of him. "What if I make a fool of myself? I've done that enough already." Yet before she had the chance to stop him, Iain threw the knife again. He watched in slow motion as the knife flew towards the dummy slicing gently across the stomach area. The corners of his lips twisted into a smile as he felt a joyous celebration raining inside him because this was only the beginning.

OOC notes go here

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Trying to figure out what to do with the knife when I have no clue myself is entertaining. I'm trying to lead the blind while being blind myself. Then again, whose to say I'm not doing any good because I can pretend and make it seem as though I know what I'm doing even though I don't. I have the courage to try and to make him try. He's nervous the moment I put the knife back in his hand. He even tries to deny the knife by calling my name out in despair and saying that he's made a fool of himself already. If only he knew that he's doing better than some that would refuse to even try and walk away without realizing that just trying is defeating those that won't.

"Well, would you lookie there? Practice does make perfect. Like I tell my brothers. If you give up before you even try, how do you know how much you'll suck or how much you'll excel? Just keep trying, Iain." I tell him and take note of that quaint little smile that's on his face. That in turn makes me feel lighter than a feather and then I wiggle my head in his direction as a taunt.

"My turn. You threw two. My turn to throw two more." Finger grip the closest two knives nearest to me. With one resting in my left hand, I mentally prepare to throw the second knife. The first one still rests within the arm of the dummy. A gentle breath inward is good enough to prep me and the knife is slung forward with the moment enough to only hit the dummy on the forarm. It cuts open the dummy and the knife hits the floor after looking all it's momentum. I shrug my shoulders. "Not bad. See. I have to, hand, it to myself. I got aim for limbs."

A very light giggle escapes as the third knife comes into play. Without even waiting, I'm easily tossing it in the dummies direction but it passes right in the middle of the legs, barely missing a vital spot. Instantly, I grimace and begin to laugh at the thought of the spot it almost hit. With my hands in front of my mouth, trying to conceal the heavy bit of laughter, I look at Iain.

"Don't say it... Let me try again." I gather one more knife in my hand and take one step forward with my right leg and aim just a hair higher than where I'm looking. Right above the belly button, it goes straight for but gains more height then I expected and hits the chest area. With a pleased grin, I pass the torch. "You're up again."

[10th retro gm | paxton hayes]

Iain Miristioma Fourteen | Male | District Eleven | 72nd Hunger Games

His breaths were rigid as he watched Ceci throw her first knife. Not once did his eyes leave the blade as it slid across the arm of the dummy. Fake blood oozed from the wound, and Iain knew Cecilia was better than him. But not even that would stop her from showing off. His heart raced inside his chest, thundering through his ears as his eyes glared at the knife in her hand. One could say that Iain was jealous of the girl standing in front of him tossing the knives like they were nothing until it completely missed the target. A half smile spread across his lips, and a silent chuckle filled the air. It was almost like Ceci could tell what he was thinking before he could even say anything. "Don't say it..." Iain found himself in a fight to contain the laughter barreling inside him, but somehow he managed to keep a straight face clear of emotion as he watched his friend release one more knife. His eyes followed it through as it hit the chest breaking open more of the fake blood. A crimson stain covered the floor below the dummy, and Ceci was smiling. Iain knew he had to do better. Hobbling over to the knives, he wrapped his fingers around it trying to figure out the best way to hold it. Not once in his entire life had he ever fought anything. Iain wasn't a killer, but here he was standing with his only friend as the slaughtered an innocent dummy. Removing the grin from his face, he slowly made his way over until he was standing directly in front of the dummy. Iain turned his gaze towards the girl as a single thought raced across his mind as the words fell from his lips before he could stop them. "Ok, Ceci, I think it's time you learn from a pro." Throwing the first knife, Iain watched as it left his hand heading straight towards the dummy. Not only did he hit the dummy, but he landed on the chest shallowly opening another cut. He felt sick to his stomach as the fake blood fell towards the ground. It's not real. He told himself over and over; however, soon it would be real, and the dummy would become a human, and the thought of killing someone destroyed his mind. Iain wasn't capable of killing a fly. His hand wrapped around another knife lifting it high into the air as he allowed the weight to rest easily on his hands. His eyes scanned the area, and he prayed that somewhere Kirito was watching as he kept trying over and over to become good at something, yet he doubt anyone would remember this moment except him and Ceci. Turning towards the dummy, he watched as it twisted around in front of him. Shattering his soul. One breath after another the faceless enemy laughed at him haunting him. Telling him he wasn't good enough. Shaking his head, he focused on the dummy before releasing another knife into the air. Iain watched as it flew in slow motion until it landed with a thud. For a moment, Iain thought he missed, but a sense of joy courses through his veins when he found out it landed just below the knee. "Ceci! Look!" He exclaimed joyfully as he made his way towards the knives once more. A genuine smile twist across his face as he held his head high. Iain had finally hit something. Not even the fake blood pouring from the dummy could destroy the moment. His hands wrapped around another knife because Ceci had thrown three of her own. He focused on the dummy as the words continued to haunt him. You're not good enough, Iain. You're going to die, Iain. Shaking his head, Iain grit his teeth before releasing his third knife. This time when it stuck in the chest, he found himself jumping up and down despite the pain in his leg until he toppled over. "I did it, Ceci! I did it!"

OOC notes go here

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Challenges are good for people. It gives them someting to work toward. I've had so many years of building up my brothers that this feels like one of those life changing moments of learning. Though, something changes so drastically the moment I missed that one time. I look a him being able to keep his composure when I'm sure he wants to have a chuckle at my fail. And just like that, after the last knife is thrown, he has all the confidence in the world escaping his lips and body stature that I let him. Confidence surely does look good on him. The next throw is straight and without fail. Fake blood oozes through the cut on the dummy. Smiling, I take a step further behind him to watch. As any friend should, rooting for them is only necessary but I do it quietly. I dont' want to distract him nor mess him up. Being confident is one thing, but to be overly confident is a sin. I would rather not mess up what he just took control of.

"Ceci! Look!" He shortens my name all of a sudden and I take notice of it as well. At home, only my friends call me Ceci and that includes my brothers. This sudden change in him takes me for a loop even more than it should. Friends in the training center just days before we are to be slaughtered? Why now? Why do we have to do this? We should really have the option to back out if true friendships occur. What could kill us faster than to have to watch someone we care for die?

Once more, after his short celebration he reaches for another knife and I hold my breath. I watch his aura change suddenly and his face changes too. Something must be going on. However, he shakes his head and then releases the third knife all too quickly. The sound of the thud sounds amazing and so is the spot where it landed. He starts to dance around, jumping with absolute pure joy. For a moment, I take part in his celebration, clapping my hand until I watch him topple. Just before he hits the ground, I catch him before the floor becomes his next best friend. It takes a moment to stabilize us both, but I pull him back up and standing just like that.

"Be careful, Iain." I carefully complain and give him the once over just to make sure that he isn't hurt. But the smile on his face is forever more enlighening then ever. That is the look of pure joy and I'm not going to ever forget it.

"Alright, Mr. Perfect. My turn. Beat this!" I joke and get two knives and place them in my right hand. I grip both of them tightly and without faultering. "Two at a time! Lets see what you can do with this challenge now that you are a master!"

I chuckle and take aim, making sure to be as precise as possible with my movements just to pretend to show off in front of him. "One.... two..."

The knives sling forward, both from my hand. While one of the knives goes to cut the stomach, revealing fresh new blood, the other one sticks straight out of the neck of the dummy and it jiggles back and forth from the mometum of two at a time. I jump up, extending one hand into the sky with an approving yell. "I did it. I did it. Oh, yeah. yeah. yeah."

Turning around, I grab up one more knife. "That was only one throw. This is my next throw!" I take aim, and once again, the knife is thrown out into the center of the dummy and curves downward and to the calf, cutting it. I scowl and purse my lips in distaste. "Well.. your turn again, Mr. Somebody to reckon with."

[10th retro gm | paxton hayes]

Iain Miristioma Fourteen | Male | District Eleven | 72nd Hunger Games

"Be careful Iain." Her words reached his ears as her hands flew out to catch him. Iain struggled living a life where nobody cared. A life broken apart by those gathered around, yet in this moment none of that mattered. Iain Miristioma was his own man trapped in a world controlled by the greatest of all. So many times his life had been put in danger because of his carelessness, but the young teen was a child, and on the inside he was just a boy who wanted to live. But perhaps this was the strongest moment of them all as he defied the odds to become one of the deadliest teens alive despite the constant thoughts of death blaring through his mind. Iain watched as Ceci grabbed two knives from the table holding them both in her hand. In the back of his mind, he knew this would end bad because throwing two knives at once felt impossible, but somehow she managed. Iain wanted to accept her challenge to throw two knives. He wanted to accept any challenge thrown at him; however, he would stick with one knife because he didn't want to put anyone's eye out. A soft chuckle escaped his lips before turning his gaze back towards Ceci, and there he stood while watching the knives fly from her hand. One grazed the stomach while the other sticks inside the dummy's neck sending more fake blood spiraling down the dead dummy. Thankfully the dummy didn't feel anything as it was an inanimate object, but the fear of having to do this to another person made him uneasy. Iain knew what it took to win the games. He knew that just surviving from day to day was impossible because of the fights that took place, but not once did he realize how painful the fights truly were. Soon he would understand the pain Snow placed before him, and Iain would fight to keep his name alive. He would fight to breathe another day despite the odds he had been given. He joined in with her celebration as she cheered over landing the knife in the neck. But the challenge wasn't done yet. He waited patiently for his turn as Ceci removed another knife from the table, and he watched quietly as the knife flew from her hands before cutting against the calf of the dummy spilling more crimson onto the floor. Iain felt bad for the Avoxes who would spend several hours cleaning up the mess created by the tributes; however, he was grateful he didn't have to join them. A cocky smile twisted across his face as he hobbled over towards the knives. Four more set in front of him. Four more chances to prove he was the greatest between the two of them, yet he couldn't find any comforting words or advice. Lifting one of the knives from the table he turned towards his knew friend. "Cecilia, I'm only going to throw one at a time because I don't feel like stabbing anyone's eye out." He stated calmly as he turned towards the dummy in front of them. And once again the dummy started haunting him. You're weak, Iain. You won't last five seconds. You might as well give up now. The thoughts stormed through his mind as the young boy forced himself to focus on the target ahead. The room spun around him leaving him behind as the dummy slowly came to life. A face of a tribute spread across it. Blood splattered against his skin. Iain shook his head trying his best to forget about his future because all he wanted was to focus on this moment. To focus on what surrounded him because right now that was all that mattered. Inhaling sharply, Iain released the knife from his hand. He watched eagerly as it sped towards the dummy, and he felt himself growing confident as the knife embedded itself deep into the dummy's back. A huge grin twisted across his face as his hand wrapped around another knife. Twisting the blade in his hand, Iain found the perfect balance. Silence surrounded him devouring him as the world ceased to exist. All that was left was this one moment. Iain stood in front of the dummy with his head held high. Sliding his tongue along the front of his teeth, he released the knife. His eyes crossed as he watched the blade drive forward with a prize in mind. He watched as the blood carelessly dripped from the dummy onto the floor below, and Iain felt his heart leap into his throat the moment the knife drove into the stomach. Joy crept through his veins over and over as a large smile replaced the cocky one twisted across his face. Surely this wasn't the end, but only the beginning of a ride he looked forward to going with. "Look!" He shouted as he wrapped his hand around another knife sitting on the table. "Watch! Let me show you what I'm doing!" Iain only hoped Ceci would watch as he took his place allowing himself to become one with the wind. His heart raced inside his chest pounding against his chest wall. The thundering echoed through his mind as he took a deep breath. The air filled his body cleaning the toxins inside. When he exhaled, Iain tossed the knife at the dummy. Time froze as the knife soared through the air. A storm raged inside, and for the first time since he stepped foot into the Capitol, Iain had found something worthwhile. Something he was good at even though it was just a friendly competition. Shrieks of excitement erupted from his lips as the knife landed deep into the neck of the dummy spilling more crimson towards the floor. Iain jumped up and down as he placed his hand on the table. Today was another great day. His eyes landed on the last knife from his pack of ten, and he wondered if he should throw it now or wait, and once he saw the three knives of Ceci's remaining, Iain decided that now wasn't the time to throw it. "Okay, Cecilia, it's all you. Show me what you got. Prove to me you can out throw the master." He smirked as he carefully lifted his last blade in order to analyze it.

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