guiding me higher [critical hit, day 2]

[kap]

Quinn was honestly quite surprised to have survived her first fight. The grass in the meadow where they had fought the beasts was now coated in blood, corpses of Capitol-created monsters lying among it all. If it weren't for Kaius and Derecho, she probably would've died.

She was deeply grateful for their help, and for Kaius having warned them that it was all about to happen. Quinn ended up pacing around in the meadow, finding a few things as she went and eventually realizing this stuff might be more than she could carry. Sorting through her items she'd gathered, she ended up ditching a few things.

After a little while, Quinn finally took a seat in the grass, distancing herself from the mutts' corpses. She took the glass die that she'd found earlier out of her pocket and decided to roll it on the ground. She liked the way it looked as it reflected the sunlight that shone above her. She did it a couple more times before placing it back into her pocket.

Looking at the two boys who were with her, she decided to speak up and thank them more properly.

"Thank you both," she started. "I don't know what I would've done against those things by myself. I really appreciate the help."

What she said was truthful. She really was grateful. Quinn knew, though, that only one of them could make it out, in the end. She couldn't keep them on her side forever. She just wanted to for as long as she possibly could.

The fear of being in this damned arena all by herself was a strong one. Quinn was certain she would've died in the bloodbath if Derecho hadn't been there to guide her out. Clearly she was already in debt to him because of that. Now, she was in debt to Derecho and Kaius for getting her out of that fight alive. What had she done to be helpful at all so far? Likely just about nothing...

table by pogue

[Knuckles]

d e r e c h o .

"i am a machine
i never sleep
i keep my eyes wide open"

With a breath of fresh air, Derecho follows a bit closely behind Quinn, but soon he moves away on his own searching through the area on his own. Sometimes it's easier to simply follow behind, but right now the only thing weighing on his mind is survival. Being alone has its definite advantages, yet it also puts him at a hard disadvantage because there's nobody else around ot help defend when those mutts come crawling.

Right now, though, he doesn't need any friends as he relishes in the fact that he landed the final blow, that he did the most damage to the mutts while the other two swung their weapons almost hopelessly.

They aren't trained in this though.

It's hard for him to believe that someone wouldn't feel prepared, but not every tribute has the ability to train in the training academy. Quinn being related to a victor should offer her some strengths, yet Derecho doesn't think she's very capable of succeeding. Maybe later when they're fighting other tributes.

I don't need extra baggage hanging around.

But for now, he thinks nothing of it and instead will help her in whatever way he can until the right moment comes.

Looking back, Derecho tries figuring out where they are, but his allies aren't anywhere to be found. Instead, he finds himself staring at a bunch of statues of victors. A grin spreads wide, and all the pain slowly slips away. At the end of this game, he wants to be the one who wears the crown. Going home with the victory is important, yet it seems so far away. These are some of the most memorable names, the ones he compares himself to. Katelyn Persimmons, Kirito Miristioma, Harbinger Rhodes, Atticus Manor, all the victors from all the hunger games with the most recent one Talon Grey.

I want to be just like them.

Every hair stands on end, and every direction he turns, it feels as though these statues are watching him. Part of him wants to run away without searching anymore, yet he decides against it and keeps looking through the statues wondering why they're even here.

That's when he sees it.

A black crown with a note attached to it reading -

Heavy is the head that wears the crown.
Can you bear the weight?
-S.B

Lifting the crown, Derecho tries figuring out the meaning of the note. The crown doesn't seem heavy, yet thinking of the consequences of murdering innocent teens -

We're not innocent. Our innocence was stolen the moment names were called or we volunteered.

The crown at the end of the game may be heavy, but it's one that he's willing to bear, and without thinking, Derecho places the crown on top his head. Victory belongs to him, and he will do whatever it takes to go home alive.

Then he moves away trying to find his way back to Quinn and Kaius. Surely, they're missing him by now if they even noticed he was gone.

When he returns, he sees Quinn starting to sit down, and Derecho breathes a sigh of relief. It's beyond him how much time has passed, yet right now isn't the moment to think about time. Time means nothing in a place like this when each breath is so precious because another breath isn't promised.

"Thank you both."

It's hard not to roll his eyes, yet the mask from the outfit is hiding his face and the hood drapes over his eyes.

"You're very welcome." It takes every ounce of strength to sound even remotely excited, but deep down he truly is. Someone is there to help him. Someone cares.

For now.

Then he starts moving around again. Sitting down will only bring pain but searching through the meadows may bring more gifts and surprises.

elegant

lyrics: Three Days Grace: I am a Machine



derecho searches the forgotten meadows
pLSK83poaw1-6


Derecho also wears the black crown 1-6