Round One: Madisyn vs Jethro (D12)

[hesper hart 🐺 d9f]

The tribute stands with bare feet in loose dirt and mud below the dark, damp arena. If they look up, they see light and dust pouring in from the cracks in the wooden flooring. And already, they can hear the cheers, the calls for death. A man-sized bird cage comes to a stop at the ground in front of them and if they aren't wise enough to step in on their own, the peacekeepers will shove them inside. Once the gates are locked behind them, they'll know for sure though: this is officially it. No amount of hope will save them now. Only sharpened steel.

As they rise into the arena, the crowd's applause grows overwhelming in its noise, bleeding into a force of sound like a wall, pushing the tributes further into their cages.

"What an exciting show we have planned for you all today!" A voice the tributes may or may not recognize as belonging to Harlan Godfrey booms over any other voice to be heard.

The tributes will notice that they are standing in a courtyard, with a lush green carpet of grass, and they're surrounded on all sides by a gigantic hedge maze. If the tribute bothers counting, they'll also notice 12 different gates encircling the area, each with a bulky padlock the tributes will be able to make out with ease. As if calling to them, the key ring at their hips grows heavy.

They also notice another cage like their own on the other side of the courtyard, occupied with their own district partner. At the same time, both cages will open. As both tributes climb out of their cages and into the arena, they'll both notice a table nearby, full of rather basic-looking swords of all sorts of different shapes and sizes, though some are obviously missing. They'll also notice a few of those swords have been left lying in random places on the grass, undeniably covered in blood.

"Up next to fight, our District Twelve tributes: Madisyn Warden versus Jethro Branstetter!"

---

Weapon: Sword

Madisyn Initiative - 77.9
Jethro Initiative - 39.15

Retro Engine Link: Here

Reminder that tributes have not been granted any stations for this games including weapon modifiers, accuracy, first aid, or even stealth. As a result, both tributes will need to make non-attack intro posts before they begin attacking. If tributes refuse to fight each other, please let me (Dars) know asap so that I can schedule mutts for your fight. As always, 24 hour posting rules are in effect and will be enforced.

This fight will conclude once either tribute has died, and you both have until Friday, 28th of April at 6 pm pst to finish them yourselves, or mutts will be deployed to finish the job.

[d10f ekta ram // [earthling]]

Something is greviously wrong. I mean, I get it, I'm a tribute, a sacrifice, a lamb, but I'm also Madisyn fucking Warden and I shouldn't be ankle-deep in mud? A welling of longing for home washes down my spine. I'd happily take any winter day in the coal mines over this muck.

The bird cage glitters with the last snatch of sunlight before it descends into my cell. When it hits the mud it squelches sickeningly. The door ghosts open and instinctively I take a step back.

I'll take the mud over the arena.

The butt of a Peacekeeper's weapons comes to rest behind my right shoulder. "I'm going, I just gotta pee really fast?"

I turn, just an inch. The keeper shoves me forward forward forward through the mud and into the bird cage. A splatter of wet earth mars my toga and every jostled movement makes the key ring at my hip jangle. The keeper slams the cage shut and I whirl around, grip the sun warmed bars, and stare at them. "What's with the keys? You gonna let me out?"

The keeper doesn't move, doesn't react, but I get the sense they're enjoying watching me be lifted into the arena. Fucking sadist. And then the sun slants into my eyes. I shut them, hard, and my chest feels like it's compressed. Every breath is fast and labored. The cage sways. The water in my stomach sloshes, roiling my insides.

Harlan's voice is like music but I don't dare open my eyes. Instead I think of my interview - our interview - and hold fast to the contours of his face.

There's a click and the balance of the cage shifts. The door's ajar, exiting onto a lush courtyard. Across the way there's another cage, already empty, and all around are daunting hedges.

A breeze rustles through my toga and despite the sunshine, I shiver. The mud caked over my feet protects them from the first few tentative steps onto the courtyard gravel. I'm not thinking too hard, just feeling my way, and somehow I'm moving step by step towards the array of swords.

The hedges rustle.

I squeak, shield my eyes, and look up.

"Oh," I say, the disdain tasting like tart berries in the back of my throat. "It's you. Hey, waterboy, whatcha doing way up there?"

I curl my fingers around a sword's plain handle. "If you see an Exit sign be sure to let me know!"

[Kasia Karataeva D3F [Jorg]]

I have to admit that interview wasn't that bad, although I wish I wasn't put back into this windowless cage. All I can do now is contemplate what will happen tomorrow and my hopeful survival. At least I'm given a bread roll to eat, the first real meal since the Reaping. I'm not even sure what to expect, because word has it that that arena has been constantly changing every year. I should probably try to figure out what I'll be forced into tomorrow but what's the use in trying to figure that out. I can try to play to my strengths: climbing, running, and grappling. I can hold myself in a hand-to-hand fight. I can climb up almost any tree. And I'm fast, really fast. I can try to outmaneuver those who come for me. This is as good as a starting point as I have, I need to keep running with this. If we get weapons, I have plenty of experience with a pick axe, while mining is different than... killing... I could use it in that manner if I need to. This is about making sure that I get home. I'm not a sacrifice waiting for glory in death; I'm a fighter, and I'll keep on swinging until I get back home.

After stressful dreams and interrupted sleep, I'm woken up by knocking at the door and the same guards who took me to my interview enter my room. I'm smart enough to know when to fight, and this isn't one of those times; so I begrudgingly get out of bed, and follow them out of my room. I was hoping to at least get a bath before I went off to the Arena. Hopefully, they'll allow us to bathe before we enter the Arena, I feel like it would be worse to die of an infection in a survival game than it is being killed. The guards take me towards a hovercraft, making sure that all I can see is the path in front of me, and themselves in my periphery. I'm too scared to try and look around, not wanting to get hit and risk an injury before I even get in there. I see that the other tributes... which is still weird to call myself that, are already getting strapped in. Some are talking, not sure to exactly whom, but it's not my place to know. It's my place to ensure that I get out of here. Knowing them would only humanize them, and it a lot easier to hunt an animal.

I hate this though, that I have to think of people as animals in order to survive. The straps that secure us bring a weird sense of comfort though as if it is a final embrace. Fitting though, as I never got to hug my dad when my name was called. I was ushered onto the stage, then immediately ushered onto the train. These straps, as tight as they are, are probably the last reminder I'll have of him. It is a surprisingly short ride between where we were housed and where the arena is. We are unceremoniously ushered out in pairs, and of course, being from 12. Madyson and I are the last ones out. We are separated by guards that ensure that we don't communicate, and are taken to separate entrances. Once inside, I'm escorted to another cell, only this time I can see the light through the light of the floor of the arena. The sand slowly cascades through, hopefully indicating what I can expect when I'm lifted up. I don't see any way to actually get up though.

It seems like they hope to keep us sequestered for a bit longer though, and it's a while before peacekeepers come into the cell where I am. One of them is holding a long bag in their hands, and I'm grateful that the bag is slightly shorter than me. It's not the bag that they're going to put me in when I leave this place. They open the bag to reveal an absolutely ridiculous outfit that I am supposed to wear. Some kind of one-shouldered dress with a deep red sash, tied around the waist. The peacekeeper also brings out a ring of leaves that we are supposed to wear on our head. Even I'm not that feral. They couldn't even bother to give us shoes. I start stripping out of my clothes, and a peacekeeper is kind of enough to ensure that my clothes don't touch the dirt and mud-caked straw on the floor. Or what I hope is at least dirt and mud. Apparently, twisted animals have been added in the Games recently. Now those I can deal with. If they're forcing animals to breed with each other I can figure out what animals they are, and figure out what their base instincts are.

The peacekeeper holding the dress offers to help me into it, and I'm not one to look refuse a gift when it's handed to me. I wish I could be in the clothes from home, and retain a bit of my dignity. I'm proud to be from Twelve, and if I die, I want to be in the clothes that remind me of home. Once I'm in the getup that they want to parade us in, I'm left alone again, trying to figure out how to get into the fresh air. I pace in anticipation, thinking that I can already hear fighting up above me. It doesn't help that I know nothing about the situation I'm about to get into.

The same peacekeepers from before come into the room, this time it's to take me out of this cell. They take me to a room of a similar size to the previous room. This one though has a pulley system, with an old man there operating the system, where I can see what I can assume are wrought iron cages. So this is how we're ushered into the arena. Ushered into cages like canaries, hoping that we don't die, that we continue to sing and see the light again. I step onto the rig and the old man gives me a solemn nod, before lifting me up into the arena.

When I break through the surface of the floor, it's not sand that I'm encountered with, but grass. Thick obnoxious green grass that is not found in the forests outside of Twelve. As I slowly rise higher, I see 2 long tables, flanking either side of the green patch, then I notice walls. Tall walls covered in plants tower above us. I take a few tentative steps out of the cage, once I realize that I won’t blow up, I make a beeline straight to the walls. It’s something I can climb and get out of here. However, once I get there I notice that the plants are slippery and hard to get a firm grip on. This isn’t the same as climbing a tree at home.

I hear Madyson’s voice floating around, asking what I’m doing on the walls.

“I’m trying to get out of here what do you think?” I retort, voice strained with effort. She makes a sarcastic comment but I chose to actively ignore her. After a few attempts and not getting any higher than a quarter of the way up. I give up, sitting on the ground when I notice that it’s damp. When I lift my hand I notice that it’s painted in red. I knew I heard fighting earlier!

[d10f ekta ram // [earthling]]

“I’m trying to get out of here here what do you think?”

his voice borders on shrill. i grip the sword handle a little tighter. "so now you want me to think for you?" there's a hiss latent in my words, a warning and a threat. if i keep having to think for jethro, i might just think him out of existence.

he slips down the leafy hedge and comes to sit on the warm courtyard stones and gravel. i wait a moment, two, expecting...

well, quite honestly, expecting more than this.

and when he does come to his sense he stares piteously at his red slicked palm. like what, he didn't expect to see some blood after being marked for death?

the sword is heavy, maybe not quite as heavy as the coal picks, but close. i drag it off the table, let it thunk on the cobblestone and drag behind me. the ringing of the tip biting into the dirt and stone is far more obnoxious than the jangling keys at my hip.

"i'm thinking," i say, drawing in a deep breath, "that there isn't an exit."

[Madisyn attacks Jethro; sword]

ZxD35UGf|wsword

[Shallow Cut on Right Hip -- 3.5 damage]

sword

[Kasia Karataeva D3F [Jorg]]

"So now you want me to think for you?" She responds to me, her voice clearly offended that, for once, she has to do something for herself yet again.

"You know, for a girl who couldn't even get herself a glass of water on the train, I'm surprised that you actually can think. Or did your servants do that for you before the Capitol 'took everything away from you?' You're such a spoiled princess." I retort, venom and disgust laced through my voice, and I stand back up, my once-white dress now stained almost the same red as the sash.

I walk to one of the gates closest to me and try one of the keys on the stupid key ring they gave us. It might actually be good for something. I know how to survive and fight when I need to, and part of surviving is trying to make sure I have everything I need. Right now, all that's around us are swords. While it's great to know they are at least giving us weapons, I need food and water, and from what I can tell, it's not to be found in this courtyard.

I try my key, and nothing. It doesn't budge in the lock at all. That's when I hear Madyson's voice again.

I'm thinking that there isn't an exit. and I turn around to see her swing her sword toward me. I managed to dodge out of the way, only getting a shallow cut on my hip. I pick up a blade close to me, feeling the weight and balance of it in my hand. I would have preferred a pick-axe, but I'll make do with what I have.

If that is how you want to play Madyson, be my guest. Just know that I'll be the one going back home, and I'll find my exit, and you're in my way. I swing my blade towards her, hoping to make this fast and efficient.

w_RFB8By2|sword
1108 -- Shallow Cut on Right Forearm -- 3.5 damage
(Sword)
sword

[d10f ekta ram // [earthling]]

the weapon feels good in my hand. it's weighted differently than the tools i use in the mines but it's no heavier. the first swing doesn't yield much, sort of lightly grazes jethro. a little thrill shoots up my spine. it's probably just the adrenaline from everything the last day, or two days, or however long it's been.

but maybe it's the feeling of power?

"... spoiled princess.."

i pout as he walks away. "what's so wrong with that? at least i had it good for awhile, you know!" i have to shout over the jingling of keys. there's a little seed of hope that jethro's right, that he's onto something, and that we can escape not much worse for wear.

"you're in my way." and he makes sure the words hurt, too.

i gasp, the shock of pain chasing away the hunger. as quickly as i can i whack him back with my sword. "ow? can you go back to trying to unlock the bushes?"

[Madisyn attacks Jethro; sword]

ac9Q60getzsword

[Block -- 0.0 damage]

sword

[Kasia Karataeva D3F [Jorg]]

What's so wrong with that? At least i had it good for awhile, you know! She retorts, unaware of the situation in Twelve. Just because we didn't get to live in the big fancy houses doesn't mean we didn't have it good either, and we learned to make do with what we have and be grateful for what we got. I didn't want to work deep underground for it, hoping to make my living working with people's pets and animals.

I swing before responding, my sword grazing her arm as she tries to defend herself. This is different than what I'm used to down in the mines, but I can make this work.

"ow? can you go back to trying to unlock the bushes?" she responds before swinging at me with the back of her sword. Her swing is easy enough to dodge, and I answer her question, even though I wish I could ignore her.

"What's wrong is your attitude. When we first met, you treated me like a damn servant, and now you're just acting like everything is going to be handed to you on a nice silver platter. Just because you're forced to work in the mines now doesn't mean you understand the value of a good day's worth of work. Or what it means to have so little that you are grateful for what you have. It's been eight years, and all you can think about is how sorry you feel for yourself. And trust me, I wish I could unlock these bushes. It would make living with myself a lot easier once I get back home, knowing that I didn't have to kill you to get there."

I try my key on another locked door, hoping I can get lucky enough to leave. I hastily thrust the first key on my ring in and get resistance, even trying to put the damn key in. Once it's fully in, it won't budge, just like the first one. Of course, they would give us defective keys. Though if other tributes have fought before, how did they escape? Were the gates closed with no padlocks?

"It looks like our keys may not work. Maybe that voice that sounded like Harlan's was right. Maybe the only way out of this courtyard is to kill each other. I just hope your death is as fast and painless as possible." I'm not a complete monster yet. Or at least I hope I'm not one. Madyson may talk a lot, but I have to see her like a wounded animal. Killing her myself would be a mercy compared to the other beasts that would tear her apart for the fun of it. I swing my sword, hoping to make this painless for her.

kZi2hTiV6qsword
1024 -- Severed Right Hand at Wrist -- 9.0 damage
(Sword)

sword

[d10f ekta ram // [earthling]]

the sword is harder to manuever than i would have thought. i'd tried to smack him but instead i sort of sail forward by the momentum of the blade. "you don't know anything about me," i huff, even though demonstrably, he does. had i said anything about the mines? or do people just know that i work there? it makes me feel a little warm and fuzzy towards him. for like, a nanosecond.

and then he arrives at the obvious conclusion and i want to roll my eyes. "Duh," is all i have time to say before Jethro takes his sword and cuts down.

at first, i don't feel anything. i mean, of course, how could i, handless? my arm is cold and there's blood.

oh god, there's so much blood.

tears spill down my cheeks. my teeth chatter. i can't find any words but i know suddenly i need to go. i need to run away or hide or climb the fucking hedges.

i slash at him. "back!" is all i manage.

[Madisyn attacks Jethro; sword]

G4qgh6Sta1sword

[Shallow Cut on Left Bicep -- 3.5 damage]

sword

[Kasia Karataeva D3F [Jorg]]

Oh god, what did I just do?

I stare at the hand on the ground, that hand that I just cut off. I keep telling myself to treat her like a wounded animal and that it would be easier to do this, but I just cut off her her fucking hand.

I can only stare, my hands on the hilt of the sword now dug in the ground, supporting my weight as my body is still hunched over. Her blood spilling freely from her wrist where I had just cut it off. All I can think of of are all of the wounded wild animals that I killed: the wild doe with the broken leg, the rabbit that was already cut but mountain lions, and even rabid animals from time to time, but is so much different, no matter how hard I try to convince myself otherwise. Maybe it might have been easier to go against people I don't know; they can remain nameless and faceless. They can just be bodies to cut down. His is Madyson, though, and as much as I hate her, I know her. Even if it's just been for three days, that's enough to get an impression of her.

And I just cut off her fucking hand.

I'm still in what Daddy called shock, tears forming in my eyes as I stay unmoving from the position I'm in until I see a glint in my periphery. I knee-jerk raise my arm up, feeling a cut on my arm.

back! she screams at me.

"Trust me, Madyson, I wish I could return back home. I wish I could be anywhere but here right now. I tried climbing out, unlocking the doors, and I don't know how else to get out of here." My voice hitches as the tears start to fall from my eyes; the bitter saltiness steams down my cheeks, some of it trailing into my mouth.

"I try to tell myself you're a wounded animal from home. o make it easier for myself. but you're not. You're Madyson Warren. And as much as I wish I didn't know you, because you're one of the most annoying people I've ever met, I do. just wish this was anyone else."

I yank my sword out from the bloodied ground and advance towards her, wishing that I could end this before it gets any worse, and swing my sword at her again.

_pX71XPbkssword

1067 -- Deep Gash on Back of Head -- 9.0 damage
(Sword)

sword

[d10f ekta ram // [earthling]]

the sword tips towards the earth, slipping a bit in my good hand. my only hand. "what the --?" i wheeze but he doesn't hear me. he's waxing poetic about home and locks and keys and did he just?

oh no he did not.

"you think I am an animal!?"

his sword thwacks against the back of my skull. i'm not even sure how but it could be because the arena is spinning. or maybe because it's split in two? and it's raining or foggy or something because my back is damp but really none of that matters because:

"give me back my hand!!!"

and i lift the sword like a mine ax and strike.

[Madisyn attacks Jethro; sword]

tr5cDy6D9psword

[ Severed Right Ear -- 8.0 damage]

sword

[Kasia Karataeva D3F [Jorg]]

I hit the back of her head, more blood draining out from her as I take a few steps back.

I guess this is really happening. No going back now. I think to myself as I let my sword fall to my side, wondering what my next move should be. Should I go for her other hand, make sure that she's unable to lift her sword against me? Should I try to go for her head again? She might be expecting that now though.

You think I am an animal!? she shrieks at me. She continues to yell something else about giving back her hand, which obviously I can't do, before she swings her sword at me again. I dodge wrong, though, and she manages to swipe my ear clean off my head.

"FUCK!" I yell out as I raise my head to where my ear once was, feeling the warm thick blood starts to flow out of the hole that is now there. I was trying to apologize, and apparently, I just pissed her off again.

"It's sad when a person with only one ear can listen better than you. I was trying to apologize you idiot." I retort as I raise my sword against her again.

"I'm sorry about your hand. There's nothing I can do to give your hand back. But maybe I can make it even and take you other one. She's given me a reason to fight back. With most predators, they flee once you make yourself bigger and scarier than they are, but she fought back. Now I can attack knowing that it's a fair fight.

aINIXVpZbmsword
Shallow Cut on Left Shoulder -- 3.5 damage

sword

[d10f ekta ram // [earthling]]

the weight of the sword finally, finally feel right. nevermind that it's been a few minutes, probably. it's somehow been forever since i slunk out of the birdcage and at the same time it's happened all at once: jethro climbing towards the exit, my hand landing with a sickening thump, my sword heaved high in the air, dizzingly bright in the sunshine.

when it comes down this time, i feel it.

it's not the same as a coal ax but i think i've gotten the measure of it.

and i take a little bit of jethro to prove it. "FUCK!"

"Ha!" i taunt, though there's no humor in it. "and you can keep your fucking apology."

this time when jethro comes for me, i'm ready. or at least, more ready. i slide just a bit out of reach so that his sword doesn't claim another appendage. the world tilts a little more as i bring my weapon around. "if you want more of me, you can come and get it."

[Madisyn attacks Jethro; sword]

NJryGHaZvvsword

[ Shallow Cut on Chest -- 4.0 damage]

sword

[Kasia Karataeva D3F [Jorg]]

”Ha! Madyson taunts after she cuts off my ear, rejecting my apology right after. She has every right to as well. I don’t blame her. Though dealing with animals are a lot more straight forward than humans. Once I get out of here I’m not dealing with humans expect for my parents ever again. I know pops would be proud of me for standing up for myself, but what would ma think about this? What should she say to me once I got home? I can’t really think about that now though, and I swing again at Madyson.

I manage to cut her left shoulder, not as deep as I would have preferred but it still gets the message across. The sword is starting to feel more comfortable in my hands after getting a good few swings in. Hopefully I can keep the moment up. It’s clear that one of us has to die to get out of here; as evident by the blood soaked ground that was drenched before we stepped foot in it. I know it’s going to be me who leaves this arena, not any of the other 23 kids in here with me.

”if you want more of me, you can come and get it.” Madyson taunts at me again before coming after me, aiming straight for my chest. I jump back, and she only manages to get a cut on me. Not too bad considering she just cut my ear off. I would take a cut over losing another limb.

”Well then, I guess I will Madyson.” I state matter of factly, and take my last swing at her, hoping it would be enough to stop her.

p5|9gd9M5ssword

Shallow Cut on Chest -- 4.0

sword

[d10f ekta ram // [earthling]]

My lower lip quivers and I can't figure out how to stop it. Suddenly this is much too much. I'm not supposed to be here; I never was.

"HELP!" I cry.

"Help! Hellllllp! He's trying to kill me!"

The hedges absorb so much of my screams. Or maybe I just haven't practiced being the victim long enough. In either case it's clear no one is going to come to my aid.

With a whimper I whack at him again.

[Madisyn attacks Jethro; sword]

9TBx5UNodGsword

[ ]

sword

[Kasia Karataeva D3F [Jorg]]

I only got a shallow cut on her chest. I got some great first strikes in I need to figure out how to pick up that momentum again. Yeah m starting to get frustrated with myself because I cut off her hand, I should be able to get better hits in. But, she’s starting to fight back in her own fucked up away.

"Help! Hellllllp! He's trying to kill me!" she cries, obvious fake. She threw the first swing, she Cosme after me first when I was trying to find a different way out here. She even manages to give a cut deep on my arm. I do my best to hold in the pain because she doesn’t deserve the satisfaction of seeing me cry.

”For a girl trying to play victim you’re doing a horrible job at it.” I point at my ear with the arm she just slashed open, trying to prove my point.

”Why dont you stop being fake and show people who you really are? I think you would actually be more like appealing that way.” I state before I swing at her again. This time I’m hoping to kill her for real.

ZKWJms9IMmsword

Block -- 0.0 damage

sword