Out of the [Mines] / Soft Bois Day 2

[Izzabel Bennet D8A (Jorg)]

I had finished tying the rope around each of our waists and couldn’t help but think about how we came across to the Capital audience. Three boys, calling ourselves the Soft Bois, tied together to not lose each other in the labyrinth of onyx and coal. I hate that my life had become temporary entertainment for the Capital, but this is a reality show where most of us didn’t make it back. I remember looking out of the carriage to see the stars rearrange themselves to create a constellation of Azure last night. I wondered if she got what she sought in those last moments. I don’t even remember hearing her canon in yesterday's chaos.

We went through the mines until we noticed rows of lockers and cupboards in a large, cavernous room. The Gamemakers have done an excellent job of making the Arena appear more human and lived in as if it was erected for only our merry band of prisoners. All of us were waiting to see who would sign our death warrant while trying to survive. To see the pantomime of everyday life, as if this land was reclaimed after being long forgotten, only raised my ire even more than before. I decided right then and there that if I was to die, it would be making sure Garnet or Rhys made it home.

After taking a few deep, calming breaths, I saw my little buddy climbing out from under my shirt, chirping while looking up. I followed its gaze to see daylight and a metal cage housing a lift to bring us up and down into the mines.

“Finally, fresh air.” I sighed as I sighed, trying to take in the cold and bitter air. “Come on, let’s see if we can find anything useful here. Afterwards, we can get out of here.” I started pillaging the lockers, trying to find something to keep the cold from seeping into my soul.

ELEGANT

[Jericho Scavenges the Mine Exit]
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[Baby Wessex d9b [earthling]]

It was the lil guy tucked into his elbow that alerted Garnet to a change in the mines. He'd been quiet, possibly sleeping, most of the time since Garnet had been reunited with Rhys and Jericho. He took that as a sign of his - and possibly by extention the Gamemakers? - approval of their alliance. And he rather thought they'd done well for themselves. He ached and some of his wounds still bled when he ran but overall he felt... okay.

Terrified, but okay.

Surely that would curry some favor with the Capitol. They pressed on in the darkness, together but rudderless. And then the little puffguin woke. Stretched. Fidgeted. Garnet shifted in the rope line to be the last of their trio as he tried to calm the small muttation. “Finally, fresh air.”

Lil Guy peeped.

"Oh!" Garnet nearly laughed. "You were trying to tell me." He had more to say but Rhys poking through the lockers drowned it out. When he came away with a pickax Garnet tried to step back before he remembered he was tethered to his allies.

WIP for dice...

[Garnet scavenges the Mines Exit]

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[parsnip]

R H Y S
P E A C E

      The mines were an ordeal Rhys would sooner forge. Darkness and everchanging circumstances were far from the usual reality he once knew, of control and knowing what to expect. The rumbling in his head caused by all that change only lasted a short while, as when they exited the Mines it seemed to clear, purged by the brisk cold that they'd felt at the exit point. He'd heard footsteps echoing all night. He'd barely slept a wink. Took full of fear that their first encounter might be around the corner.

How had they survived this long without encountering anybody else? Were they kings? Or were they instead paupers? Forever avoiding the limelight, but begging to reap the rewards nonetheless.

The trio were united, as always except for the intrusion of the dark. Rhys knew that the time was coming for a fight. Any hour now, actually. Namely because he hadn't heard a single canon in the sky, or heard the Anthem with any distinct fanfare. Only to usher them on through their quest. Maybe it was a calm Games.

Maybe they were caught in the calm of the storm, without only one bloody route out.

Either way, there was little else to do about it other than follow his friends. Protect them, even. And hope that whoever they do face is of lesser mettle.

[Rhys scavenges the Mines exit]
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