we're like timebombs [st★rkidz & icemonkeys]

[shrimp]

s u n d r a

they said
"we'll make you right into a star
'cause that's what you are"

Perhaps she blushes when it happens, when teeth hit teeth and smirk hits gasp, but it couldn't possibly mean anything; she could hardly even fathom why he had decided to do that. Instead, her mind kept skipping the moment, going back to his sincere apologies all the way to the "Stay human, Sundra Wie." And then he disappears from view, melting into the too-white-too-pure arena atmosphere and she's left alone again, hand at her mouth, unmoving, and a small smile forming, for whatever reason that her body decides that It's time to act like a teenage girl and almost squeal in excitement! And perhaps if she had someone to talk about this to, like Ember or Ellea or maybe even her mother, she would revert to stereotypical shocked girl who's just been kissed but she can't do that here because there's nobody around (or there is someone around, but not the kind of person that she wants to linger).

She wanders around for a time, not knowing quite exactly what has happened between Aesop and herself. It's apparent that their conversation will not be lost on the Capitol (the audience simply devours star-crossed lovers and debacles of misfortune), but sh still is a bit whirl winded and confused as to what he feels about it, what she feels about it. A kiss, and a first kiss as a matter of fact, would seem to be a highlight of any teenager's life, but to Sundra it only seems to be a kiss of death (albeit, a very exciting very momentous kiss of death). She knows she won't be able to even attack him now anyways (like she was going to attack anyone in the first place) because he's proved that he's human,and he wishes that she stay one as well.

Sundra still grasps the water bottle though, holding it close as if this is the last thing she'll ever receive from the boy from six (and a part of her knows that it probably will be), but looks quickly upwards at the parcel that floats ever so slowly towards the ground, almost blending completely with the gray skies and the white floors. She stuffs the water bottle into the shallow coat pocket in order to grab the present, which turns out to be an exact replica of Aesop's present, only more shiny and less handled. And she doesn't really understand why this is happening until she realizes that she has allies. Perhaps Ember is still alive, she thinks, but she can only be satisfied with her conclusion when the last rays of the sun disappear, along with the majestic hues of golds and bronzes.

She finds herself reentering the cornucopia as the lights disappear to be replaced with twinkling stars and bitterly cold weather biting at her cheeks (clearly she was more disoriented than she originally though, seeing as she had thought that she was going somewhere else entirely), and she sits against the cool metal walls of the object as the lights turn back on and the anthem blares across the arena. She knows that this is important to watch now, for this changes the game plan entirely. As the nine faces flash onto the screen, she desperately hopes that Ember Hilbrook is not among the dead, and a sigh of relief is exhaled as she does not appear. However, the nine faces that do are significant.

Sapphire and her killer, Michael, appear on screen first, followed by selfless Alliance Dowry and the silent Cassandra Hearsh (the possible escapees that she had seen have now been narrowed narrowed to Naida and Ember). Sperring Kapow's face flashes on next, and Sundra knows that the Careers these games were hardly careers - there are only two of them left. She starts to cry again when Arden is visible, making Ceres and Zynna blurs against the teardrops covering her eyes. It gets worse when James finally disappears from view. They're all dead now, and the more arrogant and violent tributes are left to fight it out to the end.

She cries herself to sleep, knowing that Arden will never be able to smile or obsess about cleanliness or anything ever again, for his body rests in a Capitol hovercraft, a mortician fixing and refining his bloody face for proper view once his body is shipped back home. In fact, her dreams are filled with Arden's body decomposing ever so slowly, other dead tributes suffering the same fate and she finally awakens with a gasp as the sunlight hits her face and the surrounding area, slowly warming the cornucopia up from freezing temperatures (she's lucky that she did not rest her cheek on its frozen frame - surely it would have become stuck). Gradually, she shifts from her uncomfortable position to a standing one, glancing around at the environment, which is quite literally red slush. She grimaces and wipes the excess snow off of her jacket and pants, knowing that it could have been from anyone; herself, Ember, Arden, Aesop...

The sound of feet approaching however, halts her thoughts and she looks to her left as she sees Ember Hilbrook emerging from the wilderness. Squealing with delight, she makes no notion to hide her sounds, ecstatic that Ember is here, alive, with her now and quickly runs to her, spouting sentences and questions such as "Are you alright?" and "I tried to follow but I couldn't get there in time," and "Arden is... But you already knew that..." All conversations about "Sundrop" are out of the picture, and instead she simply hands Ember the water bottle from the sponsors, stating that "We'll be able to drink things now!" She's hopeful, knowing that it's possible that the two will be able to actually be something of a threat, now that water may be possible to collect. But still, she knows that something else that's worse than a slow death by dehydration can happen, and something will happen today that will test that theory.

[Ashley (Ember, Wren, August)]

'Whoever originally created the Hunger Games was the most twisted person in the history of all time.' That was all Ember thought about as she grumbled to herself and tried to heal her wounds with no medical supplies. The only thing she could do was apply pressure with the fabric of her sleeve-covered hands and clean and numb them with the snow around her. Hopefully, she would find medicinal plants later but she was too weak and in a location where there were none. Just her luck.

The events that happened from the sound of the gong after the sixty seconds went by in a whirl wind of chaos at such a rapid pace that it was surreal. When the gong sounded, the majority of the victors ran to the Cornucopia to try to get their equipment for survival and self defense. It was by far the most bloody Blood Bath Ember had ever known and she doubted that the reason she thought that was because she was in it. Though she didn't know how many of the tributes were dead, her mind went back to the scene at the Cornucopia where bodies were dropping left and right. Teenagers were savagely murdering each other without any cause but to beat their fellow victors to it. It was horrific.

Ember hadn't wanted to even attempt going into the Blood Bath but her allies wanted to and she wasn't in the place to oppose them. So she went along with it, hoping that the three of them would be successful in getting their supplies and getting out of there with minimal injuries. Well, they were definitely wrong. Ember was severely injured after being attacked by four different people. There were three or four stab marks in her, one in her neck. And the worst part was when Arden told her to run, she assumed he would be following her and when she turned around he was being murdered but she kept running. Turning back wouldn't do any good. He was long gone and her dying too wasn't going to help. It all happened so quickly, Ember didn't even know if her other ally, Sundra, was alive.

When the day was over and the pictures of the dead tributes would be displayed in the sky, Ember knew the list would be exceptionally long. Now she was hiding away, somewhere unseen and secluded to nurse her wounds. Bleeding to death or infection wasn't an option for Ember. She had to try to survive and dying from something that simple was pathetic but that wasn't her concern. It was just a reflex to want to be healed. If she would've thought about it, it was probably much more peaceful to die this way and much less traumatic for her loved ones. It would be much more peaceful to die alone from injury than in a gory murder. But she fixed her injuries as best as she could.

After hours of tending to the deep gashes in her flesh, Ember figured that it wasn't going to be enough. It would take a long time to heal and unless she had proper medical supplies, the wounds would open and begin to bleed again. But how was she going to get medical supplies? Only be sponsor would she ever be that lucky and once she assessed her surroundings, she knew medicinal herbs would be scarce. She was in a frozen wasteland. It would be a miracle for even a few plants in secluded areas but she found that unlikely. Nothing of the sort would survive here. And unfortunately, the only thing Ember had managed to get was her weapon; a dagger. It puzzled her as to what use this would be to her. It wouldn't kill many animals and they would have to be at a close distance for any success. A bow and arrows would be much more useful. Though Ember had never used one, she would be able to figure it out. Now she was kicking herself for not learning weapons during training.

The only option for hope of medical supplies was the Cornucopia. It had been hours since the Blood Bath so the other tributes were likely dispersed all over the arena, far from the place where it all began. It was more than likely the last remaining alliance or tribute to survive the Blood Bath had taken everything but she had to try. If there was and she chose not to look and died, that would be a waste of luck and resources.

Slowly but surely, Ember managed to limpm to the place where the equipment and supplies once lied. It was a painful walk. The deep cuts in her skinned stung in the excruciatingly dry cold. Her body begged to stop but she couldn't or else she wouldn't get going again. In her mind, she kept motivating herself by saying there were bandages and medicines to ease the pain and heal the gashes. Whether or not that was the truth was to remain unknown but if she felt that if she believed it, it could be true. At least it kept her legs moving forward.

Finally the Cornucopia was within view and so was something else. A sillouette. Ember's heart dropped and she body froze. They obviously already saw her and there was no way Ember could just run away. Her body was torn apart, making any type of running impossible. But her eyes began to focus better and the sillouette was of thin, feminine figure and within seconds she realized she was safe. It was Sundra.

As fast as her body would allow, Ember made her way to Sundra and it was apparent that she was just as thrilled to Ember as Ember was to see her. She began speaking rapidly not letting Ember get in a word edge wise but Ember didn't care. Her ally was alive and there was hope. Ember showed off her wounds, grimly, obviously anxious about their future affects on her overall health. "I'm alive but really roughed up. I'm going to need some medical supplies quickly or else they'll get infected or won't stop bleeding I was hoping the Cornucopia might have some that others left behind."

Sundra mentioned Arden and Ember looked down, solemnly, remembering seeing her ally die. "I know," she managed to get out. "I-I didn't mean to let him died. They all came at us and he told me to run. I figured he'd follow but when I turned around they were killing him. I would've tried to save him but I was bleeding so much and going back would just end up making me dead too. Going back wouldn't have saved him, probably." Her conscience was so guilty and her heart was heavy but there was no changing the fact that Arden was dead. It must have been even worse on Sundra. They were obviously good friends. They came from the same district after all.

[sadniss everdeen]

ice. monkeys

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Korak didn't understand. This strange new place felt wrong to him. The trees were too still and icy under his furred palms, nails sinking in deep to the bitter bark in an effort to hold his grasp. He remembers little - being taken from his home, thrown with the others of his tribe into a strange, small box and being unleashed here. The chilling wind barely touches him but it's the strange, confusing and wrong aura about this place that makes him - and his tribe - so on edge. They have already evaded the creatures with flat jaws and sleek bodies, howling their terror as they chase them through the trees. A few of the young ones have started to slump from the constant hyper awareness and the creatures that crash through the brush on two legs, unaware of their watching eyes. But Korak is smart, see. Follow the trail of the Two-Legs and find good things. The Two-Legs always have good things.

They swing with purpose, the strongest guarding the front and the quickest bringing up the rear. Soon a glimmer of gold reaches their eyes and they descend quietly upon their prize. A massive object of twisted design glimmers in the setting Circle-In-The-Sky and Korak wastes no time in claiming it for his own. Strong, clear claws dig into the side and haul himself up, stamping his feet and screeching as they lead the young ones into the warmth.

The tribe sleeps well that Dark.

He is woken by his mate as the Circle-In-The-Sky rises upon the Bright-Cold, painting it in violent hues. Massak cooes softly and grooms the Bright-Cold from his fur, trekking silently to the lip of the surface and slipping inside. Her quiet claws click softly under his feet as she clings to the ceiling, coaxing him to view whatever got her attention. And then, voices. Warped syllables; loud, anxious. Korak bares his teeth. Two-Legs! So close to the children? They're so close now, they can't escape without being seen.

Korak creeps to the edge and calls for two to aid him. Massak hangs at the ready, bushy tail slowly waving back and forth and eyes that gleam softly in the shadow. To his left, a large shape takes up residence; Nukilik, the largest of the tribe, stands unmoving with his massive claws bared and shining with the Slick-Cold of last Dark. In the paw of one Two-Legs he sees a Claw-That-Cuts nestled in her palm, sharp and deadly.

Their voices continue and Korak sees Red drip from the one who holds the Claw-That-Cuts. She is the weakest of the two and he knows opportunity when he sees one. With a mighty screech he flings himself at the Red One, claws bared and teeth curled back in a snarl.

[dice=200+2000]
[[attacks Ember, stabbed in hand, 8.0]]

His claws pierce the fragile skin of the Red One, sinking in deep to emerge at the other side. Howling in triumph he wrenches the claws, slick with new Red, out of her broken skin. Karok barely has time to glance up before he sees Massak and Nukilik launch themselves simultaneously at the shorter, uninjured Two-Legs.

[dice=200+2000]
[[attacks Sundra, deep gash on right calf, 8.0]]

Nukilik strikes first, his superior weight driving the spikes of his covered skin deep into the calf of the shorter Two-Legs. Red begins to drip, and moments later Massak descends upon her with a high pitched screech.

[dice=200+2000]
[[attacks Sundra, shallow cut on left hip, 3.5]]

Her trajectory was thrown from Nukilik's weight slamming into the Two-Legs, and her claws barely scrape the fleshy side of the girl. She tumbles into the Bright Cold in a flailing of limbs, but she quickly rights herself and scrambles to brace for retaliation.

[/size][/blockquote][rand=2837768173307148510190644364437476044665515665636868661543346148]

[shrimp]

s u n d r a

I can't live in a fairy tale of lies

She's naive, doesn't realize that things lurk everywhere, even in the place where it seems most safe. Of course, the Cornucopia of all things, the most obviously manufactured piece of garbage in the entire arena, would be assumed to be at least somewhat safe from harm. But as the creatures descend, sparkling and growling, screeches emitting from their mouths, she knows that this subconcious knowledge is in fact, false. The monsters themselves are strange - almost show themselves, but their insides will beat with warm blood, and the sight of multiples hidden within the confines of the cornucopia (there's something there, and Sundra does not aim to enter it).

Quickly, the ice monkeys begin their assault, the first one stabbing her comrade in the hand, and she gasps as two more jump into the sunlight, their crystal pelts glistening, and right onto her. They crash into her body, stabbing it with white-hot pain, and for a moment she wonders if this will result in poison (how else would the skin glisten in such a manner, or the screeches sound so triumphant, almost as if these creatures have a mine of their own) before her thoughts are drowned by the blinding agony of the crystal that is removed from her calf. She grips at it, a high pitched scream emitted into the air, and for a moment she is incapacitate, unable to move as she watches the blood drip from both her and Ember's wounds. She winces once more as the second attacker grazes her hip, but makes no move to move.

Only when the pain finally begins to ebb slightly does she look up, trying to put weight on it. The monkeys haven't attacked just yet, but it's possible that they will attack Ember, for she is the weaker one. The lone monster whose crystals stabbed into the brown-haired girl's, seems menacing, and Sundra knows that he is the one that must go, for he seems to be the only one who has the intelligence to attack the weaker being. "Ember," she whimpers. "That one," a shaky hand pointing to the intended target. Hands proceed to grip onto the ice-cold crowbar, and she limps forwards, swinging it in a mechanic fashion at the beast who needs to leave this realm. Eyes close as the weapon swings closer, her brain wishing for some sort of way of escape, that maybe Aesop will come and save the two from this mess (he does seem to have that outwardly arrogance that could result in a hero-esque rescue attempt, and she wouldn't even mind it).

And as the crowbar finally reaches the intended target, thoughts rush back to her family back at home, and she knows that the most fragile one must not watch, for what if she were to die right here, right now? She knows that the family cannot afford her death so early, especially since Storm did better than this, was able to raise their hopes. She knew that one day she'd be finished, but she hoped that she would be able to raise their morale before finally letting them down, rather than just doing the latter. So as her eyes finally open, she relays a thought into the stratosphere, hoping that it will travel across the arena to District 5, into the mind of a frail girl with a fragile stability.

Europa, don't watch.

[attacks Korak; crowbar (club/blunt)]

[dice=200+7000]

[7086; Bruised Right Hand; 2.0 damage]

[rand=42899692184546760256068239653765203952319524523355088199054794]

[Ashley (Ember, Wren, August)]

It was such a relief for Ember to see Sundra again. It was as if the sun had come out from behind the sun in an eclipse. Having Sundra meant having hope for survival. The two girls talked about their grievences in a respectable way but found it hard to keep their relief and happiness in. They both weren't alone in this barren tundra. There odds of survival had skyrocketed and they knew they were going to be alright, or at least safe at this moment. Ember didn't even want to think about the days to come. It was important to take things one day at a time.

Yet the choice of being relieved was a poor one because the girls had let their guard down. It was, to them, safe to assume the Cornucopia was deserted. All the tributes were gone, clearing out once they got what they needed or whatever they could get without being murdered. But fellow tributes weren't the only dangers of the Hunger Games. No, that would be much to boring for the viewers. Instead of letting the two girls connect, regroup, and find a strategy and possibly left of supplies, the Gamemakers decided to unleash one of the first mutts of the games.

They were odd creatures, nothing like anything Ember had seen in district 8 but they gave the appearance of some sort of mammal. They were tiny but obviously menacing. Before the two girls could assess the situation or even run, the rabid beasts attacked. Ember got cut in the hand but Sundra got the worst of it with a deep gash in her thigh and another cut in her hip. But Ember was ready for this. Since the Blood Bath, she hadn't let her dagger out grip, except to heal her injuries. Now it was firmly gripped in her good hand, her left hand, the one uninjured by the beasts.

Sundra signal to Ember which fury, angry mammal to attack and she went for the little creature with her dagger. Who knew such tiny animals could be so murderous and vicious, but that was the Capitol. They were probably enhanced in labs to make them strong and deadly. If they didn't this wouldn't be nearly as fun for the Capitolites. All Ember hoped was that the two girls could escape to safety. Killing them all wasn't even a priority unless it meant complete safety. Just as long as they were safe, Ember would go to any lengths, even if they were just alive for an extra day.

[dice=200+2000]
Shallow cut on neck -4.0

Ember took a stab at the monkey Sundra instructed her to attack and she stabbed it in the neck. This was a fortunate place to attack it and her anger towards be in the Games, losing Arden, and getting hurt was coming out. If this were a person, it would definitely be different but this was a byproduct of the Capitol, a vicious animal and she had no problem killing it if it meant survival.

[/size][/color][rand=0167990840548593610172585838040943292463278555385068982688252698913]

[sadniss everdeen]

ice. monkeys

[/font][/center][/color]

A meaty thwack of metal on flesh and Korak screeches, jerking back to just avoid the Claw-That-Cuts slicing into the air where his neck used to be. There is a brief sting and beadings of Red that dribble down his hard shell, leaking into the crevices where his skin isn't covered with a protective layer. He hits the Bright-Cold hard, stumbling back and tripping over his large, bushy tail. Massak howls in rage upon seeing Red stain the Bright-Cold and lashes out at the shorter Two-Legs, teeth bared in a feral snarl. Nobody hurts her mate and escapes with their lives!

[dice=200+2000]
[[attacks Sundra, shallow cut on left shoulder, 3.5 ]]

Out of the corner of his eye, the tribe leader spots Nukilik winding up for another strike, his massive bulk rearing up to blot out the Circle-In-The-Sky from Korak's prone perspective. After nothing more than a low hiss he springs, launching into the air with a powerful flex of thigh muscles. Red stains his shoulders but the colour is wrong - it belongs to the shorter Two-Legs, and Korak grimaces in satisfaction. The children and other tribe members peer out fearfully from the Twisted Horn, amber eyes scintillating gently in the half-Light.

He has only glanced away for a second, but a dull thud and angry roar alerts him to Nukilik landing on his target, impacting the Red One with the full weight of his fury.

[dice=200+2000]
[[attacks Ember, deep gash on chest, 9.5]]

Empowered by the success of his tribemates, Korak pulls himself back into a standing position and ignores the dull throb of his hand. The bitter cold has already started to slow the dripping of Red, freezing it against his shell and plastering the fur around his hands to a flat line. He takes a moment to inhale the crystalline air before taking a running start with claws outstretched, intent on taking out the Two-Legs responsible for his bruised bones.

A moment of perfect silence and then he lungs, ripping and tearing at whatever he can grasp.

[dice=200+2000]
[[attacks Sundra, shallow cut on left hip, 3.5]]

He only grazes her, fingers raking over the exact same spot that his mate had marked as her target. More Red spills onto the Bright-Cold, creating a iron tang that mixes with the chilling cold to create an odor of death. Korak wheels around to stand beside Massak, cradling his right hand but refusing to back down. Teeth bared, the message is clear.

Leave.

[/size][/blockquote][rand=062461034766250251379462896076113008738342018651032732390662066235]

[shrimp]

s u n d r a

No.

You can't have her you won't have her she's mine and only mine to save. Sundra knows that deep gashes such as the ones that Ember has suffered can be severe, life threatening even and these monkeys seem to be enjoying their attack, slashing at the duo for no apparent reason other than the fact that the Capitolites most likely find this to be entertaining (although when the cannon of Dysis Admea sounds in the distance, Sundra wonders if perhaps it isn't interesting to them in the slightest). It's clear though, that if the two don't get out right now now now now now that Ember will be dead today.

That simply can't happen - that won't happen, and Sundra will do everything in her power to prevent this. She tries to step in front of Ember, taking another attack, but everything else seems futile - if they don't get out now all of this is for naught. Ember will be dead, Sundra will be dead - the hopeful mood will be forever destroyed in a pool of Ember's blood and the gleeful shrieks of muttations that will forever be ingrained into Sundra's memory. And this cannot be allowed; this will not, will never be allowed because Ember will not die today.

"HEY," she screams, trying to get the attention of the creatures from hell, anything to prevent the younger girl from having an untimely demise. It's imperative that her plan work - at this point, she doesn't even care about her own survival. All that matters is that Ember get out safe and sound, that maybe both of them get out safe and sound. And if things continue to occur at the rate at which fate is traveling, this will not happen. So she steps in front of Ember, trying to shield her from the three-way attack that will be coming their way, turning once to the girl to say "As soon as something dies, get out of here. I don't care what it is that dies - run." And so, she proceeds to charge at the monkey with blood freezing onto its body (she fails to notice that perhaps her own blood is slowly cooling as she races towards it), her limp imparing her from travelling quickly, but she is most definitely traveling surely.

"COME AT ME, BRO," she snaps in a tone similar to the banshees of mythology, before swinging the crowbar down at its head.

[attacks Korak DDD:<; crowbar (club/blunt)]

[dice=200+7000]

[7200; Miss; 0.0 damage]

[rand=99800270633967615883729773906593073587555866439399932724170264043]

[Ashley (Ember, Wren, August)]

Ember and Sundra fought valiently, to their best ability but weren't making much success. The monkeys attacked both the girls, once harshly for Ember and twice minorly to Sundra. At this point Ember was bleeding heavily, her health rapidly declining. The pain from their slashing at her skin was almost unbarable. Though she didn't have any time to think about it, she knew their must be something about these monkeys besides their rabid behavior. It was likely they were poisoness or deadly in some way.

Still, Ember had to fight back. One thing was for sure was that she wouldn't lie down and let them rip her to shreads. There wasn't an option but for the two girls to defend themselves. The situation was traumatic but there wasn't a spare second to assess the danger they were in. They had to react, to fight, or else they were going to die. Ember didn't know what to do but she acted on sheer impulse. It was the way people acted in survival situations when each decision resulted in life or death. Ember wanted to live, so she fought with all her might, striking the monkey that was attempting to rip her apart.

[dice=200+2000]
Stabbed in calf -8.5

The monkey was so vicious and demented that the image of it's razor-sharp teeth and demonic eyes would be imprinted into Ember's eyes until her last breath, whether that was today or in fifty years. If she was to see another sleep, these beasts would be in her dreams, torturing her even then. She wanted to crumple up into a ball and hide but that wasn't an option. In the Hunger Games, it was kill or be killed.

[/size][/color][rand=088152103074838450671460643500011453814625593246846767182261415163]

[sadniss everdeen]

ice. monkeys

[/font][/center][/color]

The wound was deep. Korak felt the Red flow freely from his leg to stain the Bright-Cold in an angry slash that slices through the soft surface. He staggers once and falls, howling in agony as he hods clear, razored palms to the injured surface. Massak rushes to him, cooing unintelligable sounds into his small ears in an effort to calm him. The tribe leader feels Death coming for him; the phantom waits around his vision, coaxing him towards the Circle-In-The-Sky with fingers that feel like Slick-Cold and Bright-Burn simultaneously. He moans again, feebly clutching his thigh as the tribe looks on in horror. No! They can't live without their beloved leader!

Nukilik bares his teeth and lumbers to stand, a protective wall, in front of Korak. Rearing back on his two legs, he curls back his claws and lashes out at the Red One with the Claw-That-Cuts stained and dripping onto the Bright Cold.

[dice=200+2000]
[[attacks Ember, block, 0]]

Somehow the Red One deflects his massive weight, and Nukilik goes tumbling into the Bright Cold.

With difficulty, the leader stumbles to his feet. Massak curls around him worridly, but the unmistakable snap of flesh hitting ground draws her from her trance. There is nothing but the Claw-That-Cuts dripping with Red, HIS Red! This cannot stand! Eyes narrowed to slits and shell crackling with every movement, Massak lunges with barely suppressed fury.

[dice=200+2000]
[[attacks Ember, miss, 0]]

So blinded with anger her claws miss her target, sending her face first into the ground. She spits out Slick-Cold and struggles to right herself.

One more. Korak feels his body growing heavy, floating away from him. Struggling to keep his eyes open, he takes one halting step and almost cries out again at the sharp pain radiating from his thigh that travels to the tips of his toes. Red splatters anew and his breathing becomes laboured, but he can't give in. He can't! He is the Leader for a reason, and he exists to make his tribe so very proud.

Bracing himself through the onslaught of pain, he lets out the final cry of energy within his weakening body and goes in for the kill.

[dice=200+2000]
[[attacks Ember, shallow cut on left shoulder, 3.5 ]]

He has failed. He slumps in defeat, knees buckling under the constant pain. Holding his hand loosely against the flow, he glances up weakly and holds his breath for the inevitable.

[/blockquote][rand=117364394371036521277024432236811843772599149796817931687940273466]

[shrimp]

s u n d r a

Sundra notices the coos and squeals of the mutts, wonders if that perhaps they actually do have some sort of intriguing mentality. But at this point she does not care because Ember is close to death and Ember >>>> ecosystems. Duh. So she runs towards the leader one more time and swings at him with the crowbar because crowbars are all that she has, but she's a bamf with it anyways.

This is a filler, btw.

[attacks Korak; crowbar (club/blunt)]

[dice=200+7000]

[7122; Bruised Right Collar Bone; 2.0 damage; death]

[rand=6069735459226647541396459308968685259798796875533108239915763127]

[Ashley (Ember, Wren, August)]

In a spurt of great luck, the monkey tried several times to hurt Ember and only succeded slightly once before Sundra ended his terrible existance. Ember's heart felt heavy and she dreaded fighting the next two. She was bleeding heavily, almost unable to stand from dizziness. Could she withstand anymore mutt attacks? Something told her that there might not be enough luck for that. But still there were two more of the murderous creatures. It was apparent that Sundra saw the look on Ember's face and how she was about to faint from loss of blood and pain. The girl she was allying with was telling her to flee and though it hurt her worse to leave her ally than to stay, she knew this was their only chance of survival.

Ember gave her a pleading, desparate look. In that look she asked her if she was sure about what she was telling Ember what to do and when Sundra gave a reassuring nod, Ember's face gave gratitude and remorse before making her way as far as she could at as fast of a pace as she could in her condition. Her mind was so foggy, she could't see where she was going, as long as she knew her feet were moving and she wasn't being attacked. Ember would regret this choice later but for now, her body ached for relief and rest. If she didn't get to safety to repair her wounds, she was surely in danger of infection and probably death.

Ember flees.

[sadniss everdeen]

ice. monkeys

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Korak barely feels the hit. The Strong-Cold hits with the impact of a hundred trees, the flesh already swelling through his hard shell that has cracked under the pressure. He moans once and wavers, landing hard on his side in the Bright-Cold. The sharp bone makes it so that he doesn't feel the icy chill creep into the fur of his hands or his face, but his tail twitches feebly when he realizes that Massak has scrambled back towards him with no concern for her safety. His claws twitch to scrape at the shell of her knees, craving the proximity of his mate as the end draws nearer. Her eyes glitter with something he can't quite recognize in the rising Light, reflecting a stale crimson in the pool of Red that has begun to accumilate at his side.

Korak's jaws open once, twice, a feeble gasp escaping until he manages to curl his hand around her knee and exhale for the last time. He barely sees the shifting shadow of his tribe in the Twisted Horn before all goes dark.

---

A low, keening howl starts up in her throat, rising the longer it takes for every inhale to inflate his narrow chest. When it ceases to move at all, Nukilik watches Massak turns her gaze to the singular Two-Legs; she doesn't even realize that the Red One has escaped with a trail of Red marking her footsteps. He barely has time to blink as she flings herself at the remaining girl, fueled by grief and a debilitating rage.

[dice=200+2000]
[[attacks Sundra, Two Severed Fingers On Left Hand, 9]]

A sickening squealch of teeth meeting flesh as Massak clamps on to the idle hand of the Two-Legs, muscles in her jaw straining to tear her apart. The tendons snap and bones splinter under her powerful hold and she rears back, the deciding click leaving two gaping chasms where the fingers of the Two-Legs should have been. She spits them out with Red coating her face and stumbles back to Korak's unmoving body, sinking down to his height and recommencing her wailing.

Nukilik wearily moves again to protect the female, but he has a feeling that she wouldn't be stupid enough to try again. His feet sink into the Bright-Cold and he takes a half-hearted swipe, but he isn't surprised when he misses entirely.

[dice=200+2000]
[[attacks Sundra, Miss, 0]]

The tribe watches in silence from the Twisted Horn and their new leader looks back. From now on he is Boss, and he will try his hardest to lead them far, far away from this place where the Circle-In-The-Sky is too bright but so cold it bites and won't let go.

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[shrimp]

s u n d r a

Ember flees, phew.

OMFR FINGERS GONE WHAT IS THIS. She freaks out, screams, tries to staunch the blood or something but that doesn't help. Simply gives up and flees, but not before picking up the fingers and sticking them in her coat pocket.

Mhm.

[sundra flees fight and uses first aid]