~{{Final Bow//Semper}}~

[Deleted]

Bruno McLian

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A fairly bright boy is far more intelligent and far better company than the average adult.
~John B. S. Haldane
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I had made it another year, hopefully another full year of life guaranteed.I knew the boy who had been reaped, and my heart went out to him. I saw him get whisked away, and I wanted to go tell him something. Something I’d been told myself, words to listen to if I ever got reaped. They were words to live by, but not only for the Games, but for everything. For love, for war, for family problems—it made sense. I hate it when things don’t make sense, it bothers me. I like everything to fall into its own place, and I would appreciate it if you attempted to hear me out.

I pushed against the crowd, trying to make any progress towards that big door. It felt like I was a fish swimming against the current, about to be turned around and pushed back in the other direction. I got knocked down a couple of times, and I suppose I could’ve waited until the crowd fizzled out, but I couldn’t wait to get to him. I wasn’t sure why I wanted to get to him so badly, I mean, I hardly knew him. I just hoped he would understand, understand why I wanted to tell him this. I didn’t really know if I even understood why I wanted to tell him this. I was getting closer, and the closer I got, the more ready I was. I got right up to the doors and opened them quickly without really thinking.

“Don’t be vulnerable. I mean, I’m Bruno.” I looked into his eyes with a seriousness that was uncommon for me. “Look, you don’t really know me, but I’m Bruno. I saw you perform a couple of times and I just wanted to tell you that. About being vulnerable and stuff, please don’t be.” I looked down at my shoes and thought of how much better that approach could have been. “That was probably the worst way to say that, wasn’t it?”

[semper]

They took me away from Cod – away from Merc, from Xana, from Rio, from Keag, and even Navy. I’ve been isolated and it terrifies me. Where are they all?

[/color] My breathing becomes much more rapid and all I want to do is curl up, so that’s what I do. I sit on one end of the overly plush couch and bring my knees tightly against my chest, my arms covering my ducked head. I want out of this already.[/color] I can feel myself beginning to shake and the dizzying lightheadedness of breathing too fast so I feel as if I’m going to pass out right here and now. The Games hasn’t even started and already I’m on the verge of a mental breakdown. What do I do?[/color] I’ve been severed off from everything I’ve come to know and cherish – all of that is being left behind. All I have for certain now is uncertainty and the only person I can trust now is Navy.

The door suddenly swings open and I immediately jump in response, my head snapping up to reveal my wide, terrified eyes. There’s a boy about my age just charging into the room and telling me things that I’m having trouble catching. Don’t be vulnerable?[/color] I’m still tense as I try to decode his words. His name is Bruno. He’s seen me perform at Tempus. Don’t be vulnerable.[/color] But what does that mean?

I slowly relax, bit by bit, and look up at Bruno’s face. I don’t think I recognize him, but he does seem vaguely familiar. ”Um…” I begin quietly and timidly, already feeling shades of red tint my face so I cast my gaze downward to avoid eye contact. ”What…. what does ‘vulnerable’ mean?”
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[Deleted]

Bruno McLian

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A fairly bright boy is far more intelligent and far better company than the average adult.
~John B. S. Haldane
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I cocked my head to the side and raised my eyebrow. "Um, let's see, vulnerable means to be weak. So I guess I'm saying don't be weak." I looked him in the eyes, he was older than me, but not by much. I wasn't really sure how he would take my message. It was up to him however he wanted to interpret it. "That was probably the worst way to go about this, wasn't it?" Don't let this be your final bow.

I knew that my time was drawing to a close, but I wasn't quite done. "Please don't die. Okay?" I just wanted him to understand, but I didn't know if he would. I mean, the guy hardly knew me and here I was basically throwing myself on top of him. "I'm sorry, I mean I know I'm just wasting your time right?" I bit down on my lip to stop it from trembling, and in the same way that kept me from crying too. Suck it up Bruno.