Ready or Not [Strahan vs. Lelborne]

[Lulu]

It is cold.

It is really, really cold. And a blizzard is most likely coming. That much is easy to tell from the snow that is already beginning to lightly fall, as well as the wind that is starting to blow every which way. I hate the cold, and I absolutely despise the Gamemakers for making me face such frigid temperatures. But I guess my discomfort will provide the audience with a good show, which is exactly what they are aiming for.

I eat the last bit of the squirrel I had caught the previous day, and decide on a whim that I must leave my campsite. It has been my sanctuary, my safe place for the last day and a half since the days began, but I know that, in here, safety doesn't last. I must keep on the move, and besides, if it should blizzard I should keep active to stay warm. Of course, moving around in a blizzard might also cause me to get hopelessly lost, but at the moment getting lost, away from all the other tributes, is a very pleasing thought to me.

I pack up my little belongings in my backpack and sling it over my shoulder, refastening the buttons on my coat as I do so. I will need every bit of warmth I can get today. As soon as I'm ready I take off, moving at a slightly slower pace than I would have liked, in the direction of the place where the forest meets the mountain.

I cannot shake the feeling that something will happen today. I will not be safe for much longer. I can feel it.

It is hours before I reach the edge of the forest, but the blizzard isn't as strong in this area. Close to the mountain, the snow is light. It is the heart of the forest where the blizzard reigns.

I try to sit down, but I am restless. Suddenly I feel like I need to do something. I'm tired of sitting still, wondering what's going on while my fellow tributes fight to the death out in the wilderness. Three people died yesterday. Ruby Georges, Iris Brookside, and Evangeline Karbajal. I remember them from training.

And then I hear the noise. It is slight, but it is there. And it's not an animal making that noise, I'm almost positive.

It has to be a human.

I have a choice here. I can run, increase the chances of my survival. But what is survival, here in this arena? Twenty three of us in here will not live longer than a fortnight. It is then I decide to attack whoever is nearby. I choose fight over flight. I will not flee. I will live.

My right hand closes over my dagger, and my left over my icepick. Yes, it is meant for other purposes, but the pick is sharp and I'll be at so much more of an advantage if I'm double-armed.

"Ready or not, here I come." I ready myself, and poise to attack.

OOC- Skittles, why don't you post an introduction with Jestina, and then we'll start? [/size][/blockquote]

[Stare]

It's freezing out. That's good. My leg is numb. Evven better.
I fought, and lost. But Blue... she let me live. And now, I hunt.
Of course, not just for animals. It's for other tributes, too.
I use the stick I use as a crutch to help me walk long distances. But to fight... well, my leg is so numb, mostly because I cut the fabric over it. I'm also wearing my second jacket, and my cuts are covered with my homemade bandages.
I'm not weak. I'm angry.
An image comes into my mind. A terrible one. Of that hurt boy from District One, Oz, dying at the hands of Archer Feilds. I didn't fight, because there were just too many.
But I stayed to watch him die.
And now, I want to avenge his death. I didn't know him, but I know his death was terrible. And a terrible death isn't fair for anyone.
My hands are stained with blood, and I don't try to clean them. This is the Hunger Games. Hygeine isn't my biggest concern.
I think of home again. Of my mother. But my thoughts mix together with Oz, and I shake my head clear.
Suddenly, my crutch lands on something that snaps. I stop, staring.
Someone's near me. I can sense it.
Swiftly, I drop my crutch. It's harder to walk, but I manage.
I pull out my knife, and the wind whips my hair to one side, revealing my determined face.
It's then that I see him.
I stare angrily at him. This boy who dares to stand in my way to heading home.
My life may end here and now. But I will try. Even if my secrets aren't revealed.
"Are you one of the beasts who killed Oz?" I ask quietly. I don't expect an answer. I don't need one.
I'm filled with enough rage to fight.

[Lulu]

"Oz?"

[/color] I repeat the girl's words as she comes into view, recalling the image of the dead District One tribute that had been shown with the anthem the previous night. [/size]"No, I can't take credit for that one," I say, drawing closer and beginning to slowly circle her. This is Jestina, Jestina Lelborne, from District Nine. I remember her because her interview had been right after mine while we were in the Capitol. I do not want to kill her. I cannot imagine myself killing her. But I know I have to, if I want to get home. Killing this girl will bring me one step closer to Heidi.[/color]"But I can take credit for this."[/size]

My words are brave, but inside I am unsure. Will I really be able to kill this girl? And if by some chance, she gets me first, will I be able to face death with a little dignity? All I can do is try.

Pushing away any regrets, I lunge with my dagger, and hope I hit my target.

(attacks Jestina)
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[Breeze-Chan]

Blue sighed as she moved lightly. She was hunting. Just for food. She would fight if needed to, but she wasn't hunting down tributes right now. It was not needed.

So, why didn't she show the Capitol how she hunted? She had thought when she set out.

"But I can take credit for this." Blue paused. A fight.

She didn't know if she wanted to get involved or not.

Blue crept forwards and cursed. Jestina and the District 8 boy.

"Hey, you," She called, way more confidentially then she felt, as she drew her knife. "Why don't you pick on somebody the same condition as you?"

She had to help Jestina. She told the girl she would help when they allied that day after Blue beaten her in the forest.

Blue lunged forwards, knife gripped tightly, in hopes of hurting.

(Attack aimed at Jared)
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[Lulu]

"Pick on someone my own condition? Why, would that be fairer?"

[/b][/color] I say to the girl who has just shown up. I have to admit, it threw me for a loop when she appeared through the trees. I did not wish to fight more than one. But they both looked visibly bashed; had they been in a different fight recently?[/size]"Well, I've got news for you, then. This is the Hunger Games. They aren't fair."[/b][/color] I force my voice to stay in its cool, slightly mocking tone, as much as I don't want it to. I don't want to kill them. I thought I did, but I was wrong. I'll have to at least give a decent attempt, though.

Suddenly the girl lunges at me, and I am thrown to the ground. I had made a mark on her friend, but now it is her turn. I scramble up and face her. But my expression is not one of a killer when I go in to attack. It is remorseful. I hope they can see it in my eyes, I hope both of them can see that I am truly sorry.

(attacks Blue)
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[Stare]

The shallow cut stings, but I don't care. It's time to finish him off.
Blue has shown up, and all though we're both in bad condition, this boy's luck just ran out.
Especially because of what he said before Blue showed up.
"You want to be credited for a death?" I ask angrily. "How dare you!"
Now, I don't think I've ever been this angry in my life. I don't want to be credited for a death either. But I do want this boy out of my sight, one way or another.
Dead or alive.
"Done for," I say quietly.
Then, almost silently, I lunge with my dagger.
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[Lulu]

No, I do not want to be credited with a death. Can't she see that? But I don't have a choice. I have to. If I want to survive myself, I have to fight to kill. It's how it is in here, and I can't comtrol that any more than either of them can.

I shake my head slightly before attacking again, praying that this will be over fast.

(Attacks Jestina)
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OOC-we have to get this over with soon, the Games day ends tomorrow. So post fast! xD

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[Stare]

He lunges at me, and once again I move to slow. But it only results in another small cut, easily healable.
"If you win," I say quietly, "don't bother trying to act like you never wanted to kill anyone."
And a lunge for him again, hoping for a sencere hit.
(attacks Jared)
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[Lulu]

"I wasn't planning on it,"

[/size]I say quietly, my voice not as harsh and cold as it had been before. I certainly have no intention of playing up the pity act if I make it far. I want these people to die, because I have a girl and a family at home that I must return to. I just don't like the idea of it being at my hand."But thanks for the--"[/size]

I am unable to finish speaking as I feel the searing pain in my forehead as Jestina opens up a gash there. Oh, crap. But I must continue fighting. I decide to target the other girl, because I know an attack will be coming from her soon. It's just a matter of time...

(attacks Blue)
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OOC-Let's wait for Breeze to post before we continue, because she hasn't in a while.[/size][/blockquote][rand=859938818573275217693946925340716207953411365161005324700062316057]

[Stare]

Sick. Disgusting. Terrible.
These three words come to me as he attempts to reply.
I stare at him, half in disgust, half in pity.
"How can you call yourself human?" I ask. "At least if you kill me, you'll always remember how I called you a monster!"
He attacks Blue, and I feel my anger rising.
No. No. No, he can't win! He just can't!
I give my head a very small shake, and stare him down. Bore my icy green eyes into him.
"I'm through with you," I say quietly, and am surprised to find my voice pitiful.
And I leap forward, aiming my dagged at his heart.
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[Lulu]

I am seeing red, both from pain and from anger. There is a gash on my left leg now, as well as my face. I must admit, this girl has fair aim. But, no matter what she calls me, no matter if I am a monster to her or not, neither of us can live if the other is going to survive. And I will be the one to survive.

(attacks Jestina)
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[Stare]

He attacks, but I manage to block it. Which is a miracle, because my leg made me stumble slightly.
"Listen," I say, and my tone is softer. "Anything that happens... I'm sorry. But I have to get home to my starving mother."
And a lash forward with my dagger.
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[Lulu]

"I know," I say softly, not caring at this point whether the cameras pick it up or not. Because I know that all must be on us right now.

[/size]"But I've got a family that needs me, too, and...and Heidi..."[/size] My voice trails off. She won't know who Heidi is, unless she remembers my interview. But just the thought of Heidi watching this, watching me die, tears pooling in her warm brown eyes...that's enough to get me going. I manage to stick out my icepick and block Jestina's attack, just before lashing out again.

(attacks Jestina)
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[Stare]

I manage to dodge his attack.
"I know," I whisper softly, maybe even kindly. "I don't want to tear you away from anybody you love. But..."
I fumble for some words. I feel sorry for him.
"Maybe you remember my interview. I apologized. And I really, truely meant it," I say. "It's not like I want to tear you away from your family or friends. But I have no choice. I have to do this."
For a moment, I stare at him.
I squeeze my eyes shut, and a tear slides down my cheek.
"I'm sorry," I whisper. "I really am."
And then I attack.
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[Lulu]

I hardly notice the sting of pain from my arm, because I am remembering what she said in her interview. I haven't forgotten any of the tributes' interviews, not a one. I give her a nod, not a nod of forgiveness, or of my own apology. It is more of a nod of understanding, accepting the fact that we're both in the same boat here and there's nothing either of us can do about it. So I lunge again, trying to forget that this is a human I'm attacking, someone who could possibly be my friend if I were back home.

(attacks Jestina)
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