so empty and so uninspired {A&D v Mechabyte Day 2}

[Asher Rainer 7m {tribsit}]

Something beautiful

ASHER RAINER

or something free?

TAG: WORDS: 945. NOTES:

Asher could've kicked himself allowing Preston to walk into the factory first. The odds of them finding a safe place to hide wasn't likely, but when he saw the horrible spiked thing come flying at him, all Asher could do was scream, but it nailed Preston right in the chest. His mind raced hoping that nobody was around. No tributes. No mutts. Nothing. It was an eerie feeling. Every hair stood on the back of his neck. It was too quiet. Especially knowing what he knew about previous games. Something was always lurking around the corners. Thankfully the building was a shield. A place to hide, and for now, a place to rest.

The older of the two turned to the younger tribute. Preston wasn't looking the best His wounds were horrible. Asher wasn't even sure if the young boy would survive the night. It wasn't nothing against him, but something that was needed. Even in the arena sleep was important. And someone keeping watch was more important. Something could sneak up at any given second. With as quiet as it was, Asher hoped he could hear something. Hoped that nothing would slip by his watch. He kept his gaze on the younger tribute as he wondered what his family was doing back home. Were they proud of him for surviving the bloodbath? Were they proud of him for helping a younger tribute in need? Or were they worried because many people had the chance of finding one another, and all Asher had was a young thirteen year old by his side. But this thirteen year old wasn't just another tribute. It was someone Asher trusted. Someone he wanted to help until he could help him no longer.

Reclining against the back of a machine, Asher heard the anthem blaring through the arena, and he ran to see the faces of the fallen. Somewhere in the arena, he hoped and prayed that Gunner was alive. Odds of her being alive were fantastic because only two cannons had sounded. Two tributes had died. Thankfully Asher wasn't one of them. Only twenty-one stood in his way of making it back to his family in district seven to a life of joy. A life he never thought he'd imagine. Was it possible? Could he survive the hunger games and bring home a district seven victor? It was possible. Was it going to be easy? No. He had a lot of fighting to do.

The first face was a career. A small grin twisted across his face as he stared out the window watching and waiting. It wasn't Gunner, but a girl from district two. The one with the eyepatch. Asher wondered what it was like being a career. Constantly training for the games only to die on day one. Probably in the bloodbath. The next face wasn't what he was expecting. Rowan Combe. A girl from his own district. A piece of home. He stared at her face for a moment wondering what it must feel like to be free from the games. Free from life, but her life was cut short. Even the girl from two. None of the tributes deserved to die, yet what choice did they have? What would happen if for one game all twenty-four tributes refused to fight? Would all twenty-four of them die? It was one idea Asher wasn't willing to find out.

Turning back towards Preston, he stopped in his tracks. "You should sleep. Get you some rest. You're going to need it tomorrow. I'll keep watch." Returning back to the heavy, dangerous looking machines, he stopped behind one watching as the sky grew darker and darker. His mind was racing, and he hoped that the younger boy would find some sleep, and deep inside he hoped that he had the will to remain awake. To keep himself alive. To keep Preston alive for as long as possible, but right now he was proud. Happy at his accomplishment for surviving as long as he has. Hopefully this night wouldn't be his last.

The next morning he quickly gathered his items prepared to leave the abandon factory. Stretching his arms behind his head, Asher felt the pain from the day. A dry patch was forming on the tip of his tongue, and his stomach begged for a bite to eat. He kept telling himself just a little longer. Just a little longer than we can eat. But was it enough to keep him going? With such a large family back home, he was used to not having enough to eat, but this was different. With each heartbeat, it felt like someone was inside his head pounding against his skull with a sledgehammer. He knew he wouldn't last long without water, and even knowing that, he didn't have a chance to get one. A chance to find the one he needed in order to survive.

The night went well. Not a single person found them, and Asher was pleased. Maybe he could stay here for another night. Patting the younger boy on the shoulder, he wondered how he was holding up. Sleep helped for sure with. He didn't look nearly as close to death as he looked the previous day, but right now it was only the beginning. Turning in every direction, he spotted something. "Get ready." He hissed quietly towards Preton. Gripping one of his knives he tried to cover the other as he released a knife in the direction of whatever was heading his way. Hopefully it would stop whoever was coming. Another day of fighting. Hopefully his will to return home to his family was enough to keep him going.

Asher attacks {mechabyte } | throwing knife
LkTK6_u2throwing knife

result: 9052 -- Knife Deep in Calf -- 8.5 damagethrowing knife

[Preston Garrity d4m [Tribsit]]

Reality

Preston march garrity

i know it's dire, my time today

Something should have told me that it was coming. After my luck today, what with nearly being shredded into pieces and always feeling like a fox at a fox hunt, there should have been some kind of inkling that that building was not all it appeared to be. The damn thing had been too quiet, too empty and now I knew why. The moment I had stepped in there a large thing hurled itself down from the ceiling and thudded into my chest. Had I not already had a large wound there it may not have been the same kind of fire in my lungs but with this latest addition of pain I had no other option but to scream.

"FFFFUUUUCCKKKK!"

I forced a growl into my voice to replace the shrill note I had been too ready to make. My hearing cut in and out a couple times and I felt like I was going to fall over. At the moment, though, that was impossible because I was hooked like a pig on a spit with no way of dropping. Numbly, heavily, I lifted an arm and gripped the thing in my chest. "Damn you blasted piece of shit." With a hard shove it was free of my flesh and I took in a gasping breath. Asher, behind me, was simply staring. I didn't want to ask for help - I didn't want to admit I needed it - so we both stayed silent.

When the anthem came on, I rose from my sleep into a lighter doze. I kept my eyes shut but I listened until the music had faded away again. There was no way I could look at the faces of the dead tonight. I had been too close to joining them, and I'd rather not see someone close to me up there. It wouldn't have been Asher, but we hadn't heard anything from Gunner since before this whole twisted tournament started.

My nose crunched up like a snarling dog at the thought that we may have already lost a friend. Gunner was a piece from home - albeit a very rambunctious and often insane-looking piece - and that was more than enough reason to want her to still be alive. Only two cannons had fired, and that in the conclusion of the bloodbath. It seemed that there had been no successful hunting this day, though I wasn't sure if that was because no one had wanted to bother, or if their targets successfully fled.

Like us.

My sore and slashed body reminded me of how narrow our escape had been, but I was still breathing so an escape it was. Asher was like a silent body guard and, although I might not say it, it was a comfort. "You should sleep. Get you some rest. You're going to need it tomorrow. I'll keep watch." How had he known I was awake? My eyes had been shut and I hadn't moved, yet he knew I wasn't sleeping. However he had known, I still agreed with him and let myself fall asleep again. It wasn't all that easy, but eventually I drifted away from this old brick building and into darkness.

Funny, this place was pretty damn dark, but it wasn't the same kind of dark.

In the morning I woke, stiff and feeling even more sore than before - if that was possible. Asher was already up and getting our things together. I tried to stretch and loosen my muscles and joints, with only some luck. By the time I was on my feet - a little woozy but otherwise standing fine by myself - Asher had put my bag in front of me and was already donning his own. With one last stretch as I picked up the backpack, Asher exited before me and we both emerged into the open.

The peace and tranquility of the morning didn't last long. Off in the distance I saw a shape moving towards us. Asher, ever watchful, was already tense. "Get ready." His words were a sharp hiss, like a startled snake, that reached me through the sounds of the world waking up. We drew our weapons at the same time, and the feeling of the sword hilt in my right hand steadied me some. My broken hand - which I had tried to set last night with relative success - could barely close, but thankfully the blade was light enough to be used with one hand. My only saving grace for this weapon.

"You better know how to throw those things." My voice was low so hopefully only Asher could hear. I was only half joking.

As the thing approached I didn't pause long enough to see what it was. Together, Asher and I went for it. A silver blade flashed past me towards our combatant and with that I dove in with the sword. Skewer it, gut it, kill it, survive. That was the name of the Game.

Survive.

[Preston attacks MechaByte]
I0ZbZ_3ssword
Miss -- 0.0 damage

wc: 821

song: Car radio

sword

[charade]

…|Booting|...

|Boot Successful: Designating Units {MechaByte}|

//://: UNIT ONE ONLINE

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{Scanning area of engagement}

{LOCALE IDENTIFIED: {{Abandoned Factory}}

{THERMAL SCAN INITIALIZED}

//Targets Located //
|| Pinging Database ||

.:Searching:.

//Files found//

..:Opening:..
| RAINER, Asher – District Seven| ..: Designated Target One:..
{Threat Level - BETA}
Tactical Readout – Lifesigns at 93% - Weapon = Throwing Knives
| GARRITY, Preston -District four| ..: Designated Target Two:..
{Threat Level - ALPHA }
Tactical Readout – Lifesigns at 82.5% - Weapon = Rapier

[WARNING- SYSTEMS UNDER ATTACK]

//://UNIT ONE suffered damage to Calf - Operational Capability at 73%

[WARNING- SYSTEMS UNDER ATTACK]

//://UNIT ONE evaded attack - Operational Capability at 73%

..: Presence of Parasitic Nanotechnology detected:..

//:// P.N.T attempting repairs 

faGq2bht1-5
-repairs succesful-
Operational Capacity at 83%
..: Initializing combat sequence:..
//://UNIT ONE attacks |GARRITY, Preston| using exterior weapon capability :Left Limb::

knife
[miss]

//:// [ATTACK FAILED, TARGET EVADED]

1-5�knife

[Asher Rainer 7m {tribsit}]

Something beautiful

ASHER RAINER

                           or something free?    

TAG: WORDS: 518. NOTES: 

Clouds covered the sky blocking the sun as a gentle rain poured from the heavens quenching the thirst of the living hell the tributes were forced to walk on. A gentle breeze even filled the air, and it was amazing the wind didn't knock Asher's knife off course. It doesn't take much for something so lightweight. He looked around trying to figure out what was coming for them. His mind racing as the knife flew through the air. He watched as it flew until it landed in the calf of an ugly beast. It was like a dog that had died and was resurrected.

"You better know how to throw those things."

He couldn't help but chuckle a bit knowing that Preston had the better aim, but judging by the attack he landed, Asher felt certain he was in control of the given situation. His mind raced as Preston lunged forward with the sword aimed to kill, but he missed. The mutt moved at the last possible second. Sending his attack off. Asher paused long enough to take a breath to figure out where to go. Maybe standing from a distance and throwing the knives covering the younger tribute, yet that only problem was leaving him wide open for the mutt. "I think I got this." He whispered quietly hoping not to startle the beast as it came closer and closer and closer.

He stared at the dog. Skin shredded beyond repair. Metal bones replaced the original bones. His hair stood on end. Killing this mutt ended up becoming more challenging than surviving, but wasn't that what the Capitol wanted? To kill everyone of the tributes until one was alive? Giving them an easy fight wasn't worth it. It wasn't worth the risk of losing their jobs.

His breath caught in the back of his throat as the mutt lashed out. "Preston!" He shouted at the top of his lungs gripping another knife as tight as he could. Throwing it now would cause him to hit the younger boy. The one who reminded him so much of his brother back hom, and he couldn't do that. His mind pranced rapidly shooting of many warning signals as many red flags raised. That thing could kill them if they weren't careful. But thankfully Preston managed to escape the claws of the mutt. It missed him.

Asher circled around holding onto the knife looking for a place to aim. A place to throw as his will to survive grew stronger with each passing second along with the will to protect the boy in front of him. He had his back no matter what, yet if it came down to this younger boy standing in his way of returning home and death, Asher would fight him. He would do what he could to return to district seven alive. Stopping a fair distance away he let another knife fly from his grasps, and he watched as it went forward.

Maybe he could turn its attention on himself long enough for Preston to get a good attack because ripred knew it was needed.

Asher attacks {mechabyte/unit one} throwing knife
Zy7ImTEIthrowing knife

result: 9119 -- Miss -- 0.0 damage

accuracy reroll
throwing knife

result: 9105 -- Deep Gash on Neck -- 10.0 damagethrowing knife�throwing knife

[Preston Garrity d4m [Tribsit]]

Reality

Preston march garrity

i know it's dire, my time today

Sometimes when I was a child, my friends and I would pretend that we were the tributes in the games. For hours on end, we would fight with broken nets, tree branches, and practically anything we could get our greasy nubs on- to us, it was all-too-fun to be taken seriously. However, as we began to grow older and those kids who were fighting to the death on the big screen became our classmates, acquaintances, and ultimately us, it didn't seem as exciting as it had been when all we had was our innocence and a handful of lucked-out strategies. I remember sitting next to Emilie not even a few days before my departure and promising her that I would be here to see her grow into the beautiful young lady her father had raised her to be, promising her that I would be here to see myself grow into the cultured young man that my father had raised me to be. Everything seemed so perfect when we had made that pact in the soft green grass of the early summer's production, but now, as I found myself in the midst of the true action unfolding, I wasn't quite sure if I'd be able to live up to my side of the deal.

wc: 213

song: Car radio

[attacks Unit One]
buBKbEhRsword
Stabbed in Forearm -- 8.5 damage + 1 Blades = 9.5

sword

[charade]

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.
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.

{Initializing Audio Sub-routine}

{Recording: {{"You better know how to throw those things!"}}

{Recording: {{"Preston!"}}

{UPLOADING TO MECHABYTE DATABASE}

.:Scanning Area:.

| RAINER, Asher – District Seven| ..: Designated Target One:..
{Threat Level - BETA}
Tactical Readout – Lifesigns at 93% - Weapon = Throwing Knives
| GARRITY, Preston -District four| ..: Designated Target Two:..
{Threat Level - ALPHA }
Tactical Readout – Lifesigns at 82.5% - Weapon = Rapier

[WARNING- SYSTEMS UNDER ATTACK]

//://UNIT ONE suffered critical damage to neck - Operational Capability at 48.3%

[WARNING- SYSTEMS UNDER ATTACK]

//://UNIT ONE suffered critical damage to leg - Operational Capability at 20%

[WARNING- SYSTEMS FAILING]

..: Presence of Parasitic Nanotechnology detected:..

//:// P.N.T attempting repairs 

EfKTGabJ1-5
::repairs successful:: Operational Capability at 30%

[WARNING- SYSTEMS FAILING]

//Targets Located //
|| Initializing Audio Playback ||

|| Speech=Mechabyte|| "PRESTON. PRESTON. PRESTON."
"YOU BETTER KNOW HOW HOW TO THROW THOSE THOSE THOSE THINGS."


..: Initializing combat sequence:..
//://UNIT ONE attacks |GARRITY, Preston| using interior weapon capability :Teeth:

knife
[-- Shallow Cut on Chest -- 4.0 ]

//:// [ATTACK SUCCESSFUL: TARGET TWO LIFESIGNS = 72.5% TARGET TWO SUFFERED DAMAGE TO TORSO]

1-5�knife

[Asher Rainer 7m {tribsit}]

Something beautiful

ASHER RAINER

                           or something free?    

TAG: WORDS: 412. NOTES: 

His body begged for a drink of water. Asher wanted to drink the rain falling from the sky. His tongue was hot and sticking to the roof of his mouth, but he had nothing to drink. No water. Nothing. Just droplets of rain that refused to satisify the thirst. His stomach screamed for a bite of food, but he had nothing. Nothing at all. And standing in his way right now was a rabid robotic dog that kept trying to kill the younger tribute beside him. But wasn't that what the games was? To kill or be killed? Shouldn't he let the dog kill him?

The fact that the thought even ran across his mind terrified him. Protecting Preston was Asher's goal until he could protect him no longer. Until there was so few tributes left he didn't have an option. He wanted to return home to his family. An anvil pounded in his head over and over and over. It was almost impossible to think, and he had no idea how long it would take before he found any water. Before he found anything worthiwhile to eat.

The dog lunged towards Preston again. "Preston!" He screamed at the top of his lungs praying the dog didn't kill him. Praying that he was still alive because he reminded him so much of his brother, Zach. His family. He hoped they still had faith that he would return home to district seven. That he would become the victor of the hunger games. Changing in the games wasn't an option. He had to remain himself despite the pain lurking in the shadows of the arena.

"Gotta be careful."

His voice quiet as he gripped another knife. All this time he could've ran in and killed. He could've done something to end its life, but he stopped. Inhaling sharply while regaining his focus, he turned towards the horrible mutt. The rabid robotic dog needed to die right now. Ridding himself of the stress he focused on the knife in his hand. Turning towards the beast he let the knife fly from his hands.

Asher wasn't ready to lose Preston, and he sure as hell wasn't ready to die. He had to fight. Not for himself, but for his ally, and his family. And hopefully he would find Gunner alive. His only wish was that she didn't betray. Because betrayal wasn't forgivable in the eyes of the tribute.

"Let's finish this, Preston, once and for all."

Asher attacks {mechabyte/unit one} throwing knife
nl|QrnM_throwing knife

results: 9179 -- Miss -- 0.0 damagethrowing knife

[Preston Garrity d4m [Tribsit]]

Reality

Preston march garrity

i know it's dire, my time today

The weight of the mutt smashing into my chest erased the vision of the past in a loss of breath. It was the collision that caused the most harm, what with my now not being able to breathe and all. There was a cut on my flesh that began to leak - once again on my chest, like everything was out to expose me, expose my heart, to the world. Thankfully it hadn't reopened the wounds of yesterday. An inhuman noise, something similar to Asher's voice, echoed at me like a scream. "PRESTON. PRESTON. PRESTON." I can only now feel the expansion of my lungs happen normally again. As the desperate need to take in air faded I gripped the sword again and stood.

"YOU BETTER KNOW HOW HOW TO THROW THOSE THOSE THOSE THINGS." It screams at Asher, sounding like it was trying to use my voice but having troubles. It seemed our past attacks had done a number on its systems.

"Preston!" This time the voice really was Asher's, though it was still a scream.

"Gotta be careful." I knew that.

"Let's finish this, Preston, once and for all." That would be nice.

Asher tries to nail it with a knife but he misses. I'm back on my feet and cursing. "Fucking mutts." At thirteen I shouldn't swear as much as I do but at thirteen most people aren't facing what could be their death with each heartbeat. I'm ready for my turn. I had sunk this sword into the creature's leg before, and next I might hit the heart - if it has one - or perhaps plunge the blade into that glassy eye.

"I'm tired of having my chest cut open, thanks." Time to return the favour.

[Preston attacks MechaByte]
BguWOziMsword
Block -- 0.0 damage

wc: 285

song: Car radio

sword

[charade]

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{Continuing to run Audio Sub-routine}

{Recording: {{"Gotta be careful"}}

{Recording: {{"Let's finish this once and for all"}}

{Recording: {{"Fucking Mutts"}}

{Recording: {{"I'm tired of having my chest cut open thanks"}}

{UPLOADING TO MECHABYTE DATABASE}

.:Scanning Area:.

| RAINER, Asher – District Seven| ..: Designated Target One:..
{Threat Level - BETA}
[Reclassify - {Threat Level -ALPHA}
Tactical Readout – Lifesigns at 93% - Weapon = Throwing Knives
| GARRITY, Preston -District four| ..: Designated Target Two:..
{Threat Level - ALPHA }
Tactical Readout – Lifesigns at 72.5% - Weapon = Rapier

[WARNING- SYSTEMS UNDER ATTACK]

//://UNIT ONE evaded attack - Operational Capability at 30%

[WARNING- SYSTEMS UNDER ATTACK]

//://UNIT ONE caught weapon with teeth - Operational Capability at 30%

[WARNING- SYSTEMS FAILING]

..: Presence of Parasitic Nanotechnology detected:..

//:// P.N.T attempting repairs 

36DrbO2Z1-5
::repairs successful:: - Operational Capability at 46%

[SYSTEMS REPAIRING]

//Targets Located //
|| Initializing Audio Playback....Re-configuring ||

|| Speech=Mechabyte|| "I-I-I'M T-TIRED OF HAVING MY CHEST CUT CUT OPEN PRESTON."
"GOTTA BE BE BE CAREFUL."


..: Initializing combat sequence:..
//://UNIT ONE attacks |RAINER, Asher| using interior weapon capability :Teeth:

knife
[-- Stabbed in Hand -- 8.0 damage]

//:// [ATTACK SUCCESSFUL: TARGET SUFFERED DAMAGE TO HAND - Lifesigns at 73.7%]

1-5�knife

[Asher Rainer 7m {tribsit}]

Something beautiful

ASHER RAINER

                           or something free?    

TAG: WORDS: 252. NOTES: 

His eyes never left the knife as it flew through the air. Cursing at himself he readied another knife as he watched the younger boy lung with his sword, but the robotic dog caught it with his teeth. Asher was growing weary of the fight, but he was still in pretty good health. Nothing too bad had happened to him - he was more worried about Preston. His mind raced as he looked around trying to wait for the perfect time to attack. The perfect time to kill the rabid mutt.

"I-I-I'M T-TIRED OF HAVING MY CHEST CUT CUT OPEN PRESTON."
"GOTTA BE BE BE CAREFUL."

He heard it the first time, but now he doesn't understand what's going on. The mutt was speaking, no, shouting extremely loud in front of him. Asher shifted his gaze around worried that other tributes would hear the loud noise, yet the wording was horrible. It sounded like a record player was skipping pieces in the music.

Asher gimaced in pain as the mutt slid its giant teeth into his hand, but screaming wasn't an option. Not when the mutt would make it much, much louder. He turned towards Preston making sure he was okay. He wanted him to be okay. But right now it didn't seem like the time. Blood gushed from the hole the middle of his hand. Asher fixed his eyes on the mutt staring it straight in the eye.

"Die!"

He shouted at the top of lungs before throwing another knife.

Asher attacks {mechabyte/unit one} throwing knife
BerVee9Lthrowing knife

result: 9186 -- Shallow Cut on Back -- 4.0 damagethrowing knife

[Preston Garrity d4m [Tribsit]]

#lazyaf

[Attacks MechaByte]
TUXOTlZMsword
Deep Gash on Right Calf -- 8.0 damage + 1 Blades = 9.0

sword

[charade]

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.:Scanning Area:.

| RAINER, Asher – District Seven| ..: Designated Target One:..
{Threat Level - ALPHA}
Tactical Readout – Lifesigns at 73.7% - Weapon = Throwing Knives
| GARRITY, Preston -District four| ..: Designated Target Two:..
{Threat Level - ALPHA }
Tactical Readout – Lifesigns at 72.5% - Weapon = Rapier

[WARNING- SYSTEMS UNDER ATTACK]

//://UNIT ONE suffered critical damage to stomach - Operational Capability at 30.3%

[WARNING- SYSTEMS UNDER ATTACK]

//://UNIT ONE suffered critical damage to leg - Operational Capability at 1%

[WARNING- SYSTEMS FAILING]

..: Presence of Parasitic Nanotechnology detected:..

//:// P.N.T attempting repairs 

::repairs unsuccessful:: Operational Capability at 0%

[WARNING- SYSTEMS FAILING]

//Targets Located //
|| Initializing Audio Playback ||

|| Speech=Mechabyte|| "F-F-F-FUCKING PRESTON-N-N-N."

[CRITICAL SYSTEM ERROR]

[Asher Rainer 7m {tribsit}]

Something beautiful

ASHER RAINER

                           or something free?    

TAG: WORDS: 656. NOTES: 

His eyes wide as rain fell down his face plastering his hair against his head. A constant roar inside his stomach has almost vanished, or his ears have grown used to it. He watched as his knife sailed carelessly into the giant robotic dog in front of him. It was such a horrific sight. Witnessing what he was forced to see right now, yet thankfully Preston was still alive as he lunged forward with the rapier slamming into the beast.

"F-F-F-FUCKING PRESTON-N-N-N."

For a moment it was silent. The entire world carefree as the beast fell towards the ground. The sides of it didn't move. No rise and fall of the chest, but Asher was terrified it was a trap - a trick created by the gamemakers to destroy them. But it never moved. It's last words rang throughout his mind over and over, however, it never took away the eerie chills running up and down his spine. Breathing a sigh of relief, he felt all the tension run away. He felt at peace again which honestly wasn't good for the situation he was placed in. At any moment, his life could end. That wans't something Asher wanted.

Shifting his gaze towards the younger tribute, he said a silent prayer to someone above. He was looking so much better than he was the moment he ran from the bloodbath, or when that giant spiked trap slammed deep into his chest. Maybe a goodnight's rest really does help. Maybe it can take away everything that a person felt, but for now Asher stood in the moment. Taking in what just happened. Did they really just slay a Capitol beast? A small grin pressed against his lips as he slowly made his rounds picking up the knives he threw, yet he couldn't help the way his eyes wandered back towards the mutt. Part of him was worried that the beast was only playing and at any given second it would jump and attack while they weren't expecting it. After all, anything was possible in the games.

"You alright, Preston?" He asks before sitting down on the ground and removing his medkit from his bag. Asher learned a lot about healing in the traininer center, and as the blood kept pouring from the gaping hole in his hand, the older tribute knew it needed a stitch or two. Something to control the amount of blood flowing rapidly from his body. He was grateful the beast didn't completely tear his hand from his body. Slowly he placed the needle against the palm of his hand. Grimacing as it slid into his skin, he stopped himself from crying. Asher needed the strength to prove to his family that he still had the will to fight despite the injury he received. Finally, he was done. It wasn't the best work, but it was something. Removing some bandages from inside the medkit, he wrapped the wound. He could still move his hand, but it wasn't much. It just kept him going. It kept him alive as the will to survive grew stronger and stronger inside his body, and as the will grew stronger so did the thirst for something to drink. His tounge was hot and sticky, but he had nothing.

Not even an empty jug for water.

Inhaling sharply, he turned back towards the younger tribute. "Should we stay in the building again?" His voice quiet as he looked around. Asher knew he needed to move. He knew that if anyone was in the area they would've heard the rabid dog shouting, and they'd come running just to end the lives of two innocent tributes. "Or we could move somewhere else. That might be the best idea considering this dog alerted anyone around to our location. What do you think?" He placed his items back in his bag, but left a couple throwing knives out in case he had to use them.

Asher collects his throwing knives
Uses FA on self for -3
Uses a N/T on self for -5
Uses 5ft of bandages on self -1

[Preston Garrity d4m [Tribsit]]

Reality

Preston march garrity

i know it's dire, my time today

My blade squeals against the steel shin of the mutt, a sound that makes me want to drop the weapon and clap my hands over my ears. As though agreeing with me, my hearing cuts out in one ear. I'm unbalanced and still cringing from the terrible noise but standing with many less wounds than I had thought I would have. Before me, the dog goes haywire. It's twitching and snapping at air. The eyes lock on me for a moment before any sign of life flickers and vanishes in them. All that's left of the thing is the scream it makes as its system crashes. "F-F-F-FUCKING PRESTON-N-N-N."

Then the hearing in my other ear goes too, and I'm left to fight my way through the muffled air towards Asher. I can smell blood but I don't where it's coming from. For all I know it could be one of my wounds, having reopened in the struggle. I touched a hand to my chest and drew away red fingers. It didn't seem too bad, but when I looked down I saw that my chest had indeed begun to bleed from the old wounds again. There was another length of thread that I could stitch myself up with - I couldn't let Asher see, and I was too afraid to ask for help. I might be only thirteen, but I had to keep them thinking that I'm strong. If they believed it, maybe I would too.

"You alright, Preston?" I hadn't noticed my hearing return, but it had been so still and silent so that made sense. There's the dripping of blood and I follow it to Asher's hand. It was clearly chewed, and quite bloody. Not knowing what to say, or do, I simply stared at it. Had he gotten that in trying to protect me? I remember him trying to distract the mutt, but I didn't know if he had successful or not. This wasn't really a success.

We were alive though.

As Asher tended to his hand I turned away from him and slowly and painfully restitched my chest back together. If he asked for help, or if he could help, I didn't notice. I wrapped a fresh bandage around myself, the tightness a welcome feeling. He spoke right as I finished, the breath before I was going to turn and face him again. "Should we stay in the building again?" I was shaking my head before I even thought about it. There was no way I could stay in that place for another night, not after than damn dog screamed for the entire arena to hear. "Or we could move somewhere else. That might be the best idea considering this dog alerted anyone around to our location. What do you think?"

My decision already made, I shot a glowering glance at last night's shelter. "I'm done with this place. No more abandoned buildings." I turned in a circle, trying to figure out where we could go. Anywhere but here. Without thinking, I stretched out my arm and pointed. "Let's go that way." I had no idea what was out there, but I thought that it would be better than staying here.

I started walking. "C'mon."

Not that I'm really leaving him a choice.

[Preston uses First Aid on self for -3]
[Preston uses Needle and Thread on self for -5]
[Preston uses 5ft Bandages on self for -1]

[Tries to catch a Delivery Word]
11UnZ4h11-2
nope

wc: 539

song: Car radio

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