my first girlfriend turned into the moon [✄]

[arx!!]

 MARIELA PITRE

They all seem as concerned with their appearances as I do. It's strangely comforting. Even as Hayden sets my leg in a splint and I find my mouth growing dry in the night air, I find the time to marvel over a moon pendant and slide a ring over my knuckle. And what's a witch without earrings shaped like pumpkins?

It's a bit difficult to maintain face through the bandages and the uncomfortable immobilization of my knee, but it's a welcome distraction, focusing all my attention on my own reflection rather than the ache in my muscles and the growling of my stomach. I probably should've eaten more before all this. But fear really staunches the appetite and without that fear gnawing at my empty stomach, it's likely I wouldn't have made it out of my first fight alive.

But now that it's all over, the adrenaline has worn off, and the fear has ebbed away to the back of my mind, I can feel my stomach aching for some sort of food. I eat an entire bag of candy while Hayden fixes my leg and Samson and Cynthia pick out items from the giant pumpkin towering over us.

By the time we're ready to move I've got a stomach ache for all the right reasons and a bag full of what all my allies insist are 'useless items.' My flashlight, my blanket, my jewelry, my night-vision binoculars—"I'm not exactly built like a goddess. I can't carry as much as you guys."—I think I've got everything that's just my speed. Weapons don't exactly do it for me and I think we've all got enough medical supplies to last a lifetime.

Hayden helps me limp along slowly. I try not to rely on her too much though. Being a burden really will get me killed in this place, if not by my enemies then by my allies. I stumble into Samson on more than one occasion—"Can you not?"—apologizing profusely before retreating close to Hayden's side each time. By the time we are out of the overgrown pumpkin patch I've gotten a hang of walking mostly on my own. And I'm so thankful when they all agree we should take a break at the pond.

It's one of the most stunning sights I've ever seen. I sit myself at the water's edge, looking into what looks like a whole new sky. It's beautiful. Despite everything. I reach out, fingertips sending a soft set of ripples over the water's surface. It's cool to the touch, soothing to my electric hot skin. I wonder how it would feel washing over my knee, but decide it's best to leave it to the imagination. I don't want to ruin the splint Hayden made.

"You suppose there are fish in here?" I ask, stretching out on my stomach and staring into the dark water. I can't see much, not even my own reflection, but that doesn't stop me from reaching for my fishing net.

It doesn't matter what the answer is. I remember watching a pair of boys run around by the river for hours one day back home. They had fishing nets in hand which doubled as nets for catching the crickets that hid in the tall grass along the river. They never caught a single fish. But they returned holding hands, sun-kissed cheeks, and smiles so wide I knew they couldn't be faking it when their mother asked if they had had fun.

My grandmother called them guttersnipes. Told me they were dirty and uncivilized. Not fit to be my friends. I knew she was wrong, but I listened to her anyway.

But now that she isn't here, I think I'll give the smiling a try.

Fishing Attempt!
DpVq6Uu71-12
[3 Fish]


ooc: xxx
- collects some water in her potion bottle
- FISHIES
- it's all in maintenance honestly

Also note, she's got camo lol it's stealth fishing, I swear.

1-12

[lance]

[presto][/presto]

The decision to move on is practical if not necessary - she had a hunch that sticking around the Cornucopia would discourage anyone else from coming within a mile of it and she didn't really feel like testing her strength against whatever ghostly muttations the Gamemakers could come up with - and luckily, it was an opinion shared almost universally - at least, verbally.

In her defense, it was hard to tell with Samson sometimes, and if she took a wild guess she'd assume that Mariela was not enjoying walking on a recently broken leg one bit. But to her credit, her complaints, if any, were minimal, and by the time they'd arrived at the first major landmark - a large, moon reflected pond - she was almost walking on her own. As far as lower district girls that they could have nabbed as a fourth, she could have been a lot, lot worse.

In fact, it is almost with excitement that the girl from Nine plops herself at the waters edge, one hand brushing the faintly rippling surface with outstretched fingertips while the other tightly clutched a fishing net - one of the few useful items she had gathered, in the end. In her defense, between herself, Hayden, and Samson, there were enough supplies to sustain half the arena all on their own, so in the long run it might actually pay off.

Plus, she figured that if Hayden's protectee was the first to kick the bucket, the less useful items she had on her, the better.

"You suppose there are fish in here?" Speak of the devil.

She ponders the question seriously for half a second before a better alternative pops into mind. "I don't know about in there, Mariela," she responded, smirking, "but we do have one right over there, tail fins and everything." Playing with fire she was, teasing Samson Parish, but that was a skill she was as adept at as swinging a sword.

The latter's withering stare prompts a laugh of "Kidding, kidding," from her lips, even as Mariela, oblivious to her response, dips her net into the water. She watches intently, waiting for the inevitable empty-handed return, or the snagging of some hideous aquatic muttation.

To her surprise, when the net is withdrawn, not one, not two, but three fish are squirming within. She blinks, as much to confirm that she isn't asleep as to confirm the number, and finds that yes, Mariela Pitre really did just catch three fish.

Her curiosity piqued, she approaches the girl and the waterfront alike. Peering in, all she sees is the full moon reflected on a clear, glassy surface. Underneath that is all dark.

For the first time since the Games began, unease pricked along her spine. Sticking around in this area would not be a good idea, she concluded.

That's when, out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the small black thing squiggling in Mariela's hand.

Swiveling her head, she blinked again, even as the thing settled into her hand. Today just keeps getting stranger and stranger, she thought.

Out loud, she asked the question burning on her mind.

"Is that a snake?"

[[nyte]]

[ooc: i'll add a table when im not starving to death]

Burdens are easy to bear when they’re so cute. We leave the first instance of bloodshed behind us, smile stuck to the lips of those whose victory will no doubt be the talk of our respective towns – at least for the coming hours. Society is so fickle, easily entertained and yet bored of it all just as quickly. The Capitol was filled with sheep, falling victim to every single fad to glide across their laps and losing every bit of themselves with dyed hair and bright fabrics. They are defined not by themselves but by their possessions and that is when life begins to lose meaning. I’d rather die here and now than find the day that sitting in the corner of a library with a good book and a pair of knitting needles is not all that I will ever need.

But I know myself well enough to know that will never happen. I found insecurity only when her eyes did not meet mine. When I thought that the love in each and every one of her fingertips was nothing more than that of a friend’s. I was – I am – so desperately in love with Delilah that seeing her again is what keeps weakness at bay. The throbbing ache of a wound sewn to my thigh; the hunger and exhaustion that has begun to creep into the corners of my vision. To think that by the end of this week she will hold me again, that I will find strength within her lips against mine, it brings as much pain as it does comfort.

We reach a pond. Fresh water, calling my name and the instant I see her I drop to my knees. ”Look at all of this!” Its dark, the cries of angry beasts are potent turning the night’s air thick with omens and yet I smile. Wide. Ear to ear and I dip bloodstained hands into the lake just to watch the blood curl off of my fingertips. ”Breathtaking.” With so little life left there is no reason not to take advantage of every single heartbeat. Happiness can be found anywhere. 

Especially within a parachute. Falling from the absolute nothing above and into my lap. A new dress, this one considerably less cumbersome- deep crimson in color with golden lace and my gasp is audible. It’s disconcerting to know that everyone is watching, everyone is listening – even now. ”Yes!” There’s no place for humility within the hunger games and so my old dress is discarded upon the floor in an instant. Leaving me exposed, but not entirely naked. I cannot tell if I hope Delilah’s eyes are or are not on me. We all change in the arena- we all do what we must. 

I stand up, but not before taking some of the pond with me. Tucked away within a cauldron and shoved in my bag. ”What do you think?” I twirl, curtseying to Cynthia because I am a good princess after all. ”My Ladies.”

[gamemaker sloane ♕ kaяi ♕]

Oh, sometimes, I pray for you at night
Someday, maybe you'll see the light
Oh, some say, in life, you're gonna get what you give
But some things only God can forgive

Our footsteps seem to echo in the silence.

It’s peaceful almost, that is, until something falls into me. I look down and there she is, struggling to walk with her broken knee. My eyes narrow.

”Can you not?”

She apologizes profusely and continues to walk, but she can’t keep from stumbling. I manage not to say anything else, but I can’t help but give her dirty looks every time she bumps me.

I decide to move to the back of the group, a tiny girl repeatedly falling into you gets annoying really fast. And I knew it wouldn’t hurt to keep my eyes open for anyone who might try and come from behind. Not only that, but it’s impossible to move any faster in this damn skirt.

And even though I’ve checked multiple times to make sure we’re alone, I can’t help but get this eerie feeling that someone is watching us.

Mariela leads us to a pond, and for once I’m thankful. The water makes me feel comfortable, like I’m at home. Not that I would ever go swimming it, but just the presence of it makes a difference.

I silently thank God for this small moment while it lasts-

because I know tomorrow there will be no more peace.

”You suppose there are fish in here?”

Mariela’s voice rings out, breaking the silence, breaking the peace.

Before I even have a chance to respond that I don’t think it’s a good idea she’s already throwing her net in the pond. A sigh escapes my lips. If she drowns at least it’s one less sinner to worry about.

I decide to throw some of my javelins at a nearby tree, practicing my aim. I hit my mark every time, not that I ever had any doubts. My hands fall upon my last one when I hear Cynthia speak.

"I don't know about in there, Mariela, but we do have one right over there, tail fins and everything!”

My grip tightens on my weapon as I whip around, eyes narrowing. I’m tempted to just end her now, but He helps to have the patience not to. Instead I throw it at another nearby tree, glance at her, and smile.

I’m about to grab my axe when I hear a slight beeping. My eyes flash upward and I see the little packages floating down. One falls into my hands and I open it eagerly. My eyes light up as I realize what it is.

”Oh bless the Lord,”

I shout as I immediately pull off my skirt. He must have heard my silent prayers because in the package were a pair of pants. Of course they had to have scales, but I manage to refrain from rolling my eyes. Instead, I put the pants on gratefully. But out of the corner of my eye I can see Mariela staring.

”Enjoying the show?”

Her face turns bright red and an airy laugh escapes my lips.

At least He gave me some type of entertainment while I’m here.

Of course a package finds it’s way to Hayden as well. And what a surprise, it’s the dress she wanted.

”What do you think? My ladies”

And this time I really can’t help but roll my eyes. He really must be giving me some patience, because once again I’m able to keep my mouth shut.

It’s a miracle in itself.

Instead I go an collect my weapons from the nearby trees and put them back in my bag. Tomorrow might not be peaceful.

But at least it will be interesting.



[so much in trib main im cryin]

I hope you're somewhere prayin', prayin'
I hope your soul is changin', changin'
I hope you find your peace
Falling on your knees, prayin'

[dars]

[arx!!]

 MARIELA PITRE

"I don't know about in there, Mariela, but we do have one right over there, tail fins and everything."

It's incredibly difficult to hide my giggling within my shirt sleeve, but I think I manage it well enough. At least all my limbs are still attached to my body and Samson unleashed her axe into a tree and not my spine. She remains silent—probably thinking up some unique way to kill us all. I've grown used to that thought though. The pond is far more preoccupying, a gentler thought.

"Breathtaking."

I only have the capacity to nod as I watch the light sparkle over ripples and my net swim through something that looks so close to my grandmother's deep-red, sparkling champagne that I'm certain getting any closer will make me intoxicated.

A light blinks above me—"Oh bless the Lord."—gliding like a shooting star through the water. Samson seems pleased based on her reaction and I'm not really all that surprised that a career like her is getting sponsored.

But I am a little surprised to see her undressing when I look over my shoulder to see what she got. It's a pair of pants. Really fancy pants. Leggings with a similar pattern to her skirt, obviously to keep the ensemble matching.

And really strong looking legs. She has nice legs.

"Enjoying the show?"

It takes me a second to even realize she's talking to me. And then another extra second to realize I was staring. Heat rises to my cheeks immediately and I've no doubt I've completely turned a bright cherry red. I avert my gaze, mouth moving without making any actually words before I finally get some sort of self-control back and return to swinging my net through the water.

I make sure not to look when another parachute descends—"Yes!"—this time apparently for Hayden. Apparently Careers get money thrown at them so often that even a change of clothes is afforded for them. I'd definitely prefer something pink over my black garb...

"What do you think?"

She curtsies to Cynthia and I giggle because they both look so regal. Right out of a fantasy story—"My ladies."—a princess, a queen, and a lightly salted mermaid rolling her eyes in the distance.

I smile to myself as I go back to mesmerizing at the water. As terrifying as they are holding their swords and axes, they don't seem much different than me when they don't have them raised.

I scream, but the tiny creature has already wrapped itself between my fingers by the time I've become untangled from my thoughts.

"Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god."

My heart screams far louder than my now breathless voice, but as I struggle to stand with hand extended as far away from my body as possible, I notice how still the small snake is. Even as my heart races and my hand shakes nervously, it seems content just to flick its tongue against my knuckles.

"Oh."

"Is that a snake?"

I nod—"Yeah, look."—and hold the creature up for Cynthia to see. It stares with dark eyes, twists tighter around my fingers the further I hold it off the ground. Are all Career girls his tall?

Cynthia visibly recoils, but it doesn't seem to mind. It simply keeps its eyes on me and its tongue flitting softly my skin. I'm trying to scream about how cute it is, but it comes out breathy and inaudible as I limp towards Samson, arms extended and snake twisted to look her in the eyes.

"Look, look! Look how cute it is--"

"Get that out of my face before I shove it down your throat."

I frown, pulling my new friend close to my chest and covering it with my free hand. I nearly snap back at her, only to have my eyes find her menacing glare and recoil from her faster than Cynthia had recoiled from the reptile. Apparently not everyone is as excited as I am about this...

"Hayden?" I ask tentatively, turning to her and slowly lifting the defenses from my scaly friend.

It's scales shimmer like obsidian in the moonlight, eyes holding every bit of moonlight in the sky and reflecting it back at me. I blink at it, blink at Hayden with what feels like a visibly hurt expression. How could someone hate something so small, sweet, and beautiful?

"Well, I'm keeping it—her," I say, smiling gently at the small snake twisted between my fingers.

"Also her name is Claudia and you all have to be nice to her."

ACTUAL FOOTAGE OF THE SCISSOR SISTERS REACTING TO CLAUDIA THE SNAKE

[lance]

[presto][/presto]

"What do you think?" Hayden chirps from off to her right, and her gaze is torn away from the snake-thing to her ally. Said ally is in the middle of an elegant twirl, a flash of red replacing the torn blue that had decorated her lithe form up until apparently seconds ago. A curtsy finishes the act, to her she realizes with a start. "My ladies."

A wry grin follows shock as she eyes the girl from Two's newest acquisition. "Suits you," she concludes, not unkindly.

Samson's rolling her eyes even as she retrieves her throwing axe, which, at least in her opinion, is something ranging from scoffing to raging laughter from the girl from Four. She settles on a middle ground - stifled amusement - and leaves it at that.

But by then Mariela has regained the center of attention. "Yes, look," she responds to a question left hanging mere seconds ago, shoving the tiny black reptile almost literally into her face.

Instinct takes over from conscious thought as she recoils - she is not going to go out to a poisoned bite from a tiny muttation - but the snake seems friendly enough. Samson, not so much, if the threat to shove the snake down Mariela's throat is anything to go by.

"Well, I'm keeping it—her," she declares, and the smile she gives the tiny black reptile is so sincere that she almost felt touched. "Also her name is Claudia and you all have to be nice to her."

There she laughed. "Sure, as long as it - she, sorry - decides that my face isn't a suitable nesting spot, I'm game."

It felt nice, laughing amongst her allies. Almost like they weren't four people from different backgrounds who could very well end up as corpses by the end of the week.

A snake was the least of her worries at the moment anyway.