i am the story that will read you real {neela 1.5, pt 1}

[Lyn𝛿is]

Neela
Chiffon

∞
tell me do you remember
the games and the laughter?
far from the choices we'd have to make
∞

You know there are a lot of battles you can't win.

There would always be people more determined, more desperate, who could wear you down till it wasn't worth it to fight. Hope tempts you in the back of your mind, telling you that if you didn't try, if you didn't go against the people with power, then they'd at least leave you alone - and loneliness was a far easier load to bear than a world set against you.

Far easier than futile struggles with no end in sight; you weren't even good enough to duel with your sister's sharp wit (you were too emotional to be listened to, too naive to be reasonable) let alone sharp weapons -

You don't even attempt to fight. You tear through the woods as soon as the gong sounds, trying to outrun the sound of a single cannon firing in the distance; for several minutes, your world is filled with nothing but your heart pounding in your ears and leaves rustling under your feet.

When you finally stop to catch your breath, your entire body is tense, listening for footsteps not your own; you're good at this, you think, this listening to footsteps, for at home you were used to listening to squeaking floorboards in anticipation of hiding your things before Satin barged in your room.

It feels the same here, even if much more is at stake - the same churning stomach at the thought of Careers on the prowl - stalking behind until they catch up with you, alone and defenseless.

(And you know they're waiting in the shadows, you can't get it out of your mind how Lily and Paige and that girl who allied with Kimmie all died, because they took a moment for themselves thinking they were safe)

So you keep running, keep listening as you put the Cornucopia far behind you. You wonder how far you can keep going, if there's an edge to reach and what it would be like, if you reached it. You've had too much practice avoiding people, after all, being their out of sight, out of mind and making yourself small, lest you be hit by stray flying words.

But as you reach the edge of the woods, as you come to the cliff that slopes down to a shimmering ocean, you know the Gamemakers are smarter than to let you slip by unnoticed.

lyrics: end of innocence

[Lyn𝛿is]

∞
it's the end of an innocent era
the beauty we know will be lost
we're building a bridge between heaven and hell
to return again
∞

When you leave the enchanted trees behind, a black flag rises up to greet you, and with a gust of the sea breeze you see the gleaming white skull unfurl to match the skull-shaped rock hazy in the distance.

It draws you to the ship, despite its menacing appearance; you pick up a large branch of firewood and sharpen it into a spear as you hike down to the shoreline, just like they taught you in training (stab 'em with the pointy end was about the extent you knew of actually using the thing, but it would be far better than remaining weaponless when they begin to drive you back towards the Careers).

You want to sail away towards the horizon, but it doesn't take long to see that it's in no state to leave the reef it wrecked on. The bow of the ship has been splintered by rocks, the wood so sodden with salt water you could hardly even use it as kindling; the sails are in no better condition, torn and weathered by the wind. The sea had warped the ship like the arena warped tributes, and as you step onto the deck you can't help but imagine the past, imagine a ship not yet worn down by the world till only fragments remained (imagine yourself not yet chained by indecision and fear).

And it's not long before a figure appears in your daydream; you see the ghost of a tiny girl, blonde hair peeking out from her pirate hat and dancing in the sunlight to the rhythm of the rippling Jolly Roger. You run towards her, but she fades, leaving you with a captainless and dilapidated ship; only the flag still stands tall, its silky fabric seemingly untouched from the elements.

But this could be your sanctuary. Here you could be safe, away from wolves of One or tigers of Two. You're out of the woods, you think - at least for now.

lyrics: end of innocence

[Neela flees this thread, moving to next area using Endurance]
[does actions in Maintenance]