Leaf stirred a bit more under the slight touch of Gran's hand, if
things went well then Leaf sould be awake soon.
A medic poked her head and and usherd Gran out for a moment before
closing the door behind Harlow and Leaf. They had done a full
examination and there had been evedicne that Leaf had been
*nope,notsayingit*ed. The huge question still remained though if
Leaf would concive or not, if she did and didn't wake up soon the
deceion of wether Leaf kept the baby or not would have to fall on
to Gran. She was then returned back to the room with Leaf and
Harlow and Fern.
Once he set foot in 13, Gateguard immediately collapsed, the
ringing in his ears never actually leaving. The first set of hands
on him helped drag him up, familiar smile framed by pink strands of
hair greeting him. His hands weakly moved in a familiar pattern,
falling back onto old habits as he watched Myu's eyes cloud over
with tears. They talked with each other for a moment, hands moving
in silence as they simply took the time to catch up. It was small
but Myu's heart ached when he realized that the boy in his arms was
so reminiscent of the one five years ago, he had to hold back tears
knowing that the experience in the arena and in the capital had
broken down everything he had done to build Gateguard back up.
Seeing Nova come out, Myu gently got Gateguard to his feet and led
him towards the Mockingjay, watching the two of them make slow
moves to reunite.
A hand suddenly shot out from the crowds and grasped Adelaide's
arm, dragging her away. No matter how much she fought and tried to
dislodge her assailant, the grip remained firm until she was thrown
into a secluded area of 13. There was a sigh as the lights
flickered on and Adelaide came face to face with a hauntingly
familiar curl of red hair, sneer plastered over smooth skin. "Wow,
you look like the dogs chewed you up and spat your right back out."
Kardia scoffed, crossing her arms.
"I see" Harlow mumbles. How would Gran react to this? This is a lot
of pressure to place on her. We'll be doing this together at
least Harlow thinks to herself. For about the hundredth time in
her life she feels a surge of happiness for her family. They could
get through anything as long as they were together.
Nova was still in a bit of shock when one of the rebels had told
Nova that they had made it back unharmed, or at least mostly
unharmed anyway. Nova tenativly put a hand to Gateguard's face,
concern in her eyes. "Did. . .did they hurt you?"
Fern looked up at Gran. "Is Leaf okay? They told me she was okay."
"No" Gran answers honestly. "She'll be going through something
tough right now. We'll all have to be here for her right now. Do
you understand?" Gran asks Fern
Fern nodded. Leaf's eyes opened, or at least the one without a
bruise did, the bruised eye was still swollen shut mostly. Leaf
looked up at Gran, Gran saw the look of self loathing and disgust
in Leaf's eyes. She was absolutly disgusted with herself.
"We should probably go... Just for a bit. We'll be back soon" she
bends down and kisses Leaf's forehead. "I'm glad to have you back"
Gran tells Leaf. The two leave.
Harlow stands up, wincing slightly when her legs touch the ground.
She gives Leaf a hug. "Hey honey. How do you feel?" Harlow whispers
as she gently holds Leaf.
Gateguard looked fragile almost, face twisted in a mix of emotions
as he leaned into the touch. "No..." He answered hoarsely, eyes
regaining small signs of life. "Did they hurt you?" He gulped, eyes
trailing over Nova's form. It really felt like a daydream, that at
any moment the scene before him would shatter into a million pieces
and he'd be alone again with the cruel laughter of everyone he had
come to care for following him down into the abyss of despair
Adelaide spun, keeping her core tight as someone grabbed onto her
arm like a vice. Alarm threaded over her heart; another trap? Was
there not one moment where she had to keep on her toes? She cried
out to her assailant to inquire where the heck they were going, and
as she was dragged roughly farther and father from the crowd, she
was beginning to doubt that whatever intentions were benevolent. No
medic nor aid; nobody seemed to notice she was gone. Or leaving.
The white-haired career could only stumble along; wrestling with
whoever was dragging her was just like wrestling with a steel
cable. She was roughly thrown into an alcove, and every single damn
instinct had her nearly lunging toward her assailant. Or she
would've if the lights had not revealed ... her. Feral
defiance and rage gave way to shock...and sadness as she regarded
the powerful redhead sneering to her face.
Adelaide's mouth went dry.
It can't be. Oh, she was just like Adelaide remembered in
both her dreams and nightmares when she'd relieved that night. She
could hardly feel the wall at her back, feel anything. A chill
sliced through her as she put name to face once more. It was a name
she had not uttered for a whole year. Perhaps more, after that
awful night when she'd been forced to return home alone. To attend
a funeral for the only person she might have called a dear friend.
And even under Kardia's razor-sharp tongue, barbed as always, she
could detect rivers of relief.
"How amusing that you poke at my appearance." She crooned, settling
into a delicately wary posture, "Time changes even the best of us,
Kardia."
"Liek I go thit by a truck." Leaf admitited. "Harlow. . ." Her
voice cracked in dispear and worry, harlow knew what Leaf was
trying to say but Leaf couldn't even say it. She was too disgusted
with herself that it happened again.
"No, I'm okay." Nova anwsered, she getnly stroked the side of his
head in hopes of consoling him.
"Well I guess someone's home in that empty head of yours." She shot
back crowding up in Adelaide's personal space as if she had never
left it in the first place. "God you look like you went through a
wood chipper." She muttered, poking around the other tribute to
make sure that she was unharmed. Any wound she did see was meet
with a scowl but nothing more. Once her prodding was done, she made
a satisfied little sound at the back of her throat. "Okay now
that's done let's get something to eat. Chop chop, Valkyrie. We got
work to do and souls to reap. Can't do it on an empty stomach."
Kardia ordered, clapping her hands in quick succession as she
marched out of the room towards the cafeteria.
Melting at the touch, Gateguard gently took Nova's hand in his and
pressed a light kiss to the back of her hand. "Thank God." He
breathed, running shaking fingers over her knuckles. "I- I can't
stand the thought of someone hurting you."
Nova watched Gateguard's reaction and her heart ached. She held
Gateguard in an embrace, from over his shoulder she saw Myu smiling
small, his eyes spoke the words he either couldn't or wouldn't, the
joy of seeing Gateguard happy again and the sorrow of having to let
go. Nova gave him a gentle smile of asurance.
"I know" Harlow tells Leaf. "We'll get through it together" just
like the first time. She pulls away but holds Leaf's hands.
"Whatever it is you need, we'll be here for you" she promises
Rose slipped out of the room. Making sure she wasn't being
followed, she moved away from the building she was supposed to be
in. She ripped of the band around her wrist and walked straight
into the forest. She kept walking until she found a particular
tree. In it, two numbers were carved. An eight and a three. Rose
ran her hand along the carvings, and found what she was looking
for. A picture. She pulled it out, and saw a picture of her family.
Her mother, her father, her younger sisters." one girl with red
hair looked up at her. Tears welled in Rose's eyes. "Mallory..."
she whispered, running her finger over her old friends face. She
faced the truth. She couldn't make it. She had no one with her.
Everyone in this picture... dead. She put the picture back, and
stood up. She walked deeper into the forest, and found the mossy
river in which she had shared her last moments with the red head
she loved.
His smile has a grip on me <3
Agent Fallows, signing out~
Harlow was curled up in bed with Leaf, or so Harlow had thought.
Harlow's hand went to Leaf but the spot was empty. Harlow at first
thought that maby the twins had started crying and Leaf was taking
care of them when Harlow heard the sounds of retching coming from
the bathroom they shared. Harlow to up and went to the door, the
light was on and the door opened a jar. Poor Leaf was sat down in
front of the toilet, her feet tucked beneath her, bringign up
little next to nothing as her stomach attempted to rid of any
suposed toxins.
Rose hadn't gone to bed. She stayed in the forest, curled up beside
the river. She didn't fall asleep. How would she? She was mourning
her loved ones last moments. The regret pulsed from her like bile.
She hated 13. Hated the district, hated the people, hated the
leaders. Yet she had no choice but to be here.
His smile has a grip on me <3
Agent Fallows, signing out~
Harlow puts a hand on the bridge of her nose. This could be a
conscience, but she was most likely pregnant again. She removes her
hand before Leaf can notice her irritation. Harlow wasn't mad at
Leaf, she was just mad at the guy who had done this. She steps over
to Leaf and grabs her hair so she can puke without it being in the
way. She uses her other hand to gently rub her back. She doesn't
know what to say, but it was probably best to say nothing
anyway.
Leaf choked out a sob, she absolutely hated vomiting, but there
wasn't much Leaf could do about it except go through the motions
and get it over with. "I'm sorry Harlow I didn't mean to wake you
up." Leaf's voice echoed from the toilet. She could see her
reflection in the water below.
There had been much debate, but Nova and Gategaurd were finally
able to convince the others to allow them to share a room. Nova was
sleeping next to Gategaurd, her smaller body being nearly cradled
by his.
"It's fine, don't worry about it" Harlow whispers, she keeps her
voice at a soothing tone, hoping that'll help Leaf. "I know you
hate vomiting... just get it out, you'll feel better after"
Moonlight drifted into Tempest's room. She opens her eyes, glancing
at the window. She doesn't move, but in her head she walks over to
the window. She imagines opening that window, turning into a bird,
and flying away. What's stopping her from doing that? Tempest
doesn't have the energy to dive into her thoughts and discover
that.
Leaf nodded in agreement as best she could manage from her current
position. She closed her eyes as her organs continued to twist
sickeningly inside her...but if anything eased the horrible
feeling...somewhat...it was feeling Harlow's warm hand against her
back. She gagged again, struggling to hold out against the next
harsh wave of nausea that hit her.
Harlow continued to rub soft circles into Leaf's back. "Just let it
out." Leaf whimpered before she threw up again clearly unable to
resist anymore, clutching onto the toilet seat, growing too weak to
hold herself up. Harlow squatted down, her knees bracketing Leaf’s
hips. She leaned back against Harlow's legs when the nausea calmed,
her whole body shaking with weakness.
When Leaf was finally done she sat back against the tub grateful
that the cool bathroom appliance was giving some aid, her skin pale
and eyes half open, exhausted from lack of sleep. Harlow sat down
next to Leaf, pulling her head onto her chest, her fingers rubbing
soft soothing circles on Leaf's temple. "Harlow, I. . .I think I'm
pregnant."