Forum Thread

"The dead eye sees more than you think, Kayda. That's correct, isn't it?" He blinked, both eyes closing for a moment and cancelling the link between the two. The memory Tenacity has shared was of earlier that morning, cussing at his wings and running into walls. Each thud punctuated by a dull ache, each curse sparked by another failed attempt at fitting his wings into the slices. When he finally got it on, he realized it was a size too small. His mind had been entirely on that fact, and on somebody who had purchased the shirt but the night before, despite being nearly completely drunk. They threw the shirt at him with a mutter, then disappeared out the door. His mind had been too occupied to think about the shoes, slowly filling with more rage as the wings got in his way and the memory occurred again and again. "Death's touch accompanies the dead eye, but is never revealed." Leaning close, he whispered. "Secrets do not exist when such a simple sentence can bring them forth." Leaning back, he glanced around at the ground. Spotting his eye patch, he grabbed it from the filthy ground and dusted it off, donning the blinding accessory as if it had never been removed. After a moment, Tenacity choked on his breath, hearing something called out from the stage. "Tenacity Green."

For just a second, respect seems to flicker in Kayda's eyes, but it disappears faster than it appears. She doesn't respond. This boy was a challenge, he was cunning, and even worse, he could get into her head. Those types of things were underrated tactics to winning a fight. She isn't too sure if Tenacity is someone she wants to mess with. Besides, something unbelievable, maybe even impossible has happened.
"Kayda Oaks-" followed by a chuckle "doesn't roll off the tongue very well huh?" The speaker asks. Laughter ripples through the crowd. Kayda clenches her fists and teeth together, her head lowers slightly, similar to a snarling dog. She would fight her way out of this, there was no way she could've been chosen theoretically. Her eyes land on a bruised up boy- the same one she had just fought this morning! She would take him down first, there was no way she was going to this arena. No, she would die before she went there!
She races forward, elbowing her way through the crowd, the boy's amusement turns into fear as she nears him and raises a fist up. With an enraged roar she punches towards him, only for it to be caught by a Peacemaker. Where did you come from? Kayda wonders in amusement. She makes a move to attack him with her free hand, but he has other plans. He pulls her towards him, knocking her off balance just enough that she falls into his taser. Kayda was strong, but not strong enough to resist the paralyzing powers of a taser. She crumples unwilling into him and is dragged onstage.
"Good! This'll enure she doesn't shift" a voice orders. Or maybe it was her imagination? She is thrown onstage and with her muscles paralyzed she is unable to catch herself and falls onto her face. Humiliation, they were trying to rub salt into her wound! There was nothing she could really do, that was the kicker right here. She swears that her jaw is going to grind her teeth to dust with how hard she is clenching her teeth. They'll pay for this!

Akane, Leaf, Melody, and Coraline had all made it to the stage before Kayda's little incident. As the laughter died down, Coraline, despite everything, gently helped Kayda to her feet. "Are you okay?" Her voice holding uncertanties.

As this was going on, the boys' names were being drawn and called out.

(Again do your own characters if you have any male characters)

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Tenacity had gotten to watch as Kayda Oaks had flown forward on rage before being electrocuted, before he himself was called up. His breath caught in his throat as his face went neutral. Walking up, he felt a hand touch one of his wings. Turning his head, he gave a one eyed glare to a girl he knew. This was his war to fight, he needed no support from the innocent. As he stepped up on stage past a pair of Peacemakers, he flared his wings in agitation. It got them to take a step back, but also put them on guard. Their weapons raised by the slightest bit. Stepping up, Tenacity curled his lip at the bruised and battered boy nearby. He seemed to have to do with Kayda's humiliation. Stiff backed, he stepped close to Kayda, whispering quietly to her. "Your embarrassment is not theirs to cause. You cause your own downfall. Decide how they'll remember you, or they won't remember you at all." Stepping back, he flared his wings again. He respected Kayda, despite her spiteful nature. Standing still, as if frozen, he crossed his arms.

"Fine" Kayda manages to spit out. Somehow, she manages to hold herself upright, but her muscles felt like rubber. She felt weak and dizzy, she would have allowed herself to fall once again if not for Tenacity's words. His encouragement surprised her. Her mouth twitches slightly as she holds back a smile- she was moved. Both by Coraline's actions and Tenacity's words. She was going to hold herself up, this was the image she wanted to burn into all their heads. She wanted everyone to know how tough she was, especially if it meant hiding just how terrified she was. She can't help but glance at the other tributes, her hard gaze a mask that cloaked her fear.
One would think she would be fine, she was no stranger to fights, there had been times when it has seemingly been a fight to the death. This was different, there was no escape, there was nobody to help her. Fleeing wouldn't be a safe option if she could be hunted down again. Helping others no longer meant raising their pride, helping others meant facing death. For once in her life, she feels doubtful that she'll ultimately win this battle.

The red and white warden was forced from a cage into an arena. He silently complied. His movements were heavy and he looked strong. He moved like an ape.

---

Silver had never been more afraid in her life. Even when coming across Rae in the woods once, even when she fell from the roof of her house. She was terrified. She didn't ready know any of the other names except for Raes's. Her hands were shaking a small bit.

Rae seemed unfazed. She didn't look scared. Or upset. Or angry. Or frustrated. Just... blank. The blood still dripped from her blade to her foot. It started to pool but Rae didn't seem to notice.

---

As the selected walked onto the stage they began to size each other up. After a while, the group was escorted to a train where they'd be taken to the district capital and eventually placed into the arena, whatever it would be for this year.

The group was currently on the train. Akane and Leaf were sitting next to each other, Akane had dozed off with her head resting on Leaf's shoulder. Melody was watching the scenery go by and Coraline was sitting by herself, also watching the scenery go by.

---

Tenacity stood quietly at the end of a train car. Not facing the inside. He stood at a window, seemingly staring out. However, he was actually rubbing his right wrist, glaring at it as if it were a child who'd been caught with their hand in the cookie jar. Pulling the glove off, he revealed the entire hand. Instead of being pale from lack of sun as it might have been, it was grey. The slight line where the glove's end had been showed where the it had been for the past while. However, the grey didn't stop at the line. Not anymore, at least. It was slow, but one could occasionally watch the grey coloration crawl up Tenacity's arm. It moved like clouds on a windless day. Close your eyes for a few minutes, and it's moved a little bit. But you could never truly realize what it was. Corruption. Tugging the navy blue glove back on, Tenacity glanced around the car, looking over the other competitors again.

With her back pressed against the wall, Kayda was doing her best to seem intimating. Her arms were crossed, and she was flexing her muscles slightly, trying to look natural while also looking strong. She wasn't facing anyone in particular and her expression looked bored. She smirks at the thought that she must look like those cliché tough boys in movies, the only difference was the fact that she actually had strength behind the looks.
-And fear
Yeah... She wasn't going to let that show. Fear could easily be exploited. That's how she won her fights, she got into their heads, used their fear as a weapon. Made them doubt their own strength. Fear and surprise always rendered her enemies powerless against her. One thing was certain- she wouldn't let anyone do that to her.
Her eyes land on Tenacity, she can't help but glare at his back. He had already proved that he could get into her head without any trouble, she would have to do two things. Make him afraid of her, which wouldn't happen, he proved that from their earlier interaction. So there was only option, she would have to work with him. She has never worked with anyone before, but it's not too late to start.

meg sat on one of seats of the train car and thought"will i ever see my family again"she started crying b/c she thought she would never see her family again.as wipped away ome of her tears and contuied to cry.

---

The warden who was previously in a carnival had been let out into the arena as an obstacle for the kids who came to fight each other. He wondered around making a lot of ruckus.

---

Time to make some friends. Kayda pushes herself off the wall and strolls over to Tenacity. "Hey!" She calls out in confrontation. She pauses, quickly clearing her throat and shaking her head in embarrassment. "Hey" she says again, much kinder and calmer this time "Tenacity was it? Erm-... thank you- for what happened earlier... um..-" she words draw away as she turns her attention to Meg. Don't... Not the time her instincts caution. But her feet are moving on their own accord.
"'scuse me" she mumers as she makes her way over to Meg. She stands over the girl, looking quite unsure on what she should do. "There, there" she mumers in monotone as she gently pats the top of Meg's head. "Everything will be okay, I swear on my life I won't let anything happen to you" she adds, still in the same lame tone.

she sniffed"o- ok i- im meg b-by the way"she said and wipped away her tears.she then said"um do you want to sit by me"she was loney cuz she had no friends and this was the only chance to make one.

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Kayda raises an eyebrow and cocks her head to the side, making a hmm sound as she stares at Meg's face. "No, you are not alright, that is clear." Meg's request causes Kayda's eyes to widen a bit. She felt as if she were exposing her neck to the others, she didn't like showing this side of herself; the tender side, the protective side. All this did was confirm one thing- she had a weak spot. But Meg's distraught face was unbelievably hard to say no to. She pinches the bridge of her nose and sighs in irritation. "Fine, but just this once" she growls. She plops down next to Meg, her body stiff and tense, prepared to attack at any moment.
It was a matter of habit, she may not be able to comfort those in pain, but there was always something she could do: protect. "This is no place to cry" she whispers to Meg, "Cry in private, but for now, put on a brave face. You are stronger than you realize, now is the time to summon that strength."

meg nods and whips away the rest of her tears and takes deep breaths and calms down.frank pops his head ou of her bag and mews at her and jumps onto her lap.meg says"frank what are you doing here ,you are spose to be at home".

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Tenacity had jumped the slightest bit when Kayda had called out to him, and he hadn't turned, as he was quickly putting the glove back on again. Something about his own discolored flesh fascinated him, and he couldn't often keep the glove on when he had a bit of privacy. He'd tried a few "tests" on it, mainly to see if it was any different from his other hand, but that was a long time ago. Mostly, it had been poking and prodding both his hands with various instruments to see if anything were different between the two. All he had figured out was that the grey hand was.. Something to fear, if it kept contact with metal or other flesh for too long. He also hadn't turned around, because he originally thought Kayda would be bloodying her knuckles on his face for using his ability on her. He'd been surprised when she thanked him, her more aggressive side fading as she spoke. But, as Tenacity turned to speak to her, he'd found her walking away to speak with somebody else.

Not good Kayda thinks to herself as she stares at Frank. A kitten would have no chance of surviving in the arena. She should just kill him right now to ensure that he doesn't suffer in the arena. She gently picks him up, raising him up so that he is face-level with her. Their eyes meet for a moment, her eyes being cruel and dangerous, his innocent. It wouldn't take a lot to kill him, Meg would be crushed, but it would be for the best. But once again, her body isn't cooperating. She silently curses and plops the kitten down onto Meg's lap. She couldn't do it. She would just have to protect both of them.
"I am going to get some food" she informs, gesturing to the large table filled with delicious food of all sorts. "I'll be back" she stands up quickly and puts her back to Meg. She takes a moment to silently geek out about the adorable kitten before she regains her composure and strolls over to the table as promised.

Tenacity tried to hold back a hearty laugh from the edge of the car, having watched Kayda go through a phase of.. Well, it was difficult to explain. He held his breath as best he could, trying not to let too big of a smile shoot across his face as Kayda approached the table. Eventually, he choked on his tongue and coughed, a snicker escaping with it. Holding his breath again, he straightened up, in case Kayda heard the cough-laugh combo. Of course she would, though. It was loud enough. She was attentive enough. Biting his lip, Tenacity forced the smile mostly off his face. Mostly.

"oh ok"she says and pets frank and says to him"good thing i brought some food for you cuz i was prepared if you were gonna hide in there"she booped his nose and began petting him again.

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