#skyler dewpoint

[maple-writes]

since @concealeddarkness13 found the old version I forgot I posted about my space wip characters, so I thought why not do an updated version! (still using this picrew)

Top row: Volt Powell, Skyler Dewpoint, Richard (Rick) aka SALMON unit v2

Bottom row: Warren (still no last name), Indigo Carmine, Aurora Dewpoint

Warren is almost completely different, and SALMON no longer exists, and now Skyler's mother Aurora is a little more fleshed out. (I also made the backgrounds more consistent)

Things that couldn't really translate with the picrew:

Volt's hair is multi-coloured, like a tortoiseshell cat

Skyler's eyes are a little bit shiny/silvery

Richard has some mechanical features visible on his face

Warren's hair is iridescent and is more orange to deep yellow in certain light angles

Indigo's hair is also iridescent but more opal-like with oranges and light blues

[maple-writes]

Indigo would burn if she ever really spent enough time in the sun to get to that point. Skyler would probably go right to tan, and Warren would get freckles (though only really in the summer when they decide to go hang out in the sunshine for long periods of time)

Which OC sunburns? Who goes straight to tan? Which one has freckles appear after a day in the sun?

[concealeddarkness13]

WHG 15 Post-Games Imposter Syndrome Part 17

Two days after part 16! Tagging: @sparkles-and-hens, @knmartinshouldbewriting, @maple-writes (also thanks for Indigo!), @pen-of-roses, @thoughts-of-nora, @ratracechronicler (also thanks for Hugo!)!

Two days after the encounter with the Bystander, and Churi had been trying so hard to break me. Torturing me and trying to hurt me with his words. He was finding it was harder than he thought it would be to break me. Oh darn.

I was sleeping since it had been a late night with scoping out the Capitol again and trying to fall asleep. My back and arms were throbbing from the healed wounds. And of course, there was a knock on my door.

I rolled over and covered my face with a pillow. Not in the mood, damn it. “Fuck off.”

“Good morning to you too.” Oh great. It was the bastard scientist. “Are you dressed?”

I was, but I wouldn’t let her know that. “Shiiiit. One second.” I jumped up and grabbed my collapsible hat. I needed it today. I opened the door with my wide hat on and grinning brilliantly. “What can I do for you on this fine day?”

She did glance at the hat first. Ha. But then she looked back at me. “Just stopping by to see how you were doing.”

“Sure you were. Are you going to ask about my eating habits again? Or have we graduated to my sleeping habits?” I stepped aside to let her in, however. It wasn’t like I had much of a choice.

She took a seat on the chair in there. “Alright, that wasn’t my main purpose today. Though I do like to keep an eye on how Churi treats his captives.”

“Well, if you’re interested, my sleeping habits would be better if I wasn’t woken up at 6 in the morning. Just saying.” I leaned against the door as it closed. I wasn’t going to sit down.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” She reached into her pocket and took out a phone I recognized. Shine had worked so hard on that. A decoy phone that would flash so brightly that it would temporarily blind whoever tried to unlock it. It was cracked. “You know, I ran into someone the other day.”

I stiffened. What the hell had she done? “Huh. And by that, I assume you mean you went and visited Churi’s prison?”

“I try and avoid that place honestly.” She turned the phone over in her hand. “I ran into them snooping through some files.” Bullshit. “Now that I’ve met them I have to admit I underestimated them since they put up a good fight.”

I snorted, clinging to the fact that she was lying. “Sure. What are you trying to do? Give me hope? I think that’s the opposite of what the Capitol wants.”

She shrugged and set the phone on the table. “I just thought it would be polite to tell you they didn’t make it. Churi didn’t see the need to tell you but you have a right to know.”

No.

No.

I sucked in a breath, and my fist flew on its own, right into the smug bastard’s face. My hat fell off as I pounced on her to knock her to the ground as tears threatened to spill out of my eyes. “I’ll kill you!”

The coward yelped and covered her face as I punched her repeatedly, barely even finding satisfaction in how my fist connected. I was actually crying now, and my voice cracked. “I’ll kill you! What did you do?”

She tried to crawl away, but I just grabbed her shirt and slammed her up against the wall. I glared as I started shaking. Shine…Shine was… “You think I’d let you get away so easily?” I growled.

She was bleeding, but I didn’t even think about my magic. She wasn’t even trying to struggle. “Stop.”

Hell no. I tightened my grip as Shine lying curled up on the floor as they bled out flashed through my mind. “Like you had any mercy on Shine?” A sob escaped my lips before I could stop it. Shine… My grip loosened a little. They…they were gone. I squeezed my eyes shut as tears fell hot down my cheeks. “You…you…they’re gone.”

She tried to struggle, but she was too weak. Good. But before I could punch her again, or do anything smart, Peacekeepers kicked down the door to my room and pulled me off of her. I struggled, but it was no use. I wouldn’t be able to actually follow through on my promise. I went limp as they held me. They won. I couldn’t let her touch anyone else on my crew. “You…you can tell Churi that I give in. I’ll cooperate with the Capitol when they show me off on TV.”

*

After a lot of crying and more crying, I finally decided to get up and do something. I had only promised to cooperate on TV. I hadn’t said anything about any other time. And I could steal something from Aurora Dewpoint, an associate of Indigo’s, that would make Indigo sweat. But, I’d like to have a companion with me. And who better than Hugo?

I cracked open his door. “Psst. Hugo! You awake?”

He sat up quickly. “No. Triel? Is that you?”

“No. I’m the dream version of Triel, here to make your wildest dreams come true.” I trotted over to his bed with a grin. “Would you want to go on a stealing heist with me?”

He relaxed. “Oh, hell, yeah.” He worked his way out of the covers, his movements stiff. Shit. What had they been doing to him? “Who are we robbing this time?”

I grinned wider. I had missed him so much. It was a good distraction. “An associate of a bastard scientist who needs to see some of her important shit get burned. I know how to sneak into the associate’s house, and you can steal whatever you want while I find what I’m looking for.”

“Finally, some proper trespassing. Lead the way.”

I did, going back to my room and opening the window, since the locks were still broken. I jumped out into the night and made my way to Aurora Dewpoint’s house. There were plenty of windows to act as handholds to get to the roof, so I scrambled up there to get to a ventilation shaft.

I nodded over at Hugo. “Meet in an hour if you want to split up.” I didn’t give him a chance to really respond. I just wanted to grab the vial of Aurora’s son’s hair that she had kept after hiring Indigo to get rid of him.

The room that probably had the vial was near the kitchen, so I slipped in there from the shaft, absentmindedly grabbed a fruit from a bowl, and walked over to the room. I glanced back and smiled a little when I saw Hugo snooping around close. It was nice to know someone was on my side. I snooped around in the room, found the vial, and headed out after snagging a candle and some matches. It wasn’t a lot of hair. I scrambled back out with Hugo close behind me, and when we got far enough away from the house, Hugo spoke up. “You got what you were looking for?”

I nodded and held up the vial. “Yeah, I did! And we’re gonna go burn it.”

“Arson. Spicy. I’m on board. Where are we going?”

“A secluded place.” I pulled out my phone. “And once I start videoing, don’t speak and don’t get in view of the camera. I’m not incriminating you with me.”

“What more are they gonna do to me?” He scoffed, but I decided not to comment. “Alright. Fine. As long as I don’t have to go back right away.”

I grinned. “Of course not! I like your company.” I found an empty alley and pulled out the candle and matches. “Yeah, it won’t be much of a show.”

“I got this important-looking document if you wanna burn it, too, just for background lighting or whatever. I wasn’t gonna do anything with it. Unless you think a solo piece works best.” He leaned against a wall and offered the document.

I grinned. Brilliant! “Sure!” I took the paper and lit the candle. I turned the camera toward me and took a bite of the fruit I had stolen. Grin. “You were asking about my eating habits, so I hope this satisfies you. I’ve been busy tonight and I happened to run across this.” I held up the vial with the code facing the camera, and the document. “This seems to be from Ms. Aurora Dewpoint, and it seems to be the hair of her son, Skyler Dewpoint, who didn’t die but is in fact alive and well despite the aforementioned woman’s best efforts. Yes, Aurora Dewpoint sold her only son, Skyler Dewpoint, to Umbra Ursi, run by Dr. Indigo Carmine, for Ms. Carmine to get rid of. Which she failed to do. And it would be a shame if this was sent to all the important people in Panem, now wouldn’t it? Unfortunate indeed.” I opened the vial and burned the hair in the candle, along with the document as the words faced the camera. “And I’m guessing that was important, wasn’t it? Ms. Aurora Dewpoint wouldn’t keep it otherwise. Certainly not for sentimental reasons. Well, I hope this finds you well, Ms. Carmine. Go fuck yourself.” I gave her a beautiful middle finger and then cut off the video.

Hugo grinned in the background and spoke once I was done. “You got a real way with words, hat lady.”

I grinned back at him and blew out the candle. “Thanks!”

And of course, a voice just had to yell at us right after that. “Who are you and what are you doing here?”

Steve? From training? I tossed the candle and matches farther down the alley before turning to Steve with a radiant smile. Fake fear dripped through my voice. “Oh, Steve, you found us! We were so lost. It’s fortunate we ran into you.”

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure the other Peacekeeper who led us out here was just trying to get in trouble.” Hugo faked nervousness. Nice.

“And then he just left us. The rude man. He should be reported.”

Steve just stared at us before he stuttered a little. “You—you’re supposed to be dead!”

“And you’re supposed to be the head of the Counterintelligence Department.” Hugo actually sounded pleasant, like it was a compliment. “But life ain’t fair and nobody’s perfect, so here we are.” I had to suppress a snort of laughter.

Steve just spluttered some more. “I—I have to take you in for questioning!”

I shrugged. Fine. Whatever. “We have nothing to hide. Be my guest.” I hadn’t broken any rules. Ha. And I wouldn’t let them say Hugo had either. As Steve led us away, Hugo gave me a look of confidence, and I grinned back at him.

Steve took us to a Peacekeeper building and put us in a bare room with mirrors on all the walls. He stared at us a little bit, opening his mouth a few times before he spoke. “I’ll be back.” And he left.

I winked over at Hugo. “Thanks. Let’s screw with him some more.” I pulled out my collapsible hat, which I had been smart enough to bring, and uncollapsed it. I took my mom’s necklace out first, just in case Steve decided to take the hat, and put it around my neck, hidden under my shirt. I grinned. “And let’s have some fun.” Hugo didn’t say anything, but he smiled the perfect evil smile.

When he came back in, Steve looked a little put together, but then he froze and stared between us. He stuttered again. “So—so what were you two doing out there when you were supposed to stay in your rooms?”

I sighed. “You sound just like my mother.” Question: was I referring to the fact that I didn’t have a mother or to Volt, who was like a mother to me now? I didn’t even know. “But we told you. A Peacekeeper dragged us out there and just left us. You should be questioning him instead.”

“Then you could play good cop, bad cop together instead of, y’know, letting yourself be outnumbered. By two completely innocent zombies who were just following directions.” Hugo sounded completely innocent. Beautiful.

He looked hopelessly lost. “You—no one was sent to take you anywhere. You’re lying…” He trailed off, so that meant he didn’t really believe that. Ha.

I went for the kill. I batted my eyes at him, and he gulped. “Would we ever lie to you?”

“Yeah. C’mon, buddy. We go way back,” Hugo chimed in. “Name one time we’ve led you astray, eh? You can’t.”

He flushed at that. Probably remembering a certain training day with a certain lady pretending she didn’t know how to use any weapons. Wasn’t me, though. “You—I…”

I sauntered forward and took his hand, looking up at him all innocent. “Find the person who’s really responsible for this, won’t you Mr. Peacekeeper, sir?”

“You wouldn’t let injustice go undone on your watch, would you?” Hugo delivered the finishing blow, putting his hands together under his chin to look like a disconcerting, pleading, too-old-to-be-a-child human.

Steve took one glance at me after his eyes skirted away from Hugo, and he flushed. Poor fellow. This was too easy. He tried to speak, but he couldn’t say anything, and the door opened to save him. Churi. Of course.

But he also look dumbfounded, so ha. He frowned. “Why would you throw all your promises away for an outing that has no gain for you?”

Middle finger. C’mon, that was just an instinct now whenever I saw him. “Actually, I’ve followed my one promise to the letter. As best I can before the Capitol even shows me off on TV. I only agreed to be cooperative on TV.”

The good thing was that Churi was only paying attention to me. His lips thinned, and his eyes burned with anger, and he started to say something, but he stopped himself and thought. “Actually, you’re right. And I should have seen you pulling a loophole like that. I will not let that happen again.” His eyes landed on the necklace, and he smirked. “I’m glad you still have that lost memento of your past.”

I clenched my jaw for a little bit before I could bite out any words through a smile. “Since we didn’t break any rules, surely there can’t be a punishment. Escort us back with the stern talking-to you’re planning.”

Churi nodded and started walking, and I looked back at Hugo with a wink and a grin. “Thanks for being here! It was fun!” I whispered.

“Yeah! I’m glad it worked out, more or less.” He gave me a thumbs up back. It was awesome to have someone on my side.

Once we got back to the apartment, but before he could lock me up again, I looked over at him with an innocent smile. “Do you happen to have Indigo Carmine’s phone number? I’d like to thank her for today.” Banking on the fact that he probably didn’t like her too.

A smile crept across his lips, and he wrote down a number. “Thank her as much as you would like.”

I grinned and snagged it before slamming the door to my room in his face. I would send the video tomorrow morning.

[maple-writes]

Space wip characters as cats and dogs:

Volt: some kind of working breed of dog that gets antsy if they don't have something to do

Richard: A chill shelter mutt that doesn't seem to realize they're too big to be a lap dog. Would do that thing where they hold eggs without cracking them

Skyler: partially feral cat picked up from a dumpster somewhere. Hisses a lot at first but will eventually curl up on your lap.

Warren: purebred toy breed. The kind that's really only bred to be cute and adored by their owners as pets.

Indigo: Barn cat that's a good mouser but hunts endangered bird species instead

Aurora: One of those cats that can be purring one minute and scratching and biting you the next

[maple-writes]

Chazzawrites Challenge #8

Who is your favourite character from your secondary WIP

That is a very tough choice both since there aren’t a whole lot of characters and I like all of them, so I’m going to spin a metaphorical wheel and pick Skyler. He’s the youngest character, at somewhere around 17. He comes off as aggressive and overly reactive, sometimes to the point of threats, but almost every time he’s trying to hide that he’s scared or anxious. He isn’t very good at trusting people and has a habit of driving people away with the whole aggression thing but tbh he could really use some more friends besides Volt and Richard (who are more and more like adoptive parents as time goes on). A lot of it stems from when his mother just handed him over to Umbra Ursi, and the whole situation around that. One of his few friends is a middle-aged guy that runs a corner store that totally only sells 100% legal things. They get along well enough to chat whenever he comes in, and know each other just well enough that if he says something Skyler doesn’t like and he pulls a knife, he knows Skyler’s not actually going to hurt him.

When he feels comfortable and safe (which isn’t always a lot unfortunately) he’s a lot quieter/calmer, and curious about new things. He likes helping Volt work on repairs to the ship, and letting Warren (try to) teach him to cook and whatever else they’re doing if they notice Skyler watching.

Don’t know where I was going with this so I’ll cut it short here lol. 

[maple-writes]

WHG 13: Day Four + Escape

tagging @concealeddarkness13 (still not 100% over what Skylar did to Holt) @ratracechronicler (Absolon and Jaden) @onmywaytobe (Logan and Margot) and @nightskywriter (Clovis) (let me know if I got something wrong about them and I’ll change it up!)

Skylar woke them all up early the next morning, all chipper excitement and smiles. It was much earlier than Skyler would have liked, but between their enthusiasm he couldn’t really be upset about it for long. As they made their way through the marsh towards the barrier, he grinned, holding his net over his shoulder as he walked. Who would have known he’d be getting out of the games not only alive, but with seven friends?

They conjured up a door in the barrier of the arena, and opened it up. The real sun made Skyler squint, but he couldn’t stop smiling. They actually did it, they’d actually gotten them out of the arena. The all of them stood, marveling at the real air, the real breeze, and the fact that they’d actually gotten out of there with their lives.

When he turned back to the arena, Skylar and Holt were still inside wrapped around each other in the kind of kiss pulled straight from the movies.

He rolled his eyes in mock irritation towards the others, a smirk creeping across his face. “You think we should get the wedding bells ringing now or—"

Skylar shoved Holt through the barrier and the door vanished.

For a moment everything froze, and then Holt started screaming. He yelled and slammed is hands against the barrier, shouting at Margot when she tried to talk to him. All Skyler could do was stare, frozen with his heart pounding in his throat.

What were they thinking? They still had their tracker in, didn’t they? The capitol was going to kill them. They didn’t have a chance. Skyler’s face wrenched and his chest tightened. They were safe, they got out, what was Skylar thinking? Why? Why?

Margot stuck Holt with something, catching him as he fell unconscious. “We have to go.” She said, a serious edge in her voice. “Now.”

Logan rushed to her side, helping her drag Holt along. She was in on it too, wasn’t she? Was this what they’d snuck away to talk about last night?

“What’s going on?” Skyler yelled, hands clenched to fists, looking at anyone for some kind of answer. “We can’t just leave them in there!”

“We have to.” Margot sounded like she didn’t like it either, but her tone was final. “If the capitol has a scapegoat to pin this on they’re less likely to come after us and our families.”

Skyler swallowed, turning back to stare at the solid barrier. Skylar wasn’t even there anymore, already vanished somewhere further into the arena. How could they? Everything was going so well. He didn’t want to leave them there, alone against the whole of the capitol. It wasn’t fair.

But Margot was right. They couldn’t stay here, and there was nothing any of them could do here to help them. Not yet. Reluctantly, he turned and followed the others away from the arena. He clenched his teeth, seething with every step. That damned weasel didn’t even give him a chance to even say goodbye. If they expected him to just let them die they were dead wrong.

But as the minutes turned to hours, it was becoming apparent that the arena wasn’t quite as close to the Capitol as they’d all assumed. The lights shone bright and glimmering against early twilight clouds, but each step didn’t seem to take them all that much closer, and it was looking more and more like they wouldn’t make it all the way that night.

Skyler had lost a lot of blood yesterday, and the wound was still sore on his back. He refused to admit to anyone that he was exhausted, but it didn’t look like he was alone. Logan’s ankle seemed to have started bothering him again, and while Jaden’s injury didn’t seem to be as much of an issue as it was before but he’d still slowed enough to be noticeable. Clovis seemed to be hampered too, though Skyler suspected he was no stranger to pushing through injury. Even Margot and Absolon, the only two who hadn’t been seriously hurt, were slowing down. They took turns with Holt, who still hadn’t completely come back around after Margot tranquilized him.

They couldn’t stop yet though, not here. It was too open. Sure there was some tree cover, but they were sparse, young trees, and none of them really knew what was out here. Though at this rate, they wouldn’t really have a choice. At least they’d been left alone since their escape.

Floodlights flicked on from a ground vehicle camouflaged in sparse bushes, catching them all in their light. Skyler jumped, turning to face the vehicle. It was one of the capitol’s, no doubt about it. How hadn’t he noticed it before? He swallowed, glancing around at the rest of them. The racing of his heart told him to run as fast as he could, but he couldn’t. He couldn’t leave the rest of them here. They’d faced enough together to abandon them now.

He tensed, holding out the rod end of his net, and out of the corner of his eye he could see Margot do the same with her spear, passing Holt off to Logan and shielding them both. Clovis braced with the stance of a trained fighter, and Abosolon looked ready to go down swinging.

The side door opened and a woman stepped out. Blinded by the floodlights, Skyler couldn’t see much more than her silhouette of a long jacket and hair tied back. But when she signaled for the floodlights to shut off in favor of gentler headlights, his blood ran cold.

Indigo Carmine.

She gave a too-sweet capitol smile, but her eyes rested sharp on the seven of them like a hawk upon and injured rabbit. “Good evening.”

“What the Hell are you doing here?” Skyler yelled. “If you so much as touch any of us I swear I’ll—”

“Stand down Bluebird, I’m—.”

“Don’t call me that!”

“Fine,” Indigo conceded. “Stand down Dewpoint, because I’m not here to capture you.” She looked over the rest of the group. “None of you actually. That being said, there are people looking for you.”

She looked up at the darkening sky, a look of thought crossing her face. “Hmm… They’ve probably searched most of the perimeter by now. If they haven’t been here yet I doubt they’ll be long.” She paused, crossing her arms and tapping a finger against her cheek. “If they’re smart they’ll have brought some of my sprinter-wolves with them.” Indigo turned her focus back on them with a cruel grin. “Who do you think would come out on top: you, or a pack of wolves with the legs and speed of cheetahs, and a taste for human flesh?”

Skyler stole a glance at Holt, limp arms draped around Logan’s shoulders. Holt was helpless, Logan probably couldn’t run far, and even if they were all unhurt and well rested they probably wouldn’t stand a chance… At the same time though, Indigo was known to lie.

“Just thought you should know what you’re up against before I explain my offer.” The smile returned to her face, just as insincere as before. “I have a place in the capitol tucked away from prying eyes. It’s yours if you want it.”

Skyler snarled. “Sure there is. You’re just going to hand us over to whoever pays up first.”

“Believe whatever you want.” Indigo said. “But trust me, if I wanted you captured we wouldn’t be talking.”

“Sounds like something someone who wanted to kidnap us would say. Let me guess, you've got candy and puppies in the back of your van?" Absolon joked. “Give us one good reason we should believe you.”

Indigo thrust a pointing finger in the direction of the arena. “I spent months improving the jabberjays before the games. They’re the best they’ve ever been! They sound more real, they remember more sounds, they’re louder, they’re faster, they’re relentless in their harassment, they’re a masterpiece. Hell, their voices can break glass now.” She crossed her arms again. “But President Snow, you know what he said? He complained they didn’t look good anymore. They were a bit too colourful, not scary enough, a waste of time.”

She gestured to herself, a hint of anger breaking through her indifferent mask. “He even had the nerve to imply that he could find someone to replace me.” Indigo took a deep breath and faced them again, quickly regaining her composure. “Long story short I think he needs a reminder that he’s not as powerful as he thinks.”

A howl rang out somewhere in the dusk, followed by a chorus of others that sent a chill down Skyler’s spine. He swallowed, and glanced back at the others. They’d heard it too.

Indigo glanced down at her watch. “I’d give them about two minutes.” She looked up again. “I’m going to get back into the van and unlock the side doors. Feel free to join me, otherwise I suggest you start running.”

Before any of them could say anything, Indigo turned and did exactly what she said she would. The seven of them didn’t debate for long before taking her up on the offer. What other choice did they have? She’d planned it that way, hadn’t she? Waited until the last second to force their hand. Typical. Skyler held his tongue though as they loaded into the back of the van. He didn’t want to say anything that would change her mind about protecting them from whatever monster she’d created. As soon as they were alone again though, he’d make sure to warn them about her, and what kind of a person she really was.

As soon as they closed the doors behind them, the driver drove them away and Indigo turned around in her seat to face them.

“Good choice. I usually introduce myself as Ursa Major, but given that I know all your names it only seems fair I let you call me Indigo. May as well get comfortable, we’re about an hour out.” 

[maple-writes]

WHG 13: Home

tagging @concealeddarkness13 @ratracechronicler @onmywaytobe @nightskywriter 

This’ll be the last installment for me—It’s been a blast working with all of you guys! :D 

###

It was almost noon by the time they got all the way to district 8. Skyler brought the hovercraft straight home to one of the landing pads linked to the workshop behind the house. He could see Volt through the windshield, looking up from working on some mechanical part as he powered it down.

He could barely get out of the hovercraft fast enough, throwing the door open and jumping out onto the concrete. He stumbled as he landed, but quickly got his legs back under him and ran until he crashed into Volt almost hard enough to knock her over. He threw his arms around her and she quickly did the same, dropping one  when Skyler winced at pain in his back. Instead, she ran her hand through his hair, holding him close enough to hear the way her breath caught in her throat.

“I,” She finally took a shaky breath. “I can’t believe you’re alive.” She swallowed and rested her head on his shoulder. “You’re alive. You’re alive.”

Skyler nodded with a choked mmhmm. He closed his eyes and cried, loud, wet and breathless. It hadn’t been real, not until now. Not until he was home, and Volt was here and he was safe. He was safe. It was going to be okay. Everything was going to be alright now.

After what was simultaneously an eternity and not nearly long enough, Volt gently drew back. She dried Skyler’s face with her sleeve and took a deep breath. She looked like she must have had a million questions as she finally looked up from him to the capitol ship and everyone watching from the wide open hovercraft door. Her eyes rested on Skylar, and something seemed to click.

“I made allies.” Skyler glanced back at the rest of them. Clovis wasn’t there, probably gone to gather his own loved ones. “Like you said.”

“You sure did.”

He waved them over and started to introduce each of them to Volt, though it occurred to him about halfway through that she probably already knew their names from watching the games. She greeted each of them individually, nonetheless, shaking hands and exchanging polite hellos. When they were done, she stepped back beside Skyler.

“You’re on the run now, aren’t you?” She paused as he, and some of the others nodded, her expression going serious. “Alright.”

Skyler watched as she seemed to think. He hadn’t thought this far ahead himself, amazed enough to just get out of the capitol in one piece.

Volt took a deep breath and nodded once. “Okay. I’ll refuel the ship, disable as many tracking systems as I can, and in the meantime, Skyler,” She turned to him, voice firm. “Do you remember where the emergency supplies are?”

He nodded, grateful that she appeared to have a plan.

“Good. Take your friends and load it, and as much food and anything else we’ll need as you can.” She looked back at the rest of them, locking her eyes with Skylar’s. “If I could ask a favor of you, Skylar, my partner, Warren, is at work right now. They’re a clerk at city hall, and they usually take lunch across the street in the park.” She checked her watch. “In about ten minutes.” She looked back up. “They would probably recognize you from the broadcasts and so be more likely to believe you. I’d understand if you didn’t want to take that risk though, and I can do it myself if you aren’t comfortable with going, but it would cost us time.”

Skylar thought for a moment. “How far away is city hall?”

“Ten minute walk, 15 at most.” Volt answered. “And if you don’t return in half an hour I’ll come looking for you, peacekeepers be damned.”

They agreed, listening closely as Volt described Warren down to what they’d worn out of the house that morning, then they and Holt were gone.

Volt rested her hand on Skyler’s shoulder as she started towards the ship. “I need you to hang in there just a little longer Sky, can you do that?”

He nodded, eyes swimming again as she hurried the rest of the way towards the hovercraft. Then he took a deep breath and turned to the rest of them to call them over, but the were already at his side. That just sent him into a whole new set of tears on it’s own, and there was nothing he could do about it, and his instructions on where everything was in the house came out as little more than whimpering, but no one really seemed to mind.

Clovis came rushing back with a small group of people Skyler hadn’t met before right as Volt finished up with the hovercraft’s configuration and Margot helped Logan load the last of what they would need into the cargo space. Not long after, Skylar and Holt returned, a confused and terrified Warren trailing behind. They froze when they saw Skyler, staring with wide eyes, but looked up when Volt shouted for all of them to get on the ship.

Warren didn’t move, glancing between the ship and Skyler with a look like a lost dog running along a dark highway, and didn’t resist when he took them by the wrist and dragged them into the hovercraft. If they were to wait for Warren to make up their mind no one would be going anywhere until dusk at least, and Skyler figured that if they changed their mind they wouldn’t hold a grudge over being kidnapped.

As soon as he got inside, Skyler counted heads and shut the door. The engines came to life and he could feel the hovercraft taking off beneath him, far smoother than when he’d done it in the capitol. He glanced at the others, already starting to mingle with the ones Clovis brought with him, before turning back to Warren.

They stared down at him, still seeming to be in disbelief over, well, everything. “You should be dead.”

Skyler scrunched his face, and Warren’s eyes widened again.

“No no no, not like that! I don’t mean it like that!” They ran a nervous hand through their hair. “I just, I, you died.” Their eyes wandered to the rest of them. “All of you died. I filed your death certificate myself.”

“Well I’m not.” Skyler grumbled. “Sorry for the paperwork.”

Their shoulders fell and they smiled, opening their arms in invitation, and Skyler leaned for the hug. It was far more gentle than Volt’s, nothing that would have given Absolon a fit over what was left of his wound.

“Hey,” they spoke unusually softly. “I’m glad you’re okay Skyler.”

Skyler swallowed and took a jittery breath, cursing how he couldn’t seem to go a solid minute without bawling. This only seemed to further spook Warren, and it occurred to him that they’d probably never seen him cry.

They carefully pulled away. “You look exhausted.”

He nodded, and Warren shrugged off his jacket. They draped it over his shoulders.

“Go sleep, I’m sure we can talk later.”

Right. Skyler drifted away from Warren and the rest of the group, but didn’t bother making it all the way into one of the little rooms before settling down right on the floor and curling up under Warren’s jacket. He could still hear the others, talking, introducing themselves to Warren, and Clovis’ friends. It was going to be okay, finally, somehow. It probably wasn’t going to be easy, but the combination of everyone in this hovercraft, and the others they’d be picking up in the other districts, it would be enough. They’d figure something out, and it didn’t really matter where they ended up, as long as they were safe.

Skyler closed his eyes, and before long the hum of the hovercraft’s engine and the conversation in the cabin lulled him to sleep.

[maple-writes]

WHG: 13 Heist Part Two

tagging @concealeddarkness13 @onmywaytobe @nightskywriter and @ratracechronicler (let me know if you’d like to change anything!)

(Also: Heads up for swearing in this one)

The party was a lot. People everywhere, music playing loud, more food and drinks than he’d ever seen in one place… It was almost too much to take in. How Rat and Absolon were able to immediately jump into their roles as party-goers, he had no idea, and couldn’t help but be just a little jealous. Soon enough though, he started to loosen up. It had been almost eight years since he’d lived in the capitol, speaking and acting like anyone else on this rooftop, but with a little effort he managed the right mannerisms and intonations. Well, besides the swearing and general prickliness whenever someone said something he didn’t like. Which given the crowd, was quite often.

Those bold enough to ask him to dance anyway though seemed to find it charming. Before long he’d had a handful of invitations to return home for the night and a small collection of phone numbers in his pocket.

He didn’t notice Rat come up to him until she clasped him on the shoulder with a sneaky grin. “I could make some very persistent telemarketers very happy with those.”

Skyler dropped the slips of paper into her hand. “Knock yourself out.”

She pocketed the numbers and disappeared back into the crowd, plucking something shiny from someone’s purse as she went.

The sun had all but set now, lights shining bright on the rooftop and drowning out any hint of stars. Skyler swallowed. It probably wouldn’t be long now. Absolon had spread the word the Indigo placed the tracker, and Jaden looked to be almost done with Skylar’s shock device. Skyler picked up what looked like some kind of overly fancy lemon tart from one of the tables and looked back out at the crowd.

Best bet to land the hovercraft would probably be square in the middle of the dance floor. The string lights didn’t look nearly strong enough to cause much trouble. He took a bite of the tart and squinted up at the darkening sky. Other hovercrafts circled, no doubt monitoring from above. He swallowed. He hadn’t expected so many of them up there, and he didn’t know how fast any one of them might have been, or if any of them carried anything that could down their own hovercraft.

Out of the corner of his eye he noticed Clovis approaching. Neither looked at each other as he stopped beside him and snagged four chocolate covered strawberries.

“Jaden hacked the dog and he’s almost done with Skylar.” Clovis spoke in a whisper.

Skyler pretended to ignore him as he went for another lemon tart. “I want to land in the middle of the dance floor.”

“I’ll let Margot and Logan know.”

He left, passing by the two of them on his way to continue chatting with a group of older ladies on the dance floor, delivering the strawberries to each of them with a friendly smile. Skyler watched for a moment before his eyes wandered to Indigo. She stood up near Snow’s table, laughing with someone he didn’t recognize. Funny. Part of him didn’t realize that she actually knew how to laugh, but he didn’t linger on the thought long. It as probably about time he started to track down Holt anyway.

A shout caught his attention, and Skyler quickly realized he wouldn’t have to look very hard. Holt stood with his hand clenched in a fist as a well dressed man fell to the floor. In seconds, Clovis and Absolon were by his side, ganging up on him for what Holt told them he said about Skylar.

Skyler clenched his teeth in anger, but as much as he also wanted to join in beating the shit out of that asshole, they had to go. He tapped him on the shoulder and turned towards the door. “Lets go.”

He nodded, and the two of them slipped into the stairwell. It wasn’t as fancy as the elevator, but chances were lower anyone would notice their escape, especially not with the full on brawl breaking out on the roof. Their footsteps echoed as they hurried down the stairs, neither daring to speak a word until they’d rushed to where the hovercraft was waiting for them. Just as promised, the door was unlocked and the place was theirs.

Skyler’s heart raced as he led Holt towards their craft and directed them to help slide the door open. He hoped he didn’t notice how much he trembled as he hopped up into the ship, electing not to waste time lowering the ramp.

He turned back to help haul Holt inside before starting to make his way to the front. “We just have to get this craft up in the air and crash that party.”

Holt worked on shutting the door them. “Are you okay? Are you nervous?”

So he had noticed. Skyler paused, and let out a nervous laugh. “I’m the one everyone’s counting on for our escape. It’s hard not to be nervous.” Considering all the ways he alone could get them all killed if he messed anything up. “I’m sorry.”

He decided now wasn’t the best time to reveal he’d never actually pulled off a maneuver as complicated as this one was all on his own and that he was about to break almost every flight rule Volt had ever taught him to follow.

“It makes sense. It’s fine to be nervous.” Holt sounded so sure, and Skyler  couldn’t help but be comforted at least a little bit. Until a booming voice from the mansion came muffled through the walls of the hovercraft. “We probably should get going, though.”

He nodded and slipped into the cockpit. Yesterday he’d gone and adjusted everything for his height, since it turned out that the average capitol pilot was noticeable taller. He took a deep breath and started flipping switches and adjusting settings to power up the hovercraft, muttering the checklist under his breath as he went. It hummed to life, lights glowing on the control panel and flickering on along the outside of the ship. Skyler turned those ones off. Any other day Volt would have had his head for that, but she didn’t have to know he’d flown a hovercraft with no lights at night.

Skyler double checked the system, took a deep breath, threw on the radio headset and brought the hovercraft up and out. It responded wonderfully.

The path was clear as they shot up to the roof of the mansion. Margot and Logan had cleared a spot just big enough to land. Perfect. Ignoring the shaking in his arms, he pushed the control wheel down, dialed back the power in the engines and set it down only a little harder than he would have liked.

Dead ahead through the windshield, a video of Snow put together to make him out to be a fool played, and the president in question couldn’t do much but glare as Skylar and the rest of them ran towards the open door of the hovercraft.

The mutt bounded towards him at the head table, and Skyler could see Indigo duck her head just in time for it to leap, clearing her back and slamming fangs-first into President Snow. He crumpled and his staff rushing to his side as soon as Absolon called the dog back. Indigo barely hid her laughter, twisting around in her chair to face the hovercraft. She met his eyes through the windshield with an expression that almost looked like pride.

“Clear!”

Someone called out from the back and Skyler wasted no time ramping up the thrust to the engines and sending the hovercraft shooting up, scattering anything not bolted down to the rooftop in it’s wake.

“Unknown Hovercraft, land immediately.”

He turned around and pressed the button to respond. “This is Unknown Hovercraft. Go fuck yourself.”

Volt would not have been happy with that radio call.

“Unknown Hovercraft I repeat: land immediately or you will be shot down.”

So those other crafts were weaponized after all. “This is Unknown Hovercraft. I repeat: go fuck yourself.”

He gripped the controls and pushed, sending the hovercraft into a drop, plummeting between buildings and stopping a just short of the roads below before flying forwards, darting down any street wide enough to accommodate them as he put distance between their hovercraft and the president’s mansion. This low to the ground it wasn’t likely they’d show up on radar, and with all exterior lights off they could hide between the buildings like a bird through the trees.

Skyler swallowed. If he managed not to crash straight into a building anyway. He probably should have told everyone in the back to put on seat belts or hold on until they got out of the city, but they’d probably figured that out by now.

Every muscle in his body tensed as he ducked through unfamiliar streets. Ground warnings blared through the cockpit, the warning light flashing only half as quickly as his heartbeat. If it weren’t for the threat of being found he would have slowed down, but they couldn’t get caught or it was all over. Every time a dark shape moved above them in the corner of his eye he darted into another street, more than once coming painfully close to clipping glass windows, close enough to see people staring at the hovercraft with disbelief. His arms shook and his knuckles went white the further out they went, buildings getting lower and lower further form the city center, forcing the craft nearer and nearer to the ground.

He dropped to just barely a metre between the roads and the bottom of the hovercraft. Houses and streetlights flew by on either side of the cockpit window, almost eye level with citizens rushing out of his way in shock. More warnings and more cautions joined the constant scream of the ground warning. Skyler could only imagine what the rest of them in the back must be thinking.

Hopefully they weren’t looking out the windows.

If he didn’t crash before they got out of the capitol Volt was going to kill him herself if she found out he’d flown so low, weaving in and out of increasingly narrow streets. But they were close now, closer with every second to the edge of the city with only the mountains between them and freedom.

What if that’s where they were waiting for them? Right along that mountain ridge. Skyler dared a quick glance up at the dark slopes. He’d be vulnerable, climbing to go over them, easy to see. Easy to shoot down without worrying about carnage landing on any important part of the city.

He veered down a bigger street until it met the train tracks. He pointed the craft towards the tunnel through the mountains and sped along the straight path towards the mouth. The train left for Robin’s district only yesterday. It wouldn’t be back to the capitol for at least a couple days.

Skyler guided the hovercraft straight into the middle of the tunnel. Everything went dark besides the glow of the instrument panel. He didn’t dare look away from the indicators. The tunnel was long, it was narrow, but it was perfectly straight. If he could keep it level, keep it from even the smallest roll left or right, they’d be out in the longest few seconds of his life.

The hovercraft shot out of the tunnel and he immediately pulled into a sharp climb. As soon as he was high enough, he accelerated as fast is it would go. The engines roared to life with the sudden increase in power before settling into an efficient hum. Trees and terrain turned to a blur as the lights grew weaker and weaker behind them.

Slowly, Skyler leaned back in his seat. Tension eased from his shoulders, and his grip on the control column relaxed. No sign of pursuit. No warnings or beeping from the control panel. No threats through the radio.

Stars started to show in the night sky, no longer smothered by the capitol’s lights. They swam in Skyler’s vision as tears welled up in his eyes, sliding hot down his cheeks. He rubbed his face with the cuff of his sleeve. The capitol, the hunger games, everything was behind them now. It didn’t feel real.

But the cheers in the hovercraft behind him were 100% real. So were the jeers towards the capitol and tired laughter. Finally out of danger, Skyler reached for the PA mic and turned it on.

“Is everyone here?” Hopefully they were because he was reluctant to turn around and go back. Probably should have asked that before they left the roof. Oops.

Absolon responded, shouted through the cabin. “Yes, everyone’s here. Thanks”

Skyler grinned. “Glad everyone got on! I was worried I would leave someone behind, but when I heard the doors close, I took off.” He laughed, probably too close to the audio receiver as he held it to his face. “Good job on a successful heist, everyone!

It sounded like Skylar said something in protest, but it quickly broke down to tears. In the back he could hear the others doing their best to comfort them, sharing stories, until they started to sound a little less upset.

“So,” he leaned into the receiver again. “when can I come back there and slap Skylar?”

They laughed, and Skyler smiled. The all of them must have moved a little closer to the flight deck, and he could hear what they were saying better now.

“…what about all of our families?”

This time he just twisted around in his seat and raised his voice instead of going for the intercom. “I’m going to be heading to everyone’s places to get family and friends.” He glanced back through the windshield. All clear. “I just need to stop and get Volt first, since she’ll help me pilot the hovercraft.” By the time they got into the districts he would be well in need of a relief pilot.

The others kept talking, but Skyler slowly tuned them out as he turned back around. This was the closest he’d really been alone since the arena. He glanced down at the map display. Still a decent ways to go to district 8. He yawned, for the first time realizing just how tired he was after all that. After barely sleeping in the capitol, sleeping even less in the arena, getting through the party and completing the most stressful flight of his life. He wouldn’t blame the others for taking the chance to get some rest before they landed, but he would have to wait until Volt could take over.

Skyler stretched his legs out as far as they would go without bumping the controls. Maybe he’d ask Absolon to sit with him later to keep him awake, since it didn’t look like he’d be able to sleep for at least a couple weeks anyway.

[maple-writes]

WHG 13: Day One

Tagging: @concealeddarkness13 (feat. Skylar) @onmywaytobe @nightskywriter @ratracechronicler

Skyler had barely slept last night, knowing that the games were about to start but standing on his podium now he felt wide awake. His legs trembled and everything seemed to big, too real. It was really happening. This was the real thing.

The rest of the tributes circled the cornucopia full of anything Skyler could ever need. But it didn’t matter. Running straight for it was certain death. Besides, he’d managed to keep the multi-tool Volt gave him. His stylist likely knew he had it—he had to have seen it when he was putting on the arena jumpsuit—but for some reason or another hadn’t told anyone about it. Made him feel a little bit worse about biting him that first day.

Focus. He swallowed and forced his head up, scanning the rest of the tributes. He could pick out Skylar on one end of the cornucopia, and Holt—he was pretty sure that was actually his name this time—on the other. But he had no idea who else it was that they might have talked to about their plan. He had no idea who the other hacker they told him about might have been. For all he knew it could be anyone, but he wasn’t ready to take that risk.

The cannon blasted and the games begun.

Skyler half-jumped, half-fell off his podium, his heart stuck in his throat. People moved everywhere in front of him as some rushed the center and others fled to the surrounding trees. He froze, staring wide-eyed at the chaos in front of him a moment longer before turning and running away, scooping up what looked like a butterfly net on the outskirts of the clearing. It was better than nothing.

Already cannon shots rang out through the air, only urging Skyler to run faster, twigs and foliage whipping him as he fled. At least twice he tripped and fell to the muddy ground. That would probably hurt later, but now all he thought about was running, as fast as he could, as far as he could, until he could barely breathe and had to stop.

He braced himself against a nearby tree, gasping for air. Hopefully he’d gotten far enough to buy himself some time to try and figure himself out. He glanced down at the net in his hand. It looked sturdy enough to deal a painful enough blow if he had to use it, but he could probably try his hand at catching fish or small animals with it too. If he had to survive by eating minnows and bugs then so be it.

The forest around him was quiet, almost peaceful, so he started to explore. It was warm, not as bad under the tree cover as it was in the clearing. There certainly seemed to be plenty of insects to catch, crawling on trees and flittering through the air. May as well start now.

It took him a few tries, but eventually he managed to catch what he guessed was probably a beetle as it flew by. No idea what kind it was, or if it really was a beetle, but it didn’t look poisonous. He crushed it’s head with the pliers of his tool, hoping that it was dead when it stopped moving. It didn’t look very good, but he was going to get hungry sooner or later and his jumpsuit had pockets so he might as well catch what he could now.

Who knows how long later, and Skyler was looking for what would be his fourteenth bug when a twig snapped behind him. He whirled, gripping his net, but it was just Skylar.

They laughed. “A butterfly net? Nice!”

He lowered the net, starting to relax. Skylar’s casual tone and confident demeanor were contagious, and he had to admit he was glad to see a familiar face.

“You’re here for my answer?” They nodded, and he thought for a moment. “So, you really think that you’ll be able to help me escape? Would you be able to get me a hovercraft too?”

Their smile didn’t fade as they replied. “I should be able to get us all out, as long as I stay alive for that. I’m not so sure about the hovercraft, but I’ll discuss it with the other hacker. So, would you like to join?”

Skyler hesitated. Without the hovercraft, part of him worried it would be a hard sell for him to convince whatever group they were pulling together to not leave him behind. What would they need him for otherwise? He got the sense that both them and Holt were probably smarter than him, and the other hacker was probably clever too.

But at the same time, he also got the sense that neither of them seemed to be fighters. Maybe they were vulnerable, though surviving the bloodbath had to count for something. Either way, what choice did he really have?

He nodded. “If it means I have more of a chance of surviving, then yes, I’ll join.”

[maple-writes]

WHG 13: Post Games 1

tagging @concealeddarkness13 @ratracechronicler @onmywaytobe @nightskywriter

(Basically just a continuation of the last one)

Indigo led the way from the parking garage into the elevator, letting them all in first to take her place by the doors as they closed.  “I have to admit watching all of your tribute interviews was the most entertaining thing I’ve seen in a long time.” She pressed a button and the elevator started to rise with a gentle hum. “I wasn’t planning to attend the show this year, but I ended up changing my mind and it was well worth the price of admission.”

She turned to face them, leaning against the elevator wall. Skyler stared down at the floor, all but glaring a hole into the tile as his blood boiled. The stupid elevator was too small. He clenched his fists, fingernails digging into his palms.

“You could just feel the tension almost from the start, and how Cesar seemed more and more flustered as the show went on, though he’s a good actor I’ll give him that.” Indigo laughed, then gestured towards Jaden. “Then you came on stage, and now that was a show. I’ll admit for a moment there you even had me a bit worried.” She smiled. “If that’s the kind of thing you’re capable of and ever want to make some money, I can think of more than a few things I could use you for.”

Skyler snapped his head up, anger flaring hot under his skin. “Don’t you dare!”

Indigo shrugged. “Or not.” She paused as the door dinged and slid open to a short hallway. With a quick wave of her arm she led the way out. “But anyway, you should have seen the post-interview party. Let’s just say our friend Cesar had a rough night.” She drew a key from her pocket and unlocked the door at the end of the hall, pushing it open and leading the way inside.

Skyler hesitated in the doorway, his heart starting to pound and legs starting to feel shaky. The elevator had been hard enough, and now she was trying to lead him through a door that could be locked. He wanted to run, and he wanted to hide, but there was nowhere for him to go. He hung back as Margot led the way in, carrying a half-woken Holt. Nausea knotted in his gut and he had to take a long, deep breath before working up the nerve to step inside after the others. They wouldn’t let anything happen to him, and he didn’t need Indigo to know that he was still afraid of her.

It seemed like she hadn’t waited for him, already showing them around the flat.

“Feel free to use whatever you like,” Indigo gestured around at the space. “The TV works, kitchen works, but I’ve left the contact information for one of my assistants. If you want to order instead of cooking, let him know and he’ll sort it out. Just be nice to him” She shot a look at Skyler. “And don’t bite him again, please, I don’t want to have to give him hazard pay.”

Skyler crossed his arms. “If I’d known he was one of yours I would have bitten him harder.”

Indigo ignored him. “I’ll leave my own contact too, and a set of keys on the counter. Let me know if you need anything and I’ll see what I can do, but I have a meeting soon so we can talk later.”

She made her way back to the door, reaching for the handle, but seemed to remember something. “By the way,” She turned around to face them all again. “I’m sure Skyler will tell you some things about me that are less than flattering, and it will probably all be true. However,” her smile vanished, replaced by a cold stare. “If anything happens to me, my subordinates will notice, and within twenty-four hours you can expect retaliation against your families. If we don’t know who they are, then your districts instead.” She held her stare a moment longer before the smile returned to her lips. “Goodnight.”

[maple-writes]

WHG 13: Day Three

Tagging @concealeddarkness13 @onmywaytobe  @nightskywriter and @ratracechronicler 

(Also me? finishing a scene while it’s still light out instead of in the middle of the night? Must be a miracle)

That morning there was an announcement of a feast at the cornucopia, which there was no way in hell Skyler was going to try and get in on. But other tributes might not feel the same, and he hoped that meant that the rest of the marsh would be safer, with fewer potential enemies around for at least a few hours. The night before, Skylar had walked him through which buttons to press and all that to get control of the cameras scattered all around the arena, and today he set out to widen the camera free zone around their camp.

When he found his first camera tucked away in a tree he tried the way they’d showed him at first, but quickly decided that it was faster to just rip the whole thing out of the tree, unscrew the plates protecting the more delicate internal systems and just kind of crush the whole thing.

The heat of the marsh was definitely starting to get old though, and he was starting to hope it would rain, but it didn’t look like that would be happening anytime soon. Not that it mattered much; if all went well they could be out of here by tomorrow.

Skyler turned his focus back on the next camera he’d found, hidden as part of a big red flower. It was much easier to get free than the one crammed into the tree, and he quickly got to unscrewing the shiny panels at the back. Leave it to the capitol to insist on having even the metal casing of a camera to be all polished up. It was almost like a mirror at this point, a hazy reflection of his own face and the leaves behind him on it’s surface.

A figure appeared behind him on the reflection only a split second before a knife plunged into his back.

He staggered forward, panic overriding the pain in as he fled. But it wasn’t long before he had to gasp for breath and the ground seemed to spin under his feet. How far was he from the camp? He gagged, catching himself against a spindly tree. He could barely breathe, pain radiating from his back with every breath. He had to lean against trees and rocks as he dragged himself in what he hoped was the direction of the camp.

Skyler’s legs gave out and he fell, slamming into the dirt. He struggled to find a grip on the ground to get back up, but his arms shook and he couldn’t do it. He couldn’t get up. Tears blurred his vision further. He didn’t want to die. He wanted to go home.

Someone ran up to him, grabbing hold of one of his arms. Skyler snarled and wrenched his arm away, swiping blindly, frantically, at the attacker. If he was going to die he sure as hell wasn’t going to make it easy. He closed his hand around the grip of his multi-tool to ram the screwdriver into whoever’d come to pick him off, but froze when he spoke.

“Hey!” It was Logan’s voice. “It’s me!”

This time he didn’t resist when Logan helped him to stand, doing his best to support him as  they stumbled the rest of the way back to the camp. Logan called out for help when they got closer to the clearing. Skyler was only vaguely aware of the others as they came to help, everything turning to a blur as someone, probably Absolon, treated the injury. It dawned on him that he was actually going to be okay. No one had tried to finish him off, they hadn’t left him to die… He was safe here. They’d all be out of here soon, and everything was going to be okay. He’d have to thank Skylar later when they all got out, for approaching him in the training center that day.

[maple-writes]

WHG 13: Day Two

Tagging @concealeddarkness13 @ratracechronicler (I may have stole Jaden a little bit, let me know if anything needs changing) @nightskywriter and @onmywaytobe 

The second day was quickly shaping up to be as hot as the first, sun beating down on any unfortunate patch of dirt not protected the leaves of stout trees. Skylar had left early, with one of the tributes from district 12, Absolon. His friend didn’t seem to be going anywhere fast though, still resting from what looked like it had probably been a nasty stomach wound. Skyler was actually surprised he was alive at all, given the amount of blood on his clothes. He was a bit relieved he was still sleeping though. After what he’d done at the interviews, Absolon’s friend made him nervous. It hadn’t just been what he’d done with the lights, but the implication that he might still have some kind of plan up his sleeve.

The other two tributes that had joined last night put him on edge too, especially Margot and her spears. She and Logan seemed happy to keep to themselves, and at some point Holt went out to forage. To be honest, he didn’t really mind the peace and quiet. After yesterday’s mad dash and another night of poor sleep, he was sore and tired, and more than content to keep catching bugs around their camp and start sharpening sticks with knife of his pocket knife. With the sun warming his back and the birds singing in the trees, it was easy to forget he was in the arena at all, and he couldn’t help but relax just a little bit. He’d tried a couple of the insects too, and made a mental note to try and cook them next time there was a fire when the texture nearly made him gag.

Eventually though, Absolon’s friend started to stir. Skyler looked up. The others seemed like they hadn’t gotten back yet from wherever they’d gone off to. He’d hoped that he would have been back by the time his friend woke up, but it didn’t look like that would be the case.

Skyler stood and rummaged through the first aid kit left behind until he found one of the little water bottles inside. He carried it over in one hand, holding one of his sharpened sticks in the other just in case, and stood over him, not sure what to do. What was he supposed to say?

Before he could answer his own question, Absolon’s friend woke up. Their eyes met and Skyler froze. He looked a little worse for wear, and understandably confused, but didn’t seem about to try anything. He looked better, more alert than he’d thought he would, but probably not up to launching an attack. Skyler opened up the water bottle, set it on the ground beside him and backed away out of reach before settling down again. He watched Absolon’s friend out of the corner of his eye though, as he started to get up but seemed to think twice about it.

“What...” Absolon’s friend propped himself up enough to see Skyler, looking around the clearing as if searching for something. “What happened, where is Absolon?

“He’s alive.” Skyler glanced towards the quiet forest. “He went out with Skylar a while ago.”  

He seemed to think for a moment, and Skyler’s shoulders tensed. What if he thought he was lying? He swallowed. If something happened to Skylar and Absolon, it wouldn’t look good for him. He was probably safe for now, but as soon as Absolon’s friend regained his strength he couldn’t be so sure. But Volt had told him he needed to make friends in the arena.

“It’s been quiet all morning. I don’t think they went far.” Skyler watched him, trying to gauge his reaction, but there didn’t seem to be much of one. “They shouldn’t be long.” Hopefully.

Either Absolon’s friend believed him, or maybe he just hadn’t woken up enough to really question what Skyler was saying, but whatever the reason he didn’t press for answers. Skyler sighed, relieved when he reached for the water instead. He turned his focus back to his sticks and put another bug in his mouth. The texture still sucked, but it didn’t taste as bad as before. Was it rude to not offer one to Absolon’s friend?

Making friends, he was supposed to be making friends. “Hey,” he took a deep breath and held out a beetle from his pocket. “Do you, uh, want some?”

Absolon’s friend declined.

[maple-writes]

WHG 13: Interview

@concealeddarkness13 @ratracechronicler @onmywaytobe (collab buddies!)

The stylist and his team were definitely wary this time around, jumpy whenever he turned too quickly towards any of them. But Skyler had seen the way he seemed to display the bite mark he’d left on his hand on the first day, boasting like it was some kind of trophy. Or maybe just a novelty. It didn’t make any sense, but then again, when did anyone from the capitol make any sense?

His stylist stood in front of him, grinning from ear to ear. “You aren’t nervous, are you?”

Skyler looked up, slow to respond. He was pretty sure someone had slipped some kind of sedative into something he ate, probably to make him easier to deal with. If the stylist and his team were in on it though, they didn’t show it.

“Cause I think you’re going to like what I’ve whipped up for you today!” The stylist practically beamed. “I can’t wait to see it on you.”

He leaned to the side, trying to see around the stylist to peek at the outfit he was talking about, but he shook his head.

“Not yet, I want it to be a surprise!” He smiled. “No peeking!”

Skyler glared. “This had better not be some kind of trick,” He spoke low, threatening. “If you don’t want to loose your eyes.”

“Of course not!” He stood up straight as a board. “I promise you, or I’d gouge them out myself!”

Fine. Skyler clenched his teeth and closed his eyes, letting the stylist do what he wanted. Part of him couldn’t help but find the stylist charming, the way he seemed to react to his violence with excitement. The other part of him found it unnerving.

Finally, he let him open his eyes and wheeled in a full length mirror. Skyler took a deep breath, bracing himself for whatever it was that the stylist had thrown together, but when he opened his eyes, he couldn’t look away.

It was a jet black suit with a short shoulder cape, but the pattern. Vibrant blue and yellow splattered across the dark background, bright and venomous. The kind of pattern and colors that warned of potent venom. Black gloves laid over his hands like a second skin, each finger tipped with red mimic claws.

“If you’ll let us near your face,” the stylist started. “We can continue the coloration around your eyes. But for now, if you’ll open your mouth…”

Skyler hesitated, but curiosity won over and he did as he told. The stylist worked quickly, fitting something thin and pliable over his teeth. He stepped back, beaming with pride as Skyler leaned into the mirror and opened his mouth.

Whatever the stylist had made the prothesis out of looked no different from his own teeth, but these were blood red and sharp. He ran his tongue over the bottom points. There were softer than they looked, and thankfully didn’t seem to get in the way of talking.

“You like it?” The stylist asked. When Skyler nodded, he grinned and feigned relief. “Glad I get to keep my eyes after all.”

#

It seemed to take forever, the wait in the hallway for his turn to interview. He didn’t know what he wanted to say once he got up there, truth be told he didn’t really want to say anything. But this was his last chance to make an impression, and he knew Volt would be watching.

The tribute before him left the stage and they ushered him up the stairs without a chance for a second thought.

The lights shone bright and he had to take a second to for his eyes to adjust, but it seemed to make the colors of his clothes gleam bright and dangerous against the dark fabric. He found Cesar waiting for him in the center of the stage, and artificial smile plastered across his face. Skyler glanced back the way he’d come, but the doorway was blocked by a peacekeeper who seemed to watch him like a hawk.

Nerves bit at his throat, under all the eyes of the crowd, of the cameras and the bright lights. He finally noticed Cesar waving him forward with grand gestures of his arm. There were chairs set up, one for each of them, a little table in between with a decorative vase and flowers, probably fake.

He crossed the stage, eyes fixed on Cesar to try and drown out the crowd. How good were the cameras? Could they pick up how his legs shook? Or were they focused on his face? Hopefully. He hated to admit it, but the stylist had done a good job with his makeup.

“Skyler Dewpoint!” Cesar welcomed him with sweeping arms, gesturing for him to take a seat. “Welcome!”

He scowled, but sat down anyway. The interviews weren’t that long. He could get through this. He glanced up at one of the cameras. Volt was probably watching him right now, begging him through the screen not to do anything stupid.

Cesar took his own seat, watching him with glee. “You’ve been quite the troublemaker, haven’t you?” He looked out to the audience’s amused faces for a moment. “To be quite honest I’m a little afraid of you myself.”

There was no way he was being honest. He probably didn’t know how.

“So Skyler, you’ve just got to tell us what you did for the judges.” Cesar leaned forward. "Not every day that a tribute gets a solid zero.”

He had cried, that’s what he did.  It was the first time he’d been more or less truely alone since he got there, and it was like everything hit him at once. He’d tried to focus, to do something but it was just too much. Sinking to the cold ground, helpless to stop the tears welling in his eyes or the racing of his thoughts, he’d cried on the floor in front of the judges.

“That’s none of your business.” Skyler growled.

“Oh but—”

“Ask me about something else.”

Cesar looked ruffled, but only for a moment before regaining his composure. “Well I certainly don’t want to get bitten today.” He chuckled and got comfortable. “So tell me, surely you must have family back home?”

He held Cesar’s stare. As much as he counted Volt as family, he didn’t dare say her name, not after how much he’d probably angered the capitol.

“Actually,” Skyler leaned back in his chair, venom dripping from his voice. “I was born here.”

Cesar blinked, and the crowd started to murmur. Would he regret letting that out? Maybe. He hadn’t even told most of the people he knew back home, though he was sure many of them had speculated. Skyler half-grinned at their expressions. It must have been a shock, finding out they weren’t all that different from him.

“My parents are probably watching this right now.” He continued. “Hell, they might even be in the audience.”

“Good one,” Cesar tried to brush him off.

Skyler lowered his voice. “Are you calling me a liar? Because I’m not.”

“Well then, isn’t this an interesting turn of events?” He didn’t seem to know quite how to react. “Anything you’d like to say to them if they are listening in?”

Skyler shrugged. “The least they could do is sponsor me.”

[maple-writes]

WHG 13: Training

Tagging @concealeddarkness13 (Thanks for Skylar and Holt!)

The training center was huge, and Skyler couldn’t help but feel small compared to it. He’d been locked in his room in the tower for hours after biting his stylist, trying to steal one of the horses after the chariot ride, and throwing a glass at his mentor’s head. Basically the opposite of what Volt told him to do. Part of him was almost glad she was all the way back in district 8 and he wouldn’t have to face her knowing he’d fucked up.

He shook out his head and started to wander around the edge of the room, grateful to finally get to stretch his legs a little bit. There were a dizzying amount of stations to choose from, sprawled across the room, and he couldn’t help but notice the lack of windows. He forced a deep breath and tried to push the thought from his mind, massaging at his still-sore shoulder.

The other tributes, it looked like, had been here for a while before he got arrived. A lot of them had probably already started forming alliances and sizing each other up. He had a lot of catching up to do, if he were to learn anything or make allies of his own. Even then, he’d probably be better off holding back on physical training if he had any hope of his shoulder feeling better by the time he was in the arena.

He almost didn’t notice the two tributes approaching until they both stopped right in front of him. Skyler stiffened, eyeing the both of them. He recognized them as one of the couples of the chariot ride, but couldn’t for the life of him remember their names or districts. One of them was smiling, the other looking away.

“What do you want?”

One of them stuck a hand out. “My name is Skylar! I’m non-binary, so please call me by they/them pronouns! And your name is also Skyler! It’s nice to meet you! I have a proposal!"

Skyler bristled, crossing his arms like their hand wasn’t there. He felt like he should have been irritated by being reminded of his own name, but his heart sank instead. Warren was the same way. He should have told Volt to pass along a goodbye for them before he left, and now it was too late. They were a good friend of Volt’s, and even though Skyler didn’t get along with them all the time, he felt bad for forgetting all about them as he waited to be stuffed into the train.

He choked the memory back before facing Skylar again. “Who cares? We’re all dead anyway.”

But that smile never seemed to leave their face. “Yeah, that’s true. At least with that attitude. But from a different perspective, we’re all allies against the insidious machinations of the “illustrious Capitol”. If you want to get out so badly, why not join us? We’ve now got two master hackers, and we’re going to pull a heist against the Capitol. At least a subtle one. I’ll figure out how to get us out once we’ve had our fun.”

Oh, so this was no ordinary proposal of alliance. He glanced between Skylar and the man beside them. Heath? Hank? Neither name sounded right. He’d have to find out later. But if they were planning a heist… Even with their two hackers, it wouldn’t be easy but still, if he was going to go down either way…

They raised a hand. “Think about it. I don’t need your response now. I’ll find you in the arena, and then you can give me your response. Good luck out there!”

And with that, both of them were gone. Skyler watched them go. Maybe they weren’t so out there with their idea. After all, it wasn’t like he knew what a good hacker couldn’t and couldn’t do. He started to walk, keeping to the edge of the training center to try and hide a grin from the peacekeepers watching him from the entrance. They said they’d figure out how to get them out when they were all done. If their plan worked, and they could somehow get him a hovercraft… They were probably similar enough to the ones Volt took him out on back home.

[maple-writes]

WHG 13: Post Games 4

tagging @concealeddarkness13 @ratracechronicler @onmywaytobe and @nightskywriter

Skyler kept a pace behind Indigo, eyes burning a hole into the back of her head as she brought him into the hanger. He hadn’t wanted to go with her alone, but she’d insisted that too many of them ran the chance of drawing too much attention. At least she hadn’t tried to talk to him on the ride over, content to let him glare out the window and pretend he was anywhere else.

When they were both inside though, she turned to him and gestured to the hovercrafts parked inside. “I’ll let you go ahead, take a look around.”

Skyler walked past her, footsteps echoing hollow in the empty hanger. He looked up at the crafts as he passed them. Most seemed to be only slight variations on the same models, and all of them were years newer than anything Volt had back at home. Judging by their engines, probably faster too. Much faster. Shinier too.  He slowed, craning his neck to look up at his reflection in the metal siding.

Was that really him? He looked… Small. He looked tired, wary, like a rabbit pressing itself into the grass ready to bolt at the slightest hint of danger.

“So, what do you think?”

He turned at Indigo’s voice, thankful she kept her distance. “If they work, any one of them will do fine.”

She hmmed, not bothering with her usual smile, it wouldn’t do anything to fool him anyway. “Alright, I’ll see what I can do then.” Indigo glanced up at the hovercraft a moment before resting her eyes back on Skyler. “You said Volt taught you how to operate it, right?”

He nodded, slowly crossing his arms.

“Alright.” She paused again. “How much solo experience do you have? I can get you a craft, but a co-pilot’s a whole other story.”

Skyler clenched his jaw. He didn’t have a lot of time under his belt as the sole pilot, any time he’d been out it was always with Volt, and more often than not she was the one in charge of the controls. He’d only started branching out to flying himself in the last year, and only had the chance to over solo landing a handful of times.

Indigo gestured towards the craft above them. “I’ve been told they have fairly comprehensive automation systems, and it’s not out of the question to fly them with only one pilot, but for your purposes I’d recommend relying on them as little as possible. Less chance for the ship to be traced.” She met his stare. “Be honest with me, how confident are you that you can pilot this thing?”

“Enough.” He spat the word, but doubt lingered in the back of his mind. He’d only made a few successful landings without Volt stepping in and taking control. “It depends if you want it back in one piece.”

Indigo blinked, raising her eyebrows. “That doesn’t sound good. A smoking wreck is good as a beacon telling everyone where you went.”

Skyler shrugged. “If conditions aren’t ideal, I can put it down slow enough to keep everyone alive long enough to evacuate.”

“Or,” Indigo raised a single finger. “You spend the rest of the afternoon in the simulator until you can land it in one piece.” She pointed towards the far end of the hanger. “What do you think?”

Despite the way his skin crawled at every syllable out of her mouth, curiosity made him lean forward, peering down to the end of the hanger. Volt didn’t have a simulator, and he didn’t know anyone else back home that did. He’d always wondered what they were like. There was no way he’d be an expert when he was done, but it might just be enough.

“Fine,” he straightened his back. “But you can’t come in with me.”

Indigo smiled, turning towards the far end of the hanger. “Trust me Bluebird, I—”

“Skyler.”

“—I’m not keen on being in there with you either.” She glanced back, making sure he followed. “I have some phone calls I have to make anyway.”

Good. Skyler quickened his pace, walking beside her save for about a meter between their shoulders. Their asynchronous footsteps bounced off the walls, until suddenly there were three.

“Ah, Dr. Carmine!”

The two of them froze, and Skyler’s heart leapt to his throat as a swift set of footsteps approached them from behind. They were supposed to be alone.

“You’re an avox.” Indigo hissed before turning around, a polite smile on her face. “Yes?”

A well dressed man stopped in front of them, clasping his hands in front of him. “Thought I’d find you here.” He glanced at Skyler, furrowing his eyebrows. “Who’s this?”

Skyler kept his head down, staring at his feet and trying not to be obvious about his breathing. He wanted to run, but he couldn’t. He had to stand still. Stay quiet. Don’t do anything.

“Him?” Indigo looked down at him, as if just realizing he was there. “A new avox I’m working on.”

The man frowned. “He’s got an odd look for an avox.”

Skyler swallowed, barely supressing a shiver. He didn’t look anything like an avox. His hair, his clothes, hell, even the way he’d been walking side by side with Indigo before this man called out to them. Not to mention his face had been on every screen in the capitol. It wasn’t like he had a look that helped blend in very much, at least back home. He’d always stood out, to the point where he was sure enough everyone at home already suspected he wasn’t from there before he let it slip at the interview.

“Odd?” Indigo didn’t seem nearly as concerned.

“Yeah, there’s something about him..”

The man reached for Skyler’s face, forcing his head up by his chin. Panic shot through him. He wrenched backwards and took a breath to swear, but the next second Indigo shoved the man back and stepped between them.

She squared her shoulders, voice dropping low. “Don’t touch him if you want to keep that hand.”

Skyler stared at her back, hands shaky and hovering over the pocket where he kept his multi-tool, ready to drive the knife as far into that man as he could. But he forced himself to hold still and bite the tongue he had to pretend he didn’t have. His heart raced almost as fast as his thoughts. He just wanted to run, get away, before whoever that was tried to grab him again.

“I’m testing a few things out on him, and I would appreciate it if you didn’t ruin everything,” Indigo did not sound happy. “The neural implants weren’t easy to get my hands on, and it’ll probably be another day before the pathways adjust for it. I don’t want to have to start over.”  She crossed her arms and took a deep breath. “What is it that you want to talk to me about?”

Skyler didn’t pay much attention to their conversation after that, something about Indigo’s work that went over his head. He kept his head down, silently wishing they would be done soon.

Eventually, the man left, and Indigo turned to face him again. Neither of them dared say anything until they were in the simulator room and the door closed behind them.

Skyler crossed the room, pacing back and forth along the wall opposite from Indigo. Every muscle tensed and his dug his fingernails into the palms of his hands as he tried to get his breathing back under control. His thoughts went fast, his legs shook too much. Damn it. He clenched his jaw. His throat hurt and he felt like he was going to cry, but he couldn’t. Not now, not in front of Indigo. She couldn’t know.

“Bastard.” Indigo spat the word like venom from a cobra. “Thinks that just because Snow sent him he can do whatever he wants. I don’t need his lackeys breathing down my neck, I…”

She trailed off when she noticed Skyler sink to the floor. He gave up trying to hold back as his breath hitched and he hid his face under an arm folded over his bent knee. He teared up, wet and sniveling. Pathetic. He should have been able to hold it together, at least until he was alone. But it was too late, and of course to top it all off, every gasp only made his back hurt again.

“Hey, Skyler.” Indigo softened her voice and crouched in front of him. “Sorry about him, I thought we’d be alone.” She sighed. “I should have been more careful.”

“Leave me alone!” He snarled, lunging to swipe at her.

She stood, quickly doubling back out of his reach. For a moment, she didn’t seem to know exactly what to say, looking down at him as he glared through teary eyes. Then she looked away, glancing out the window leading back to the hanger.

“If I was nervous back there, I can only imagine how scared you must have been.” She spoke quietly, almost like she at all cared about how he felt. “I’ll be in the other room. Come get me when you’re ready.”

Skyler kept his head down until the door clicked shut behind her and he sat alone next to the flight simulator. Tears ran hot and wet down his cheek, pushed out as he closed his stinging eyes. Everything felt too heavy and too warm, but at least the floor was cold.

He wanted to go home. He wanted to wake up in his bedroom to Volt calling him downstairs like none of this ever happened. Hell, he even wanted to have another awkward conversation with Warren where neither of them really knew how to talk to each other. But that wasn’t an option. Not anymore. Not until they got out of here, and he needed to be able to get them out in one piece. They were counting on him, they all were.

Would they have so much faith in him if they knew how scared he really was? Then again, they were probably all scared in one way or another. He glanced towards the door Indigo had disappeared through, then sighed. Not yet. He’d get her later, get her to turn on the damned simulator, and he wouldn’t come back out until he was damned sure he could get everyone home safe.

[maple-writes]

WHG 13: The Visit

tagging @concealeddarkness13

They’d waited until the very end of the reaping to send someone to set Skyler’s shoulder and throw his arm in a sling before shoving him into a room in the town hall and shutting the door behind them. As soon as he was alone, he sank down into one of the few chairs in the room, wincing at the sharp soreness still lingering in his arm.

Shit. He hunched forward as far as he could and pressed his face into the hand of his good arm and grit his teeth. He’d fucked up already, hadn’t he? Volt had told him every year that if he was chosen he had to make a good impression. He had to stay calm, and look dignified… Too late now, that was all out the window.

The sound of the door handle moving made him look up again, but it was only Volt. She practically flew across the room, barely giving Skyler the chance to stand before she pulled him into a one armed hug, avoiding the injured side. She held him close, and he couldn’t help but immediately lean into her embrace.

She brushed the hair from his face with her other hand. “I’m so sorry Skyler.”

Skyler tried to hold back tears, but it didn’t last long before they ran down his cheeks anyway. She drew a small cloth from her pocket and gently wiped them away.

“I don’t know how long we have before they put you on the train, so listen to me Skyler.” Volt swallowed and drew back, gripping his shoulder and holding his stare. “I’m going to do whatever I can to try and help you out, but you’re going to be on your own out there. Do not do what you just did again, understand? You could have been seriously injured back there.”

Skyler nodded.

“Good.” She took a deep breath. “You’re going to be on your own, but you’re going to have to try and make allies before you get into the arena, and you’re going to have to make the citizens of the capitol like you. Play it smart, Sky.”

He nodded again, looking down at the floor as Volt paused. He didn’t know what to say, and even if he did, he wasn’t sure the words would come out anyway.

“Hey,” Volt spoke again, a more familiar softness replacing the edge in her voice. “You can get through this, I know you can.”

Heavy footsteps came from the direction of the open door and Volt glanced back. Skyler peered around her. It looked like the two peacekeeper’s who had escorted him in here were on their way back to bring him to the train.

Volt wrapped her arms around him again, pulling him close. He felt her slip something cool and metal into the sleeve of his injured arm, where it would be hidden by the sling. A multi-tool, the one she had given him for his birthday.

“Find somewhere to hide that quickly, they’ll might look at your arm again soon.” Volt whispered as the peacekeepers reached the doorway. “I love you, Skyler.”