On The Way East

[Quinn Watson]

OOC: I apologize for my lack of activity, I was working from 10a-11:30p the past two days and had poor internet on my phone. But, now I'm more free! Until next weekend haha.

Quinn slides next to Derrin.

"I'm so glad you came!" A huge smile beams across his face.

"I was worried that you weren't coming for a bit! Sorry for the confusion...I didn't mean to make that...strange for you." His smiles fades a bit.

"I tried to get Talia, but she left me a note that said she wasn't going to come. I think she made different plans...but...oh!" Quinn turns to everyone else.

"I actually first met Derrin because we were going to be in an alliance with Talia...but, that didn't really work out...I guess..." He adds a shy, little laugh at the end. He turns back to Derrin with a curious look on his face.

"What were you doing before you got here? What was that area like?" Then he turns to the group.

"Thanks for...understanding me. I'm glad to have friends around that know what I'm talking about even when I'm...too shook up to talk much." A small smile creeps over his face and happiness seems to overwhelm him.

[Alys Stout]

Alys smiled at Quinn "We've got you back." She meant it. "We should all start talking strategy. It seems there are two other alliances that are I tact. They're pretty bug if I'm right. I don't think we're ready to take them on. Maybe we could pick off the singletons and pillage their items and set up a strong camp. None if us are huge fighters it seems but great trappers. With a strong camp, we can take on larger alliances"

[Derrin Verittia]

Quinn moved over to where Derrin was, which was nice. Derrin felt out of place. He imagined he would walk around, barter, and just die when someone decided enough. He actually had barely spoken to Alys, Dolan, or Nat…he had made such an effort too.

Quinn seemed genuinely happy he came which was nice. Derrin shifted a bit as they moved, adjusting his backpack due to its weight and said, “I am glad I found you too, I had to dodge a few punches at the cornucopia and ended up having to run South as opposed to South East.”

When Quinn mentioned that he was sorry for making that strange Derrin lifted up his hand and patted him on the back. “Hey, it’s the Hunger Games. Live or die is just sort of how it works.”

When he mentioned Talia he held his hand up to his throat. Last time he was her she said sorry and threatened to stab him. Not sure how he would have felt in the end.

Quinn asked him what the pervious area was like. Derrin whipped his head of the sweat and shifted the bag again. Putting his hand on his chin he then said, “It was an area with low hills and shrubs, there was a small pond in the middle of it for water. I got a water bottle, flashlight and a tent from this backpack. It sounded like there was a group heading to the south west from my scouting but I cannot be sure exactly. I suspect whom it is though. The closeted alliance group to us will be north east, which is where…Kimber is. She ended up siding with Millie which was nice.”

Derrin looked a tad bit upset but brushed that off. “Technically I believe that group still has huge faith that I am with them. Blue alliance which I am not sure if it is around anymore also believed me to be with them but not as strong as Millie. So if we need to scout their groups, I am expendable but also the most likely to walk away from it.”

Derrin blinked and then said, “O yea, I got both edible and poisonous herbs in the last area…Unless someone can covert poisonous to edible, they are kind of useless though.”

Derrin looked to Alys and nodded at what she said…he looked at her though and simply noted…she is cuter than I thought…

He shifted a bit and said, “I may have a means of making campfires safer but let me roll the idea around my head before I tell you guys my thoughts.”

[Quinn Watson]

Derrin moved his hand to his throat. Quinn's eyes widened.

"Oh...man I can't believe I almost forgot about that. I'm sorry...I hope you know the only reason I really invited her was mostly because I mean...she's twelve...and..." Quinn's looked up and let out a breath of exhaustion.

"She came crying at my feet one time because she was so scared...though...I guess...she must have...gotten over that." Quinn glance wanders off in thought. He then literally shakes the thought from him when he hears the subject change to tactics. He looks up in thought and mutters some things to himself. He drops his head to the side to look at Alys with a little thankful smile on his face.

"Well, tactically speaking. We should keep the smaller groups as distractions for the bigger ones." Quinn's eyes dart to the side and his brow furrows. He sighs.

"I guess I'll get over it eventually." He gazes back at Alys.

"Then while the big groups are out doing their business, we'll take their stuff." Quinn gives a smirk and shrugs.

"Maybe the environment will decrease their numbers for us."

[Dolan Tawt]

Dolan grunts.

"Better make sure the environment doesn't take us out either. I really hope that pond Derrin found isn't the only one out here." Dolan remarks grimly.

It was good to have these people around him.

I can only hope that I die fighting the other alliances before it comes down to just us... Dolan thinks to himself. He just didn't want it to turn to animosity between the others, Dolan knew he wasn't going to come out of this alive if it went his way.

Dolan walked with his knife out and in the lead, cautiously looking around and poking his head around thick plants before proceeding.

"We should be at the canal soon. Keep a look out for some animals if you see any, it'd be good if we could take something down."

[Quinn Watson]

OOC: Oh, sorry. Forgot to ever tell you that last item I have. It's a smoke bomb.

Quinn runs up to Dolan and puts his arm under Dolan's.

"Hey, sunshine." Quinn gives an overly large smile.

"It'll be alright. We still have our health." His gives a laugh.

"But, I was thinking of asking my sponsors for a water bottle so that we don't have to constantly be near water."

[Dolan Tawt]

Dolan tried to fight it but he let a smile escape.

"Yeah well, sunshine don't wanna get eaten by a frog monster. The item you get is completely random though, it's based on what the SPONSORS think you need the most. They might think you need something to stab someone with." Dolan waggles his Knife as he ruffles Quinn's hair.

"Having a water bottle would be ideal though. Or some damn matches so we can make a fire."

[Alys Stout]

"That's a great idea Quinn. If we're able to find water, I may do the same. Now that we've established that Talia is not with us, do we still need to proceed North? I think that if the East holds well for us, we may just be able to stay there for awhile- depending on food and water of course."

She looked into the sky as the cannons went off: Decimus was dead. "Oh my God! I can't believe it. He was the biggest scariest guy out there. I guess that's what he gets for not being in a solid alliance. I'm glad I have you guys." She smiled at each one of them, it was as though fate had brought them together.

[Quinn Watson]

Quinn laughs at his success of getting Dolan to smile.

"Yeah, that frog-monster-thing was crazy! But, I don't think you'll have to worry about him so much with Mr. Class-A Sandbagger here." Quinn points his thumb at himself and lets out a laugh. Though, at the mention of the randomized sponsor gifts, Quinn sticks out his tongue and rolls his eyes.

"Ugh...you mean I have to trust their knowledge? That's stupid." Then the canon went off and Alys smiled at him. Quinn looked over his shoulder and returned her smile, still holding Dolan's arm.

"Hey, Alys. What was home like for you?"

[Alys Stout]

She smiled at the thought of life outside the games. "Home was... Bittersweet. It was rough.. My father died in a mining accident while My mom was pregnant with me... But my two older brothers helped raise me. I miss them so much, they're the reason I know how to fight. I guess I've always had to look out for myself."

She gave a half smile. "What about you Quinn? I appreciate you letting me join this group- I know we didn't talk much before the games"

[Derrin Verittia]

Derrin remained silent. He wanted to not impose himself. Quinn and Dolan seemed to be tight which was a good thing to see. He shifted himself to watching them and wondered what their course of action should be. Eventually they might drown out here.

When they mentioned water he simply said, “Like I said I have a water bottle we can pass around.”

They started to talk about home and Derrin sheltered up. While he was smiling most of the time he generally liked listening to people. Derrin was surprised Aly’s father was dead.

She had a family to go back to…Derrin did not…He looked at her with interest before looking towards Quinn. Curious about his response, other than the interview.

Derrin appreciated Dolan the, he seemed to keep things on track and actually worry about survival.

Derrin shifted his attention to N…she was quiet and he was most nervous around her. Sure she was a pretty girl but also about the fact that Dolan, Quinn, and Alys were very friendly and open. Maybe she was just lost in thought.

As he continued on he stared up into the sky…Decimus…

[Quinn Watson]

Quinn turned to Derrin and said with a smile, "I know, I just figured since there's five of us now, we might need to hold onto a little bit more."

After hearing about Alys's home life, Quinn responds, "You've got some great brothers. It must be nice to have them looking out for you." Then he gives a laugh.

"My group? Since when did I become a ring leader?" He gives another laugh and then looks up at the sky in thought and begins to talk nonchalantly.

"Let's see...Home's kind of annoying, actually. I only have one step sister. She hates me. My real parents died while I was at school because one of the generators exploded. Though the mayor took me in, which was nice. A lot of the kids in my class ended up going to orphanages. But, it was mostly because of my 'promised future.' So, my step parents mostly just keep bugging me about that." Then he gives a sudden laugh.

"So...I guess this is weird, but...this is probably the most fun I've ever had. But, there was that one time in the lab where...nah this is better I'm not alone."

[Alys Stout]

"Quinn, I'm sorry to hear that." She meant it. "And ya, you are kind of a ring leader... We're all here because of you right?"

[Dolan Tawt]

" yeah Quinn you are the whole reason me and Alys are here. I'll hold onto our picture until the end." Dolan puts a hand on his shirt pocket that was holding the drawing.

He didn't comment on it but Dolan was very happy about Decimus being eliminated.

"My home life was... Different. I'm an only child and I was an unwanted accident. My parents are probably glad to be rid of another mouth to feed." Dolan wondered if his parentswould resent him more for saying this.
Dolan kept his eyes ahead of him. He didn't want to be caught by surprise.

[Quinn Watson]

Quinn gives Alys a small smile. "Thanks, I appreciate it. Though, it happened a long time ago so I'm alright now." He flashes a smile. "It's not like my step parents are horrible or anything." Quinn gives a short laugh.

Then Alys and Dolan referred to him as a leader again. Quinn looked up and smiled. "You two are sweet. But, I don't think of myself as above anyone else in this group."

Dolan talked about his family. Quinn was at a loss for words, so he just pat Dolan on the back.

"How about you two?" Quinn said to Derrin and Natalya. "What was home like for you?"

[Natalya Aeglaeca]

Natalya, who had been quiet for most of the night smiled. She really liked these people. She had come into the games not expecting anything. She would do everything she could to protect them.

"Home was cold. I used to be a citizen of the capital until we were sent to district eight. I worked in a factory there since I was seven. My mother died shortly after we were exiled. I guess the transition was to much for her. I lived at home with my father and twin brother. My father has been a drunk ever since we left and my mother passed, so I have grown up with just my brother. We took care of each other. I miss him a lot."

She smiled sadly and looked at the faces of her alliance members. "Thanks guys for letting me join. I really appreciate it."

[Natalya Aeglaeca]

ooc: did anyone get the update for day 2? was it sent by private message? I don't think I got it.

[Alys Stout]

OOC- no I haven't. Game maker said we have until Tuesday night.

Alys smiled at all her new friend. They had all lost family members too. "We can do this. We can take down the other alliances."

Her mind turned to strategy, as it always did "who Di we know us in an alliance with each other? How can we out lady them?"

[Derrin Verittia]

Derrin looked over at Quinn and smiled. He patted him on the back and simply stated, “I agree, I would not be here if not for you good sir.” Dolan might be the more serious one, but Quinn bonded them together. Everyone was here because of him. As such, Derrin wondered if everyone else would have been okay with each other without him.

Everyone here had, well had troubled home lives. Derrin was unsure if this was because of the capitol or not…either way.

Quinn decided to ask me and Natalya about their home lives…well this is awkward for Derrin.

He coughed and then said, “My home life is nothing I want to return to, hence why I am playing this game how I am. I volunteered to die essentially. My entire family was killed in a transportation accident. After that I could have turned to drugs like most people do from six but I decided I would rather be super emotional to make up for all of the zombies.”

He laughed a bit and then said, “If I am not mistaken…the accident was actually caused by Kimber Beck. So it is ironic she has the chance to kill the last member of the family. Small world…”

He shifted his face from a more casual to a more serious tone.

He looked at the rest of them and said, “Blue Alliance has been almost completely shut down. I was invited to a private meeting and most of their members are either dead or probably going to be.”

He put his hand on his chin and shifted his backpack again. Thinking to himself. “not including us I believe there are two to three more alliances. Millie’s group, which consists of Millie, Jaden, Kimber, Mallory…technically me as well if I am not mistaken. However, before I left the cornucopia I also saw David and Alona leave that way, unless they agreed to a cease fire…they might be together.”

Derrin shifted a bit and then proceded, “Talia and Fenlen also left in the same area…once again no cannons could mean something. I know Katie, Baldwin and Harmony were together but Anna left in that direction as well. Clearly things are not going well over there.”

“By my accounts though, we have the second largest alliance.”

He smiled at everyone. They seemed confident and he hoped his information helped.

[Dolan Tawt]

"Man Derrin, I'm just more and more glad you joined us by the minute." Dolan said sincerely.

Then he was quiet a moment before speaking next.

"Derrin, don't you think your life would be different if you won? You'd have money, a place to live, you could even help people who are on drugs in your district with the wealth you could bring to them with a victory. Aren't you at least going to try for something like that?" Dolan said all of this respectfully, he liked Derrin and he was kind of sad that he was willing to throw his life away because he thought it didn't mean anything more than maybe helping a few people in the arena.

Then Dolan thought about how much of a hypocrite he was being, although he hadn't said it yet, he did not plan on winning either, he only planned on helping his alliance members and friends he had made live as long as possible. But he kept this to himself.

[Quinn Watson]

Quinn looked very interested to hear about Derrin's and Natalya's home lives. He nodded his head understandingly as they told their tales.

"Seems like we've all got troubles...But...I guess that's why we all ended up together." Quinn managed a small smile. Derrin and Alys began to talk about strategy.

"Alona died yesterday...so she's not in that alliance..." His head perked up. "Though one thing that turned out well is that no one knows where I am. At least, if everything went according to plan. I tried to make sure no one knew I was going the same direction as you guys from the Cornucopia so that our group wouldn't become a big target because..." Quinn put on a half smile and shrugged. "Well, because everyone wants to kill me." He gave a short laugh and sighed.

Then Dolan asked Derrin an important question. Quinn was really curious to see how Derrin would respond. He seemed to agree with Dolan.

[Alys Stout]

Alys assured Quinn he has not been seen. "I had no idea you were here until I saw you! You escaped on see , which is great."

She then heard Dolan asking Derrin about winning. He was such a sweet boy, and she thought he was so brave...