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The Crypt => The Sweetest Goodbye => The Claiming => Topic started by: Gaslight on June 21, 2014, 14:14:58 pm

Title: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: Gaslight on June 21, 2014, 14:14:58 pm
Of course. Why was he even surprised?

Raising a hand to stare through the bright shafts of light streaming down through the gnarled, twisted branches lacing above his head in a broken canopy, Zaire moved his feet, feeling them sink slowly further into the thick sludge that hid beneath the murky waters, sending soft ripples across the eerily stagnant surface. It felt like his own weight and the weight of the backpack slung over his left shoulder were going to be his enemy here.

It had been barely ten minutes since he'd been led into the water and his blindfold removed, and there were only a handful of things that the young male knew: it was hot, the humidity being sealed between the boughs was causing a film of moisture to form over his pale skin, the only sounds around him were the odd cry of a bird and unidentified rustling above him. And because he had the shittiest luck ever, he'd been dumped in some swamp.

As if this whole charade hadn't been enough of a death warrant already.

It was while staring upward through the trees that he realised something else, something more troubling. There was light, there was heat, but in the blue sky overhead there didn't appear to be any sun. A quick rifle through his backpack revealed that there was no compass either. "Shit." In some twisted way, Zaire couldn't help but admire the Government dogs' handiwork. With no way to orient themselves, they were truly stranded.

However, staying in this swamp didn't seem like the best of ideas. Slinging his pack off his shoulder, he made several adjustments to himself. First, his belt was removed and hastily stashed inside since it made him a practical walking bulls-eye to trigger happy shit heads that could well be lurking nearby. Next, the small blade he discovered was removed before his pack was returned to its place. Standing on one of the larger aerial roots below the water's surface gave him enough height to saw through a nearby length of vine slung between the branches of two trees. He estimated that it was about a meter long, and it was quickly coiled and stashed in his pack as well.

And then, every movement made sluggish by the heavy water, he began to move. This area was too disadvantageous and he knew that before anything else he needed to find more solid ground, so he began a slow, silent trudge in what he could only assume was an easterly direction.
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: The92Ghost on June 21, 2014, 14:43:57 pm
Taka found his place distressful, having in mind that his blind was just remove, he looked around feeling this strange hot wind, sweeping around. His eyes narrowing a bit, a sound of hiss, could be heard from somewhere around him, so he paid close attention, when he finally noticed the creature which is giving out those sounds, he throw a heavy chunk of stone at it, which splashed the creature, he smirked a bit as he approached and look over the stone. "Snakes. Hate them." He simply said, pressing the stone even further to make the death reptile squish even more under his foot. "Hate ya." He repeat himself as he then pushed himself up and look around, his eyes moving slowly from one side to another. "Do I see things, or am I really in some abandoned ruin place." He said with a raised eyebrow, as he jumped down from the stone on which he were, walking slowly around.

"Papa was right... the government does have large imagination when it comes to killing people." He simply said as he entered in one of the ruined stone houses to check inside, his first check was about any other reptiles beside the one which he just killed, because sneaky pets can hide anywhere, so he took extra time for that. Once he made sure there is none, he entered further in the place, to explore the rooms which are not in his sight, he noticed few ruined blankets, teared cloths, teared pillows and lots and lots of dust. He groan softly. He took one of the teared cloths and took a look on it, he then gathered in a ball and placed in his bag. "Could help with starting a fire." He simply said as he looked at the teared blankets... they wouldn't help much if he finds himself into a cold area, so he just ignored them, he checked some of the old wooden drawers, he raised an eyebrow and their empty contain, "Seems like I haven't been the only one here, they trashed and everything inside them has been taken." He simply said to himself and threw the drawer to the side as he turned around and head to go outside.

He tried to check out in his bag for a compass, but he was out of luck. "Shit... I could swear I had one here... before those pets take it. Damn them!" He said angry and squeezed his bag tightly, he frowned a bit, as he gave another long look at the are around him. "Where the heck I am?" He asked himself as he tried to climb up on top of a rock or ruined building, or something which could give him nice look on the place around him. When he finally found one, which were tall enough, his eyes widen and his mouth open wide. He could see around him several more places with ruins, but then suddenly this whole are changes into vast are of green lands, were all sort of animals run around, he could hear Eagles giving their proud sound which spreads all over the place, he couldn't believe on his eyes. "Wh-What the hell... this area is totally deserted, but when I leave it just after half a mile, I enter in rich zone of green lands, with no cover... are these guys fucking with me?" He said angry and bite his bottom lip, but then his eyes were taken by a deer near by.

"I-I can't believe it... a deer?" He said with a smirk as he reached for a bow on his back, but there was none. He pressed few times his back to make sure, as he groan softly. "You've got to kidding me... I need to make a weapon too... could have at least give me one..." He mumbled to himself, as he pulled out from his bag the teared cloth which he found in the ruined house moment ago, and looked for one heavy stone, once he found one he attached the stone in the middle of the fabric and start rolling the fabric with the stone inside few times trying to aim, as soon as he managed he let go of the fabric which flew straight for the deer head and smashed directly leaving the poor animal laying on the ground and it's blood soaking the grounds.
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: Sexi-Kitten on June 24, 2014, 02:07:27 am
Water... running water. That was the first thing that Raj noticed when he was brought blindfolded to the piece of land he was meant to start this death game. Once he was able to see the dirty blond was relieved to see fresh water, however this was not the place he was hoping to be placed. There wasn't any cover by the river, he is going to have to step back into the caves to hide from time to time if he planned on getting out of this area. The river is meant to lead the way to the middle of the grounds, he should start following it.

Quickly taking out the empty flask and filled it up for when he would need it for later. Raj also grabbed a few mossy patches so that he coulduse it to stop any bleeding, though he hoped it wouldn't come down to that. Raj really didn't like the fact that he will have to kill or be killed in here. This was a great place to start out for that too. Anyone could see him right now.

Once the flask was full Raj rushed to hide in a nearby cave. Taking out his knife he stared at it for a moment. It wasn't going to be long be for this blade tastes blood. Maybe he can get through the first day without seeing anyone. Yet, finding a Submissive would be helpful. That is... if he can talk one into teaming up with him in a Claiming. That was the main goal : Get a Submissive as fast as possible. You can't really win without one and Raj did not want to have to return here next year. There was a problem though... talking.

With a sigh Raj leaned against the walls of the cave. Talking to others was his weak point. There was no way a Submissive is going to agree to a Claiming if he can't even ask. He isn't allowed to force the Submissive either; not that he would be so cruel to do such a thing. It's bad enough he has to brand the poor guy. Hot iron hurts quite a bit. The stupid Government and their sick rules. This whole game is sick.

Staying in one place for too long could be dangerous so Raj thought he would start moving down the river to find the Heart of the Arena. So they call it. He kept his knife in hand and adjusted his bag on his back. The moment he stepped outside he froze. He wasn't alone. By the river's bank taking a drink. The belt he wore told Raj that he was a Dominant.

Kill or be killed.

Without thinking Raj stepped closer, quiet as a mouse, and gripped his knife tightly. With his eyes closed he stabbed the man in the back of the neck. Blood pooled out of the man as he choked and tried to rip Raj's hand away. It was too late for him and writhing the minute the Dominant's body went limp and fell on his side beside the river. Raj took out his knife when he felt the man drop and opens his emerald eyesto see the horrible thing he had done. His body shook with fear and adrenaline. His body was still work in on its own as he stripped off the other Dominant's backpack and ran off to follow the river.

Finding another cave Raj sat inside with his clean hand pulling at his thick hair. His other still held the slippery knife that was covered with blood. He had gained a second backpack full of supplies, but he had to kill someone to get it! Tears for regret and guilt fell down his cheeks. This was crazy! This whole event is crazy!!

"Fuck..."
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: Hex on June 24, 2014, 07:52:47 am
It is the ocean. That, is all Abel's brain kept telling him as a plethora of photo and video images of the great blue flooded his mind. No, it is not the ocean; he yet again countered his brain. The water that spread before him was too small for the ocean, the waves and gravely beach undoubtedly a man-made creation like everything else in the arena.

Still for a boy who almost never left the house and who had never once left the metropolis, the expanse of water and rhythmic waves, was to him the very picture of what a beach must be. Never in his life had he stood before so much open horizontal and vertical space. His sight line felt as if it stretched on forever. This picturesque scene was what first had greeted him when he took off the blindfold.
 
Abel found himself standing approximately three feet from the center of the dam in the heart of the arena. Small waves frothed in the sand, a fine mist spraying in the wind to tickle his flesh, a pale flesh, the kind that had never before tasted the kiss of such a blindingly strong light from the sky. Abel's hands were curled up to his chest, his fingers twitching involuntarily. The sight, sound, smell, feel, and even the taste of the air in his mouth had flung him into a sensory overload.
 
Abel had spent his life in the shadows, both metaphorically and figuratively. There were times he had gone months without leaving his room, a place where the only light was a cold glow from the technology he surrounded himself with. He had never liked bright lights. They painted the world into an entirely too sharp of a contrast, highlighting each little insignificant detail. In the dark, it was easier for him to dull off his vision and shut down his mind.

It's the ocean; his mind proclaimed again, parading out another useless, stored recollection in the back of his mind’ eye. No, no, no, he forced his head down, hiding his eyes behind the tendrils of his scraggly blond bangs. He needed to snap out of it. He needed to check his pack, survey his surroundings, and make a plan. He needed to do anything but stare at the ocean. Fuck, anything but stare at the-body-of-water that is most certainly not an ocean.
 
Even as he mentally raged, his head had once again tipped up to stare into the water, his irises mirroring the tumultuous blue of the waves.
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: RawrCandy on June 30, 2014, 01:49:15 am
Finally whoever was accompanying him to his fate took the blindfold off his blood-shot eyes. Aleksei had struggled to maintain the pace of the one that was dragging him along, a struggle that had only intensified when instead of walking on solid ground his feet started to create a wet sound of water splashing lightly. 

Aleksei noticed how humid it was starting to become,  and how he just seemed to walk into an area where air was heavy. He heard creaking sound and the non-stop chanting of insects and some birds.

Aleksei's fears were confirmed once his eyes were uncovered and he was surrounded by green. How pretty, and how dangerous.  The jungle,  what a great way to start.  But Aleksei did not feel fear, either he came out a winner and reestablished his family's pride or he died, ridding them from a heavy burden.

But enough about thinking and reminiscing,  the clock was running!  Aleksei figured that the jungle would not be a safe place to be at, it was hot and any water he were to consume would only cause him stomach pains and death, but it would be good to pick some medicinal plants,  though he'd need to double check them before using them. He might be weak, but he was not dumb. Even poisonous flora would be useful. Ducking down he ran his hands through the mud and dirtied his face and white hair. There were no predators but he figured that it would be okay to prevent.

Standing up he tried to retrace his steps in the mud, though the water had washed most of them away. He'd have to check the greener part of the mangroves and pick the plants along the way.
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: Gaslight on July 11, 2014, 08:35:25 am
He didn't know how long the eerily pervasive sloshing sound of his feet trudging through the water lasted. It felt like days but realistically it couldn't have gone on for more than a half a mile, though trapped in a cage with a thicket of spindly, interlocking branches acting as bars had a way of completely warping one's sense of both time and space.

By the time the water began to shallow out Zaire found himself drenched to the thighs, skin dewy with sweat and boots caked with at least an inch of mud. Wading through the thick water had drained most of his energy and he found his mouth dry and throat parched. He needed water soon, but there was no way it was safe to drink what was around him without boiling it first.

The air had become cooler and more forgiving the the more he'd walked, leading to the first and only relief the man sensed he would get in this Godforsaken place. He was still troubled by the fact that he didn't know where he was going, didn't know what was awaiting him, but the scenery around him was beginning to change. The trees were thinning out and the water level dropping rapidly, which made him think that he was almost out of the mangrove that had acted as both his physical and psychological prison.

And he was right.

Soon enough he neared the very edge of the treeline and found himself looking out at a surprising sight: water. It looked like some kind of... lake, maybe? It had to have been artificially created, as where the white sandbars surrounding it to three sides undoubtedly had been. So much open space...

But, the most important thing, was that it was water. Zaire's throat burned with the thirst baying to be quenched, but before he made a move his hazel eyes scoured the area around him for possible threats... and found one. Near the water's edge.

Immediately, Zaire dropped down into a crouch and, moving very slowly so as not to disturb the water around him, crept closer to the trunk of a nearby tree to conceal himself. It wasn't nearly large enough to act as effective cover, but he hoped the thick, dappled shadows being cast by the overhead canopy of branches would be disorienting enough to make his presence less obvious. From his perch, he watched the man he'd spied for any sign that he'd been sighted. The guy was blonde, not intimidating looking in the slightest, and immediately his gaze dropped to the belt around his hips. Green.

Sub. Psht, nevermind. This was going to be easy.
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: The92Ghost on July 11, 2014, 19:18:48 pm
Taka had to work faster, he needed to finish this deer, he cut off the usual parts of the body and took them over his shoulder, he hoped he wouldn't attract any predators from around, but in this vast open area, he will be hardly surprised by anything. He checked his bottle with water, he thought that this won't get him far, he needed more. He had to head towards the area in which he can find more water. Packing the last of his things he start walking through the desert, slowly heading towards the green area near by, he could use it as a good cover.

It didn't take him much for him to get into the forest, however as he proceed forward, he could tell that this area is more dangerous than the one in which he previously was. Only by looking at it, he could tell that probably there is hundreds of poisonous stuffs around. "Sh-Shit... did I had to end up exactly here... in the are in which I have the least knowledge." He mumbled to himself and he start slowly moving forward, he could feel how his feet get under mud, he couldn't say is there some snake hidden in the mud or not, because the mud literally was so thick and when you look at it, it looked all the same. Even so he continue moving, as the time pass he managed to get half of the way, he pant softly. "Just a little more..." He mumbled to himself drinking some of his water.

After several more hours he finally could see the end of this area. He sighed in relief, but then his eyes concentrate over the are around the lake, he couldn't say if there is still someone there or not. He made sure to scout the are for slightly more time, from more safer zone, he didn't want to go straight into an open area where he can get himself killed, travelings that much of a time, has certainly brought a lot of tiredness for him, and he will probably have to sleep in this area.
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: Sexi-Kitten on July 14, 2014, 22:57:46 pm
It took Raj a short while to calm down and continue moving. The five didn't last and it turned out he wasn't that far away from the water fall either. He would have filled up a second flask, but the man he killed must have dropped it into the water when he stabbed him. Not wanting to risk the same thing happening to him, Raj carried on until he reached larger caves.

When he had the time to sit down and search through the second backpack, Raj found a deep cave and took out the items. He had double ofeverything, besides a flask. The most useful being the flint and knife. The extra set of clothing could be used for bandages, the backpack as well. Carrying too much would slow him down so he placed the good items in his own pack and held the second pot in his hands. This was the heaviest object so he didn't want to take it. At least... not the whole thing. Picking up a nearby rock he held the pot tight and smacked the handle off. Each time he hit the hard metal it made him flinch. Hopefully no one would hear him.

The handle flew off and Raj sighed with relief. Taking the handle he started to hit it again until it molded into a sharp shape. For now it can act as a third knife. For later he can turn it into a spear. If he ever makes it to a jungle or forest.

Only if.

Putting it into his own bag Raj took out the knife which wasn't covered in blood and made strips into the extra clothes and backpack. He cut out the pockets and thought that later he could find a way to attach them to his belt. Two, easy to get into, pockets would be good for keeping small weapons in. They would be hidden from view so he had the advantage if he were to get disarmed and his enemy thought he was helpless. Raj didn't want to kill again, but in this game he was going to have to do or die.

Staying here was dangerous. Raj knew he had to make it to the Heart of the Arena in order to make it to the south. The longer he stayed put meant the more likely chance he will be killed. He was still in the north! Many others have probably made it here by now. All his sitting around made things difficult, so he started to walk. Jumping in and out of caves with high hopes no one would be hiding in them.
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: Hex on July 20, 2014, 19:45:10 pm
Abel had no idea how long he had stood staring out over the water like a frothing idiot before his senses slowly crept back to him. When they finally did, he was pleased to discover just how fortuitous of a location he had been dropped. Water was the most basic necessity when it came to survival, and he was standing before the equivalent of a liquid goldmine. What's more, open area surrounded it, making it impossible for someone to creep up unnoticed. The only dark area marring his vision was the heavy mangroves crowded around one side. Luckily, he was standing far enough away that even someone coming from there would be easily spotted before they could reach his current position. This soon in the game, with The only weapon he found wedged in the bottom of his pack to be a small hand knife, Abel reasoned it was unlikely anyone had a long distance weapon capable of sniping him either.

The manmade lake was sure to draw both humans and animals in alike. If he wanted to find a viable meat-shield, all he would have to do is wait for them to come spiraling in. Dominant, submissive, this early on it didn't matter to him. All he needed was either someone strong enough to protect him, or slow and stupid enough that he could leave them behind as fodder should he get in a tight spot.
 
The downside with his plan of course was he was just as easy to spot. Had he been a more physically fit individual his choice would have been clear. Stand firm, wait, and engage as necessary. Unfortunately, he hardly had the build or skill to win in a head on, brute force fight and while he would like to claim he could easily outrun any potential threat, he wasn't going to win any awards in that area either.

Abel turned slowly to survey the expanse of land around him for potential hiding spots. The mangroves although closest were certain to be a wet, uninviting place and the last thing he needed was for his boots to get soggy. In the opposite direction he could see the tree line of a forest however while he could set up on the outskirts to watch over the lake, it would also mean other people could easily sneak up on his backside through the trees. No, of all the locations the most inviting appeared to be some boulders off in the distance on yet another side of the lake. If he could get on top of one of them, not only would he be able to easily watch over the vacant shoreline surrounding the water, he could remain hidden.

He shifted his pack from one shoulder to the next, staring hard over the water at the rocks in the distance. The plan was solid, only his feet didn't seem to want to budge. Even this early in the game it was possible someone had already scoped out and secured the area. Plus, hiding wouldn't stop the fact he still needed to ultimately approach someone to team up. If he was going to have to take the risk of dealing with others, there was a part of him that strongly preferred forcing them to be the ones to approach. Standing before the water, Abel felt a strange sense of power over his claim.

Digging the souls of his boots into the gravel, he strengthened his stance, dropping his pack to the side. He would stay. It was a gamble, but this early on almost anything he did would be. For now, all he could do was keep a close eye on his surroundings.

As he kept watch, his eyes kept being drawn in on the mangroves. Out of all the open space, it was the only blight on his sight line. He glared at the trees, as if he could will away the annoyance with his mind alone. Although he hadn't spotted Zaire lurking in the shadows, the other might have felt he had been spotted with the way Abel kept staring down the mangroves.   
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: Blackchain on July 23, 2014, 20:14:50 pm
You are not a dog, Ray.

His mother's words echoed in his mind as he came to under a thick layer of undergrowth. Where was he? He remembered being called by the local soldiers, a struggle, and now he was here deep in an unbearably sweaty forest. Ray lifted his head slowly, groggily leaning over his legs as he sussed out where he had been. He remembered bits and pieces, like remembering a dream; his mother crying, a warm embrace, a rough tug from behind and a throbbing pain on the rear of his cranium. Something about this place was a clue...

Ah, yes. The game. I was chosen for the game.

He stood unsteadily, his eyes wavering back and forth, darting across the eerily quiet forest. The area was showered in glimmering golden shards drifting past the leaves that covered the sky, giving an almost majestic look to the lonely woods. A small spider crawling up his arm reached his shoulder before his hand swatted the pest into his black jacket, crushing it in his panic.

Damn government! Couldn't have had us kill each other indoors?

With a deep sigh of both frustration and resolve, he unleashed the pack he now realized he was carrying and stared inside: barely enough equipment to last a day. Removing the dagger and placing it under his red belt, he breathed in the humid air and thought a moment. His pack was about 13 kilos, and his maximum distance he could travel today was about seven miles over uneven terrain in about 4 hours, with two breaks...

Idiot. You're getting ahead of yourself. You have no water!

His mind faltered and he began again. Water... what could he do about that? He pressed his still weary mind and relaxed. A little thought was often a saviour. If he didn't find a source of water in two days, his last would probably be spent dying of thirst. Dying of hunger takes a lot longer, so water should be his first objective. He began walking at a leisurely pace about his general area, seeing enormous trees all around him of oak and spruce. The forest was thick and just getting out would take quite a while. Water... there were no streams nearby, no rivers, and the further he walked the less likely it seemed to be likely that he would find any. He was, it seemed, on his own.

His mother's voice still echoed in his head. 'You're not a dog, Ray. No matter what the soldiers tell you, you're just the sweet boy that saved me. You're a smart boy, and you can make it in there... but promise me you won't hurt anyone'.

Her tears still felt wet on his shirt. He remembered now the struggle that ensued when they refused to let him say goodbye. Ray has a score to settle with those officers, when he returns.

Orders are orders, Ray. I'm sorry.

Even his best friend hadn't let him stay a moment longer. This thought only reinforced Ray's misanthropy. With a final sigh, he came back to the matters of the wild.

Stepping close to a pine tree he felt the hard dry bark beneath his hand, its husky texture scratching at him. He had read about tapping trees for water, once. It was supposedly a vitamin rich water that was good for about a day. At least, that was the concept; Ray never had an interest in testing it before, but with his limited options, he had to try. Removing his knife and lifting a heavy nearby branch, he lifted the blade to the bark and hammered his knife into the tree hard. His first cut was a single line directly into the trunk, and the second connected with it to create a V notch through the bark. He dug the bark and tissues out and waited.

Nothing. Not a drip. He dug deeper into the bark, spearing his knife in and digging a larger hole, widening the entrance. After about ten minutes of stabbing, scraping and tearing, finally drips of water ran down the surface of the tree base. This was no good; he couldn't just lick it up. Searching the forest floor, he took a small, hard twig about three inches long, sharpened the tips, and jammed it into the soft fibres of the hole. After a few more moments, small drips of water began to appear, dribbling onto the stick and down to the other end, dropping to the dirt. With utter satisfaction, he removed his flask and readied it at the drip-stick.

Mission accomplished. One problem down, seventy more to solve.
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: ~Kira~ on July 25, 2014, 02:16:24 am
(http://i57.tinypic.com/rko2n4.jpg)
~ Makoto Nagasaki ~

So once more the time had come, when a group of Submissives were dropped off to be claimed by Dominants, in order to cut down on the population size. He had finally been chosen for this round and a smirk came to his lips. Unlike most people involved in the Claiming, Makoto didn't mind being a part of it and thought it would be rather fun to move around and hunt other humans. There were no consequences too. He didn't remember anything about his past anyway, so had nothing to lose in this game and everything to gain from participating in the challenge. When the blindfold was removed, Makoto let his eyes adjust to the light and then glanced around the area.

To take in his surroundings.

There was no sun up in the sky and yet there was light, which was rather strange but perhaps that was part of this challenge. To navigate without any way of knowing where to go. He looked down at his feet where a rucksack rested and crouched down to examine the contents. Makoto grinned when he saw the pocket knife and gave it a little flip in his hand before he pocketed it a second later, making sure it was easily accessible should he need it soon. Hm, a heavily padded weatherproof jacket, a lighter black hoodie and a light cotton blanket - the choice of clothing here implied something - that he would eventually come across different weather temperatures during his stay here.

He noticed the dried food, bandages, cream, flints, small metal pot and the empty water flask. So he was expected to find his own water and food. That worked for him, he'd always been able to scavenge some sort of nutrients up until now. Be it from dumpsters, robbing stores or other people or doing whatever it took to feed himself. Being out in the wilderness like this wasn't any different, he could survive this, perhaps even take out a few people in the process. But one thing was for sure, he wanted another pocket knife and the only way to get something like that was to find someone else and steal their rucksack. Makoto frowned as he heard a noise in the distance nearby.

It sounded like running water and he glanced down at his rucksack. Well, he did to fill up his water flask, so why not start there? He tied up the rucksack and slung it over his shoulder as he headed down the path towards the sound of the water. Most of the participants in the Claiming seemed to want to get to the Heart of the Arena but Makoto didn't care about getting there anytime soon. He wanted to mess around with the others, torment them and see them writhe in pain under his hands. Violence was something he was good at and had always liked to inflict pain on other people. So for now, he was content to merely wander around in search of his potential victims here.

Or rather playmates. Makoto found his way to the rock pool fifteen minutes later and let his eyes flicker over the area for a few seconds. He saw a figure crouching down by the river bank, most likely drinking some of the cold and fresh water there.

A smirk came to his lips and he stealthily moved towards the other male, whose back was facing him at the moment.

The man - Kyle - sensed a presence behind him and whirled around to confront no one. Perhaps he had imagined there had been someone there? Kyle frowned as he let his eyes flicker over the area and then turned around to crouch down by the river's bank once more. He was in the midst of taking out his water flask to fill it with water when something struck the back of his head. No, that wasn't right, he wasn't passing out nor did he feel as if his life was at risk. "!!" But something was wrong, really wrong, he couldn't move a muscle! The flask fell between his fingers and hit the ground as Kyle tried to move but utterly failed to do so. Makoto grinned as he looked down at the other.

"One of your 108 nerve points is now paralyzed. Whether it remains temporary or is permanent is entirely up to me." He said in a casual manner, as if he was talking about the weather. The dark haired player leaned down to pick up the man's rucksack and tossed it over into the brush where he had hidden his own pack earlier. "But being out here is too dangerous, so let's go back a little." Makoto said as he curled his fingers around the top of Kyle's shirt and dragged him back into the brush by his shirt collar. "Now that we have a some time together, why don't we get to know eachother a little better?" He suggested and an evil glint came into his eyes. This would be fun.

Over the next hour, the peace of the wilderness was broken by a various number of screams, all of which had come from one man. Some of the screams even reached the caves in the rock faces. Makoto emerged an hour later, his hands bloody and a look of satisfaction on his face. He dumped the contents of Kyle's pack - with the exception of the pocket knife - into his own and stashed the empty pack into his own pack, which he then slung over his shoulder. Then, after scrutinizing the area around the rock pool, he made his way to the river's bank and quickly filled both flasks with water as he washed his hands clean of the blood. Makoto made his way towards the rock faces.

This was where the caves were located and he looked up at the cliff face. Yes, gaining a high point was of utmost importance. If he could find out what the landscape was like in any way, he could come up with a better idea as to where he should go to find others. He climbed up the rock face carefully, taking his time and finally was able to pull himself up into the first cave he found. Unfortunately, it seemed to have already been occupied by someone and Makoto crouched into a fighting stance. But he made no move towards the other male. He didn't know if the stranger had any weapons and this encounter was different from before. Makoto was facing his target this time around.

He didn't have the element of surprise this time. Makoto had also already quenched his thirst for violence for now, so wasn't inclined to do so again so soon. Of course, an hour from now his battle lust would rise once more but if possible he wanted to simply rest a little.

The only question was would Raj let him do so?
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: Sexi-Kitten on July 25, 2014, 03:38:20 am
Screaming was faintly heard from where Raj was hiding out. Fear made him feel sick to his stomach as the cries continued. Was the man  being tortured?! Thats horrible! By who or what Raj hoped he will never know. He knew it wasn't safe to stay here and yet even when the screams finally died away he was frozen in place. What will happen to him when he dies?

Shaking his head Raj stood up and got all this things ready to leave. He couldn't think like that, he will make it through this game! He had to... he didn't want to die. No one did. Raj placed the backpack on and held his dirty knife in his right hand. If anyone attacks him then he will be ready for it. Raj didn't think of himself as a killer, but in here he had no other choice. He was afraid, shaking even, as he starts to head out of the cave.

That was when a newcomer came inside. Alarmed by this Raj blanked out and his body moved on it's own. Before he knew it the dirty blond found himself pinning the dark haired male against the cave walls and holding the knife up to the other's throat. He wanted to stop, wanted to say he wasn't going to hurt the other man, however he couldn't promise that. This game has created a new side to Raj. One that will come out and fight without needing to think. After a bad deed was done Raj was aloud to panic, only after the other person was dead or noted as someone he can trust for the time being.

"Wh-wh-who..." He stuttered. Unfortunately this new side of him still didn't know how to talk to others properly. "A-ar... are... y-ou..." he finally got out. His eyes were narrowed, but anyone could tell that he was scared. Looking down he noticed this man was a Submissive. Green belt. Raj wasn't sure how to proceed. This man could join him with a Claim or kill him. The question was, was this Submissive a threat to him? How could he tell if he couldn't ask questions?

Maybe he didn't have to ask. Holding the stranger firmly to the wall with one arm he dropped his knife and took off one strap of his pack. If he needed to kill the man he always had his other knife in his pocket. Reaching into his bag he pulls out his branding iron and presented it to the Submissive. He didn't speak, he only waited for a reply. The silent question should be simple enough to answer. Branding a Submissive this early in the game would be a great help to him. Perhaps this man could talk for him. First things first, this man needed to agree with a Claiming.
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: Kazuo on July 26, 2014, 02:05:34 am
Leaves and twigs crunched under his every step as a man, no taller than five foot ten, looked about with his backpack slung over his shoulder. He had stopped for a moment to see if there was anything – alive or inanimate – that he had to watch out for. After all, he wasn’t stupid not to know that the place – that this forest – was teeming with life. On another note, this place was rather refreshing. Who’d have thought that the Government gave such a place time to be constructed in this day and age? The Metropolis was lacking in this, and it certainly was a very rare sight to see, feel, touch and smell for one who’d grown up without it.

Alann reached down to grab a hold of his shirt for the umpteenth time. He used his shirt to wipe the lower part of his face. Once he was done, he let go as he made a face and parted his lips to sigh. This was seriously fracked up. They were certainly going to get wet. They were going to sweat. So, why couldn’t the Government officials have, at least, complied and agreed into giving them a face towel if not a towel? It was getting a little distracting how his body heat was rising, and how his glands were starting to produce a little more sweat as he took more steps to a walk he rarely ever has done in a day. Hell, even his pants were starting to get uncomfortable in this humid temperature.

“Couldn’t they have chosen a better color, too, instead of black?”

This young entrepreneur had woken up not so long ago on his knees. How he had gotten into such a promising – though sarcastically said – position, he wasn’t sure; but, he sure as hell hated it. He hated it, too, how they seemed to be playing with him when he’d found his backpack hidden behind a rather large oak tree. Honestly, if they had wanted him to play hide-and-seek, they should have just said so.

Alann had long tucked his sweater and his belt into his bag, which now left him blank and bare. He didn’t remember any rules about ridding themselves of their clothes, and neither had he remembered any rules that they couldn’t keep things hidden in their bags. Even the damn belt’s eye catching when paired with black clothes. Bastards… got no sense of taste in clothes, was all he could think of as he continued on his way, venturing deeper into the forest.

He didn’t take any turns, no. He may not be good with directions and may not be good with reading a map, but common sense and logic pretty much told him that going straight was the way to go. The only problem was, he, like everyone else on this compound, needed water. Alann had decided not to think about that matter for now. Since it was still the first day, he knew that everyone was going to go for that and it was going to be bad if he, too, went along with it.

To expose himself to other dominants was not an option for him. He’d only started; he couldn’t die yet.

And, there was the other thing about his cushioned bullet vest. It significantly disturbed him that he didn’t have it donned when he was welcomed into the Claiming, because then, this ticking time bomb within him was going to be of a great advantage when the time comes. A single, strong impact can cause him his life. Unconsciously, Alann Bolst reached up to stroke his chest down to his stomach, only to grit his teeth behind closed lips. He couldn’t give the Government a single clue to his weakness, and he couldn’t bring defamation to his family. He came here, after all, on his own will to bring future stakeholders that will continue to give his project the money it needed to run with up until this artificial ‘clean air’ were to become a hit.

Alann dropped his hand to his side. He was just about to continue on further when he’d stopped the moment his ears picked up a sound. It was the sound of someone seemingly digging a knife into something hard and he turned to look at the tree bark he was currently standing under. Somehow, he couldn’t understand. What would one benefit by cutting up a hole in a tree?

Slowly pulling his knife that he’d tucked into his pants (yes, with the cold blade touching his ass), he slid his bag down by the said tree and quietly made his way towards the source of his curiosity. As he got closer, he could faintly pick up the sound of water dripping into an enclosed item. Was that the flask they were given? His parched throat suddenly made itself known to him as he gathered what saliva his mouth could produce and swallowed. Tightly. Alann pressed himself against the tree bark. He was well aware that he was only a couple of steps away from this said stranger, but, he didn’t have much time to think about that. His eyes immediately saw the flask’s mouth open out for the stick. Water was dribbling from the tree and down the stick, dripping into the water holder..

Alann’s eyes widened in both wonder and amazement when he saw what was bestowed unto him. It was his ignorance that made him forget that he was watching at another dominant. This was water from a tree bark. He tore his gaze from the said flask to look back at the tree he was currently pressed against. How was he able to do that? Were trees really able to produce water? With his free hand, he touched the rough edges of the bark with the tips of his fingers.

Now, he wanted to try out the process himself. But how could he when he didn’t know how?

Yet again, he turned to look back at the man. He, like him, was wearing the same black clothes and the same black boots. It was only this time that he’s realized he was another dominant like him. The male pursed his lips. This’d have been a lot easier if the other was a submissive. Alann exhaled quietly and pushed himself off the tree. He’d also let go of the knife’s handle that he was holding. The male stepped out from his hiding place and lifted both his hands in a silent sign that he wasn’t here to attack.

“I apologize,” he started, the words rolling out his lips in a smooth tone. It was obvious from the way he was speaking that he was no normal person, that he was certainly part of a higher society. “But I just really had to ask. How did you do that?”

Even his curious question told a lot. That he was from a place without greeneries.
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: Gaslight on July 26, 2014, 07:15:38 am
Tension was beginning to knot his shoulders, spasms were cramping his thighs from the uncomfortable, deathly-still crouch he'd been holding for quite some time now. Trudging through the mire had hit him hard; the strength had slowly been bleeding out of his legs and Zaire was sure that if it wasn't for the endurance he'd slowly built up over the years during his career as a long-distance runner, the heat would have already taken an even heavier toll. He needed water and then he needed to find some form of shelter where he could rest and get his bearings. Food was another pressing matter considering the physical exertion would drain what little energy he managed to conserve quickly, but that seemed like rather a more complicated issue than the water was. Zaire was no hunter; he might be able to forage for some edible vegetation if he stumbled across an area that offered him the opportunity, but he also needed meat.

Then again, this entire situation was intended to put strain not only on the body, but the mind as well. In truth, all who participated in the Claiming were 'claimed'; by a type of ruthless madness brought upon them by the constant pressure of fearing for one's life. By a desperation that drove men to do very inhumane things to sate the hunger in their bellies.

What a great way to spend a year (or less) of your life.

The more pressing matter, however, still remained the submissive blonde male who as of yet hadn't moved from the edge of the water. Despite the fact that Zaire wasn't intimidated by the weak looking male in any way, he was wary of the fact that there might be others, droves who - like him - were making their way toward the water source. Maybe the blonde had already forged alliances with others who were much more dangerous than himself. What disturbed him even more was that - despite the fact that the blonde had made no move - the man seemed to be watching him.

This was the fear that played on Zaire's mind; but time passed and still no one came. Eventually, the strain of his position - both physical and psychological - wore the man down and prompted him to rise before he slipped his lean frame out from the meagre concealment offered by the mangrove trees. His heart pounded as he slowly approached the edge of the water, though that intimidating aura that the man had always exuded remained completely intact, expressed through his deceptively fluid and self-assured movements. His expression showed no sign of any emotion, but his senses remained prickled and highly sensitive to even the barest hint of movement.

Keeping his hazel eyes trained on the stranger in a wary way, he finally slipped his backpack off of his shoulder when he was in plain sight and went about removing his flask and dipping it into the murky water. Shit. It looked like this was going to have to be boiled first before anyone was drinking it.

Watching the liquid funnel into the metal container, he finally said in a tone just loud enough to be heard by the other man, "You're going to get yourself killed if you stay out here in the open like this."
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: Blackchain on July 26, 2014, 08:15:21 am
Ray held his satisfaction when he heard soft crunching a fair distance away. His head tilted up to listen closely. The sound was soft, but audible, as a creature came closer toward him. It couldn't be a wolf, or any four-legged creature. The steps were consistent with a bipedal animal, too light to be a bear. The crunching was obvious and frequent so the perpetrator was not a hunter, nor someone accustomed to this environment.

He held still. The sounds were slowing in pace, so his stalker was obviously aware of his presence. If he moved now he would only provoke a rush and probably be killed in the process. Better to keep still like he heard nothing, size up his target, and prepare a surprise attack if he is violent. With a small angling of his flask he searched for a reflection and there, behind a large oak he saw his black-clad phantom.

No belt; the fact he took it off means there is a high likelihood that he is a Dominant. It also indicated forward thinking and intelligence. Ray kept his on to lure enemies closer for situations like this. If no people approached him then he could never make an alliance, which would increase his chances of death. As the belt is small, it can easily be hidden under the jacket when hunting, so removing it only serves to implicate you as a Dominant. How ironic; the fact he hid his belt tells more than if he were wearing it. It was a clever tactic for the unperceptive, but fooling Ray was tougher than that.

The young man hid back behind the tree. As far as Ray could see, there were two possible outcomes. In one hand he could be hostile and biding his time for a kill, and in the other he could be an intelligent man seeking a partner. Either way, letting his guard down was a tactical disadvantage. In this game, his opponent must make the first move.

After an attempt at a hushed sigh, he came out from behind the tree with his hand relaxing behind his back. He had let go of a hidden dagger and was starting toward Ray, peacefully.

Good. Negotiation is the stepping stone to survival. Now to judge how much of a partner you might be...

“I apologize”, the man said, an air of superiority hanging thick under the words. Definitely from the upper-echelon of society. His light breathing signaled that he had not traveled far, and his heavy sweat was indicative of being accustomed to air-conditioning.

“But I just really had to ask. How did you do that?” He continued.

With a private smile Ray took a swig of water casually and spoke without turning to see the newcomer.

"The roots."

Assuming confusion, Ray turned to see the man. He stared gently at him and supplied explanation. "Stepping on the roots makes your steps softer and you're less likely to break twigs. It's a dangerous thing to be sneaking around without a partner, but I commend you on your efforts." Ray had to make it clear that he was not a simpleton, and make sure this new face would be of value to him. Of course, an extra set of eyes and a ready dagger-hand were often valuable, but only when assurances could be made that it would not end up in one's own back.

Ray looked closely at the youth. He needed to make an impression that he could be valuable. He tossed the flask to the man. "Take a drink. And if you don't mind, remove the knife from your belt and put it on the ground." he said to him, releasing his own knife and placing it gently on the ground between them in example.

I have set the stage. Let's see if he can play.
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: RawrCandy on July 27, 2014, 02:03:46 am
Aleksei debated whether to take off his boots or to leave them on, for the splashing sounds they created were starting to annoy him, and he was afraid they would give away his location to any living thing that picked up noise well enough. The thought of being discovered and murdered within the first days of the game made his heart throb with disgust. It was clear to him that there was no other solution than death or winning, but he didn't want to shame his family further by kicking the bucket on the first day.

However, his inner rambling stilled when he heard a rustling sound nearby. The mangroves were making it difficult to see through, and he was beginning to feel rather fed up with that much green surrounding him, but he was sure he heard a voice from somewhere close.

He picked up the last few leaves that he was able to find. For now most of the beautiful plants of the rainforest were venom-flora, which he quickly wrapped in a big leaf to save his poor skin from irritation. Aleksei was not really sure they could cause any major problems unless swallowed, but one could never play with fire. He had found two or three spare leaves of an antiseptic plant and one that mixed with water would help against a possible fever. At least, that's what he thought he remembered, but he better test it out on someone else before putting his life on risk.

He stored the plants in his rucksack and moved into a crouching position.

Aleksei was suddenly glad he had dirtied his face and hair with mud, for he was sure that anyone could easily spot him with his unreasonable white hair and skin. He had found his way again! Even though his steps were completely washed off he finally figured out where the north was. Now if he just followed the right tray again without losing his steps again, he'd be out of the nasty rainforest by the evening. Just thinking about staying overnight made him shiver. He needed to find someone else, at least to ensure he had allies to survive. What happened to them afterwards, Aleksei did not care.
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: Kazuo on July 27, 2014, 10:19:02 am
The man before him taking a swig of the water he’d gotten was a great reminder that he still had a parched throat. It didn’t help, too, that it appeared to him like the other was showing off when he had, in the first place, come out of his hiding place to learn of how that was done. It was honestly akin to getting something out of thin air – the water from the tree.

The roots.

Confusion clearly made itself known to his companion as it took over the bland expression Alann had worn not too long ago. The man wasn’t sure whether the other was answering his question or whether he was talking about something else entirely. And, he’d realized all too late, too, that his question had been vague. He was specifically asking about the hole in the tree and the water, but it appeared that his question had gone wayward. There should be no surprise there that this stranger’s reply went off, too.

It was certainly very unlike him to ask something that wasn’t specific and he idly wondered if it had something to do with the way he’d approached this matter. Or, if it was with the way his heart raced from the slight fear of the thought that anything can happen. After all, the unexpected should always be expected in this game, The Claiming.

Stepping on the roots makes your steps softer and you’re less likely to break twigs.

Realization finally dawned on Alann when he’d heard those words. He just wasn’t sure, though, if he were to take that as a warning or a note for future reference. If it were the first, that would have hit his pride. He’d have also been silently told that he’d been heard even long before and that he’d been aware of his presence since. If it were the latter, that should be taken as a learning experience.

But it appeared like the man really was mocking him. From the words he used next and the way he continued speaking, that was the only conclusion he can come to. Alann was just about to open his mouth to speak up, but he was far too distracted by the man tossing him his flask. In his fear of losing such a valuable item and of water, the man momentarily scrambled to catch it while in the air and let out a quiet sigh of relief when he’d gotten it. He’d only stopped, though, when he’d realized he’d lost his composure there. Clearing his throat into his hand as he straightened up, the male’s eyes cast back up to the man not too far from him gently putting that knife of his on the ground.

Somehow, that simple action caused an internal turmoil within. Was he setting him up? Did he have anyone with him? Was this some sort of peaceful arrangement where they talk terms like they do in business? Alann couldn’t help but find his gaze tearing away from the Dominant before him to look about the place. When he didn’t hear anything else but the sounds of the small critters and their breath, the male turned his attention back to the man before him.

“I’m afraid I’m not wearing any belt,” he answered. Oh, he wasn't teasing him. He was simply making his point. Alann reached behind him to take the handle of his knife. Slowly, he stepped forward and put his blade on the ground. As he did this, he didn’t tear his gaze away from Ray’s, afraid that one wrong move may cause him his life. “And, thank you.” Raising the flask a little, he parted his lips and brought it to his mouth. Just a little swig. That was enough.

Taking more than a gulp before he’d pulled the flask away, Alann let out a breath of satisfaction before he’d finally tore his gaze away from him. Instead, his eyes settled on the water still dripping down the twig.

“Do teach me how you’ve done that.” If he does learn that, it was going to be of great advantage to him. This way, he wouldn’t have to worry about water and about how to get them.
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: ~Kira~ on July 27, 2014, 15:58:41 pm
"!!" Raj had moved too fast for him to react, due to not having expected to see someone up here. Makoto stared down at the dirty blond who had pinned him up against the cave wall and his green eyes flickered down to the knife at his throat. He wasn't dead yet, so he still had a chance. Before taking a person's life, most tended to either draw the knife back a little to gain momentum for a killing blow or shifted their grip on the weapon being used. Those split seconds were enough time for him to use his martial arts to turn the tables.

He blinked when Raj suddenly spoke to him out of nowhere. "Makoto." Why did he want to know his name? What purpose did he have for such knowledge? "Am I what?" Makoto asked, getting a bit aggravated with Raj for taking so long to get out his words. Due to living out on the streets all his life, he was accustomed to things being done quickly and didn't have much patience since he had never been given any by others. Despite the fact that he was talking, Makoto still remained ready to use his martial arts in case Raj decided to kill him here.

The worst thing that could happen would be for him to lower his guard and let this man kill him because of his carelessness. That wasn't going to happen. No matter how scared Raj tried to look, he wasn't sure if it was an act or real since he didn't know the other male.

Makoto wasn't going to trust a stranger, not until he knew if he was trustworthy or not. He narrowed his eyes as he watched Raj drop the knife but still try to keep him pinned to the wall. Now that the danger was gone, he could easily escape Raj's hold with minimal damage. But there wasn't a point in doing so since it didn't seem as if Raj wanted to kill him. And he didn't want to kill Raj right now, he wasn't in the mood. So what harm would there be in letting Raj think he still had control over him and see what the man had in mind for them?

Makoto blinked when he saw the man hold up the branding iron and narrowed his eyes as he thought about the offer for a few seconds. Eh, what the hell, Raj had good reflexes to take him by surprise earlier. He might be able to make some use of them and others might underestimate them too. "Sure." Makoto replied and waited for Raj to respond to his words. He had a high pain tolerance, so figured the branding wouldn't hurt nearly as much as it would others. But could Raj handle such a thing? Then again, maybe he should cry out.

If he did, Makoto would be able to hear the sound of his voice in pain which would be delicious.
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: Blackchain on July 27, 2014, 19:36:43 pm
The man was becoming impatient. Good... then the next few sentences he would pay attention to...

"Trades work two ways, my friend, but courtesy requires us to know each other before a trade. You don't know me, but..."

Taking a step back he looked at the man, foot to head.

"Now then. Tell me how close I am: you are from the Metropolis, likely in a business profession; you are a Dominant, but have taken off your belt to hide that fact; you are unused to the heat, and so need a reliable source of water desperately. You are a cautious man, but possess considerable courage. Am I correct?"

He of course needed no response; everything he said was only a fact.

"You aren't wearing a belt; the only ones who would benefit from this would be a Dominant. Submissives need to be known to be collected, which is their only way out alive. Your body's reaction to the environs would suggest an indoor occupation, the need for water is everyone's problem, and you were not afraid to try a reckless move like talking to me, so you obviously understand the danger and are a well educated man for attempting negotiation. You were grasping your knife behind your back a moment ago, but you also let go of it before you came toward me, indicating both caution and a desire to avoid violence for information There's only one problem: as far as I can tell, I'm the one with a bargaining chip, and trades require something from both sides..."

Ray's body was beginning to flutter on the inside at this point; his choices were limited, and the man could still kill him if he had a spare knife...

With a slow breath to soothe his nerves he concluded, "But naturally, since you and I are both Dominants, we both know what will come of me if I give away how to tap trees..." He made a small neck-slicing gesture. "And at the same time, if I die, the secret goes with me. So I want to know: if I tell you, what can you offer in return that can help me to survive?"

In wait for an answer, he stood before the drip stick and let the water pool into his hand. After a few moments he lifted his hands to his face, splashing water across his face and pushing his long blond hair back, wetting it. His hair would probably get in the way, but if he got out of here alive, he would not want to alter a thing about himself. He wanted his mother to see him how he was when he entered.

With a relaxed face, he leaned against the tree which dripped tears onto the auburn leaves.

Your move.
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: Hex on July 27, 2014, 22:04:57 pm
Focus, when Abel had that his mind was proficient smooth running machine. When he didn't, well then he ended up staring into nothingness like a drooling nitwit. Unfortunately for him, keeping track of his surroundings brought out the latter. His intense stare had quickly deteriorated into the empty gawk of a daydreamer. If he had been staring in Zaire's direction it was only because the mangroves were the last place he had been looking before his mind skipped gaily off on its own.

And what was it his mind decided to focus on during this life and death game of survival? Lemon sharks, yes, Abel was fantasizing about lemon sharks. It had all started innocently enough. While boring his eyes into the shallows of the mangroves he had been reminded of the fact that the twisted roots were a favorite nursery place for lemon shark pups to hide and grow. From there, his mind had spiraled into several feature length documentaries about the lifecycle of the lemon shark. By the time he had noticed Zaire creeping out of the shadows, the other male was already bending to fill his flask.

Abel's eyes lazily circled Zaire as if they hadn't entirely decided if the other male was actually there. Even as the full force of the realization hit him, Abel's face remained blank. It wasn't a good poker face on his part but a symptom of having a flat affect.

Inwardly Abel was cursing his gnat like attention span.
 
As he struggled to quickly gain a feel for the male thrust in front of his doddering musings of lemon sharks, the point that first drew his stare was that the other wasn't wearing one of the garish colored belts. His eyes traced the other's hips as he began to assess why. This early in the game, there were only a couple reasons someone wouldn't be wearing a belt. The most blatant being they were a complete idiot and had either lost their belt, or removed it for an equally senseless reason. The other logical motive would be for a strategic aim. Since the man before him didn't look like a complete blithering idiot, Abel for the moment was willing to entertain that it was a matter of strategy.
 
From the outset, dominants would clearly have the most to gain from trying to hide what group they belonged to, but that was so blatant one could hardly call it strategic. Abel was lining up several other more intelligent reasons when Zaire's low voice broke across the barren shoreline.

Get himself killed? It was almost laughable. Anything he did was likely to kill him at this point. The government had dropped him in this cesspool of game for that exact purpose, to die.

Still, as brusque as the words might be, the other male was verbally extending the proverbial olive branch. Opening lines of communication was the first step in building a potential alliance.

"Wandering around alone will get you killed too," Abel's reply was equally blunt. He reasoned if the male was worth working with than the other would catch his obvious offer to work together. This early in the game it wasn't as if he were looking to get matching cock piercings and become the other's BFF or something.

Abel remind silent and unmoving as he waited for some measure of a reply.
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: Cata on July 28, 2014, 03:02:05 am
(http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk193/KyroShiori/QinniNeji.jpg) (http://s280.photobucket.com/user/KyroShiori/media/QinniNeji.jpg.html)

Name: Areden Raine
Age: 21
Sexuality: Switch
Abilities: Martial arts, throwing knives
Wanted a life as a simple General male but was dubbed a submissive since his brother outshone him as a clearly dominant male. Areden wanted a simple life with his meditations but this was viewed as having no ambition.

So. The time had come for him to enter the damned arena. The same place his own brother lost his life. His parents pride and joy..And he died in the end of The Claiming. This was one of the reason he hated his rank. He never wanted to be in this sick game of the government. He had tried when he was younger to be as normal as he could. But in the eyes of the government. He had somehow been a submissive. He had raged when it had been decided, his elder brother just shaking his head at his rebellious, angered fit. It was a full day of him taking it out on a set of training dummies. But he had calmed and turned his sights to the future.

Ever since then he had been training, never exposing himself. Never letting anyone close enough to know. His parents were too busy fawning on his elder brother. But then...His time for The Claiming came. He made it so far..Only for his submissive to stab him in the back, having aligned secretly with a dominant who was rich and offered a better life than his brother would offer. They were a simple family, but lived very comfortably. His mother was the local apothecary while his father ran their family's dojo. It was meant for dominants, but after his brother died his father started some submissive classes. He suspected it was to try and get him to talk with them. To have them forgive how they placed him in the shadows.

The blindfold was gone and he peered around with pale grey orbs that looked almost silver. He frowned as he slowly moved from his drop off point, moving to a tree. He looked up, hopping up and grasping the lowest branch, the tree snarled in its upward growth thanks to the other trees around it. He hauled himself up, crouching on the branch. He then moved up a bit more before seating himself, his eyes scanning the terrain from his vantage point. He brought his pack forward and checked what he had been given. He clucked his tongue in disdain at the lack of water. So. That was one of the first things on his list before shelter. Food he could go without for at least a good day. And he could ration out what he had into two days. But water. He would feel the effects of dehydration far too quickly.

He slung his pack back on and moved up into the branches, mindful to pull on each and test the strength of it before hauling himself further up. He paused half way up, quiet now as he looked for others. No one was close, but he knew he would run into someone soon. With a sigh he pulled himself up more and finally managed to get a peek out of the canopy. He looked around and spotted a more mountainous terrain in the north. Mountains meant possible ice caps which meant fresher water. But that also meant predators would have a better food source. Possibly mountain lions.

He was satisfied and made his descent, mindful to look around as he did. It took him a good moment to get back down, hopping down to the ground from the lowest branch he could get to. He remained next to the tree, cautious. He was reminded of his brother. Had he known this paranoia?

A shift close by made him put his knife in his hand. He tested the weight. It would not do as well as a throwing knife unless he balanced it more. He shifted his weight, stepping onto the roots of the trees, using the moss covered area to quiet his movements as he peeked around the tree. He saw the green belt and the panic settling on the male he was peering at. Areden almost felt bad. But...He couldn't. He refused to die like his brother, Brenden. If he died..His parents had no one else. Even if they never paid him any mind once his rank was given...He still couldn't leave them with no one to carry on their name.

He wanted to sigh but kept it in as he picked up a moss covered stone form the ground and threw it away from himself, watching the red haired male squeak and look over to the noise. He moved like a feline as he came closer. And as the male turned, he met cold silver eyes and was gurgling on his next breath. Hands lifted as blood spilled from his throat, falling to his knees and then he fell dead before Areden. He tucked his knife away and took the pack off the male, taking his belt as well from his form. He quickly filled his own pack and continued to move, knowing he probably made too much noise in his killing.
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: Gaslight on July 28, 2014, 04:02:31 am
"Wandering around with people I shouldn't trust is what will get me killed," Zaire simply murmured in reply. Yes, this game was the perfect mind-fuck - team up with people. Use them to give you what you need. Build relationships with them that will sooner or later come tumbling down around you because your 'friends' are also the obstacles standing between you and life.

And the biggest mistake anyone could make in this rarefied, ruthless world that they'd been thrust into was to trust.

The brunette was stoic as he continued to fill his flask, capping it once it was brimming with the filthy water. He'd managed to spy movement below the surface of the water, meaning that there could be fish or at least something else edible, but right now he had nothing with which to hunt them and his earlier point had been a valid one. Staying out here too long was practically inviting something sinister and he didn't know about blondie over there, but he wasn't about to take the chance that someone more dangerous might come along and snipe him off like a sitting duck.

Which was when his gaze shot up and cast a quick look around him. He needed a place to boil this water in peace and gather himself, but the land to his left seemed dauntingly open and unprotected. He couldn't judge what the terrain was like to his right, but directly across from him seemed to be an area of heavy forest and that looked the most promising for what he needed at the moment. It would be easy to get lost in there. Rustling in the undergrowth would provide warning that someone was approaching.

Rising, Zaire stashed his now laden flask into his backpack and began the long trudge around the circumference of the lake. The man couldn't say how good of an ally this blondie would be, but for the moment Zaire could see definite uses for him. Maybe he could tag along and act as a distraction if someone threatening came upon them. Maybe not. His normal sensibilities that usually pushed him to champion the underdogs would have reviled against this notion... once. But this environment broke every rule and Zaire was nothing if not a pragmatist. He would not die for his convictions, because he too was flawed and he sensed that this game was going to bring out the less forgiving sides of his own humanity.

However, before attempting to approach the forest he approached blondie instead. Staying a safe distance away from the man, but close enough for him to be heard without needing to raise his voice much, he said, "I'm leaving. If you want to take your chances out here alone then be my guest. If not, then follow me."
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: RawrCandy on July 29, 2014, 00:19:03 am
Actually, if he was alone in a rainforest, surrounded by medicinal plants, would that mean he could find some fruit lying around? Aleksei was starting to get hungry and he would do anything to get something to fill his stomach with, but that meant getting away from the mangroves and losing his direction again. The humidity was starting to get to his head and he felt dizzy. He was lucky there were no big predators, for he was sure that if confronted by a deadly creature he would find no energy to continue.

The albino was confused, the clock was ticking, and this was a race against death. His top priority should be finding a dominant male that would claim him. Even if he was unable to submit himself to anyone, he would play along. It was either degrading himself or dying, and it was not like he had any dignity left.

"At the rate I'm going, it's going to be nightfall anytime soon." He sighed, walking in a rainforest was no kid's game. He had to take his decision soon, and it was now or never. Aleksei looked behind him. Getting out of the jungle at night would be even more difficult and he doubted he had the time or the energy to build a shelter for the night. Falling asleep would mean immediate death by the hands of a naughty scorpion or a disease-ridden mosquito. Oh, maybe a snake would decide it wanted a midnight Aleksei-snack. He shivered at the thought of being swallowed alive.

No.

Humans needed water to survive, they would die in a few days with no water, but they could go on without food for a longer time, and even if eating a banana or a mango was a satisfying thought, the empty flask in his rucksack was a more urgent matter. He needed to get to the centre of the arena or another place where he would be able to refill his flask. Hey, maybe if he met another participant he could steal their flask after killing them. Oh... if only he had a bow he could use the poison to strike them. Aleksei was a weakling: he had no force and would probably lose on a one-on-one, but he was good with the bow. No direct contact. Plus he was good at sneaking.

But time was the issue at hand, if he stopped to carve a bow he would probably die either way. He cut one of the lianas and stored it. It would serve as the string for a future bow, he thought. Then he turned around, leaving the rainforest behind and rushing his way out of the mangroves. If he found another participant he would have to resort to his knife to get their instruments.

Was that light in front of him? Did he reach the centre of the arena? That was surprisingly easy. It would still get a while until he was completely out, so he had to watch out for snakes and other living creatures. Would he be able to do it? Aleksei was worried, the centre of the arena meant being uncovered. At least around the mangroves he had shelter against the human eye, but if he actually met a bonded pair it would mean his end.
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: Sexi-Kitten on July 29, 2014, 01:23:26 am
Makoto. Raj made a mental note to remember that name. If the submissive does agree to his claim. Then they will be spending a lot of time together. Hopefully until the very end. Raj hoped he would agree so that it would be one less person to have to kill. If Makoto refuses the  Raj would have no choice but to slit his throat and be done with him. The last thing he needs is a Submissive walking around freely and giving away his position.

Finally Makoto answered.

An agreement! Raj felt himself relax a little before stepping away from Makoto. Picking up his knife again he placed it on his belt and sat down with his pack wide open. He thought about what he could use to make a fire. Strips of cloth wouldn't be the best so they might have to wait before they can officially brand each other. Leaves and wood are no where to be found in this area so there was no hope to brand around here.

Where could they go? The heart of the arena was probably the best place to head towards. He was already on his way there. From there they can decide. All the other parts of the land held some kind of plant or tree that they could start a fire with. Of all the zones why did he have to be place in this one? Well, he couldn't complain too much. Raj did get water so everyone's first chore was already taken care of for him. What about Makoto?

Zipping up the bag Raj stood and adjusted it on his back. Since he didn't trust the other man fully he lightly pushed him forward to get him to walk. He never said anything. Last attempt at talking turned into a mess so he could only hope that Makoto would understand. Walking past the dark haired man, not once taking his eyes off him, he moved out of the cave. He nudged his head and hoped that Makoto would just follow his unspoken orders.

Taking out his flask he showed it to Makoto. "L-let's g-g..." he sighed in frustration. Talking was just something he couldn't do. Asking if this man had water or even telling him to start walking was impossible. Such a simple action and yet Raj couldn't get the words out due to his nerves.

Grabbing Makoto's arm he pulled him out and pointed towards where the waterfall could be just seen over a tall rock. He then turned him to look at where he believed to be the direction to the heart of the arena. If Makoto already has water then they can move on. If not then they will have to backtrack amd that would be a huge waste of time.
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: ~Kira~ on August 06, 2014, 23:55:29 pm
Makoto made no move towards the other male when Raj released him and watched as his new partner started to rummage through his pack. The martial artist wondered what Raj was looking for and glanced around the cave. One thing was for sure, they wouldn't make any progress if they remained here. He picked up his own pack from where it had fallen earlier and slung it over his shoulder. Even though it was twice the weight of a normal pack due to the contents, it didn't bother him much.

Mostly because he was used to training under harsh conditions and with handicaps. He watched as Raj made his way over to him and then lightly pushed him forward. "You don't talk much, do you?" Makoto remarked as he turned around to head out of the cave. He paused for a moment when they emerged and let his eyes flicker out over the vast expanse of land that stretched out before them. No one was nearby, at least not in vision range. What a shame. He would have liked to kill again.

The rush it gave him made him feel powerful. Makoto raised a brow when Raj grabbed his arm and pointed towards the waterfall and then down in another direction. "...you know, I won't bite you. Now that we're partners I have no reason to kill you. So why don't you talk a bit more?" He said, not wanting to spend the entire journey with a silent dominant. Then again, being silent was useful at times but right now they weren't on a hunt and he wanted to know more about his new partner.

If only to figure out how to mess with him later on after this ordeal was over.
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: Kazuo on August 08, 2014, 13:31:25 pm
Close. This stranger was pretty close in assuming the kind of person he was and the environment he grew up in.

Alann made sure not to show his surprise too blatantly like he'd done a while ago. That was rather embarrassing, and he'd prefer not to do it a second time. As he listened to the man take on an intelligent guess about him and his background, he remained silent - contemplative - as if he were trying to gauge what this man had on him telling him all those... things. Was he going to blackmail him? How was he able to tell a lot of things from just one glance? Was he going to use his position against him?

The latter shouldn't be possible. This man knew nothing about him.

From the look of things, he has the upperhand here, he thought to himself as he watched the man lean against tree. Alann didn't see the sense in the way he used that water from the drip stick to push his hair back. It would've made more sense, though, if the stranger had drank that water that pooled into his hand not too long ago. But then again, to each their own.

The first thing the business man did was smile and then the next thing he did, surprisingly, was take the first step. He didn't close the distance between them. No, not yet. That wasn't the time for it. Instead, he'd done another thing that pretty much equaled a person holding out some sort of contract: Alann held the flask out to Ray.

"A partnership," he started as he raised his free hand up in a silent gesture of 'peace'. Alann's gaze never wavered as he met Ray's eyes. Now that he was paying more attention to the man before him, he could see that he was educated. If not, then, he probably got this good eye of his through work. After all, where else would be the best place to hone such a skill?

"Until there's just the two of us standing."

Was he going to take it, or was he going to turn his offer down? Alann didn't know. He was taking a risk here; however, he'd like to say that this would be a productive risk should he get a positive response from his current companion.
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: Blackchain on August 10, 2014, 09:12:20 am
"A partnership."

Just the answer he was waiting for. Ray's nerves fell to a relaxed state and his subtle creeping fear that the man would bolt for the knife was eliminated. This man was no fool; he has an evident aura of a man who walks on the side of caution. He would need to watch this man carefully, or Ray's last days might be spent bleeding to death in the lonely woods, left for dead.

"A partnership," Ray spoke aloud, accepting back the flask and taking a swig. The water filled his mouth and relieved him of his dryness, flowing like a gentle stream down his sore throat. With the arrival of the man, a first taste had been the outset of Ray's Pacifistic moves, a subtle suggestion of equality and a facilitating symbol of truce. The young upperclassman seems to have taken the hint and understood each others need. As one, they could have trouble, but together their odds rose significantly.

"A fair offer of life for life. Do keep in mind; your side of the bargain comes after mine. You keep your knife away from my throat and I think we can both profit from this circumstance." He finished with a gentle smile, his eyes never dropping from his new companion's countenance. His eyes were untouchable, unreadable. His face was withholding an emotion...surprise? Ray couldn't be sure; his poker-face was up and he seemed to understand Ray's propensity for reading emotion, having just witnessed it first-hand. Good...this man was more cautious than he had first anticipated. And, of course, caution makes men like Ray live this long. A more perfect partner could not be asked for.

Inhaling harshly and releasing concerns, he gave a quick breath out and introduced himself.

"My name is Ray."

With another deep gulp he began to explain the intricacies of tapping trees. He held nothing back; this man would surely need an intellect with him for the future, so the more ingenious the concept, the more valuable Ray would seem. With a clever eye on the young Dominant's knife, he brought him closer to see the fibres of the tree close up, attempting to indicate to the man that as long as they were allies, they could trust each other at this close space. Signs of trust were important when building rapport; without trust from his ally, he could not use him.
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: Sexi-Kitten on August 15, 2014, 03:06:35 am
Raj shook his head at the comment. He didn't like talking and he wasn't good at it. He had always tripped over his words and stuttered to the point nothing made sense. Makoto has already seen how badly Raj's speech could be so why was this man trying to get him to talk some more? Well, besides from the fact it was difficult to communicate this way. Raj was honestly shocked he has gotten this far.

"I--" He tried again. He can't become a Submissive while in the game. No one was watching him like hawks trying to find their next prey so what did he have to lose? "D-do... y-ou ha-... ha-have water...?" He questioned. His voice was deep like any other male, but his stutter made him seem a lot weaker than he really was. "If y-you..." he sighed in frustration. He hated the way his voice never seemed to work with him. "W-we sh-sh-should mo... move on... i-if you d-do..."

That was the longest sentence he has ever sputtered out.  Raj hoped that Makoto would just get annoyed of his way of talking and avoid making him talk again. Normally Raj would whistle to get somone's attention and motion for what he needs from them. In this type of game silence could be a saving grace. Hopefully Raj would be able to make Makoto understand.

"I- I al-always had... a-a pr...rroblem t-talking... Th-that's w-w-why I d.... don't..." His tone was shallow and barely over a whisper for two reasons. One, he didn't know if anyone else is around listening in and ready to kill them and two, he felt cowardly. He waited for Makoto to respond impatiently.  The sooner they could find supplies to make a fire and burn their branding marks on their skin the better.
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: Kazuo on August 25, 2014, 09:20:41 am
"A partnership."

The sides of Alann's lips twitched, curling up just the slightest of bit, to form another small smile. This man before him seemed easy to read. The way those tense shoulders of his loosened gave him the idea that he's finally calmed down. In reply to that, Alann's own shoulders relaxed, and he only nodded once at the man's words, like he was agreeing to what he'd just said. He watched. Oh, he watched the way that throat moved when he took a swig from the same flask he'd offered not too long ago and it was a throat far too beautiful to resist. Perhaps he had a fetish for necks, or perhaps he didn't. The male didn't linger on that thought for too long since the other spoke up again to continue their conversation - or whatever this was called.

"Of course," was his only prompt reply to the man's words. That gentle smile of his was not missed, and he noticed the way it seemed to lighten up the man's face, making him seem... younger. Idly, he wondered just how old he could be. He couldn't be any older than him, could he? Then again, these days, it was hard to tell the age of a certain person. Their technology, sadly, was rising, enough to rid of the natural fauna and greeneries. Moving to pick up their discarded knives, he put his into the back of his pants, the blade, yet again, touching his skin. That familiar cold temperature seemed to calm him and he turned the other knife, which wasn't his, to hold out the handle to Ray.

"And mine is Alann."

Alann listened intently on the crash course of tapping trees. It was seemingly easy to do, but rather hard once he'd tried it out. He asked a couple of questions, perhaps even gave suggestions on ways to have an easier time to cut open the bark, as he demonstrated. Indeed, it was far easier to use the sharp edge of the knife on the tree and use a rock against one end of the handle of the knife. In a mere matter of minutes, Alann was able to re-construct what Ray had taught him. "This is amazing," he started as he took his knife to put it back where he'd put it a while ago, "I'll be right back. Just let me get my bag."

He did stop, however, when he was a couple of steps away from the said tree with another dipping stick stuck into its bark. Alann took his knife, set it by the roots, and turned to look back at Ray. He raised his index finger as if he was silently telling him to give him a minute before he was gone. Once he was back, the dominant was wearing his belt again with his bag hoisted in one shoulder. Setting this down by the knife, he rummaged through his items, pulled out his own flask, and went back to the said bark where he'd demonstrated Ray's teachings. They had to fill their flasks before they ventured on, right? That, and he'd really want to drink properly. Somehow, his throat was parched and that, to him, was a bad sign.

Was it that even here, the air from the Metropolitan was able to seep through the fake dome skies?
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: Blackchain on September 03, 2014, 09:28:17 am
The young man learned quickly; he might be even more useful than Ray had anticipated. With a heave, he lifted his bag and knife, swinging the former over his shoulder and smashing the latter down on his own drip stick, damaging the bark and destroying the drip stick. A light tap would have had the same effect, but this way it looked more natural.

"We need to cover our tracks. It's likely you and I are the only ones who know this method, so destroy your tap in as natural a way as possible. It would be much better for the enemy to believe it was a bear scratch rather than a source of water." Ray's explanation was simple and direct. With a few steps he walked to a nearby brush.

There were small, red berries hanging from each branch. Ray lifted a berry to his nose, suspiciously. It smelled faintly of something...almonds? Peaches? Whatever it was, it smelled appetizing. As he held the fruit he signaled his companion to come over to take a look. While he examined it, the berry became more and more suspect. There is no way they would give him both a supply of water AND a supply of food at the same place. If they did, the game would have no purpose and would be solely based on luck. Knowing the government, they would more likely lead each member of the game to pitfalls and death to make it easier for the survivors. But food was scarce in this game...would the risk be worth the reward?

No. He was not willing to make such a determination and risk losing his life, or that of his new companion. Losing an ally after such lengths to gain one was pointless.

"We need food, but we will NOT be eating these. There's a high likelihood that these berries are poisonous. I'd rather avoid the opportunity than risk my life for a bite of this."

Even as he spoke this he felt an itch on his arm. His forearm had touched the berry bush and was developing a small irritation. Now there was no doubt. "Look at my arm: an apple has never done that. We need to eat, but no plants. We'll need a fire to cook it, but one thing at a time. No animals that look sick or are weak either; they may have eaten the berries."

You did not need to be an expert in nature to know the forest was teeming with life, albeit small animal mostly. Squirrels, Badgars, Mice and Rabbits were most likely. Not much meat and very hard to catch...although the bigger game could be a potential problem with their limited armoury. It was a toss up; it was either chase their food or fight their food.

"In absence of a better plan, I suggest either looking for Rabbits or other small animals, or hunting a larger deer or wolf. There are risks to both; for the smaller creatures, we might not get enough meat, and the larger ones may put up quite a fight. Either way, it could get rough. Which idea do you hate the least?"

As Ray awaited an answer, he breathed in the forest. Smelling wisps of greenery and foliage made him feel strangely relaxed. Ray would take what little pleasures he could get here. After a few short, silent moments a darker thought came to him.

"Then again, there is always the alternative..." He started, slightly disturbed by the concept.

He turned back to his companion. "Look for someone else that has food and take what they have. Of course...it wouldn't be clean..."

Raw murder did not appeal to Ray. Outsmarting had always been more fun, even if someone died.
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: ~Kira~ on September 20, 2014, 21:23:44 pm
Now it wasn't out of the ordinary for a Dominant to be submissive in nature and vise versa. But it wasn't something that was widely accepted and due to this, the people who were of said persuasion tended to try and keep things quiet about their preferences. Makoto could tell that Raj either fell into such a category or was on the brink of falling into it due to the way he had spoken and acted so far. That was fine with him, he could be dominant enough for the both of them in this game.

But it would be rather interesting to see how Raj would react in such a situation. A smirk played along the corners of his lips at the thought and he glanced over at the other male when Raj asked if he had water. "Mm. There's two full bottles in my pack." He told him and raised a brow when Raj informed him that he didn't try to talk too much due to his speech issue. Hm, sometime soon he needed to find a substitute for cigarettes. Makoto wasn't a complete addict, okay so maybe he was.

However, he couldn't go more than a day without one. He would start to crave nicotine which would then affect his thinking and his reflexes. Not something he needed to have happen here. Of course, he had no clue if anyone even had any cigarettes out here which meant he had to smoke something but what could he get out here in the wilderness? Perhaps some herbs or green plants out there could be smoked in order to give him the same fix the cigarettes could. "Let's go find some herbs."

"Or plants out there. I need a smoke. We can do the branding there too at the same time. Kill two birds with one stone." Makoto said and looked over at his partner waiting to hear a response from him. One thing they both agreed on was that they couldn't stay here any longer. Not if they wanted to get a head-start on the others.
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: Sexi-Kitten on September 24, 2014, 01:58:50 am
Raj was glad to hear that his partner had to bottles full of water. However that also meant that Makoto had already killed someone else in order to get that second flask. Since they were partners Raj knew he didn't have to worry about the other man, but there was still the off chance his submissive would turn on him during late game and go for a stronger dominate. Later he would have to prove himself as a worthy dominate despite his speech problem.

Smoke? Raj didn't like smoking, but a few old friends use to smoke so he had gotten use to the smell of it. Nodding in response he lead the way through the rocky landscape. A few times he stopped them to hide in a cave before proceeding. They had to at least get to the Heart of the Arena in order to find anything useful for burning. The labyrinth they were in was not helping their case. The twists and turns all looked the same.

Eventually he stopped.

Turning to Makoto the dirty blond frowned. He was frustrated with walking around in circles. The small stone that looked like an eagle's head was found three times and by the forth time around Raj wanted to break it. It mocked him every time he walked by. The sinking feeling of being lost and starvation was going to be the death of him made him feel slightly ill.

"Y-your... t-t-turn..." he muttered as he stepped to the side to let Makoto lead. Maybe he could find a way out of the maze of rocks.
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: ~Kira~ on September 30, 2014, 19:20:01 pm
Makoto would most likely remain with this dominant for the entire game. Not because Raj was weak or he was too lazy to find another partner. He probably wouldn't even leave Raf for a stronger dominant should someone ask for his assistance. Raj was good enough for him and was someone Makoto didn't have to worry about stabbing him in the back, not until sometime later on that is. There was only one thing he wanted to gain.

Some entertainment, he didn't care what number he ended up as in the end. But there was no way Raj could know any of this and Makoto certainly didn't intend on telling him, where was the fun in that? Makoto followed after Raj, keeping close to him until the other male suddenly stopped and told him it was his turn to lead them. "Mm." He didn't mind leading them and it didn't look like they were getting anywhere anytime fast, at least now.

So maybe it was for the best. So he moved in front of Raj and started the trek again. One hour later, they returned to the cave in the northern arena where they had first started out and Makoto blinked as he stared at the familiar spot. "Eh? Hm, we must have made a wrong turn somewhere." He murmured and turned around to head in another direction. Soon after, they came upon the same site a second time which made no sense.

Makoto reached up to scratch his head. "That's strange..." He looked over at Raj and cleared his throat. "Not sure how we ended up back here." Makoto started off once more, hoping the path he chose would lead them to a different area or at least get them back to the rocks that they had been at earlier. Even though Makoto had a horrible sense of direction, he had no awareness of it and thought himself to be average in that department.

What was worse was that Raj was probably better at navigating than he was, which was saying something.
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: Kazuo on October 02, 2014, 11:55:03 am
Indeed, they had to cover their tracks. For some odd reason, as his young companion continued to speak, Alann was becoming more curious of the man's background. It's not that he was curious because he just wanted to know. He wanted to make an association between the man's knowledge and his life outside this competition. He seemed to be knowledgeable about the ways of life. He seemed to know nature more than your average man in the city. Had he grown up in an environment far from the Metropolitan?

As he thought this, the male mimicked Ray's actions. He smashed the drip stick he'd stuck up into a tree bark, and did the same - smashing the back of the handle of his knife against the tree bark itself just to make it look a little different from the other's.

Alann was just about to open his mouth to speak up, but was distracted by the movement he'd caught at the corner of his eye. When he'd seen that it was Ray motioning for him to come, he did just that and raised his eyebrows a tad. So... a berry. What about it? Glad, though, that his unasked question was answered, Alann only nodded once in reply. "Would it be more useful then to get a pet - or an animal, if you'd prefer - to taste test the fruits we could encounter in the future?" The male adjusted his glasses and pursed his lips, "We can't overlook all the fruits we pass by." There has to be at least one of the many in this damned game that's consumable.

And, when the topic about animals was brought up, Alann weighed the choices in his mind. Indeed, a bigger animal equaled to more meat and better build-up of the immune system. Considering that they were going to be spending some time (at least, he believed this) in this game, they had to try and stay alive by not getting ill or sick along the way. "Look for someone else that has food and take what they have."

Surprise would be an understatement when Alann heard this from his companion.

But, like a while ago, he gave it some thought. In fact, as they moved along, he didn't seem all too ready to reply. It didn't look like he'd be replying, too. It was only when he'd noticed the change of sceneries from the forest to what appeared to be less of the trees (but damn were they getting bigger) and a lighter shade of grass - close to yellow - did he look up to move his gaze about the place. No, they were still in the fauna. But, what was this? Was it signifying that they were moving away from the forest?

The sound of laughter caught his attention and he snapped his gaze towards the said sound. Immediately, he grabbed ahold of Ray's forearm, literally dragged him to the nearest oak tree, and looked over his shoulder. "Someone's here." It didn't sound like he was alone, but it also certainly didn't seem like they were going to be in trouble. Alann let go of Ray's arm when he'd realized he'd touched him without thinking. "About what you asked a couple of... hours ago-" He purposely cut himself off to turn and look back at Ray.

"If they have food, I'm not hesitating to take it from them even by force." He may not like the thought of killing, but if words are not able to get through another like it had gotten through the man beside him, then he wasn't going to hold himself back from getting his hands dirty.

Though, really. He'd prefer if Ray's hands got dirty and he got the goods for them instead.
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: Blackchain on October 02, 2014, 20:22:31 pm
Laughter and an alarm went off in Ray's mind. In that same moment (which was, embarrassingly, a late reaction), Ray's shoulder was jerked to the side by his companions firm, but soft hand. For a pause of indiscernible embarrassment, he twisted out of the hold and focused on the task at hand. The chuckling continued behind the great oak tree and his ally began speaking in darkened, harsher tones of murder, a language that Ray truly had not experienced first-hand. He stared into his eyes; he had said he was not afraid of getting his hands dirty, but his eyes seemed...ambivalent. He obviously was uncomfortable with killing, which was a slight comfort to Ray, but he seemed to clearly understood the issue. Another player had entered the picture; was it justifiable to kill him for the supplies he carried? Shaking it off, Ray asserted to himself that this was a game of death, and the winners were the survivors with no exceptions. He had to whittle away at the long list of opponents, at least until there were few enough to manage alone. This man had never wronged him, never struck him... but he had to die.

With this train of thought he caught a smell; not the average smell of the humid forest air, nor the mild odour of his new compatriot. This aroma was more like that of a kitchen, and even more so of roasting meat. With a very careful eye, Ray peeked out into the small camp at the bottom of a small hill. The area was barren, save for a few items casually tossed about. With a glance, a relatively large boar could be seen on the edge of a miniature campfire, burning with a flickering delight. The fire was small, no more than burning twigs, but enough to cook the stripped boar meat. There, at the bottom of the hill munching away at the roast was a sturdy-looking man, fairly tall with large muscles. The juice from the meat trickled down his black goatee, his face thrilled with his find. Ray saw that to his side was a knife, much like his own, and covered in blood from the pig carcass. The delicious fragrance of the meat was mouthwatering, but in order to remove this from the man down there, he would need a plan.

Looking over to his companion, he could tell Alann was waiting for something, some method to take the camp. In those deep receptacles he could feel the hunger pangs, the need for sustenance. Mulling it over in his mind, he saw so many scenarios involving Ray dying. One showed him sneaking up from behind to relieve him of the dagger, but then the man notices and stabs him through the chest; that would not do. Another vision involved him trying to stab him in a straight assault, but that ended in just as much of a miserable failure. Only if he worked together with his teammate could they win this battle. A third possibility entered his head, in which Ray and Alann both attack from either side, but while this was the most likely chance so far, the man looked more than capable of killing them both. It was no good: if the man noticed an attack too quickly, he would be alert. A sneak attack was the best opportunity. Deliberating further only one possibility remained, and before Alann came it would have been impossible: he could slowly make negotiations with the man, buying Alann enough time to come up behind him and stab him. It was not an elegant strategy, but it was all they could do with such primitive means.

He explained the concept to his colleague, which was not immediately welcomed. It was a dishonorable, almost cowardly tactic, and Ray knew it. Unfortunately, it was their only realistic option. With a brush back of his long hair, Ray leaned against the tree with a silent sigh. Such a pathetic move; there were so many possible ways it could fail. With no other suggestions, he settled himself for the attack. His nerves and body were in awe that he was actually going to kill someone, and be there when he dies.
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: Sexi-Kitten on October 08, 2014, 04:42:46 am
They were hopelessly lost. Raj sighed heavily and walked forward another circle. How long have they been walking? Hours? Minutes? It seekers a long time, but the sun was still in the sky. Raj looked around and tried to think of something to keep track of where they go. With limited supplies it would be difficult.

They had three flasks of water. Using one might help them out. Taking his out of his bag he moved until he found an area with pathways. He poured a short line in front of him before passing over and picking a way. When he came back to this pathway he saw his water mark and smirked. Now he knew which way he has already been. He did this over and over until he reached the exit and an empty flask bottle.

Turning to his partner he grinned. He felt proud that he had gotten them out of the maze of rocks. He had shown himself as a useful Dominant and leader; the main reason  he was made a Dominant. The only had two bottles of water now, but it would last until they get some more.

Raj looked around and noticed the Heart of the Arena in the distance. Getting there wouldn't be a problem. He motioned for Makoto to follow him. There was a lot of people still alive so they had to be careful, but Raj was relieved to know he wouldn't be dying slowly because he stupidly gotten himself lost and ran out of supplies.
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: Kazuo on October 08, 2014, 11:40:30 am
The plan was... preposterous.

It was so because, well, he's only met Ray for a couple of hours at most and here he was, already willing to take the bait. Normally, Alann wouldn't have cared; he wouldn't have minded, but right now, he had made a pact with the man. And, he intended to keep it. "No," he started, obviously looking very disturbed by the plan that Ray had just relayed to him. He couldn't say that "this plan is going to get us dead" out loud, no. If he did, he'd be afraid, he'd only point out the obvious. It wasn't hard to tell with the way Ray was steeling - though, in his opinion, failing at it - himself as he readied to attack.

Setting his hand on Ray's shoulder, he gave it a firm squeeze, a silent sign that he should hold back. "I will negotiate." The male peered out again over his partner's head before he moved his gaze back down to him. "I trust you have my back." It was a few more seconds before Alann let go, and a little more when his stomach grumbled. The noise, apparently, caught the sturdy-looking man's attention. He seemed alert. As the businessman let go of Ray's shoulder, he straightened himself out before he stepped out of his hiding. Immediately, Alann raised his hands. This was the same tactic he'd used with Ray, yes; but, this time, he had no intention of making another pact lest he'd want his head cut off by Ray.

From the way the big man's look of surprise turned to that of wariness, and then interest, Alann knew then that he had him wrapped around his finger. His good looks is an advantage, and the only thing lacking there would be the way he'd choose his words.

"I have my knife, but, I do not intend to use it." He motioned to the belt around the stranger's waist. It wasn't red like theirs. He was a Submissive. "Would you want me to set it aside?"
"..."

Despite the man's silence of a reply, Alann's lips curled up into a polite smile. He reached for his knife, but stopped halfway when he saw the other man do the same. So, instead, he raised his free hand and added, "Please. I won't hurt you." The juice from the pork the said stranger was eating stained that goatee of his; and, Alann couldn't help but be a tad bothered by it. That was no surprise. After all, he was hungry. His stomach grumbling should be enough to tell anyone and everyone - that - who were nearby.

Alann dropped his hand back to his side. Apparently, pulling out his knife was not an option. This man, as he'd thought, was certainly well-trained. He could be dead in a matter of minutes, and he wouldn't be the least bit surprised. In fact, he couldn't help but find the thought as to whether the other had some sort of military background outside. There was just something wrong with the belt that didn't fit this man's image.

"Are you alone?"

It was a couple more minutes before the big man finally nodded. Finally. He got the man to answer him. Alann, who was a little more than tense a while ago, chuckled softly. He swung his backpack forward to fish for a bottle of water inside, to get that one bottle he'd filled for himself not too long ago. "Water with your meat would be perfect, wouldn't it?"

"... I have."
"More?"
"Yes. But, I did not steal. I made fire to boil what water I got from the Heart of the Arena."

The other mentioning the 'Heart of the Arena' made Alann's brows shoot up for a moment. They were near the heart of the arena?

Yet again, he lifted his hand. This action of his seemed to make the man wary; it seemed to make the man tense as he grabbed the handle of his knife with his free hand. But, when he saw that Alann was only going to fix his glasses, the big guy relaxed and dropped his hand from the handle of his knife. "I see," was all Alann said to break the silence between them. Yet again, there it was. His stomach grumbled, a little more loudly this time.

"Hungry?" The question he directed at him obviously surprised him. He hadn't expected it at all. In fact, it made Alann wonder if he's gotten not just the man's interest but his attention. As he looked up to meet the bearded man's gaze, Alann's lips curled up to form another polite smile. "I'm afraid so," he replied honestly, "The smell of your roast pork's very mouth-watering." He saw something change in the man's expression. The big man seemed... proud, even. "I assume you caught and cooked the wild boar yourself? It must've been difficult alone." While he asked this, he returned the bottle of water again into his bag and slowly made his way around the open field. The stranger didn't seem to think he was with anyone else; and, that was good.

Alann also made sure not to look back at the oak tree where Ray was because he'd prefer for the man's focus to be on him. And, how else would he get that but to gloat about the man's strength? "It's quite a big catch. You're very strong."

This conversation... he needed to get it going. He trusted Ray was going to do the job. After all, this was a two-man team, was it not?
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: Gaslight on October 08, 2014, 14:33:11 pm
He hadn't died. That had, of course, been Zaire's intention when he'd turned on the blondie. On the hapless, weak and helpless Submissive who had so docilely interacted with him without the slightest hint of fear. It hadn't taken much more to convince the clearly overwhelmed boy to join him, and that was when Zaire had taken him into the the forest just to the West. Not far, but far enough to be out of sight.

It was then that he'd struck with a quick but ruthless efficiency, rendering the man stunned and finding himself straddled atop him, hands ready to go to blondie's neck. Staring into the face of an innocent man who, thanks to the rules of the game, was going to choke and sputter and struggle for life but still ultimately die.

Zaire's hands hadn't even closed around the man's neck before he realised that he couldn't do it. Or, rather, not that he couldn't. Faced with the task at hand in such an environment that was so far removed from the laws of society, it was a terrifying realisation that it would have been easy to simply end a life and think nothing of it. To pretend as if it didn't matter or that his crime wasn't worthy of punishment.

Maybe it was that he wouldn't. The man didn't need to die, not for Zaire's purposes anyway, and so he'd simply manhandled the blonde until he had the man pressed back against a large, nearby tree. At which point he'd lashed the blondie there with the thick, sturdy vine he'd acquired from that god awful swamp, severing a small piece with his knife to use as a gag as well. Those troubled blue eyes watched him the whole time as he worked and Zaire knew that leaving the man so defenceless was as good as killing him, but the difference was that this way it wouldn't be by his hand.

Once the man was secure, Zaire went about stripping blondie's pack of everything that was useful, being selective about what he transferred into his own in order to keep the weight down. Once he was done, however, he performed the most important task of all. Standing up, he stripped the blonde of his green belt and quickly wound the thing around his own hips, placing his own red belt on blondie. Pure logic dictated that Dominants were likely to be bigger, stronger. Greater threats than Submissives would. So pure logic dictated that the best way to survive was to make himself a target of the weaker predators and the deceitful ally of the stronger.

With this, he could essentially get in close enough to kill before the another Dominant had even realised the treachery.

Grabbing his pack and slinging it over his shoulder, Zaire refused to look at the boy as he walked passed, murmuring a quiet, "It's nothing personal. It's just business."

With that, he was gone, disappearing into the thick cover of the Western arena.



It was a while - Zaire didn't know how long since time seemed to lack purpose or meaning in this dark, forsaken place - before he finally heard the sounds of movement once more. Actually, before the movement, he heard the murmur of voices and, upon realising that he was hearing more than the rustling of animals in the undergrowth, he quickly dashed behind the trunk of one of the nearby trees. The silence seemed to hiss and spark around him in response to the sudden burst of adrenaline that wired his system and his hearing sharpened as he tried to distinguish the sounds better.

Yes, it was definitely the voice of someone else. There were other people here, nearby.

Which dictated that he needed to veer in the opposite direction. He knew that the twisted aim of this exercise was to force them to bond with people they would have to eventually kill, survival mandated that they needed help, but Zaire still felt as though he was better off alone.

However... it was a difficult situation. Right now he realised that he whoever was nearby had no idea he was here; if he were to walk away, then he would lose the advantage of knowing where the threats were. It might lead to him being taken by surprise instead.

Besides, from this proximity there was no way that he'd be able to get away quickly without making enough noise to alert the others of his presence, and moving slowly ran the risk of the others possibly catching sight of him. To confront or not to confront.

Feeling confident in his ability to fend off any Submissive - and confident that his new belt would keep him safe from the Dominants for now - Zaire slipped out from behind the tree and carefully inched his way forward to where he could hear the voices. A smell began to waft through the air as well, one that made Zaire's stomach tighten in knots of hunger. Food. Roasting meat.

However, despite this it wasn't the people involved in the conversation that caught Zaire's attention. Instead, it was another figure who seemed to be hanging back from the gathering, remaining hidden amongst the trees. Watching. Planning, no doubt. It only took one look at his belt to ascertain that the man was another Dominant and from a tactical viewpoint it wasn't difficult to figure out what was being planned after he'd caught sight of the two other men stood in conversation some distance away.

And it unfortunately left Zaire in a difficult position. Chances were that if he could see the hidden Dominant, then the man had likely caught sight of him as well. Even though his borrowed belt should, in theory at least, offer him some protection, he still didn't relish his idea of turning his back on the enemy.

After a short moment of deliberation, Zaire simply revealed himself fully, moving lithely and quietly out from between the trees, taking things slow so that the two who were currently involved in conversation wouldn't hear his movements but making sure to keep himself in plain sight of the lone brunette male who stood apart from them. Seeming completely unperturbed by the situation, he stopped once he was beside the man and turned to stare at the scene playing out before them with the two other men as well.

"It won't work, you know," he finally muttered to the strange Dominant quietly as his eyes swept across their surroundings. "Given the length of the blade of your pocket knife and the mass of the man's musculature, you probably won't be able to do more than some minor tissue damage even with the element of surprise. It's doubtful that your friend won't subconsciously react to your approach either and there's no way you'd be able to make it through the undergrowth quickly enough without the sound drawing your target's attention."

He then used a finger to point upward. "You would have been better off with an aerial distraction. Climbed one of the nearby trees while your friend plays decoy, then cause a disturbance up in the canopy. The target likely would have looked upward, exposing the vulnerable tissue and arterial system of the throat, allowing your friend to execute a quick and clean kill. With both major arteries severed, the blood would have drained out of the target's head in less than fifteen seconds, leaving him no time to resist. He would have been dead before he knew it."

Cocking his head to the side thoughtfully, Zaire then murmured, "Though I doubt the merits of such a tactic. The man is strong and clearly good at hunting, both valuable assets. Large as well; at that size, its doubtful that he'd be able to outrun you, making him the perfect sacrifice if you were to encounter a predator. Killing him seems somewhat wasteful. Then again, I could be reading too much into things."
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: Blackchain on October 08, 2014, 23:01:18 pm
Alann had taken the bait; the large man at the camp had a large upper body, but even from here he could see his legs were not nearly as fit as his arms and stomach. He would be clumsy and slow to turn, making Ray's job almost seventy percent easier. The safer route was never to be a distraction. Alann stating he'd make the negotiations was a joke in of itself; he obviously had not caught on to Ray's manipulation. Whatever the outcome, there would be one survivor in the camp that could be leashed and controlled, but restarting the process was not guaranteed, and was a very time consuming process. He would have to side with Alann, but he should be prepared for him to lose.

Ray sneaked close to the ground around the camp, slowly and noiselessly. Silence was golden, after all, and he had plenty of experience when he had hidden from his father as a child. Crossing over rough terrain was no problem, and no sound came up from the brush. Halfway around him, the large man flinched and reached for his knife; Ray dropped down lower so he would not be seen. Luckily, he was reacting to his diversion, not Ray. With a quiet sigh he continued his ambitious assault. He was not comfortable with an attack, but he knew if he did not strike first, then most likely he would die in the aftermath of the failure. His legs and arms lifted him over the whole of the forest floor, speedily snaking his way throughout the underbrush, now almost three-quarters of the way there. Even hearing it from here, Alann's comments and negotiations were an utter farce. The big fellow in the camp seemed to be buying his snake-oil, but honestly, his looks were probably the only advantage his companion had. The body language on him was simple and obvious, but the face was perfected, as only a diplomat or high-society businessman can easily master. The beast before him, however, had clear motions and responses as that of a soldier, almost certainly a basic grunt. Getting closer, he could see his muscles twitch, lowering his guard and accepting Alann's compliment, where any higher-ranked, smarter official would already have killed him. The military, as per usual, was predictable.

Noiselessly, a man came from the brush with a calm expression, clearly not intending to disturb the fools speaking below. Who was this man? Why make yourself visible when he had not even been aware of his existence? Surely, such a move would end in his death if he should survive their encounter. The attractive young man spoke, clearly knowledgeable about the human body, and obviously had a decent education. He was dressed clearly as a submissive, and was also intelligent; he had either met the one person he could end up alive with in the end...or the one he needed to kill the most.

Sever the arteries? Not a bad concept in theory; but it is far too late for an aerial distraction and such an opportunity had just as many possibilities of failing as my plan. Best to continue with what I have and hope this man doesn't stab me in the back along the way

Why did he come? He could have left Ray and his companion to carry out the attack wordlessly and pillage the victor while they, or he, was tired. Could this, perhaps, be some sort of non-combatant? His information on human anatomy was not wrong; the arteries severed would be his best chance. A surgeon? Certainly his choice of the arteries would be consistent with a surgeon's diagnosis of a quick death, but the concept nagged at him. Not likely; a surgeon is more pressured during operations, and deliberate quickly while thinking on their feet. The man beside him had planned the procedure out in his head, even coming to a conclusion of an alternative to land-based combat. This man must be of the medical field, but more likely a close study of human biology as opposed to an experienced professional. His secrets were unraveling quickly. However, the time to deliberate over his new interest came after his business with his closest opponent. He silently nodded and made a hushing gesture, leaving the man behind, giving him a small, sarcastic salute with two fingers.

Slipping down the slope, his mud-covered sash and black clothes concealed him in a natural colouring, Ray's preparations were almost complete. He slipped behind the man and lifted his brandished blade...and hesitated. He had never actually killed someone before; at least, never with his own hands. Panic began to rise in his throat, his hand began trembling, and his senses began to blank. His opponent's back was clear before him, his neck awaiting the knife's embrace, but Ray's pulse began to pump to utter terror. Then, hearing noise and suspecting an animal, the man perked up and turned around slowly.

The large man was stunned, unsure what to do and his muscles would not react. Eternity moved in slow motion, and everything that happened after was within milliseconds of hesitation. Everything shattered; the fear, the trembling, and the world. Everything felt precise and simple, and Ray's eyes narrowed. Without thought of consequence, Ray's blade came to bear, slit through the mans throat and came back down to plunge deeply into his heart in primal blood-lust. In a gray, deathly twitch the man backhanded Ray, knocking him several feet to his back. The berserker then reached to his neck, gagging on the blood spilling from his esophagus. His last gasping breath filled the air of the camp as he dropped to his knees and hit the dirt, jerking erratically as he lost the last string of life left within him and collapsed. The soldier was dead: mission accomplished. With the strike to his head came dizziness, then finally Ray blacked out, seeing in the end only his earliest companion ambling toward him.

"Idiot..." he whispered to himself, falling into the encroaching darkness.
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: Kazuo on October 10, 2014, 15:02:54 pm
No, indeed. Alann hadn't caught onto Ray's manipulation, and for a businessman like himself who was used to manipulating people to get what he wanted, he was good. Ray was good. In fact, he hadn't realized it until he'd stepped out of their hiding place instead of Ray. But, despite this, his current disposition was to his advantage anyway. He didn't want to bloody his hands. "So," he started, catching the man's wavering attention. Oh, he could see his companion move about noiselessly and he took this chance, too, to move. "Is this your first catch?"

The big guy seemed to proudly puff out his chest like a little kid who'd just been praised for topping the class. "Yes," he replied, "My first catch. A bit bloody-" He trailed off to look down at his knife, but Alann cut that said look halfway with a wave of his hand. It made the man blink, and Alann chuckled. "I see it," the businessman replied as he nodded once, "Quite bloody, indeed." There was a smile that graced the bearded man's face. Sauce was still dripping down his beard and he continued to hold the half eaten leg of the boar he had in his hand.

He's taking too long, Alann thought as he, yet again, made the man tense when he'd adjusted his glasses. He often did that when he was irritated, frustrated even, and helpless. He couldn't make any move, and he couldn't make the man's attention go elsewhere but on him. What's keeping him? Unaware of the stranger that had joined them, Alann looked up to meet the big man's questioning gaze.

"It's nothing. I'm just hungry."

As if on cue, his stomach grumbled. Again. A little more loudly, too, than the last time. He didn't bother putting his hand over his stomach. He simply dropped his hand to his side as he politely smiled at the bearded bear of a man. "Do you want to eat?" It was then he'd noticed his gaze going down. Alann was well aware then that he had finally noticed he was a Dominant. The invitation was tempting, and it almost appeared to him like the man was luring him in for the sake of initiating a pact. After all, in this game, Dominants had to brand a Submissive in order to live and win, correct? But, what if a two Dominants were to live? Although this game would be able to help his future partner stakeholders to know him, he still couldn't let go of the questions he had for these rules they set out.

Realizing that he's made a crucial mistake of leaving the man's question hanging, he was about to open his mouth to reply when he noticed the man perking up and turning around slowly. Like their target for this little facade of a play of his, it just dawned on him that Ray had finally gotten out of his hiding place and went to strike a kill. He didn't think he'd see him hesitate, though, and just as he was about to get his knife, he found himself stopping halfway when Ray's blade made contact with the man's throat. The backhanded slap was a definite surprise. Alann's eyes didn't just widen, even his feet went about their own way to sprint to his partner's side. "Ray!" Normally, he wouldn't care. Normally, he'd just calmly approach the situation, but he had to make sure Ray didn't die on him.

After all, he needed someone who was able to use a knife for him.

"Idiot..." If Ray thought he'd just whispered that word to himself, he was wrong. Alann was close enough to hear it; he was towering over the other with a rather irritated look on his face. As his heart rate calmed down, he gave the man's side a rather hard kick. "Calling me an idiot for taking your sweet time and waiting for him to turn around?" he asked with a purse of his lips, "I can kill you right now." The look of irritation was obvious on his face now as he crouched down and reached out to lift the other's eyelid. Of course, he wouldn't kill him. It was more like he couldn't. Good. He's only unconscious. As he let go, he reached out to slip his arm under the other's shoulders, lift him up to his propped up knee, and firmly planted his foot on the ground. With Ray's head on his chest, he checked for any other injuries that the other might have sustained other than the hand print that was starting to turn red and form on the man's cheek. Idly, he wondered, was this how a lover's hard slap to the cheek would look like, too?

But, what had kept him from taking too long to attack? As he thought this, Alann looked up, surprise evident on his features when his eyes landed on a stranger. A Submissive. Now, that was strange. Alann frowned and stared at this stranger, the smell of the roasting wild boar and his grumbling stomach now forgotten and ignored. He wasn't just wary of him, he was also deliberating on the strangeness of this situation. Would a normal man approach two Dominants? Was he around to try and break their pact? He wouldn't be the least bit surprised.

After all, this game required a Dominant and a Submissive to win.
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: Gaslight on October 16, 2014, 01:01:48 am
A long sigh escaped Zaire's lips as he watched the hapless Dom rush off into combat. It was, as far as he was concerned, clearly down to either arrogance or stupidity. He remained where he was, simply watching the exchange with a calculating stare, even-temperedly weighing up the variables with a clinical precision that belied the fact that he was currently watching someone's life come to an end.

Yes, Zaire might have thought that killing the Submissive was wasteful and supremely poor tactics, but he wasn't delicate about death. He couldn't be, and anything within him that wanted to be was quickly crushed and buried in a deep, dark place where no one else could see.

Watching the death was different to envisioning it, though. He had experience with cadavers that had suffered fairly disfiguring wounds, but it was different facing the reality of how much blood was pouring out of the dying man's throat. The volume, the dark colour. Zaire was sure it was warm and it was almost sickening watching the man's face turn ashen like dust before he crumpled into a lifeless heap on the floor.

It also became clear that the attacking Dominant's motivations hadn't been arrogance or stupidity; despite the moments of hesitation the other man had exhibited, the ferocity with which he'd struck was indicative that the act had been one of pure and perverse pleasure.

Fucking psychopath. If he was genuinely considering infiltrating this little group of two, he was definitely going to dispatch the brunette first. Once he'd... come up with a conceivable way. If it was too obvious then the other Dom might be able to deduce his treachery... so it needed to seem like an accident...

Then again, maybe he didn't need to worry since the man collapsed barely a second later.

"Morons," Zaire muttered beneath his breath as he adjusted the strap of his pack and began to make his way down the slope. Practically, he knew that this chance provided to get closer to his competition without their knowledge was too great to pass up. And, more importantly, the prospect of food was too great to pass up.

Keeping his strides long and measured, Zaire moved over to where the conscious Dom was attempting to heft his unconscious comrade up. He didn't show any hesitance as he stopped and peered down at the other two, seemingly paying very little attention to the dark haired man as he looked the brunette's face over. Since there didn't seem to be any medically significant wounds - not that he would have cared it there had been - a slight smirk quirked the corner of his lips as he noticed the red mark forming on the unconscious man's cheek.

"He looks like he's been bitch slapped," he commented with a shake of his head as he threw an impassive look at the dead body laid out on the ground several feet away.

With a sigh, he looked back again and finally met the conscious Dom's eyes with a stoic look in his own. "His weight will slow you down," Zaire stated bluntly, pointing toward the unconscious man. "And you don't have time. If the smell of roasting meat doesn't attract any predators soon, then that corpse will once it starts rotting. That one will slow down your agility and hamper your speed, and it's also unlikely that you'll be able to defend both him and yourself if the predators tend to be the types that run in packs. You also probably don't have enough time to pack that boar, which is the reason I assume you killed that defenceless man in the first place. Overall, it seems very much like this has all been a waste of time and energy."

Zaire had never been shy about telling idiots that they were idiots, mostly because he believed that humans by nature were simply too impulsive and that people needed to be made aware that most of life's ills could be avoided by the appropriate amount of deliberation. Only time would tell if these two were a lost cause, though.

"You need to choose if you want the food," he pointed out to the Dom. "Or if you want him."

He pointed to the unconscious Dom.

"Though, you'll never be able to move fast enough if you try to support his weight alone."
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: FangirlNation on October 16, 2014, 01:43:06 am
When Hanel found out he was going to be in the Claiming he wasn't surprised. He'd been told since he was a baby that his father considered him a blemish on his reputation. Born in the upper echelons of society, Hanel's father was about as dominant as they came. From what he could remember the man had been huge--with a temper like a switch and hands that looked like they could pulverize meat. Of course he'd had a soft side, too. His submissive had been good at his role, and when his father was happy Hanel had enjoyed spending time with him (or at least, the softness in that spot of his memories told him so).

Then Hanel got sorted as a submissive.

His father disappeared after that. Within the week he and his mother were kicked out of their apartment and forced out of the city. Hanel's mother had to carry him all the way home to her small village, where Hanel lived the rest of his life with her and his grandfather.
 
Of course, Hanel being so young he didn't mind the change. His grandfather was nice and owned a home that was big enough for the three of them. He was a physician, and so when Hanel inevitably succumbed to the sicknesses his young body had not built immunity to in the pristine Metropolis he was well taken care of. Hanel's grandfather even taught him basic medicinal techniques--healing plants, cleaning wounds, setting breaks and sprains. It was all for the hope that Hanel, despite his weak constitution, would be able to survive on his own one day.

That probably wasn't going to happen now. Hanel knew he'd stand no chance alone--he was weak physically and wasn't very good at begging for his life--so his primary goal was to find a dominant willing to claim him.

For Hanel a dominant would be the ultimate success. Being marked as submissive had been bad enough as a child, but being sickly and a general lack of "practical" skills left him almost completely unable to fend for himself in the real world. The things he was good at were only useful if he was claimed.

Besides his knowledge of remedies, and an uncanny ability to sooth dominants on the rampage. Sometimes that amounted to Hanel being the punching bag, but usually it just meant speaking to them in calm voices and providing reassurance until they calmed down. A few of these dominants, his family had hoped, would claim him. None of them did. When he was called for the Claiming, Hanel knew this was his final chance.

Taking his current location to his advantage Hanel managed to get his canteen full of water (though it would need to be purified whenever possible). He couldn't stay on the beach for long, because if other submissives came his way they might take an opportunity to attack him. Of course, temporary alliance was also an option, but not one that Hanel preferred.

For the time being, he would head into the cover of the tree line and hopefully hide within the foliage to gather provisions. If he spotted a group of dominants or a submissive who didn't look ready to kill he would approach them, but for now everything was uncertain.

With his canteen full and the day still bright Hanel headed into the trees. The area was dense and incredibly humid, and all around there were bugs. As such, Hanel didn't stray too far from sight of the lake. He wanted to be able to go back if he needed to, because the primary rule of survival was to stay near water.

Before he could really start searching, though, the animals in the forest all seemed to rustle at once. Hanel had no idea if it was because a predator was coming or a fight was breaking out or whatever, but that usually signaled some sort of commotion. Without thinking he hid in the hallow center of a tree and waited to see who or what would come by--if anything.
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: Rikku on October 16, 2014, 06:58:47 am
Nathan gave a soft groan as he slowly opened his eyes. He pulled off the blindfold and peer around cautiously. Where the hell was he? Squinting under the intense light, he was bombarded with fields and fields of tall, wild grass. It was only when realization dawned upon him that he was in the games did Nathan swear mentally, Oh shit. He wasn't ready for this to happen yet, not all of the plans were in place. Nathan stressed out as he stood up, he would have to try to get to some kind of technology and use it to finish it. In the mean time, it appears he has his tasks cut out for him as he looked around at the vast field of golden yellow.

Peering down, he realized he was dressed in all black with a green belt on, how ridiculously tacky, not to mention the effectiveness of this camouflage was practically zero. Well, at least it would be useful at nighttime. The only problem was, he actually didn't know what the green belt represented. Does this mean his father paid off enough people to get him a dominant belt? Or did the government decide to go with his real category regardless? Ah, shit. No point in pondering now, Nathan shook his head as he went through his backpack to find what was given to him. After going through his inventory and repacking it, he kept the blade out and pocketed it carefully instead for easy access.

Staying in one place wouldn't be safe, not to mention the tall grass wasn't much of a cover; he would have to head towards a terrain with overhead protection. As Nathan walked cautiously along the plains, he couldn't help but admire the technology used to create all this. Thoroughly taught in mechanical engineering, it was obvious the government spent a tonne of money on the creation of this artificial dome. If only they spent that money on the other smaller villages and towns instead - Nathan thought bitterly.

It wasn't long before he stumbled upon a small patch of cultivated land with what seemed like plants grown in grid formation. Nathan snorted at the irony, this was so stupid, what did the government think they were playing at - SIMS, village edition? He started digging up some of the more ripened looking potatoes and turnips, as well as cabbages and asparagus and made a mental note of where the little piece of land was. Stuffing them in his backpack wasn't too difficult as they were all relatively small sized and fitted the odd spaces here and there. The carbohydrates would come useful later.

Spotting the rare tree in the distance, Nathan made his way over and carved off a large piece of bark. This would serve well as a map, he thought as he started carving his path. Without a sun, it was difficult to know which direction he was headed in, but the slight artificial shimmer through the 'sky' was enough to alert Nathan how close he was to the edge. Making sure to add the proper markings, he continued along with his knife in hand.

Both to his nervousness and relief, Nathan didn't encounter anyone in the next hour or so, except for the occasional rabbit or deer. He would hunt once he gathered a group of people, but the smell of meat would simply bring carnivores out at sun down and him by his lonesome self wouldn't survive against a cougar.

It wasn't long before he spotted more and more trees popping up, and what looked like to be a beach in the distance. Making sure to mark that down as well, Nathan licked his parched lips as he trailed along the edge of the forest, between the dense forest and the open beach. It wasn't until he was horizontally aligned with the beach (therefore, the least amount of distance to travel) before he made a break for the water. Keeping his steps light, he kept an eye on his surroundings as he lightly jogged over to the body of water and filled his canteen up.

It was too dangerous to build a bonfire without rounding up more people - he didn't need to draw unnecessary attention to himself until he found some decent allies. If he had a dominant belt, he would need to be on his toes, but if it was a submissive belt - then it would better serve his purpose. He packed up his canteen and started to retreat back into the forest.

Ideally, he would be able to travel through all the terrains and grab as many necessary items as possible, but for now, he best stay around bodies of water - since everyone will have to come to it sometime or other. As he trailed along the dense undergrowth of the forest, trying his best to not jostle the trees or bushes, he made sure not to lose sight of the body of water. As Nathan strolled quietly past a ridiculously huge tree, he did a double take as he walked past what seemed like an opening in the tree.

He swore he saw a pair of eyes within the hollow confines of the large timber - and shit if that wasn't scary. What the hell, that's so creepy - what if it was a rabid animal? Nathan quickly held his bark of wood in front of him as he adjusted his grip on his blade for a better moment when swinging. If this was some kind of dangerous animal, he would have to try his best to survive - he couldn't just die away before even meeting anyone here.

"Who's there, come out if you know what's good for you," Nathan all but growled out. Making sure to draw himself to his full height to seem as menacing as possible.

Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: Elendae_Narel on October 18, 2014, 17:00:08 pm
This was an absolutely terrible idea, but it wasn't as though he could take credit for such an idea, no, him being forced to engage in the barbaric savagery of "the claiming" had been all and completely up to his previous dom's rival. He'd been doing his best to avoid this mess for the last several years, and he'd been doing a bang-up job of it if he did think so himself. Ral had protected him, taught him to fight, and showed him ways to use himself and his body so that he'd never been pushed around or bullied again, if he didn't want to be. Unfortunately, in this society, there was always someone bigger and badder than you. Hence, the reason for this predicament in the first place. There were honestly too many of them, and it was just easier to agree than it was to fight. You had to know when and who to pick you battles with and leader of the "Green Frog" was not a person he ever wanted to fight, ever. That being said, that particular dom was at fault for this heavy duty dose of bullshit.

Gabby stared out over the mess of mangled branches, disease-ridden, stinky swamp and extremely obvious death trap and sighed. "This is bullshit..." he was not ready to accept any of this yet, nor was he ready to accept the fact that he would most likely die in this mess. He took another deep breath and tried not to let the smell get to him. "I am not going to cower in a corner like every other submissive in this hell hole and wait for some big dom to come rescue me." He took another breath as he finished speaking, "I have got to get out of this town... go somewhere where they're more goddamn civilized." He brushed a slender hand through his black locks, gathering them, and then twisting them back and out of his face with a clip he kept on his person.

He looked down when he didn't find the clip in it's normal place, "you have GOT to be fucking kidding me..." Black was a great colour, he wore a great deal of black, the majority of his wardrobe back home was black, but black sucked at camouflage any other time but at night, and the tacky green belt in question labeled him as none other than what he was: a submissive. "I really hate that label. Just because I can't bench-press four-hundred pounds with one arm does not make me a sub. Fuck this shit." Unfortunately, he couldn't really do anything about it, any of it, he was in the games and he had to make due knowing that.

He wandered around the shallower edge of the swamp, amber-coloured eyes taking in everything that could be of use around him. He had to find a stick, a stick that was long enough so that he could use it to find places that he didn't really want to step in. "Stick stick stick stick stick..." he said to himself.

He eventually found one and began poking the ground with it, finding places that wouldn't swallow him up so that he'd never be seen again, places where he could jump or wade across to a better area that didn't smell so bad and wasn't so fucking wet. "I'm probably gonna smell like gold to these assholes..." he said to no one in particular again. "Fuck... All right fuckers... none of you can hear me and that's fine, but I am not gonna make this easy for you. You want me... You're gonna have to be better than me..." Yep. That sounded good to him.

His appearance was submissive in nature, unfortunately for him, the label always had been about appearances. It was the main reason that he'd quit school: he didn't like the way that he was being treated by everyone in the class, the teacher included. He was smart, but he was small, slender, a slight bit more on the curvacious side than most of the boys that he knew, and quiet. He didn't speak to anyone unless he wanted to, unless he felt that they were worthy of his opinion or his commentary. He wasn't lazy, he just didn't give a shit about social normals or the way that things were supposed to be. His legs were long, slightly muscled in the way that a dancer's would be, and his hips prominent. His black hair was longer in the front and shorter in the back, easier to manage, but attractive all the same.

He sighed again, this entire thing was going to suck.
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: FangirlNation on October 18, 2014, 18:15:53 pm
Hanel watched from the shadows in the tree husk as another submissive stalked past. He looked much like Hanel--small compared to his expansive surroundings and completely on alert. Hanel was sure dominants didn't have to navigate the arena with such caution. They were typically stronger, and their main competition was other dominants. A submissive's competition was another submissive, as well as any dominant that deemed they weren't strong enough to be a companion.

For a moment Hanel wondered if he should show himself. The company of another submissive was preferable to being alone, but it would be a relationship devoid of trust. As soon as it came time for sleep neither of them would rest well with the fear that the other would murder them while unarmed.

No, it would be better to lay low and collect provisions on his own for now. Usually within the first few hours people were too trigger-happy. They weren't thinking of survival, but instead of killing as many of their competitors as possible. Only when "sundown" approached were the others contemplating grouping up.

Ah, shit. Well, it looked like Hanel wasn't being given a choice. The submissive had locked eyes with him, and now he was being told to come out. If he wanted to make his case to this guy he had to think fast.

Hanel moved slowly out from the cover of the tree--one hand in the air and the other with his knife close to his chest. He made sure his body showed no signs of hostility, just a semi-surrender at the other submissive's wishes. The more he showed he wasn't a threat the more likely the chance of them being able to come to an understanding.

"I'm not going to attack you," Hanel said. "I wasn't sure who you were, so I hid until I could gauge whether you were a threat or not. Obviously, I should've hid a little better, but that's neither here nor there."

Now that the submissive knew he wasn't dangerous Hanel quickly tried to sell his good traits. "See that tree behind you? Not the big trunk, but the one growing around that trunk? If we open it there's likely water within the vine-like appendages. I'm guessing it's drawing it from the lake, and the tree is purifying it as it goes up to the tallest parts. If we can't make a fire that's safer water to drink."

Hanel's eyes then darted toward a water apple tree that sat closer to where the heart was. "And that tree has sweet fruit that's safe to eat. Unfortunately, it has a cousin who has deadly fruits, and you can only tell by smell which one is good and which isn't."

The other submissive looked extremely skeptical at this point, and Hanel knew this was his chance. He carefully brought the hand that had been in the air down and held it out for a handshake. He stood there, smiling, and said, "I'm Hanel. My grandfather is a physician in the outer villages and was able to teach me about plants for healing and survival. I don't know everything but I know enough to keep myself alive for a while. If you'd be willing to make a pact..."

Hanel then slashed at his palm--only a small cut--and held it out again. "Blood pact. We stick with one another until we find a dominant. You may not like it, but we need them if one of us wants to get out alive," Hanel stressed. "But obviously there are none here now, and no guarantee they'd want us if they saw us. So, until they're willing to make claim, we help each other live."

He had no idea if this little plan would work. The other submissive could deem him worthless and try to kill him immediately. That would mean Hanel would have to fight him, which wasn't preferable. And even if he did accept, Hanel had no idea how binding this guy thought a blood pact was. They were pretty serious in the villages, but otherwise it was anyone's guess.
Title: Re: The Claiming (Open)
Post by: Kazuo on October 22, 2014, 11:58:41 am
He looks like he’s been bitch slapped.

Alann found himself raising his eyebrows in obvious surprise at the blatancy of those words. He didn’t hear anything from the voice behind them, and neither did he think the stranger meant anything by saying that. In fact, it almost sounded like all he wanted was to amuse himself – maybe including him. Not that he wasn’t saying what he was saying wasn’t true. It did look like Ray’s been bitch slapped. Bitch slapped by a lover? His sides of his own lips twitched upwards but for a moment, before he’d focused back on the situation at hand.

That was true. Ray, without any sort of defenses out cold like this, was useless to him. And, although he had intended to use him as the game progressed, this man, apparently, wasn’t new to the act of manipulation. This only furthered Alann’s suspicion that Ray was going to be a problem to him later on and that he was much more experienced in the field he’d only started with once he stepped into the business industry. When the other pointed out that his weight was going to be a burden to him, Alann could only find himself smiling – mostly in amusement. In fact, he didn’t seem the least bit affected by the Submissive’s next words.

“Quite smart you are,” he started, “For a submissive.” Grabbing Ray’s shirt and lifting him enough for him to pull his knee out from under him, he dropped him back to the ground and slowly got up to his feet. He dusted himself, fixed his glasses, and let the smile he had on drop to a firm, straight line. “Perhaps, you’d like to help me then to pack enough food for us to last.” Alann motioned to the banana tree just a couple of steps from where they were. The slope may slow them down should they encounter any predators, but they had the corpse and the boar to gather their enemy’s attention to it. “This may be a waste of time and energy but you wouldn’t have come and joined us if not for the possibility of getting food from the man we just killed.”

Tugging his shirt down and fixing his belt, Alann smiled politely again at the stranger. “Ah, by the way, if you have any smarter ideas, I’m open to listen to them.”

He reached behind him to take out his dagger, and he raised his hand a bit to ease the other should he think that he was going to attack. The male stepped back, turned around, and headed towards the boar. He was hungry, and right now, what looked more appealing to him was the food.

While there were no predators and no other players around, he made sure to keep his eye on this stranger. After all, if he made even the slightest of a mistake, he could die early on in the game. That was not his goal for this game, and he still had a lot more to show to his future stakeholders. Cutting through the other leg of the boar, Alann brought this up to cut a bit of the meat with his knife. “So, would you prefer joining me to eat or stand there and wait for the predators to smell these?”