𝐅𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐃 𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑 ─ irrcvocable
𝖏𝖚𝖓𝖎𝖕𝖊𝖗 𝖉𝖆𝖑𝖙𝖔𝖓 , 𝖈𝖑𝖊𝖛𝖊𝖗 𝖌𝖎𝖗𝖑 , 𝖍𝖊𝖗 eyes cling onto subtle movements and find hidden meaning . a ridiculous outfit may be enough to draw attention from capitolites whose eyes flicker to the shiniest and most outlandish , but she is not enough for a predator like nero . one whose eyes flit away from a girl who still stands upon trembling legs , one whose presence flickers like a broken lightbulb in a dim room . not enough . not when a girl who is being reborn as beast is still in the beginnings of her own metamorphosis . it isn’t enough to a predator with fangs still bloody , cerberus guards the entrance to a hell perceived as glorious and deems juniper unworthy . does she fight to let nero’s spotlight illuminate her , call herself predator even when her nails are far from nero’s talons and teeth nothing like her sharp canines ? or is there relief in the knowledge that there is not yet enough evil within her for nero to see her and deem her worthy of the throne she has sat upon ?
𝖉𝖎𝖘𝖆𝖕𝖕𝖗𝖔𝖛𝖆𝖑 𝖎𝖓 𝖍𝖚𝖒 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝖌𝖑𝖆𝖗𝖊 , there is no masking the way juniper’s entire body tenses at a look that makes her stomach sink . is her humanity worth this tortuous look ? she is torn ––––– yet every fiber of her being pleads for survival , and the question has been answered moments after it has been posed . if the other wants to see strength , juniper will try to play the part . anything when disapproval means danger . shoulders are squared and juniper clears her throat when nero’s gaze floats away for the last time , calling for the other’s attention even when she knows herself undeserving . the other’s words make juniper want to shiver . they are a warning more than they are a piece of advice , they are a death sentence from the predator that sees easy prey . enemies , nero calls them . in juniper’s eyes , they have already gone from peers to obstacles . it is still not enough to thirst for the blood to be spilled , it is the end of a shift she still finds herself going through . there is still a lamb within her , weakened by her own fear . ‘ perhaps , ’ juniper concedes . ‘ but it’s true . ’ there is sincerity in the admission ––––– juniper understands that her origins are not advantageous beyond physical strength and proficiency with a single weapon . it is nothing compared to the rigorous training that some of the others have been subjected to , evidenced in the muscles beneath their skin , the danger they ––––– like nero ––––– wear as a constant threat . maybe they are at an advantage , but none of them know how much fear fuels juniper’s every move . ‘ i’m not an idiot ––––– i won’t argue with you . but i do think you underestimate how badly i want to survive . it drives me more than any victory could ––––– it’s more than just false hope . ’
trigger warning : blood & gore tw
SURVIVABILITY OR GLORY ? WHICH OUTWEIGHS THE OTHER , which carries more drive than the other ? for nero , it’s the answer of the gory gold , the splatters of red against platinum stars that hang in front of her eyes like the fringe of GODHOOD ; she had clawed her nails off to grasp the divinity that now dances on her skin . the arena’s siren call , it sings a song for those who chase the path to pearly gates – the people with wings hidden underneath cracked shoulder blades & hide ichor in the maroon that flow underneath their skin . where the longing for survival has always been selfless , the yearning for the laurels have always been SELFISH . a district partner kicked off of a cliff , a supposed ally stabbed in the back after a poisonous kiss , an innocent life taken by the waters that are meant to cleanse dirty skin – egocentric , she had picked off human lives as if they were chess pawns ; earned her sanctity by looking at herself as something MORE than human . ❝ so , how FAR are you willing to go ? ❞ she questions , devil raises an eyebrow as she looks upon an innocent soul – oh , the ways she can torture purity . ❝ you want to survive so badly ? how many TONGUES will you cut for your life ? are you willing to GUT your best friends so you can go home to your family while their families grieve ? will you drink their blood from every goblet you pick up for the rest of your life you fought so hard to keep ? ❞
she can go on , ask juniper if she’s willing to transform from girl to wolf to live . nero wants to see the discomfort , goddess longs for a sacrifice as she plants images of gore inside of a mind that looks like it’s already seen too much . ❝ because i do . i DID , i killed so i could walk out & look families in the eyes & remind them that i WON at the price of their loved one’s lives . ❞ lips spread wide , a cruel laugh falls from her lips as an image of softness falls from a girl that’s always been a blade . a masterpiece drawn by the most bent mind , she’s made of sharp lines & bloody eyes – blown pupils & broken veins underneath ceramic skin – she’s not goddess , she’s not empress , she’s not GIRL , she’s wrongness trapped in a form beneath her & she intends to make juniper’s skin crawl . a game to play with her newest little doll , raggedy ann in human form for her to manipulate & mold . ❝ THAT’S victory , little bell – the desire to KILL & the desire to HURT . how far will your desire to live take you ? ❞