[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/ZgvO2EP.png[/img][/center][color=#A7C7E7]
[b][color=#6082B6]Time:[/color][/b] Morning
[b][color=#6082B6]Location:[/color][/b] Roshmi City
[b][color=#6082B6]Interactions:[/color][/b] [@Helo] Bowyn [color=white]❄[/color] [@Lava Alckon] Bardulf [color=white]❄[/color] [@FunnyGuy] Mister Luum [color=white]❄[/color] [@Tae] Brigette [color=white]❄[/color] [@Pink Khione] Zeva 
[b][color=#6082B6]Mentions:[/color][/b] 
[b][color=#6082B6]Equipment:[/color][/b] Small backpack, two knives, bow and arrow, rations, water flask, hygiene products, polearm, [url=https://imgur.com/BjXz8f3]outfit[/url]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/bWNy1S9.png[/img][/center]

Rue laughed at Bowyn’s jest. She patted his arm apologetically because she knew her comment had slipped out. However, he wasn’t offended, so she remained quiet. Flying sure beat running and she hated having to try to do so. Without her Pegasus at her side, Rue couldn’t help but feel lost. She shifted on her leg and sighed. If losing a leg was all she lost from the arena, then Rue considered herself lucky. 
Afterwards, she rested her head against his shoulder and glanced around. The shop wasn’t too busy; there were customers everywhere. A glance toward Bardulf  reassured her that he was well; so far, at least. 

Rue sighed as she waited for her order. A loud, cheerful laugh echoed throughout the shop and caused her to look over. Sitting near the group were three dark elves, two male and a female. The girl had a buzzcut and hair to one side with pink tips, tee-shirt under a leather jacket, pants and boots and likely had an array of weapons hidden; the dark elves sitting across from her had similar looks with black hair, gleaming amber eyes, except one had longer hair and the other had short hair. Their outfits were bulky and similar to a soldier’s uniform. Rue couldn’t help but stare at the group for a moment as memories flashed through her mind. Their laughter echoed and for a moment, the cafe melted around her and into the barracks at the arena. 

[hr]
[hider=Theme for flashback][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0zsZT8awNk&ab_channel=FormerlyPoloDaReaperp[/youtube][/hider]
[i][color=orange]”Heidi in your shadow! You can’t see meee!”[/color] 
[color=gold]”Yeah H, you’re invisible. Congratulations. They’ll neve spot you in the arena.”[/color]
[color=tan]”Ya’ll are going to get us fucking killed.”[/color]
[color=orange]”I will not! Don’t be so mean, J!”[/color]

[color=orange]”I don’t think this top goes with these pants, R, do you?”[/color]
[color=#6082B6]”...I guess I never thought about that… Um, it looks nice on you.”[/color]
[color=gold]”She’s too fucking nice to be here. Yeah H, we’re worried about looking fashionable as we face our deaths. Better we die in fashion huh?”[/color]
[color=tan]”You’d be better off wearing all black and blending into the shadows. Invisible Heidi. That’ll throw off Shadow for sure and won’t piss her off at all. Maybe we can start a fashion line for gladiating, if we don’t fucking die in here first.”[/color]
[color=gold]”Always the tone of encouragement, J. Never stop being an optimist.”[/color]
Rue broke into laughter and nearly dropped the bucket she held. This caused the trio to look at her with shock; then the room erupted into laughter and the four of them didn't stop. [/i][hr]

Rue didn’t notice at first, but water obscured her vision. She looked down and turned away from the others. The aching in her chest became tight and for a moment, she thought her heart was going to stop. Pain coursed through her veins. Rue looked around for Starfire but of course she wasn’t there. In the background, the trio had gotten up to leave, jovial and unaware of her having been staring at them. Rue’s breath caught as the group moved by, and she stole another glance. Their resemblance…. She bit her tongue and took several deep breaths. They had died. They weren't coming back. Nothing would ever change that fact. 

Rue outwardly looked calm, but inside a storm raged. She had to be strong. She couldn’t let Bowyn or Bardulf down. Outside, Starfire waited for her patiently, although she was likely grazing her heart out. The idea caused laughter to bubble inside of her, but she didn’t let it out. Rue stared at  the floor, blissfully unaware of her surroundings, and remained lost in thought. The memories continued flooding her mind. As the pain subsided, Rue clenched her fists. She would not let anyone else die on her. Not now, not ever again. Rue would [i]not[/i] allow that to happen. Determination filled her and she finally glanced at Bowyn and let out a soft smile.[/color]