Chapter Text
The embodiment of hatred wakes up in a rustic bed. Clothes and trash are cluttered all over the floor, many of the items ripped to shreds by monstrous claws.
It’s finally time to start the day, 1x.
1x1x1x1 was not your average Robloxian. He knew that. Seeing herself in the mirror, with her translucent torso staring back at them, knowing he was never normal in the first place. The mirror has clearly been through a lot; cracks throughout the glass, some pieces of it falling downwards to the floor, and a fog covering it.. 1x only rolled his eyes and finally stands up.
“Good morning, 1x.”
There was John Doe, standing in 1x1x1x1’s kitchen. Though, that wasn’t the most confusing thing about seeing the kitchen, and by proxy the living room. Half of the living room was torn apart, showing a view of the other Banlands residences. Looking at the clear hole through her home, 1x only points.
“F1x 1t.” And then they grab a lime, eating it as they leave. Living with John had some perks. For one, he was very polite. He also cooked whatever 1x hunted, not asking where he even found these critters. You can’t afford to be picky in the Banlands, especially with the Admins banning the act of hunting to make them suffer even more. At least John was respectful enough not to rat her out. Or was it the hunger talking?
1x1x1x1 had a specific routine that they kept close to. Mornings were usually to grab a random fruit (if they had any) and say hello to John. John Doe usually would cook whatever was left from yesterday for breakfast, but yesterday’s hunt was sullied by a Moderator patrolling the woods. The rest of the day was for foraging, hunting, you name it; anything useful to survive the pang of hunger.
Today, though, he was hunting alongside another. 1x1x1x1 recently met Azure, a deep purple Robloxian with tentacles protruding out of his back. His hat was old and raggedy, but Azure insisted on keeping it. He was recently sent to the Banlands, taken there by an Admin that thought he was a beast.
She met Azure one day, while foraging for swamp potatoes. 1x1x1x1 was only looking for swamp potatoes specifically for 007n7’s son, who was craving mashed potatoes and driving the whole complex crazy. Azure was looking at the duckweeds with rapt attention. They noticed each other, Azure being afraid of the “Embodiment of Hatred” at first. But with time, that changed.
Azure was waiting by the riverbed, looking in between the rocks for any crawdads. “H3Y!” The yell was able to get the Robloxian to notice 1x, her white hair tied up into a ponytail. In response, he waves to her. All afternoon, they spent their time fishing in the deeper part of the river, while Azure foraged around for any plants.
Their efforts were not in vain. 1x was able to catch some fish, enough for at least a few people. Azure found wild strawberries, growing by the end of the forest, near the border that few went to. He was able to pluck many of them, as they seem to grow in abundance, carrying them all in his hat.
After their time in the forbidden forest, they sat down by a hillside, eating away at the sweet fruits. Of course, 1x left some to make jam, knowing that John would absolutely be thrilled by the prospect of eating a proper breakfast. While eating, Azure asks 1x a question about the next few days. “Are you still going to hunt during the Reaping?”
Oh yeah, the Reaping, as 1x1x1x1 rolls her eyes in disgust. “Y3ah, 1’m st1ll g01ng t0 hunt. Why?” “I just thought that, since this’ll be my first Reaping in the Banlands, if there is anything that I need to expect?”
She only looks away. The Reaping was always looming their heads, especially in this sort of hellhole. Not to mention how her own father had approved of- Noticing how quiet it was in the forest, 1x responds. “D0n’t 3v3r v0lunt33r, 3v3n 1f th3 t3ss3ra3 1s g00d th1s y3ar.”
Azure nods, now standing up. “If I do get chosen, take care of my hat for me.” He receives a punch to his shoulder, 1x looking angrily at him. But then they let down their fighting stance. And in this moment, where the world is so messed up and hunger is the norm, in the forest they aren’t supposed to even enter:
1x1x1x1 laughs. She laughs and throws a berry right at Azure, and they chase each other in the woods. Away from the looming suffering, they were free to live. Returning to the lake, they splash and swish through the water. Just like children.
After returning home, 1x sees the living room, horribly fixed with wooden planks. Looking at John, she demands an answer. “So, the only hardware store was robbed again, but even then there wasn’t enough to fix the big hole… Had to go to the shore to find driftwood. Um, I also got us this,” as he holds up a bag of mollusks.
“Thank you,” was all he said, leaving all the things found by their time in the woods. John kept on staring, right until 1x turns around and goes “Why ar3 y0u star1ng at m3?”
“You’re smiling.”