Burginham came around, realizing he was lying on a table, with bandages and salves rubbed all over different wounds and bites. He could just see the brunette wig that Telerus was wearing on the edge of his vision.
"Thank you so much for helping him," she was saying to someone. "He's not one to be able to handle such long hikes, and honestly, it's lucky we found civilization before he did faint."
"It's ok," a young girl said from off view. "We do what we can to help."
Burginham groaned, and Telerus swung around. She smirked at him, saying silently, Nice job. "Hey, are you all right brother?" she asked instead, kneeling down next to him.
Burginham was about to ask why she was calling him 'brother' when he remembered they were supposed to be acting. Saying they were siblings was probably the easiest explanation Telerus could give to them for why they were traveling together. "I've been better," he grimaced, "Though I do feel much better than before."
"Thank goodness," she sighed in relief. The young girl talking to Telerus appeared, holding a rag. She had blonde hair and blue eyes and was wearing a very nice blouse and skirt.
"I'm back," a voice from the doorway said. Burginham sat up enough to see that the voice belonged to another female, this one had black hair and olive skin. In her hands was some food. "Who're these guys?" she asked, sounding surprised.
Telerus bowed, saying, "We didn't mean to impose. My brother fell unconscious outside and your family said they'd help him."
The girl relaxed, though her face remained a grim mask. "I'm Katniss," she said.
A woman who appeared to be an older version of the younger girl walked in. "We're going to need to be leaving soon," she said. Telerus and Burginham made to move so they could go, but she held them back. "You two aren't going anywhere."
"Then at least let me go," Telerus stated. "Brother can stay here and rest, but I want to see what all the big fuss is about."
"Hey, I'm going also," Burginham protested.
"Are you sure?" the younger daughter asked.
Telerus knelt down and patted her on the head, smiling. "I'm sure Prim. Just from what you've told me, this sounds like something I'm going to have to see to believe."
All the countries knew how Panem held an event once a year that he called 'The Hunger Games'. They just didn't know how it worked or what the deal with it was. It sounded so wrong; it was something Telerus had to check out for herself. Besides, this sounded like the perfect opportunity to try and reach the Capitol, their destination.
"Hey, I'm not getting counted out of it," Burginham protested.
"You need to rest," Prim answered.
"I've been able to heal quite fast," Burginham said, smiling at her. "I think I'll be fine."
Katniss and her mom walked back in. Katniss was wearing a blue dress, while her mother was carrying a red blouse with a white skirt. She handed them to Telerus, saying, "Change into these." Telerus nodded and disappeared into a side room.
Katniss walked over to Burginham and gave him a shirt and pants. These appeared to be used often, and Katniss handed them over with much distain in her posture.
"I'm sorry we don't have anything better for you," the mom said as Burginham looked at them.
He smiled. "No, it's quite all right." It's better than what Telerus has been making me wear. Burginham secretly said to himself. Telerus walked back in and Burginham went to change.
"Oh, I'm glad to see those fit you," Katniss' mother said to Telerus.
Telerus was slightly blushing, knowing how many countries would taunt her if they caught her wearing this. Then she remembered how this was supposedly broadcast and knew that she would have some serious butt to kick once she and Burginham got back to base. "Thank you. I haven't been able to wear something this nice for a while." Not true, a few hours ago she was wearing her military uniform.
Once Burginham walked back out looking better in Katniss' clothes than the rags Telerus forced him to wear, they left for the square. Katniss and Primrose separated from the group and walked into what looked like roped cages where other kids around the same age range were congregating.
Telerus and Burginham hung back, lagging behind from the sister's mother. Once they were sure she wouldn't notice they were missing, they slid among the crowd and found themselves in the same area as the kids. Burginham ended up in the group of males at the front, while Telerus was in the same roped off area as Katniss.
This is going better than expected, Telerus thought to herself, but still disgusted Panem allowed something like this to happen.
As the bell rang for two o'clock, a tall man that must've been the mayor walked up to the podium in the center of the platform and explained why the Hunger Games happened every year. Telerus could feel the color draining from her face as the story went on. How could something like this happen in Panem? The strongest country behind Hwain and herself?
As the mayor was finishing up and announcing the last victors from this district, District Twelve, a very fat man stumbled onto the stage and sat down in one of the chairs, trying to hug the female next to him. She stopped him before he could completely hug her and hurried up to the podium.
After she regained her composure from what happened, she called out, "Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor!"
Telerus couldn't help but smirk when she realized this woman, Effie Trinket, was wearing a wig.
Once Effie Trinket finished her whole speech about how happy she was to be there she called out, "Ladies first" and walked over to a big glass ball. She reached in and pulled out a slip of paper.
Telerus set herself. She had to volunteer since she wouldn't be on any of those slips. She had asked Prim about it beforehand, and Prim explained that after a tribute was chosen, it was possible to volunteer to take that person's place. Telerus looked at Burginham and nodded, saying, follow my lead.
"Primrose Everdeen!" Effie Trinket called. Telerus froze for a moment as Prim's name bounced around in her head, but shook it off. She had to do it now, before anyone else would be willing too.
Telerus caught sight of Prim and moved to cut her off, saying, "I volunteer to take her place!"
Shock filled the atmosphere. Prim cried, "What? You can't! You'll die!"
"I can't stand by and watch you die either," Telerus said. "Not after helping brother."
Katniss walked over and took Prim's hand, looking at Telerus as if asking, Why?
Telerus walked up and stood beside Effie. Phase 1 complete, she though to herself as she looked directly at the camera.
"And what's your name?" Effie asked after the shock passed.
"I'm Bernie Jones," Telerus answered, smiling.
Haymitch toddled up and started saying something, but Telerus tuned it out as she looked at Burginham. He nodded slightly, realizing what he had to do.
Haymitch plummeted off the stage as he fell unconscious. Telerus stared at him for a moment, but quickly shook off the shock of what happened as she set herself again. Effie walked over and pulled out another slip of paper. "Peeta Mellark," she called out.
Before the boy could even move, Burginham stepped forward and said, "I'll volunteer for him."
This seemed to cause even more surprise than Telerus volunteering. District Twelve didn't normally have volunteers, but this year they had two. What's more, it was the two kids that had been rescued from the forest a few hours before. Burginham walked onto the stage and stood there, flashing a winning smile at the crowd.
Telerus managed to stop herself from shaking her head, and instead smiled at the crowd again. "And who would you be?" Effie asked.
"I'm Bernie's older brother, Manuel," Burginham said, flashing another smile.
This time Telerus couldn't help but shake her head as Burginham acted like this.
The mayor started reading some document or another as Telerus and Burginham stood there in front of everyone. Music played once he was done and the two countries shook hands.
They were ushered into the building when the music was finished and directed into two different rooms. Telerus smiled at Burginham before the doors behind them closed.
/AN
For the record, I came up with the rankings at random. That's kind of why it went Hwain, Telerus, Panem instead of something that'd probably make slightly more senseā¦
R&R Please!
AN/
