Cato stares at the District Four girl, who's glaring at him. He crosses his arms over his chest as the elevator starts moving again, but she refuses to say a word.
"Not talkative?" he asks again.
"I don't usually associate with people from District Two," she snaps. The elevator has reached its destination, but as the door slides open, Cato steps in front of it and spreads out both his arms so he's completely blocking the doorway. He's so massive it doesn't take much for him to accomplish this.
"Why? You don't even know me." He replies. He doesn't actually care about her attitude towards him, but he is curious to see if she'll reveal anything about herself.
She tries to shove past him, but he easily blocks her then pushes her backwards with one quick movement. She sighs angrily before answering him. "I still remember what happened last year, with that monster you called a tribute, from your District. I have no interest in talking to another one of you." She spits out.
He snorts, before final standing up and turning sideways, letting her run out. It only then hits up that he's curious where she's going. She continues down the hallway before making a sudden left turn, into the pool area. Ah, he should have known.
He reaches into his pocket and retrieves the amethyst earring. He holds it in his hand tightly. He misses her touch. He puts the earring back into his pocket and pushes the District Two girl from his mind and looks back down at the pool. He's not done with that sea girl yet.
He walks quickly down the hallway and then pushes the door to the pool open. The metal door flies open and he gets a look at the pool for the first time. The room isn't like the training room, no grey paint for metal features anywhere. Instead, it's covered completely in brown stone. There are plants and vines sprouting form the ceilings, and the pool is long but the water is clear and the stone floor is visible underneath. There's a waterfall on the opposite end of the pool, making the water bubble and keeps it in constant motion. This must be designed to be the most realistic representation of what could be in the arena. The smell of water, plants and wet rocks fills the air.
He looks down and sees where the District Four girl is standing, by the waterfall. She's turned still and is staring at him. "Why are you here?" she calls out.
Cato takes another look around before answering. "I've never been here before," he begins walking towards the waterfall and the girl turns and looks for a way to run, but Cato holds up his hand. "I'm not going to hurt you, kid. I came here to win and doing anything to you would hurt my chances. None of that will matter when we enter the games, though." He tells her.
She rolls her eyes before walking over to the edge of the pool. She dips her toes in. "I want to go swimming. Are you planning on staying here?" she snaps at him.
"There's now law saying I have to leave. The training rooms are open to all tributes." He answers, in an equally bitter tone.
She doesn't answer before taking one swift movement and diving into the water. Cato watches as the girl, fully clothed, swims underwater for a long while. She disappears under the waterfall before finally emerging in the corner. Her hair has come loose of the bun and is now floating around her. Her white shirt sticks to her every curve and dent of her torso. She tilts her head and looks mad.
"I would really appreciate it if you wouldn't watch me." She growls, crossing her arms over her chest as she kicks with her feet to keep herself afloat.
"Why? Does it make you uncomfortable?" he asks. He kneels down at the edge of the pool, making sure to not break eye contact with her the entire time. Her green eyes flicker back and forth and she presses herself even more against the stone ledge behind her.
"Yes, it does actually!" she exclaims. She begins swimming to the opposite end of the pool, and he watches. When she finally reaches the other end of the pool she looks back at him. "Do you even swim?" she asks.
He rolls his eyes before answering. "Obviously I swim. District Two, remember? We do everything." He scoffs.
"Is being incredibly cocky also a required trait?" she snaps back. He smirks.
"You're a feisty little thing," he tells her.
Her cheeks puff out and she glares at him. "Don't talk to me like I'm some girl who will swoon over you. Now unless you're here to swim can you just please fuck off and leave me alone?" she snaps at him. He can tell she's flustered and angry. It only makes him smile even more and encourage him to continue irritating her- interested to see how she'll react.
He stands up, before diving in the water. It doesn't take him long to reach her, despite the fact she's at the other end of the pool. His strokes are powerful and quick. She's trying to scramble out of the water by the time he gets there, and he grabs her submerged ankle and holds it under the water so she's stuck in it.
"Hey, get off!" she yells and tries to kick him.
"Am I bothering you?" he snorts and tightens his grip. She stops struggling and looks at him, her face screwed up with anger.
"Why are you doing this?" she sighs and finally manages to sit on the ledge, despite the fact her ankle is still firmly clasped in his wrist.
"You're reactions are too easy. It's funny." He answers. He used to tease Cerys all the time, but not to this extent. At first he did, but then she started returning his banter. This girl's responses are fiery compared to Cerys.
She doesn't do anything for a second before she kicks herself off the ledge and tackles him, knocking him backwards so he falls down in the water, her body on top of his. He's so caught off guard he releases his grip on her ankle. She kicks his abdomen, which propels her up to the surface. He opens his eyes under the water and sees her looking back down at him, her green eyes looking at his and her dark hair floating like a cloud around her body. In the next second she has pulled herself out of the water and is running out of the pool-room by the time he's come up for air.
"Leave me alone." She says from the doorway before disappearing.
He snorts. So, that's the sea jewel from District Four. Too quick to anger, a good swimmer but not a threat in the arena. She might as well have a target painted on her back, just for him.