"You're incredible. Finding a tribute like that."
"Is that so?" Cyrena laughed lightly and flashed Janaury a smile. "Thanks!"
Cyrena took a seat beside Janaury and switched on the television. She pulled his sleeve to get back his attention.
"Aury, let's watch the District Two reaping."
"Yes, yes. Are you sure you should leave those two tributes from District Six alone in their carriage?"
Cyrena scowled and kicked his leg. "Don't talk to me that way when you ditched your own district the moment you saw me enter the train!"
Janaury laughed and returned his attention back to the television. On screen, the escort called out the name of the female tribute.
"Saffra Kilnam!"
Saffra's POV
I jolted when I heard my name being called. I immediately searched out Lily and I saw her start to raise her hand and her mouth was slowly opening. My eyes widened and I ran to her, pushing down her hand. I shook my head quickly. No.
Lily started to protest but I let go of her and stumbled to the stage. The escort smiled at me and helped me up on the stage though the pull on my arm was painful. I stood on the stage and looked around, locking eyes with Lily. I gave her a small smile to comfort her but I was worried and surprised.
Why would the Capitol pick me? Did they rig it? If they did, then why pick someone with such a big disadvantage? I bit my lip as those thoughts ran through my mind and I lost interest in the male reaping. I wanted someone to answer my questions but who could?
I only got back to reality when someone grasped my hand and shook it gently. I looked at the person and came face to face with Elagabalus Avitus.
Oh. My. God.
Elagabalus's POV
I watched Saffra walk up on the stage and frowned when she tripped and no one bothered to help her. I sighed and waited for the male to be called out. Who would it be? Surely, it would be someone I knew. I can't imagine who could have the stealth to escape me! I frowned again but made sure to ease up on the furrowing of my eyebrows. Wrinkles were a no, no!
I looked over at Nero and saw how his hand was already raising. The male haven't even been called!
"Ba-Balus...I got reaped," my friend, Orion, whispered to me.
...what? I heard nothing about it! Come to think of it, I was probably too busy worrying about my wrinkles. Damn people distracting me!
"I vo-" Nero's sweet and angelic voice started.
"I volunteer as tribute!" I interrupted and gently pushed Orion out of the way. I highly doubt that Phoenix would like having her boyfriend's face being harmed.
I made my way to the stage and climbed up onto it. I noticed the awed and terrified faces of the people. How interesting. I turned around and faced the escort. Her name, Cassia was it? I wonder how old she is.
"Oh!" she exclaimed. Her small mouth formed an 'o' of surprise. I wondered why and looked down at myself. It must be because of the fact that I was wearing a skirt with leggings. "What's your name?"
"Elagabalus Avitus," I answered with a wink. "And yours?"
"C-Cassius Heartling," the yellow skinned woman answered. She turned to the crowd and spoke into the mike. "And here are our two brave tributes from District Two! Shake hands now!"
I looked at Saffra and waited for her to take my outstretched hand. She didn't. I ended up taking her hand and shook it gently. Right now, she looked like a small flower who was trembling in the might of the wind. She carried an air of bravery and strength however. I remembered how she was always alone with that friend of hers. Perhaps one could liken Saffra to a purple heather flower.
Saffra's stunning green eyes finally met mine and her slight jaw drop was amusing. Her lips moved but nothing came out. I patted her head and then the Peacekeepers started moving us into the Justice Building.
Saffra's POV
I sat in an empty room and waited for my family and Lily to visit me. Meanwhile, I played with the hem of my forest green dress and thought about my district partner. Elagabalus or Balus as he rather he be called and his full name was quite a mouthful.
I didn't know if he was any good at fighting but from what Lily told me, his body was incredibly pretty and it was shaped nicely. ...that doesn't really help now that I think about it. The door opened then and my family along with Lily came in.
"Three minutes!" the Peacekeeper from outside yelled.
My dad is missing but I was used to it. He probably didn't even show up for the reaping.
"Saffra!" Sunny and Sal yelled as they ran right into me.
I embraced them tightly and they locked their arms around my waist. I looked at my mother and I can see her dabbing away at tears. She sniffled a little and joined in the hug. Lily stood near the door to give us some space and I smiled gratefully at her. She merely shook her head and signed to me that if I wanted to accomplish anything, my family and I had to stop hugging.
We separated and they stood in a semi circle facing me. My mother looked at Lily and Lily opened her right hand to reveal a small beaded bracelet. The beads were of different colour and they looked absolutely stunning under the light. I smiled and took the bracelet, wearing it on my right wrist. I noticed how her left wrist had the same bracelet.
I signed to my family that I love them and I will come back for sure. My teary-eyed mother nodded and told it to the twins. Sunny and Sal were still unable to understand sign language and my mother and I had promised them we would teach it to them once their memory was good enough. With me now being reaped for the Games, we might not even get the chance.
"Saffra, I-" Lily started to say but the door slammed open , interrupting her.
"Your time is up, out!" the Peacekeeper shouted gruffly. Two other Peacekeepers came in and they started to push my family and Lily out.
I caught Lily's eye and hurriedly signed to her, "Make sure my dad takes care of them. Please!"
She nodded and then the door slammed shut. The resounding bang echoed around the room. I stared at the wooden door. I stood up and walked over to it. I tried the door knob but someone had locked it from the outside.
The ensuing silence was suddenly so deafening.
Elagabalus's POV
"Oh Nero dearest, don't cry," I comforted the crying green eyed boy.
Nero looked up at me and wailed, "You just consigned yourself to your death!"
"Fear not for I will come back alive," I assured him and pulled him into a hug.
"Balus! Keep your hands to yourself!" my brother, Commodus, yelled, moving forward to pull Nero away from my hands.
"Two more minutes left," Orion intoned.
Phoenix laughed and turned to Calypso. "Aren't you going to give any strategy for Balus to survive, Mrs. Avitus?"
My mother smiled and shook her head. "I'm sure my son is smart enough to think those up by his own."
"Of course, mother," I replied.
"One minute and thirty more seconds. Keep safe," Orion said. He smiled and I returned it.
"Balus, w-would you accept this?" Nero asked shyly. His cheeks were such a wonderful red that suited him well. If only I saw that blush more often!
I looked at what Nero was offering me and realized it was his silver bracelet that had a violin charm attached to it. I gave him a gentle smile and took it. I wore the bracelet immediately and gave him yet another hug.
"Thank you," I whispered.
"O-oh, i-it's," Nero stammered and his hands started flying about which always happened whenever he became nervous.
"You never change," Commodus sighed.
Phoenix let out a peal of laughter and pried Nero away. She winked at me and pushed a lock of black hair out of her face. Oddly enough, it wasn't done in braids this time. I wondered dimly if it had anything to do with the reaping.
"Do your best to stay alive! I trust your stylist will have the fashion sense to dress you up well," she grinned.
"Time's up," Orion muttered and the door opened.
"All of you, out!" a Peacekeeper yelled.
"Bye bye," I waved my fingers daintily at them and they waved back.
My mother gave me a knowing look then walked off with Commodus behind her.
"Oh wait! I forgot something! Nero, wait!" I called out, jumping from my position on the bed and running to him.
"Bal- mmppfff!"
Whatever Nero wanted to say was cut off by my big smooch on his lips. I licked his bottom lip then rose up again. Nero's face was bright red and he was spouting nonsense. I took a quick look at the Peacekeeper's face and felt smug when I saw his opened mouth. To his credit, he managed to regain his composure and hurriedly shove himself and Nero out of the room. Aw, I wanted to know Nero's reaction.
I laughed and thought to myself that I can find out when I came back alive. The door opened again and another Peacekeeper walked in. His gait was full of caution and I guessed he had caught wind of what happened.
"The train is here," he told me and then showed me the way out.
It was time to go to the Capitol and see what they have in stall for us.