Chapter Eleven.
Chariot Rides.
Belarius Orleans, 18 years old;
District Two Male.
He'd always been told to respect the opposite gender, to treat them with the same level of kindness that he'd expect back.
The problem was, Belarius had no idea what he'd done to piss Aurelie off. He didn't think she understood the concept of kindness.
Belarius kept his eyes on her own. They were cold dark blue pools of loathing. Whatever she'd been through, Belarius was scared to find out. Not that he wanted to find out. It'd be better he didn't know much about the walking ice-lady. In the future, lack of knowledge about who or what made her so human would be an advantage he didn't want to lose.
"Can I lend you a hand?" Belarius extended his arm to help Aurelie up into the Chariot. She was dragging a long, grey dress, a thin veil over her head like some stone, warrior bride. Aurelie glared at Belarius, shaking her head stubbornly. Anyone else might be put off immediately. Belarius sort of enjoyed the challenge. Even Aurelie, deep down, had to have some desire for fun. Before fun became impossible, of course. The Games weren't exactly a carnival ride.
"I can manage on my own. I have legs. I have hands. Step back." Her lack of manners was amusing. Belarius stumbled into the other side of the Chariot, Aurelie pretty much forcing him to the right as she struggled to board.
"You sure I can't help you?"
Another death stare. "Are you deaf as well as stupid?"
"Alright, alright. I get the message. No harm no foul."
Aurelie finally got herself into a respectable position. Belarius failed to ignore the fact that unlike him, she didn't hold onto the front rail that would give them support. Of course, the ice-queen did not require the help of something so insignificant as a lump of metal. No. They were below her. She didn't stoop to such a level. Holding bars were for weaklings.
Belarius laughed and looked over his shoulder. They had a while to go yet. By the lack of tributes in the nearby area, something told him they didn't have to get so cosy just yet. A perfect opportunity Belarius was more than happy to take advantage of.
"How about we go say hey to our future friends? It'd help if we start to build some bridges, y'know."
Aurelie didn't even look at him. She continued to stare forwards as she shook her head, again in that mule-headed way he'd come to associate with who she was. "We have tomorrow to start that. Besides, I don't intend on making friends. They're future allies. Future-"
"-enemies. Yeah, yeah. I get the picture. Let's not make friends with the dead kids. Alright, well you do you and continue staring at what I'm sure is a very fascinating closed door. I'm going to go and do what any smart Career should do and get to know his fellow killers."
Killers. Belarius tried to ignore what that word did to his stomach. He continued to smile, resolved to demonstrating to Aurelie at every turn that she didn't have to be such a hardened, humourless, soulless waste of space. She'd come around eventually. Hopefully. He really didn't want the struggle of an ally that made things difficult. Belarius lacked the patience and foresight for such a person.
Hopping down from the Chariot, dusting himself off, he walked round the other side of the horses and caught the attention of the pair from One. Luella and Prosper. He'd made sure to remember their names.
When they saw him wave them over, Luella practically flung herself over Prosper to get to the ground first, forgetting she had her own way off the Chariot. Prosper laughed to himself, patted his outfit down, and followed his rather enthusiastic District partner towards Belarius.
"Hi hi, I'm Luella!"
"I know," Belarius smiled, extending a hand. She was awfully excited. A small part of Belarius hoped she at least knew what she was doing. Aurelie might be a stubborn young lady, but he knew more than anything that she was capable. She was here for a reason. "I'm Belarius. District Two. Over there's my beautiful District partner Aurelie. Say hi!"
She could hear him, he knew that. When she pretended like she couldn't, Luella's smirk only grew more and more. Prosper and Belarius went through the same process of introductions, shaking hands, and quite obviously trying to get through to Aurelie from her position above them.
She must like that, Belarius thought. Above us, away from the peasants we truly are. When did I become so bitter? He knew the answer, of course he did. Best he stayed away from that side of himself.
"Could you do me a quick favour and go get the pair from Four over here to join us? It'd be really helpful if we could start before training begins, get to know one another a bit." Belarius smiled at Luella, who as he'd predicted, was more than eager to obey whatever he had to say. It was cute. Like a little pet. Of course she was a human, as human as he was, but still, it was endearing in that sort of way.
"I wish I had a District partner like yours, Prosper. At least she understands she has the capability of language."
Prosper laughed heartily. Again, a lot like Luella. Do they drink different water over in One? Belarius laughed to himself, patting Prosper on the shoulder with a grin as Ivo and Darina finally joined them.
Luella skipped back to Prosper's side. In a ring at last, Belarius could feel how the Careers would work together this year. Friends was a real possibility. They'd all trained, of course. All volunteered to kill. As difficult it might be in the future, the present seemed easier.
Aurelie was the wild card. Where she fit in, Belarius was too scared to really consider.
"I'm Belarius. This is Prosper. And as I'm sure she already mentioned, this is Luella. We're starting the party a little earlier than planned."
Darina smiled, extending a hand gracefully. She had a more refined friendliness, a little more withheld kindness than Luella and Prosper. She was much more like someone Belarius could see himself being with. She wouldn't do his head in. "Darina Pallone. I think that's a great idea. Lay the foundation for the next few days. Weeks, maybe."
Belarius nodded at her. He couldn't agree more. His eyes fell on Ivo, who was smiling like everyone else seemed to be doing, but held back a little from jumping in. He bit his lip when Belarius' eyebrow raised.
"Yeah, I'm Ivo. Pleased to meet you all."
"Shy? That's fine."
Ivo laughed, shaking his head, letting his shoulders relax. "No, no. Not shy. I guess this is just a bit more than I expected. Aren't the Careers usually supposed to hate each other?"
"I think that's what they want you to think back home. So you don't let your guard down. They don't train idiots who make friends."
"Well, we can make the most of it, until that time comes," Darina said. Belarius watched her eyes fall on his own Chariot, Aurelie standing there, still as a statue. If she learned the art of movement, it might open herself up to a whole new perspective on the world. Legs had a purpose. Almost as much as her tongue did.
"Is she not joining us?"
Belarius chuckled. "I'm sure we'll thaw her out of that icy exterior she's got herself hidden in. Tomorrow, we'll get through to her."
"Hey, I could try," Luella jumped at the opportunity, waving her hand.
"Me too. Everyone needs a friend." Prosper wrapped an arm round Luella's shoulders, pulling her closer to his side, the pair laughing.
They're so cute. Belarius let his eyes fall on Darina. District One wouldn't get through to her. If anything, they'd make the situation worse. Ivo seemed like he knew what he was doing, he was just a little bit more in-the-background. The kind of guy that did things when they were necessary.
Aurelie would swat him away without even blinking.
"I'll go speak to her," Darina smiled, moving for their Chariot.
"How hard can it be?" Belarius looked at Ivo, offering him a wink. The boy from Four laughed, moving closer to join the circle they'd made.
Belarius knew it would be a lot harder than he cared to imagine.
Right now, however, things didn't need to be turned into some major drama. He was dressed up, ready to look pretty, and with the Careers already forming a connection, he tried not to worry so much.
Prosper. Luella. Aurelie. Darina. Ivo.
Most fit together, one of them a potential catalyst.
He'd grow to recognise them as people he'd be close to, but also people that had to die. Right now, they were simply people. Not tributes. Nothing but fellow teenagers he wanted to get to know.
This was the part he was most excited for.
A place for him to shine.
He almost felt at home.
Cillian Garnier, 17 years old;
District Three Male.
The Careers finally disbanded at the sound of a whistle, ringing above their heads.
Rell nudged Cillian in the ribs, frowning at the pair from Four as they walked past their chariot, side by side. "Doesn't it piss you off to see them acting so casual about all this?"
"Well, to be fair, they weren't really forced here. I guess casual makes sense if you volunteer."
"Still," Rell's frown quickly turned into an amused smile, "I guess it doesn't matter. These Chariot rides are a farce anyway. Especially the way we look."
Cillian couldn't agree more. He hadn't vocalised his disapproval, neither to the stylist that had shoved him in this wiry mess, or to Rell who seemed to share his distaste. Cillian didn't really want to let himself poke at things that didn't matter. The outfits made a big impression, sure, but so did his actions. As long as he played the part, maybe that was enough. Hopefully the Capitol could overlook their atrocious get-up.
He turned to face the front, straightening his back with one hand on a rail, another poised to wave. Whatever the whistle meant, a minute to go or five, he was prepared to make sure they didn't get the jump on him. The more prepared he was to work hard for the sponsor money, the better it would be for his future.
"Aren't you a little nervous?" Cillian laughed, feeling anxiety tugging at his confidence. "It's a bit different to anything I've experienced."
Rell didn't respond. He turned to look at her, wondering what she was doing. Rell's eyes were focused entirely on the pair from Two, a third of the Career pack she seemed to hate so much. Cillian tried not to judge them – yes, it might be wrong what they did. But like he'd had his way of life, they had their own. He wasn't about to place a label on them simply because of what a handful might have down when they were in their shoes.
This year, they seemed different anyway.
"Earth to Rell?" He clicked his fingers, smiling. "It'd probably be a good idea to focus on real life." He nudged her like she'd already done to him plenty of times. Rell blinked her eyes, shaking her head with a nervous giggle, swiping strands of bright, flaming hair from her face.
"Haven't you noticed? It's funny, the way the girl from Two already seems to despise him. What do you think he did?"
Cillian paused to look at what she'd been staring at. Rell was right in the sense they seemed tense. The girl cold and brusque, the boy charmingly trying to gain her attention. It wasn't working.
"Maybe they have history."
Rell laughed. "Or there's trouble in paradise. Maybe we can use that."
We? Cillian's main focus became centred on that word. She'd said we. Cillian wasn't quite ready to commit himself just yet before he'd met any of the other tributes. Rell was a nice girl, really nice in fact, but she was a little… much. At times, though. Not always. Cillian felt guilty all of a sudden. Maybe they would work. He'd give it thought, later, when things weren't a little jumbled up at the moment.
"How could we use it?"
"Well, not we as in just us, I mean the others that weren't trained. If the Careers fight each other, it'd really help wouldn't it? It's not like we're going to take them out." Rell pointed at the girl in particular. "She could tear the alliance apart before any of us are forced to."
Cillian was impressed. He hummed his understanding, nodding his head. Rell was a mess of emotion, but she seemed intuitive despite not coming across that way on a first impression. Maybe they'd work out after all. Tonight, he'd think it over.
If there was one thing Cillian didn't plan on doing, it was jumping into something he hadn't thought through. Impulsivity could get him killed. Rell could be brazen. Cillian preferred being laid back but attentive at the same time.
There was another whistle, this time louder. Cillian's spine went rigid, bolting upright against the back of the Chariot. Surely it made sense to be this nervous? Rell and him were from Three, after all. They were teenagers who hadn't exactly been paraded around in front of millions before. Cillian laughed nervously once again, holding onto the rail tighter.
"Things will be fine," he nodded, saying the words to himself as well as Rell. He wanted her to feel just as comfortable as he wanted for himself. The better she seemed, the easier it was to feel like his words were actually coming true. "I'm sure they'll love us."
"We're not in the prime spot, between the Careers. But hey, it's about character, and I think we've got heaps of it." She pinched his cheek with a laugh, shimmying her shoulders so some of the tighter wires fell loose down her chest.
Cillian had friends like Rell. Friends that might make others nervous, others uncomfortable, but made him feel more inclined to open up. He'd never been a shy person, more reserved in a refined way that reflected his upbringing. He'd learn to work hard and play the part that he had to act. Right now, his mentor had made him promise to try his hardest.
Cillian had agreed. His words played over and over in his head, so much that it made it almost too difficult to let loose. At the end of the day, though, it mattered that he followed instruction and did what had to be done. For his sake. For our sake, if there is an our.
He felt Rell's fingers intertwine with his own. For a second, Cillian almost pulled back. Not because he didn't like the gesture, but because his mind was focusing so much on what was happening, he wasn't ready for anything else. Quickly, though, he eased into it easily and squeezed her hand back.
The front door was slowly opening. Light filtered through, growing more and more intense by the second. What had sounded like a dull, muted cheering was seemingly becoming louder and louder as the gap widened. Cillian swallowed a lump in his throat, looking at Rell who seemed almost overeager to get out there and show them what she was made of.
He needed to feel the same way. He couldn't always think so much, he had to let loose and go with whatever felt right. Hand in hand with Rell, this was what felt right. Being with someone that he could feel comfortable with. Someone that seemed just as eager to make a name for their District.
"We've got this," Cillian whispered, quietly. Rell might have heard him, she might not have. She didn't need telling. He trusted her. He didn't need to think Rell, or anyone for that matter, in this moment, were the kinds of people he had to think ill of.
They were all kids now, before the Games.
Cillian readied a winning smile, held back the nerves, and prepared himself.
Let the show begin, he thought, looking once more at Rell. They had this in the bag. Three had their chance.
Three had two willing competitors.
Two tributes that would do their home District proud.
Varity Sparks, 15 years old;
District Five Female.
Varity had been told this would be fun.
She was still waiting for that side to show itself.
This is more tiring than fun, Varity thought with a weary sigh, hand on the rail, the other waving limply side to side. She'd planned to make an effort the moment she'd collected her thoughts after the reaping. Get the Capitol to like who she was, find the right alliance, and go from there. It was all rather logical, all rather well constructed. Now she was here, it was harder to live up to.
Varity continued to at least put on something for these eager airheads. The crowd threw down roses and blew kisses and cheered much louder than Varity thought her presence warranted. She was nothing special, not in a Hunger Games sense anyway. Maybe back in Five she'd had the potential. Here it would be harder.
Maybe that was why it was difficult to wave with proper energy. She was bitter about the fact she'd been chosen. Bitter that she hadn't had control over the situation – that was what she hated the most. Not knowing. The unknown Varity had no sense of. She couldn't plan for something she hadn't expected.
"Pointless."
Varity almost jumped at the sound of Marshall's whisper. She looked at him out the corner of her eye. On the train, he'd looked disgusting. Not that Varity cared so much for appearances, materialism, superficiality, none of that mattered much. Still, at least he'd been cleaned up and shoved in something respectful.
It made dealing with him a little bit easier.
"What is?" The two kept on focusing on front, giving no one any sign that they were talking. The Capitol could probably pick up on it if they chose too, but why would they? Five wasn't the most exciting District. They rarely had anything to offer. Was this year the exception?
I'm still trying to work that one out.
"They praise our appearances, how clean we can look, how pretty or handsome we are. Then the second we're in the Games, the dirtier we get, the more blood we have splattered over our faces, coating our hands. Well, that's what they really want." Marshall laughed, blowing a kiss out to one rather adoring lady they rolled past. "They can't make up their minds. Do they want us to look good, or look like savages?"
Hm, Varity had taken him for a dense, talkative idiot just like everyone else. Perhaps there was more to him than she'd originally thought. Or maybe that was what he wanted her to think. There was something about his unkempt appearance originally that told Varity there were secrets he'd keep from anyone. Secrets he didn't want people knowing.
If there was a game behind all this, Varity would be the last person to fall for it. "Interesting way of perceiving this situation. Can't say I agree."
"Oh really?"
No, of course I agree. But you think that is how I think, you want me to be on your side. Varity knew he wanted to get into her good books. For what purpose, that was something she still needed to work out. "Really."
"Well call me stumped, I thought you'd be the first person to share my frame of mind."
"We're not all predictable, Marshall." Varity held on tighter, frowning when they came to a bumpy halt in front of the President, offering his speech. "Don't jump to conclusions."
"Noted." He turned to face the front with a smirk on his face. Varity decided he didn't deserve her respect. There was something too sinister about him. Something too fake. At least Varity was up front with how she felt about people. They didn't need to work out that she didn't want to pay them much attention, simply because she just didn't.
The Chariots finally did one more loop of the crowd, the more enthusiastic tributes soaking up the cheers, and then they came to a final stop near the Tribute Centre. It was tall, a lot taller than anything Varity had seen before in her life. She stumbled out from the Chariot, eyes stuck on the roof, taking two steps forward when she heard a loud groan break her from her thoughts.
She'd expected Marshall. Instead of the sleazebag, the boy from Eight was smiling at her. For a second, Varity almost ran. Then she realised how bad that would look. How cowardly. She wasn't scared. She simply didn't have the time right now. Whoever he was, he didn't matter.
But she stayed. Waiting.
"You looked impressive out there," he said, offering her a grin Varity immediately labelled as far too trying. Far too eager to impress. Still, she nodded her head, offering thanks, and stood with her arms crossed round her chest.
"Did you need something?"
He laughed, looking at the ground, then back up into her eyes. "I'm Dante, by the way. Just in case you didn't already know."
"I did."
Dante laughed again. Varity didn't know what was so funny about being prepared, about spending some time getting to know who her fellow competitors were. Knowing their names didn't mean she'd get attached, it just made it easier to discern between future worries and future early deaths. Simple, really.
"I guess that's smart. You're Varity, I remember that at least."
"Yeah. That's me." Varity's face might have scared off anyone else. Whilst he smiled, she did nothing. A complete, blank canvas of no expression or emotion. She couldn't fault him for his persistence, at least. He didn't seem to waver in whatever it was he wanted. "District Five. A wonderful place."
"I bet," he laughed again, looking over her shoulder. "Hey, if you'd rather I left, just tell me and I'll go. I see your mentors are waiting for you."
"They can wait a bit longer."
He raised an eyebrow, his smile only growing wider. "So, you don't mind me wasting your time?"
"That depends on what you want."
Varity caught sight of a few tributes looking their way, only to be ushered off by their own mentors. She knew Marshall was probably gone already, not one to really stay around. Or maybe he was hidden in some shadow, watching their encounter, trying to understand what was happening. That was something Varity quite enjoyed, the idea that he didn't know. That she had the control.
He had his secrets, she had her own.
Two could play at that game.
"I want someone that doesn't seem to buy too much into losing themselves, losing who they are at heart, but still has the right way of thinking to know that at least dong something for the Capitol will give them an advantage." He kept his eyes firmly locked on her own. "That's you. You didn't gush over their praise, you weren't fake, but you still held your ground and at least showed you were willing to play. That's what I'm looking for. Why I'm here. I'm looking for someone willing. Someone who understands themselves, and this world we've been forced into."
"You speak eloquently." Varity smirked, the first real display of anything since he'd approached her. "I see what you're asking me."
Was it what she wanted? She knew she needed some alliance. Varity was a confident, prideful girl. She didn't fall for flattery, more she enjoyed it when someone was intelligent enough to understand her motivations. The reasons behind her actions. Dante seemed tuned into it. He seemed to know her, and in someways, Varity knew him.
He had charm. He had a personality that would help boost her chances.
He was what she was looking for.
"So, are you in?"
Varity looked down at his hand, then back up into his eyes. He didn't scream fake like Marshall. What did she have to lose?
My life.
She took his hand, shook it up and down, and smiled properly. "I'm in."
Deal made.
She had her alliance.
Tribute interactions are fun. More to come soon!
If anyone's been following my stories for a while, you'll know I tend not to focus on the actual Chariot rides much. I know this is the part where they happen, but I want the Capitol chapters to focus more on the tributes themselves than what they're wearing. Tributes takes priority over clothes ;o
Thanks for reading. Up next, training starts!