Good Afternoon! After celebrating the finishing of the reapings, in which I spent 5 weeks doing Placement for my uni, I had typed this out. I have to admit, it took longer than expected. I just want to talk about everything in such detail that I find myself rambling. I bought notepads and jotters to plan everything. During this time I have also decided to start my own SYOT! Details are in my info for you, little secretive reader! Sign up if you want to! Deadline is end of August!
I have here the Train Rides! Some are told in their Victor's point of view just so they're a bit fleshed out. There will be, hopefully, more POV's of Victors but only if there's a demand of them. I mentioned it in the previous chapter but the Victor blog is out and about in my profile somewhere too!
Arthur Graff, 26, Victor
The low hum of the train sounds into my ear once more as I try to eat my way through the food that Cassius insists we must have. I just happily comply with whatever comes from him now. I learned from my previous experiences when you cross a Capitol escort.
These two, however, do not and are constantly acting like the other smug people in our home district. Midas sits across from me quietly picking at the table with the knife. I can see from the corner of my eye that Cassius is not happy about it but he continues to eat. He's changed into a more relax three piece suit now with a yellow tie. His hair, still encrusted with jewels, is not as slicked back as it was during the reapings.
He stops suddenly after seeing a large gash from the table surface. He looks at me with a glare then looks towards Midas.
"Must I inform you, Midas that this is Capitol property?" He says as calmly as he could but I can tell there's a hidden meaning within his voice.
"Yeah, go ahead and inform me again." Midas replies slamming the knife on the table, pointy end first.
I have to admit, his strength is impressive if he manages to do that with a rounded knife. I watch as Cassius wipes his lips with the cloth on his lap and then promptly leaves. He turns to give me a look. A look that screams to control these children.
I just shrug my shoulders but an annoyed noise comes out of his mouth and I sigh. I look at Midas who has now positioned himself on the couch in front of the television patiently waiting for the others. I say patiently because I can't really see what he's doing. He could be sleeping or thinking up other things.
I almost forget about our other tribute, Glisten. I glance a look at her and she stares back at me with those light blue eyes. She flashes me a shy smile before wiping her mouth and going to sit on the other couch so she can begin to watch the recap.
Looking at Kaiser now, who is a brand new addition to the district One mentor team. He just continues to eat the food not bothering what is happening around him. He has this weird atmosphere about him that I just can't seem to put. Maybe because he's not from district One but from Two. This is his first year of being a mentor, maybe he'll actually give out good advice?
I sure hope so. I have nothing so far. The volunteers this year seems capable enough without my help in terms of training. I can probably just try and mitigate any conflicts between the two although so far there has been nothing. I wonder what the other tributes are like.
"Can we get this started already?" I hear Midas speak.
"Yeah. Hold on." I look at Kaiser and he raises an eyebrow.
"Well you're older, go ahead and lead the way."
He gives this grin that just rubs me the wrong way but I ignore it as I stand from the dinner table and walk towards the two tributes. I sit beside Glisten before looking for the remote. Kaiser plops himself on beside Midas, who has now changed from lying down on the couch to sitting to accommodate for Kaiser sitting.
"Alright, I'll pause it after each reaping so we can strategize. Is that okay?"
Everyone agrees with me then watches intently as the screen briefly shows the Capitol emblem then flicks to the district One reaping. I see myself and Kaiser standing on the stage with the mayor. Then the first volunteer, Glisten, walks to the stage with a shy confidence. The crowds are going wild and then Midas volunteers making the crowd go even more chaotic. I didn't expect a reception like this, especially when I volunteered for my games.
I didn't bother pausing on this one even though Kaiser made a sarcastic comment making Midas snicker. Rolling my eyes, we start to watch again as the district Two recap began. It seems quieter this time, seeing only a few people clapping and cheering.
"Hey," I hear Midas pipe and I stare at him. "How come you're in this district instead of Two?"
I can tell that the question is directed towards Kaiser so I look away and continue to watch as the escort holds her cue cards reading them allowed. She looks really nervous but nonetheless she continues to try and entertain the audience.
"I felt like a change is in order after winning last year, and luckily Augustus decided that it was a good idea too." Kaiser smiled as he takes a sip of water.
No further questions as Midas accepts it, Glisten watches intently on the television screen looking at the male tribute that had just volunteered. Tiberius Wolfe. He looks strong and definitely looks like the leader type. He's taller than both Glisten and Midas so that may cause conflicts later on. Then the girls begin to scramble to the stage but ultimately this girl, Alana Rockford, takes the stage.
"Well she looks really confident." Glisten sighs before looking away. "I can sense a power struggle between them already."
"So you're saying you don't want to be the leader of the career pack?" Midas asks.
"Well not really, more responsibility and stuff. I just want to win." Glisten replies shortly.
Midas nods seeming to think that the idea was good enough. I see him quietly contemplating about the possibility of not leading either. It disappoints me that they both don't want to take the lead but whatever makes them win I suppose. I'll just offer my advice along with Kaiser's. Hopefully he'll give good advices.
"So district Three next?" Kaiser says holding the remote suddenly.
I just nod whilst trying to think of strategies already. I'll discuss them later with Kaiser so then we can present them to the two when we get to the Capitol.
Midas just grimaces when district Three comes on, seeing the murky factories still producing the smog. It's clear that he's not a fan of this district and will probably target both the poor little tributes that they produce this year. I ignore it for now and continue to watch as two little kids get reaped, the girl being from the twelve year old section. Kaiser pauses the video once both the tributes are on the stage looking shocked, not scared but shocked.
"Well," Kaiser starts. "What do you guys think?"
Midas scoffs and crosses his arms across his chest. He looks at the figure in the glasses first then to the girl with the bright red hair.
"Easy pickings?" He laughs and looks at me then at Glisten.
She is taking notes about them and I was about to ask what she has written but Midas beats me to it.
"The little girl looks smart, she doesn't look scared so we should watch out for her." She says looking at Midas. "The boy though, looks like he'll die real quick."
I nod at her observation. She may be right but we'll not know until they're both in the arena. District Three has won twice after the third Quarter Quell and puts my district to shame. From what I've seen, especially from the most recent victor – Quanta Logie – they are smart and ruthless. They can tear apart technology and create something far more deadly.
"Right District Four next." I say and Kaiser quickly starts the recaps once more.
The screen starts and begins to show the beautiful seaside district Four is most famous for. Then it flashes to the stage where the mayor is currently talking. She finishes and in comes the escort along with the two victors. We are all shocked when the male tribute, Troy Pacifica, was reaped and no one volunteered. There's usually a volunteer for this district but this is something different. But then the female representative volunteers and I can tell that she's another strong character.
"Well that boy will sure be interesting." I state waiting for a response.
"He looked shocked," Glisten offered.
"He looks weak." Midas says. "That girl though…I think she'll be the leader or at least fight both the tributes from Two for the leader spot."
Glisten nods in agreement, she comments on her physique and beauty stating that she'll definitely get some sponsors during the arena. I like how she's already thinking of sponsors, this is where it makes my job easier.
"Let's take a break for now and think of potential allies." I offer and Kaiser nods.
"Well obviously the Career pack is getting formed." Kaiser says, although he gives a sly smile. "That boy from Two is a good. I went to the same training camp as him. He trained under my sister."
"Julia Aquilla?" I ask. "She's back to being a mentor already?"
"Yeah, ever since I won the games she came back to district Two. She's still 'Commander and Chief of Security' in the Capitol."
He gives a wry laugh before looking at Glisten asking her about the district Three tributes. To which she suggests just leaving them alone until later because they don't seem to garner any form of attention. Midas agrees with that but he warns that if they cross his path in the arena that he'll not hesitate killing them.
"Alright." I say. "The Career pack will be formed and you guys will both be in it no doubt, just get good scores and impress the other tributes and I'm sure you'll both get in. Shall we continue?"
Everyone nods at that and we stare back at the screen.
Isla Moore, D4F, 18
I've been listening to these two argue, well it seems that one is angry and the other is just laughing. I look to see that the blue haired victor, Aqua Chambers, is now holding the blonde haired victor against the blue patterned walls of the train.
"Look I was just saying that Troy looked good and he'll be in the Careers no bother!" Kip, as he introduced himself as before me and Troy stepped into the train, says before being dropped to the floor by Aqua.
"He was reaped. Therefore the other tributes and the Capitol will think he is weak." Aqua says before sitting down beside me.
Our escort, Cordelia, has left the room already stating that she needs her 'beauty sleep' leaving Aqua and Kip in charge of the situation. Kip had whispered something to Troy during our recaps and the stupid boy decides to laugh and made the mistake of looking at Aqua. So she rushes, from my side, towards Kip with a glare that can pierce anything.
And now we're here watching as Kip is standing up from the floor, still a small smile on his face, and begin to move to sit beside Troy once more, shutting up this time. He nods to Aqua then the recaps continue. Finally.
I don't even know what they're relationship is but it's getting annoying. As much as I liked hearing Kip's joke it's getting a bit too much. I now understand why Aqua has this look every time her fellow victor speaks.
Before the so called 'fight' began, I've listened to Aqua's advice based on the tributes we've seen so far. She says the district Three may be a problem because they both look smart, the type that will outsmart anyone for personal gain. She also comments on the other career groups. The pair from One both look fierce and strong but she tells me to be very wary of them, this is also the same from the tributes in Two. Especially to the girl. She seems to be hiding something. I take all that into account and make a mental note.
The district Five reapings are already on display by the time I finish my strategy thinking. The girl that was reaped, so pale but rather tall. Nothing much can be said about her. She just looks scared like the district Three children earlier. The boy, which was also reaped, looked the same and as they stand on the stage looking at the crowd with scared eyes I can feel a sort of sadness wallow inside me. I shake it off quickly as the Capitol insignia shows on the screen.
District Six, one of the districts that have no victors. I hear stuff about this district more than the other ones. How the population is growing but the jobs are harder to find. The growing morphine problem because of it. It seems that the rich in this district are just the ones around the square, evident from the fancy looking houses surrounding the Justice Building. Now I watch intently as the boy, Aston, gets reaped. There's confidence within this boy, I can see it. It seems like he has a plan already, he might be a contender.
"Well that's a shame." Turning to Kip, then seeing him looking at the screen.
"It's not our problem." Aqua plainly states as she watches.
I look at the screen to see the girl that had just been reaped. I hear her name, Martina, called out before a sickly thin looking girl comes on stage. Tears flowing down her pale face. This just seems unfair. I can't watch anymore and I look away to look at Troy who is still watching, with a slight sad expression on his face. I may have trained as a Career but I still have feelings unlike One and Two.
"Right, district Seven." Aqua says pressing the button on the remote to show us the serene forest scene before flashing towards the square where the children are standing, anticipating the worst.
So this is district Seven, it looks nice. Definitely a difference from seeing countless water. The first person to be reaped, Eva, looked shocked at first but is now glaring on the stage at the girls that have started laughing at her. I'm going to guess that she's not popular. The boy that got reaped, a small twelve year old was crying by this point but there's a large gasp as someone shouts the word Volunteer. A sibling? Friend? Doesn't look like it, the boy rushes to the stage. Lief, his name echoes at the stunned silence.
I can see Eva looking at Lief with a slight disgust and by that I can tell that they're not going to be allies, not in the slightest. Yet I commend Lief for volunteering, he saved someone at the expense of his life. I'm sure the people in the Capitol will eat that right up.
"Let's take a break." Aqua says before leaving the area to go to the bathroom.
"Well…talk amongst yourself." Kip says gesturing with his hands before going to get something to drink.
"What do you think?" I ask Troy and he looks at me with those blue eyes, it reminds me of the ocean in a way.
"I think I'm in over my head and will end up dying." He says before giving a defeated laugh. "Just promise you won't kill me at the start?"
"The last couple of tributes have been interesting, don't you think?" I say, clearly ignoring the question he asked me. I bite my lip nervously, why am I feeling nervous all of a sudden?
"Yeah, the Lief guys seems really interesting. If I had to pick an ally it would be him."
"Why would you be picking other allies?" I foolishly asked.
"Because, I know I'm not getting in 'The Pack'." He says looking at me with a slight frown. "Don't worry, I'll make do."
I didn't say anything else after that. Mostly because Aqua had just walked back into the room and have immediately began the recaps, without waiting for Kip, who just groaned and moaned about it.
Eva Lind, D7F, 16
Watching the recap of the reapings is so boring. I couldn't care less about the other tributes. I'll kill them all if I could. Watching as one of my mentors, Viola, look at me with a soft smile but immediately changing to a frown as I give her a scowl.
"Can we get this over with?" I sigh looking at the screen again ignoring the glare that my other mentor, Scarlet, is giving me.
I know Scarlet. She used to be really conniving back at school. In truth we grew up together but I never really talked to her. She used to be with different groups jumping from one to the other. It's amazing how much she's changed during the games. She manipulated most of the tributes leaving her somewhat peaceful throughout her time in the arena.
That's not the only thing though. She was a heartless killer, showing no regrets to whatever she did. Made traps and saw a good few tributes walk into them. She is definitely experienced to say the least.
Giving another sigh, as if to just give up, I watch as another factory driven district is shown. District Eight, a place that is significantly poorer than our district but still manage to cope fine. The people don't look as happy though seeing them with sombre expressions.
The square is filled to the brim with the citizens of this district with various style of clothing. It is really easy to distinguish the poor from the rich in this district for sure. Then the cameras zoom into the stage as the escort, Fae, shows up looking very colourful.
She draws the slip for the male tribute and was about to read it when someone volunteered. This is interesting as a muscular looking boy walks up the stage with all the confidence. I look at my own district partner who volunteered for the games in place of a little kid.
The girl that was reaped I laugh at. Even though she looks like she's enjoying the cameras I can tell that she's scared. I kind of want to just wipe that smile she's giving off her face. I'm sure there will be plenty of chances for that. I then get told to be quiet by Scarlet.
"Why should I listen to you?" I say and she glares at me once more.
"It could mean your survival." She replies before folding her arms across her chest.
Rolling my eyes once more I see the golden fields of district Nine come into view before zooming to the square filled with people. It's not as bad as the previous district but looks can be deceiving. The cameras took no time to admire the audience as the escort, Thaddeus, have begun to draw a name from the glass bowl already. The female tribute that was picked is called, Quinoa.
She looks pretty average to me. Nothing to note, would probably be killed off rather easily as I note her hint of fear and nervousness. I smile rather devilishly, already trying to mark my targets. I see Lief look at me from the corner of my eye, he looks at me nervously.
He should be. I think I want to kill my district partner too. Then Brandon gets reaped but he looked angry. Well he didn't look angry but I see the way his fists contort into balls. His face looking conflicted. He seems like a strong character for sure, makes me want to mess with him a little during the next week.
I can't believe that I'm already planning what I'll be doing. I don't really need the help of the two mentors, it's not a matter of me not wanting help. It's a matter of me hating them both. Viola only won by sheer luck and Scarlet I wholly distrust. My reasons have been discussed already, don't feel like talking about it again.
Finally the next district is being shown. After this only two are left. After this I can finally rest and not be under the glare of Scarlet. The cameras flash between the boys and girls standing in the middle of their square. Various animal noises can be heard, either to emphasise that this is the livestock district or it's actually what they hear every day.
This time, the escort named Porcia, picks the male tribute first. Her cow print dress seems to accompany her district as well as her chubby appearance. Chubby? More like fat to me. There's a sort of silence before the boy, Shepherd, is reaped and a chorus of crying can be heard from the other tributes in the square. Mainly the twelve year old section. When the boy got to the stage he seems to console the bratty child crying. Once again I scoff when I see that act of affection.
"He's probably just faking it." I state but no one replies, in fact they just seem to ignore me as they all watch the scene on the screen.
The female tribute, Jenny, is nothing special. She doesn't have much muscle, in fact she is a bit on the fat side so I want to see how well she makes it past the bloodbath. I quietly laugh to myself as I see her worried expression. She is definitely bloodbath to me.
Once she got to the stage I stand up. Everyone stares at me with a quizzical look on their face.
"Where are you going?" Lief asks the question.
"I'll doubt the next set of tributes is something to look out for so wake me up when we get to the Capitol." I quietly wave it off.
I couldn't help but smirk as I turn around knowing that Scarlet is staring at me with a glare that can burn all the trees in our district.
Roscoe Tarpan, 25, Victor
It's really quiet now as the district Ten reaping pass by almost as quickly as it went. The whole story behind these two reduced to a mere ten minutes. The apology is there, an apology I want to say but I just can't. What good would an apology do? It's far too late to apologise now anyway. It feels like I haven't really spoke with them, well it's true. I find it difficult to talk to new people and helping them try to win the Games? I can only try.
The screen begins to show various orchards and lush forest scenes before flashing towards the square of district Eleven where the escort is about to pick the female tribute. Once the name is called out, cries and screams of no can be heard. Willow, the little girl that has been reaped, is trying her best not to cry. Luckily for her that Robin is there.
"That's sweet." Jenny says making both me and Shepherd look at her.
"Yeah, it's a shame she's in the Games though." Shepherd replies and it makes both myself and Jenny frown.
It's true. Robin's comfort can only go so far before we see her either win a broken girl or die another victim. I sigh garnering the attention of both my tributes. Shepherd raises an eyebrow but he didn't question it.
"Cane looks tough." Jenny says as the boy. "Did you see the way he looks out to the stage?"
Shepherd nods, "Maybe he's looking for family?"
"That must be it or his true love?" Jenny smiles to herself before keeping a straight face again.
I watch as the two converse over the two tributes. They didn't really think they can be potential allies. Cane is mentioned to be both too tough and career material to ally with and Willow seems reluctant to join two older kids for an alliance.
The screen then flicks to the final district, Twelve, showing the coal mines and again the lush scenery beyond the district. The last of the three districts that doesn't have a victor. Most of the tributes here go crazy halfway through their times in the Games. It's just the nature of it all I imagine.
"Rory doesn't look like a winner." Shepherd mentions and gets a light punch from Jenny.
"Don't say that!" She says as Shepherd looks at her with a shocked expression.
Well if I can be honest too; Rory doesn't look like he'll survive that long. He has muscle but it seems like he spaces out too often. Might get distracted too easily when the Games start. I look at Jenny who now has a worried expression seeing the female tribute, Terra.
She's definitely one of those people that will kill with no remorse. Her stares are icy and the way her face contorts into a slight anger reminds me of another victor. The stare she gives silences the other girls laughing at her and finally they are led inside the Justice Building signifying that the reaping is now over.
With that the screen goes black and the ever present Capitol emblem is shown spinning around. I look at Shepherd and Jenny as I think of something to say.
"So alliances?" Finally I think of something useful. "You guys thinking of any at the moment?"
They both stay silent as they hear me speak for probably the second time today. Jenny then begins to think.
"I think I want to try and ally with Willow." Jenny says. "Even if I don't win I'll try to make her win."
There's a smile on my face hearing her plan. She is really down to earth. I'm sort of annoyed that she's been reaped because someone like this girl should never have to endure this torture. I just nod at her decision before looking at Shepherd.
"I'll try and do the same," He says to me. "I'll ally with Jenny and Willow."
Now I know that Shepherd is a responsible teenager. He's thinking of protecting these younger tributes and I admire that. I just don't know how he'll handle that. What if both Willow and Jenny die? I don't want him to make rash decisions.
"Sounds good." I say then looking at the clock. "Do you guys want to talk about anything else? It's not bed time yet and Porcia is in her room."
"How do you feel?" Jenny asked. "About us being your tributes this year?"
I have to admit that question has caught me off guard. I didn't really have a chance to think about them yet. Something that I should've being their mentor and all. I quickly try to think of something and Shepherd sees me struggling with the question. He clasps his hand on Jenny's shoulder making her gaze from me flick towards the other boy.
"I'm sure he thinks we're both great." He says with a slight smile. "Right?"
I can only nod at that. Silently thanking him for rescuing me from the situation.
"I'll definitely try my best for you two." I nod to them before standing up fixing my clothes. "I'm going to sleep, don't stay up too long. You have a long day ahead of you."
Both the tributes nod before waving me goodbye.
"Thanks." I hear Jenny say. "For believing in us."
I smile as my back against them, although I feel a bit of tears prick my eyes and threaten to fall. I raise my arm to give a short wave before disappearing to the other carriage where my room is.
So what does one think of my Train Rides? I don't know why I spoke like that. 0_o
Which POV is your favourite? Do you like the Victors introduced in this chapter? What do you think of Eva and Isla?
Review and/or follow!
Cheers! ~Alec