Hey Guys just finished Chapter Two. Hope you all enjoy :)

-Chapter 2-

Chariots, Costumes, and Training

Faith's POV

My jaw was completely slack as I stared around the luxurious living quarters that we would be staying in the next couple of weeks. It was somehow more elegant than the train and much bigger than any building in District Four. The dining/living room itself was at least two times the size of my own house.

I heard Finnick and Mags chuckling behind me, but I didn't care. I was too transfix on the setting before me, and thinking that the Capital really does take care of the tributes before they're thrown into the games. Finnick and Mags show us to our rooms where we find a preset wardrobe already waiting for us. It's mostly blues, teals, golds and silvers; the colors of our district, and only increases my longing to go back home and see the ocean one last time.

Dinner takes place later that evening, giving us time to relax and watch a recap of the reapings. I see Marvel and Glimmer both volunteer with pride, willing to fight for the very thing they were bred for. Clove is reaped, however when another girl tries to volunteer, Clove growls and stares the poor girl down. Then a scrawny boy is chosen and Cato Volunteers. District Three's tributes weren't anything special, however the boy looked around my age. Then it was my reaping, and I could see the shock on my own face and a dazed Josh also making his way onto the stage. We shake hands, and a whisked away by peacekeepers. I gripped Josh's hand fiercely, realizing that it was only yesterday that the reapings had taken place, yet it felt like a lifetime ago.

The other districts flash by uneventfully, until District Twelve appears. When a poor twelve year old girl is reaped, her sister bravely steps forward to take her place. My throat closed up, thinking of how much courage that must have taken, especially knowing District Twelve's history with the games. Katniss, I thought once her name flashes on screen. Katniss Everdeen.

Finnick calls for dinner, breaking us out of our dazes as we make our way to the oddly shaped table and chairs. More luxurious food is placed in front of us, however I can't seem to work up the appetite that I had the night before. After seeing the reapings, I'm not sure if I ever would. The overwhelming knowledge that there were twenty four children, including myself, and twenty three of them would have to die was overwhelming. Looking at all of their faces, it was hard not imagining what they could be like in twenty years. Helping their District in their various jobs, and yet only one would grow up past the age of nineteen.

I set down my fork and stared at my hands, wondering for the first time in my life what sort of life I would have led had I not been reaped. Would I have started a family? Had children of my own? See them have their own children? Would I work on the boats or maybe stay in the factory? What would I do when I got too old to work?

My breath caught as I realized that I probably would never be able to do any of those things. My chances of winning were remedial at best, and there was no way I would be able to kill Marvel, or Cato, or Glimmer, or even Clove.

I excused myself and went to my room, lying on my bed, and feeling more lost than I've ever felt in my entire life.

-FAITH-

The next morning the prep team woke me up early, after eating a quick breakfast and showering, they began to get me ready for the chariot parade that would take place in the afternoon. They did my hair first, covering it thoroughly with products so that it gleamed like the streams and brooks, and wove it into a complex up-do. They took a headband made out of pears and clipped it into my hair, along with giving me matching earrings. They then refused to let me near any mirrors as they did my make up and helped me into my dress.

"Whoa." I murmured as I looked behind me. I had no clue what the dress was made out of, but whatever it was, it was beautiful, they had a fitted bodice encrusted with pearls and diamonds but the skirt was flowing and when the sun hit it, looked exactly like the water of the ocean. The long train in the back would look simply amazing once the chariots started moving.

"Oops, almost forgot the most important part." Iya said as she quickly sprayed some sort of clear liquid on my dress.

"What was that?" I asked curiously. Iya laughed and winked, saying that it was a secret and that I would find out during the parade. Finally they were done fussing and brought me to stand in front of a full length mirror. My breath caught as I stared at myself in the mirror. I looked neither young or old. I looked immortal, like the very goddess of the sea. The make up made my face look timeless, taking the attention away from my baby cheeks and more to my glittering eyes which were framed by dark lashes. My lips weren't dark or sexy, they were simply glossy and natural colored.

"I look so…"

"Gorgeous?!"

"Stunning?!"

"Beautiful?!"

"Um… I was going to say pretty." I said sheepishly. The prep team laughed and ushered me back into the common room as they grabbed Josh to get him prepared. Finnick beamed at me and said, "If you weren't so beautiful and if the prep team wasn't so violent about protecting their work, I would hug you right now."

I laughed and moved over to the couch, tired of hours of standing. There was a knock on the door and in marched Cato and Marvel. I had to hold back my laughter as I looked at the too, clearly unhappy males. Cato was dressed in some sort of ancient warrior garb, similar to that of the Greek Gods. His golden headband was completed with wings and beautiful gems but his skirt nearly had me rolling on the floor. Marvel looked like a freaking peacock. His pink garb full of plumage and sparkles. He was even wearing pink eyeliner.

"Oh laugh it up trout." Marvel grumbled as he pulled down a stray feather. Cato simply stared at me in my costume.

"How old are you again, trout?" Cato asked. I frowned, tilting my head to the side in confusion. "Thirteen, why?"

His electric blue eyes met mine and I couldn't help but notice how different his eyes were from Josh's. Josh's looked like the sea on a warm summer day; Cato's like the raging waves during a thunderstorm. Shaking myself I retaliated. "So how old are you God of Skirts?"

He snorted and rolled his eyes. "Sixteen you dope."

My eyebrows shot up. I thought he would at least be seventeen. He smirk and I quickly rearranged my face into a scowl. There was a frantic knock on the door and Cato and Marvel quickly hid in the small kitchen while I opened the door. Two Capital women stood in the doorway both furious.

"You look lovely dear, however we were wondering if you've seen two unruly boys from Districts One and Two." the first gritted out. I threw a quick glance over to where Cato and Marvel were hiding, both shaking their heads furiously. Turning back I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing.

"You just missed them, I believe they said something about going to the roof." I said, feigning innocence as best as possible. The two women ran off quicker than I thought possible in the heels they were wearing, screeching about all the dirt that would ruin their precious costumes. Closing the doors, I finally let loose a loud laugh, placing a hand on my side and willing the tears that were gathering in my eyes not to fall.

Broad arms lifted me up and spun me around before carefully setting me back down. Marvel released me from his iron grasp, quickly kissed my cheek, and shouted a quick thanks before he and Cato ran back to the elevators.

"What was that all about?" a voice asked and I spun around. My breath caught as I admired Josh's suit. It was made out of the same material as my dress and his coat tails billowed behind him. The tips of his hair were dyed blue and his eyes were framed by a beautiful blue design.

"You look so cool." I whispered. He laughed and gently kissed my forehead, "and you look beautiful Faith. So why were Cato and Marvel here?"

I laughed and told him what had happened and he laughed along with me. Near the end of the story Finnick walked in and smiled, "It's time."

-FAITH-

"Um, good horsie?" I said uncertainly as I stared at the huge black stallions that were going to pull our rather large chariot. Finnick laughed and handed me a couple of sugar cubes, which I fed to the great beasts.

"They're really just like really big, intelligent dogs." Finnick suggested. I laughed as I stroked the main of the horse closest to me. The whistle was blown, signaling it was time for us to board our chariots. Josh and I stood side by side our free hands slowly twining together in anticipation. Finnick came up next to us and looked us both over one more time. "Now remember you have to smile and wave, no matter what happens. Ooh and the hand holding is good make sure they can see it."

We nodded and stumbled forward as the chariot began to move. The roar of the crowd was deafening and cameras flashed left and right, nearly blinding us. However I simply smiled and waved, causing the crowd to go crazy.

"Whoa!" Josh exclaimed suddenly. We glanced down only to find that the fabric seemed to be freezing over. The shiny fabric was crystallizing before our eyes, stopping mid-motion as the breeze became null. In seconds my dress and Josh's suit was turned into ice sculptures. Strangely enough the clothes weren't cold, they felt as warm as they had when they were unfrozen.

The crowd went absolutely nuts, screaming their lungs out as they shouted their approval. Josh and I nodded to each other and threw up our arms, showing our twined hands to the audience. If possible, the stands seemed to get louder. They loved us. The chariots made a final circuit before pulling us back towards the stables.

Finally away from the views of thousands, Josh helped me off of the chariot and the two were finally able to stare at their new outfits.

"You two look absolutely dazzling." Iya said, nodding her head in approval.

"Um, one question…" I said hesitantly and all eyes turned to me. "How am I going to fit in the elevator."

Iya laughed and led me back to a small changing room, where she handed me more comfortable clothes. After heading back upstairs to our floor, Finnick, Mags, Josh and I went straight to the couches and turned on the T.V. We watched the chariot procession and found that we weren't the only district playing to our elements. District Twelve had their tributes go up in flames. Their costumes were magnificent, bold, and dangerous.

"Fire versus water, the capital will be all over this." Finnick muttered as he stared at the image of us in our ice costumes. "At least you'll have the careers to protect you. Which reminds me. Training starts tomorrow and I want you both to show off your weapons skill. However I want both of you to also spend some time at the survival stations. Without those skills you'll have no chance of winning."

We nodded and decided to head to bed shortly after. As I lay in bed, I felt a feeling of dread and anticipation coil in my stomach.

-FAITH-

The next morning I woke up to find training clothes already laid out for me. They were made out some sort of stretchy material that to the touch felt as light as a feather. After a quick shower and breakfast, I got changed and met with Finnick and Josh in the elevator. We rode in silence, both of us putting on our career facades for the day.

We ended up being the last to arrive, and the trainer began her monologue about not hurting other tributes and to push our skill to the limit, etc, etc. At the end of the speech we gathered with Clove, Cato, Marvel and Glimmer, and went straight to the weapons station. Since Josh and Marvel were also on spear/trident, we had to take turns. Marvel went first, and hurled his spear at the dummy. It ended up being a lethal blow and Marvel highfived Cato. Josh was next and surprised us with his uncanny amount of strength, the spear going straight through the dummy and lodging into the back wall. Marvel whistled and rubbed Josh's head affectionately.

Then it was my turn. Breathing deeply I picked up a trident and smiled. It was perfectly balanced and the cool metal felt natural against my hand. I eyed the dummy in front of me and slowly felt my emotions slip away. I was a cold killer, that's what I needed to be. Snarling I threw the trident and watched as it decapitated the dummy, severing the cloth head in one, clean strike. The perfect kill.

I turned and found the careers nodding in approval, and Josh staring at me with sad eyes. The rest of the session, Clove taught me how to handle smaller knives and Marvel and I worked together with the spear.

When lunch was called we all put down whatever we were doing and headed to the cafeteria. I excused myself quickly, making a BEeline for the bathroom. Turning on a faucet I looked at myself in the mirror.

Suddenly the memory of the trident and the decapitated dummy rushed back and I felt myself getting sick. I had "killed" without hesitation. If that had been a tribute, I would have killed a child. Looking at myself in the mirror, I began questioning just how much these games would change me, and how long before I turning into a blood thirsty, cold blooded career for good.

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