It wouldn't process, the events which had carried her to the lone room within the Justice Building. She couldn't even begin to gather all the information which had been given to her; she was tribute and they had forgotten their desires to volunteer because of it. She began to have a growing loathsome feeling in the pit of her stomach for them, the poison in her blood now festering and feasting at her insides. She stood there, unstirred as the door was once more opened, revealing the tall broad figure of her brother.
His eyes looked sullen and his features hung low somberly as he quickly snatched the blonde in his arms. There was a moment's hesitation, the venom she had accumulated wanting to spill forth, but there was no reason for her to do that with him. She slowly and cautiously wrapped her arms around him, fighting the infection which had begun to consume her violently. She could hear the slow deep breaths he was taking, keeping himself presentable and strong for her, the one thing she would need to be now; strong. When he pulled back, their eyes locked, his large gentle hands wrapping around her cheeks as his thumbs brushed under her eyes. It was then that she realized he was brushing back her tears. Had she been crying? She didn't feel them as they glided down her pale cheeks, didn't see them as they blurred her vision.
"You'll need to stop that now," he hushed, placing a delicate kiss on her brow, "the entire continent is watching. Every district, every person, and if they see you cry you'll lose sponsors."
She opened her mouth to protest about having to go. She didn't want to go to the Capitol and be their toy, she wanted to go home. He shushed her again, "You show them what you can do, okay? Remember, water is your best ally," his voice began cluster together and his words seemed rushed, "as long as you get to a body of water, you stay put. No allies, they'll only make you weaker and kill you faster." Koi wanted to stop him and ask how he knew about this, the fact that his schooling might have taught him escaping her mind, "Also, remember, as long as you can survive, you won't need to get your hands bloody. Stay clear of the Career's and especially your own partner," she watched as he fiddle with something in his pocket, the small sounds of porcelain rubbing together giving Koi a small detail about it.
Pulling it from his pocket, it shown like glass. A pale white shell necklace, the shells each dappled with light tints of hazel and gold, "It was going to be your eighteenth birthday present," he whispered, "mum made it especially for you. Though I guess now it's a better token then present…"
Koi smiled, taking the shelled jewelry into her palms and wrapping it tendering in her hands. She jumped from her feet into his arms, hers coiling around his neck, "I'll miss you," she muttered, the tears forming in her eyes, "make sure you watch out or Harper on the Sirenia and make sure to watch out for Lyla's tricks."
She felt his chest release a laugh as he pulled back to look at her. She could see the rough lines of his face become more defined, as if he'd age another five years. She wanted to tell him it wasn't his fault and that she was thankful for everything he'd done for her and that he should make sure to take care of himself while she was gone. She had so much she wanted to say, but nothing from her mind came to her lips, leaving her silent and attentive. Minos once more brushed his thumbs under her eyes, the waves of her sea coloured hues spilling over and running down her cheeks.
"Remember Koi fish," he smiled, though she could see he was forcing it, "I'm expecting you back here alright? I'm expecting you back for my birthday next month."
She felt a laugh brush against her lips, a genuine smile rooting after. Before she could reply, the door was thrown open and the men in white came for him once more. Her brother growled as they grasped his forearms tightly, pulling him back, though it did take quite a lot of effort. Koi took a few steps to follow, but another pair of hands grasped her as well. She twisted her head and the face of a young peacekeeper was there, his chin flicked with dark stubble and his eyes a piercing shade of emerald. He looked at her, though she was certain he was blind to the hurt in her own eyes; holding her against her struggle and shouts to be released.
She turned back towards her brother, nearly four men grasping and pulling at his broad figure to remove him from the room. The blonde felt her chest tighten and her mind spiral out of control, her lips following after. "Minos! Minos!" She called her arms tight behind her back, "I promise you I'll come home! I'll be here for your birthday! I promise!"
She couldn't see is he had heard her, but she was grateful it had finally been said. When the door was shut once more, the man released his grip on her, her balance failing and her knees colliding with the floor. Her pale blonde shroud covered her face, keeping her encased within a curtain of light. She heard the man's steps as he walked towards the door, stopping for a brief moment, his eyes baring hole in her head. "You'd need a miracle to win fishy."
She looked up from her curtain, her eyes their icy glory once more, "Then go find me a shooting star," she hissed, the peacekeeper straightening up and exiting quickly. She was in no mood to deal with the remarks of peacekeepers. No one would know if she could win without watching it themselves; she could do it if she really tried. She had to do it. Scrambling to her feet again, the pale doll placing herself within the plush scarlet cushions of the loveseat which sat in the room. Her hands fiddled together, tangling them and untangling them as she waited for minutes. She wondered if Harper was coming, the tall dark figure of her only true friend visible in her eyes as he cleansed the sides of the boat of the hitchhikers they had acquired out at sea, now wondering if he even knew where she was.
He'd burst through the doors, spending no time in the doorway to examine the room or who was in it. His feet would move swiftly to her, his strong arm collecting the porcelain doll within them, wrapping protectively around her. She could imagine the peacekeepers outside the door, waiting for them to move past a hug and watch for his lips to brush on hers; that never happened. The door shut quick, leaving the two alone once more. The room would fill with the scent of the salty wind, the stale air replaced with the smell of the docks. She would see how his hair dripped lightly onto the pale fabric of her chosen gown, his playful antics reminding her of how serious he was at that moment. She begin to mewl apologies and sorrowful words, his soothing coos tossing each sorry out the window, leaving her lips dry and cracked as her cheeks were painted with her dry tears. Koi would fight back more oncoming sobs, Harper pulling away from their embrace and giving her a smile. His brows would furrow as they dipped down, his lips pulling up into a grieving smile. He'd tell her to be strong, that no tribute would best her if she played it smart.
She continued to babble about the tributes letting her die, wanting to get rid of her within the games. He'd laugh, his deep chuckle sending a shock through her muscles, "Well then you gotta prove them wrong, yeah? I'm expectin' it from ya now." She'd chock out a laugh, trying to keep herself more composed for the train ride ahead. Like her brother, he'd go on telling her rules of the game, telling her that allies would make her grow attached, but sometimes you need them to stay yourself. He told her that survival would always come first, "If you want to live, keep your snares open and water close. I've never seen you stronger then when you're near water."
She continued to nod, few hiccups escaping her lips from the sobs which controlled her body. The blonde mermaid would laugh lightly when he made a comical comment, telling her that both had lost the bet this year, but next year he would be expecting his winnings wrapped in a gold box. She felt lighter, the stress and heavy rock which was in her heart now lifted, letting her take back who she was. Her pale lips would be pulled into a large smile when he finished informing her and he'd sigh and give her one more smile. Then he'd make the only comment which ever bugged the young fisherman's daughter, "You're lucky you know, having Adelaine as your partner. He'll make sure you're taken care of in the Capitol and games," she'd scowled, the waves in her eyes rolling, "because if you treat the people of the Capitol like you do the people down the man dock, well, he'll make sure you're a pearl in their eyes; like your mom was to this district."
She'd be prepared to whip back a comment towards him, but their time would be over then. The doors would rip open and they'd take him, her hands reaching out to grab him once more and drag him back, but it was no use.
But none of that happened for the young blonde. The lifetime she had spent creating and twisting that false memory, it was time to leave. The doors flew open, two tall broad men walking in, painted in white. She didn't move from her seat on the couch, her hands still in her lap. They grabbed her arms, forcing her to her feet and nearly dragging her from the room. The mermaid didn't make any effort to move on her own feet, the two peacekeepers pulling her towards the platform. The train purred with life as it sat waiting for them, the door ajar as the tall lioness climbed aboard behind another heeled blonde.
With a snap of life and the sound of a horn, the blonde doll came to life, pulling free her arms and twisting herself back a few steps. She blinked a couple times, her body positioned in a defensive stance, preparing to take off running any moment. The two peacekeepers were prepared for her to dash, both grunting as they reached for something on their waistbands, a weapon she quickly diagnosed. Koi licked her lips as they curled into a daring snarl, daring them to come another step closer. She was prepared to fight them, to kick her legs into gear and run back towards the sea. If she got to the sea, got to the water, she'd be free. She could swim her way to the docks, to Harper and her brother, hide within the ship they worked on and wait for them to depart. It would be quick and easy, she could do it.
"Koi," came a sweet voice from behind her, making her head twist in confusion as she was soon confronted by a tall figure, "sorry for taking so long. We should probably get one, Adara and Shani must be waiting for us."Koi's eyes searched the tall figure of her partner, wondering why he had interfered with her plans to run, forcing her to follow him upon the purring transport device. His bright blue eyes, not dull and faded like hers, didn't make contact with her, always briefly running over her and moving on to the next thing. His hair was dark, cut short as it swooped over his pale brow and eyes. Dressed nicely, like she was, he easily cajoled the young fiery mermaid onto the train, thanking the peacekeepers for letting her wait for him; a good lie she thought to herself.
When the door shut behind them, the machine roared to life and after a quick tug, the purring was silenced and the machine was moving. The blonde girl pulled herself from his side, her hair whipping behind her as it swayed onto her back, fire in her eyes once more. She was cautious of him, wondering why he had kept her from running, or rather, from being attacked and possibly killed before the games even began; a light hiss growing in her throat.
"Well," another voice sounded, the sound of clanking glass mixing, "seems she is quite the fighter."