CICERO I
The sight of children huddled around the grime and the shelter of the run-down, gloomy, drab buildings was not a welcome sight. However the gasps and whispers around the pair were even worse in his opinion.
With the reapings for the Hunger Games a mere four days away, Cicero's brother, Avitus, had decided to take him on a walk on the poorer side of District Two as what he described a as a 'lesson' to his sibling. What Cicero had assumed as a final time for learning some useful knowledge had turned into a time for his brother to step into the discount limelight once again. With most of the necessities for careers being so far from the poorer side of the district, Cicero (and most others in his position) strayed from the area but he didn't realise that his sibling was even such a celebrity in such a run-down place.
"Is that? –"
"Oh my god, it totally is?"
"Do you think we can get his autograph or say hi to him?"
He had to have heard those three questions at least ten times over and he was beginning to tire of it.
Whether he liked it or not - and it wasn't hard to see that he felt the latter – Avitus was a big deal around District Two. He was more of a symbol of District Two by that time than a man, the winner of the 93rd Hunger Games and a role model to careers everywhere due to his brutal and unforgiving nature in the arena – Cicero still had a vivid image of when he watched his brother murdering his allies as the numbers dwindled down. A true role model, the thought made Cicero chuckle in resentment for his brother, no way did his sibling deserve the respect he'd garnered; not when he had none of others.
His brown eyes wandered to his side, having been lost in his thoughts, he didn't even notice that his brother had stopped to speak with some of the girls that had been gushing over him as they passed. It was typical of him but that didn't bother Cicero any less.
As Avitus caught up to Cicero, he noticed the blush appearing on the common girl's face. "Sweet girl," he laughed, "She almost reminds me of last year's tribute I trained."
"Avi–" Cicero made an attempt to cut off his brother's mindless words but the pride struck man continued.
"She was a feisty one, always saying no to me – she was fun," he smiled as if he was recalling a fond memory, Cicero believed the other would be feeling differently from how he knew his sibling, "Too bad she was killed but maybe if she'd shown a little more to me, I would've been a better teacher."
Cicero saved the look of disgust; it would do no good. True, the man was a career but he had respect for other's lives (though true, he could hear the lesser districts scoffing at the statement) and basic human decency.
"Is this why you brought me here?" Cicero questioned, raising his eyebrows in curiosity, "To speak to me about girls and dead tributes?"
Avitus shrugged, slinging an arm around his brother's broad shoulder, "You could say something like that – tell me, brother, what do you see before you?"
He took a moment to study his surroundings before he answered, "Hungry people, destroyed housing, buildings that look like they're going to fall apart."
"Exactly, Cicero, exactly," Avitus mused, "The reaping's days away and this is your last year to volunteer."
"I know, you know I'm going to volunteer though," the younger of the two furrowed his brow.
"But if you don't, if you get scared, I know it's going to be a quarter quell and that's off-putting-"
Cicero cut him off abruptly, "That doesn't mean I'm going to quit – I'm a winner." And if Cicero had anything to do about it, he would be a much more honourable winner than his brother.
"I know and as an extra deterrent, I brought you here today – do you see why?" Avitus asked, taking a somewhat scenic look at slums.
To see that what we have is a huge privilege? Certainly not.
"I brought you here to see what would become of you if you didn't volunteer," Avitus tightened his grip on his brother's shoulder, "Father's a man filled with pride and the apple doesn't fall far from the tree – we want the best for you brother. And what would happen if you wasted your potential by staying quiet tomorrow?"
"I already said that I'm not-"
"And besides, I've spent the last seven years taking you up to my associates in the Capitol, wait till they see you – everyone's been itching to finally meet Avitus' little brother."
Now that left a sour taste in Cicero's mouth.
If anything that turned him off going into the games - though he was going to no matter what. Having lived in the shadow of his brother since birth, and even more so since his brother's games, Cicero wanted to make a name for himself and show what type of man he was – and that was not the type of man that was simply following on a family name.
In his brother's silence, Avitus laughed and hit his arm playfully, "Come on, I'm sure that the Capitol are going to love you; with me training you, our family team is going to be the talk of the city."
Family team, the thought made him internally groan.
Cicero would have laughed too, if it wasn't for the growing spite.
A/N: And here is the third character to be introduced through a chapter. If I'm honest, I don't like this as much as the preceding two but at least it's out, I suppose? I'm hoping to have the rest of them out soon with summer fast approaching so stay tuned! Only a few more tributes until the list is filled!
Cicero Torelli was submitted by HogwartsDreamer113 - thank you to her for such a great character!
