Hi everyone! I completely forgot to write an author's note for the first chapter, so I'm making up for it. I really hope you liked the first chapter and that you didn't think it was as depressing as I thought it was. I would like to thank animebella09, flyaway213, and Melodenia for following; this is my first fanfiction so having people actually see this piece before my seventh story is a very big, very pleasant surprise. Anyway on with the show (and yes I'm indulging in the fact that I can use "I" over and over again up here.) Also thank you Kirstendonia for your wonderful review and I'm really glad you enjoyed the chapter. I got a review! And a favorite! And three followers (?)!
Before I forget, I was wondering if I should do the next chapter from Arthur's point of view or not, if you could help me decide I would appreciate the help.
Disclaimer (which I also forgot. Oops): I do not own the Hunger Games or Merlin.
Chapter 2- Merlin
Even Merlin had to admit that the metal death trap they were in did have some perks. The beds were exceptional, new clothes hung in the closet, amazing food was prepared by servants, and everything was clean, and it was bothering him. His long fingers had nothing to brush aside; his pale toes couldn't poke through the hole in his old, weathered boots, and his hair was now gelled to the point of no return. Merlin shook his head; said blue goop came sliding down the dark locks in globs that plummeted toward the tile floor, showing him exactly how great his beauty squad was. Now here he was standing in front of a mirror that could pay for all of his possessions, in his training uniform which looked like should be on a red carpet. Now here was the banished little boy that was afraid to go home. Now here was the coward that never went back going into a fight for his life. And he will lose.
Again he shook his head, dissipating all the morbid thoughts that were racing around his head like a chant. His fingers started to twirl a tag on his uniform, and a goofy little smile slipped onto his face as he delved into the old habit. Going into old habits, I suppose, his overactive brain murmured as he took fourteen deep, slow breaths. Letting out the last breath, Merlin let his brighter-than-normal blue eyes rest on his reflection. He supposed he should like this "new Merlin" a new beginning, a new opportunity, but all he could see when he looked in that mirror was the boy who didn't belong. He didn't belong in those clothes. He didn't even belong in his district, much less the center of the Capital. Merlin slipped out of the skin tight clothes in a matter of minutes, an incredible feat considering how tight those clothes were, and traded them for some sweats he was planning on wearing to bed. Screw it, he thought as he threw the metal door open and raced down the hallway to the origin of some delicious smells were dwelling.
As Merlin dragged his feet over the plush carpet, he couldn't help but notice how queer his little death squad, as he dubbed everyone on the train, was. Slumped in one corner was an eighty year old man with a stark white beard that reached half way down his chest and hair the same color and length. Merlin cracked a little smile when he looked at the man, somehow he reminded him of his grandfather from way back when. His cobalt eyes started to scan the room again; the grin widening as he stared. Pouting in a wood chair by the window was Kara, who twirled a butter knife in between her fingers while trying to figure out how the old man moved his head every time she threw the knife at him. The last person to add to the party was of course young Alice. Her bright blonde hair was in curls bigger than Merlin's fist, with little butterflies and dragon wings covered the head band and poked through the hair to show off. Alice's dress was bright red with scales embroidered on it and a simple chain with a huge butterfly was thrown around her neck, just to make sure you knew that this was over the top.
As Merlin flopped down on his seat, all six eyes flew to his small figure that was crushed into a kindergartener chair. He waved slightly with his left hand before letting it flop down onto his lap, adopting a small, welcoming smile that was not returned. The old man turned his head so he could fiddle with the window shade and mutter about the newest generation. Kara rolled her eyes and huffed in annoyance before opening her mouth to question the old man. Before a single word could float out of Kara's mouth, Alice hurriedly interrupted her. Merlin thought it was just for principal. "So Dragoon, how about we introduce ourselves?" Alice's light voice carried across the room brightly and clearly.
Dragoon huffed, surprisingly similar to the way Kara had a minute ago, before leaning closer to us and opening his mouth. "I'm Dragoon, this is Alice. I don't care who you are and unless you give me a reason to know your name I will not." A threatening glare was sent across the room before the blue eyes settled back on the tributes. "My job is to make sure one of you gets out alive, and that is it. It is not my job to make friends for you in the Capital or with the other tributes. So don't even try it." Yet another glare was sent across the room. "Now what are your strengths? Since neither of you will strike up any decent conversation, I guess we will start there.
"Well," Kara's threatening voice slithered across the silence and embedded itself in our ears. "I am personally great at hand to hand defense and knife handling." Even the way she said it put Merlin's teeth on edge, and the challenging look she was throwing him was not helping. Finally, he turned to Dragoon and opened his stupid mouth. "I've been living in the woods for a long time now. I would assume that someone like me would have some advantages in the forested areas. I am also skilled in hunting and berry collecting." He nodded once to prove his point and finally rested it on his chest while the other three had "meaningful" conversation. A few seconds later, the huge snacks were devoured and everyone left in a hustle, pushing and shoving past each other into doors and who knows what. And as Merlin lay awake on his bed did he finally realize why he didn't just teleport off the building and run. Why wouldn't he run?
