Well, we're back in District 1 now for some more Ruby and Nicoli… YAY! This chapter is mainly from Nicoli's POV and I've been dying to write it for AGES! This'll be the last you'll see of District 1 until we're in the Capitol!
So Thank You's to:
Backt0theburrow for Ruby Ashford
ToxicatedRose for Nicoli Spinoza
Nicoli Spinoza, District 1.
The realisation that in less than a week I'm to be thrown into an arena with 23 other people in a battle to the death is daunting, extremely daunting in fact; I feel my earlier enthusiasm of winning fade into the background. Realistically, my chances are much better than most since I am representing what most people refer to as a 'career' district and have been trained a good portion of my 16 years in anticipation for one day entering and winning these games; but this is not my wish, and it never will be, it is my father's wish. But to achieve my own dreams I am going to have to win these games to prove my worth to my over bearing father; I am going to have to win these games to dispel the inaccurate, and basically, slanderous rumours that have been circulating as of late.
I am genuinely upset that to achieve my dreams I'll have to shatter those of others; take the lives of people who have dreams just like me. Ruby, she could have any number of dreams as could any tribute but these dreams must remain idle fantasies; for I am the tribute who will become Victor. I am the tribute who will make my dreams come true, however cliché that may sound.
Unlike most I am not an essentially complex person by nature; I'm the 'nice one', I am the teenage boy who lives the typical teenage life and who dotes on the tiniest details; I am not one to play mind games but I anticipate that some tributes are trying to play these games already: Ruby Ashford, my district partner, is someone I'll be keeping an eye on; I tried being pleasant and well I got the vibe that she didn't particularly like me, no it was more than that, she looked at me as though I was prey and she the predator.
Extremely creepy, but I allow her to continue as she pleases for someone I trust very much gave me a great piece of advice: 'Keep your friends close, Nicoli but you make damn sure you keep your enemies closer', my sister Priscilla may be going through some emotional punk phase but I trust her implicitly. So warning Miss Ashford, I'm going to be keeping you so close we're practically Siamese twins; any girl who is so arrogant as to declare herself the Victor before the games have begun, well she isn't going on my list of friends no matter how graceful she moves or how exquisitely cut her dress is.
My ponderings however come to a sudden close when I enter the train compartment; forget my district partner and our mentors, I have literally stepped into my own personal heaven: I have obviously been deluded, I thought that District 1 was the home of luxury; how foolish of me to even try and compare my home district to the Capitol, they quite obviously outshine us.
Everything is perfect, the plush satin chaise the colour of midnight; the solid marble countertops seem to glitter as if infused with the diamonds my district is acclaimed for mining; the russet coloured carpet beneath my feet seems thick and the most amazing shade of periwinkle blue, it must have been imported from District 8 since nowhere else could create such a luxurious material. I am quite aware that my eyes are shining in tears of admiration and my mouth is agape; it's just that this is all I've ever wanted, what I wouldn't give to live in the Capitol around things of such beauty, to be in a place where my creative aspirations are encouraged not ridiculed.
'Isn't it jus beautiful? It's just simply amazing; I've always known that the Capitol has the best of it all but well this is simply something else…' My ramblings are interrupted by a cough; a cough I'm pretty sure was meant to shut me up. I can't help it that I tend to gabble when I'm excited; I turn to see the source of the sound and see that my mentors and partner are gathered, all wearing looks that scream nonchalance and annoyance. I'll assume that I'm the source of annoyance but I cannot comprehend how they can stand here and not be simply amazed by our surroundings, well maybe the mentors seeing as they're shipped to and from the Capitol regularly but Ruby should be excited as I am.
'Well, my little pansy friend while you've been catching flies we've developed your training strategy. Your to train separately and well I'm pretty sure I'd like to be Ruby's mentor seeing as she seems to be able to focus rather than wonder around like a gormless moron.' That's Platinum Herzesky, a Victor from a couple of years ago and the one I'd assumed would be mentoring me throughout the whole experience; traditionally male tributes are mentored by other males but it seems Platinum seems to be thinking that Ruby has a better chance at winning, although the way his narrowed blue eyes seem to travel along Ruby's impressive figure tells me that with her he has a better chance of getting laid.
In all honesty I'm not too concerned about this, in all honesty I think I prefer it; Yes, I do feel dejected but I wouldn't want to be mentored by an oaf who is blatantly so bigoted; If there is one thing that truly grates on me it is people who are prejudiced. I think it is safe to say that Mister Herzesky stores a certain amount of faith in the rumour mill of District 1. Plus, I see that Ruby is simpering at his 'not-so-kind words' and trailing her delicate hands across his broad shoulders; seems her tactic is to sleep her way to the top, I am really am trying to stop myself rolling my eyes when I catch onto her all too classy plan: Which isn't cliché at all, pretty girl sleeping her way to victory; I seriously consider telling her about self respect but bite my tongue.
'Oh, well then I respect your choices and wish you the best of luck; well I'll appreciate having this time to talk to my own mentor, who's dress is utterly fabulous if I may say. Is that duchess satin?' I admit it, I'm deliberately being camp to aggravate Platinum, although I do try and hide it with some form of respect; and it seems to have worked seeing as he rolls his eyes before storming from the room, Ruby hot on his heels.
'Nicoli Spinoza and I know that you're Sheen Rownan, glad to meet you.' I hold out my hand to my mentor but it just hangs there, she pushes her raven hair behind one shoulder and narrow her caramel coloured eyes at me; analysing me I assume as she begins to walk around me taking in every detail possible. She comes to stand in front of me and grasps my hand in an iron grip, a tight smile blossoming onto her elfin face.
'I am glad to meet you because I, unlike my partner Platinum am not blind. I see the girl for the whore that she is; and I see that you have a lot more potential behind that whole happy go lucky attitude of yours. One question though, do you want to win?' She speaks quickly and very quietly and I have to lean in to hear her words, well she is definitely blunt but that could be good seeing as I spend a good amount of my time with my head in the clouds, imagination running wild.
'Well, I do want to win but can I ask why we're whispering. Seems a bit strange in all honesty.' She smirks at my response and a small laugh bursts from her lips, she just shakes her head as if I'm missing something.
'I'm whispering seeing as your district partner and her sleazy mentor are waiting outside the door trying to listen to your strategy; they've written you off, they think your as good as dead and so I need a strategy to prove them wrong. And the only way such a strategy could work is if they don't know about it.' Wow, how did she know that? I can't hear a thing and how on Earth could she think of a strategy so quick; this woman is definitely something but I cannot help but feel smug, it seems even though Platinum lacks faith in me it isn't the same for Sheen Rownan. She has faith in me and because of the ring of determination in everything she says; I have faith that if any mentor could bring me home as a Victor she is standing before me.
'Oh, okay then; Kudos for noticing that, but what is this surprise strategy that's supposedly going to prove them wrong?' I am genuinely curious as to how to play this, I thought I'd join the career pack and then let everyone else pick each other off one by one until I'm the only one left standing; seems it's really not as simple as that.
'What would you say is your greatest weakness strategy in their eyes Nicoli?' What an odd question, I didn't think we were here discussing whatever my weakness' are, but if it helps why shouldn't I tell her? Or maybe, she's trying to just ridicule me in front of Platinum and Ruby. My concerns must be written across my face seeing as she shakes her head at me.
'You can trust me Nicoli, I'll do everything I can in order to bring you home. Now please answer my question.'
'Cross your heart and hope to die?' I know it seems childish but it will comfort me, Sheen is becoming visibly exasperated seeing as her perfectly shaped eyebrows appear to be disappearing into her hairline.
'Yes, happy now? Or is there another childish ritual you'd like to waste time on' I feel bad for aggravating her but grin at her expression; if she was willing to do that for me I trust her, and I will answer her question.
'Well, they think I'm simple; no that's the wrong word. I think my greatest weakness in there eyes is that I'm well a bit of a pansy and that I cannot do this.' It sounds very self depreciating but I remind myself that it's how they see me; I see myself in a totally different light but that's beside the point. Sheen is nodding her head with such fervour I think she is in serious danger of dislocating it.
'Exactly Nicole, that's it don't you see?' She looks at me expectantly as if we've shared some type of communal epiphany, because I'm pretty sure my blank expression shows I am not in on this stroke of genius she just had. She must see it though as she continues, her voice remaining a soft whisper.
'That's it Nicoli, they underestimate you. No one will see you as a threat, you'll be overlooked and then when as soon as they realise that you are a threat. Well, you'll have to stick a knife in their back.' It seems so simple, I didn't even consider it but my pathway to victory has been before me the whole entire time. I smile at my mentor; this woman is complete genius.
It's true, I have spent a life under estimated: My father always thought I'd fail at Career Academy, but my athleticism shone; the boys of my district always under estimated me, branded me a 'homo' but I can prove them all wrong. I reminisce about the final words spoken to me by Ella Denim; the sweet girl who's been my best friend practically all my life, and my secret love for a vast majority of the time:
'Nicoli, not many people have faith in you but I do; these people are wrong but come home to me please. I know you can do this.' She'd given me the same advice as Sheen effectively yet I didn't see it.
Well, all these people who throw offensive slurs at me; all those that think I'm guaranteed death in these games, all those that think I'm a wimp; all those that believe me to be dumb, prepare to eat your words. I'll prove them all wrong; it is a big mistake for anybody to underestimate me. For my name is Nicoli Spinoza, I came to these games to prove a point and win by any means necessary; and contrary to popular belief I am not afraid to break nail to do so.
Ruby Ashford, District 1.
After we were unable to decipher Nicoli's words, Platinum and I retired to his room for some discussion of our own; I always said my sexuality was as powerful as any sword, and ask Platinum; he'll willingly tell you that my body took him to realms of pleasure he had never encountered previously. The sex in all honesty was mediocre at best but the consequences of the deed are what concern me; I have sunk my claws into him now, he is at my beck and call: educating me in strategy, securing me the most affluent sponsors and ensuring I get the better stylist/prep team.
So it is a good day's work and I suppose its all practice: I'll have to seduce a man in the arena, one who is as stupid as Platinum most likely and then once I've won I'll be expected to 'pleasure' the Capitol's citizens in exchange for the kindness they gave me throughout the Hunger Games; sending gifts and all of that. I suppose I should be disgusting by my actions and what is expected of me when I win the games; but why should I? Why shouldn't I share my exquisite beauty with the world? And who knows what other opportunities will come my way if I seduce the right person. Think of me as a whore if you must, but remember that when it all ends it will be I, Ruby Ashford, who comes out on top.
My mind returns however to something that has been bothering me all day: Nicoli bastard Spinoza, something about him is irksome, there is something else about that boy; he simply cannot be all smiles and unicorns. Has he got a special talent I need to know about? I was so rash earlier, he tried to befriend me and I kind of shot him down; Oh well he is so simple if I smile at him he'll think I want to be 'best friends' and maybe I should let this happen, it can only benefit me in the long run. As I said I hate enigmas, and I'm now obsessed with solving the puzzle the scatter brained homo presents.
I strut into the living compartment, intend on finding Spinoza but instead all I find is his mentor. Sheen Rownan, she detests me and it's because she knows I am her superior in every aspect; I still don't understand how she won her games but sometimes those things happen, an undeserving Victor being crowned.
'Where's Nicoli?' I don't have the time to stand around making pointless conversation with this silly woman, not when I have the puzzle that is Nicoli Spinoza to solve anyway; she looks at me and quirks her eyebrow. Annoying habit of hers it seems but I let it slip seeing as I need her to answer my question, she gets to her feet and walks over to me.
'Ruby Ashford, I'm the boys mentor and even I can see it is a lost cause; he might be able to help you out in the career pack; watch your back and such but he is no threat. I guarantee it.' Well, what am I meant to do? Congratulate her on noticing something I saw the first time I saw him, but I can't shake the ominous feeling that is telling me there is something else about that boy.
'Shine—'
'It's Sheen' I deliberately got her name wrong, she needs to learn that I can do as I please; I just wave off her interruption and continue.
'He may be playing a game; you wouldn't be able to tell now would you?' She looks hurt at my accusation but I won't censor my thoughts for her benefit. She draws herself up to her full height, eyes narrowed.
'Although I would much prefer for him to win, the thing is you're the best chance district 1 has of winning; the boy is an open book, he doesn't pose a threat to you at all; I've seen you, you'd cut him down before he even considered crossing you however much I hate to admit it' The woman is seething, but there is a ring of sincerity to her tone; and well the compliments were great, the fact she was reluctant to give them just made them better in my opinion.
I knew Nicoli was just a push over, an easy kill; my gut told it me straight away and I should've trusted it, my intuition is never wrong, another thing that just enhances my perfection. It seems I was over thinking things; well I'll be sure not to do that again. I smile sarcastically at Sheen then turn and head back towards Platinum's quarters, he may be ready for round 2.
Sheen Rownan, District 1 Mentor.
That girl makes my skin crawl; she is so arrogant and what has she done to walk around with such self esteem, nothing. She's pretty and I suppose her little 'whore' act helps but it can only get her so far. I'll make sure of it, she thinks she's better than me and anybody else unfortunate enough to stumble across her path, well if she were as 'intelligent' as she seems to think she is she would've realised I was lying. It physically hurt to have to compliment her but I remembered that all of this, The Hunger Games, is just that: a game.
A game that I will make sure Ruby Ashford doesn't win; everything I do has a motive. This trait of mine is what made me the Victor of the 57th Annual Hunger Games and it is what will help me ensure that Nicoli Spinoza is the Victor. I came to mentor a winner and I will make sure that I achieve my goal. And there is nothing that a pathetic whore like Ruby Ashford can do about it.
YAY! Quick update or what? What do you think of these tributes eh? And what do you think of Sheen, a little creation of mine?
And food for thought…once I finish this SYOT, would you like another SYOT? Or maybe the Games of a previous Victor? A Quarter Quell…or something else? Let me know.
REVIEW! PLEASE…. :D
xxx