THE TRAIN RIDE
Exchanges at the Justice Building were stunted and short. Clove was only told by her mother to make her proud. Octavian came in later to wish her luck and muttered under his breath that he hoped Clove would take out Cato when it came to that. And that's it: her superior mother who would enjoy the bloodshed of the show, and a boy who was sulking over the loss of an opportunity of fame.
Soon after the uneventful goodbyes, Cato and Clove were led to the train that would be taking them to the Capitol. Brutus and Enobaria gave the pair a brief welcome and then they ate. The lavish room was filled with luxury items: velvet curtains that were softer than a sheep's wool, crystal glasses that you could see your reflection in, and the food, oh, the food was rich and plentiful. Cato and Clove, although well fed, weren't used to food so delicious and extravagant. They ate good portions back home, but the food wasn't exactly wonderful. And soon Cato had finished a good portion of the plate of roast duck, he was stretched out in his chair in an almost relaxed manner, chewing on a duck bone hanging out of the corner of his mouth. Clove sat straight and still next to him, still picking at her green noodles slathered in a white sauce that tasted like wine and a creamy cheese. Finally, she couldn't take it anymore.
"Aren't you supposed to be giving us advice?" asked Clove scathingly as she looked pretentiously at Enobaria and Brutus, who looked like they were slightly drunk already from the Capitol wine. Enobaria sneered, baring her sharp, golden teeth at Clove.
"We've got time," slurred Brutus, almost merrily. "And besides, our District's got the most Victors…all the other kids before you never worried about advice. Think you won't do well or something?"
Clove laughed harshly at the idea of 'not doing well'. She then glared intensely at both of her mentors before she said, "I can bet that I could throw knives farther and better than the both of you put together. I can kill anyone. The only reason I'm asking for your advice is because District two doesn't teach us how to act with the Capitol, how to conduct ourselves. I want to be the best, and you two know what these Capitol freaks love. But from how you're acting right now, I'm not so sure I'd want your help."
Enobaria looked as if she could strangled Clove on the spot, saying, "You little brat, you should be grateful that I'm mentoring you at all! If you're going to be so inconsiderate, I might just decide to lead you to your death, right at the bloodbath." Her golden teeth shined with spit and flashed as she talked. Clove could have burned holes into Enobaria's face by the burning stare she was returning, but she didn't reply.
"I don't need any of your help," said Cato suddenly, as he sat up straight in his chair. "I can win this, whether you decide to give me advice or not."
"You'll need to know how to act," replied Clove as she stood up from her chair and made her way to the door. Everyone was contradicting her and she was getting angry to the point of yelling. "You'll never win anything if you don't know how to please the Capitol!"
She opened the door that led to the section of the train where their bedrooms would be, leaving a stunned Cato and two irritated mentors behind her.
end THE TRAIN RIDE