A/N: Well, the support is just flowing in! Thanks to all of you who continuously review, it means the world to me. I'm growing obsessed with this story, if you can't tell by my frequent updates. It's summer though, and with all this time on my hands…why not write! Right? Ha-ha, weak pun. Anyway, we are ten chapters from the games and I'm super excited! So, here we go… the second and final segment of…The Train Rides!
Cassia Lepidus- District 2
This couldn't be any more exciting than it's turned out to be, and I can tell Nero is just thrilled by the way he looks at me from across the room. Well, I don't know if you could call it a room, more or less a train cart, but whatever, it doesn't matter. What does matter is how I act towards sweet Nero for the next week, until I can rip him from limb to limb inside that arena.
Most people would think I'm some homicidal freak for volunteering after Nero threw himself at the stage, but that's certainly not the case. No, I'm not a deranged lunatic who just brandishes knives against anyone she meets, there's a deeper level to all of this. The entire point of being born in District Two is so that you can train until you're eighteen. That's what people do, they train and they train because District Two has a standard to live up to, and everyone respects that. Everyone except my brother. He feels as if the Hunger Games are a bit too dark for his tastes, so he trains with minimal effort and scowls upon the capitol. It infuriates me. To no end.
Nero disgusts me, and standing firm on up there was the ultimate act of mockery. He thought he could simply waltz on stage and deny others a chance at some game he didn't even bother to take seriously in training! And for what? To come back home and hold it over my head? Oh, it just drives me insane! Which many people think I'm starting to become. Another thing I can blame Nero for, the fact that I'm slowly going crazy, because I can't stop thinking about how undeserving and revolting he is. So, I took the only logical option to reinstate the fierce drive and determination of District Two. What would people think if they saw him representing us? All smug and confident, without any real discipline and backbone behind him. I bet the second he hits that arena, he'll tuck his tail in between his legs and bolt for the trees, or dunes, or caves, or whatever they have in store for us. If he had a tail that is. I could make him a tail, fashion it out his skin and wrap it around a toilet paper roll. No! I need to focus, not think about dumb stuff like that. See, there's Nero, making me go crazy. Oh I could just flay him now!
I don't care about the fact that he's my brother, because he's really not. Sure, he's older than me and more experienced and blah blah blah, but that doesn't matter once we're in the arena. If he even thinks about joining the careers, I'll kill him before he even gets a glimpse at the arena, in fact, I'll kill him before he gets a glimpse of the capitol. Oh great, the mentors are here, I could care less. I don't need someone giving me tips on how to kill the other twenty-two tributes, because that's all mentors are good from. Their sole purpose is to make you forget about the fact that someone from your district must die for you to go home, and that's why it's so much easier knowing it will be Nero. I wouldn't want precious District Two blood to spill if it had trained and tried its whole life to be worthy of belonging to District Two. But Nero, not Nero, he couldn't care less. Killing him will be so easy.
That idiot Viola is looking at me. I give her a menacing glare, and she looks back down to her nails, preening and primping them to perfection. That's all she has to worry about, her nails? God, people disgust me. People like Nero. His whole act was just perfect. The firm "No" when the boys rushed forward to take his place, the stunned look on his face when I sacrificed myself for that small girl, what was her name? Aurora? Whatever, it doesn't matter, because the mentors are trying to talk to us, and I can't wait to hear what Nero has to say.
"So it's our understanding you two are siblings," a man with jet black hair says, phrasing his statement like a question. Whether it's either of those two, his words annoy me. Of course we're siblings, it's not something you have to understand.
"Of course we are," I state, "Nero here is my big brother." I shoot him a loving glance, and my brother can't peel his eyes away from me. No emotion registers on his face, just a blank expression.
"Well, might we ask, why did you volunteer after he was reaped?' A woman with fiery red hair asks me, the other mentor.
"Is the answer not obvious?" I ask, dumbfounded by this woman's stupidity. After no one says anything I let out an exasperated sigh, and turn to face the window. I can still feel Nero's eyes on me, those golden eyes. It makes me want to scream! Oh how I could rip out those shining golden eyes.
"Stop staring at me!" I scream, instantly earning myself the attention of everyone in the room, cart, whatever. Nero stops.
"But you're my little sister, and you're going into the Hunger Games. Why, if I stopped looking at you, how would I know if you're safe or not?" Nero coos, much to my annoyance. So that's how he wants to play, he's going to act like he pities my insanity. Well I'm not insane. At least I think I'm not. No, I know I'm not. God, shut up Cassia. What am I talking to myself now? Oh he makes me mad!
The man and woman who call themselves our mentors exchange worried glances, I bet they've never had anything like this before.
"I'm Hanson," The black-haired man says, looking back and forth between Nero and I.
"And I'm Klaudia," The red-haired woman adds, her bright green eyes training on me.
"Why are you staring at me?" I spit the words out of my mouth, startling her.
"You both are going to need to refocus those attitudes if you want to win. I don't care if you are siblings or not, only one of you is coming out now, and if you continue to act like this, your rage will blind you and then neither of you will walk out of the arena," Hanson barks.
"He's right," Klaudia adds.
"What are you, his support group?" I already know I hate her.
"Give it a rest little sister, can't you see these grown-ups are trying to reason with you. Oh that's right, you wouldn't know how a grown-up thinks, because you'll never be one," Nero says, his words icy and cocky.
"Don't think I'm not as smart as you," I say, my voice climbing, "I've got plans for you!"
"Oh little sister, what's the matter? You don't like your big brother?" Nero is starting to push me over the edge as he says these words. Wait, hold on for a minute. That's exactly what he is trying to do, push me over the edge. Then I'll look crazy and he'll get all the help from the mentors. No, no I will not let that happen.
"I don't know what you mean," I say, putting a hand to my heart and calming my voice, "I love my big brother, with all of my heart." My words surprise him, and I can tell he is retreating, for now. Hanson and Klaudia look back and forth between us once more, but it's Viola who speaks up.
"Well, I think I'll have something to drink," she says, crossing over to the bar. Pouring herself what looks like vodka and something else, she takes a seat again and gulps down a large portion of the drink. Hanson and Klaudia take their seats at the table and motion for us to come over.
"Now that you two have stopped your little act, we can address the family issues later," Hanson says, "But for now, we need to focus on building the career group, because we seriously doubt the District One girl will be of much use." The gears in my head are already turning for how to get Nero out of the career alliance without Hanson and Klaudia knowing, but then my wonder of a brother comes out of left field again and shocks us all.
"I won't be joining the careers, that's where Cassia belongs," he says defiantly, stunning everyone in the room, cart, if you will.
Hanson opens his mouth but Nero continues, "If you think I'm some killing machine who targets innocent kids, then you've got me wrong. I won't say I'm a great guy, but I won't murder for my own sustenance. I'm sure the other careers, people like Cassia, can't wait to spill the blood of children all over that arena, be you can count me out. That's not who I am, nor who I'll ever be."
Viola looks faint, and Hanson has to put his fist in his mouth to prevent himself from exploding. Klaudia and I on the other hand don't seem to upset or uninterested, just mildly suspicious of his motives.
"So what do you plan on doing?" Klaudia asks, her eyes narrowed at Nero.
"I plan on killing when I have to, I've trained, enough to where I know I can beat nearly anyone who comes my way. I won't have a problem killing if I'm confronted, but I won't be seeking out others to kill for the fun of it," Nero remarks, and Klaudia simply nods her head.
"Then you're like me," she says, "You're not a career."
"And I thought we had something here, with all this hate built up we could have unleashed a maelstrom on the other districts," Hanson gripes, his head in his heads. Klaudia shrugs, obviously unfazed by Nero's decision. I'm oddly quiet, simply taking all this in. If Nero won't be part of the careers, then I could easily lead them. They'll fear me, I'll command them with certainty, and together, I and the careers, we will bring down Nero, and everyone else in that arena.
Caramen Fliess- District Five
Romulus, Romulus, Romulus, that's all I can think about as the capitol comes into view. I've never been to the capitol before, but I know my uncle lives here and I know he's my ticket back home. If I can just ask for something, something that will help me win, I know I can get it through Romulus. The brilliant waterfall crashes over the side of the cliff that marks the beginning of the capitol, and I can start to see the buildings lining up on the horizon. With the speed the train is going at, the horizon soon becomes the present, and people are everywhere.
"Wow, I didn't think people would ever elect to put on this kind of clothing," Amerilia states as she rises from her seat. We were uncomfortably quite throughout the train ride, and now that we are here I feel as if Amerilia no longer needs me. Not like she ever needed me in the first place, but I guess she felt entitled to keep me company while we are on the train. Now that we're here though, who knows what she'll do.
They wave at us, the bright citizens of the capitol. Each of them shouts and chants in anticipation of the games, anxious for what histrionics we have to show. The thought of the games brings me back to my mother, and I desperately want to be back in District Five. I never thought I could be reaped, not once did I ever think it would happen to me. Looks like I was wrong.
"Come on Caramen, get up," Luxxe says, our female mentor. Luxxe Dare has raven black hair and matching eyes. Her skin is pale and tight, her features gaunt and stricken. We watched footage from her games on the way up here, and she was positively brilliant, in a sickening sort of way. She played the careers, each and every one of them. Gaining their trust, she killed them all and made off with her real alliance mates, which she proceeded to kill as well. Building trust and destroying, that's what Luxxe showcased during her games, and it makes me want to refrain from speaking with her. Why should I accept advice from someone like her? Especially after she showed us all the carnage she created.
"Get up," Luxxe says, hissing like a snake. I obey, and make my way to the window. Everyone outside is so enthusiastic, you'd think we were some parade. I guess we are, we will be especially after tonight's chariot rides. I wonder what kind of ridiculous costume our stylists have in mind for us.
I can't help but wave back at the throng of people celebrating outside. I guess the Hunger Games is some sort of festivity here, in the safe haven the capitol is. Their children don't get reaped, a reward for staying loyal. Why couldn't I have been born here? Why do I have to suffer this cruel fate? I never did anything wrong, so why am I being punished like this?
"They love us," Amerilia says, twirling her hair for the people outside. It makes them go insane, and I can already tell she'll be a hit with the capitol citizens. She is beautiful, athletic, not your typical District Five girl. It's originality that gets people going in these games, and I know there is nothing original about me. I possess no skills, I can't do anything accept cry for my mother. I don't know what kind of score that gets you, but I'll assume it's low.
The train lurches to a halt, which signals it's time to disembark. Romulus, Romulus, Romulus, it's all I can think about. Just get through this week and then Romulus will help me out once I get into the arena; he is a gamemaker after all. I can't hear myself think as the door opens and the massive sound of thousands of people cheering blasts my ears.
"Wonderful isn't it?" Luxxe says, a wicked smile on her face.
It's anything but.
We're here, it's the capitol! I'm so excited to begin the chariot rides! I bet you can't tell from all these frequent posts, but I am getting pumped about this story! Thanks to everyone who reviews! It means the whole wide world! Even favorites, follows, reads, they all matter to me, so be sure to do any of those things to make my day.
On another note, since we are at the capitol...The Sponsor Shop is open! Let me take a moment to explain and then show you what can get you points. The Sponsor Shop is the only way tributes can receive gifts in the arena, and they get them from you! To buy a gift, simply go to the sponsor shop forum (link will be up on my profile soon) and leave a post saying you'll be purchasing this certain item. You can't start buying things until the games begin, but you can start earning points between now and the start of the games. I'll be keeping track of everyone's individual points, so if you buy something you don't have enough points for, then you can't buy that item. Also, after every purchase, I'll PM you a receipt, letting you know how many points you had, what you bought for how much, and how many points you have left. The items won't be posted for a few more chapters, so you can start looking at what you want, but for now, just work on earning points. So here's what you get.
Submitting a Tribute- Worth 500 points. Isn't this wonderful? If you've submitted a tribute to my story, you start off with 500 points! Yay for participation!
Posting in the Bloodbath Forum (Link on my profile)- 100 points.
Leaving a Review- 500 points.
Favoriting this Story- 800 points.
Following this Story- 1,000 points.
Favoriting me as an author- 1,250 points.
Following me as an author- 1,500 points.
So, get busy earning points, that way you'll be able to give the tribute you love an upper hand when the games begin, or save your points and accrue them over time to help out a tribute when they're in dire need. The games are dependent upon the sponsors, like Caramen believes, so try hard and shop until you drop!
-AdmiralBobbery