XXIII. Training Didn't Cover This

Domitian hadn't entirely expected training to cover everything, but somehow he thought he'd better prepared for dealing with his new would-be allies.

"Can't believe we're supposed to ally with these people," Domitian said.

"They're not that bad," Calliope replied.

"I'm not so sure about that." Domitian was more than sure, the Ones were insufferable with their head up their asses, and the Fours seemed to take nothing seriously as if they were just Game. Despite their name, the Hunger Games were anything but. Aetius had the right of it 'The pack' was a bad idea, doomed to fail simply because the other trained districts did not live up to Two's high standards.

"Perhaps you need to give time, they might grow on you."

"Like mould." Domitian quipped.

"Well, you're going to have to find a way, to tolerate them at least."

"Wish I was told a way to tolerate them," Domitian commented.

"They did tell to us expect to get along with them immediately."

"Because they're such fucking assholes, not the remember them mentioned that." Domitian snapped.

"The pack is a new burgeoning idea, not everything has been figured out yet. Besides the first pack was successful." Calliope reasoned

"And the second fell apart just a few days into the Games. Due to Ones' scheming," Domitian countered.

"If our Ones try any of that, we kick 'em out simple as."

"Well kill them. Best to cut a poison entirely."

"And if we do that and Four see us a poison?" Calliope questioned

"They won't, they can understand the reason." Domain declared.

"You Domi, you got to at least give them a slither of respect. If the pack has any chance of succeeding."

Domitian would very much like the pack to have no chance of succeeding, but he was confident enough that it would by its design, he had no intent of deliberate sabotage those were tools of the the dishonourable - like Ones of the year just past.

Domitian sighed. "I just…have my doubts. But I reluctantly, I shall go along with it." In enough time, this foolish idea will fail by its own making. He said to himself, wising to scream it from very rooftops.

"Good," Calliope said. "Now let us face our allies once more."

—

"I thought Two was supposed to be great a following the rules," Silk jeered.

Domitian grunted. "Four is also not here."

"Someone else being even later does not mean that you are not." Marble chimed in.

"Please Domi use their names, it's much more friendly," Silk added

He was not here to make friends, he was here to do his duty to District Two. A duty, he reminded himself, that involves putting up with these two clowns.

"Don't call that!" he snapped.

"Why not? Cal always calls that."

"She's from home. It's different." Domitian replied trying to suppress his annoyance.

"Oh, I see she's a friend. Well, if you play nicely we can become friends as well."

"Friend? You're my ally nothing more, I will cooperate with you as that is what being allies entails, I have no intention of growing any closer."

"Fine then Mr. Grimm."

"Look, Silk we are not people who would ally with each other naturally. But rather we are called to do so- " Calliope said before being interrupted.

"And so you put no effort into even trying." Marble interjected.

Calliope stared daggers at Marble. "So there's bound to be some disagreements."

Disagreements were certainly one way of putting it, considering the nigh explosive argument that they had just had the day previous.

"I understand but he has to pull his weight."

"Domitian has never been the most amicable individual," Calliope said.

"That much is evident," Silk commented.

"However he ha sa ruthless determination, when it comes to a hunt I can assure you he will produce results."

"Well shall see in the Games."

The cracks were already showing. Of course, they were it was to be expected, trying to wrangle six people in a deathmatch was a madman's idea. Were they supposed to act like they weren't going to kill others once everyone else was dealt with? Why even bother with the facade of getting along? Play along, Domtian play along. Try your best to get along with your allies, the outliers will know if there's tension and seek to exploit it. Just like last year. Not give them the gratification of it two years in a row.

"Look, I'll admit that I'm not too keen on this trained kids band-together idea, however, I'm willing to give it a fair shot, but we're all going to have to pull our weight and think of plans together but considering that one-third of us are still not here that's not quite possible at the moment, and small talk has never been my forte." Domitian declared.

"Then we just wait in silence." Marble said.

Luckily Four soon graced us them their presence.

"Sorry about the tardiness," Neptune said.

Domitian groaned. "That's, not even going try an an excuse."

"Don't have one," Neptune replied.

"Overslept," Oceania stated. "Stayed too late last night."

"Go to bed early tonight."

"You're not my dad."

Domitian wanted to scream. Why, oh why was he not prepared to deal with such infuriating individuals?