The Eating of the Meal ..::Team Champer::..

[chaseee]

I was with Lucillia again. I was sprawled on our cramped sofa next to her, eating popcorn from a large bowl. Lucy refused to share with me, since I persistintly licked the butter off my fingers, and stuck them in again.
But for right now, I rid my hands of the yellow goop by wiping it on the couch.
I want to share with her. Share anything. Being apart has ripped my heart into peices.

We're watching the Hunger Games on the broken television together. Lucy and I had never really payed attention to them, but it was still some sort of entertainment.
And then everything was wrong.

Lucillia was sobbing hysterically into her heavy jacket. The popcorn was gone.
I glanced at the screen, and felt my stomach heave. I was on it. Dead.
I stood in front of my dear sister, waving my arms about, trying to get her attention. It didn't work. It was if I were gone.

Little did I know, I already was.

.:.:.:.:.:.

A light rap on the door wakes me from my deep slumbers. I blink fast, ridding my mind of the scary pictures that had formed in my head.

Death. Gloom. Despair. Breakfast?

"Alkin? Alkin! Be prepared for your morning meal in ten minutes!"

I groaned at the thought of food, but dragged myself out of bed anyhow. I picked out a fresh tee-shirt, and a pair of jeans from my closet at home. I took them into the bathroom, and turned on the shower head.

It was like rain. Only... better. The steamy-hot water cleaned the dirt off my skin, leaving it a nice, peach color. I pressed one of the hundreds of buttons mounted on the shower wall. A nice creamy-colored foam fell onto the crown of my head, giving it the scent of a pine tree. It was nice. An indulgence we could not afford in District 6.

I stepped onto a metal platform outside the dreamy confines of the tub, and a steamy air rushed up at me, drying the very surface of my skin.
Once I was completely dry, and fully clothed, I left my room, and took a journey through the massive hallways of the magnificent building.

I stepped into the large glass elevator, and pressed the button labeled with a large D, I'm guessing stood for Dining Room. Almost instantly, the doors were closed, and the spacey box was zooming downward.
When it finally stopped, I staggered out, more than a little dizzy. I looked around and saw double doors to the side of the elevator. I strolled over, and pushed in.

The room was beautiful, of course. From the crystal chandeleir to the marbel fireplace. The scene was outright stunning.
I stepped up to the service table, piled with platters of food. I helped myself to a large portion of scrambled eggs and ham, coming back for a glass of orange juice.
The food was amazing. Simply bursting with flavor. I chewed the food, gazing at my competitors. They were everything I was not. Strong. Witty. Fast.
Talents that would eventually lead to one of them killing me.

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[peanutpie]

My bout of insanity was only a quick adjustment, I was sure. I walked across the room, which was rather fancy looking. I had just showered, not wanting to look like a blubbering mess, and had changed from a pair of sweats into a sundress and a pair of cowboy boots that my mentor said looked "uber fabu" on me. Well, seeing my mentor was a guy, this didnt come out too well in my mind, so i tapped my shoes against the tile and went to the table where Alkin sat. "Ello!" I cried as I passed, then grabbing a golden edged plate off the buffet bar that they had made by circling elegant carts around the room. I grabbed some quite odd sounding, but pretty looking food from the carts. The banner on it said "We would greatly appreciate it if you were to take two things from each cart. Thank you!" In dark letters. I ignored this and pile loaded everything I thought appetizing on my plate. Maple and Orange glazed chicken on a skewer, grains the color of violets tucked into a waffle cone, a cheesy bread with four cheeses adorning its crust, garlic and venison stew embedded with cranberries, a completley clear pudding that tasted like butterscotch and whipped cream, and a fluffy slice of cake with a blueberry and bacon buttercream. It all was on the tray that heald what would keep me alive for months. And when the oppurtunity stroke, why not gorge youself with the food? Especially if you were certain to die within a week or two. I just shrugged and walked to the table where Alkin was eating, I think. Oooh, wait. I had to grab something to drink. I was parched, I had to admit. There was a refrigerator filled with bottled drinks, and a frozen yogurt machine. Hm... I grabbed a bottled water and a styrofoam cup, filling it to the top with cherry and chocolate frozen yogurt. Thats when I noticed: They were bribing us. With stuff. With food that tastes like hevan. I slammed my frozen yogurt on the counter, sending it flying. And thats when IT happened.

I went crazy. I sent the frozen yogurt machine into a frenzy by yanking up the handle to the thing, and it poured all over the small metal contrapiton it had. Some of the tributes watched my mad rage, my mental instability. I threw one of the carts across the room, making it crash into the wall, sending the pieces of chocolate covered bacon and an aplethra of puddings against the wall. I picked up pieces of bread and chucked them against the floor. I was just angry. Anger pulsed through my body. How dare they order me around like this? How dare they try to kill me? On live television, at that. How in the heck do they want to kill defensless children? The only worse thing was throwing babies into an arena, people being raised on hate, anger, violence. I felt pity for the careers, but I then thought. They had a better chance than me. They would score 9's and 10's. I would score a three. They would be the winner, I would die a painful death at the cornucopia. Nobody really thinks of me. Ever. It is sad and pathetic. I start to cry, and tears begin falling.

At some point, the frozen yogurt machine kicked off, but a clump of the melting fell onto my head. But, my appearance didnt really matter. Tears were shed, they hit the frozen yogurt quickly, leaving small indents in it. I curled into a ball for a second, sobs escaping my chest. And thats when I realized, I wasnt fine. Of course, in the last day, I had had more attacks of craziness than ever. And tears bled from my eyes. I walked to the wall and looked at it. I finally regained my self control enough to start cleaning up the yogurt on the ground.

[grikey95]

Cole Haister

Cole was wearing his district t-shirt and pants. He had just gotten done with a training and was heading into eat. He pulled open the door to the dinning hall. Again the smell of all the food. It was amazing. He wished he could share it with his friends back home. Cole picked up a tray and set out around the carts. First was a pie, it was full of meat, thick sauce. Second was green beans with a number of other things. Then fruit shaped in weird ways Cole then stopped by to pick up a drink, apple juice with cherry's in it. He looked around for a table. Over in the corner was Alkin. Cole made his way over to the table. "Hey Alkin" Cole smiled and sat down. "how is your training going?" Cole asked and took a sip of juice. Just then he heard a odd noise he looked around to see Estelle at the frozen yogurt machine. She seemed to be going insane, having a mental brake down. Then all the frozen yogurt spilled all over the place. "Excuse me" Cole said quickly and he made his way over to Estelle. She now had gotten in control of her self and started to clean up the mess she had made.

Cole came up to her and wordlessly knelt down besides her. He pulled a towel of a near by cart and started to help mop up the yogurt mess. Then Cole looked up at Estelle and tried to meet her eyes. "Whats up? Well let me rephrase that, is there something wrong?" Cole said in his big brotherly voice. The one he used with his sister. Cole understood though if Estelle didnt want to tell Cole what was up with her. It was hard to trust any one here. Cole just looked at Estelle and raised an eyebrow.

[semper]

Theodore Croggstad

It pretty much took all Theodore had to drag himself out of bed. He wasn't used to such soft mattresses, and that fact alone was what had caused him to fall into such a deep slumber. Vivid and heinous dreams had plagued him, and though he did not wake up, they still horrified him. Severed limbs dragging themselves towards him, the blood of dead Tributes constantly falling on him, the stench of rotting bodies--

Stepping into the shower, Theodore scrubbed down his skin as though forcing off dead cells would make the lingering memories of the dreams disappear down the drain. He then rubbed the short blonde hair on his head with a strange rose-smelling foam -- he had no idea how to really work the dang wall contraption with all the buttons -- and then once that was done, he got out and dried off. After pulling on some blue jeans and a white T-shirt, not feeling up to making himself look anymore decent than the social standard, he put on his shoes and headed down the halls and stairs, eventually reaching the dining room.

Never had he smelled food to such a degree that it almost made him sick. Of course it smelled good, but all of the aromas blending together made him a bit nauseous. Picking up a tray, Theodore traveled down the line and got a few biscuits with melted cheese on top, a baked potato (which he considered to be the most luxurious of foods), some butter, and a few slices of honey glazed ham. It was a decently sized meal, though all he was really wanting was the potato.

Hearing a commotion, Theodore turned his head, seeing a girl literally freaking out. It confused him to such a degree that he simply stood there, watching. This was what the Games were doing to people: driving them mad even before they were in the arena. The thought saddened the boy as he made his way to where the girl was -- and now a boy was there, helping her to clean up -- thinking he would just swing past them to go to a set of empty tables behind them.

Until he slipped on a stray patch of frozen yogurt.

Theodore's tray went flying as he fell onto his back with a thud, knocking the wind out of him. It didn't take long before the tray landed on his torso, squishing the potato, biscuits, butter and ham onto his shirt. The plate that had held the food was now spinning on the tile beside him, coming to a noisy standstill.

At first, Theodore had no idea what had happened. He had simply been walking and now he was on the ground, his tray on his chest -- and he began to laugh. It wasn't a whole-hearted laugh, but definitely more than just a small chuckle. Ignoring any stares or awkward glances he may have gotten, Theodore took the tray off of him as he sat up, scraping off the bits of food and putting them onto the tray. Reaching over for the plate, he picked it up, pausing as he realized he had fallen right next to the three that had been cleaning up the yogurt mess.

"Sorry about that. I wasn't really watching where I was going..."

Despite how sincere his apology was, he couldn't wipe the smile off his face. It had been a stupid mistake, really, but somehow he found it particularly hilarious.

"Oh. Are you guys alright? I heard some commotion earlier, and I wasn't quite sure what was going on."

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[chaseee]

The situation was downright hilarious. The girl, Estelle I think her name was, had gone insane, venting by destroying the little yogurt machine the Avox had set there earlier.

I strolled over as another guy approached, almost slipped, and then righted himself once again. He asked if they were okay, and something about what was going on. It was pretty obvious, really.
I took a swig of my fine orange juice, and grinned down at Estelle. "Aww. And I was really looking forward to some yogurt today."

I chuckled, and then shook my head, driving the immaturity out of my head. I glanced around the room. It seemed as if everyone was already pairing up with each other, working out strategies, and all that jazz. Well, that wasn't good... for me anyway.
I turned back to the three, a little desperate. I spoke in a low voice, afraid one of the others might overhear.

"So it looks like everyone's pairing up and stuff. Ya know, forming them... alliances. Whad'ya say to us four becoming one?"

{Sorry, not my best post. I had to practically crank the muse out of me >.<}

[grikey95]

Cole Haister

Cole mopped up the yogurt slob on the ground with a rag. Cole just shook his head at the mess. Estelle hadn't answered his question yet, but it was ok. Just then he heard a bam, Cole looked besides him to see Theodore. Theodore had slipped on the ice cream and the food on his tray had spilled all over him. Cole laughed and turned from the yogurt mess. "Hey man you ok?" Cole asked trying hard to refrain from bursting out laughing, although he knew in his mind it probably wasnt smart to laugh, he did anyway. "Sorry about that. I wasn't really watching where I was going...Oh. Are you guys alright? I heard some commotion earlier, and I wasn't quite sure what was going on." Theodore said. Cole was amazed at how the boy just seemed to start talking.

"Na its all good. Were fine, just a little yogurt machine mishap." Cole looked down at Estelle and smiled. "Your Theodore right?" Cole extend his hand then realized he had yogurt and sauce from Theodore food all over his hands. "Im Cole" Cole then began to help Theodore clean up his mess. What a sorry group of kids the three were.

Just then another boy approached. Alkin. He seemed to be amused by Estelle, Theodore and Cole's little issue.
"So it looks like everyone's pairing up and stuff. Ya know, forming them... alliances. Whad'ya say to us four becoming one?" Alkin said.

Cole looked up, no laughing. Had this guy just asked us to be in an alliance? Yes, Yes he did. Cole was shocked for a second, but then quickly responded. "Yeah Im cool with that, we would definitely be better as a team."

[peanutpie]

Estelle Havenporth


"Yeah, im fine." I stood up, uneasy about the wobbly texture of the yogurt that sat under me. My heels fell against the slippery texture and I emerged from the brown frozen yogurt. "Ich." I said, my mood suddenly going from normal to slightly disgusted. Can we get a clean up over here? I sighed and wobbled to the table, my eyes kept straight infront of me. Stupid yogurt machine. The stupid, stupid yogurt machine. I looked at my boots, which were the only piece of clothing accfected by the yogurt episode. No, not a mishap, an episode. Iv'e had episodes before, but it didnt involve a yogurt machine and a room full of people where I was the youngest. I just continued to wipe up the mess, bare footed, which I didnt mind. Shoes were uncomforatable anyway. I was fine without the stupid capitol boots. I tossed them into the garbage can and I swear, I could hear a collective gasp amongst the capitol citizens. Of course, my stylist, a man names Fabrikk, who probably perferred the company of men over women, and wore overly flamboyant outfits, was fairly respected amongst the capitol. Too bad I wasnt from here.

I went back to the table, my eyes glistening past the episode that a few lunch monitors were now grungingly cleaning up, giving me looks of "Is she crazy? Ruins our frozen yogurt machine and throws away Fabrikk brand cowboy boots in the same day? SHAME." I could make out the expression on their faces, the disgust of them having to pick up some ice cream. Think of the two year olds who are learning to scoop poop in district five. In my district, working your hands off at the age of six. Being tossed into a factory in district three. They were spoiled rotten brats.

A memory came to my mind.

I was six, and it was one of my first days in the orchards. When your two, you start picking cabbages in the greenhouse, but you get assigned real jobs when you turn six. I was putting apples into a basket, and saw that my fingers were curling up already. Sticks with skin covering them, I remember what I called my hands. Each apple was put into a basket, and at the end of the day, when my mother went to the market that night for ingredients for apple cider, she couldnt find any apples.

"I picked a whole lotta' apples though Mother! Why cant we have apples?" I had asked, looking at my Mothers worn face, supple like leather.

"Because that basket of apples is being used in a capitol meal." She had replied, almost sullenly, like fingernails on a chalkboard brought down slowly. Eeeiriness hit the conversation.

"Oh. But if we pick the apples, why?"

"We get paid for it." She said, peeling a pear so we could have pear cider instead.

"But Father says not much."

"Your father is right Estelle," She said, putting the kettle of pear cider on the stove and handing me a slice of pear to nibble on. And that was the end of that conversation.

I shuddered at the thought, and paced my mind for a second. The memory struck me odd.

[semper]

Theodore, no matter how hard he tried, couldn't seem to get the smile off his face. His dumb mistake of slipping on the yogurt was just too comical for him at the moment, though as he heard someone talking to him, he looked up from where he had been picking up little bits of food on the ground.

"Na its all good. Were fine, just a little yogurt machine mishap. Your Theodore right? I'm Cole"

"Yep. Theodore Croggstad, District 2."

The boy on the ground offered Cole a friendly smile, though he hesitated a few moments before accepting the other boy's hand. This Cole guy didn't seem too bad; friendly, yes. Trustworthy? Theodore was a bit hesitant even though half of him already trusted the other boy.

"So it looks like everyone's pairing up and stuff. Ya know, forming them... alliances. Whad'ya say to us four becoming one?"


He was caught off guard by the question. An alliance? Already? It was a big question, though Theodore spoke before he had thought things through.

"Sure,"

'What did I just get myself into?' Sure the other three seemed nice, but what if they betrayed him in the arena? There was really nothing to lose, so he figured it was worth a shot. Theodore turned to look at Estelle, having not spoken to her since his little mishap.

"Are you alright, Estelle?"

However, he began to second guess himself as to if Estelle was her name.






((Sorry it's so short. D: I'm being kicked off the computer.))

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