It's Only the Beginning {GreenBeads}

[Morgana]

Enigma Lane

The sticks on the trees
Stand up straight and bare
With rings on their fingers
And knots in their hair.

There are certain things that end up looking a whole lot different than how you imagined. The training center, for one. I had always imagined it would be large, but I didn't realize it was this large. There were tributes everywhere. I'd come late this morning, having overslept in a bed far more comfortable than the one at home. Then, the shower I'd tried to take had confused me immensely. There were too many buttons, and I didn't know how to make sense of them. I ended up punching random buttons. Something that smelled like apples shot out at me, and something else that smelled like peppermint. So now I smelled like peppermint apples. As if being late wasn't bad enough.

And the only reason I'd slept in was because my dead sister was talking to me last night.

I was laying in my bed, wondering how it could be possible that it was so comfortable, when Lainey spoke. So we'll both die the same way, I suppose, she said. I was startled. The thought hadn't been my own. Though Lainey and I had been twins and our voices sounded mostly alike, I knew the voice in my head was not my own. It was unmistakably Lainey. Five years ago, when we were both twelve, my name was called at the Reaping. Lainey, crazy, wild, Lainey, had the idea that she could win the Hunger Games. She'd practiced out in the woods behind our house with kitchen knives. She volunteered to take my place that day. Six days Lainey lasted in the arena. Impressive for someone so young, don't you think?

I'm here to give you advice, Lainey told me last night. You want to win the Games, don't you? I've been there before. I know things you don't. You can win, if only you listen to me, if only you do exactly as I say. I want to win. So badly, I want to. I'm not even sure why. Perhaps because if I win, people will listen to me. it will be far easier to start a rebellion. Or maybe I just want to succeed where Lainey failed. Fix her mistakes, so to speak. "Alright, Lainey, I said aloud to my room, feeling a little silly. "I'll do whatever you say." I'd stayed awake as long as I could, straining to hear an answer from her, or at least some sort of confirmation that she'd heard. The next thing I knew, it was morning.

Now, I stood in the center of the large room, trying to decide what station to go to. I let my feet carry me to the nearest station. I stare at the instructor, listen to what he's saying, but I couldn't tell you what he's trying to teach me. I'm too distracted right now. I need to know if Lainey's voice was just my imagination, or if she's really there, in my head.

Niggy? Tracking's a waste of your time. The Gamemakers are smart. They'll make sure you have plenty of tributes to kill. No need to go running off in search of them. I sighed audibly in relief as Lainey's voice filled my head. It comforted me that she used her old nickname for me. It had been years since anyone had called me Niggy. My parents called me En sometimes, but I'd never liked that nickname much. I looked around at the station I was standing at. Lainey was right. It was tracking. I turned around quickly, making the instructor stop talking mid-sentence. I suppose walking off suddenly is rude, but I saw now what a waste of time this station was.

What now? I look around, trying to figure out where to go. Socialize with the tributes, try to make an alliance? Or just be a loner like Lainey was? An alliance, Niggy. That's where I messed up. You need someone to have your back, especially at the Bloodbath. "Okay, Lainey" I say quietly, hoping no one overhears. If someone asked me who I was talking to, it would be awkward to explain. They'd think I'm crazy for sure. And I'm pretty sure you aren't supposed to go crazy until you're in the arena.

I noticed my District Partner standing at a station across the room. I couldn't remember her first name. His last name was Detroff, or something like that. I walked up to the station, not sure what it was. "Hello."

[sbeeg]

Zack Detroff

Hear me now
Oh thou bleak and unbearable world,
Thou art base and debauched as can be;
And a knight with his banners all bravely unfurled
Now hurls down his gauntlet to thee

Stumbling into the training center, pulling at a cowlick even the fancy Capitol showers couldn't tame, Zack Detroff met his opponents. Worthy foes indeed. The District Eight male had arrived late, which is unusual for him but there had been just to many things to explore this morning.

First of all he had one of the "rough nights." The kind when you stare at the wall and your mind refuses to shut off. He hadn't been thinking of anything really, just of how sweet sleep would have been in those moments. After managing to drift off for a few hours he woke up to a clock with little red numbers that blared "9:45" into his eyes. Launching up out of the still crisp Capitol sheets, Zack slid into the bathroom and was stopped by the large screen for showering options. Despite the time limit he insisted on studying all the options, testing some out before finally settling on a mixture of what the screen stated to be "Earthy Aroma" and "Manly Musk."

After his shower another glance at the clock sent him in a frenzy to get dressed. Pulling on the first clothes he got his hands on, Detroff flung open his door, leaped down the hallway and threw himself into the elevator. After smashing his palm into the correct button to lower him to the gym, Zack realized he should have waited for his District partner- well that was a stupid idea since she was probably already down there, but Zack's chivalry ate at his middle.

Zack stood up from his position leaning against the back wall of the lift just as the doors slid open. His first impression of the enormous, spotless gym of the training center was a well oiled machine. Not any of the ones back in District Eight, but the shiny ones the Capitol people like to stare at. Beautiful, jaw-dropping but pretty much useless. Taking a step out onto the clean floor, Zack got a good look at what clothes he had pulled on. Brown pants, a purple shirt with some kind of golden emblem on the left breast, a brown boot on his right foot, and a black one of the left. Shrugging, Zack decided to wasn't that bad.

He shuffled around the gym, suddenly overtaken by shyness that was usually a stranger to him. However, he figured since he was about to be killed he could get in touch with all these foreign emotions. Walking past a table decorated with sharp fancy blades, Zack stopped at the station next to it. He wasn't sure what the instructor there wanted to teach him but he divided his attention between the man and the knives not that far from him.

Could he throw them? Could he kill someone with them? More importantly, could he dodge or deflect one? A shudder curled itself up his spine thinking about the blade piercing his flesh when someone broke his concentration on the weapons.

"Hello."

Zack turned and took in the person in front of him. Enigma Lane. Female. District partner. Really tall. That was what her file in Zack's mind held. He had always been good add remembering people, maybe that could be an advantage.

"Hi. Enigma, right?" holding out his hand, Zachary knew he was correct when he called her Enigma but some people prefer a friendly distance. Oh manners, Zack was hoped he'd lose them in the Arena.

[Morgana]

I take Detroff's hand and shake it. I keep forgetting that it won't be like this in the arena. When you see someone in there, you won't walk up and shake their hand. You'll greet them with a weapon. Speaking of weapons...

The table Detroff is at is littered with shiny blades. I reached forward to stroke one. It's so smooth, so nice and perfect. You could kill with one of those. But then, that's kind of the point. I decide right then and there that I want to learn how to use these things.

I feel bad that this Detroff kid remembered my first name, but all I can his last name. He's my District Partner, so shouldn't I at least know his name? "Yeah, I'm Enigma. And you're...Um, Detroff, right?" I feel my cheeks go hot in embarrassment. I should know his name.

"So...knives, huh? You know how to use one of these things yet?" I know, it's a horrible conversation starter. But I've never really been good at the whole socializing thing. Back home, before Lainey died, I was always content as long as I had a book in my hand. I was so simple back then. Life seemed simple, but I know now that it never was. I was just oblivious to the facts that were staring me straight in the face. Why were Mom and Dad always working? Because there was never enough to go around. Why were Lainey and I always running around unsupervised? Because everyone was too busy working. My parents sheltered me. I was glad now that I had gone to the Detention Center. It had been my first glimpse at the real world. And I guess that makes this my second.

[sbeeg]

Zack Detroff

"And you're...Um, Detroff, right?"

Zack resisted the urge to sigh as he realized his own District partner didn't know his name. He remained gentlemanly and corrected her politely.

"Zack. Zack Detroff," he followed her gaze which was now pointed at the curved blades. She turned back to him saying "So...knives, huh? You know how to use one of these things yet?"

Zack took a good look at her, not one of those scans when the only thing that registers is her height- a full look. Her nose was rather narrow, but her hair was so full, curly, and... perfect he had to admire it. She was older than him. She was taller than him. All the requirements most of the guys in District demanded of their girls didn't apply here.

He was still examining her, the faintest etch of pink still on her cheeks from an earlier blush made her pale skin even more radiant.

"Eh, not really my thing. Knives, that is," Zack wanted to slap himself. She was an ugly giant that had to business being next to him. Turning his gaze to the knives, Zack reached out and ran his thumb down the flat side of one. They'd both die anyways. No need to develop some schoolboy crush on her. His mind brought him the memory of last year, two girls in the Games- Nash and Topaz. They had been a big hit with the Capitol. They had to kill each other.

Zack kept his gaze down, hating his hormones but incapable of being rude to her. It was't in his blood to be cruel to someone. Especially for something they had no control over.

"What about you? his face was still pointed down, staring at the light reflecting off the weapons. Don't pull this shit now.

[Morgana]

God. His name's Zack. I knew that. Of course I knew that. So why couldn't I remember? This guy...there's something about him. Something...different. I notice him studying me, so I take the opportunity to do the same. He's shorter than me by a good six inches. Unruly brown hair, brown eyes, acne...not much to look at. And then catch myself wondering if he's attractive. How should I know? I've never looked at a guy and thought he was anything more than just a guy. My cheeks flush again. I wish they'd stop doing that.

Don't get involved with him, Niggy. Look at Topaz and Nash. See how well that turned out? Walk away now. Don't get involved with him. Don't risk it.

"Well, at least one of them won. And I never said I liked him that way," I mutter, hoping Zach can't hear, but Lainey can. "And shut up, will you? You told me to make an alliance. That's what I'm trying to do."

"Eh, not really my thing. Knives, that is. What about you?

He's staring pretty intently at the knives, even stroking one. What's going on his mind, I have no idea. Maybe he's plotting how he's going to use one of them to kill me in the arena. Even if knives weren't his thing, he seemed kind of obsessed with them. Maybe as obsessed as me. They're just so new, so...lethal. I want to pick one up, try it out. But not right now. Later, I promise myself.

I don't know why I'm so fixated on these blades. Perhaps it's because my life used to center around knives. Or at least, one in particular. Five inches long, with a jagged edge, stolen from the kitchen on a moonless night just after Lainey died. We were good friends, that knife and me. It bit deep into my skin, gave me relief. I could use a knife now, but to hurt others, not just myself. I could tell Detroff all this, but I won't. Wouldn't want to scare him away.

"Oh, I've never really used them before. It would be useful, though, don't you think? It seems as if there's always so many kinds of blades in the arena."

Lainey had used a bow, which isn't very good in close combat. She'd gotten a knife sometime after the bloodbath, too. She hadn't known how to use it very well, though. She should have learned. It may have been the difference between life and death for her. I pull my thoughts away from Lainey. Concentrate. You're trying to make an alliance here. And it would probably be wise if I didn't look into his eyes too much. My heart insisted on giving a crazy lurch whenever I did.

I refused to let myself be attracted to him. I'd never thought of boys that way before, and now was a terrible time to start. Odds are, both of us will die in the arena. One of us may even kill the other. I tried to make my mind blank. Just don't think about it. Just don't think about anything.

[sbeeg]

Zack Detroff

Was she talking to herself? Zack decided that he was just hearing things and that Enigma Lane was a perfectly sane person who did not mutter to herself. Hopefully. However, even if she did Zack couldn't help but point out the positives in it, like how he thought it was kind of cute- no. Bringing his focus back to the knives, Zack moved his thumb on to the next blade, taking in its surface.

"Oh, I've never really used them before. It would be useful, though, don't you think? It seems as if there's always so many kinds of blades in the arena."

Miss Enigma Lane became awfully talkative since she came up. Looking out of the corner of his eye, Detroff saw a fresh wave of pink blanketing her cheeks. Instead of blushing himself and turning away he pulled on the ol' "funny guy" mask. He felt that he was a different person, someone who could tell a joke and get a laugh, or flirt a little and not get completely turned down like he would he if he was just plain Zack Detroff. So, with this other boy fueling his movements and words, Zack pulled away from the table, looking Enigma straight on (well, up) and flashing her the "Big Man" smile.

"I know of one blade that I can use very well," the words dripped off his tongue like the syrup they seem to drizzle on everything in the Capitol. The fake flirting Zack does, it is a very useful tool. The over-the-top dramatics of it easily concealed the sincerity from which it bloomed. That's how Zack talked to girls, underneath layers of armor because no one can hurt him once hidden behind this persona and he liked it that way.

To complete this impenetrable suit that protected the deepest depths of his mind, Zack wiggled his eyebrows at her.

You can dance with danger when you're guarded well enough.

[Morgana]

"I know of one blade that I can use very well."

I raise my eyebrows at him. Well. I open to mouth to tell him how lewd that comment was, and how I don't appreciate that kind of joke. But I surprise myself by laughing. Loudly. I'm sure they can hear it all the way across the room. And for some reason, that makes me laugh harder. I double over and clutch at my ribs. God, it hurts, but I just can't stop. Zack must think I'm crazy. After all, it wasn't that funny. Finally, I am able to breathe again without exploding into another round of laughter. I put my hands on my knees, leaning over, trying to catch my breath.

I look up into his eyes before I remember that I shouldn't. And now that I'm there, I'm stuck. Hopelessly stuck. Why? I've never liked boys before, not this way. So why does Zack have such an effect on me? Is it him, or the situation? It could be that my brain just knows I'm going to die, so it wants me to feel these kind of emotions before I do. It sounds pretty stupid, but that's the excuse I'm sticking with.

"Well I don't think it will be of much use to you in the arena. But I've been wrong before..."

Was I...flirting? With him? No. I had to stop this. I should just walk away. Find someone else to be in an alliance with. This obviously wasn't going to work. But I couldn't leave. Not just yet. I wanted to see his reaction to what I'd said. Would he be surprised? Would he smile at me again? Flirt some more?

Just leave, Niggy. He's not worth dying for.

"Who said I was going to die for him?" I whisper at Lainey. An alliance. That's it. I won't give my life to save him. No matter what happens. Only the selfish survive in the Hunger Games.

[sbeeg]

Zack Detroff

He couldn't help it, Zack just had to smile. The cheesy line wasn't even that funny but Enigma was dying with laughter. He caught himself watching her, taking pleasure in the lines that formed on her face as she made a noise that echoed around the gym. He had made her laugh. That meant something, right? His melodramatic actor's mask slid away for a second and allowed himself to be unexposed at the same moment she was. Something told Zack that Enigma didn't laugh out loud a lot back in Eight. He made her laugh and that made him smile like nothing else, until she looked up. Her eyes caught his and caught him off guard, unprotected and naked.

"Well I don't think it will be of much use to you in the arena. But I've been wrong before..."

He broke the gaze, comfortable sliding back into his armor and fishing for a smart ass comment to shoot back at her.

"Do not underestimate the power of Mr. Johnson! How about we team up and you can see all the things he can do," winking, Zack hoped Enigma realized he was serious about an alliance. He might have just met her but Enigma was the only piece of home in this entire city and Zack liked having a little piece of District eight with him. That and she might be the only tribute out of all twenty three that thinks he's funny.

[Morgana]

"Do not underestimate the power of Mr. Johnson! How about we team up and you can see all the things he can do."

I laugh again. "Mr. Johnson?" This guy certainly knows how to make me laugh. And yeah, maybe the Games are supposed to be serious, but who says you can't have a little comic relief? Besides, he may end up being useful in the arena. And by the looks of it, Zack is the only one I'll have a chance of making an alliance with.

"I think being a team sounds like a great idea."

I try to convince myself that I'm doing this because alliances are good. Not because I am possibly attracted to Zack. Because I'm not. That's impossible. We're District partners, and I swear to God, that's it. I will not let this relationship go any further than that.

((ooc-sorry for the incredibly horrid and short post. Someone hid my muse, and I can't seem to find it anywhere.))

[sbeeg]

Zack Detroff

Finding himself grinning yet again at the tinkling sound of Enigma's laughter, Zack Detroff sobered up a bit. All the other tributes must think they're crazy. Good. No one messes with crazy. Yet behind that strong front lingered doubts. What if the alliance with Enigma falls through, no one else would want to team up with him.

It isn't going to fail. Zack told himself, but his thoughts wandered even further. Won't matter anyway, we are both going to die sooner or later so one little broken alliance isn't going to be the end of the world.

There was that small comfort of dying a tribute, you died a hero. A boy who did all he could but was taken down by a power to strong for the most confident instead of a bone thin, addict lying on the sidewalk gasping for air.

Yes, Zack Detroff would much rather die with Engima in the Games. Wait- not necessarily with Engima but in the Games. Just in the Games. Engima was nothing to do with... ug.

"I think being a team sounds like a great idea."

"Great. See you in the Arena- partner," although his line wasn't suggestive, Zack still added a little wink at the end, punctuating his sentence.