Ulterior Motives or True Feelings [Ares and Mary Ellen]

[Anna Banana]

MARY ELLEN GOULDING

"WE'LL BURN THE WORLD TOGETHER"
_____________________________

What exactly was I searching for right now, a person, a weapon...all of the above? I think out of all of those things I was searching for someone to protect me, or at least keep me alive longer than I would be if I were alone. Perhaps that's why I was scouring the Training Center for all the Careers, I was interested in finding a bodyguard for myself. The boy from one was much too small for a Career, and he talked far too much. There was just something about him that got on my nerves; it wasn't just how much he talked, there was something about his looks too. Like he would be happy to drive a knife in your back as he would be to talk your ear off.

I wasn't going to try for the girls either, too much of a risk I'd fall in love with them or something. It wasn't that I had forgotten Jesse, quite the opposite, her absence was killing me, I craved her warmth beside me at night while I slept. Everything here was cold and unforgiving; a lot like the faces of the Capitolites that wandered around the streets. For that matter it was a lot like the facial features of that boy from 4, he was scary, I'm not even going to try and come up with reasons to confront him. Despite his obvious talent with weapons he just wasn't the kind of person I wanted to trust that way. Not that I'd really trust any of the Careers in that way, they were all animals, I just had to find the one that looked the dumbest.

Speaking of dumb...where was that boy from 2, what was his name again, Ares? He had to be around here somewhere, the facility was only so large. I wandered past the racks of weapons and the weight area, my eyes finally settling on the form I wanted to see. Ares Pine, District 2 male doing some push-ups on one of the mats. I watched his muscles bulge as he pushed himself up from the floor, his body not even breaking a sweat as he did push-up after push-up. It was almost mesmerizing how easily he was doing them, all I could do was stare. Slowly I made my way towards him, going over a few scenarios in my mind trying to decide if this was worth it. Finally I decided it was worth it, despite the fact that he looked like he would rip my head off at a moments notice he also looked like he was easily played with.

Closing the distance between us I crawl onto his back and lay out on him, giving his ear a nip and whispering, "I bet you can't do those with me laying out on you, I bet you can't lift both our weights." I was either really dumb or really smart, at least I knew he couldn't kill me before the Games, and at worst he'd want to kill me in the Games. He'd had to get in line though, I felt sure a lot of people wanted me dead in the Games. "Well come on big boy, let's get started, I'll even count for you."

template by chelsey

[Cato]

ARES PINE

"Dialogue"
"Hearing"
Thoughts
Narration

I really don't know what to do today. Keeping my talents hidden would be an obvious thing to do, but it would be taking a huge risk. Better to be perceived as a huge threat rather than be labeled as weak. The thing is though its just so confusing on what to do. I already know how to handle a variety of weapons. Time to do something simple, yet it should help me stay in shape. Rather than playing with some weapons that will ultimately cost me more time, I head toward a secluded section of the center to do my thing. Will anyone even try to follow me? Hopefully not, because I prefer right now to just train alone. None of these tributes are particularly catch my eye at all. No one in particular even comes close to being worthy of my attention. The crop of tributes this year shames me. I expected better from the careers.

Time to get back to training, well to get started on it anyway. I drag a mat to my chosen area. The force at which I drop to the mat temporarily knocks the breath out of me, but I recover quickly. I position my body for the perfect form in order to get the most out of this intended workout. Stretching out my legs first followed by my hands. Now I drop down to the mat and back up again. Pushup after pushup my body continues to feel the burn, but something doesn't feel right. Pushups really wont help me stay fit at all, but it gives me something to do instead of wasting my time in front of the pathetic crop of people reaped this year. There were some volunteers, but little do they know that their death is all but ensured by my hand. "I bet you can't do those with me laying out on you, I bet you can't lift both our weights."

Some girl from the sounds of it places her weight on my back. Does she dare interrupt me? The idiot must be asking for a death wish, however, she did challenge me. I will not be embarrassed in front of a girl. Once I prove her wrong only then will she pay for the annoyance that she made me feel. "Well come on big boy, let's get started, I'll even count for you." Oh my this girl better watch her fucking mouth, or I will shut it for her. Better yet if she wont watch her, I will cut her fucking tongue out. My jaw snaps shut as I push down than up over and over. I don't hear her counting yet. The fool probably thought I wouldn't be able to lift both of our weight, well she's wrong. After what seems like half an hour, I finally sit up on my knees all the while hearing her drop to the floor. "Don't fucking interrupt me, or I will cut your fucking vocal cords out of your body." I turn around to see the tribute from twelve. My eyes betray me in some way, because I can feel them widen at the sight of her. Oh shit.

[Anna Banana]

MARY ELLEN GOULDING

"WE'LL BURN THE WORLD TOGETHER"
_____________________________

I couldn't help but giggle a little as he did exactly what I told him to do. I hadn't expected him to follow everything that I'd told him to do, it made me wonder if he really had any brains at all, or if he was as dumb as I had expected. Silently I counted each of his repetitions in my head, surprised he was able to go on this long, and smiled to myself. This boy would do just fine as my body guard, strong, resilient, willing to listen, he was every girl's dream. My moment of bliss wasn't to last though, after several minutes he sat up, letting me fall ungracefully to the floor.

With an annoyed grunt I looked at him, the whole while listening to him threaten to cut our my vocal cords. It was amusing considering the other day someone had threatened to lop off my head and use it as their crown. "You'll have to get in line I'm afraid...Ares was it...there are a bunch of people who want to rip off my appendages and or tear out my vocal cords." I laughed and watched him look me over, a look of surprise crossing his features, almost as if he couldn't believe that someone from the lower districts could possibly have anything attractive about them. "What's the matter Ares, never seen a girl before, or have you just never seen one as beautiful as me? Oh wait, I know, you think all the girls in the lower districts should be ugly and covered in soot, well I'm sorry to disappoint."

With a sigh I heave myself off the floor and brush myself off, straightening out my clothes and resting my hand on my hip as I looked him over. He was perfect in just about every way to be my body guard, he had muscle and the willingness to listen, or at least he was too stupid not to listen. It was sort of endearing in a way, I found myself oddly drawn to this boy that threatened to cut out my vocal cords. "Alright Ares, I'm going to help you train, you seem bored by all the things you can do around her anyways, so allow me to spice it all up. I want you to carry me around the facility on your back, and you have to fight the practice dummies and lift weights."

I grin mischievously at him and walk over, climbing onto his back, wrapping my legs around his waist, and my arms around his neck. This would be a lot of fun for me, and the added bonus of feeling his muscles was a bonus. Normally guys weren't my thing, but there was something endearing about this boy from 2, his standoffish nature appealed to me. "You and me are a lot alike Ares, we both like isolation, so why don't you allow me to tell you a little about myself, it'll help pass the time, and it will all be over before you know it."

template by chelsey

[Cato]

ARES PINE

"Dialogue"
"Hearing"
Thoughts
Narration

"You'll have to get in line I'm afraid...Ares was it...there are a bunch of people who want to rip off my appendages and or tear out my vocal cords." Not so surprising to see that others want to kill her. If she's pissed off others well not my problem. I might send whoever else wants to do that some flowers or something. "Not only do I intend to get in line, but I will be at the front of it." No one will take my kill of this girl. I came to this area by myself to get away from the noise, yet this girl dare disturbs me? She must be something else if she's willing to corner a career alone. I could easily injure her here and now without it being much of an accident.

"What's the matter Ares, never seen a girl before, or have you just never seen one as beautiful as me? Oh wait, I know, you think all the girls in the lower districts should be ugly and covered in soot, well I'm sorry to disappoint." She has one thing right. I never expected someone from the lower districts to look so alluring like she does right now. How embarrassing that she noticed that reaction from me. The very thought of someone like me liking her makes me want to throw up. Looks don't mean shit to me when she pisses me off. Besides her death is imminent. I'm surprised that she isn't trying to run now. "Alright Ares, I'm going to help you train, you seem bored by all the things you can do around here anyways, so allow me to spice it all up. I want you to carry me around the facility on your back, and you have to fight the practice dummies and lift weights."

Well this girl has one more thing right. Training here would just be like home. Not much impresses me here with most of the weapons way to familiar for me to show interest. The ones I don't recognize aren't worth my time. The girl grins mischievously at me before making her way toward me. She climbs on my back, locks her legs around my waist, and wraps her hands around my neck. Feeling her on me just kind of surprises me that I don't say or do anything for a few minutes. This girl has a lot of guts to approach me and that earns my respect. "You and me are a lot alike Ares, we both like isolation, so why don't you allow me to tell you a little about myself, it'll help pass the time, and it will all be over before you know it." Getting to know her? The very notion of it makes me wonder. She says we're alike, but I don't buy it. Isolation is the only reason my reflexes are top notch. Getting to know these tributes will only make it hard when I have to kill them. I prefer something quick and painful.

I sigh. This girl is making me second guess myself. Of all people to do that it has to be some gorgeous girl from twelve of all places. Interruption doesn't sit well with me, but I would of preferred if a fellow career did it not some trash from the lower districts. I'd be the laughing stock of Panem if someone from twelve bested a career. I scan the training center for the elevator. Once my eyes find it, I jog over there. "Its been lovely, but I don't want to train anymore. Leave me alone or you will regret it." I click the button to open and head in. One more button push and off to the roof I go. Training will come later when its more empty of the trash residing there leaves for dinner or something. I'll need to keep my skills hidden if I'm to make it. Marking myself as the most dangerous will not do.

[Anna Banana]

MARY ELLEN GOULDING

"WE'LL BURN THE WORLD TOGETHER"
_____________________________

Well one thing is for sure, he was no gentleman, of course that was a given considering he was a Career. They spent all their years training how to handle a sword, not how to handle themselves with manners. Never the less I did love a challenge, and I just had to follow him; either out of stupidity or pure curiosity. Whichever it was I jumped into the elevator behind him and punched the buttons, having taken careful notice of where the elevator was headed before getting on. Didn't he know that I was impossible to shake off, I was like a bad plague, you could get rid of me temporarily, but I was never really gone.

I heard the ding of the elevator letting me know I'd reached my destination, and I quickly got out, my eye scanning around me for the boy from 2. It's not like he really had anywhere to run, the roof was only so big, and he certainly couldn't hide anywhere; not with that physique. I took a few steps forward and caught sight of him turning around one of the spire on the roof, obviously intent on putting as much distance between the two of us as possible. I jogged forward and rounded the corner I had just seen him go around. "Hey, didn't anyone ever teach you manners big boy? I mean I know we sort of got off on the wrong foot, but come on, no need to be rude."

I looked at him seriously and ran my hand along his chest, a slight frown coming across my face. He was attractive in a way, at least for a boy, and I couldn't help but wonder if so many things had been different would I be fawning over him in District 2? "Look, I know we didn't really get off on the right foot Ares, but I know we all have something we're fighting here. You for your glory and life of grandeur in District 2, and me for my family back home...you remind me of one of my brothers in a way. So proud and sure of himself, sure that he can do everything alone...he's dead now you know, like a lot of us are in District 12."

My frown deepens as I lean into him and stand on the tips of my toes, sighing softly before I press into his lips, my arms wrapping around his neck. I couldn't figure out why I was doing this anymore, nothing made sense, perhaps it was the longing to feel small for once in my life, like I could rely on someone else to take care of me for just a few minutes. I pressed my body against his strong form and pressed deeper into the kiss, a small shiver running down my spine. With a jolt I back away from him, panting, a blush covering my cheeks as I look at him ashamedly.

"Ares...I'm sorry...I don't know where that came from, I don't understand what that was. I should just...go...before I do something stupid again, I don't want to...make an enemy out of you." I spin around and run to the edge of the roof taking deep breaths to try and calm myself. Why had I just done that, was I really that stupid, did that really just happen? This place didn't make any sense to me, nothing was making sense anymore...what had I just done?

template by chelsey

[Cato]

ARES PINE

"Dialogue"
"Hearing"
Thoughts
Narration

What is it with all of the cozying up that the tributes seem to be displaying? Don't they know that no one can be trusted? Seeing all of this kindness makes me want to barf so much. Will anyone truly be friends when weapons are being swung all over the place? All eyes should be on the harbinger of destruction. The true threat of the games stands right here. I will decimate each and every tribute that dares to fight me. The god of war is here to fight and win. Bloodshed and violence is why I'm here. Those two things are why I volunteered. Not one of these worms appear ready for it like me. The idiotic kindness twists my heart in half like killing probably does for them. I'm here to shed blood not hug someone in the fucking bloodbath.

I finally arrive at the roof. My feet drag me forward. It would be an understatement to say they felt like steel blocks. The girl from twelve is messing with my head. Making me feel things a career like me shouldn't angers me. Why should there be any kind of emotion coming from me if it doesn't help me win. Romance is for the weak not the strong. Do I truly believe that? Part of me must disagree with how I felt looking at her, but I know where my heart lies. My heart beats for bloodshed and gore. "Hey, didn't anyone ever teach you manners big boy? I mean I know we sort of got off on the wrong foot, but come on, no need to be rude." Her voice appears out of nowhere. The fool must of followed me. When I turn around to confront her, she's already in front of me placing her hand on my chest. I don't know what she is doing.

"Look, I know we didn't really get off on the right foot Ares, but I know we all have something we're fighting here. You for your glory and life of grandeur in District 2, and me for my family back home...you remind me of one of my brothers in a way. So proud and sure of himself, sure that he can do everything alone...he's dead now you know, like a lot of us are in District 12." Glory. Everything I fight for happens to be for glory. It will be the only thing I shall fight for in this arena. Not one tribute can match my strength and power. Of course the girl's brother is dead. Everyone from twelve is weak. They all deserve to die for being a waste of space in the games. I need worthy fighters not weaklings like the current crop. "Of course your brother is dead. He's from twelve. I'm nothing like that idiot who died."

Being alone tends to work out for me. This girl just wont leave me alone. What she does next truly surprises me. She kisses me. Me of all people. Her arms wrap around my neck before I can pull away. She's leaning deeper in to the kiss which I have to admit is actually good. The heat in my cheeks burn, but thankfully she doesn't appear to notice. "Ares...I'm sorry...I don't know where that came from, I don't understand what that was. I should just...go...before I do something stupid again, I don't want to...make an enemy out of you." Kissing me was stupid. Making an enemy of me even more so, but luckily for you twelve the kiss was enjoyable. Before I can control the impulse, I catch up to her as she walks away. My arms spin her around before I plan a kiss on her lips. I match the ferocity if not surpassing it. My mind snaps me back into reality before I realize what just happened. "Nothing happened here got it? Just go." Something in my voice falters. I don't mean anything I just said.

[Anna Banana]

MARY ELLEN GOULDING

"WE'LL BURN THE WORLD TOGETHER"
_____________________________

I didn't appreciate his comment about my brother, yes, he had been weak, but hearing it from him wasn't something that I wanted to hear. It was one thing for me to admit he's weak, but for this...this overblown muscle head to say it to me...that was something I didn't like at all. I stood on the edge of the roof, frustrated with myself for having kissed him, and more so because he had insulted my family that way. I couldn't possibly have feelings for him...could I? It didn't make any sense to me, nothing was making sense right now...I couldn't even remember why I'd followed him up here anymore.

I didn't have much time to think though, I felt strong hands take my arms and spin me around, and before I could think I felt his lips press into mine again. What could I do but sigh and press into his lips, there was almost a hunger in it though, like he needed or wanted to kiss me. He matched the intensity with which I had kissed him, and I could feel myself melting into him, a soft moan escaping me. Too quickly though he broke away and looked at me with something that seems so much like pain. Had I done that to him, had I caused his walls to fall? He told me to go away, but I couldn't do it, I couldn't bring myself to leave.

Bringing my hand up I gently took his hand, pulling him towards the edge of the roof. For several minutes I did nothing but stare out across the Capitol, wondering what in my life had changed for all this to happen. "For someone who has such a low opinion of people from District 12 you sure were getting into that kiss...and as for my brother...yes, he was weak, but he knew he was. We're all weak in District 12, but not for the reasons you think we are. We know what real survival is because we live in poverty...we are forced to fight for our lives every single day. You see Ares, you're the weak one really...because you train for survival in a game...we do it all to survive."

I shouldn't have said that, I really shouldn't have, but I couldn't help it, it was something I'd wanted to say for so long. I felt tears sting my eyes as I thought of my home, and how long we'd been forced to search through trash just barely getting enough to survive. I felt my emotions twist into a knot that settled over my heart, a weight that left me short of breath as I turned to look at him. "Another thing you should know about me...I don't think I'm beneath you in any way, you're not out of my reach. The only barriers that exist are the ones we create for ourselves."

With those words still fresh off my tongue I turn and face him, pressing into his lips again, taking his hand and placing one on my hip and the other against the bare skin of my stomach. I felt a small shudder run down my spine as I press harder into his lips, a single minded desire to have him taking over my mind. I wanted him to touch me and feel me, to kiss me and hold me...I wanted him more than I could explain, and yet...I had no idea why.

template by chelsey

[Cato]

ARES PINE

"Dialogue"
"Hearing"
Thoughts
Narration

The kiss felt absolutely amazing even if this girl won't be told that. Something about not having to worry about the games even if for moment had been pure blissful oblivion. The reality of killing never escapes for someone like me. I am the monster of these games. The one most ready to kill. Sure the others may know how to kill, but having the desire for it? The need to spill blood and bring glory home? Not one person here has that except me. This girl somehow brought out the hidden humanity in me. It stings my corrupted soul to feel something other than the need to kill. "For someone who has such a low opinion of people from District 12 you sure were getting into that kiss...and as for my brother...yes, he was weak, but he knew he was. We're all weak in District 12, but not for the reasons you think we are. We know what real survival is because we live in poverty...we are forced to fight for our lives every single day. You see Ares, you're the weak one really...because you train for survival in a game...we do it all to survive."

She grabbed my hand as she spoke to lead us to the edge of the roof. Shit, so she did notice my passion for the kiss. It was futile to think she wouldn't notice how much the kiss had been enjoyable. Its so cute hearing this girl talk about how she's the strong one. Fighting for real survival? Survival is the same girl whether you're in twelve or two. The words eat at my soul. Is there truth to her words? "You think fighting for survival in twelve is harder than what the careers go through?" The question seems silly to ask, but it had to be thrown out there. She's about to find out why the careers are to be feared. "You don't know what we go through just to train. Hunger is not the enemy twelve. One can avoid it, but in career training, I go through things much worse." The heat of my words threaten to overwhelm me. She does not know what I've done in order to train. Getting ready for the games will break you if you let. Its broken me for sure. The humanity left in my soul is a tiny amount. The rest of the room has been replaced by a killer.

"The burden of a career is a tough one twelve. You're expected to bring home honor and glory. I've done inhumane things that over there in twelve would be impossible to imagine." Before long, she's crushing her lips on mine yet again. She takes hold of my hands and places them on her stomach with the other going to her face. She is extremely brave to confront me like this. I'm not sure the humanity will ever be around in me for long. Only in short bursts. "Don't do that twelve. I will not be making you happy. I don't have kindness in my heart anymore. Its been replaced by a monster." Each word spoken has the ring of truth around them. If she doesn't believe me, she will soon find out in the arena what I mean. I will be killing without a moments hesitation. If she thinks I'm wrong well there will not be any doubt in a few days which side of me is dominant. The monster within will always control me.

[Anna Banana]

MARY ELLEN GOULDING

"WE'LL BURN THE WORLD TOGETHER"
_____________________________

He had the nerve to ask me if I thought fighting for survival in District 12 was the same as Career training? Was that supposed to be some sort of twisted joke? There was absolutely no comparison between the two, Careers made the choice to dedicate their lives to the training and prepare for the Games. I was forced to live the way I did because the Capitol refused to help my people, refused to help me. Never the less I kept my mouth shut and listened to what he had to say, letting him finish his speech. To interrupt him would put me on his level of manners, and that wasn't going to happen.

Turns out I should have just cut him off though, he was saying that what Careers did was inhumane, and how he had done things that would shock me. I had no doubt that he did things that would shock me, or anyone in District 12. Again though, he failed to take note of the fact that it was a choice, not all of the kids in the district went through that training, there were those that just didn't dedicate so much of their lives to it like that. Then he ended it all by calling himself a monster, but I knew he wasn't he had proven to me he wasn't, there was a human under there. I was determined to show him he wasn't a monster

"Look Ares, I know for a fact that some of the kids in the Career districts choose not to dedicate their lives to the training. Unlike you I didn't make the choice to live the way I do, if I could have chosen to train the way you do I would have gladly taken it. It would mean I wouldn't have to live in fear of losing the people that I love to hunger or the elements, I could live in relative happiness with them." I turn to look at him again and bring my hand up, running my fingers lightly over his cheek and down along his chin. So much hate and anger bottled up in that muscular frame.

"You're right about one thing though, I won't ever be able to know what you went through, we come from two different worlds. I won't ever know what it's like to train like that and have to deal with the expectations that come with it, but you also won't know what it's like wondering where your next meal comes from." Dropping my hand I turn back out towards the Capitol and wonder...had things been different, had our meeting been under different circumstances would we have been friends? I felt a small part of my heart open up to him, something stirred in a part of me, something I hadn't felt in a long time.

template by chelsey

[Cato]

ARES PINE

"Dialogue"
"Hearing"
Thoughts
Narration

"Look Ares, I know for a fact that some of the kids in the Career districts choose not to dedicate their lives to the training. Unlike you I didn't make the choice to live the way I do, if I could have chosen to train the way you do I would have gladly taken it." The rest of her words become a blur. In no way is the living conditions of hers my fault. The kids in two who don't sign up for training will never be worthy enough of entering the games. If anything what goes in for career training far outweighs the pathetic struggles in twelve. Some kids are even forced into career training. My own family doesn't give a damn about me. They all visited my cousin who's here with me. I've been sentenced to a death worthy of a career while my family expects my cousin to return home.

I turn to face this idiot. Rage fills my eyes. Her stupidity will make the monster in me come out much sooner than expected. So much for the arena for the first death. "I don't give a damn what you think. Hunger is a problem that you should fix not the fucking Capitols job." The rage in my eyes is now replaced by an insane desire to kill. I wont be able to tell what my face looks like, but I can imagine. This girl will die before the games even start. No one will ever know I did it except maybe the Capitol. It's quite obvious they'll know and may even kill me on the spot. Then again they might ensure a quick death in the arena for me. No matter what though this girl has to die here and now.

"You die here and now twelve." I advance to her. This will be over soon. In a few minutes, I will go down to the center with shocking news that the girl died of apparent suicide. The others will put two and two together which will only make me more feared. I'm not playing some game where I make nice only to turn against the people I know in a few days time. These people need to know this is more than a game. This is a gauntlet run for glory. There is honor for those who wish to take it. Will any other careers step up to the plate? Only one way to find out.

[Anna Banana]

MARY ELLEN GOULDING

"WE'LL BURN THE WORLD TOGETHER"
_____________________________

He didn't seem too pleased by my tirade, and I couldn't help but flinch when I saw his eyes seem to darken and his muscles tense. I hadn't believed he could be a monster, but the way he looked now it was hard to argue with his assessment. He looked like something that you would try to describe to the kids back home to get them to eat their vegetables. Even I couldn't help but express some surprise at the sudden change that overcame him, but I couldn't let him know that, I couldn't show him fear. "If you want to kill me you'll have to come and get me Ares, I don't go down so easily."

I tense up and watch his movements carefully, deftly dodging his arms and bringing my hand up to caress his chin. "You don't want to kill me do you Ares, there is so much more we've yet to do, so much more we can do together." He might have the muscles, but I had the speed that someone of his size was incapable of having. It was far too easy for me to avoid him, each time bring my hand up to stroke his face. My life on the streets was helping me right now, how many angry people had I done this to before him, too many to count, and he was no different than them, letting his rage control him.

"Fighting is about more than just strength Ares, I say as I dodge under his arms and run my hand down the length of his chest, it's about knowing your opponent and seeing what they're capable of. That's where we differ, I know what you can do from watching you, but because you believe me to be beneath you, you have no idea what I can do." I dodge around him again and grab his arm, swinging myself onto his back and pulling a small knife from a sheeth on my belt. If he wanted to try and kill me he will have to play better than this, he has no idea what I'm capable of.

Leaning down I kiss his cheek and nip at his ear before bring the knife up into the soft tissue of his neck. I press it into his neck, letting it break the first layer of skin and draw a small amount of blood. "It seems to me that you just lost to District 12, Ares, and you haven't even had the opportunity to fight me in the arena yet. You see, there is no training like reality, I've learned things about survival you just can't learn from a training facility."

template by chelsey

[Cato]

ARES PINE

"Dialogue"
"Hearing"
Thoughts
Narration

This girl will not be living for very much longer. Her eyes are on me watching my every move. The last thing that will appear in her eyes is my hands snapping her neck. I lunge at her, yet somehow she dodges me. "You don't want to kill me do you Ares, there is so much more we've yet to do, so much more we can do together." What does she mean by that? Her hand finds my face. The feeling feels good, but I shake it off. I lunge once more, but miss again. The girl does exactly the same as before by touching her hand to my face. A few more failed attempts later and I conclude this will be a game of cat and mouse. No one is getting the edge here.

She continues to dodge me. The fact that not once have I landed a single blow on her pisses me off. This girl is embarrassing me a lot. "Fighting is about more than just strength Ares." Those words spark new fury in me. My fists going flying toward her and for one moment, I believe they connect, but nothing at all happens. She grabs my arm swings around and lands on my back. My knees buckle somewhat under the sudden weight on them, but I remain standing. She pulls out a knife, presses it against my neck, and draws a little bit of blood. She nips my ear and proceeds to kiss my check.

"It seems to me that you just lost to District 12, Ares, and you haven't even had the opportunity to fight me in the arena yet." Shame is all I can feel right now. That's why she kept stroking my face after each miss. The damn girl distracted me before pulling the knife. How embarrassing for me to fall for such a tactic. This girl is something else. "I can't believe that some bitch from twelve beat me." I don't mean the words so literally. I do my best to lace the words with kindness before abruptly falling on the ground so the girl is on top of me. My lips meet hers in a ferocious meeting. I don't want to stop nor will I. This girl just won my respect. I keep at it for minutes if not hours. This feeling of kissing her feels so right that stopping doesn't cross my mind. I break apart only for a moment. "Lets see who wins this battle."