laugh away :: [hedvig/(train)/mason] :: our sins

[eulalie blake 1a 🍒 tris]

HEDVIG

FABRE

I wish I could say that the scenery within the speeding train exhilarates me, fills  me with a certain childish glee that I've never known -- but it does little in the way of amusement.

The silken curtains billow from the artificial breeze flowing throughout the cart I currently reside in, and though the flowers in the vases of flawless porcelain are lovely, and even if  the sweets lining the silver trays in front of me are practically able to fill one's stomach with just a single glance, I can't bring myself to appreciate any of it.

True, rich as my "parents" are, they have no comparison to the wonders of the Capitol. It's not my upbringing that coaxes my features into a bored state, it's the fact that none of this prissy shit has ever meant anything to me. That, as exquisite as all of it is, it's not forever. Things come, and things go -- so why waste the time to gasp and stare in awe, when you could run away and escape your own date of expiration?

My nails tap against the fine wood of the table that spreads out before me, listless and unwavering with each tap - tap - tap. I almost strike up a conversation with one of the avoxes that linger near the wall, but I catch myself before I stumble into that pit of embarrassment, opting instead to lean back and groan at the ceiling above me, crossing my arms.

Sure, this chamber is quite the lovely starting coffin, but does it have to have the same deafening silence? Does it-...

When I hear footsteps enter the room, I nearly shout praises to Ripred. My partner strides in, and as I look up, I realize the fact that I never really took the time to learn his identity. I don't have to ask his name, however, for a single glance is all that it takes to know.

"Well, I'll be damned," I start, lounging out in my chair. I tilt my head, a smile playing on my lips. "If it isn't Mason Hammerfell." I uncross my arms, gesturing to the feast. "Take a chair; it's all for us."

I wait for him to get situated, and then grab a few slabs of this and that. I take a bite, continuing on with my talking despite my  full mouth, disregarding any and all manners I've ever been taught.

"I've got to say, man -- of all the people I thought I'd eventually be shipped of to the Capitol with, I never thought it'd be you." I smile, taking another reckless chomp.

"Not that I don't mind the company."
-- says I, the girl who is thankful to have at least one friend in a world full of warriors wearing armor crafted from obsidian.

 

X

 

[Cato]

"Dialogue"
"Hearing"
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Narration

Try as I might, I can no longer resist the empty feeling in my stomach. I've tried avoiding the food. Not because I think it'll be bad, but want to show everyone that I can handle myself. The desire to show that I can be strong is so strong so powerful that I find myself watching every little move I make. I can feel my heart beat slowly. How much longer will it beat? The minimum two weeks or so until the arena? Three weeks? Thirty years? Someday I will die. Indeed the thought of coming home to the district in a coffin shakes me to my core. I don't want to die by some fluke move from a lower district or die by a mutt. My stomach growling reminds me of my hunger. Now I can see why its 'the hunger' games. With that, I walk to the compartment designated for lunch and dinner. The voice that greets me is all to familiar.

""Well, I'll be damned," If it isn't Mason Hammerfell. Take a chair; it's all for us." A smile forms on my lips. Hedvig Fabre. Someone I've known for some time now. One of the leaders of a place I used to go to sparring and such. I've developed a lot of respect for someone like her. She gestures to all of the food in front of me and for a few seconds my hunger is gone just from the sheer amount of food within each of me. Many different varieties of food. My stomach once again makes its intentions known so I finally cave. I grab a plate sorted with a variety of food. I bite into a chunk of meat layered with a rich sauce. I lose myself in the moment before remembering Hedvig is watching.

Wiping my chin with an embarrassed grin on my face, I turn to address Hedvig. She must be laughing at me on the inside. Before I can say a thing though she speaks up again. "I've got to say, man -- of all the people I thought I'd eventually be shipped of to the Capitol with, I never thought it'd be you." The same thought occurred through my head. The moment she volunteered for that girl at the stage, I couldn't help but feel relieved that someone I knew would come into the arena with me. I had the fear of worrying about someone I didn't know fighting in the arena, but now that she's here it makes everything so much more relaxing. It'll be like old times with us. "Well I certainly didn't expect you to be here with me either. I only wish we could have volunteered together." I sit in silence for a few seconds enjoying the rest of whatever I'm eating. She knows I will do whatever it takes to win at least having her with me its one less person to worry about stabbing me In my sleep. "Better watch out though. I'll be heading home right?." I lace every word with the usual tone we take when we joke around. Only this time I know it'll be me coming home. I only hope I don't fight her. Killing someone I know will be hard.

[eulalie blake 1a 🍒 tris]

HEDVIG

FABRE

I laugh at his tease, more than used to his bantering. Though I'm quite  certain that  he means every word of his belief that it will be him that returns home, we're at least acquainted enough for him to mask it with a light tone of voice.

"Now, don't get too cocky," I warn, smiling playfully, my fingers twirling around a chicken leg. "It probably would be you coming home if I hadn't saved that girl's ass, and-...," I gulp down another bite of food as my teeth tear flesh away from bone, blinking for a second as I force it down my throat. "Hey, maybe you were reaped because Ripred knows just how flawless you truly are, o' mighty Mason Hammerfell," I continue, keeping up the lively conversation, even adding in a slight bowing gesture by leaning forward.

"Nah. Actually, Ripred commanded me to volunteer because he knows you're gonna suck ass in the arena," I add, winking with a smirk, before allowing a loud laugh to slither out of my throat. Despite the fact that one of us will certainly die, it's at least comforting to know that I'll at least have someone I know beside me when I enter the gates of Hell.

Of course, we're not the closest of friends. Sure, though I'm sure neither of us would want to harm each other, we're not going to sacrifice our lives for the other, either. We're both here for the same reason, and playful attitudes or not, we're both pawns on a chessboard with twenty-four sides.

I look down, pursing my lips, contemplating whether or not I'm full. "Ya nervous?" I ask, breaking the short silence that followed our heckling. I know he's going to say something macho, like "Pfft!" or "Me? Nervous? As if," but it just seems like something that is necessary to ask. Despite how proud we are, and though I myself would just as certainly disregard the thought of  ever being nervous, I just want to know what's going on in his head.

Thankful as I am to no longer be left alone with myself here on the outside --
that doesn't change the fact that I'm trapped within myself, and I'm so alone.

 

X

 

[Cato]

"Dialogue"
"Hearing"
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Narration

Hedvig tells me not to be too cocky. That if she wasn't here it would indeed be me coming back home. I allow a laugh to escape my lips. To thin heading into this day that I was worried it would be an awkward train ride to the Capitol. Mercifully that isn't the case here. I don't know her all too well. Not sure if I could consider her a close friend. I have known her for some time though. What she does next though surprises me. With a slight bowing gesture, Hedvig compliments on how flawless I am. I might be full of myself but even I know a joke when I hear it. Still the playful joke brings another smile to my face. There's so much I want to do and say. Maybe throw in some remarks her way.

Didn't think she could top her joke only she does just that. Mentions how Ripred commanded her to volunteer saying I suck ass. Even she knows how silly that comment must be. I decide to have some fun though. Two can play at that game. "Hey now. If I am better than you and suck ass, then what does that say of you?" I fling a piece of unfinished meat at her. Laughing too hard when it hits hers. This train ride turning out to be better than expected. Soon enough we'll arrive at the Capitol parading around like animals. I'm very curious to know the current batch of tributes this go round.

I can almost feel the change in the atmosphere when she asks if I'm nervous. I open my mouth to speak only to close it within seconds. My immediate answer would be no. I do not feel nervous or scared. At least for right now. What does happen to frighten me a bit would be the nervousness of meeting our mentors. I've never met them personally, but Julian and Cricket scare the living daylights out of me. There's no way I could look into the eyes of Julian without announcing whether out loud or silently that I'm afraid of him. Cricket on the other hand I admire. Not to say I don't admire Julian, but I spend more time scared of him than I do admiring. I half hope I don't meet Cricket. If I'm a nervous wreck now meeting her would send me over the edge. Maybe literally. "Not nervous at all. Why should I when I've got the game in the bag? Don't worry runner up wont be too bad huh? You're used to it." I give her a genuine smile and look her right in the eyes to convey an almost silent message of sort. That it may indeed come down to us in the end.

[eulalie blake 1a 🍒 tris]

HEDVIG

FABRE

"Watch yourself," I purr alongside a laugh, fishing out whatever type of meat he had just slung into my waves of earthy brown with the aid of  slender fingers. I flick it away, trying to fix my slouching composure, yet unable to shake away the chuckles that flow from my lips.

Still, the awkward silence that follows my question of nervousness --
it sends those pesky giggles flying away from me.

It doesn't take too long for him to answer, however, and though he answers the way I assumed he would, he at least he takes the time to add more to it than just a "No," even throwing in a dig at me. I feign offense, bringing a hand to my chest, allowing a gasp of dramatic flair to escape my throat for good measure.

"Awfully rude," I say in regards to his statement of how runner-up is a position I should be quite used to, and I eventually break my offended pose with a loud snort, trying hard to bring back the jovial air of our conversation. I narrow my eyes and pucker my lips as a thought comes to me, and I find myself leaning forward with a smirk soon after.

"Y'know what I just realized?" I ask, my nails once again starting to tap against the table's polished wood. "You and I never fought back in the club, did we?" I continue, running a hand through my hair and leaning back, rather pleased by the fact that neither of us has had the chance to best the other. "Though I'm sure it was simply because you never got to my level, I-...," I go on, though I pause for a moment, my face returning to the same mushed up look I always convey whenever I get lost in thought.

"Here's the deal -- when we get to the Capitol, and we get to play with their fancy training shit -- you and I are gonna have a sparring match, okay?" I say, leaning forward as I so often do, as if to add intensity. "We'll see who the runner-up really is, and-..." I stop, batting my eyelashes, preparing to rip him a new one.

"I hope you won't be too disappointed, love. Y'know -- when I kick your ass, and you suck mine?"

 

X

 

[Cato]

"Dialogue"
"Hearing"
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Narration

Hedvig brings up a damn good point about how we never sparred back home. I've sparred with so many people that it's hard to keep track of who I hadn't done it with. People come and go always wanting a good fight. Sometimes I win. Sometimes I lose. One particular loss will never leave my mind. Almost cost me a damn arm. It was a normal day, but I was slightly cocky, and I let my guard down for one second. It was a nasty wound. Thankfully no muscles was damaged, and with a little bit of first aid and stitches and bandages, I was able to fix it right up. Its why I know Hedvig could probably kick my ass. Probably the key word.

"Here's the deal -- when we get to the Capitol, and we get to play with their fancy training shit -- you and I are gonna have a sparring match, okay?" That gets my attention. I sit upright fists balled up ready to begin now. I mean why wait for it right? I live to fight. Its about all I known my entire life. If one could sum up my entire life in one words it would be fighting. "We'll see who the runner-up really is, and-...I hope you won't be too disappointed, love. Y'know -- when I kick your ass, and you suck mine?"

She batted her eyelashes as she insulted me. I open my mouth to speak but I have no comeback for the burn she delivered. If she's as good with a sword or spear as she is with words then kicking my ass will be as easy as breathing. Instead of speaking, I dig into some of the food left on my plate. Tasting some of the other stuff, but her playful insult still resonates inside my head. Eating away at my patience. A joke yes, but she wont know what hit her. So I get up and move right in front of her. Half growling half laughing. "Suck yours? That supposed to be a bad thing or?" She is quite a gorgeous woman, but I'm through with letting stuff like that get to me. I do give credit where its due though. "Why wait though? We could fight right here right now." Ending the words with a wink.

[eulalie blake 1a 🍒 tris]

hedvig fabre

My proposition urges his fists to clench tightly, every word sparking some hidden fire that burns deep within his inner being. It's charming, really -- to see someone so passionate about the fight, the war that we mere mortals rage on the daily. We're both souls forged from the melody of broken bones, it seems; each of us wearing bruises upon our weathered flesh -- battle scars that come from both our victories and our defeats.

Admirable as it is, his face after  my scorching comment is pretty much priceless. As if it is now as simple as breathing, practically as ordinary as blinking, another laugh fights its way out of the cage that is my chest. The way he stabs at his food in shock, the way that he seems to ponder a comeback that just won't find its way to his tongue, and the way he-...

When he he stands up, striding towards me and leaning down to my field of sight, getting up in my face -- I nearly flench.

Just nearly, for his face quickly takes on his now trademark lightheartedness, though he  radiates determination with a pure, true intensity. He remarks on my physical appeal, almost coaxing a blush to rise to my cheeks, but his proposal of fighting right here and right now shifts my expression into one of unbreakable poise.

"Here?" I find myself purring, smiling in a form of disbelief, though it's certainly a believable statement coming from a young man like Mason. "Take it slow, big guy. We'll have plenty of time for it."

I rise to my feet, in an attempt of leveling the playing field, and I glance over to the dining table -- I smirk mischievously.

"Besides, I don't like to play with my food."

[Cato]

"Dialogue"
"Hearing"
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Narration

She tells me that we have plenty of time to fight. To have patience. One thing I'm not known for would be just that. Patience. So what if we have all the time in the world. I just want to fight. Indeed I live for it. Give me one thing I could ever have a lifetime of and that would be fighting. What's something like learning to cook or paint. I don't know what other people do to occupy their time. My daily routine back home had been simple. Eat, sleep, conquer and repeat. For the most part, I enjoyed that routine. I got caught up in having a social life. As if someone like me could ever enjoy such a preposterous thing. I've learned that nothing will ever cure my bloodlust. My love for fighting. I'm not even sure I have a heart. They say every human does, but I'm not human. Just a cyborg bred for killing.

"Besides, I don't like to play with my food." I cant help the sudden rush of blood to my cheeks. I turn my head away in an attempt not to look embarrassed in front of her. Would rather not be teased about something so silly as blushing. Need to keep my eyes on the prize. Immortalization through victory. I've studied to an extend what district two has done the past few games. Grew up devoting myself for this moment. It's probably too much to hope for that my mentors Julian or Cricket will notice me. There have been more noticeable tributes than I. More worthy of becoming victor. They might help me yes, but hearing about the victors and seeing them in person are two different things. Pretty sure Cricket is someone who is out of this world. No one looks like that breathtaking. No one is that deadly. I'm more afraid of meeting her and being mentored than anything I've ever experienced before.

Still Hedvig and I will have both mentors. Surely Julian will be my mentor as Cricket with her. After taking a few deep breaths to clear my head and drown out my nervousness, I turn toward Hedvig again. "I'm sure you don't. But I don't play around either. What's say we make this interesting hmm? A bet if you will on who wins the spar." It'll be just like old times at the warehouse. People placing bets on who would win a spar. Since no one from home us with us now why not stage our own betting? What kind of bet remains to be seen.