Days Like This [D8 Train Blitz]

[kap]

Z A G R E U S
MOON

I hadn’t expected any visitors aside from Caitir and Jamie when I’d been in the Justice Building, but I certainly had more than that. Clara and Jacob both had decided to make themselves present, and Clara even gave me a necklace with a small glass jar as the pendant. Inside the jar was a ladybug, no longer living, that she had collected for me. It was rather sweet of the young girl to do that for me, I would say. Now, however, my time was up, and I’d have to board the train.

The train was even more well-decorated and impressive than the Justice Building room I’d been in had been. Everything was gorgeous, and there was a wide array of food. I picked up a small pastry and began snacking on it when I remembered that I wasn’t alone. My district partner was there too, and if I could remember correctly, she had volunteered. Daniela Rasoio was her name, and I knew that was the surname of a past tribute. That was quite clear. What could have made this girl volunteer, though? Did she have similar reasoning to what would have made me do so if I weren’t lucky enough to be selected?

“Daniela, right?” I asked through my mouthful of food. “What made you decide to volunteer?” I was genuinely curious in that moment. Finishing my pastry, I awaited her answer.

[ ☾ ]

Thank you for the table, Arx!

[d6a georgie cham 🐢 frankel]

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D A N I E L A

One by one they came; each instant different from the other. A world has shattered and they are the pieces that have fallen apart. They are all contrast, the advice I have been given contradicts the other. My family came together for Jenoah, they have fallen apart for me. It is so clear now, the divide in this family, the organisation…everything. All because of one death, now it looks like there will be another.

Only one person’s advice would do and he is not here.

What was he thinking?

What was he feeling?

An insight into a mind like his, the only thing that could simply have me walking back off this train.

Just one step.

One journey and I will be thrown into a life the opposite of my own. Familiar faces that decorate the television screens will be an attraction for this journey, there is only one I want to visit. Ansgar Todd, the son that my father wished was his own. What an introductory meeting that will be. What should I say to the man that killed my brother? Is there even any words to say…

“Daniela, right?” I say I am alone but not for this part of the journey. Me and him, two hopefuls after the stint of winning. Our predecessors didn’t live up to the hero before them; I can either do worse or be a miracle

“What made you decide to volunteer?” My head rests in the palm of my hand; a sigh escapes from the lining of my lips, just as his question ends. A curious question that will be repeated until the end. ”I was brave.” A stranger like this, he hasn’t earned the rights to my life, yet.

[kap]

Z A G R E U S
MOON

When it came to being polite to people, I had a hard time, especially when they didn't completely answer my questions. I was someone who liked to have the information I asked for, and Daniela wasn't giving it to me. Then again, what could I really expect? She didn't know me, and it wasn't like she was going to spill all of her secrets. I wasn't going to do that for her, either, after all.

"I was brave," she told me. The girl was young, or at least, younger than I was by a few years. It was odd to see someone so young volunteer, especially from District Eight, or any lower District for that matter. Maybe she really was brave. Was I brave for wanting to fight, too, or was I reckless, like my close friend Jamie often accused me of?

"Yes, you were, and you still are. Going into these Games isn't for those who give up easily. I'm sure you'll make it quite far." I told her this as politely as I could. I didn't want to sound rude, and I was being genuine. Did I come off as such, though?

[ ☾ ]

Thank you for the table, Arx!

[d6a georgie cham 🐢 frankel]

[googlefont=Baloo Thambi:400]

D A N I E L A

-Small talk always kills the mood. There was constantly the odd one, pleading for my attention, just because of the name attached to me; all such reckless attempts to get my acceptance, why me? Even the taunts that I delivered their way never stopped them. So relentless to get something, anything, it is District Eight after all. Everyone is scraping every last crumb off the floor, even a little dirt and dust, as long as they have something. They see my father as their saviour, when he is really their captor and I was a key to getting to his desk.

This male, an unfamiliar one, he is like them. There is only one common interest we share and that is a likely death. But that interest forces us here, it has us scripted to converse and share ideas, with a private audience of a victor, escort and stylists. We are just pieces of their job, a small annual project that will be forgotten as soon as the next one reaches their spotlight.

"Yes, you were, and you still are. Going into these Games isn't for those who give up easily. I'm sure you'll make it quite far." I could replace his face with one of my family members in the justice building and still, his statement would mean nothing to me.

I rub my hand across my forehead, as I sit with the piles of food, completely blocking most of my view of the male; although my eyes remain on the empty silver plate that is calling to be filled. ”You don’t know me and I don’t want you to know me,” just one glance up at the male, I want to see his reaction. ”One…or both of us is going to be dead soon, it’ll be wasted try at a friendship. Just eat your food and listen to whatever advice Shelby has.”

[kap]

Z A G R E U S
MOON

”You don’t know me and I don’t want you to know me,” my District partner told me, glancing up at my face. It was as if she wanted me to be angry. Unfortunately for her, that wasn't going to work. I didn't get mad at people that easily. If anything, I normally made them mad. Daniela continued, ”One…or both of us is going to be dead soon, it’ll be wasted try at a friendship. Just eat your food and listen to whatever advice Shelby has.” Immediately after she said this, I let out a chuckle. Still, her attempt to anger me wasn't working. I wasn't here to make enemies, although I wasn't exactly here to make friends, either. Regardless, we'd see how things went.

"You're funny," I told her. It was actually quite amusing to see someone think I was being friendly. I didn't normally get that. There were very few people I was actually friendly toward, anyway, though, likely limited to Clara, the Bowmans and the Brontz family. I wondered if there was anyone in these Games that was worthy of being a 'friend' to me, or at least an ally.

"I'm not trying to make friends, though," I told her. "Although, I'm not trying to make enemies, either." There was a smirk on my face, and I looked at the girl. She wasn't likely to be victor material. She was too young and small. There wasn't really anything anyone could do to help her win unless she had a sufficient group of allies, and I didn't plan on being one of then. Although, I didn't want her to die so soon, either. She deserved a life, especially for volunteering. She had the guts to do it before I ever did.

[ ☾ ]

Thank you for the table, Arx!