Move a Little Faster {Zagreus/Kraygon}

[kap]

Z A G R E U S
MOON

I've always hated the scent of cleaning chemicals. Perhaps that was why I spent so much time back home in musty, abandoned buildings. Unfortunately, the training center had been recently cleaned, and the scent irritated my nose. Ignoring it the best I could, I entered the room, and looked around at the other tributes. Some of them were small and appeared weak, like the boy from Three. Others were bigger and more well-built like myself and the boy from Two. Although, I knew I shouldn't judge a tribute's abilities by their appearance. Anyone in here could kill anyone, and no matter what their backstory was, any one of the tributes could become victorious. I couldn't just count on it being me.

When I headed over to the weaponry, I examined what they had available. I had never had the opportunity to use weapons back home in District Eight, no matter how much I wished I did. I'd always wanted to be in the Games, and now was the time. I was a fighter, even if I hadn't had the opportunity to train prior to now. This was the time to see if my own mental training would show itself useful in the physical realm. I picked up a javelin, and aimed it at a target, getting ready to throw it.

The first javelin that soared through the air surprisingly managed to connect with the chest of the dummy. In all honesty, I wasn't expecting it to even hit the target, much less a place that could be potentially deadly if it were a real person. Apparently, I was rather good with javelins, too, and it wasn't just dumb beginner's luck, as the next one I let go of soared into the neck of the dummy I threw it at.

Curious as to what the other tributes were up to, I glanced around again briefly before my eyes settled on a blond boy for a short moment. I recognized him as Kraygon Truus from Ten. He was a relative of a fallen tribute, or perhaps more than one. I couldn't quite remember, but his name was familiar to me. He reminded me of Jacob Brontz, in a way. He'd lost a loved one to the wrath of the Games. Now I wondered if Kraygon would fall, too. He didn't look like he'd go down easily, but it was hard to tell.

Turning back to my javelins, I realized I may have been looking in the direction of the boy for a tad bit too long. I just had to hope he didn't notice me, as I wasn't in the mood to be questioned. I let another javelin soar from my hands and into the dummy's left arm. It hadn't been quite where I aimed, but it was close. It was likely not quite where I wanted it due to my distracted mind.

[ ☾ ]

Thank you for the table, Arx!

[Knuckles]

I ' M   F A L L I N G   A P A R T

KRAYGON  TRUUS

LEAVE ME HERE FOREVER IN THE DARK.

Nothing about training is fun. Watching weapons fly through the air, and listening as swords clash against one another as they learn how to fight only makes me realize just how fragile some people are. Yet I'm here locked away inside the training center forced to watch and listen. I've been told it's the best option - You have to train to learn how to fight. It's the same thing over and over, but I just don't care anymore. What's the point in fighting when my life will come to an end soon anyway?

A heavy sigh leaves my chest as I move through the training center not caring about anything. Nothing interests me, and I'm only here because I've been chosen - perhaps I'll pay for this later in the games. I'm sure they can kill me off the moment the games begin, and I wouldn't even care.

Death is just another great adventure, or so I've been told.

Nobody can share that information with me because the dead are gone forever. It's a permanent fate for twenty-three of us. I told my family I would try to fight. That I would do whatever I could to make it to home alive, but even that doesn't seem real. It's just a matter of time before I join the ranks of the deceased. All that's left to do is enjoy what little time I may have left.

Reaching my hands into my pockets, I shrug my shoulders as I lean against a wall. It's just another day. Another chance to learn to hold a weapon. To learn how to kill people. But I'm just the second best. I'm not good enough for those who're supposed to mentor and help me. I'm simply on the backburner in case Clementa dies. Maybe then they'll care, but I doubt it. Perhaps they'll mourn her and forget about me.

Or maybe they're yearning for my face to appear in the sky.

That's the only way she will make it home alive.

I raise my gaze for just a moment long enough to spot someone staring at me. Why they're staring at me, I don't know, and truthfully I don't even care. But I'm still going through the world one step at a time. One breath after another trying to make myself believe there's a purpose to this world.

He quickly turns away, and I'm left alone with my thoughts. One foot in front of the other, my head swims as I make my way over to him.

I've never been good at holding my tongue;

"Is there a reason you're staring at me?"

table by elegant

[kap]

Z A G R E U S
MOON

When I had realized that I looked in the direction of District Ten’s Kraygon Truus for just a bit too long, I almost felt embarrassment. Almost. I wasn’t really someone who got embarrassed, though. It was more that I was just irritated with myself for doing something a little dumb. I had tried to shake it off so that he wouldn’t notice, but to no avail. Apparently, I wasn’t good at being inconspicuous.

The blond boy walked up to me. He walked in a way that made him appear confident. I felt that that was how I walked. I’d always been a self-confident individual, and I wondered if I appeared that way to others. I assumed that I did, as people were often too intimidated to approach me. Although, Kraygon certainly wasn’t intimidated, and I couldn’t tell if that was a positive thing or not. Normally, one would want to intimidate the opponent at least in the slightest bit.

Then again, was I supposed to see everyone here as an opponent? I didn’t always like having enemies. I especially didn’t want to be surrounded by enemies. Having friends was nice, too. Could Kraygon be a friend? I wasn’t sure. He may not have been an ally, but perhaps he could at least not be a strict enemy.

His questioning came next. I was asked as to if there was a reason I was staring at him, and I swore at myself in my mind. Why had I been so stupid? I should have just left things be. It would have been the best way to keep myself off of his radar. Whether or not he was a threat, I still didn’t want to be a target of his, either way.

”Err, sorry,” I told him somewhat awkwardly. I wasn’t really sure what to say at first, and perhaps that’s why an apology leaked out. I couldn’t think of much else to say. Regardless, I knew I had to come up with some sort of response. Being the idiot guy from District Eight just wasn’t an option. Well, I suppose it was an option, but certainly not for me. I wouldn’t let that happen.

”My apologies,” I expressed. ”I suppose I was a bit lost in thought. I didn’t mean to stare.” This was the truth, but would the other boy realize that was the case?

[ ☾ ]

Thank you for the table, Arx!