Day 1 Let It Snow *Ratmas* Plot: Dignitary Welcome Reception

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Dignitary Welcome Reception

Most Capitolites in the train station today had actually never been in the train station before. Most of them had no reason to travel outside of their luxurious home, no reason to engage in the dirty work of unloading district goods off of trains, and no reason to jostle with the rest of the typical crowd to see the tributes every year when they could easily have a better view on their entertainment systems at home.

Today was exceptional though. The people arriving on the trains today weren’t just some kids who would probably be dead within the month. These visitors were important people who were chosen for a reason. For the Capitolites in attendance today, it was worth bearing the discomfort of being in the crowd, for the privilege of saying one had personally seen one of these visitors would be interesting enough at one week’s worth of dinner parties.

The train station was decorated to fit both these esteemed visitors’ importance as well as the greatness of this occasion. Swaths of white fabric had been elegantly wrapped around each pillar and loosely hung from one pillar to another. Similar fabric had been used to rope off the crowd from immediately overwhelming the visitors. A lush, long white carpet somehow led continuously from the train doors all the way to the train station’s exit which, through the threat of punishment for the organizers if any guest arrived with dirty shoes, was ensured to stay just as lush and white after the arrival. Although none of President Snow’s famed white roses were immediately in sight, the scent of roses to cover up the scent of train fumes was unmistakable throughout the crowd.

The twelve escorts for the twelve arriving trains waited eagerly with anticipation for their visitors to arrive. They, too, had been specially selected for the honor of greeting their guests and had perfected their manner of speaking and walking. Although their role would be brief in their guests’ experiences, they were responsible for first impressions. They made sure that while all their guests could enjoy the complimentary hors d’oeurves and champagne they were offered once they stepped off of the train and could speak with Capitolites if they liked, they would not linger too long to make the crowd antsy for the next district’s arrival. Each escort had been chosen for their socializing abilities to make sure each visitor was engaged and to tease out any sign of ulterior motives against the Capitol if anyone seemed suspicious.

With anticipation and excitement, the crowd awaited their guests….

[Arrows]

Cold creeps carefully across Kirito's stiffened skin within the familiar luxury of a Capitol train car. Anastasia rests sweetly sleeping with her head gently pressed onto his lap.  His fingers flow slowly through the golden garden of Ana's angelic hair, hoping to keep her in her dreams for as long as possible. Meanwhile, in another car Oasis settles Sonja recently stolen out of her own sleep by need of a diaper change. The scene depicts that of a normal family, but such a mirage goes no further than the surface. 

Inside the mysterious monster of Kirito's mind, endless terrible thoughts lay siege to his small sanity. The letter came from no where, arrived without warning. However, it isn't the invitation which hellishly haunts Kirito's conscious. Its how easy it was for Snow to place it inside his home without detection. How easy it is for the serpent Snow to have access to everything Kirito cares about. The letter isn't just a show of superior power over the victors by forcing them to come to the place of their cruel creation. Its also a presentation of how quickly Snow can take everything they love. 

A whistle wails through the air as the glistening glass city comes into view. Stones sink in the pit of Kirito's stomach as he wishes his family wouldn't have come. Ikaia. Oasis. Anastasia. Sonja. Harbinger. Navya. Vera. Every single soul of immense value to him all gathering in the heart of hell. No children looking to Kirito for any ounce of assistance would be dying this time, but everything he loves will be within Snow's reach. He nearly jumps out of his skin when Ana stirs from her nap. 

"Make sure to keep holding my hand until I say so when we first get off the train, okay? There will be a lot of people and I don't want you getting lost."  The words ring with some truth, but hide the fact he doesn't want her being swept away by Snow or any other Capitolite when he isn't looking. The once kind non-violent healing boy from Eleven knows exactly what the Capitol can do to a child. 

Brakes squeal surely spurring sparks as the silver cars come into the station. Tension trickles over every inch of Kirito's body as he takes Ana's hand and Oasis' who has now joined them by the door with Sonja in her other arm. Kirito can feel his heart heave into his throat, can feel its beats blasting quicker and quicker. His breaths shake as though he'll die the instant the doors open. His mind flashes back to the first time. Katelyn's hand is on his shoulder, she tells him not to be scared but not to smile if he doesn't want to. He walks with her out the door as all eyes look to him, the sixteen year old from the highest district in the Quell. Now here he is again, a twenty three year old victor still frightened of what lies beyond these doors.

White washes over Kirito's vision as the world of the corrupt Capitol reveals itself to the Miristioma family. Kirito's grip tightens on Ana and Oasis' hands as they depart the train. "Try to stay close." He says to Oasis as fingers fly and voices raise at the sign of him and his family. Soon questions begin to fly asking of District Eleven's state and how life at home is. A sigh slips from Kirito's chest as he looks over the heads of those hovering around him for any sign of a nearby friend. Surely at a time like now he could use Finter to bail him out, but then again Kirito is all but certain this is how the entire time here is going go.