sirens// Katrina/Silver 92nd

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charade
Retired Staff

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last seen May 1, 2024 12:08:12 GMT -5

Thinking

sirens// Katrina/Silver 92nd Sept 29, 2022 0:52:12 GMT -5

Post by charade on Sept 29, 2022 0:52:12 GMT -5

k a t r i n a .

24. Come on, you got this Kat. 25.

I let out a satisfied fuck yeah as I complete the third set of pull ups, and I drop down from the bar with a slam. A good ache in your muscles is one of the best feelings. Have to stay in shape all the way up to the bloodbath anyway.

You know, I knew that the gear in the Capitol was going to be better than what we have back home, but I wasn’t expecting it to be this good. Looks brand new, like they bought it a few weeks before we got here.

Maybe they did.

Only a couple other tributes in here right now; figure most of them are at training stations at this time of day. But there’s one in particular that I’ve been keeping my eye on.

Silver Strauss.

I had her pegged for a fierce competitor at first, being from a legacy career family; hell, she’s an adopted ward of District 2’s mayor. But she just doesn’t give off that vibe. Not like the Frays, eager to volunteer and arrogant in the way they carry themselves. Not like Ace, who laughed when her name was called. Definitely not dripping with confidence like myself and not trying to prove anything like Elle.

Nah. Silver Strauss looks more resigned than anything.

Like she’s trying not to be seen.

I know the type, and I wonder what it says about society that I’ve seen enough girls just like her back in four to make an educated guess about what she’s like. Soft hands. Mouth always in a frown. Eyes downcast and full of sadness like she’s used to being yelled at.

Breaks my fuckin heart. Something about those eyes.

I scrunch my hand towel and wipe the sweat off my face in annoyance.

Bah. Get it together Katrina. Doesn’t matter if eyes like that pierce through you, this ain’t the time or the place for that kind of thinking. This isn’t four. You’re not going to ask some sad eyed girl if she wants to go to the beach and have a good time. I’m probably not even her type.

But if there’s one thing that I hate, it’s a girl that won’t smile. Who stole it from you Silver? You got Officer Lifeguards in district two too? Fuck outta here with that.

So I drape my towel around my neck and make my way towards her secluded area in the back to give her a nod.

“Silver right?” I flash her a crooked grin as I lean on the wall next to her. “Guess that mean Gold and Bronze are watching from home, eh?”

It’s a stupid pun, the kind that a middle aged dad would make, but it’s worth a shot. I’ve made up my mind you see.

Won’t mean anything in a few weeks when I might have to carver her heart out, but—

Couldn’t hurt to try to make her smile. At least once.

elegant

16 Jul 12, 23:43
GB: I bet you just sit at your computer with a tea cup and a monocle

4m dagger thane 🗡jay
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last seen Jan 22, 2022 18:31:09 GMT -5

sirens// Katrina/Silver 92nd Sept 30, 2022 17:02:03 GMT -5

Post by 4m dagger thane 🗡jay on Sept 30, 2022 17:02:03 GMT -5

silver strauss

you lead a simple routine.

slip out of bed before the sun breaks through the horizon, silently make your way through the breakfast spread, and sidle inside the training center the second the doors unlatch with an audible click.

it's to keep your head screwed on tight, to keep you grounded. you're in retrograde: your mind is turbulent, constantly spinning on its axis. it's important to know where your priorities lie, what you're truly here for. it's not for the garish capitol citizens or their ivory towers, and neither is it for the other tributes. they're a distraction and at the end of the day, they're all fighting for the same thing you are: survival.

that makes them your enemy.

the gym is almost empty at this hour. the overhead lights are dimmed and the only sign of life is yourself and the girl from four - the more arrogant girl from four, katrina sykes. she's on the opposite side of the room from you, by the pull-up bars and dumbbells, and you can hear her muffled grunts and self-satisfied applause. it's almost enough to make you roll your eyes.

you know people like her, you grew up in two after all. the career districts aren't so different in the vanity and arrogance they produce.

her eyes swivel over to you and linger on your skin, you can feel it.

you've always been the silent, slip-into-the-background type. after some time taking up the role of a shadow, it becomes second nature to know when someone sees you, when someone's eyes pierce your skin. it's muscle memory, in a way.

katrina's figure becomes larger and larger in your peripheral, her footsteps aren't loud but they echo in this empty chamber. you dread the conversation to come, you'd rather avoid talking entirely.

"silver, right?" she flashes you a grin. it's effortless, like she's done this before. you lock eyes with her, your face remains cold and unnerved. you know people like her, if you give them nothing then they'll roll their eyes, nurse their bruised ego and find someone that'll give them what they seek. "guess that means gold and bronze are watching from home, eh?"

comical.

you surmise she's trying to get something out of you and decide to turn the other way. career's always play with their food, their prey, before biting in - it's part of the air of arrogance. you bend down and pick up another ten-weight to put on the bar, sliding it into place with a clink.

you hold your cards close to your chest - you aren’t going to play into her games.

Last Edit: Sept 30, 2022 17:29:42 GMT -5 by 4m dagger thane 🗡jay

charade
Retired Staff

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last seen May 1, 2024 12:08:12 GMT -5

Thinking

sirens// Katrina/Silver 92nd Oct 2, 2022 19:39:50 GMT -5

Post by charade on Oct 2, 2022 19:39:50 GMT -5

k a t r i n a .

Damn, tough crowd. Lame jokes aren’t for everyone, but if that reception was any colder I’d have frostbite. She kinda shrank, y’know? When I was walking up. Except for the glare in her eyes I’d have said she was wilting. So she ignores me without ignoring me and adds more weight to her bar. I almost walk away right then and there, ready to spout something about how she’d be the first career to go if she didn’t wise up.

You don’t have to be a career to smell weakness, and if she keeps this wallflower act up she’ll get eaten alive. I’m not sure why it’s any of my business, cause it ain’t. But I don’t lose. She’s not going to get me to leave until I can get her to crack a smile. It’s personal now. I like a good challenge, but I always win.

“I can spot for you.” I say nonchalantly. Gym etiquette. Sure, the twenty-four of us using this space will be at each other’s throats in a few weeks’ time but that doesn’t mean I can’t be polite. Damn. What do people make small talk about? I hate small talk. Its all about stupid shit that no one cares about. It’s fake. Who actually talks about the weather or sports and means it? I take up a stance behind her bench because I have to. We’re the only ones in the weight room now and you can’t just let someone lift unattended.

They could drop the bar on themselves and choke.

“So I hear there’s like twelve of you?” Family is a fine subject right? “Mayor Strauss must be a really nice guy, adopting that many kids.” There’s a kink in my shoulder I need to roll out and it reminds me that I didn’t spend enough time in my warmups. “I can’t imagine having that many siblings. I’ve only got two sisters and the antics they get up to make me want to murder them sometimes.”

I’m just shooting the breeze really; we’re both careers, she should know how this works, even if she is a wallflower. There's a little heat rising in my face, and I tell myself its because the silent treatment is pissing me off and not because I turn into an utter dumbass around girls like her. I'm not gonna hurt you. Well, I ain't, not here in the center. If I do hurt you in the arena though, it won't be personal. C’mon Silver, give me something to work with here.

She looks like I did when I was 13 and I can't stand to see it.