Tired Mechanical Heart // [ Mace + Marianne Train ]

Her expression remained blank as they made her go in the train. With the first step inside, Marianne knew this was only the start of what the luxurious rooms and food in the Capitol would look like. And feel like. She made an effort to touch every piece of furniture she found. There was a beautiful display of cakes on a stand, and she picked one up. It was unlike anything she and Mam had been able to afford at home, and now she was getting it for free. At least, she hoped so. She turned to face a nearby assistant. "Is this free?" she asked, hoping her District Ten accent wasn't being a pain. It wasn't too strong, but she had a tendency to drop the g's on the end of words. The assistant nodded and Marianne turned to the display. She took two of the small cakes, not wanting to out-stay her welcome.

She ate them in small bites, her appetite still like that of a small bird. As she ate them, she let herself be indulged in the taste of the cakes. She knew soon she'd have to watch the recaps of the Reapings, and face her other opponents, but for now, she was safe. Not too far from home, not too close to the Capitol. Marianne was safe as long as she wasn't in the Capitol. Well, she'd be safer as a resident of the Capitol, but not as a guest in their home. That's only if you're a tribute or an Avox. Both as bad as the other.

She didn't notice the strange machine the Capitol called a kettle until the victor from District 1o, Mace something. Marianne didn't remember all the names of the victors, even though the teachers at school and Mam had told her endless times. All she remembered was the word 'mace' and always thought of the horrible spiked weapon. She shuddered as she thought about this. Marianne looked up at the man,  who was holding the kettle - which had steam coming from the top - and had his hand wrapped around it. Marianne flinched. It must have been hot.

She wondered what was in the weird hot machine. "What is it?" she asked, inspecting the machine. Did you drink from that little opening at the top? Marianne saw some little cups next to where the machine was kept. Maybe they drank it from those. "I'm Mace, and I'll be mentorin' you. You wanna tell me about yourself?" Marianne knew his name already and she knew he'd be mentoring her. She wasn't dumb. But she was sure the man wasn't trying to be mean.

"I'm Marianne," she said, knowing he already knew. But he did the same for her,  so she was one to return favours. "Um...I'm fourteen, an' I live...lived...live with my Mam. And we have a farm with cows on. Anythin' else you wanna know?" She asked him, raising an eyebrow. The cows was probably the most interesting thing out of them. Her life wasn't very exciting, just the same daily routine, getting by without a lot of food, basically surviving. At least she was safe in school.