laugh away :: [hedvig/(train)/mason] :: our sins

Try as I might, I can no longer resist the empty feeling in my stomach. I've tried avoiding the food. Not because I think it'll be bad, but want to show everyone that I can handle myself. The desire to show that I can be strong is so strong so powerful that I find myself watching every little move I make. I can feel my heart beat slowly. How much longer will it beat? The minimum two weeks or so until the arena? Three weeks? Thirty years? Someday I will die. Indeed the thought of coming home to the district in a coffin shakes me to my core. I don't want to die by some fluke move from a lower district or die by a mutt. My stomach growling reminds me of my hunger. Now I can see why its 'the hunger' games. With that, I walk to the compartment designated for lunch and dinner. The voice that greets me is all to familiar.

""Well, I'll be damned," If it isn't Mason Hammerfell. Take a chair; it's all for us." A smile forms on my lips. Hedvig Fabre. Someone I've known for some time now. One of the leaders of a place I used to go to sparring and such. I've developed a lot of respect for someone like her. She gestures to all of the food in front of me and for a few seconds my hunger is gone just from the sheer amount of food within each of me. Many different varieties of food. My stomach once again makes its intentions known so I finally cave. I grab a plate sorted with a variety of food. I bite into a chunk of meat layered with a rich sauce. I lose myself in the moment before remembering Hedvig is watching.

Wiping my chin with an embarrassed grin on my face, I turn to address Hedvig. She must be laughing at me on the inside. Before I can say a thing though she speaks up again. "I've got to say, man -- of all the people I thought I'd eventually be shipped of to the Capitol with, I never thought it'd be you." The same thought occurred through my head. The moment she volunteered for that girl at the stage, I couldn't help but feel relieved that someone I knew would come into the arena with me. I had the fear of worrying about someone I didn't know fighting in the arena, but now that she's here it makes everything so much more relaxing. It'll be like old times with us. "Well I certainly didn't expect you to be here with me either. I only wish we could have volunteered together." I sit in silence for a few seconds enjoying the rest of whatever I'm eating. She knows I will do whatever it takes to win at least having her with me its one less person to worry about stabbing me In my sleep. "Better watch out though. I'll be heading home right?." I lace every word with the usual tone we take when we joke around. Only this time I know it'll be me coming home. I only hope I don't fight her. Killing someone I know will be hard.

Hedvig tells me not to be too cocky. That if she wasn't here it would indeed be me coming back home. I allow a laugh to escape my lips. To thin heading into this day that I was worried it would be an awkward train ride to the Capitol. Mercifully that isn't the case here. I don't know her all too well. Not sure if I could consider her a close friend. I have known her for some time though. What she does next though surprises me. With a slight bowing gesture, Hedvig compliments on how flawless I am. I might be full of myself but even I know a joke when I hear it. Still the playful joke brings another smile to my face. There's so much I want to do and say. Maybe throw in some remarks her way.

Didn't think she could top her joke only she does just that. Mentions how Ripred commanded her to volunteer saying I suck ass. Even she knows how silly that comment must be. I decide to have some fun though. Two can play at that game. "Hey now. If I am better than you and suck ass, then what does that say of you?" I fling a piece of unfinished meat at her. Laughing too hard when it hits hers. This train ride turning out to be better than expected. Soon enough we'll arrive at the Capitol parading around like animals. I'm very curious to know the current batch of tributes this go round.

I can almost feel the change in the atmosphere when she asks if I'm nervous. I open my mouth to speak only to close it within seconds. My immediate answer would be no. I do not feel nervous or scared. At least for right now. What does happen to frighten me a bit would be the nervousness of meeting our mentors. I've never met them personally, but Julian and Cricket scare the living daylights out of me. There's no way I could look into the eyes of Julian without announcing whether out loud or silently that I'm afraid of him. Cricket on the other hand I admire. Not to say I don't admire Julian, but I spend more time scared of him than I do admiring. I half hope I don't meet Cricket. If I'm a nervous wreck now meeting her would send me over the edge. Maybe literally. "Not nervous at all. Why should I when I've got the game in the bag? Don't worry runner up wont be too bad huh? You're used to it." I give her a genuine smile and look her right in the eyes to convey an almost silent message of sort. That it may indeed come down to us in the end.

Hedvig brings up a damn good point about how we never sparred back home. I've sparred with so many people that it's hard to keep track of who I hadn't done it with. People come and go always wanting a good fight. Sometimes I win. Sometimes I lose. One particular loss will never leave my mind. Almost cost me a damn arm. It was a normal day, but I was slightly cocky, and I let my guard down for one second. It was a nasty wound. Thankfully no muscles was damaged, and with a little bit of first aid and stitches and bandages, I was able to fix it right up. Its why I know Hedvig could probably kick my ass. Probably the key word.

"Here's the deal -- when we get to the Capitol, and we get to play with their fancy training shit -- you and I are gonna have a sparring match, okay?" That gets my attention. I sit upright fists balled up ready to begin now. I mean why wait for it right? I live to fight. Its about all I known my entire life. If one could sum up my entire life in one words it would be fighting. "We'll see who the runner-up really is, and-...I hope you won't be too disappointed, love. Y'know -- when I kick your ass, and you suck mine?"

She batted her eyelashes as she insulted me. I open my mouth to speak but I have no comeback for the burn she delivered. If she's as good with a sword or spear as she is with words then kicking my ass will be as easy as breathing. Instead of speaking, I dig into some of the food left on my plate. Tasting some of the other stuff, but her playful insult still resonates inside my head. Eating away at my patience. A joke yes, but she wont know what hit her. So I get up and move right in front of her. Half growling half laughing. "Suck yours? That supposed to be a bad thing or?" She is quite a gorgeous woman, but I'm through with letting stuff like that get to me. I do give credit where its due though. "Why wait though? We could fight right here right now." Ending the words with a wink.