Zipping through Time // Zanita x Lightning {blitz}

This gym was not built to hold fifty two people. It was this simple fact that made the training hours a hell for Zanita Luzell. She was used to wide open spaces and sleeping under the stars. The only comforting aspect of the whole room was the smokey scent of the camp fires at the flame station and even then if too many children were practicing at once it made the back of Zanita's throat itch and her eyes water.

Zanita was also very aware of how different she looked from all the other tributes. Everyone was so pale, with light hair and eyes. She felt out of place with her dark skin and thick hair. It was an odd feeling, one she had never felt before. At home there were plenty of people who looked like her. Her gang of outcasts were filled with boys and girls with curly hair and dark skin. If anything, Kovu had been out of place in their home. Zanita had raised him like a little brother despite little family resemblance. Kovu would have fit in here. Pale with dark hair and a nice grin. Zanita didn't have a nice grin. Her promotional photographer had told her so.

She wandered through the groups of tributes, eyeing the climbing wall suspiciously. District Nine was so flat, there had been little reason to climb anything except the occasional tree. Perhaps she should try it out.

As she debated, she watched a tribute slide down the top of the wall and nail two dummies with throwing knives.

How... dramatic.

The boy, all white skin light hair and nice grins, turned to her and offered her a hook.

"Want to try? No promises it won't snap though, I've never done more than a single strike on one line. But never say never right?"


Zanita snorted. What good would circus tricks be in the Arena? What were the chances he would ever need to do that again?

"Thanks but no thanks. I have better things to do than looking cool in the training gym. Save your fancy tricks for the private session bud," Zanita felt a surge of pride at her own snarky words. After having such heavy emotions on her heart for so long, it felt good to let loose and make fun of someone again. She gave the boy a look up and down, making sure he felt properly looked over. "You're going to need them."

She squinted at the number on his training jacket.

"Mister whichever District Four tribute you are."

Damn, it felt good to be petty.