Hey, stranger {Ems/Arrows/Cato/Zori} D11 train thread

Sleepy Fluttershy
District Mayor

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«Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm». (Winston Churchill)

Hey, stranger {Ems/Arrows/Cato/Zori} D11 train thread Oct 14, 2018 10:02:19 GMT -5

Post by Sleepy Fluttershy on Oct 14, 2018 10:02:19 GMT -5

Carmen Stirling.

'Cause baby, I'm a weirdo

You walk onto the train, hands still in your pockets, You throw a quick glance at the boy who was doomed to face the same nightmare as you. He might look strong and intimidating, but in his eyes, you see your sister's tender sparkle that is impossible to hide - a sign of a kind heart.

Here you both are - two kids stuck in a mess too bloody for their age to handle. But you are not scared. It happened - you must deal with it. Might as well have fun in whatever circumstances the capitol throws at you. Or maybe try to sabotage it as a revenge for an intrusion into your happiness. The train is going fast, carrying you away from everything you know. The scenery is beautiful and the speed - breathtaking.

If I live, I wanna be a train driver.

But whether you are going to get out of this is a question that cannot be answered, so you need a distraction. Like small talk or food or both. You turn around and stare at the guy again. He seems all right, the silence is too awkward - and you open your mouth.

"Nice beard."

This is not the most common way to start a conversation but that doesn't bother you. "Nice beard" is a sentence just as good as any other.

"I'm Carmen, by the way. And you are...?"

You don't usually play by the rules but introductions are a formality impossible to avoid if you want to know how to call him. Although you're pretty sure you'll replace his actual name with a nickname in a few days time.

You don't care what he will call you if he doesn't call you Carmy. No one here can call you that. Because if you hear that word, you will remember your sister. Cathy is your only weakness and if you want to survive you have to leave her behind. And though it's harder than it seems, you'll do your best to be tough.

Because you know that if something happens to you, everyone will be forced to move on and you won't let anyone erase you from the face of the Earth.

Lyrics: Facing West - Weirdo

Last Edit: Oct 18, 2018 17:12:53 GMT -5 by Sleepy Fluttershy

(graphics by Kaplan)

☆GABRIELLE☆

Knuckles
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Hey, stranger {Ems/Arrows/Cato/Zori} D11 train thread Oct 15, 2018 20:40:14 GMT -5

Post by Knuckles on Oct 15, 2018 20:40:14 GMT -5

Faux Rhodes

Gloomy eyes focus on the ground with each step he takes. Home is behind him, and Faux knows what lies before him at least to a certain extent. Watching his family endure the hardships gives him an idea - feeling their pain, seeing their expressions, the look in their eyes; it's something he's not looking forward to.

The glorious morning is turning black and gray; even the birds aren't singing anymore. Their chorus has come to an end, and the only thing Faux wants more than anything is to find the peace he desires.

Yet his heart is heavy, pounding against the cage it's contained in, prying with every ounce of strength it has, but an escape doesn't exist. His brain keeps it going instead of letting it quit.

The train is more than anything he's ever seen before, and his chin drops to the floor - it's magnificent. It's much bigger than he ever imagined, and a lot of it has to do with only seeing it from afar. They wouldn't let him get close when Harbinger returned home alive.

Safety reasons.

Even now it makes him roll his eyes - like I'm really going to hurt my own blood.

Faux isn't alone, and standing by his side is the young girl who asked for this. A volunteer. It isn't heard of much, and so many questions are turning through his mind, however, asking is more than receiving. Sometimes it's best to just leave things as they were and allow nature to run its course.

The seats are comfortable, and being right next to the window makes this all feel a little easier. Birds fly through the sky, and every now and then Faux catches a glimpse of a tiny squirrel jumping from tree to tree; they're free he reminds himself over and over.

And he thinks he's alone until the volunteer speaks.

"Nice beard."

A soft chuckle fills the air around him as the corners of his lips crawl from one ear to the other. His beard was one thing Faux took pride in, and now he had the chance to share his experience with someone else.

But before he had the chance, she spoke again this time introducing herself and asking who he is.

"Faux."

The first name is all she needs to know because soon all Panem will know he's a Rhodes, and that Harbinger is his brother. It isn't a bad thing, but the fear of dying, the fear of letting him down creeps through his mind.

"Was she your sister?"

Sometimes prying for information is rude and disrespectful, but it is a way to keep the conversation going. Plus it'll offer more insight on to why she did what she did.

Not that it matters anyway.

What's done is done, and all he can do now is focus on what little time he has left and watch the animals outside the train float by.

lest we forget [the characters]

credit to Zoe

Arrows
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Hey, stranger {Ems/Arrows/Cato/Zori} D11 train thread Oct 18, 2018 3:17:37 GMT -5

Post by Arrows on Oct 18, 2018 3:17:37 GMT -5

You were made to make it hurt,
Disappear into the dirt,
Carry me to heaven's arms,
Light the way and let me go.

Peace does not know the families of Victors.

From year to year, Reaping to Reaping, the names of those tethered to survivors are called upon. Exhilaration energizes the Capitol while horror devours the Victor. With a smile, Snow watches as those connected to his prizes fight, bleed, and die. Another drop of agony he dips into his serum of submission. Another reminder of the absolute Authority of the Capitol. There is no true victory, there is survival at the expense of the safety of all those one cares about. And it's a perilous prize paid within the withering walls of Eleven far too frequently.

Kirito's body subdues its now common slight shaking as he watches Faux step forward onto a train that has returned all but one of his family members dead. Kirito's throat swallows as Carmen, barely Reaping age follows him as a volunteer for the severe suffering to come. Kirito's eyes search the gathering crowd for Harbinger, but meet another pair instead. Kirito can feel his heart beat halt as Sue Tate raises a gun amid the commotion of farewells. Panic pierces the Victor as the shot fires sending Kirito flailing to the floor. Eyes turn from all directions as worry wrinkles the faces of citizens watching their Mayor and one of their Victors get helped to his feet by his stylist. All Kirito can do is turn his head downward as the shaking of his frame returns.

As Kirito enters the train he veers abruptly away from the dining area and towards the nearest bathroom. Water fills the cup of Kirito's palms as he splashes the cold liquid over his sweat stained face. After several cycles Kirito's fingers turn the faucet and his hands bury his face into a towel. A momentary escape from the dead into the dark. Something Kirito never would have imagined he would relish in. However, the escape is short lived as his responsibilities as a Victor still require his attention. Another year of potential devastation awaits the same words just slightly altered. It makes Kirito's stomach sink like an anchor heavy enough to sink the ship.

Finding the strength to contain most of his unsettling limbs Kirito enters the dining area to hear the tail end of Carmen and Faux's first conversation as tributes. Kirito finds his way over to the hot water station where he quickly makes himself a calming cup of tea, anything that could help control whatever it is making Imp Stole stare at him from outside the now moving train.

"Sorry to interrupt," Kirito says quietly joining the conversation, "But I wanted you both to know I'm here for whatever..."

Kirito's attention is pulled away towards a television in the background showing the moment he and began bashing in the face of his doppleganger. Kirito can feel himself stiffen as he watches the carnage replay, but what is new, yet old, is the voice he hears no longer at a whisper, but at a speaking volume.

"Remember that, Kirito? That was the day I destroyed you." Kirito's darkness laughs before continuing, "I can't wait to try again, soon."

Kirito's head shakes in a moment of disbelief and denial as he forces away the voice. He takes only a second longer of pauses before clearing his throat and turning his eyes away from the screen."

"... Whatever questions you have, I'm more than willing to answer them anytime." Kirito's lips take a sip from his tea in a moment to allow his blatant distraction fade before joining onto Faux's question, "And I'm curious myself, was she your sister?"

For now it is easier to hone in on the issues and stories of these tributes than to dive into any darker depths.

Dear Agony,
Just let go of me,
Suffer slowly,
Is this the way its got to be?

Lyrics : Dear Agony by Breaking Benjamin

Last Edit: Oct 18, 2018 3:20:56 GMT -5 by Arrows

Graphic by the Breathtakingly Talented Stare

Noah Vau - D2 (Cato)
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I wish Cato didnt die

Hey, stranger {Ems/Arrows/Cato/Zori} D11 train thread Oct 21, 2018 20:19:17 GMT -5

Post by Noah Vau - D2 (Cato) on Oct 21, 2018 20:19:17 GMT -5

Harbinger Rhodes
Twenty-seven | Male | District Eleven

I can't sleep. The reaping is in a few hours which terrifies me to no end. My family has been involved a lot in the past decade. I've gone four years without losing another brother. I hear some noise and smile a bit. My kids must be awake. They're still young and I cherish these years. The years before I wake up every day dreading my every move wondering if I've sentenced them to the arena.

Not long after my kids wake, I hear the youngest crying. Sometimes being a father is hard, but knowing that they're taken care of while I'm gone means the world to me. I love Navya, and I'm so glad she's here and that she sticks with me. Sometimes she cooks breakfast, but today I decide to take a turn. I want to show her how much I care, plus it's my last day home for a while. But before I make it very far, Vera is staring at me with her wide eyes. My heart skips a beat, and I feel my smile growing larger. "Vera, do you want to help daddy pack?" The words barely leave the air before she's jumping up and down all excited. "Go ask mommy for my suitcase and see if she'll help." As she turns away, I continue towards the kitchen. I find some eggs and biscuits and some meat. I'm not the best cook, but I want to try. It's the least I can do. I eat with the family without saying a word. This is the one day I hate more than anything. The reaping changed me, and I'm afraid it'll change me again.

Breakfast is simple. Just a few light items because I'm sure my family will eat later once I'm gone. Vera is getting old enough to where she wants to go with me, but I can't let her. I'm afraid of what they'll do to her. That they'll bain wash her like they've done to so many people. Maybe when she's older. I'll never forgive myself if something happens to her. After breakfast, I walk away from the table and head to my room where my bag is at. I left the family at the table because I need to make sure I'm ready to go. Plus I want to have a chance to talk to Kirito before I reach the district square. It's rough not having Kate around, but I believe she's still out here somewhere. So I take a breath and head back to the dining room where I sit back down and finish eating.

After having some breakfast, and kissing my family bye, I head out the door with an unshakeable sense of doom looming over me. I can't look at Navya because I feel off. I just can't shake this feeling lingering inside. I've been lucky for the past four years. Something tells me that things won't be so great today. I take my place on the stage with a weak smile wanting this ordeal to be finished. The first name I don't recognize. The second I hear Faux's name out of Finter's mouth, I kick my chair in anger. My blood starts boiling, and I can only see read. With my fists clenched, I storm into the justice building. I can't be around Kirito right now. We've grown close over the years, but he's only had one family member reaped. I'm envious of him, but also suspicious. Why do I suffer the most of him? What did I do wrong? One family reaped compared to two of my brothers dead. Iain wasn't even his brother. I just hope my family doesn't think any different of me.

It takes me a few moments once I'm inside the justice center to completely calm myself down. Faux didn't deserve this, I don't deserve this. The girl and her family didn't deserve it, but this is what we have to do. I'm tired of my family being sacrificed. I'm tired of me being the one to pay the price. I love Kirito like a brother, but I'm still waiting for the day where I have to comfort him again compared to him comforting me. I take another deep breathe because I know people are going to look at me. They're going to want answers, and I need to be able to provide them. So I wipe my face of all emotions. I'm tired and want to sleep, but this years journey is just beginning. I make my way to the train after cooling down. I find everyone together and do my best to keep cool. Kirito talking. I listen silently in hopes of not being bothered.

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