Elias had found a seat in the lavish center of the train cars, practically sinking into one of the decadent leather armchairs. Perhaps any other time he might have taken in the scenery of such a fancy facility, but he could only sit in silence as he gazed out at nothing. At the very least, the fur that he had been decorated with by his father seemed to hug his shoulders like a blanket, but it just felt like a painful reminder that this family heirloom may never be brought back to be passed down further.
In his hands, he held a collection of things his family has practically taken off their bodies as little tokens to keep with him- a ribbon, handkerchief, necklace, etc. He could still hear his younger siblings' wails as they had to drag them out and get him aboard the train. It haunted him. In fact, he was so lost in it that he had hardly noticed the escort and the victor enter, and as Johanna spoke, he almost jumped.
"Hmm?" he mumbled, his head clearly in another world right now.
He didn't respond right away and Jo studied him for a moment. She supposed she'd hidden in her room the day she'd been reaped, so he seemed to be doing better than her at least.
"Earth to Elias." She replied, eyes glancing out the window as there was a lurch and the train started moving. "I know it's hard, but you gotta get your head outta the trees." And in the present. It was hard. She'd seen his family, the look of distress on their faces. She was sure that his goodbyes with his families hadn't been a quiet affair.
"There's a show you gotta put on, so I'd start thinking right now about how you want the Capitol to see you." It was a suggestion. She'd known from the minute she boarded the train that she would play the weak card. She was shorter than average and had been less well fed four years ago than now. It'd been easy enough.
