gone before you knew

● Ryker Decarlo ● District Eleven ● Eighteen

[ryker-decarlo-blog]

*Something About Walls* • Ryker and Frey • Rock Climbing

[freyamaryllis-deactivated201506]

Frey continued to climb with the kid to the top, where the asshole had finished before him. “Congrats, you beat me,” he said, “not a surprise though.” Waiting for the tribute to begin his descent, Frey muttered, “Prick.” Frey leaned over to where a hook was holding the line that attached to the harnesses before unlatching it – causing the tribute below to fall to the ground. Giving a chuckle, he descended and made it to the ground as the other tribute was getting back up.

[ryker-decarlo-blog]

Ryker’s legs connected with the mat, although it was soft, it did not stop the jolt to be sent up his legs. He rolled out a bit to prevent his joints from taking the full impact of the collision. 

As he regained his footing, the boy reached the floor. Ryker’s neck began to twitch but he forced that back as he always does. With a smile on his face he approaches the boy and places his hand on his shoulder. Then quickly he wraps his hand around his throat, but he doesn't squeeze. “You try that shit with me again, and you watch what fucking happens.” Ryker’s words seethe from his gritted teeth before he throws the boys head back out of his hand as a trainer pulls him away.

“I’ll see you in the arena little boy.” Ryker smiles and begins to laugh again before turning on his heels and walking off.

[ryker-decarlo-blog]

*Something About Walls* • Ryker and Frey • Rock Climbing

[freyamaryllis-deactivated201506]

Don’t get mad, don’t get mad, don’t get mad. Frey continuously thought to himself. With every laugh, his anger grew and Frey was known to not have a lengthy temper. “I’m already a shame, asshole. Doesn’t matter to me, I’ll be dead soon anyway, and be happy.” Frey finally responded looking up at the kid with a smile. Looking past the tribute, he saw the instruments that held the two. Giving a smirk, he continued to climb. “Oh yeah,” Frey said when he caught up to the kid, giving him the middle finger. “Name’s Frey. I’d ask you for your name, but asshole suits you quite well.” Sarcasm coated his voice, and the smirk still played on his lips.

[ryker-decarlo-blog]

In a normal occasion, a dumbass that had the audacity to say that to Ryker would've been laid the fuck out on the cement. But Ryker only continued to laugh. And his comments about how he's already a shame felt as if they were to make Ryker feel bad for him, but he just continued to smile. “Good, thats the plan babe.”

Ryker saw his rage fueling him so he made his way back to the wall and continued to climb. The middle finger pointed at him was a cute gesture. “Actually thats not my name, but you can call me what you want. Just as long as you keep your promise of being dead soon.” Ryker replied matter of faclty.

[ryker-decarlo-blog]

*House* • Ryker and Gvenna

[ghuerifuhgugdfdgj]

Flowers and fruit, or rather, two of the world’s sweetest things. Its too bad some of that sweetness didn’t rub off on pretty boy’s personality. He’s more like a rotten apple, if you ask me.

My cheeks grow hot from both anger and embarrassment at my own crudeness. I may have claimed to want good conversation for the next few days, but already my words are biting me in the ass. I’m not going to be able to talk to this boy at all after what he did at the reaping. It’s one thing to be flippant or sarcastic towards me; it’s another to disregard a bunch of kid’s safety to throw a tantrum on stage.

Pushing my bitterness aside, I continue to work on the hammock’s net. My fingers fly effortlessly over the rope, already well aware of the pattern I need to form the swing. I’m done by the time he breaks the silence once again, but this time his question just pisses me off. I have so little patience with boys.

“Well, first of all, if you want to know anything about me, then don’t blatantly and knowingly dismiss what district I’m from. I’m Eight, not Five. Eight is part of who I am, sorry to break it to you.” 

I give a vicious tug on the end of the rope, successfully securing it to one of the fake trees. Then I turn and face him. My usual good humor is gone, and I’m thoroughly annoyed.

“Secondly, pointless backs and froths are kind of my thing. They’re not as frivolous as you’d think.”

[ryker-decarlo-blog]

After my two ropes are secure around the trunks of the obviously synthetic trees. I begin to construct a net with wide openings to serve at the skeleton of my shelters roof. The rope tying is forgiven to me, so the work is slow and repulsive.

One of my eyebrows raise and me chin reaches to the side at the sound go her voice rising. Normally this would cause a similar reaction with me but her outburst doesn't seem obvious. Something else that already cause her distaste with me prior to my actual words. Either that or she's just a dumb hot head who gets angry at the drop of a pin. So I decide to dig a bit before anything else.

“Well that seemed unnecessary. A simple mistake. Now tell me, what exactly did i do to cause that outburst?” I ask with a lighter tone of voice than I am accustomed to.

“Then prove me wrong.” I respond to her defuse of pointless back and forths. 

[ryker-decarlo-blog]

*Something About Walls* • Ryker and Frey • Rock Climbing

[freyamaryllis-deactivated201506]

Flashing his two middle fingers at the other tribute when he made the comment, not knowing if the guy saw it, Frey sighed, glaring at the rock wall in front of him. “Prick,” he mumbled to himself, continuing to climb up, but at a slightly faster pace. Reaching for a hold above him, on his left side, the wrapping around his shoulder tightened and caused pains to shoot through his arm. “God fucking dammit,” he groaned quietly. Frustrated he rested his head against the wall for a few seconds as the pain dulled before quickly pulling himself up to where he had been reaching before. Frey looked up, seeing the tribute still ahead of him. If he makes a fucking comment, I’m going to knock him off of this damn thing. He thought to himself – though he knew he probably wouldn’t reach him in time anyway.

[ryker-decarlo-blog]

Raker began to laugh louder at the boy below him, seeing as how his comments affected him. It amused him and he needed such a joyful distraction after his little bit of a mental snap. But he didn't like to think about his mental snaps, they themselves frightened him.

His smile was large and genuine. He knew he had the support of the stupid fucking harness, so he rested his left heel against a rock ledge and leaned away from the wall, his only contact with the rocky surface being his foot. His body suspended in the air.

With his smile he peered down at the struggling boy. “Ill wait a minute for you, don't want to put you to shame so soon.” He began to laugh again.

[ryker-decarlo-blog]

*Axes joke* • Ryker and Colton • Axes

[colton-realight-blog]

I’ve had way too much bullshit given to me by my older brothers to take it from other people. If he wanted to degrade me, then hell, I wasn’t going to stand there and just let him do it, I was going to retaliate in my own way. “Oh, you’re quite welcome~” I cooed with an innocent smile.

What, he wanted to actually hurt me? Interesting. The boy liked violence just as much as I did. Even if the blades were wrapped up, they can still cause a pretty decent amount of damage. I couldn’t wait to see where that was going to take us.

Before I could even reply, he charged for me. As expected, he tried something similar to what I did with the dummy, only his fatal flaw was that he let his entire body fall to the ground instead of just using a swift kick. I shifted my feet quickly to the side, sufficiently dodging him. I jabbed his knee with the butt of the ax and kicked his side. “So you’re telling me you do want to get to know me better? I’m flattered,” I teased.

[ryker-decarlo-blog]

This fucker was starting to piss me off, for sure. Thank fucking christ that this is a fighting station or Id have the wrath of one of those fucking GameMakers to deal with. But I can't get mad, not like this. Every time this happens my mind begins to go foggy. I can already feel my neck twitch as it always does.

I jump up quickly “I don't give enough of a shit to learn your first name.” I ‘teased’ back. Sending my axe towards his thigh. The dulled blade meets his knee as he jumps back.

Then I don't move. I pause for a minute, trying to gather my thoughts and focus in on reality. I can't lose control here. I can't make it harder for myself if I'm going to get home. But I won't let my guard down. So while I do so, I stare at the boy, not letting him phase from my sight as people so often do.

[ryker-decarlo-blog]

*Something About Walls* • Ryker and Frey • Rock Climbing

[freyamaryllis-deactivated201506]

After working through the maze with Polarity, Frey made his way over to the climbing station – seeing as the only thing he had ever climbed in his life was a building, it wouldn’t be a mad idea to practice here. A tribute was being strapped in when he approached the station, so the trainers decided to have them climb together. Already, his district partner and Beatrix were climbing. The other tribute did not acknowledge him and Frey did not acknowledge much of the tribute, just merely that he was to climb with him. The two girls finished their climbing when they were to begin, already the other boy had gotten further than Frey. From the number ‘11’ on the tribute’s outfit, Frey wasn’t surprised. Looking down at how much progress he had made, which was not much, Frey swore under his breath.

[ryker-decarlo-blog]

Raker got himself strapped in quickly. Honestly he didn't even need these fucking straps. He had enough sense and skill to be up and down this wall 10 times before his competition got six feet off the ground. Pathetic really, but Capitol rules say they don't want any tributes dead before the arena so he;; have to make due with it.

Ryker began to climb and peered down at the boy, taking his sweet ass time down below him. “You want to take a bit longer...or?” Raker called down sarcastically. Hoping to either piss him off or make him cry. Either or would be satisfactory for him. 

Ryker laughed to himself as he began to resume him ascent. 

[ryker-decarlo-blog]

*Axes joke* • Ryker and Colton • Axes

[colton-realight-blog]

“Yeah, it’s a pretty average District. Nothing special.” Little did he know that I wasn’t exactly defined by the place I came from. “I assume the same goes for Eleven,” I retorted, returning his smirk. “Orchards, gardens, the occasional Peacekeeper beating, perhaps? You poor things must work for hours just to get something to eat, even though you grow so much food which goes straight to the Capitol.” My eyes gazed him from top to bottom. “If I were you, I would actually thank the Capitol for all that hard labor. I’d kill for a body like yours!” I remarked, grinning.

I followed the nameless boy from Ten to a small fighting ring. The Trainer wrapped a gauze-like material around the blades of our weapons. “We don’t want to see bloodshed just yet,” he informed us. I wouldn’t mind the absence of safety precaution, the Glows and I spared all the time. However, I would prefer it if I didn’t get an artery sliced and bled to death before I even get in the Arena. 

With my weapon in hand, a merely smiled at his question. “A lot of things… like you obviously are more interested in sparing than getting to know each other. Or am I wrong?” I winked and got more used to the feeling of the ax.

[ryker-decarlo-blog]

My tongue glides among the outside of my upper front teeth as he speaks. I don't know if he just don't know how to filter his speech or if he's trying to piss me off. But i don't like his comments, not one bit. “Thanks.” I retort quickly.

“Are we sure?” I ask sarcastically to the trainer who begins to render my blade useless. but like it said, Im not too partial to large blades like these. So this should be just as fun.

“No, I'm not, and you are.” I speak calmly. Im never one to initiate a conversation, but a fight....gladly. I Throw my body into a full sprint towards the boy. The square isn't very large so that doesn't leave me very much room for a blatant attack. He rises his weapon to defend himself, but I let my body fall, sliding on the ground with my foot outstretched and aiming for his ankle.

[ryker-decarlo-blog]

*House* • Ryker and Gvenna

[ghuerifuhgugdfdgj]

I roll my eyes at his response, but, lucky me, I don’t think he sees. So much for polite greetings when you’re part of the walking-dead, yeah?

Without another word, I tilt my chin in and focus on the task at hand. The trainer left us to construct a make-shift roof between two trees, with a hammock underneath. Its pretty standard, I assume, and it seemed easy when he did it. Oddly enough, I’d enjoyed his demonstration. Thick capitol accents amuse me.

Just as I’m starting to weave a hammock together, perfectly fine not talking to the sarcastic boy, his voice cuts through the silence. His forced tone, stand-offish mannerisms, trigger something in the back of my head. I suddenly remember he’s someone who kicked the bowl off the stage at his reaping. I remember the startled, frightened faces of children, and press my lips together in disgust. Uhg. Men and their manliness.

“Alright,” I say despite my newly acquired distaste for him. Of course, I just can’t help myself and my babbling ways.

“Lots of smog and smoke, but fun to navigate. I lived in the city, so there was lots of small alleys.” I shove the oncoming flow of words back down my throat.

“How’s 11?”

[ryker-decarlo-blog]

I carefully inspect the book to learn how to tie the necessary knot. I fumble with a length of rope of a moment before I seem to have it done properly. I then move over to one of the large trees and begin to replicate the knot around the tree. I do the same for the other tree a few feet away.

The girl from Eight begins to actually tell me about her home life and I have no choice but to listen, but gladly she finishes quickly. I have not yet decided which I prefer. The silence or light conversation. Both make me itchy in the same way and both tire me.

“Eleven? Flowers, trees fruits. Exactly what you'd expect.” I answer haphazardly. This sort of small talk does not interest me in the slightest. If I was going to talk to anyone at all than id prefer the conversation to have substance. “Why don't you tell me about yourself instead. I can make up my own image of Five so theres no need for this pointless little back and forth.”

[ryker-decarlo-blog]

*House* • Ryker and Gvenna

[ghuerifuhgugdfdgj]

When I get to my second station of the day, I realize that I’m playing it safe. Shelter building also requires knots or a creative flare, the same way traps do. But while I have a feeling traps could come in handy in the arena, I doubt I’ll have time to build a hammock in the middle of wherever. But like I said, I’m playing it safe. Possibly because I’m going to have to approach my potential sponsor soon– though I suspect it’s more so because I don’t want to look like even more of an idiot than I already sound. Plus, hammocks are cool.

Sooner or later, though, I’d have to move on. For now, I’ll stick with the sooner.

It’s apparent that I’m not alone in the station; a pretty-looking boy stands over some materials, possibly waiting for a trainer to give us instruction. I don’t say anything at first, since that trainer appears rather quickly, but once we’re left alone to build I nod my head in a hello.

“District… 11, right?”

[ryker-decarlo-blog]

While the trainer speaks I can't decide whether i don't want him to shut up, so i don't have to speak to this little girl. or if i want him to just fucking leave because his accent is disgusting me. But soon enough, he finishes and walks off.

Perfect, another tribute that can read. Glad I'm in the presence of suck intelligent company. “Good job, and I suppose you're from 8?” I ask, glancing at her sleeve. My eyebrows rise and I turn back to look through a small book of different shelters to make.

I try to recall the girl from something she's done. Her reaping or her parade. But both have left me without an impression of her. A shame really. “So whats it like in Eight?” I start a conversation before the silence crushes me.

[ryker-decarlo-blog]

*House* • Ryker and Gvenna

As the day drags on, I can feel myself becoming more and more irritated with this entire experience. How long we have to wait for the arena. All these tributes acting like they're best friends days before everyone but one is dead. Its all just fucking stupid.

The house and hammock building station is my next stop. I sure Id be able to throw something together, but I suppose a little extra education on the subject wouldn't hurt. Plus I have no clue how to build a hammock. Even though I doubt that information would be of any use to me in the arena.

When I get there, its vacant of any tributes. But given my experience thus far, Ill have company in a few minutes. And sure enough, I turn to see a little red headed girl coming this way.

[ryker-decarlo-blog]

*Something About Walls* • Ryker and Frey • Rock Climbing

Throwing the axe to the floor and walking off to leave the trainer to deal with the mess, I headed for something more my skill level. A never really thought of it, but climbing was a hidden talent of mine. Its something most citizens of Eleven are prone to learning regardless, but my line of worked called for a bit more of it.

Once at the rock climbing wall, I noticed two girls already heading for the top. One of them was Beatrix and the other one I didn't know. Hopefully I don't have the chance to meet her.

The trainer begins to strap me into a harness as I glance about the wall. In my mind, I begin to create a quick path to the top that once Im freed I will begin following. This is how I usually do it back home, rather than just winging it as i go. I assess my options and if something doesn't look sturdy enough simply by sight, than its not.

My analysis is cut short when another tribute approaches me. I don't know who it is or where they're from, since i had not yet bothered turning around to face them.

[ryker-decarlo-blog]

*Axes joke* • Ryker and Colton • Axes

[colton-realight-blog]

My eyes rolled up so far behind my head after his response that I thought they would permanently stay that way. Instead of entertaining him with a reply, I grabbed my own ax from the rack and observed it. My weapon was similar to his, but had a sharp pointed tip at the top which I could work with. 

His sarcastic attitude was irritating, but I refused to let it get to me. “A real gentleman you are, letting me go first~” I cooed, forcing a smile. I gripped the handle tightly, and, like how my friend Alloy positioned himself when using a spear, bent my knees a little bit, my stance firm but flexible. I wanted to be strong so I can defend myself, even if my opponent happened to be a rubber dummy, but also agile, should I need to dodge or attack. 

“Not really,” I replied, then charged towards the rubber dummy in but a blink of an eye, knocking it down with a swift kick and stabbing its abdominal area with the pointed tip. Afterwards, I cut its head off by bringing the ax down with brute force. “Power plants and such, nothing interesting,” I claimed getting up to turn to him. “Your turn. Unless you wanna spar?” I challenged. “It’s much more interesting than stabbing those lifeless things, I would know.” 

My opponent, was taller than I was. Must have gotten his muscles from hard labor, unlike me by training. As much as his personality irritated me, it was tempting to get to know him. His rugged charm lured me, what can I say?

[ryker-decarlo-blog]

I stuck the pointed edge of my axe into the mat and held lightly onto its handle. I watched as the boy from Five assaulted a dummy that didn't seem to know how to defend itself. Soon its head rolled off and i had to stifle a yawn. I wasn't sure what he was trying to do, impress me? Safe to say I'm not. But i don't feel the need to poke at him for now so I just ignore my own thoughts.

“I hadn't expected there to be much in Five.” I smirk, wondering if he’ll pick up on what I'm saying. “Id much rather spar than slice dummies, thats for shit ass sure.” 

I walk past him and jump into a small, roped off square. Its not elevated nor is it padded. But something caught my attention. ‘I would know’? What the fuck does that mean? As he entered the square behind me I peered at him. “What would you know?”

[ryker-decarlo-blog]

*Axes joke* • Ryker and Colton • Axes

[colton-realight-blog]

After finally having some progress at the Fire Making Station, I waved goodbye to Trypton and improved my skills elsewhere. My first choice was to go to First Aid, since my arms ached. Who knew that rotating a twig downwards against a log really fast could cause me so much pain? Unfortunately, there were a lot Tributes there and I didn’t want too many people interfering with my training.

I let my desires take over, desperately seeking to have a weapon in my hand. As good as burning someone alive sounded, I’d have a better chance of killing off competition with a blade. Knives sounded tempting, but again I had the problem of having too many people there. So, I wandered around until I finally decided on a station. 

Axes. Not something I was familiar with. The Glows didn’t have it in their storage. I thank my family for the first time for bringing me into a more privileged life than others. Food for plenty and lavish conditions, at least better than others. Some, except probably District Seven and the Careers, couldn’t even lift the weapon, let alone use it. 

Someone was there, but at least it was just one person. I had to get used to this sharing routine. “Mind if I join you?” I asked out of courtesy, even if he said no I would still train here, even if it meant I ‘accidentally’ injure him just a tiny bit. But nah, I wouldn’t hurt such a pretty face. “What’s your name? From District Eleven, I assume?” I referred to the number stitched on his uniform

[ryker-decarlo-blog]

I picked up a rather large weapon. It had a long handle made from dark wood, ending in a shiny metallic sphere. The blade itself curved around the top of the handle and was serrated near the top. I imagine what I could do with something like his both back at home and in the arena and a small smile appears. Not one of bloodlust, as thats simply not how I planned to go about the arena, but one of dominance.

A skinny little boy approaches me from behind with a bowl of hair on his head. I glare over my shoulder, and meet his eyes. I glance down the rest of him, looking him up and down before turning my back to him once more. “Do what you want.” I state with a sigh.

I had really planned on using this ‘professional’ trainer as a sparring partner. But I suppose a little insight as to what the heard can do. “An observant one are we.  That will come in very handy in the arena. Quick on your feet.” I reply with sarcasm laced in my words. “And I suppose you're from.” I peer at his sleeve “District Five. Interesting.”

He continues to stand there and I turn to him, step to the side and out stretch my arm towards the axes. Hinting for him to hurry the fuck up and choose a weapon. I don't have all day for cute back and forth.

[ryker-decarlo-blog]

*Axes joke* • Ryker and Colton • Axes

On the first day of training, I wake to find a fresh and folded uniform placed on my dresser. I stand and stretch before grabbing onto the fabric, letting its pristine folds fall into loose drapes. The number ‘11′ stitched on each sleeve brings a pang of sorrow and misery to my chest. I wonder, now, what Stevie, Lorna and Rhett could be doing. Waking up with yet another empty bed, adding to the increasing number of dormant beds in that fucking house.

I shake my head and quickly change into the tight uniform. I have to get somewhere, where I'm not alone. I can't sit here and think about what I was forced to leave in Eleven. Not if I plan on making it back.

The elevator rise is rather long, being so close to the top it takes a few minutes. The lift stops periodically, tributes joining me on my descent. Eventually I make it to the floor and the cattle around me begin to disperse, gratefully. I already know what I'm going to be doing today, but its nothing I'm unfamiliar with. However not my strongest of weapons. That, I will not be revealing to the rest of these cretans. 

I arrive at the axe station. If handled these things before, working in the orchards and fields. But I've never considered them as weapons. Im not really the slashing type if I'm honest. But i need to explore new things and this is my first stop.

[paganbeatrix-blog1]

fire and ice ◯ train ride ◯ ryker

[paganbeatrix-blog1]

Once more, Beatrix sucked in her bottom lip at his response. It was clear that he wasn’t the friendly type, but who was she to judge him. She barely knew his name. Other than that, she had no idea who he was or what his background was. Nodding slowly, the brunette placed the cupcake in the plate in between them. She wasn’t going to force him to take it, but she would leave it there for offering. A naturally sharing person. 

Her eyes diverted back to the two speaking people. Clinging to their every word as she peeled off the wrapping from her cupcake and began to consume it. Every single thing they said was daunting to her. She had spent the majority of her life blending into a crowd and was now asked to stand out. To impress people. It was clear the girl wasn’t well verse in the art of speaking to people. She was pretty darn good at hiding her emotions, and this was why none of the would be able to tell how her stomach seem to be churning nonstop. Was it nerves or fear? Both? 

One thing was certain, the girl didn’t know kindness either. At least not from people outside of her cult. At Isobel kind words a small blush appeared on her cheeks and she had to bow her head to let her hair hide her reaction. “You thought that was charming,” she laughed softly. “I would have thought it made me look like a fool and easy bait.” Her mouth having no filter and speaking everything that came to mind. She wasn’t sure if it was due to lack of interaction or it was just her nature. Turning her head slightly to look at Ryker she knew they were complete opposites. “If I’m being honest, I would be intimidated by him. The way he presented himself at the reaping. So, would you say coming off as weak or brutally strong is the best way to go at it?” Since everyone was getting down to business, Beatrix decided to join in with her own round of questions as she stuffed half of the cupcake into her mouth. Licking off the crumbs from the side of her cheeks as the spotlight was directed to her. 

                                   The worst subject they could have picked: about herself. 

"My background. Oh – um.” Biting her lip, she looked all around the table as if searching for some sort of escape. Her past wasn’t as bad as it could have gotten but she still didn’t wish to talk about it, but honesty was one of her attributes. Therefore with a small smile she told them about her. “I was born into a – cult. One of the last surviving ones of our district. Never met my father and my mother married someone else. You can say that our clan is not looked upon as well as it should. I don’t know how to explain it but – we’re pagans. My step-father is one of the ones that practices the more – barbaric practices of our beliefs.” It truly was hard to explain it when she had never done it before. “Long story short: people label us as witches, heretics. We’re not! But my mother sheltered me from the citizens of eleven, ergo – I was isolated and didn’t meet a lot of people. Also kind of the reason why I’m – awkward? I attended school for a few years but dropped out to devote myself to my step-father. My step-father protected me as well after my mother died, but he didn’t protect me against himself.” She left it at that. “My life is pretty boring so I’ve spent the last years devoting myself to my clan. Learning the practices and – surviving.” Beatrix nodded slowly. Immediately she turned the attention to the boy next to you with a bigger smile. “What about you, Ryker Decarlo? What mystery hides behind your distant, harsh exterior?” 

[ryker-decarlo-blog]

She placed the small cake between them on the plate, leaving her offer open. A kind gestured, he supposed. But still, he would not be accepting it. He felt some sorts of obligations at remaining well mannered, but that was not his priority here. So he let the thing to slip from his mind. 

Mean? He laughed. He was not at all offended nor was he dejected by his new title. He embraced it. However he would not act on impulse during his stay in the Capitol. How foolish could he be. He's heard of how tributes act up in training, acting like assholes for the sake of gaining the spotlight. Dumb. But standoffish, he was fine with.

“Thank you.” Ryker said to his partner in reference to his intimidation. He didn't like to be afraid of people. so for years he's molded himself into melting his fear away. Not all things, but most.

“Well, the one thing id like for the two of you to remember is that your competition also faces death. They are not your concern. Sponsors and Game Makers do not see weakness in anyone is is not a tough career. You both have your strengths and you need not worry about the other tributes. After all, 23 of them will be dead soon, and Id like to believe one of you would not be among those.” Isobel answered, sipping from a small cup of tea.

Ryker let out a heavy sigh and leaned back in his chair, taking a rather large sip from his glass of liquid that burned his throat on its travels down. “Alright well, when I was ten years old my mother got very sick. Soon enough she died and nobody knew why. Two years later my father was mugged on his way home from work. Stabbed in the stomach and left in the street.” Raker paused for a moment. His past was something he spent years digging a hole to burry, and revealing it again was not an easy task. “My older sister was reaped a year after that. She died in the bloodbath. I was left alone, with three younger siblings to care for by myself when I was only thirteen. I started using....unconventional methods to get what we needed.” Ryker stopped there.

He did not plan on telling them about Theron or the “offer” he gave him. It was a fresh wound and he still felt the pain deep within his chest for lying to Stevie. By now Lorna and Rhett have gotten home and told her about whats happened.

Ryker stands up quickly, his chair falling to the ground behind him and rushes over to the table the hosts the dozens of bottles of differently colored liquids. He retrieves a bottle and pours himself a cup before returning to his seat. “So thats me, what can we do with that?” He asked, his eyes glued to the table below his chin.

[paganbeatrix-blog1]

fire and ice ◯ train ride ◯ ryker

[paganbeatrix-blog1]

                                      I’m traveling to my death, I might as well be myself. 

At least that was Beatrix way of thinking. She had spent seventeen years of her life either trying to blend in into one crowd or another. For so long she had isolated herself from everyone in district eleven that wasn’t her family to the point she knew nothing about Isobel games. She just knew her because how could she not? She was the only victor they had. 

That was no way of living, and the young girl knew that. Maybe – it was time to stop being afraid. Then again, there were a lot of maybe’s running through her head. In the end, she doubted the possibility of her having the strength to do them all before she fell and never got back up. 

Raising her eyes to Ryker one last time she headed towards the sweets. She had never had sweets in her life and it was obvious she was thrilled about getting to finally taste them. With her hands behind her back, she slowly rocked on the heels of her feet as she looked at every single pastries before her. So many to pick and not enough time. She was about to ask them if they wanted any when her fellow district tribute got down to business. 

It made her wonder why someone like him would volunteer. He seem angry at the world. Not someone that had happiness in his life. Maybe he didn’t have anything to lose? It was obvious District Eleven was no victor factory. Beatrix curious mind began to ponder over what sort of skills he possessed that gave him the confidence to volunteer. 

“What’s not to expect?” The escort attempted to sound as excited as she could. “You will be surrounded by the best the capitol has to offer. From food to people. You will be the talk of the year. Every eye will be on you. My advice –” the girl dramatically paused. “put on a show but don’t lose touch with who you are and what you are fighting for. They want unique so don’t mold yourself to their standards. Give them something – new.” She turned to Isobel. “What do you say, Isobel?” This was their first year together. 

By now, the brunette had made the difficult choice of appetizer and went to her seat beside the tribute with two cupcakes in hand. Making sure to not invade his space and sat with a chair in between them. Beatrix knew very little about the games. Not something her step-father indulge in or made of habit of watching. Therefore, intrigued with what they had to say she asked the most simple question. “So, what is consider new?” Turning to Ryker with a small smile, “want one? They’re really good.” She held a cupcake in his direction while she licked frosting off the tip of her finger from her own cupcake. “and no, I’m not giving it to you because I don’t want to be the only one looking like a fatass.” she lightly joked. 

[ryker-decarlo-blog]

Ryker knew of many people in Eleven. From either working his many jobs, or riffling through their homes. He found it somewhat strange that he hasn't at least felt familiar with the name. But nothing came to mind when he heard Beatrix’s name.

Ryker listened carefully to his escort’s words. Biting his tongue as her infuriating accent made him itchy. He cringed at the thought of entering a place where everyone spoke like this. Having to appear on camera, speaking with people adorned with this accent. It sounds pretentious and pompous to him. But he knew what she was saying had value, so he made note of her advice. He hadn't planned on putting on a facade. Not really much of a point after his reaping airs. Everyone already know the type of person he is from his actions.

Isobel began to speak and Ryker was able to relax. “Well, from what I've gathered, my time in the Capitol all those years ago isn't very different. Strange really, how the 19th and the 82nd Hunger Games still run in almost identical ways. As far as likability goes, Beatrix will have no problem gathering a fan base.” The old woman says with a smile directed at the young girl. “She is very polite and her little accidents will come off as charmingly endearing. As for the boy.” She gestures towards Ryker “He will stand out for his brashness. Arguably a bit more difficult to gain fans, but the mean ones always do. Your kind, meaning well for lack of a better word mean, will seem ambitious in the arena. BUT if i am to work with anything other than your reapings, i’m going to need a little bit of a back story on both of you.” Isobel finished, leaning back on her chair with her hands on her lap, waiting to hear from either one.

“Oh yes! what an excellent idea Isobel!” Mireya chimed. “Every tribute is different, Beatrix tell us about yourself.” She added, leaning in to listen.

Ryker took note of the fact that she sat with a chair between them. This made him smile slightly. His ‘friendliness’ obviously wasn't his strongest aspect. But this was the way he liked it. She then held her second cupcake in his direction and he narrowed his eyes. “Ill take your word for it.” He replied flatly, not accepting her offer. He made an attempt at a smile at her joke, but to be honest it had no affect on him.

[paganbeatrix-blog1]

fire and ice ◯ train ride ◯ ryker

[paganbeatrix-blog1]

Beatrix had meant no harm at her comment about his display. Sure, she thought it was completely unnecessary but then again, she had no idea what his motives were. Having being judge before being met, she decided to not judge him. Maybe there was a deeper reason behind his actions; his obvious anger. Or it could be all for the show. She would never know. 

Her lips parted as he got up to his feet and approached her. That was the last thing she had expected from him given his distant, cold persona. Not that she didn’t object. Pretending like he hadn’t completely ignored her hand when she had offered it up on stage and his unfriendly aura, she took his stretched out hand and gave it a firm shake. Her step-father words echoing in her head: a weak hand shake is for a weak person. 

But the strength behind her shake didn’t reach her smile. Instead, she smiled brightly up at him. As if they wouldn’t be killing each other soon enough. Beatrix had never had friends outside of her clan, mostly because she kept to herself. In reality, the girl was really out-going, and loved making friends. 

“Oh, we’re suppose to say our full names.” It was obvious the girl didn’t interact with people much. “I’m Beatrix Garlock. Pleasure meeting you, Ryker Decarlo.” She added, dropping her hand and turning to everyone else in the train. Pointing to the escort she continue on,” and you’re Mireya Haven and –” she stopped when she reached their mentor. Not really having keeping up with the games and chewed her lip out of habit. 

“Isobel Fontaine.” The white-headed female introduced herself with a nod, which Beatrix returned kindly. “That’s a really pretty name! And those are cupcakes.” Beatrix pointed to the cart filled with pastries. Trying to ease the mood in the compartment. The gentle smiling never faltering. 

[ryker-decarlo-blog]

The two seemed to have come to some what of an understanding for now. With didn't not have the motive to act strongly against the other. But they were only ten minutes into the games, and things could change.

Beatrix’s brightness was not a common sight for Ryker. People did not ever smile like that around him. Nor was he used to being reciprocated eye contact from strangers. It was a foreign sensation to him. Her hand gripped his firmly before she released it. Her name was also new to him. Never had he heard of the girl. 

Ryker smiled at Isobel. He was fully aware of her and how she won her games. Being Eleven’s only victor, she was the only person Ryker was able to study in the weeks leading to the reaping. His district had little to no information on other victors, so he did his best to earn as much information as possible from Isobel’s Games. But even though it has been 63 years for her, Ryker did not dare say a word about her time in the arena.

Instead he sat at the table, across from Isobel and Mireya. And waited for dinner as Beatrix fondled some cupcakes. “So, Mireya, Whats are we to expect in the Capitol?” Raker asked. He also planned to fully use the young blonde girl from the Capitol as well. “Any recommendations?”