#&(cato)

[hvbris]

"Do you think I don't understand what it is to be different?" / to Clove from @cezahrs (':

𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐎 & 𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 @cezahrs

Clove let out a sharp scoff. "You feel different, Orestes? Don't make me laugh. You're the poster child for our District. You're big and tall, you're strong." She seemed to realize that she had just complimented him, and her cheeks turned a subtle shade of red -though it was unsure whether she was embarrassed or annoyed.

"You can't understand what it's like," she muttered between her teeth before kicking a rock into the quarry. It fell, ricocheing on the large stony steps, before falling down, down below.

"I look like a runt. I'm half the fucking size of all the students at the Training Academy. My own parents think I'm a failure; that I could never volunteer." Why was she telling him all that? The words were cascading out of her mouth, spat out like venom. "They think I'll only bring shame to the family. You don't know what it's like to see the look of disappointment on their face, Orestes. They don't even want to waste food on me, you know. It all goes to my brothers, and I'm left with the scraps." And that was nothing compared to the ruthless anger of her father, always armed with fists.

[hvbris]

"I'm here to help you." / Cato mentoring Clove, volunteering for different games so they get out together? 🥺 It seems like a happy ending but I know us. It never ends well.

Clove pursed her lips, a bright shade of red spreading on her cheeks. "I know," she exhaled. She hadn't meant to snap at Cato, really. But she was on edge, like a cornered animal.

"I'm not mad at you." As far as apologies went, this was the best Cato would get. She kicked one of the plush, fancy chairs of the train. It fell with a hollow sound.

"My family didn't come to see me, after the reaping."

"Whatever, I don't even care," she huffed, eyebrows knitted together. She cared a lot. After volunteering, she had hoped... But no. Even now, they were still not proud of her.

[hvbris]

@gl4diator liked for a starter

Ever since dying in the arena, Clove had often wished she was really dead. Waking up in the laboratory's cold room had sealed her fate in a much more horrifying way. A warrior's death, that was what she had been promised. But even that, they had ripped it from her. She was a rabid animal, now. Howling, biting, angry.

And yet, as she stood in front of Cato, all she could feel was hope. It was a stupid feeling, really. He wasn't here to save her, she knew that. He was here because she was his weakness.

"You won," she finally croaked, her voice strained by the hours she had spent screaming at the walls.

[hvbris]

@trckstaer​ sent: “Considering the stories I’ve heard, I was expecting someone scarier.” – Cato to Caesar ! from: random dialogue prompts … sentence starters

“Scarier?” repeated Caesar with a surprised yet happy chuckle, “well I need to know what those stories are!” He planted a hand on his chest, feigning offense. The crowd, of course, exploded in laughter.

“I’d like think I’m not scary at all, Cato,” he said, shaking his head in amusement, “but I’m sorry to disappoint you!” He had spoken in his usual good-natured tone, even adding a wink at the end. And right on cue, another wave of laughter erupted from the crowd.