Welcome to Gaia! ::

When we finally got to the train station, I smiled with relief, I could finally have some privacy and rest. The second I was inside, I collapsed onto the nearest chair. I leaned over and looked at the ring on my finger, it was now the best thing I had to remind me of home. I remimbered the day I had gotten it. It was my 14th birthday and Dante and Alighya had bought it using their own money. It wasn't much, but it was all I had left to remind me of why I couldn't give up on life. I sighed and leaned back in the cushioned chair and looked up at Ezekial, he was the only person I flet like I could even trust at this point. Once I'm in the arena, everyone else will be trying their best to kill me, except for him, hopefully. The minute the silence gets awkward, I open my mouth, "So..." I said, my voice trailing off. I have no idea what I'm going to say, we've both been sent off to our deaths, and I can't think of anything to say, "How's life going?" I ask sarcastically, smiling slightly.

I couldn't help but feel somewhat shocked when he chuckled, it took a few moments for me to actually smile. " I guess life could be better, but I have to admit, this place isn't too shabby," I joked, looking around the extravagent train.
After I heard his question, I bit the inside of my lip. "Yeah, my older brother and my younger sister. She's turning 12 soon, and my brother is too old for reaping now, so I guess if she gets reaped, I hope there's someone to volunteer," I said, my voice trailing off at the end. For once when I talk about my sister, I'm sad and not being sarcastic. "They're the reason I have to win." I said softly, almost to myself. I clear my throat and look up at Ezekial, "So, I'm guessing you have a younger brother?" I ask, already knowing his answer.

The more I listen to Ezekial, the more I understand how much it means to him to get home alive. "Yeah, I'm glad he's there for her. I'm more worried about my mother trying to get her into the Games if I die," I said, trying to keep my voice somewhat optimistic. When he talks about his brother, I can almost relate to him. My parents have just cared about my siblings and I winning the Games, so I've been like a real mom to my sister. I sigh softly and look at the ground, thinking about what they must be doing now.
I look back up when Ezekial speaks again, I nod, "I agree, might as well either win or go down fighting. Deal," I said nodding. "So, got any special talents you wanna tell me about?" I asked, leaning back in the chair.

Russells sudden entrance left me with my eyes wide with shock. I quickly regained my composure as I looked up at him. My first impression was that this man was that he was defiantely somewhat eccentric, and perhaps paranoid. Then again, this man had been in the Games, so I didn't blame him if he was a bit jumpy. When he said it was obvious that we were 'electro nerds,' I almost opened my mouth to argue the fact that I wasn't that gifted with electronics unlike others in District 3, but I bit my tounge, knowing that this man could easily be the difference between life and death in the arena. I let him talk on about how the odds are not in our favor and the fact that there weren't any waiters around. Once he had finshed speaking, I opened my mouth to speak, "Okay, since you're our mentor, how about helping us, I don't want to die in the first five seconds in the arena," I said. My happy and joking demeanor was gone, replaced with a much more serious pne.

I was slightly taken aback when Russell leaned over and flicked me on the forehead. I sighed, "Okay then, my name is Sarane Xanthis," I said, refraining from keeping sarcasm out of my voice. When I listen to him, I realize that despite the fact that he seems quite odd and eccentric, he has a point. If I'm going to come back home alive and not sealed in a coffin, I might as well believe I'll live through this. When he talks about seeing the Capitol, I feel quite a bit more nervous than excited to see it. I look over at Ezekial when I notice he hasn't spoken much since Russell's arrival. I glance up at Russell, "So, now that you know my name, will you help us out?" I asked him, half excpecting him to flick me yet again.

I nodded as I listened to Russell. He had some good points, "Okay, so watch the other Tributes and learn what they do. Aside from that, what the best way to get sponsers? What about some strategies in the Arena?" I asked him. I need to know anything I could to survive.
I was about to ask another question when the train stopped. "I guess we're here then," I said, keeping the nervouseness out of my voice. I looked over at Ezekial, "Ready to see the Capitol in person?" I asked, smiling nervously.

I smiled slightly as I glanced out the window, "Wow, they sure look strange as hell," I muttered to myself as I stood up and looked out the window. "At least the veiw is pretty cool," I said to Ezekiel. I felt my hands get slightly sweaty like they had at the reaping. "Well, I guess we should get going," I said quietly. I started towards the door and looked back at Ezekiel and Russell, "Well, you coming?" I asked. I looked back towards the window, "Might as well humor them," I thought as I sheepishly waved to the crowd. I smirked as the crowd just about went nuts. I couldn't refrain from laughing, "I can't believe they find this amusing," I muttered to myself. "Come on, let's get going. The sooner we leave, the sooner this can be over with," I said trying my best to smile as I pull Ezekiel through the doors.