Forum Thread

There was no one for the Ramesh siblings to say goodbye to. They were kept in separate rooms, for their own safety, since Zoe seemed to have every intention of murdering her younger brother if it weren't for the threat of jail time, and the electrical jolt that the Peacekeeper could deliver with a push of a button. She sat, staring at the wall. The Peacekeepers kept glancing down at her, but for the most part, it was simply stony silence. There wasn't anything that they could do when she was sitting peacefully, was there? That made Zoe smirk a little, just thinking about it as her long black hair fell, masking her face. In the metal of the wall opposite her, her own reflection winked back. For a split second, Zoe was sure she saw a flash of red, but then, it was gone. That made her tense a bit, but her shoulders relaxed. That was just her imagination. The only time her eyes went red was when she used her ability. Zoe's eyes drifted down to the gloves that covered her hands, watched as the water pumped through the plastic tube on the sides of the gloves, constantly dampening her powers. She wouldn't be using her powers anytime soon. Not until she got that combination lock undone. The metal cuffs chafed against her wrists, and she moved one back and forth, though that didn't seem to help things. The only audible noise that seemed to be coming from the room was her soft breathing and the beeping of the lock. The spaces flashed, green light faintly glowing. Zoe flexed the fingers of her right hand, the leather glove restricting her movements. Her mind went back to the woman who had been so upset during the Reaping. She had shouted that she would protect the children. What would she think of her? A criminal, arrested on seven charges. Just one of them would peg her as a horrible person, let alone all of them. Then again, that could be an advantage. Fear was always a powerful weapon. Zoe had learned that quickly while in jail, even if she had been about to be put on parole for good behavior. She watched. A lot. That was the only thing she could do. Watch from her jail cell as the bigger, stronger, and tougher inmates threatened the smaller ones, fought them. They were the ones in charge. But was that what she wanted to be?

Eric sat in the room, waiting for time to be up. It wouldn't be horribly long, after all, the Capitol was on a schedule, no? His legs were crossed at the ankles, his hands clasped behind his neck. Eric was used to putting up a mask. Of course, that mask was sometimes misinterpreted, such as how his co-workers thought that he was uppity, full of himself. But all the same, he wore a mask. So, if someone were to walk in the room now, they would have no idea that Eric was scared out of his mind. He was an idiot. How in the world could he do that? How could he do something so absolutely dumb? For what, for some kid? He wasn't close to the boy, to his father. The boy's father had treated him like dirt, why should he save his son. He was gaining nothing but death here, and death at the hands of his own sister. There was no doubt about it, Zoe Ramesh was going to kill him. He knew that he was at fault there. But how was he going to explain what really happened to Zoe? She wasn't exactly going to be sitting down to listen to him. Her anger was going to overpower his ability. There was no way he'd be able to use it to get her to calm down. Maybe he'd be able to get her to see something, but how would he be able to trust in his ability to save his life? It had been so long since he had tried it. No one at the bank would believe that he even had an ability, he hadn't used it since...since the day that everything had changed. That day was just as painful for him then it was for Zoe, but he knew that it was worse. He knew that he was part of Zoe's pain. But he wouldn't be alive long enough to make her see the truth.

---

The moment visitors were allowed to see him, Strelizia burst into the room face still slightly red from her illness. "Lauri what's going on?" She demanded, lip wobbling despite her firm tone. "Why didn't you tell me that you're a Ponderosa?"

Letting out a nervous laugh, Lauriam scratched the back of his head sheepishly. Whenever Strelizia got mad, she was arguably scarier that Lauriam himself. It was kind of terrifying how she could be the sweetest angel at one moment before verbally ripping someone to shreds. "It just... never came up? It doesn't really matter anyways." He finally answered, getting cold feet as Strelizia's glare only got harder.

"It sure matters now! You're going to die because of this!" She hissed and if Lauriam wasn't the target of this verbal lashing, he would have been proud at how his little sister was standing up for herself. But as it stood, it was probably one of the more scarier experiences

"I was going to die one way or another, I just know when I'm going to." Lauriam pointed out with a sigh, gently patting Strelizia's head. it hurt that Strelizia was so invested in keeping someone like him alive. He wasn't really worth the effort, he never had been. He was just a weird street rat who liked flowers a little bit too much. "I can't change this 'Litzie. I didn't ask to be born, much less from two people who don't care about me. The capital takes and it doesn't care who as long as long as blood is spilled. Life's unfair. Its the first lesson you learned." It didn't seem to placate her though as Lauriam got a punch to the stomach for his troubles. "'Litzie please. It's really not my fault." He wheezed, another complaint on his tongue before his sister suddenly hugged him. The two were never big on physical affection, hand holding and head pats with the occasional hair brushing was about the extent of it so Lauriam was rightfully stunned into silence.

Standing there slightly awkwardly as Strelizia refused to let go, hugging her brother with all her might (when did his slickly sister get so strong he wondered), Lauriam gently untied his sisters hair and began to comb it again with his fingers, tying them up in her signature low ponytails. "I'm going to miss you." She finally said, voice thick as she buried her head deeper into his ratty vest. "I'm also going to let the roses die first because you're a meanie. Lauriam only chuckled as he refreshed the Bird of Paradise flowers, retying them around her hair. He always did tell his sister that Roses were his favorite flowers. But Strelizia must be feeling somewhat better if she could make threats like that. The siblings were always a tad bit too violent to really be human.

"I know." He replied, untangling himself from the grip as a knock on the door signaled the end of their time together. "As long as you don't let the actually helpful plants die, you can go ahead and kill my whole life's work. My life's already gone anyways." With that little morbid ending, Lauriam gently pushed Strelzia out, waving as her yellowing gown disappeared down the hallway. As he was led towards the trains, Lauriam left behind the still warm body of Strelizia's older brother as he took the hand of his psychopomp, thorns wrapping around his non existent heart.

---

Scarlett and Lifei...well, they had no parents to say goodbye to. “Pity you couldn’t see me get placed in the Hunger Games too, Father. Guess I killed you a tad bit to early.” Scarlett cussed fervently in Russian-Latin at the confused Peacekeeper, before using her wings to slap him away. The two heard Charlie, and decided to go see what happened. Lifei put a comforting arm around the child, and asked gently “What happened?” Meanwhile, Scarlett literally barrelled through the annoying Peacekeepers trying to prevent interactions and walked up to the woman who left Charlie’s tent. She snarls and starts clawing ferociously, before wrapping her claws around her throat and tightening her grip. Once she saw the woman going purple, she let go. She smirked as the woman hacked and wheezed, clawing at her throat, before spitting at her shoes and disappearing.

---

When the comforting arms went around Charlie, the child looked up at Lifei. Her eyes spoke what she either wouldn't or couldn't say, the welt on her cheek stood out like a black cat against the snow. It was ugly and pretty clear that she had been hit with something. When Charlie noticed Lifei looking at the welt she tried to cover it with her hand, flinching as she did so.

---

Lifei gently peels the hand away from her wound. Wrapping the younger girl in a warm embrace, similar to the loving, protective arms of a mother. She smiles, tucking Charlie’s hair behind a ear, her finger gently grazing the welt tenderly. She coos softly, singing as she braids Charlie’s hair.

---

The moment the door opens Maci is practically thrown off her feet by Jaxon, who basically tackles her and catches her in his arms. Maci makes an odd sound in the back of her throat and opens her mouth to speak. The two were finally alone. Jaxon pulls away slightly and faces her. His brows furrow as he gives her a concerned look. She didn't know how long this moment would last. There were matters the two would need to speak of.
"Listen, I was stupid, really stupid, to think that we should've went to the Reaping. I didn't expect to be picked-"
"You would've regretted it if we didn't go." Jaxon points out. "Especially with Phenix's kids being picked."
"I know! Jaxon just listen for a moment-"
"They are expecting us to bolt again." Asher announces as he walks into the room. "There are Peacekeepers everywhere!" His eyes meet Maci's and his cheeks redden in shame upon seeing her glare. "Did I interrupt something?" He asks.
"No" Maci lies. She breaks apart from Jaxon, even though she would like nothing more than to stay with him. She holds onto his hand for dear life and glances at the floor. How do I tell him? She wonders. Would it be cruel to do so? Especially now? She was a fool for waiting. A fool for having gambled her time.
"Maci" Asher breaks her away from her thoughts. "You have a very great opportunity handed to you, you know" he says. Upon seeing her confused expression he continues. "You can break apart the Capitol from the inside" he explains further.
"How do you think I'll do that?" Maci hisses. She throws a wary look at the door, checking to see if a Peacekeeper overhead.
"Maybe you could convince the tributes to form a giant alliance and refuse to kill eachother?" Asher offers.
"Oh yes, I'm sure that'll work out great. We could also weave together flower crowns and bake some biscuits to offer to the Capitol as a peace offering" Maci responds bitterly.
"Stop it. We both know how important a revenge attack is. You've always discussed planning one. This is the best time to do it." Asher snaps.
"I can't do this alone." The defeat in her voice was surprising, even to her.
"But you won't be alone. You'll have us on the outside. You'll also have a pissed off Phenix, who I'm sure will do anything to get his kids back." Asher assures. Silence hangs in the air between the three of them. "I love you, stay strong out there." Asher tells her. He gives her a tense hug and then leaves. Finally leaving Jaxon and Maci alone, if only for a few moments.
"No pressure, but you alone, have to take down the Capitol" Jaxon says with a chuckle and eyeroll. "Just focus on surviving and protecting Phenix's kids. That's already enough to put on your plate as it is." Behind them, there is movement. Peacekeepers have appeared to take her away. Maci's eyes widen, it was too early. There was still too many things unsaid.
"Wait!" She shouts. "Jaxon I-" a hand drags her away roughly. Hoping to buy another second, she punches the Peacekeeper but misses. The now angered Peacekeeper drags her away much more forcefully.
"I know, I love you too" Jaxon responds. He is also trying to fight a Peacekeeper to make his way over to her. Maci's heart breaks as she is practically thrown onto the train and forced to watch Jaxon retreat. "That wasn't it." She whispers to herself.

Cherry and Terra were put in the same room, and Phenix was allowed to find them and visit, though he was restrained and put under guard by a pair of Peacekeepers. He had also requested seeing Maci, though that was refused as she had already been moved. Sighing, Phenix closed his eyes. After a moment, a loud pop filled the room, and Phenix removed one hand from the restraints, relocating his thumb a moment later. The alarmed Peacekeepers reached to restrain him once more, but earned a glare from the Usurper's eyes. Reaching into his pocket, Phenix drew out a small carving that resembled an eye, and held it out to Terra and Cherry. "Give this to Maci. Tell her that it's my token of appreciation. She'll understand it soon enough." At that, he allowed the Peacekeepers to escort him out while his children were moved to the train. Almost immediately, Cherry gripped the carving in her left hand and started to look around, Terra quickly sitting down quietly and waiting.


---


Angie's experience was questionably pleasant. A young man who's skin was the color of metal and who's eyes were as orange as a flame entered the room. Derek, her father. "I'm sorry," he said. "I wish we could have been there for you more. I'm sorry." Mechanical parts made various sounds and spit them out, allowing the man to lean down and hug her. "Stay strong, Angie. You're a Vlaanheren, the strongest bloodline in the world. Stay strong." A Peacekeeper set their hand on his shoulder, which sparking a hiss and a strike from the mechanical man. The Peacekeeper went sprawling across the room, Derek's arms now immensely more powerful than when he was in the games. At that, he took his leave, Angie being escorted to the train to sit and wait.

Just as Suvansh's parents left the room, he knew no-one else was to visit him, so he asked to be escorted to the train already. But of course, they wouldn't listen, and made him wait for the entire time, before taking him onto the train. He swiftly avoided all cameras and media, and went into his compartment. He swapped out his formal, and rather uncomfortable attire with a plain white t-shirt and beige shorts. He hadn't eaten since the breakfast, which was already hours past, so he went over to the tables, already being served with delicacies. He sorted out the veg food from the bunch, and started eating. Ah-rich food. While the food his family could afford wasn't of the least standard, it wasn't nearly as good. He finished a plate of rice and curry, and a cheeseburger, and some pasta, and some desert over it too. There were people around, but he didn't really bother. If they wanted to talk, they would have to approach. He wasn't striking a conversation anytime soon.

---

When the tributes were finally loaded on the train, it took off straight to the Capital.

Robin, Harmony, and Gabriell were sitting amongst themselves quietly discussing what the games might be this time.

All the while, Charlie had let Lifei braid her hair, though the child wasn't used to such motherly love after being denied it for quite some time. Afterward, Charlie had gone and sat by herself as she watched the other tributes interact with each other as she fiddled with her emerald necklace, the only thing left behind for her by her parents that her heartless aunt hadn't taken from her.

---

Zoe was led to the back of the train, away from the other tributes. The same two Peacekeepers were still standing on either side of her as she sat down. She watched them all without comment, her eyes narrowed slightly. She didn't care if they avoided her at this point. It would hurt, but she was used to it. She was used to being judged. Nobody would understand, even if she tried to explain it to them. Everyone thought that she was unbalanced, crazy. They didn't realize that all it really was was her losing control. She had been scared, and angry, and everything had been happening at once. The stealing, attacking the Peacekeepers, that was on her. She had gone to jail for that. But even after she had served her time, she knew that it would follow her everywhere. She would never be able to escape her past misdeeds. Some might have said that protesting against the capital, that if she simply kept her head down and her mouth shut, she wouldn't have these problems. But her father had never stopped, and neither would she. But as she watched the other Tributes board the train, her eyes softened. She had other things to think about. Bigger things. Her eyes didn't harden as she watched Eric board. Now, she wasn't fueled by anger. She was watching him carefully. That was what she did best. She watched. She would watch Eric, for once, control her anger. She would wait for the perfect moment to strike. Zoe would get her revenge on Eric Ramesh. It didn't matter what anyone thought of her when it came to Eric. It would hurt, knowing that she was worsening her reputation, but at least she would make him pay for what he had done to her. What he had done to her future. Eric had released a lot of anger, and when you open the starving beast's cage, you're always the first target.

Eric had stepped onto the train, albeit hurried a bit by the Peacekeepers. The reality of this situation had already sunk in on him, so all that the calm cool collected air about him was was the mask, as always. Eric wasn't dumb, he knew that there were rough people here. Of course, some of them were kids. Even he knew that was sick. He may be a coward, yes, he would admit, but he knew that the Capitol was stepping over the line with this. Maybe he would avoid them. Then again, he wanted to avoid all of this, the idea of killing someone made him sick to his stomach. That was why he wasn't fit for these things. All he really was fit for was being a nobody. That was the greatest thing about disappearing. He was a nobody, no real identity. Maybe that was why he hid his ability. But now, he was somebody. Somebody with someone out for his head. He knew he had to try to talk to her. Maybe, he could explain. Here there were Peacekeepers that would stop Zoe from hurting him. Eric was smart, he knew that there was only one reason that Zoe was even here-She was on parole. Or, at least, close to being there. That was good, in a way. Zoe had the motivation to not hurt him, and Eric certainly didn't want her getting her hands on him. There was no way that those gloves were for decoration. The Capitol had found a way to dampen her powers. He had a faint memory, from when they were kids, of water hurting her fire. Made sense, at least. He paused for a minute, meeting her icy cold stare, before sighing, saying out loud, though to no one in particular, "If I die today, make sure no one touches my stuff, before approaching Zoe. "What. do. you. want." "What, can't I say hello to my big sister? I thought you were dead, after all." "You aren't my brother, Eric. You're a slimy, filthy, horrible traitor. Don't ever think I'll forgive you, or spare your life."." Her voice raised louder and louder, and she got to her feet. One of the Peacekeepers reached for her arm, but she shrugged him off, shoving Eric forward. "Leave now, while your head is still on your shoulders. And believe me, I will rip it off." He backed away quickly, as the Peacekeepers wrestled her back to her seat. He found his own corner, breathing heavily and running her hands through his hair. "Well, that went horribly."

---

Charlie got up from her spot and went over to the buffet table, gently picking food that had caught her eye. A taller guy came from behind and stared menacingly at the child, he didn't touch her or anything, just stared. It was enough however to startle Charlie into her dropping her glass-making it shatter, the plate shortly followed. The glass looked like ice to Charlie, but the child froze as her mind flicked over to a time when her aunt had broken several plates and cups during one of her rants about something.

Charlie's eyes widened in fear as she stared at the glass, she failed to notice a shard had cut the back of her wrist and small beads of blood were forming and trickling down her hand as they stained the carpet.

---

Eric heard the sounds of shattering glass, which made him look up. He quickly connected it to the man who was glaring ferociously at the poor kid. He immieadiently got up. He may be a coward, but at least he had boundaries. He wasn't about to let this happen in front of him. That girl looked like she was what, 8, or 9? Eric hurried to stand between the man and Charlie. "Woah, Woah, Woah, let's not going glaring at kids, okay?" Almost insticevly, he put a hand out so that he was blocking her. But inside, he was screaming, "YOU ARE AN IDIOT GET OUT OF HERE NOW THIS IS AWFUL." He turned to Charlie, bending down so that he was at her level. "Hey kid, that looks pretty bad." He groped for a napkin from the buffet table. "Can I help you with that?" He waved it a little in the air, trying to get her attention.

---

Admittedly, Charlie hadn't been paying attention to anything, but seeing Eric waving the napkin pulled her from her mind and to the throbbing of her hand. After realizing that it was bleeding more than she was comfortable with, she nodded in assent.

---

When she finally nodded, Eric smiled a little. "Well then, let's get that cleaned up, shall we?" He straightened up a little to dab the napkin in water, before bending back down to her level. Slowly taking her hand, he cleaned the wound on her hand with careful movements, the memories of his mother doing something similar when he was younger coming back to him. Thinking about his mother sent pain flashing through his eyes and guilt building in his stomach. It was his fault that she was in the hospital. He couldn't, and wouldn't forgive himself. He tried to distract Charlie from the pain by asking, "So, what's your name, kid?"

---

Lifei sighs, and facepalms at the sight. She kneels down to eye level, before gently taking the glass shards out of Charlie’s hand. She quickly cleans up the broken glass shards, guiding Charlie to a seat. She shoved the other glaring man out of the room, before briskly turning to Eric. “What happened?” She asked, as she swiftly bandaged the girls hand, gently pushing Eric out of the way. “That hurts like hell, please don’t do that. Can you help call over a stupid Peacekeeper here?” She then takes out her own first aid kit, and manoeuvres a small crystal like piece of glass that was imbedded in Charlie’s skin out

---

Charlie flinched as Lifei carefully pulled the glass out but not once did she pull away, as for Eric's question she remained silent, rather instead using her free hand to remove a second necklace with her name engraved on it. After a few moments, she carefully slipped it back where it clicked against a third necklace. No, the two pendants and locket were all on the same chain, it was all one necklace.

---

"Alright, alright, I was just trying to help," Eric said, standing up. "You're Charlie? Nice name, kid." He started to back up"I didn't know I was doing something wrong." Great. The minute he tried to help, it all went south. He needed to get out of here. Obviously, he wasn't needed. And obviously, he was making a fool of himself. "Sorry," he muttered, walking away. "Eric, you really are an idiot."

---

“You don’t have to go. Stay here and make conversation, I most certainly can’t.” She gestures to Eric, pulling home over. She sees the obvious look on his way, almost as if reading his mind, she states “You don’t have to feel that way, you aren’t useless. I think you could actually help. Come here” Lifei says, gently.

---

He stopped. She seriously thought he could help? He'd just screwed that up. Eric sighed. "Well, I guess if you really think that would help." He went back to Charlie, a small smile on his face. Maybe there was one thing that he could do right in life, even if he messed everything up. After all, if his sister wanted him dead, why not do something right before she killed him? "So, Charlie, he said, bending down a little, "Do you..have an ability?"

---

Charlie nodded and pressed on the emerald-shaped necklace. In front of her popped up a small inventory, inside her inventory was some bread, a small worn bow, a few leftover flowers from her flower crown, and some wood. She was able to move these items freely around within her inventory (though it was noted that Lifei and Eric couldn't upon each of their attempts) as well as put things within or take out from her inventory.

Pressing the small emerald-shaped necklace again closed her inventory.

(I have no regrets-)

---