Forum Thread

*Snow watched Leaf* What piece would you say you are in chess? Are you a pawn, or a knight? A king or a queen? A rook or a bishop?

---

A confused look flashed into her eyes. What on earth was he getting at? "Oh. . .um, I've never really thought about that. . .maybe the queen or the rook." Leaf admitted.

---

*Snow changed his tone from a lighter, commanding one to a more serious one and looked directly into Leaf's eyes* Because if you believe you are something you aren't, people can and will get hurt. For example *Snow stood up and began to walk around the room until he finally stopped at a window* Take a look at the people down there. Scurrying around the board. Pretending they are better than everyone else. *Snow quickly looked back towards Leaf.* Pardon my humor, but they would make fine pawns.

---

Leaf swallowed but didn't give a response as she looked out upon the other tributes. Are you seriously just going to let him talk like that to you!? A voice Leaf regonised shouted at her. He gets to sit on a throne and order everyone around while he gets to watch people you love get killed for amusement! And what about you with the twins and Harlow? Come on Leaf, you can smell bullsh*t a mile a way and I know you can smell this load! Leaf looked visably distracted by both the voice and Snow's words. "We're just trying to survive, most of us are still suffering from the truama, and some of us are still facing the truama from last year." Leaf countered, but her voice wavered as though unsure if talking back to the president was a smart idea even if her words were true.

---

*Snow turned around and nodded his head* Yes, that I understand. However, trauma has never and must never disrupt our traditions, or else our world will be in ruins. *Snow sat down and looked down at a piece of paper on his desk* You may go now

---

Mostly alone with just a few other tributes around him, Gateguard felt like he was growing crazy, the heavy silence crushing every emotion tht attempted to spring forth, like concrete harshly stepping on fertile soil. Was this how the Capital wanted to torture him? By saving him for last and letting him break under the crushing realization that no one would come and drag him away? That he wasn't even worth the effort of breaking? No, the capital couldn't possibly know how much Gateguard hated being alone, he himself hadn't known it till he had been locked up alone. That thought gave him a sliver of hope but the crushing silence once again stamped the flickering flame, putting it out as quickly as it was ignited. Curling up tighter, he breathed slowly trying to keep his wits.

For the first half hour that he had gotten off the train, Shion had scoured all of 13, desperately searching for a familiar flaming red hair neatly trimmed that would undoubtedly stand out against the drab colour pallet of the underground district. Trailing behind his with one hand hesitantly gripping onto Shion's jacket was a timid boy with a shock of pink hair, the two of them searching for the reason why they were brought to the new district anyways. Shion could feel panic coming to him as each pass proved fruitless, the familiar walls of 13 doing no favors for his scrambled mind, the nervous energy he was radiating also rubbing off on the boy who was trailing after him. Bursting into the training room, Shion quickly marched over to one of the staff members and grasped the other by the lapels of their shirt. "Where is my brother?!" He nearly screamed, eyes wide and hair in a magnificent state of disarray. "Where. Is. HE?!" the boy behind him flinched at the loud noise, but the wide puppy eyes that he sported only told the staff member that he was here for the same reason.

---

(npc time)

"Shion?" a shocked voice sounded. Behind him stood a young girl, about 14. "Shion!" the girl repeats, louder, happier. Catrina brushed her hair out of her eyes. "Its me!" she added hoping he recognized her.

---

Too caught up in a yelling match with the staff member, Shion didn't realize someone was talking to him. The pink haired boy though, noticed fairly quickly and began nervously tugging on Shion's clothes. A particularly harsh tug finally caught Shion's attention as he whirled around to tell before his voice caught in his throat. "C-cat?" He asked almost in disbelief, attention diverted away from the staff member (much to their relief) as he stared wide eyes at he young girl. "It really is you... Right?" He took a step forward, arms coming up before they hovered awkwardly in the air as he wasn't really sure what to do

---

"Of course its me!" Catrina practically tackles him in a hug. "I thought I'd never see you again!" she cried smiling happily up at him. Her catlike eyes brimming with happiness, a look on her face she hadn't seen in a long time. She looks at the pink haired boy. "I'm so glad to see you." she murmurs.

---

Sensing that he was intruding on something, the pink haired boy smiled, though it looked strained, and shuffled back towards the rest of Shion and Gateguard's family who had just entered the training area. Shion didn't pay any mind however, tightly embracing Caterina. "I missed you too." Shion sniffed, nodding as well. His eyes were brimming with tears as he fruitlessly tried to wipe them away. "Wait, why are you here?" He suddenly gasped, quickly checking her over for any wounds

---

Catrina looked distressed. "The same reason you are. My cousin is in the capital." she says, no longer looking like the little girl who got stuck in trees, but looking like a young women. She paused before continuing. "And... well... they'll tell you soon enough. Or you'll see it." she adds, looking sad.

---

Nodding in understanding, Shion sighed at the pace they were both forced to grow up for. "Well, I'm glad that you're here. I'm so glad that you've been doing well. Tell me, how has the past year been like for you?" He asked gently, knowing that it was a bit of a sensitive thing to prod at

---

Catrina looked up. "Well. Other then my cousin being forced into the arena, and the death of a..." she hesitates. "Nevermind. What about you? You have a big family, if I remember correctly." she says, eyeing the others. Her fingers twitch a few times.

---

Frowning at the small catch in her throat, Shion grasped Caterina's hands and held them gently. "That's right. I suppose a lot has happened to me this year. It's taken a lot of work to get where I am now, but I think I'm doing a lot better." He said vaguely, shuddering slightly at the unpleasant memories of recovery. "Who's your cousin, by the way? I can't really based off looks..." He said sheepishly

---

"Emerson." Cat said bitterly. "The youngest." she adds. "I think she's 13 now." she looks sad. "The one with the lilac hair." she grinned suddenly. "She wanted dark purple, but the dye washed out. She stomped around for hours complaining."

---

Trying, and failing, to stop himself from snorting, Shion remembered seeing a girl like that. "She's quite lucky, to have a cousin like you." He commented idly, still a little on edge since he still couldn't see his brother.

---

Catrina seemed to sense Shion was on edge. "Last I saw him, he was fine. Well, as fine as someone can be, that close to that disgusting snake." she says, half muttering.

---

Dylan returned an ushered Leaf out and returned her to her prison cell. Upon seeing Azar not there she panicked. "Gateguard, did you see where Azr was taken to?" She asked looking at him.

Back in 13, the rebels were organizing a rescue for the captured tributes. Harlow caught wind and went to sign up, there was some arguing but one of them threw up their hands and stated, "at least let her try, if she can't make the extensive training then she wont go. Simple at that."

---

"Oh wow" Kayda answers in a monotone type voice. "I almost feel bad for you.." her hands glow even brighter as she summons her power. "Well, unfortunately... Our time is running out. And I barley damaged that beautiful face of yours" she whips her hand in a downward arc. Light flies at Azar like a makeshift whip. She fires twice for good measure. But now she was getting fired up. Light floats around them, each threatening to slice Azar. She raises her hand towards Azar's throat, but before she can land another strike that would most definitely be fatal she is suddenly thrown backwards from the chains suddenly shortening. This lost of concentration makes the light around Kayda and Azar disappear. Lights click on so harshly that Kayda cries out. You know the rules a voice says over the speaker you aren't allowed to kill your fellow tributes. She bares her teeth and glares at the camera that hung on the corner of the room.

"I'll make it! I swear on my life" Harlow assures them. Desperation is flooded in her gaze, at this point, she would do anything if it meant saving Leaf.

Echo had begrudgingly finished helping o ut and made his way back to Rose. He knocked on the door before walking in. He watched her, the moved in, sitting down. "They're organizing a team to go 'rescue's the other tributes." He simply said, resting his head on his palm.

---