The only surprise when he's whisked off to get ready for the arena is that he's dressed so plain. It makes him wonder what for, what it might mean of the theme, but it's too bland to gain any hint. It's a bit over a week out since the District kids were reaped, though, and worry sits in his mind that he never did see Maglev at the other tribute center.
The arena, on the other hand, is surprise from start to finish. The first comes when, rising up onto the standard platform, he sees some red, curved, and jagged poking from a backpack.
"Oh, god damn it."
Of course they would stick a copy of his own weapon in the Cornucopia the time he's most determined to avoid it. He might not have seen Maglev in person, but he told her the same: stay away, because it's too dangerous. And what if he did run for it? Knowing his luck, he'd wind up gutted on it before he could get away.
When the gong sounds, he turns and runs.
And here's the second surprise: he recognizes those things in the distance. Beyond the shapes of crumbled buildings he spots trees with blue park and pink leaves, and towering spires of luminous gold and dark purple. Other directions show other things, but he knows those places, and it's them he runs for.
It's just that, well, there's water. It was easier to miss from a distance when things were in the way, but as he nears it's impossible not to notice the stretch of it stuck between the shores he's on and those of the false Alternia. (The towers, it turns out, are part of a separate island.) He spots boats soon enough, but honestly? Fuck rowing. Maglev might be looking for him, and if she is she won't be able to follow so easily that way. Besides, he needs to find her too. With a scowl he turns more easterly, and stomps off in search of a better place to cross, hoping that the water doesn't encircle the arena's center completely.
for Nitou
The arena, on the other hand, is surprise from start to finish. The first comes when, rising up onto the standard platform, he sees some red, curved, and jagged poking from a backpack.
"Oh, god damn it."
Of course they would stick a copy of his own weapon in the Cornucopia the time he's most determined to avoid it. He might not have seen Maglev in person, but he told her the same: stay away, because it's too dangerous. And what if he did run for it? Knowing his luck, he'd wind up gutted on it before he could get away.
When the gong sounds, he turns and runs.
And here's the second surprise: he recognizes those things in the distance. Beyond the shapes of crumbled buildings he spots trees with blue park and pink leaves, and towering spires of luminous gold and dark purple. Other directions show other things, but he knows those places, and it's them he runs for.
It's just that, well, there's water. It was easier to miss from a distance when things were in the way, but as he nears it's impossible not to notice the stretch of it stuck between the shores he's on and those of the false Alternia. (The towers, it turns out, are part of a separate island.) He spots boats soon enough, but honestly? Fuck rowing. Maglev might be looking for him, and if she is she won't be able to follow so easily that way. Besides, he needs to find her too. With a scowl he turns more easterly, and stomps off in search of a better place to cross, hoping that the water doesn't encircle the arena's center completely.