Facade's eye twitched in horror as he sat there, before a neighbor helped him up. Facade thanked him quietly before walking towards the stage. He could barely keep himself from crying as he nodded at Pink Pushie. This was it. He was dead. He eyed his companion which made his spirit drop even further. She looked as devastated as he did. Neither were prepared for being chosen.
Aqua nodded when they shook hooves. Her eyes were filled with tears barely contained. Being taken into the room was the worst thing ever. She had no family, so she only had her thoughts.
Facade looked up as the door opened, revealing his Geology master. The old stallion had an old sad look on his face, like this had happened before to him. "Master..." "Shush Facade, We don't have much time. You still have many things to learn from me. So when you return, I will teach them to you. Understand?" Facade gulped and nodded his head. His master let a tear flow down his face before hugging his student. "Use the land and that sharp wit of yours to win my boy. I'm sure you'll win." The Peacekeepers returned and shoved the old stallion out, leaving Facade alone again to ponder the words of his Master.
Since Aqua didn't have anyone, and neither did Facade other than his teacher (I'm guessing) They were quickly pushed onto the train and jetted off to the Capitol. Aqua sat quietly by the window.
Facade approached the young mare as they awaited for their mentor to arrive. He sat next to her and cleared his throat. "I guess we are in this together then. No need to start out as enemies." He held out his hoof and smiled, his charisma already picking up despite her nervousness. "I'm Facade."
Aqua smiled. She shook hooves with Facade. Her horn glowed and suddenly, little droplets on the window realigned themselves to make words. "Hello. Sorry, I don't speak. It kinda hurts. I was in a fire a long time ago and the smoke damaged my lungs. My name is Aqua. It's very nice to meet you."
Facade blinked in surprise as the message spelled itself out on the window. His wings fluttered as his amazement grew. "That's...Quite a talent you have Aqua. I think we may be able to use it to our advantage...And your silence..." His mind was already racing with the possibilities that could unfold. Publicity was always a big thing in the Hunger Games. And of course he could speak his way into people's hearts, and maybe could do the same for Aqua's behalf.
"Mine?" Time to play it cool, if she knows I can hypnotize ponies that would compromise our relationship, he thought quickly before putting on a sheepish smile. "I'm a great actor. And very charismatic. Charming to I suppose." He added with a chuckle. "Not very useful, in the Hunger Games though." He put in, modestly.
Aqua's breathing got a little faster, and a small rumbling could be heard under the ground. She hated that she got so scared so easily. Small puddles appeared on the train, and suddenly, she stopped, and held her breath. The puddles vanished, and the rumbling stopped. "Drama is EVERYTHING in the games. Think of the sponsors!" she wrote. "I'm terrible at making a good first impression, because I get scared so easily, and people never think I'll win."
Facade smiled and put a hoof on her shoulder. To easy...He thought with a comforting smile towards Aqua. "My dear, Since you are a mute, I'm positive they will allow me to speak on behalf of you because I doubt those Capitol snobs are going to want water on their stage. I'll be able to convince we can win, and can boost our popularity more if we look like we are connected. If I take you in as a little sister." He offered.
Aqua looked at Facade. "I'll try my best, but you see, I'm a terrible actress." The droplets trembled slightly as she pondered. "Seeing as I have nothing to say, I guess I won't need much acting..."
(Random Interruption Time!) Julion lay on his bed in the sleep car of the train, thinking of what all could happen whilst inside that hell-hole. "The worst plans, are those that cannot adapt." he muttered to himself. In his mind, he ran through every scenario, through every climate, through every possible contestant that he could think of. He looked to his heavy Peacekeeper jacket, his token to take into the Games, "That should prove quite useful in the coming days." he muttered to himself.
"Don't worry about that Aqua. Say you're a mute, and just look like your confident in me, and like you look up to me. That should sell the audience off. I'll be able to pull it off fine. We'll get sponsors by the dozens!"
Intrude: She stared into the darkness. It was deafening, so she got up, and cantered toward the caboose. She needed fresh air. Aqua: "Oh, OK." she said as a mare walked into the room.
Julion heard hooves clop by outside his door heading towards the back of the train. Intrigued, he threw on his coat and walked out his door in time to see Intrude walking to the next car, and so he silently followed her to see what she was going to do.
Intrude: She rested her hoofs on the rails behind the caboose. "250 miles..." she murmured. She thought for a moment, and shook her head. Slumping forward, her head lolled forward, and she inhaled deeply. Aqua: The mare looked at them. "The stylist can work with you. Alright, let's get down to business. What are your skills?"
Facade stared at his mentor and smiled. "I am charismatic and a great speaker. My friend here can magically control water quite well, however she is mute. My plan is to act as her older brother and protect her and speak for during the entire games, which should earn us some sympathy points."
"Don't worry about falling." Julion said, walking up behind Intrude, "The railings more for show, they have these part wrapped in a force field to prevent any suicide attempts." Julion stood, watching the landscape sped by them and disappear into the distance, "Strange to think that the one time you get to leave District 2, it is to more than likely die right?" Julion sighed, "No matter what name they would have drawn, I would have been forced to volunteer. And to think that I could have been being deployed to some far-off District right now." he said shaking his head, letting the wind blow through his orange mane. "We have to find some way to stay alive for as long as we can, because I sure as hell ain't going to be making an alliance with the other Careers." Julion then descended back into thought.
