District 10 Train

Her family's goodbye had been quick, yet surprisingly heartfelt. Her twin brother, Thickett, had expressed that he still loved her, even though she didn't care for him. Swan hadn't expected that from him, but accepted his good wishes. The tribute was now roaming around the train, which was equipped with everything from silver handles to crystal chandeliers. Even though she had a good life in district ten, it was still an outlining district, and wasn't nearly as luxurious as this.

Swan's heart hadn't stopped pounding in her ears since she had been reaped, and the experience had gone by in a blur. She could tell she wasn't thinking clearly, her instinct to fake a smile and wave kicking in. Avoxes passed her as she roamed in between the cars, looking for the mentor of district ten. Swan didn't remember her name, but could recognized her face. "Hello?" she called, a slightly annoyed tone in her voice. Assuming that the mentors were there to help them, she thought this lady was off to a rotten start.

Raising an eyebrow at the woman, she looked her over, not remembering how she won the games. It seemed like every mentor had a different story, and some, especially those of the smaller districts, seemed to have won out of luck. Unfortunately, luck couldn't save her life. JJ seemed easy going, a trait that Swan was debating if she appreciated it or not. "Nice to meet you too," she muttered.

Crinkling her nose at the mentor's second question, the tribute shrugged. "I'm fine," Swan stated a matter of factly, despite the toxic feeling in her stomach. She wasn't ready to show weakness at this point, she was an actress, and had practiced for this moment. Or so she kept telling herself. Flicking hair out of her eyes, she looked at JJ once more.

"So, where do we start? I hope to make it back to District Ten," Swan added quickly. She knew the clock was already beginning to tick on her lifetime, and she wanted to make the most of it. The girl wanted to be the best tribute the District had ever offered, even if she had to die trying.

Swan thought about her mentor's question, running a hand through her hair. She wasn't sure if she could trust JJ, no matter how much she thought it could help her. The tribute sat herself down, sighing. "I can make people believe me," she said sullenly. "I think I can convince them, the Capitol, or anyone  I guess, whatever I need them too," Swan added with a smile, her blue eyes glancing up at her mentor.

The tribute rubbed her hands together, before clamping them over her face. "I haven't really tried fighting, that could be a problem," she admitted. Swan hated explaining her flaws, especially to someone she barely knew. She could feel her hands shaking as she tried to keep her breathing steady. Every fiber in her being was against letting her emotions show through, she had kept them locked up for years, and wasn't going to open any doors now.

Swan watched Juliet nod as she spoke, removing her hands from her face, and placing them in her lap. A crazy idea began to form in her mind, at the mention of allies and staying under the radar. If only she could manage to pull it off. "The Careers, what do you think about them?" she asked. Really, the tribute had every intention of trying to join them if she could. Swan wouldn't mind playing the mindless fighter if she had too. The only problem could be convincing them of her worth.

"I mean, they'd be my toughest competition right? So if I gained their trust, or watched them... that would be good right?" she continued, a smile beginning to form on her face. She would go through with the idea, even if JJ didn't approve. She knew she could, or at least die trying to do it. "I can, and I will," she decided a few seconds later, crossing her arms. "That would make my life so much easier!" Swan added.