The hour or so that was set aside for family and friends to say their farewells was now over. Anima could hear the sounds from next door get louder as the doors slammed and people could be heard crying as they left the justice building. It must have been Cyrus' girlfriend or crush or something, or maybe even his mother or sister because it sounded female. Anima knew nothing of this boy though, so she couldn't pretend to know who was in the room with him, but she did get the muffled sounds echoing through the thin walls and got a gist of what had been happening. That was what it was like to have a family to say goodbye to and to mourn your 'sacrifice.' A feeling Anima knew nothing about and could only sit by and listen in as there was no other sounds in her room to cancel out the ones from his.
The peacekeeper then came to collect her and he seemed to be in a fairly good mood. It was probably because of the fact that he had the job of watching her door and regulating the visitors that came to see her. A job that she was sure this year was exrremely easy for this more threatening looking peacekeeper. Most years there was probably a line outside each door of visitors, but this year the female room was pretty much devoid of lines or activity. If they weren't inside a building there probably would have been a tumbleweed happily moving through the hall. Like the other more desert areas of District 9.
He held the door open as Anima walked through ahead of Cyrus, whose face looked a little poofy and red. He had obviously been crying but that was a funny fact in Anima's head as he didn't need to be there in that spot at all. He was the one who chose his fate, not some slips of paper but his own need to either bring pride upon himself or save a boy he felt had none if he went in. Where as Anima Reaver's name was in there a good 36 or so times. She had claimed tessera every year since she turned 12 plus of course there was the cumulative entries for each year she was eligible and the fact that she came from such a small district. The odds of her being picked were high and in this case statistics played out exactly how they normally would.
Walking up to the train in the custody of the Capitol, surrounded by cameras hungry for glimpses of the tributes from District 9 Anima had only one real thought on her mind. Keep up the mysterious act, maybe flash a sweet enough smile. She did just that, hoping there was some sort of shroud over her but also hoping to just remain out of sight by most people. It was how it was normally, plus acting was a skill she knew very well. She didn't wave though, which was what Cyrus who was right next to her did. Out of the two he certainly took most of the attention which all of his smiling and waving and general good nature. Good.
Cyrus' jovial nature wasn't just an act though because immediately after entering into the train he stepped in front of Anima, stopping her in her tracks a little as she originally headed towards her sleeping quarters. "Hey, I know we haven't been formally introduced yet. I'm Cyrus, but my friends all call me Cy." Cyrus held his hand out and his white teeth shone through his wide smile. This boy must have been rich with the way he seemed to hold himself, one of the lucky few in the district who never needed to starve a few nights because they ran out of their monthly rations early. His appearance suggested it too. His shirt was nicely pressed and a clean and crisp white color. Not like the worn now off white blouse she wore, it had probably been as white as his once upon a time bit the years had been harsh for this linen shirt.
"There is no time for friends where we're going." Anima's voice was cold as she looked at his outstretched hand but not returning the handshake it so desperately was seeking from her. Her eyelashes flickered a little as she brought her gaze back up to him and saw the almost confused look on his face at her response. Had he been tricked by the smile she gave him earlier? Maybe, or maybe he just hoped she was scared enough to seek comfort in coversing with him, which she was not. "Well, what about our mentor? You think he is somewhere around here? I've met him once in passing, he seemed nice enough and knowledgeable. I'm dying to start discussing strategies and things for the games. Hopefully we can have a victor in District 9 this year." Cyrus' voice was so upbeat as he attempted to make small talk. Anima though was not interested.
"Probably." Her words and response was quick as she walked away and towards a solitary chair and sat down. Anima looked out the window watching as the scenery now sped away in a flash and making all the details like the treetops and hills start to morph into just colors whizzing by them. Cyrus sat next to her in a chair nearby, fidgetting a little as he tapped on his knees. That was another difference between these two, Anima was calm and collected while Cyrus looked like a nervous wreck who couldn't sit still. It became even more obvious as he stood up again, declaring "I'm gonna go find him. Don't start without me if he comes out before I'm back."
"Do what you will." But she hadn't even gotten to totally respond to him before he was gone down the hallways. Now the silence was back and Anima just sat in her chair watching the world move around her. Back to doing what she had done best so far, just waiting.
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Subject: District 9 Train 
Wed Sep 04, 2013 9:26 pm
