Being Taken Over by Fear (Xavier)

[Vanessa West]

Vanessa had gotten to say goodbye. Even though she and Xavier were being shuffled from place to place with almost no time between transitions, she had been able to see Olivia and Dad just one last time. She had said goodbye to her old life. Now the only person that mattered was Xavier, and if the victors joined their alliance, the District 11 victors. If they formed an alliance with anyone else, like the District 12 tributes, they would matter too. But the person who was the most important was Xavier. Hopefully he had the same mindset towards Vanessa.

They needed a plan. Even if it was a poorly formulated idea that lacked depth and options for every possible scenario, or as many as possible, it was still a plan. It was something to go by in a place where you played by the rules of sadists. Vanessa had to make it to the end of the games. If she didn’t win, then Xavier needed to. She had to do whatever she needed to do to ensure they made it to the end. If he had a better chance of survival, Vanessa would sacrifice herself. It would be for District 11. For Rue and Thresh.

“No, never. I have no idea what to expect,” Vanessa said as she chewed on her lower lip. ”We probably get some alone time when we are on the way there.” She released her lip from her teeth and glanced at the peacekeeprs around her. The peacekeepers made her feel uncomfortable enough on a daily basis, but now that she was a sacrificial lamb in a sick, twisted event, they made her feel all the more uncomfortable. She tried to stay close enough to Xavier to make her feel a bit better, but not so close that she made him uncomfortable. They only thing Vanessa knew she would have from this point on was Xavier. Vanessa and Xavier were officially teammates in a fight to the death.

[Xavier Sullivan]

Xavier was scared now that they were heading to the capitol it meant that they would soon begin their journey into the arena however district eleven already had an advantage, the alliance. The alliance with Vanessa would be better than going into this thing alone. Xavier wanted some time to think about what lies ahead of him now but instead they were being pushed to one place to another well he guessed that the peacekeepers wanted them to be in the capitol at a certain time, he wondered if they would meet other people from other districts on the train though Xavier would meet their competition later on.

Xavier again pushed the thoughts in his mind to the side when he listened to Vanessa speak about the capitol, so they were going to face the capitol for the first time together it was a good feeling for Xavier knowing that there was something else feeling the same things that he was feeling at the same time. “It’s good that we’[re not facing this alone.” Xavier replied back to Vanessa when she spoke to him. Xavier only had seen the capitol in pictures and from previous games but he didn’t know what to expect like Vanessa. The peacekeepers were still around them, something that Xavier hated, he wished that they would just leave him alone for once.

The peacekeepers signalled them to move again and Xavier began to walk in the direction that they were going so he wouldn’t get into trouble. Xavier was always getting into trouble with peacekeepers, he remembered being in trouble a few years back from selling peacekeepers herbs that he had grown, one of the peacekeepers had gotten sick from the herbs and blamed Xavier. Snapping out of his own thoughts Xavier looked upon the train that was at the station they had walked to. “Wow this thing is huge. I haven’t seen anything like it before.” Xavier explained as he climbed inside, he turned towards Vanessa and held out his hand in case she wanted a hand to lift up.

[Vanessa West]

The thing Vanessa thought she dreaded most…well, it was everything. She couldn’t go through the games clinging to Xavier like she so desperately wanted to do. Even though she was depending on Xavier, she had to show that she was still a strong, independent girl who was capable of winning the Hunger Games. She would show off her archery skills, avoid anything that involved hand-to-hand combat when she was being scored by gamemakers and sponsors, practice hand-to-hand combat like crazy when they were able to train, and show off her limberness and agility. They both had to play to their strengths to stay alive.

“I couldn’t face this alone. I don’t know how anybody has,” Vanessa thoughtfully agreed. She could still face it alone even if she was in the presence of many people. But she had someone who was on the same page as her, and who was on the same side as her. He was not only her district partner and the only other person representing District 11, but he was her lifeline. She wanted to make the people of her district proud, but that thought would have to be in the back of her mind. From that moment on, the only thing that mattered to Vanessa was Xavier’s life and her own.

To say Vanessa was awestruck by the sight of the train was an understatement. It was the most luxurious thing she had seen in her whole life, even if she was only looking at the outside. She could only just imagine what kind of materials the inside donned. All Vanessa could do was nod in response to Xavier’s statement while “Thanks,” Vanessa softly said. She grasped the hand he had reached out for her and stepped up onto the train. Even if it was only to be brief, and to help her onto the train, there was something incredibly comforting about human contact. She didn’t know if she would have to refuse the contact once they were in the capitol and in the sight of potential sponsors. It could make her look weak.

[Xavier Sullivan]

Xavier was still pretty much in shock about the train that he was now in, everything seemed too expensive to him it was nothing like he experienced at home where every day it was a struggle just to experience something like this. Of course Xavier was still shocked about being chosen to compete in a game where he had to kill other people, though he gathered that some people that were chosen where feeling just like him. Xavier was glad that he could talk to Vanessa about it, she was the one person that knew exactly what he was feeling right now.

Xavier helped Vanessa up into the train, the human contact from her skin felt nice and comforting to know that someone was there instead of being dragged to one location to another. Xavier wanted more time to get this shocked feeling out of his system so he could deal with whatever was going to be thrown to him inside the arena but instead he was already on the train going to the capitol without a moment to stop and think, this moment was very confusing for Xavier he didn’t know what to think. Xavier looked around and wondered what they should do now.

One thing that Xavier wanted to know now was how they would get sponsors, having them would mean a great deal for both Xavier and Vanessa it meant that their survival was increased. “What do we do now?” Xavier asked Vanessa as he wondered what they should be doing. Xavier didn’t move from the spot, he remained there confused on where they should be going from now he looked over towards Vanessa as he wondered if she had an idea on what they should do next. “Any ideas?” Xavier asked with a smile, the feelings inside him where going away.

[Vanessa West]

The Capitol had the resources to make a train like that, but couldn’t make sure the people it ruled over were adequately fed? It was impossible not to see the very large flaw in their system. It angered Vanessa that they treated the people of Panem that way. It didn’t take a genius to see they didn’t care. You only had to look at the Games, and the fact that they destroyed District 13 completely.

Vanessa didn’t want to let go of Xavier’s hand. She needed the positive human contact. But she couldn’t risk annoying him, irritating him, or angering him. A break in the alliance would mean she wouldn’t make it, or at the very least, her chances of surviving would be decreased significantly. There was nothing Vanessa wanted more at that moment then to just be able to sit close to someone, hold someone or be held, simply resting her head on someone’s shoulder, and just being near someone who understood. She needed someone there, and now that she knew she at least had an alliance with Xavier, which sort of counted, it made her feel better.

“I guess we just stay in this car. I’m assuming it’s the District 11 one,” Vanessa said tentatively, looking around. She almost didn’t want to sit or touch anything, in fear that it would break or be ruined. Her tired legs told her otherwise, and Vanessa collapsed into one of the velvety couches. It was the most comfortable material Vanessa had felt in her entire life. It was just another testament to the Capitol’s selfish ways. Then again, it wasn’t like she could be shocked by the fact that the Capitol was extremely selfish. They killed kids to watch for their own amusement. Taking the lives of dozens of children and placing bets upon them like they were animals. Then again, that is probably all the Capitol saw them as – animals.

[Xavier Sullivan]

Xavier didn’t want to go to the Capitol, but running away would cause more harm he would hate to think what the peacekeepers would do to his family if he would just run. The peacekeepers have already torn his family apart twice already it just seemed like a curse to Xavier. Xavier nodded in reply to Vanessa, he was glad that the peacekeepers have now finally left them alone it seemed for now that they were alone in this train car which was good it meant that Xavier could finally let everything sink in not that it will ever truly sink in for Xavier.

Xavier looked around the car, there was food and drink in the middle of it but he wasn’t hungry at all, he didn’t think he could eat after what just happened. Xavier watched as Vanessa sat down in one of the couches, he knew he had to make a good impression from now on but Xavier didn’t know if he could with the whole fear taking over him though he hoped that it would pass. Walking over towards the window Xavier looked out at the station, everything seemed to be happening all at once though he was glad that things were slowing down.

Xavier turned his attention over to Vanessa, he smiled and walked over towards one of the empty couches that was next to the one Vanessa was in, he didn’t want to sit close to Vanessa in case she didn’t want that much company. Sitting down he was surprised that they were comfortable, the ones back home wasn’t anything close to this one. “I guess so, they didn’t give us much of instruction when they threw us here. “ Xavier replied back to Vanessa finally as he sat back comfortably. Xavier didn’t know what else to say.

[Vanessa West]

”Are you scared?” Vanessa softly asked him. She wanted to know what she swore she could see in his eyes. She wanted to hear it, to know for a fact that she was not the only one who was absolutely mortified. ”Even though we have an alliance…I don’t think I’ve ever felt this alone.” He couldn’t judge her for that, right? He would feel the same way? It seemed like a natural response to the situation they had been thrust into.

Vanessa was disappointed he had chosen the couch adjacent to hers. She needed the companionship. Seeing as she had only just met Xavier, she felt it would be too weird for her to ask if he could sit next to her. Although they’d have to get over any weirdness, the touch barrier, and awkwardness around each other, seeing as in a very short amount of time, they would literally be each other’s lifeline. If one of them died, the other would have the disadvantage of being on their own. If Vanessa died, she had no doubt that Xavier would somehow pull through without her. He seemed like he was strong and tough. If Xavier died, however, Vanessa would be in a much more dire state.

”I suppose we should start strategizing, even though I don’t see our mentor anywhere,” she suggested, turning her head back to see if a victor would or mentor would come into the car. ”What are you good at that could help us?” Vanessa’s strongest point was archery, and she was good at long-distance attacks. If Xavier was good at hand-to-hand combat and the likes, then it would balance out Vanessa’s skills. And if they both had similar strengths, then they would have to play those to the extreme. They'd have to stay high and hidden, always somewhat distanced from their competitors. Never too distanced, or the gamemakers would send in some natural disaster, mutant creatures or something of the sort to push the tributes towards each other so they would be forced to collide.

[Xavier Sullivan]

Xavier looked up towards Vanessa when he heard her ask him the one question that he wanted to avoid. Xavier was scared beyond what he thought he would be. “I’m very scared. I have no idea what we’re going to face when we’re in the arena. I’m scared that we’re being forced to kill other people for some sick game just because one district rebelled.” Xavier replied back to Vanessa. “Are you?” Xavier asked wanting to know if Vanessa felt the same way that he did. Xavier was hoping that this feeling would soon be pushed back as a distant thought they needed to be alert now.

“As long as we stick together you won’t be alone.” Xavier replied back. Xavier was glad that the game masters chose another person in the district to go into the arena it meant that they won’t be facing this threat alone, however Xavier would hate it if they had to kill each other, he didn’t know if he would be able to bring himself to do such a thing. Xavier’s responsibility now was to keep them both alive as was Vanessa’s responsibility. They both needed to keep each other alive as long as they can simply because they could work much better with each other than alone.

Xavier stood up when Vanessa asked him about his strengths. “I’m good in concealments. I know how to hide and not be seen for hours even days. Archery and swords I’m good with, however what I’m really good at is hand to hand combat. What about you?” Xavier asked as he sat down next to Vanessa this time, he decided that he really should try and break that touch barrier feeling as they would both need to train latter and having that feeling was never good. “I’m surprised that our mentor hasn’t showed up yet.” Xavier explained as he sat back in the couch comfortably.

[Vanessa West]

Everything Xavier was saying made perfect sense to her, and she agreed with his statement. It wasn’t possible for her to agree more than she already did. “Extremely. I know this may sound weird, but I don’t know what I would do without you,”

[/b] Vanessa said. She chewed her bottom lip as she looked up at him. She needed him, and she was hoping he needed her for more than just strength in numbers. Vanessa could be useful and strong.

”We can make it,” Vanessa told him. She hadn’t known Xavier even a day, but she already felt he deserved it more than she did. If they stuck together and made to the end, would they let two people from the same district win again? Xavier would be able to kill Vanessa. He was much stronger than her, but Vanessa already trusted him. She trusted him with her life. She had to. He had her back and she had his.

It was nicer with Xavier next to her on the same couch. She felt safer. Besides, if temperatures got cold enough, they would possibly end up having to sleep cuddled up together or something to conserve heat.”Archery. I’m good at archery. Archery is actually my best skill. I’m also flexible and fast, so I’m a good climber. I can’t do hand-to-hand very well though,” Vanessa admitted. She wondered if the bow and arrow were still hidden in her family’s shack. She hoped it was. She loved that bow, and it meant a lot to both her and her father. Xavier brought up another good point. Where was their mentor. Or the victors? Weren’t they supposed to stay in the same car, or at least meet with them briefly? And the escort? Where was their escort? Not that she had a problem with being left alone with Xavier. The peace was a nice change from the chaos they had just experienced. Being shoved from loud place to loud place without knowing exactly what was going did nothing for the nerves.[/center]

[Xavier Sullivan]

Xavier listened to Vanessa as she spoke to him once more, it would seem that they both had the same fears it made it that much easier for them to face them when the time came. Xavier was glad that they both could talk to each other he was hoping that whoever was the female tribute chosen he could talk to. “I feel the same way. If I were to go into the arena alone I would be to terrified to move, though I reckon I might still not be able to move. I’m glad to have you with me.” It was strange Xavier had only just met Vanessa but he could feel a bond growing between them.

Xavier merely nodded in reply when Vanessa said they would make it, they had to make it. Xavier was thinking on what they could do once they were inside the arena, trying to get equipment in the first few moments of the game would be a bloodbath. Everyone would probably be trying to get supplies. Even though they were now making plans for the games Xavier still wanted to hear what the mentors had in mind, even though planning strategies were good for both Vanessa and himself.

Xavier continued to listen to Vanessa as she explained what skills she had, it would be best to play off each other’s strengths so they wouldn’t have a disadvantage. “I could teach you some hand to hand combat stuff. It’ll give you an advantage if we’re separated or you find yourself in a situation where you don’t have a weapon.” Xavier explained. Xavier’s best skill would probably be his martial arts it proved useful when he dealt with peacekeepers in the past and he was sure that it would be useful again in the games. “I’m glad that they left us alone though. Being surrounded my peacekeepers wasn’t fun.”