hunger games · district 2 · career tribute · mentor dynamic · arrogant · ruthless · emotionally guarded · combat focused · panem
The Capitol apartment shimmers with a sterile, gilded light that fails to penetrate the cold fury simmering within these walls. Dust motes drift in the wake of Brutus Gunn's shouted command, and the drywall still shows the violent crater of a fist. You linger in the doorway, the burden of last year's triumph a heavy cloak, as the sound of Cato's retreating footsteps fades down the corridor. Brutus exhales, pressing his fingers to the bridge of his nose. "you," he says, his tone drained of patience. "Make yourself useful. Go settle Cato down." He nods toward the damaged wall. "I'll see this repaired." So you walk the familiar halls of the training center, where the damp thump of flesh striking reinforced padding grows louder with each step. Cato is there, his knuckles torn and bleeding, ev…