Blood War

Chapter 5

Ukelas looked at the two of us expectantly, obviously waiting for us to introduce ourselves. When we didn't, he continued.

"Ukelas Rasplar is my full name.." He took a folder from one of the other women who had come to get us. "I'm the Capitol Security President for this district. Saillt and Mavlaige to be exact."

"You know, Ukulele, I'm so interested in your life story but I just don't care right now," Rogue leaned in as far as his restraints would let him. "So shut up."

Ukelas gave Rogue a warning stare as he opened the folder, matching Rogue's face with the provided picture. "Rogue, right?"

The boy next to me sat defiantly. "Yeah."

Ukelas hummed, "It says here that's a self-given name."

I turned to Rogue with a mildly confused look on my face. I've known Rogue since I was five, that's twelve years, and this was news to me.

Rogue glared at Ukelas, "Maybe."

When he didn't elaborate the Satyr sighed. "We already have all this information in this folder, as you can probably tell, but we choose to ask you anyway. Do you know why?" Not waiting for an answer he continued. "To see if you will answer honestly. This is your last chance to do so."

Rogue sat quietly, still staring at Ukelas. I wondered why he was acting this way. Was his name really that bad? Finally, Rogue mumbled something.

"Speak up, kid," Ukelas ordered, obviously not entertained.

Rogue groaned. "Ambolambada."

I muffled a laugh, covering my mouth with my hand. "Am-what?"

Rogue glared at me, growling under his breath. "My real first name is Ambolambada, okay? It's a Nixian name. Leave me alone." He tried to cross his arms, realized he couldn't, then sulked in his chair.

I composed myself, a smile still on my face. "What does it mean in Nixian?"

"I'm not exposing that information." Rogue avoided eye contact.

Ukelas' expression had a hint of a smirk. "Let's just say his parents didn't like him very much."

I looked at Rogue for confirmation, and he gasped dramatically. "What are you talking about? I was the golden child of my family." There was a hint of falsehood behind his fiery eyes.

Sensing this was a sensitive topic, I stopped smiling. I wondered what had made his parents name him that. What had even happened to his parents? Come to think of it, Rogue had never talked about his past. Perhaps, maybe, when we are in a better situation I might be able to ask him.

Ukelas leaned forward. "Shall I continue? Or will you comply?"

"Ugh, fine," Rogue groaned. "You already know my name so I don't want to say it. Anyways, I'm a sixteen-year-old Nixianwolf Fox and my birthday is November 30th. I also have Pyroshade magic. Is that good enough for you or do you need more personal information?"

"No, that will be enough. See that wasn't hard was it?" the Satyr ignored Rogue's eye roll and turned to me, flipping to a different page in a folder. "And you?"

It was too much trouble to even try to lie and Rogue already did it so who cares anymore? "Well, I guess I'm Atlas Salberg. Seventeen years old and my birthday is May 11th. I'm human, and I have no magic." I flashed him with a fake smile.

When people hear the word human, they have one of many reactions. Mostly they just ignore it or turn away in disgust.

And Ukelas did exactly that, ignored me. Sweet.