Different Perspectives

Chapter 6

Poke. Poke. Poke.

"It's Saturday, Octavia. Let me sleep."

Poke. Poke. Po--

"If this is your way of telling me there's a training session on a Saturday, just tell Cyprian I died in my sleep."

"Yes, well, this is a bit of an emergency." Now that woke her up. With a loud yelp, Lælia shot out of bed with her covers wrapped around her to meet the familiar azure eyes of the one and only Cato Magnus.

"What are you doing here? Get out!" She reached for the nearest thing beside her and tossed it with deadly accuracy (that even Clove would be proud) to his head. It was one of her shoes and if it wasn't for him ducking, it might've caused a black eye.

Cato laughed, serving only to further piss off the angry girl in the room. "It's nearly eleven am, Caverly, you missed breakfast. If you don't get up now, you're probably going to miss lunch too."

"Where's Octavia? Why isn't she here to wake me up?"

"She got challenged to a spar. You know, she can't say no to a challenge. That's a bit of a weakness."

Lælia scowled and wrapped her blankets a little tighter around her body, especially when Cato's attention was directed somewhere a little lower than she liked. "Hey," she snapped and immediately his blue eyes met her brown ones. "My eyes are up here."

And then something unmistakable and the most rarest thing happened. Cato blushed. Her anger at his wandering eyes vanished and a smirk wormed its way onto her lips. "Gee, I had no idea you could possess anymore emotions other than arrogance and egotistical confidence."

"Just... just meet me at the training room," he muttered and turned on his heel before slamming the door behind him for good measure. His embarrassment only intensified when he heard Lælia's laughter behind the door.

--

Lælia was approaching the training room when she found Cato leaning casually against the wall. "So. What did you have in mind for today?" He didn't answer and only entered the room, taking a seat on a small stool where a book lay open that displayed an anatomy of an herb.

"Survival stations first," he said simply and Lælia couldn't help but notice how he was trying exceptionally hard to keep his blue eyes trained on her brown ones. She would've pointed it out to embarrass him once more but he truly did seem like he wanted to learn.

"Alright," she nodded and pulled a short stool to his side and took a seat with the large book on one cover resting on her right thigh and the other cover atop his left. With a short moment of making eye contact, she turned back to the picture and pointed out the different edible berries as well as the poisonous ones.

They were just about to get into the herbs that would heal minor tracker jacker stings when the trainers announced of lunch over the speakers. "We'll stop there for today," Lælia shut the book and stretched a bit, sighing at the relief of wearing her own clothes instead of the tight and sometimes uncomfortable training suits.

Cato walked ahead to catch up with a few friends of his, leaving her behind as a realization came to mind. He wasn't a terrible student and Lælia really wouldn't mind spending more time with him.

The thought stopped her in her tracks. Did she just think that? Shaking her head, Lælia wondered if she was going soft. Before her mind could continue her train of thought, Octavia appeared beside her and nudged her arm in greeting.

"So what'd you do all day?" She bit into an apple, waiting patiently for Lælia's answer.

"I... I spent it with Cato." The shock that washed over Octavia's face would've been hilarious if she didn't get punched in the arm with the taller girl's free hand. "Ow! What was that for? I'm still bruised from that spar with Clove."

Octavia quickly finished off her apple and then continued to poke the girl's shoulder. "What?! I didn't think you'd actually go through with it! Oh my gosh! How'd it go? Was he whining the entire time?"

"Surprisingly... no. Hold on, Ashlar, let me finish," Lælia chuckled and raised a hand as they walked towards the line to get their tray of food. "He actually seemed eager to learn. Looks like he didn't want to die by natural causes," she smirked.

Octavia grabbed her tray after her friend and followed her to their usual table, deciding that if she was going to get info of what happened, she'd better do it now before Cato arrives. "Huh. So what'd you guys do?"

"Well, he wanted to learn first. So I taught him the different herbs you could eat, ones you shouldn't eat and since we didn't really have much time, we stopped there."

"That's... insane. I can't believe he didn't—"

"I didn't do what?" Cato immediately cut in with an amused smirk, joining the two girls at the table. Octavia blanched at the sight of him. "Come on, Octavia, spit it out."

"I can't believe that you didn't do anything stupid." With a scoff from Cato and silence from Lælia, the conversation ended there as the three began to eat.

--

Cyprian stood in the center with a smartly dressed man, conversing quietly when everyone else entered for the impromptu mandatory training session after lunch. While the adults finished off their conversation, the rest of the trainees waited for further instruction.

"Boys and girls, this is Avitus Polar. He's part of The Board of District 2. He has a quick message for you and then you are free to do as you please."

So it wasn't a training session but Lælia wasn't sure which was better: a speech from someone with those ties in The Hunger Games or a session.

"Hello," his voice was nasally and Octavia couldn't help but frown. He was a short, stoutly man with a rotund belly. His silver hair was combed back to display the receding hairline and his nose was a constant red, one he kept blowing in a satin handkerchief. "I am pleased to meet you all. Now fret not, I was told that it is a free day for you and I am only here to understand who you are. It'll make the process of Choosing far more easier."

A low hum of whispers spread around the room as everyone dispersed. A few stuck behind, hoping to impress the Board member but Octavia and Lælia decided to mingle around the survival station. Cato made a move to join them, wanting to continue his lesson, but Avitus caught hold of the boy's shoulder. Despite the small man's stature, he had a tight grip.

"Ah, Cato... mind if you share a few words on how you would feel if..."

Lælia leaned against the wall as Octavia attempted at starting a fire. "Stop watching Cato," she randomly stated and Lælia nearly lost her balance. "Yeah, I see you, Caverly. You aren't exactly subtle."

"Shut up," Lælia mumbled and took the same stool she sat on earlier with the book on her lap. It wasn't a few moments later when someone joined her. "Done talking?"

"I wish it ended earlier," Cato kept his gaze on the berries in front of him. "I usually don't mind talking to Board members but... something about Avitus is a little off. Anyway, how about these? Are these edible?"

The sudden subject change threw Lælia off a bit, wondering what in the world Avitus talked to him about to have the largest boy look absolutely... worried? Terrified? Whatever it was, Lælia didn't like it. Cato was supposed to be the one causing fear, not the one being afraid. It didn't seem right to her. Although she wanted to press on the topic, Cato's tense jaw was enough of a sign that she shouldn't. So she turned her attention back to the book.

"No. Not these. These are nightlock and you'll be dead as soon as the berries go past your lips." Lælia didn't exactly trust berries, especially if there are those that can kill instantly. "But these... you can."

Their lesson continued and Cato was still quiet, only nodding at the tips Lælia offered. Eventually they went through the whole book and without so much as a quick goodbye, Cato left for his room. Octavia stood beside the legacy as they watched his retreating form. His hands were at his side and Lælia couldn't help but notice that it didn't stop shaking since his talk with Avitus.