Annabeth sat on her bed and stared into space. The room was nice, but didn't seem real, like it could float away at any moment. She jumped at a knock at the door.

"Anniebell? Your presence is requested in the dining car." Dionysus. Annabeth rolled her eyes.

"It's Annabeth, and give me a minute."

She stared into the mirror. Her hair was grubby and unkept. She didn't belong in this world. Annabeth sighed and walked out her door. The windows were a blur, for her first train ride she thought it would be exciting, but it really didn't feel different. She looked up at the double doors guarding the entrance. Time to face the others.

The dining cart was unbelievable. Plates of food, more food than Annabeth had seen in her life lined tables. Silver carpet, royal blue furniture, crystal chandeliers, everything was incredible and yet, like her room, none of it felt real.

Percy, Dionysus, and Chiron sat together at a table at the end of the room. Dionysus had changed out of his purple and orange suit, but wore an equally offensive outfit of red and gold swirls. Percy was picking at a piece of blue pie, but didn't seem hungry. Annabeth didn't blame him, she felt like throwing up. Chiron stared out the window, as if wishing he were anywhere else.

Annabeth didn't know what to make of Chiron. She saw him around town, at the bakery, the butcher shop, in the town square. He didn't talk much, and with his poorly cut brown hair and sad eyes he fit right in with the regular people. Even now he looked out of place, especially next to Dionysus.

Chiron looked up at her, and half smiled. "Will you join us, Annabeth?"

Annabeth pulled out her chair and sat next to Percy, who still hadn't looked up.

"Soon we will arrive in the capitol, and we need to talk about what's going to happen. There will be training, assessments, interviews, it's all going to go really fast. Before all that happens, I would like to get to know both of you. So! Tell me about yourselves."

Annabeth and Percy looked at each other.

"I just got here, you first," Annabeth said as she settled into her chair.

Percy sighed. "There's not much to tell really, my dad left when I was really young, my mom owns a small bakery. We were never rich, but we didn't starve. At least- at least we were happy," his voice cracked. "I don't know what my mom is going to do without me."

For some reason Annabeth felt the need to comfort him. "Hey you're not dead yet. Besides, everyone I know loves your mom. They'll take care of her."

Percy half smiled at her and went back to picking at his pie. "What about you, Annabeth?"

She stared at the table. "My mom left right after she had me. My dad was shot by peacekeepers when I was seven. I survived," she looked Chiron dead in the eye, "by stealing. Never a lot, and always from those that had enough. I had friends to take care of me."

Percy turned and looked at her. "You never stole from my mom. Why?" She found his gaze hard to meet. "You know why. I might be a thief but I have a conscience."

There was a moment of silence. Dionysus stood abruptly, causing all three of them to jump.

"There she is," he breathed as he stared out the train window, "welcome to the capitol."