Thanks for your consideration – Katniss/Seneca
Chapter 2 - Perfect
DISCLAIMER - I do not own The Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen, Seneca Crane or anyone else I mention. They all belong to the brilliant mind of Suzanne Collins. I just ship this couple (along with many others) and want to give their love a chance.
Okay, enjoy.
"In two weeks, twenty three of you will be dead, one of you will be alive. Who that is depends on how well you pay attention over the next four days. Particularly to what I'm about to say. First; no fighting with the other tributes, you'll have plenty of time for that at the arena. There are four compulsory exercises, the rest will be individual training. My advice is don't ignore the survival skills. Everybody wants to grab a sword, but most of you will die from natural causes, ten percent from infection, twenty percent from dehydration. Exposure can kill as easily as a knife."
Fighting. That was the next thing she noticed. Katniss found herself zoning out of the warnings and information, but only because Haymitch had given them their instructuons already. She stood to the side, arms folded, watching the Careers practicing and arguing amungst themselves. It was quite amusing to watch them destroy themselves before the games actually began. She remained quiet, tying knots and learning about cammoflage. Something Peeta was amazing at. He showed her a few extra tips whilst the helpers were busy, but she couldn't grasp it. Katniss wasn't the artistic type at all. But knots – Well she had them down already. Everyone took a small break, having a quick drink and a healthy snack before returning to practicing. Katniss took a longer break than the others, wandering around and sizing people up. Doing what they had already done to me on the first day. That's when she saw something out of the corner of her eye. A figure in black moving behind a glass. Her bright brown eyes snapped up in time to catch him look away. It was him. The man from the ceremony. But what was he doing here? She racked her brain, trying to put a name to the face but came up short every time.
"That's Seneca Crane" a voice announced from behind her, making her jump, only slightly – but enough to draw attention to herself from pretty much everyone. Mentally, Katniss cursed Peeta for sneaking up on her. She turned to see him looking in the direction of the man – Seneca Crane – before he finally looked back down. Her eyes now burning into his face until he braved it and spoke again
"The Games Keeper" he informed, more sure of himself now. Katniss frowned, glancing back up at the man who was un-ashamedly watching her and Peeta conversing. She felt more intimidated now. This man was in control of her life and the way that she would perish. Her heart sunk, no longer pounding with happiness at the sight of him. She looked back to Peeta, who seemed to swallow a lump in his throat
"Are you sure?" she questioned, unable to hide the hope in her voice, but he just nodded
"Has been for a while. He's like Snow's right hand man or something" he added, chewing on his lip. Katniss let out a breath
"Well, I'd love to see what he has in plan for me" she smirked softly, throwing Crane a glare before turning on her heels and heading over to the knotting section again. Distracting herself for a while.
"Katniss Everdeen – District 12 tribute… Volunteered in place of her little sister… Primrose" A woman informed Seneca Crane from behind her desk, Seneca just nodded, his eyes fixed firmly on the brunette girl that was wondering around the training arena, busying herself with knot tying and cammoflague. He held his hands behind his back
"And District 12's mentor?" he questioned half-heartedly, not seeing the curious gazed behind him
"Haymitch Abernathy" Someone replied, uneasy with his facination with District 12 and the female tribute. Still, they humored him and went along with it all, feeding him with what he desired – information.
"Right" he breathed. She had stopped and was looking right at him. He shifted slightly but remained watching her. He couldn't help himself. Something about her seemed – promising. That's what he was telling himself anyway. He let out a breath and turned away, pacing back to his station and continued with the design of the Arena. Smiling darkly to himself, spinning it in his palm
"Perfect" he breathed, glancing back up to see Katniss tying more knots
"Absolutely Perfect" he mumbled to himself. Putting the mini arena back and heading out, walking down the corridor, rubbing the back of his neck with one hand and letting out a frustrated breath. He needed to get out of there. Occupy himself with something. This girl was going to die. He couldn't waste time watching her and admiring her from a distance. That was something he just couldn't do. He turned a corner and dissapeared into his room, taking a shower to destract himself.
"He's gone" Katniss almost complained, looking up and expecting his presence looking over her
"He's the Game Keeper… He has to design new ways for us to die" Peeta answered matter-of-factly. She wanted to tie this knot around his throat, but instead she tied it to a branch, busying herself. Yet her attention was still fixed on the curved window
"I know that" she lied. Part of her still hoped he would quit or something, but that was a far fetched idea
"I doubt he even knows who any of us are, Katniss" Peeta drew her attention back, a look of distress on his pale face. Katniss faked a warm smile and nodded in false agreement
"You're right. It's just weird looking at the man who will ultimately kill us" she admitted. This wasn't a lie. He was currently plotting ways for her to die, and yet her heart sped up everytime she caught his eye. Everytime she sensed his presence or his eyes burning into her. It's was stupid, pathetic even. She let out a breath, glancing around to catch Cato and the other Career's looking at her and Peeta like meat, she glared at them before looking back at Peeta
"Throw that metal thing over there." She whispered to him, more of a demand
"What? No. Haymitch said we're not supposed to show our skills." He seemed almost panicked, now looking over at the Careers
"I don't care what Haymitch said. Those guys are looking at you like you're a meal. Throw it!" She snapped, standing up and watching them as they smirked at their own skills. Reluctantly, Peeta stood. He walked over to the large metal thing and picked it up, Katniss shot warning glares at the careers as they chuckled. Amazingly, Peeta spun the big metal thing and threw it, knocking a load of equipment over and also knocking the smug looks off of their faces. Katniss nodded in approval before turning and grabbing a bow and sheeth of arrows, needing some practice. Despite her mind still being on Seneca Crane, she was shot rather well, shocking herself more than anyone.
Seneca Crane walked back in to a loud chatter which failed to die down when he entered. He frowned, looking around for the cause of the commotion with someone pulled up a replay of Peeta's magnificent throwing skills. But mostly he was watching the smug look on Katniss's face. Seneca smirked when it ended, nodding
"District 12 seems to have improve immensly" he walked to the window, watching the tributes train, mostly Katniss, but he allowed himself to watch the others for a few moments.
