Author's note: Thank you so much to those who reviewed. I'm ecstatic you actually like what's going through my head. Same to the ones who story alerted or favorited (I'm making up words! I'm an author! Woohoo!). It's great to be on the flip side of this. The next chapter will be from Cato's POV. I just wanted to establish some other background before we got going with the meat in this story. Call it a two chapter introduction if you will. :) I hope you like this chapter as well!
Chapter 2
Haymitch POV
I'm just an old drunk to everyone, but I've been around the Games for a while and I know what to look for in a winner. I very rarely see anything in my tributes but this year is different. I have a fighter. A survivor.
I remember the first time I saw...Katniss, is it? I was at the Hob, the black market I get my liquor from. She couldn't have been more than twelve. She was emaciated and looked like most other Seam kids but something was different. There was that look in her sad grey eyes. Determination. It helped that she was trading illegally hunted animals for other food!
It was mostly after she left though that I found out who she was. The Hob merchants started talking about how her father had been one of the unfortunate miners who had died in the explosion six months before. She had been seen around the Hob before that, always in the company of her father. But, in the early spring, following his death, she started appearing at the Hob on her own with game to trade. She surprised everyone with the quality of her kills. Always in the eye. No one knew that she could hunt. Just like her father.
She was highly respected by almost everyone in the District, from the Hob merchants to the mayor and even the Peacekeepers. Some of the merchants from town were the only exceptions. Like the baker's wife. She was a mean bitch.
Over the last five years though, Katniss has done nothing but continue to be talked about. She has been known for her strength and determination. It really should be a crime that her sister had to get chosen in her first year but a testament to her dedication to her family that she volunteered to take little Primrose's place.
Now, we're in the train, watching the recaps and I take this moment to size up both my tributes. The other tributes aren't much of a concern to me right now because a) I know what to expect, b) I can watch the recap with commentary when we get to the Capitol, and c) I need to know exactly what, or rather who, I have to work with.
Peeta is easy to read. He's clearly in love with Katniss. He looks like a lost little puppy that's found its mother. It's sickening really.
He's a people person so that should work in his favour with the sponsors. Maybe we can make it work for both of them... but that will depend on him. On how much does he love that girl. Hmph! I guess that will have to be figured out later. He looks strong too which should give him an edge in the bloodbath.
Katniss though is more difficult. She is expressionless, almost like a stone. She watches the recaps but she seems to phase out after the District Two tribute volunteers. A fleeting look of fear crosses her face but then it's back to a blank stare. After a while though she notices me observing her. She arches an eyebrow, and gives me this look questioning whether she's passed my test. Or, saying that she sees through the drunken mentor act. I am a drunk, no question, but after drinking for twenty something years, I can hold my liquor more than most. I act it up so I can keep an eye on people and keep them away from me.
It's actually quite clear that she sees though this act but she doesn't say anything. Probably for the same reason I don't say anything. It wouldn't do to actually get to know each other. Not at all.
Peeta's POV
I'm strangely happy to be here, on this train, as a tribute for District 12. At least now I can talk to Katniss. Sad isn't it? I have been in love with this girl since we were five and she sang, and I have never said a word to her. Sure I burnt bread to give to her so she wouldn't look so sick anymore but then I couldn't follow up the next day, even when she looked at me after school looking so grateful. From that day onwards she seemed to get better but she never looked at me again and I never spoke to her. I'm an idiot, I know.
Well, now here's my chance to talk to her, tell her how I feel even. Maybe. We'll see. At the very least, here's my chance to make sure she goes back home to Prim. She's needed a whole lot more than me. Sure, my brothers and my dad will miss me but no one actually needs me to survive. I can't compete with that and have no plans to. And let's face it, I am never going to come out of there. I have no chance. Katniss... She could actually win this thing. She's an amazing hunter and everyone knows she can survive. Even mom said it and that she may actually win this thing. I wonder if Haymitch will help...
I hope Katniss is doing ok. She hasn't said a word since we got on the train. And now she's going to bed. And I still haven't said a word to her.
Please review! I need feedback on it all! :)
