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Tess was lead into the train with Nyan. He looked around nervously. Tess also looked around her face had gone back behind the mask she was trained to wear. Leto smiled at the pair of them. She left the room for a moment to get Wiress and Beetee. She came back with Wiress and Beetee. Wiress took them in. She pointed at Tess as she spoke to Beetee in broken speech. Beetee nodded to Wiress. Tess eyed them for a moment. She closed her eyes for another moment. When she opened her eyes Beetee was sitting across from her and Nyan. Wiress was next to him. Leto was sitting in the corner with a drink in her hand.

"I'm Beetee and this is Wiress we will be your mentors for this journey. We are here to help you win. We need to know what skills you have," Beetee asked.

Nyan looked at Tess with far in his eyes. Tess rolled her eyes. They both knew he was likely going to die. She looked at Nyan for a long moment before nodding her head. They both looked back at Wiress and Beetee. Wiress looked at Beetee and he looked at her. Wiress got up leading Nyan away from Tesla and Beetee. Once they were got out of earshot.
"I'm Tesla Hart but you can call me Tess. My father is Styx Hart. He was from 2 and trained me like I was from 2 since I was able to walk. I'm good with swords, spears, and axes. I'm decent with a bow and at hand to hand. I'm able to flip my dad but I'm not sure I will be able to do that once I have been the games for a while. My best skill is knives. My mom told me I'm a quick learner. I have basic survival skills. I was at top of my class only my friend Amber was better at school than me. My father accepted nothing else," Tess said.

"It sounds to me that you trained like a career. They are expecting you to be smart. We can work with this. You have a real chance of winning. Sponsor will love you with your looks but be pleasantly surprised that you have a killer instinct." Beetee told Tess. Tess nodded her head. She did not want to think about what the capital people thought of her. She was still trying to get a grip that she was likely going to die. Beetee looked over to Leto. Leto looked at him with a smile on her face. "Leto is there a way to get in contact with Jupiter. I think costumes for parade and interviews need to be rethought. With Tess here, she will be like part of career pack. Something the last one never held a chance for. She will need to look the part," Beetee said.

"After all it all a show for them," Tess said softly.

Beetee and Leto looked at her in shock. Most victors would say that but to hear come from a tribute was not something they ever dream of hearing.

"May I be excused," Tess asked.
Leto nodded.

Tess walked out of the room heading for the bar car of the train. She needed a drink. She heard Leto.

"At least this one has manners," Leto said.

"Leto it's a mask. She has been trained for this since she was a baby. I would not be surprised if she was not picked today that she would have volunteered." Beetee said.


Tesla made her way in the bar car. Her eyes landed on two young men and two young ladies. The blonde girl was opening trying to flirt with a tall blonde muscular young man. The dark hair one just shook her head. The dark-haired boy looked up as Tess made her way into the room. His dark eyes met her grey eyes. The dark hair boy hit the blonde. The blonde man looked at the dark hair one. He motions to Tess. The bartender walked down to her. He half expected to order a fruity girly mixed drink like other blonde did.

"Whiskey on the rocks," Tess said to him.

He could not hide his shock at her order. He left a knife seating behind the bar within Tess reach as he walked away to make her drink. Tess had her eyes half closed her hand was on her forehead. She was trying to keep the mask on. But it was starting to slip. She knew the four others in the room where likely tributes. And by the looks of them they the start of the career pack. Her father words echoed in her mind. She could do this. She needed to show them that was not someone to mess with. From her peripheral vision, she noticed the two boys approached her. The dark haired one had his hand reach out to touch. He sat down next to her. He was inches from her.

"Get lost," Tess said.

"Come on baby," Marvel cooed.

Tess reached over the bar in second taking the knife. Bring it down in between his fingers. Clove laughed at that. Glimmer's eyes went wide in shock. Cato took the seat on the other side. She could hear him chuckling at what just happened. Marvel pulled the knife out the bar top. He pointed at Tess. She looked at him. His hazel eyes met her grey eyes.

"Nice, love" Marvel said.

"What are you talking about? I missed," Tess said matter of factly.

Clove laughed even more at that. The bartender came over taking the knife from the boy and placed Tess's drink in front of her. Cato slapped her on the back. Glimmer made humph sound before she headed out of the room. It was clear to her that this other blonde was who they wanted to play with now. And she was sure that Cato would come around and want her in time once he had his fun with this one.

"I'm Cato, that is Marvel, that Clove my district partner. The one that just left was Glimmer," Cato told her point out who everyone was.

"Tesla," Tess said.

"Let me guess Three," Cato laughed.

"Yeah, Two, one, two and other one is from one right," Tess said looking Cato dead in eyes.

Cato was shocked she was not in the least bit afraid of him. Hell, she was not afraid of any of them. He knew that four posed a threat. He never thought three would too. As Cato regarded her, her eyes caught his attention. He knew those eyes somewhere. He was trying to place them as Tess took a drink of her drink. He realized who's eyes they were. They were from the same eyes as his best friend back in two, Garrison. Marvel answered her. She turned and looked at him smiling. Cato heard Marvel ask how she knew.

"My father was two," Tess said like it was nothing.

"Does the name Garrison mean anything to you," Cato asked.

"Not a thing," Tess said with laughter in her voice.

Cato and Tess looked at each other again. Tess had to admit he was attractive. His eyes looked her body up and down. She brought his eyes back up to her eyes. She tilted her head taking in him. Clove was nearly rolling on the ground laughing. This was the first female that was their age that was not falling hook line and sinker for Cato. She liked Tess. Marvel liked Tess.

"So, Three are you career material," Cato asked.

Tess downed the rest of her drink. She knew he was an alpha man. She considered his question. She did not want to give him a direct answer. What hell it was all for show right. This could play well for the capital. Beetee and Wiress would probably call her crazy. She acted fast locking her lips on Cato's for a brief second. Before, she pulled away slinking away from him leaving Cato in shock for a moment. When she was nearly out of the room she looked back at them. Cato had his hand up to his lips.

"You tell me two," Tess called out before she exited the car.


Later that night, Tess sat down with Beetee, Wiress, Leto, and Nyan. They were watching all the reaping. First came on was district one. Marvel name was called in made Tess smile. It was clear he was a peacock and a bit of a playboy. He made her smile. Glimmer pranced on to the stage. Tess shook her head she was from a career district and she volunteered for this. But she did not portray a real threat to her. Beetee and Wiress looked at Tess as they were taking notes. She met their eyes. Nyan looked like he was going sick any moment. District Two started to play. Cato Hadley volunteered she watched as he made his way on to the stage. He was a threat. She realized that her actions today could also be the thing make want to kill her. He was likely to be the victor. Her father was watching in at home. Be his pick for the winner. Clove Kentwell came next.


Clove, Cato, Brutus, and Enobaria sat watching the same thing. They were looking for another possible one to join their alliance. Cato was still thinking about Tess. She was something that was sure. Three flashed on the screen. His eyes were glued to the screen. Tesla Hart name was called. Hart that was Garrison last name. My father was from Two. He remembered Tess telling Marvel.

"She will be a good one," Brutus commented.

"We meet her in the bar. She nearly put a knife into Marvel's hand," Clove said.

"She has the instinct," Enobaria commented.

It hit Cato fully that it was likely that Tesla Hart was likely Garrison cousin. He made up his mind that regardless where she joined them he would keep her safe to the end. He turned and looked at Clove.

"She's mine," Cato said.

Clove agreed with him. She will let him kill. It was no skin off of her nose. She looked over to her mentors. They were watching Nyan being picked. He was nothing a nobody. He would likely die in the bloodbath.

"She told Marvel that her father was from two" Clove revealed.

"Hart, wasn't he on his way to head peacekeeper and got asked by Snow himself to go to Three to help keep Mayor of three in check," Brutus said.

"Styx Hart, if she is his daughter she will deadly as you two," Enobaria stated remembering Styx.


Tess' eyes watched the screen. Thus far number of possible threats one and two were a given, Timmer from ten and Thresh for sure. Twelve flashed on the screen. Tess watched in horror as a little girl like one from eleven was chosen. And then suddenly Katniss volunteered to take her sister place. A grim looked crossed Tess's face. She knew that Katniss was a major threat. Peeta could be a threat. Tess got up and walked away from them.


Tess walked into her room. She knew at this point knew who the winner was going to be. He had trained her to be able to pick them. They had been right the last five reaping. Katniss was going to win. She could feel it in her bones. She laid down on the bed looking up at the ceiling as tears started to fall down her face. The mask had completely fallen off.

A knocking sound at the door Tess got up walking to the door. Opening the door Beetee stood at the door with his glass in his hands. She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. He walked into the room shutting the door. Here before him was the true Tess.

"Tess," Beetee started.

"I'm going die," Tess said that sitting down on the bed.

"You have a chance and a better chance than most," Beetee reassured.

"You saw how her district reacted to her. How do you think I could possibly top that. With that display my father has given up on me coming home," Tess said.

"Then prove him wrong. You said yourself it a show. Sponsors will eat her up yes. But you could have the same spark. You need to get close to the careers," Beetee told her.

"I met them. I nearly stabbed Marvel. Glimmer hates me. Clove I think likes me. Cato, I don't know what he thinks of me. I kissed him," Tess confessed.

"This could work. Star-crossed lovers from two and three would have the capital in love with you both. I need to talk to Brutus," Beetee said

"I'm sure he'll want to appear weak," Tess said.

"He won't be seen as weak. You will be worthy of his protection. You are attracted to him aren't you," Beetee asked.

"Yes, he is quite handsome," Tess answered.

"Once the game starts you will on your own the pretend romance will disappear. You will show just how deadly you are," Beetee said.

This could work Tess decide. If she was going to die anyway why not have some fun along the way. Nyan face flashed in her mind.

"What about Nyan?" Tess asked.

"Protect him if you can. District loyalty is something that is part of career training," Beetee said.

"Thanks, Beetee," Tess said.

"Just don't give up on yourself yet," Beetee said leaving the room.