Joo Dee guided Aang and I to the dining hall. She kept her hand on my back the whole way, which irritated me, but worked with my strategy. We sat at a huge wood table piled with food, all of which was described to me in detail by the chef, while Joo Dee went to find our mentor.
"Ehehehehehehe." A cackle met my ears as District Three's only living victor, Bumi, walked into the car. "Well, lookie here! We've got ourselves two very fine tributes, haven't we? You kids got names?"
"Aang Appa, sir." Aang leapt up to shake Bumi's hand. "It is an honor to meet you, sir."
"You don't have to call me sir every time you say a sentence. Now you," He turned in my direction. "What's your name?"
"Me?" I faked a confused tone.
"Yes, you."
"Toph Bei Fong, sir."
"So, you kids got any talents that might help in the arena?"
"I'm an airbender!" Aang piped up.
"Hmm… not many airbenders left nowadays." Bumi mused. "What about you?"
"I'm an earthbender, but because I'm blind I've never gotten past the basic forms. I don't stand much of a chance." I hung my head, bringing false tears to my eyes.
"I wouldn't count you out just yet."
"Yeah!" Aang joined in. "Maybe the whole arena will be in the dark, and you'll have an advantage because you're used to it!" His effusive cheerfulness was beginning to get on my nerves, but I pretended to be grateful.
"Thanks guys, I never thought another tribute would be nice to me." I sounded so fake, I thought for sure they'd catch on, but they remained oblivious. We chatted a bit more, until Joo Dee came to fetch us so that we could watch the other reapings. We settled down in the next car, and the television started up. Aang narrated to me what happened on the screen.
"It's District One now. Ooh, that Zuko kid looks tough, he's a firebender. Are they siblings? Well the girl, Azula looks clever, and I think she's a firebender too. Now it's District Two. I think Haru's an earthbender. That Mai girl looks dangerous. District Three, that's us. Now District Four. Katara, she looks like a waterbender. Another sibling pair?"
"Yes." Interrupted Joo Dee. "Katara and Sokka are siblings, their father, Hakoda was a victor. The girl is a waterbender, and from what I've heard the boy is a weapons expert."
"Thanks." Aang continued. "Now District Five. Huh, that's funny. The girl tribute, Ty Lee is walking on her hands. Oh, the boy's in a wheelchair. I don't favor Teo's odds. Now just District Six left. The girl looks ordinary. Pretty name though, Suki. Jet's kinda tall and skinny, looks a bit arrogant though. Well, that's it."
"Watch out for Districts One and Four." Warned Bumi. "They'll probably team up, become the career pack. Maybe with the girl from District Two. I suggest you two get some rest, we'll arrive in the City tomorrow, and then you'll meet your stylists." Aang and I followed his advice, Aang leading me to my room.
"Do you need anything else?" He asked.
"No thank you." I politely declined and entered my room, glad of the privacy. I went to the sink in the bathroom adjoining my room and washed the make-up from my face. I undid my hair and took off my tight dress. I put on a soft nightdress from one of the drawers, and climbed into bed. Tomorrow was going to be a long day, but right now it seemed years away.
A/N: Well, there you go, all of your tributes lined up. Stick around for the tribute parade next time. Please review, reviews make me happy =D
