It's 2am and I have an exam at 8:30 so you better appreciate this.
Chapter 2 of The Silver Tongue of The Boy with the Bread is now up.
Quick note. For the reaping, I've always though that the entries increase by one each year. Meaning that at 12 years old you get 1 entry. At 13 you get the initial 1 then 2 more for a total of 3. At 14 you get the existing 3 and add 3 more. And so on. This means that Peeta, who has never had to sign up for Tesserae now has a total of 15 entries now.
Chapter 2 – The Reaping
This is not a good day.
How is it not a good day you may ask. Well let me tell you.
I walked into the arena with a false look of terror as I usually do. It's not that I don't fear the fact that I might get chosen, it's that since I don't have any say in it, why bother worrying? The only thing that I really fear for is whether or not Katniss gets chosen.
I hurry over to the Peacekeepers to sign myself in. A quick prick of my finger and I'm corralled with the rest of the sixteen-year-olds waiting for the 'festivities' to begin. The mayor speaks his piece; something about honour and how grateful we are to the Capitol.
I don't really know as I'm not paying attention, just focusing on the interactions between Gale and Katniss. I wish to whatever deity is watching me right now that I was the one who could share such a non-verbal conversation with her. But alas, it is not to be.
As usual, Effie Trinket comes on stage with her overbearing attitude and snotty Capitol accent. "And may the odds be ever in your favour" indeed.
"Ladies first" she says a bit too enthusiastically. And with that, her hand plunges into the large glass bowl to the left of the makeshift stage.
That is when a good day turned bad.
The first thing I hear is a loud shout of "Primrose Everdeen." My heart stops. That look of terror on my face, well that's real now because I know. I know that Katniss, sweet brave Katniss, would never leave her sister to such a fate as going into the arena.
I hear a scream. "Prim. Prim." and Prim screams back. I cringe at what will happen next.
"I volunteer! I volunteer for tribute."
My mind races a million miles an hour. How can I get her out of this. How can I save her. How could this happen. These thoughts all jumble together, mixing and churning until only one thing remains.
I will protect Katniss at all costs.
With that in mind, I steel myself because I now know that I, too will be going into the arena. That there will be not one, but two tribute to volunteer from District 12 today. And that I will not be the one who comes home.
My father looks on with sad resignation and I know that he realized what I was going to do before I knew it myself. I glance back at him an mouth ' I'm sorry.' He nods and mouths back, 'Good luck.' It is here and now that I know I love my father with every fibre of my being not already dedicated to Katniss Everdeen.
"Now the boys." Effie again. She looks a little shaken up though and a quick glance through the equally shell shocked crowd tells me that I have missed something. Never mind. All that pales in comparison to what I'm going to do now.
"Peeta Mellark" Instantly, I open my mouth to protest and volunteer. My voice catches and it takes me a few seconds to fully digest what had just been said.
Now I know that I was going to go up there anyways, but it was a little annoying that out of all the people out there, all the people in District 12, I got picked. Me. With only 15 names. I think back. Well Prim only had one and she got picked. I realize it's nothing to worry about and let it drop.
With that I stroll up to the stage; affixing a slightly dopey, unbelieving, fear ridden expression to my face. A group of Peacekeepers escort me. It's really unnecessary seeing as I'm going there by my own volition anyways, but I'm glad as it gives me chance to be seen as a scared boy who needs Peacekeepers to keep him from freaking out.
I step up the stage steps and glance out at all of District 2. The Seam people only look on at Katniss with sadness while the Townies stare at me with pity. Hah, me needing pity. It takes everything I have to keep my disbelieving face on and not break down with laughter.
"Well shake hands" Effie again. For some reason her voice which never seemed to bother before, now raked my ears like nails on a chalkboard. Maybe it's the proximity but I thank her anyways for the chance to interact with Katniss.
As I reach over and grab her hand, I remember this morning. How I peeked through her window. Of her smooth skin that now taunts me. I force these thoughts down and smile brightly at her. I don't have to pretend. Never with her.
Her lack of reaction irks me though. Townie girls would often swoon at my smile. They don't matter to me though and I feel sick afterwords. Katniss matters and I feel frustrated that the one person I want my charms to work on, the one person who I don't have to pretend to smile around, doesn't react.
We are quickly ushered out of sight and separated. I briefly think about punching the Peacekeepers in order to stay with Katniss, but I think better of it. It may hurt her chances of of winning the games and that is the last thing I want.
I'm led into a room and told that visitors would have 3 minutes with me before I leave for the Capitol. My mother and brother come to see me first. I don't react to my father lack of presence because I know that what we have is special. He will say goodbye last and we will see each other one last time in private.
My mother begins to speak, but i interrupt her by addressing my brothers instead. She falls silent.
"Now remember to listen to dad. Treat the people of the Seam with kindness just like him." My mother scoffs, but I ignore her. "It's why everyone likes him."
My youngest brother, Rory, nods and lets out a small sob. "I'm sorry I didn't volunteer for you Peeta. It's just... I was so afraid."
I smile gently down at him. "It's alright Ro. I didn't expect anyone to. Just make sure to take care of yourself alright?" I love my Rory like a well... brother. He's so young and innocent I can't say anything bad about him.
"Me too, Peeta. I would've in a heartbeat but... well, if it was last year..." That's my older brother Benjamin. We don't have such a good relationship.
"Shut up Ben. I know you wouldn't have. Just do me one thing."
"Anything."
"When dad is gone, take care of the Everdeen family." He starts to interrupt. "No. Be quiet and listen to me. This is the one thing I have ever asked of you. It is your brotherly duty to do it. Additionally, I am about to die. This is your brothers last request. You are now doubly obligated to do so and if you don't so help me god I will haunt you for all of eternity. Now get out of here. You too Rory, I have to talk to Mom. Alone.
They leave. My mother stands there with a look that I interpret between constipation and anger.
"Take care of Rory. And dad. And Ben too."
"Of course. I am their mother. At least it looks like someone from 12 will win this year. For a Seam brat, that Everdeen girl is a survivor.
With that scathing remark and a look of hatred, she leaves.
The door opens again. This time it's my father. He slips in and closes the door silently. There are no words between us. There doesn't have to be. It's just good to bask in each others presence for what little time we have left.
"I'll take care of them, son. You don't have to worry about that." Of course he understands. I nod in thanks. "Just make sure you survive until the end. Keep that girl safe." I nod again. No one knows the heartbreak of losing a loved one as well as my father. Not after losing Katniss' mother and marrying my own.
For the final minutes before I leave, we embrace and squeeze this moment for all it's worth.
A nervous tick appears and I struggle to keep it hidden at least in front of Katniss. We sit there, side by side waiting for Haymitch Abernathy. Our mentor. Honestly, I think I could do better mentoring myself. He is always so drunk when I see him leave the Victors Village. And he is just as drunk when we see him now.
Effie had told us that we could have anything we wanted. I wanted this man gone and replaced with someone who could do something, but I know he's all we've got. For Katniss' benefit, I will demand he help. And he will indeed help even if I have to pull out scary Peeta to do it.
"Maybe you should stop drinking." I say. Try the nice guy angle first. I plaster a look of worry on my face.
"Who me?" Haymitch blubbers incoherently. "I'm totally fine sweetheart. Come here and let me get a good look at you."
I look on and shake my head quickly. I can tell he was talking to me, but I am no ones 'sweetheart' least of all his. Well maybe Katniss' but that's neither here or now.
Haymitch stumbles over to me and I reflexively push him away, his alcoholic breath stinging my eyes. He stumbles, bends over and vomits all over floor. Then he falls straight in. It takes all my strength not to say "Geronimo" and he takes a head dive into his own bile.
I glance over at Katniss and decide to put on another act. "Umm. Maybe I should help him to his room. He can begin mentoring tomorrow." With that I begin call over a Peacekeeper to help me lift up Haymitch and put him to bed. Katniss stops me by coming over to help. I say nothing and move over to his soiled front side. While I had no qualms about leaving vomit side to a Peacekeeper, I would never do that to Katniss.
Together we lead him back to his room, Katniss pushing and me guiding and pulling. When we reach the inside of his bed, I realize that I will have to undress him, wash him and put him to bed. By the grimace on Katniss' face, she doesn't seem to want to do it.
I don't want her to do it either. I want her to see no man unless it's me. Possessive yes.
"I'll take it from here" I tell her and instantly know that's the wrong thing to say. I've always been able to read people. I guess that's why I'm able to imitate so many different emotions on a whim. Katniss no longer looked at me with neutrality. She now looked betrayed, as if I had punched her in the gut. I don't know why though and it's killing me, but she just says "Alright. I can send one of the Capitol people to help you."
I mentally gag at the idea of owing a Capitol citizen anything. I politely refuse and as soon as she leaves the room, I get started. I strip his clothes off with expertise only a hunter whose cleaned many a game could, roughly scrub him down with a cloth and returned to the dining cart hoping to spend a bit more time with Katniss.
I search the room quickly with my eyes, looking for Katniss, but she's not there. Thinking she probably went back to her room for bed, I decide that it was probably a good idea and I walk sedately to my own room.
I bounced up and down on the soft comforter knowing that I probably won't get a good nights sleep. I'm more used to a firmer bed, or the forest floor. My gaze hit a side panel situated on the bed frame. I hit the plus button on the side and watch as my mattress slowly firmed up. Huh, maybe the Capitol isn't so bad if it provides adjustable bedding for it's people. 'Nah' I think and banish those rebellious thoughts from my mind.
I strip myself of all clothes except my boxers and crash onto the bed.
I fall asleep before my head hits the pillow.
I wake with a start. It's still dark. Groggily, I stumble over to a basin of water that had... With a start, I realize that I'm no longer at home and no longer need to watch out for Katniss in the woods. I collapse back onto the bed and just lie there.
My mind's abuzz with plans to protect Katniss and, in what seems like no time at all, the sun begins to awaken too. Strips of effervescent light stream in through the large windows of the speeding train. I drag myself up and to the luxurious washroom provided in every cabin and splash some water on my face before leaving for the dining car.
A person dressed in red is already there, ready to prepare breakfast. I glance at him briefly. He is dressed in a red robe from head to toe. His mouth seemed to be glued together as I never see him open it, not even for a breath and I realize why that is An Avox. A traitor. A traitor who can't speak. I know there are no cameras anywhere, the Capital likes to save that until we're in an environment where they can control everything, and that there is no way for an Avox to tell anyone. so I loosen up the tight control I held since yesterday. The Avox squeaks lightly at the change.
My father once related my releasing control to a teddy bear transforming into a ruthless 1,700 pound grizzly who wanted nothing but to maul and kill you. I absentmindedly think he is right. I reach over to the Avox and pat his shoulder before sitting down in the chair. He is quick to recover from his frozen state though and serves me breakfast. I still see his paling skin and frightened stare trained on me.
As I begin to dig in, a faint whooshing sound reaches my ears and I am quick to return to my 'innocent' Peeta persona. It's Haymitch. He glances at me with inebriated eyes, as if surprised I was there. I think to myself 'He's seen the hunter.' But he's drunk so I relax a bit.
He narrows his eyes. Walking over, he plops down onto the seat directly across from me.
"So, what was that just now?" I blink at him.
"What was what?"
A change overcomes him. One that is, I assume, similar to my own. His grey Seam eyes, similar but oh so different from Katniss', go from slightly inebriated to sharp and observant. His slouching posture straightens and his mouth forms a thin line. This happens all within a few seconds. I know my transformations always take approximately a minute to happen.
I hear the Avox next to me squeak and hurry out the room. I can't blame him. Seeing such a frightening sight twice in a row must have been too much for him to handle.
"Well?" He asks calmly, though I can sense the suppressed impatient tone in his voice.
"I guess it's no use anymore anyways. Just make sure not to tell Katniss alright?" He nods and once again, I relax. My body loosens my eyes turn to ice. As this happens, I see Haymitch stare on patiently, never blinking, only watching on with a bored expression. As the transformations ends, I look up at him.
"Not bad." He says. "So we have a winner in 12 after all."
I look at him blankly. Slowly I nod my head. "Yes we do. But it's not me. It's Katniss." He curls an eyebrow at me in question.
"She can change too?"
"No. Katniss is Katniss. There's no changing her. But she's definitely coming out. I will accept nothing less" My eyes harden even more as if daring him to contradict me.
"Alright then. Can I ask why? Wait. No, I can already guess. She your sweetheart then?" I shake my head in negative. "But you want to be hers." Not a question. A statement. And I can't do anything but start on breakfast, a light blush staining each of my cheeks. I curse their betrayal.
"Ha, fine then. I'll help. But you need to be prepared then. Both of you." I look up. "I can help you there."
For the first time in a long time, I felt that maybe, just maybe, someone else could be part of the very limited pool of people I trusted. We turn back into drunk Haymitch and nice Peeta before I nod and we dig in to the feast prepared for us. I try a bit of everything until I get thirsty.
I stare at 3 cups of... something. I don't know. I've never had anything like these drinks of it before except for a fourth glass of water sitting near by. Haymitch laughs loudly at my apprehension and tells me the black one is called 'coffee' the brown one 'hot chocolate' and the darkish orange one is 'tea'. And just like that Effie comes bustling in with another one of her ridiculous outfits. She is wearing a canary yellow poofy dress with a yellow hat, stockings and pair of black high heels. They clash so badly with her shocking pink hair, I have to rub my eyes a bit before the spots in my vision disappear.
I take a sip of everything as she tells Haymitch to mind his manner and be quieter. He just laughs raucously at her outfit. The tea was a bit bitter but calming. Effie tells me to put some milk and sugar in it in between her rant. I decide to try that later and move on to the coffee. The first sip has me choking at the bitterness of it and I resolve to stay away from the stuff until further notice. The hot chocolate was the last thing I tried. It was a bit too sweet, but I live in a bakery and know exactly how to deal with things that are too sweet.
Eventually Effie just grabs a cup of the newly dubbed 'coffee' and leaves, muttering about manners and Haymitch and no respect. I'm not really sure. All I know is that I have a new favourite food. Hot rolls dipped in hot chocolate. I lose myself in them until Haymitch's voice jars me from my euphoria induced state.
"Sit down. Sit down." says Haymitch, waving over someone. I look up and see it's Katniss. She slides into her seat as I prepare her a plate of food. The moment she's on, I plunk a plate filled to the brim with food in front of her. Eggs and ham litter the plate and piles of fried potatoes rise up like skyscrapers. I place a bowl of iced fruits in front of her and reluctantly place the basket of rolls in front of her. I have to remind myself that I love her and resist the urge to take the basket, make with a creepy snicker and whisper 'mine precious' to myself. She seems to already know what the drinks are so I shove a mug of hot chocolate into her hands and encourage her to drink it.
"They call it hot chocolate. It's good."
She seems hesitant, but my expectant look urges her on. She takes a sip. Then another. Soon, it's drained and I pour her another cup. She's devouring every morsel of food on the table now. I look on in amusement, every now and again sneaking a roll in and dipping it into the hot chocolate. When she grabs a loaf of bread, my thoughts wander. They take me back to the time in the rain. To the time when I saved her.
I was making bread at the time. A dozen fresh loaves had just come out of the oven and I had just placed them onto the cooling rack when I heard screaming. It was my mother of course. A banshee in her own right. I peered out the window, wondering what all the commotion was about and saw her walking back inside. I looked confusedly out the window for a while before deciding it was nothing and turned back to the bread. That's when I saw her. Crawling towards the tree outside. Katniss Everdeen. My Katniss Everdeen. See, even back then I had loved her. Since I was 5 I have loved her. It pained me to watch as she dropped a bundle of clothes onto the ground and lean onto the tree. I looked into her desperate eyes and I knew what I had to do. Quickly I grabbed 2 loaves and dropped them into the fire. I let out an exaggerated "Oh no" and quickly pull them out. I know the burns are only superficial and that only the outside was black but my mother screamed at me. She struck me. I never forgave her for that. I remember that was when the hunter came to be. My mind was filled with thoughts of killing and death, but I knew I had help Katniss. I was afraid though. Afraid of these thoughts that plagued me. I walked outside, scraped the burns off, tossing them to the pigs and threw the rest of it out to her. I would've gone and handed them to her, but I was scared I would have hurt her.
I am shaken from my reverie as she finishes and leans back into her chair staring at Haymitch. He's pouring a clear liquid into what I assume is cranberry juice. I've only had it once in my life so I'm not entirely sure, but it's clear to me that it's liquor he's mixing it with.
I see Katniss look at Haymitch with a scalding look and I can't help but want to put on an act just for her. Haymitch and I look at each other knowingly for a fraction of a second before Katniss says her piece.
"So, you're supposed to give us advice," she says to Haymitch.
"Here's some advice. Stay alive." Then he bursts out laughing again. I can tell it's fake this time. I know he really wants to help us now or at least me. Katniss however doesn't think it so funny and mumbles "Just because you don't have anyone to go home to doesn't mean that I don't." She doesn't think he heard, but I know better. He stops laughing A bit of the hunter slips into his eyes.
I decide that I have to take the fall for bringing it out of him. I know because I've felt it too. When the hunter comes out on it's own volition, only punching something hard can make it calm down.
"That's very funny." I say and swat the glass out of Haymtich's hand. "Only not to us." Shattering glass accompanies my voice and I close my eyes, waiting for the inevitable hit. It takes a moment, but then it comes. A vicious uppercut catches my jaw and I fly back out of my seat. All I can think about is how much it hurts and how I'm definitely going to pay him back for that one.
'Thunk' I hear. Wincing slightly, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that will bruise. I look up. Katniss has driven a knife into the wood right between Haymitch's fingers. I stare at his eyes. The deadly gaze is now gone, replaced only with budding respect for my chosen.
"Well, what's this? Did I actually get a pair of fighters this year?"
I mentally scoff at his act and take some ice. "No," I stop and stare at Haymitch in confusion. "Let it show. Makes people think you fought before even entering the arena."
I glare at him. "That's against the rules." I really want to put some ice on it. It's starting to throb. He smirks.
"Even better. That bruise says you fought and didn't get caught." He turns to Katniss. "Can you hit anything with that... besides a table?"
She pauses before ripping the knife out of the table and carelessly throws it against the wall. It lodges so perfectly between two panels of the wood covered walls that I would have been fooled into thinking she was better than she really was if it weren't for my ability to read her slightly shocked face like a book.
Haymitch lines us up in the middle of the room and slowly walks around us. I can honestly say this unnerves me more than anything else. He stalks us like prey, poking and prodding us. I've never been the prey before, always the predator and it's humbling to think that another person so similar to me had such an effect on me.
"Well, decent enough I guess. Once the stylist get you done, you'll be attractive enough." I stay silent. "Alright. Here's the deal. Bread boy here doesn't kill anymore of my drinks and I'll stay sober enough to help you. But you have to listen and do exactly as I say." Here he stares at me subtle enough so that Katniss can't tell, but I can.
"Fine." I say.
Katniss initially tries to start up on a strategy session, but Haymitch stops her. He tells us that we'll be pulling into Capitol station in a couple minutes and that we'll brainstorm later.
"You'll be put in the hands of your stylists soon too. You're not gonna like what they do to you, but don't resist. No matter what."
And that's that. Katniss begins to protest but Haymitch instantly shoots her down. He's the alpha here and we have to respect that. He leaves.
As soon as the door shut behind him, we're plunged into darkness. There are still some lights bathing the cabin in a shadowy glow, but all of outside was covered with nothing. I realize in a few seconds that we're in the tunnel that runs through the mountain separating the districts from the Capitol.
We stand in silence for a few minutes. Every so often, i glance over at Katniss, taking in her body, reminding myself of yesterdays peepshow. I'm glad that it's so dark because I had a raging hard on for her. Reining in my rebellious hormones is harder than it usually is because the object of my fantasies was standing right next to me, but I get control just as we exit the mountain and into light once again.
I rush over to the window with Katniss to get a glimpse of the Capitol in genuine excitement. I've never seen the Capitol other than in films and propaganda videos so this is a first for me. Hey, I may have the instincts of a predator, but I'm still a kid.
Peeking over at Katniss, I can't help but think about how her very presense overshadows that of the Capitol's even as she looks on with unconcealed awe at the magnificent structures and colourful lights that litter the hated city. If nothing else you could admire it's beauty
Then we see the people and it takes everything in my power not to laugh. I even have to pull on some of the stoicness from the real me to keep from doing so. Just the ridiculousness of their looks. I catch a glimpse of a woman standing by the rails and almost collapse into a fit of giggles. Manly giggles though mind you. She had on a think green top that blinked in different colours and a long skirt with pictures of fish on it. Obviously, she would route for District four but that wasn't the funny part. Her hair was dyed a shocking electric blue and her skin was a dull puke green and I ask myself who was the idiot who decided that those colours, in any way, look good together..
Why would anyone subject themselves to that I wonder. I take a step back and look at Katniss. I can't help but think of the irony. How the Capitol people transformed their bodies with plastic and dyes to look beautiful, but nothing they ever do would compare to how Katniss looked right now. Her hair still slightly messy from waking. Her face, scrubbed clean pink. She needed no make up, no alterations. She was perfect in every single way without even trying and i dare anyone to say otherwise.
The train slows to a halt and the sight of all the Capitol people makes me sick, but I remember that I was pure Peeta and return to the window to wave at the sheep. When Katniss questions me, I shrug and say, "Who knows? One of them may be rich." and turn away.
AU:just gonna change to Katniss' POV for a second. Don't worry, I just need to finish it off with some added content. This is gonna continue straight from the last paragraph
Katniss' POV
I stare in horror at the boy with the bread. I know that I won't be able to kill him. I had honestly thought that he was becoming close to me, but I misjudged him. The handshake, the helpfulness. I see it coming together. And I know he hasn't given up his life. He's fighting to stay alive. Which means that kind Peeta Mellark, the boy who saved my life, is also trying to kill me.
END! ... of the chapter. W00T 9 pages. So tell me how you like it and please read and review. Gotta go sleep now and then head to school for exams. So busy. I hope you ungrateful bastards are happy. lulz
So just want to keep you in the loop and connect it to the book, I am now up to Chapter 5 in The Hunger Games book.
So ya. Keep reading and enjoy. Peace.
~Ray-Sama