Chapter 3
Authors Note: Thank you all for your favorites and reviews I am having fun writing this story. I hope you enjoy this next chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Hunger Games.
My face was crimson red as the young red headed woman circled around my naked body. She plucked a few hairs from my back and chest before standing in front of me. Her teeth shined bright through her smile as she clapped her hands together.
"Okay, you got a young healthy body, very nice black hair and fair tanned skinned." She acknowledged. "Now we need to get you suited up in your wardrobe."
"Well what exactly is our wardrobe?" I was worried for what she had in store for me. Since our district is based solely on cattle we're usually dressed in cow skin and skull for helmets or just simple straw hats and flannel.
"I'm gonna go flashy this year." She explained. "No more trying to make you look tough or old fashioned this year I want you to look handsome and pretty."
"Okay." I pressed on. "What is it?"
"Cow Boys!"
I gave her a disgruntled look which makes her smile wide. I really just wanted this day to end.
(!)
I wasn't going to lie Claudia knew what she was doing. I looked at myself and really admired my fancy cow boy outfit. I wore an all-black outfit with matching pants and boot along with a duster hat and gloves. They were outlined with gold trim and very soft on my skin.
"Great work Claudia." I complimented. This outfit was pretty cool but I couldn't wait to see how Ria looked. It was funny that I started thinking about her right when I heard her growling and complaining.
I turned around with every intention of making fun of her before I actually saw her in her outfit. My jaw hit the floor when I saw her wearing a black mini skirt that showed off her slender legs. Her top was no better as it just covered her breast and left her stomach and lower back exposed. Her black hair was braided in two braids that hung over each of her shoulders. She looked up at me and her face cringed when she saw the look on my face.
"Stop staring at me you perverted brute." She snapped while she futilely tried to cover her body. I should have looked away but I couldn't the Capitol had achieved the impossible and made her look feminine.
"Hard to believe there is a woman under all that rugged exterior." I chuckled as did the rest of the group. Ria raised her fist but was caught mid-swing by Roan who was now dressed in a black suit.
"Settle down darling, it's illegal to strike a tribute before a match." I gave her a smug grin as she yanked her wrist out of Roan's grip. "Alright we still got a few minutes before they start the show. People will ignore you since we're at the bottom of the ladder. So it is your job to get them to notice you."
"How do we do that?" I asked.
"However you can." Claudia said as she straightened out the collar of my coat. "You have to show them that you want to be here and that you want to be their friend. Smile, laugh, cheer give the ladies a smile and a wink. And you." She directed her attention to Ria. "You're beautiful and strong you can pull off a sweetie pie act. Blow some kisses and wave at the audience in a cute manner."
"What do you mean a 'cute manner'?" Ria looked at Claudia confused before the young woman held her hand up to the side of her face. She then tilted her and smiled while rapidly waving her fingers. Ria looked at her quizzically before nodding her head. "I can do that."
"I hope so cause we're going on soon." I told her, the butterflies in my stomach were starting to get the better of me. I had to clear my head.
I looked around at the other tributes to see what we were up against. District two was dressed up in some silver armor that gave them a warrior's look. District seven was dressed up in leaves and they were very well put together. They covered up their private areas while showing off some of their bodies in a unique fashion. I was admiring each and every costume from each district until my eyes fell on twelve.
A young boy and girl were both naked and covered in coal dust. District twelve was known for coal mining but I really didn't think it was necessary to dress them in nothing but coal dust. Like ten they only had one champion from the fiftieth quarter quell eighteen years ago.
The two caught me staring at them and looked discouraged when they caught my look of pity. I know I shouldn't really care what they think considering the circumstances but I couldn't help but give them a friendly wave. They both smiled and waved back before my other half grabbed me and dragged me to our chariot.
"What the hell do you think you're doing idiot?" Ria snapped. "We're here to win not make friends."
"We'll it doesn't hurt to be friendly." I retorted.
"Yeah until that friend puts a knife in your back." Ria sighed. "Dammit, don't you get it we're all living on borrowed time."
"Ria, let's just get through the chariots before we worry about the arena." I said reassuringly. Ria let out another groan before nodding and standing up on the chariot. I got on and stood next to her as did the rest of the tributes on their own chariots.
Everyone was lined up and the capitol anthem started playing and the big doors rolled open. In a matter of seconds we would be paraded to the world. District one were greeted with loud cheers since careers were most favorite in the games.
Then district two was next and they received even greater praise. It went on like that for a minute before it was finally our turn. Both Ria and I let out shaky breaths as we moved slowly towards the large doorway.
We were soon greeted by the cheers of thousands of multicolored citizens of the Capitol. The stadium was very impressive made to look like daytime in the middle of the night. My view was then brought to a giant monitor that super imposed on my face. My name and district were both displayed below the monitor.
I mentally slap myself when I realize that I am supposed to be wooing the crowd to my favor. Before I know it I am waving my arms and cheering at the crowd. I take my hat off and start waving it at countless fans. Each and every one of them fawned over me. Men shouted and cheered and women swooned and blew kisses at me.
I looked over to see how Ria was handling herself. She was smiling and waving at the crowds just like Claudia showed her. I actually admired her charisma and she had men wanting her and women wanting to be her.
In spite of everything I thought of her she knew what she was doing. I felt like I owed her an apology later. Much later.
Our chariot stopped next to district nines as we were soon followed up by eleven and twelve. The President of Panem President Coriolanus Snow stood above us on his balcony and welcomed us to the Capitol. My heart was racing as I stared up at Snow. Something about him sent chills down my spine which caused me to shudder.
I felt something tap my thigh and I turned to see Ria giving me a questionable look. I gave her a reassuring nod before our Chariot pulled away. We arrived in the back and we were quickly greeted by Roan, Claudia and Jeremiah.
"You two were great!" Claudia exclaimed. Jeremiah patted our shoulders.
"Yes, very nice. You showed them you really laid down the charm on them." He chuckled.
"Okay let's settle down for a moment." Roan said. "You were good. You got a few cheers but it'll take more than a few waves and kisses to get some serious sponsors."
"What's the next plan boss?" Roan gave me a skeptical look before leading us to the elevators.
"Your next plan is to impress the game makers." Roan explained as we walked inside the small pod. Jeremiah hit the button and both Ria and I gasped when the small room shot up from the ground and into the air. We saw a lot of the Capitol from the window of the elevator before we stopped at our floor.
Like the train our floor was decorated in expensive furniture and decorative flowers. A large bay window gave us a perfect view of the Capitol and we were greeted by an avox girl who took my coat for me.
"Now, why don't you two get ready for dinner and we can discuss the game makers." Roan said as he took a seat on the black living room couch.
The avox girl led us to our rooms which were just as fancy as everything else and I quickly changed out of my clothes and made my way towards the showers. Once there I was again greeted by another odd feature of the Capitol's inventions.
When I wanted to take a shower at my house I just needed to turn the faucet and let the water pour out. This shiny contraption had a multiple faucets and buttons all over it. I stepped inside the large tub and started twisting the faucets.
Water rose up from the ground and burned my body. I hopped around frantically turning the faucets trying to cool down the water. My fingers hit a few buttons as well and coated me in multiple shampoos, soaps and dyes. When I finally got a master of the faucets I smelled of flowers and my hair was highlighted dark blue.
Claudia was going to kill me for ruining my hair. She really loved my black hair. After drying off and raiding a black long sleeved shirt and black pants from my dressers I went back to the dining room.
When everyone saw me I was greeted by the laughs of my fellow comrades. My face broke out in a scowl and I sat down at the table and started eating my prime rib. Once everyone settled down, Roan had begun to explain the basics of the Hunger Games.
"The arena will be outfitted by the game makers to ensure your struggle for survival." He explained. "What it will be, well no one will know until the games begin. The next part will be the blood bath of cornucopia where in you will fight for a weapon and supplies or die trying. Take my advice and stay away from there."
Ria and I both looked at him in shock. How the hell were we suppose to survive without a weapon or some supplies. We could rely on our sponsors but as of right now there was no guarantee that we would even get any. I jumped when Ria slammed her fist on te table.
"You stupid old fool!" She snapped. "How the hell are we supposed to survive when we have nothing?"
"Well if you don't die first then you find a source of water and a source of food." Roan explained placidly. "Food like Rabbits, squirrels or any type of berries, excluding nightlock of course."
"But how would we defend ourselves against the careers?" I asked in confusion.
"Don't forget the goal isn't to kill the careers it's to survive." Roan informed. "Sometimes running and hiding is better than staying and fighting."
"Yeah, but it's not as entertaining. How are we gonna get sponsors if we just sit in a hole sucking on roots and eating squirrels?" Ria asked. I had to agree with her on that one.
While surviving is the key no one wants to watch a couple of district ten flunkies shaking in the cold before dying. They wanted to see us tear each other to pieces and entertain them. This is why ten never got any sponsors. If we're not getting killed in the blood bath we're starving in the arena. It was a sad but true fact.
"Well if you can appease the game makers and entice the crowds in your interviews you should be able to get some sponsors." Roan explained. "Now this is the big question, what can you two bring to the table?"
Ria and I both looked at each other with pitiful expressions. There was nothing unique about us. I could brawl and she could use a lasso and was tough as nails. These traits were nothing compared to the skills and strength of a career. I let out a painful sigh of defeat and set my fork down next to my plate.
"I'm sorry Roan, but we are just another couple of district ten misfits." I grumbled as I got up from my chair.
"He's good with a hatchet!" Ria exclaimed stopping me in my tracks. "I gambled ten dollars and a candied apple to see if he could throw a hatchet across my yard and into my apple tree. He hit it dead center."
I was surprised that she spoke out for me like that. Then I remembered she had good eyes.
"She can use a slingshot I remember she shot three glass bottles under ten seconds. She's never lost a bet when it came down to her marksmen ship." I said with sincerity.
Roan looked at us amused. He started chuckling before lighting up a cigarette and blowing out a puff of smoke. Ria and I looked over at him to see his crooked grin.
"You see, don't be so quick to sell yourselves short." Roan reassured. "The one thing you need in the arena is hope. If you give up on yourself or on any chance of living then you might as well just let yourself die. Try thinking of a reason to win during training tomorrow. It'll come in handy for your interview."
Roan got up from his chair and stepped out on the balcony to smoke. Ria quickly got up as well and walked stormed up to her room. With nothing left to do I decided to turn in for the night. Easier said than done, I got as much sleep as I did on the train.
I didn't know how long I just stared up into the ceiling before Roan was knocking on my door telling me to get ready for training. I got up out of bed and dragged myself to the closet and found my training clothes. I slipped on the black shirt and pants with combat boots and followed Roan and Ria to the elevator.
"Listen, I forgot to mention this yesterday, but don't let them know your skills. It's best to spread out and try and throw them off."
"How?" I asked.
"Practice spear throwing, camouflage, archery anything really. But as for your axe wielding and her marksmanship save them for the game makers." He said in a stern voice.
"Okay, got it." Ria said. I gave him a small nod right when the elevator stopped on the training floor.
When we made our way in everyone else had already started training. Ria and I parted ways and walked over to separate stations. She walked over to a sword wielding station and I started off at the archery station.
I never used a bow and arrow in my life so I figured now would be as any good time as any. I stood at the ready point and readied an arrow. I pulled back the string and let go watching the arrow fly right past the target.
A few onlookers started laughing at my failed archery attempt including the careers. I looked over at the boy and girl from district two. The boy had long black hair and looked to be about seventeen and the girl fifteen with short brown hair.
When I saw their smug arrogant faces laughing at me I felt nothing but rage. The boy looked at me like a wolf right before devouring its prey. I was about to go over and assert myself when something shiny caught my eye. On the weapons wall a few feet away from me there were a few small shiny throwing axes.
They weren't as big as the hatchets but they looked lighter and easier to throw. I ripped one off of the wall and gripped the handle tight before pulling it back and throwing it. It twirled in the air for a moment before landing in the other weapons case between the boy and girl.
The laughing ceased in an instant and everyone including the game makers was staring down at me. They were all surprised by the action but not as much as the district two tributes. It was my turn to smile as the boy seemed to take this act as a compliment.
He gripped the handle with his hand and ripped it out with little effort and stomped over to me. He was a foot taller than me, his green eyes burning a hole in my head as he glared at me. A few peacekeepers started to make their way over to us expecting to break up a fight when the boy started to laugh.
He twirled the axe around in his hands holding the handle out to me.
"Atlas." He introduced himself. My gaze didn't leave his as I gripped the handle and took the axe back.
"Hunter."
