Chapter 3: Goodbyes and Greetings.

I and the other tribute were led to the dark wooden doors of the Justice Centre. Once inside we were separated into two dark, small rooms, to say our goodbyes. I sat in the chair waiting for the sound of the door handle moving and soon enough it did.

Yuriko and my father strode in; immediately wrapping me in a comforting hug. I hated to admit it but tears spilled down my cheeks. I would miss my family so much, this thought made me so more determined to win the games. I heard a quiet sniffle and to my shock I realised it was my brother.

"Don't cry," I whisper, "you need to stay strong, for yourself and father." I gathered him into a separate hug. As we were hugging, my father cleared his throat, whilst slowly pulling something out of his inner pocket. It was small and wrapped in white paper. I opened the package. Inside was a beautiful hair slide, it was encrusted with sparkling white and blue crystals. It showed age and a quiet elegance. I gaped at it. The cost!

"I was meant to give you this for your 19th birthday; it belonged to your mother. She was given this by your grandmother on her 19th birthday so we decided to carry on the tradition. I gave it to you early because," he broke off with a sob and I wrapped him in a hug. I was amazed at the token.

"It's beautiful, father I placed it in my pocket not wanting to put it on just yet."

Suddenly our goodbye was interrupted by a peacekeeper, telling us they needed to go. Gave each of them a hug and kiss as they were led out. I choked back a sob and quietly whispered to them.

"Goodbye."

10 minutes later I was once again led out by peacekeepers. We were hustled into a car and drove to the train station. The cabins were breath-taking, light blues and silvers lined the walls and decorative pieces. Whilst dark, mahogany tables and frames stood out. It was clear that the Capitol had designed the train in such wealth to show that they were the richest and ruled over us and we were in their power now. I jumped onto a sky blue sofa. Swallow tutted at my actions but said nothing when I raised my eyebrow in a challenge. Tim stifled a laugh and I smiled fondly at him. Our stare off was interrupted by the arrival of our mentors.

Finnick looked no different in person than on Capitol posters and playbacks of the games. He was tall and well-built with a slight tan. His hair had a messy look, as if he had purposely run through it multiple times to get the roguish look. His hair colour was similar to the dark golden sand of the district 4 beaches; whilst underneath held a dark brown tint. His eyes where a deep blue-green and held a cheeky glint. I could tell why he was such a hit to the Capitol; his apparent charming personality and good looks, you could tell he knew he was good looking and put it to good use.

"Hello sweet cheeks," I fought back the urge to roll my eyes, "it seems we may have good chance this year! Aren't you a looker." He gave me a cheeky wink but was soon put in place by a smack around the head by an elderly woman with thick yet kind-of wispy hair. She had deep chocolate brown eyes which showed her age and horrors within them like a mirror. She smiled fondly at me whilst giving a playful glare to Finnick, who was rubbing the back of his head pouting.

"Woman! Must you slap so hard I need my brain cells" he exclaimed whilst flopping down on to a nearby arm chair.

"Oh honey I'm sure there aren't any brain cells to lose within your head," she bit back playfully. Me and Tim started to laugh, Tim was a bit quieter as he was still shaken up and nervous about the Games.

"Dear Mags, I'm hurt," he said in a hurt voice holding his hands to his heart, "Anyway, to business. I'm Finnick and this is Mags, we will be your mentors for the games. We will help you get sponsors adapt your skills to suit fighting in the arena. Mainly we will work on sponsors. We need to attract you Sponsors. We need to make you as appealing as possible, to reel them in. Sponsors like the typical tributes in the games, the brutal, the attractive ones," He flashed a smile, "These will be the kind of looks that will gain the Sponsors. Do think you can do that?" Tim and I looked towards each other. He looked back and smiled and agreed. On the other hand, I was having a mental breakdown inside. I knew there was one thing I didn't have and that was people skills. I usually keep to myself, I don't have friends. I placed a fake smile on my face and spoke.

"Of course," Finnick beamed at me, I shifted in my seat. He clapped his hands together

"Now skills, what can you give to the games?" He looked to Tim first. He swallowed.

"I have basic trident and spear skills, I can hunt I suppose…" he trailed off nervously; obviously wondering if those skills could be of use. I smiled to him and nodded while Mags and Finnick did the same.

"That's good, we can work on that but what you need to be is confident, not too confidents though, in interviews act cheeky, cute if you will. Do that and the Capitol will lap you up. If you talk to Mags in the next cart she will give you more tips, survival skills." Tim grinned and jumped up he walked to Mags and helped her out of the seat and into the cabin next door. As the door shut there was silence. Finnick rose from his arm chair to sit beside me on the sofa. For a minute or so he sat there studying me. Admittedly I found it uncomfortable.

"Now, darling what skills do you have?"

"My names Ren," I stated, smiling lightly, "I have martial art training, weapon handling, mostly the Katana. A Japanese sword." I added swiftly at the end when I saw his confused look. I sighed. "My father thought it was a good idea to train me and my brother from a young age, in case we got picked," I rose my knees to my chest and wrapped my arms around them, "I hoped to have a clear record from the games, my brother did, as did my parents."

"And yet you volunteered?" Finnick said, witch a raised eyebrow.

"Of course! Serena hadn't had any training, she was my friend, I wasn't going to let her or another life die!" I shot at him, eyes flashing. He smirked was taken aback for a second and then smirked.

"I like you Ren you have fire," he winked, "it seems you have good skills but let me ask you one thing, how are you going to get sponsors or alliances, when you snap like that love?" I had no answer.