Thanks for all the reviews! You guys are the best! I was never sure how popular this fandom would be but I'm glad you guys like my idea
For clarification: this is the 67th Hunger Games. There will be no Katniss or Peeta in this story.
Non Hunger Games people: Avoxs = slaves of the Capitol with their tongues cut out.
Kylar gave a final wave to the swarms of reporters when avoxes slide the train doors shut. He let out a sigh as he turned his back to the train station, to District 5. His winning-aren't-I-so-charming-and-happy-to-be-here smile was starting to hurt his cheeks.
Mallory Beanie studied him, not having the decency, or wit, to be subtle about it.
"What?" Kylar snapped, trying to lighten his annoyed tone at the last moment once he realized that she was the closest thing to a genuine ally he probably would get.
Mallory flinched anyways. "You just seem to be…into this," she stammered.
Kylar prepared to spiel a cocky answer, but he hesitated. Mallory looked up at him with watering brown eyes. A pang of guilt hit him at his earlier gratitude that she was tribute and not Mags or Illena. "It's called acting for the cameras," he said lightly.
"Oh…"
"This way children!" Anita screeched, digging her manicured claws into the tributes' shoulders. "You need to meet your mentors!"
Mallory sucked in a wavering breath.
"It'll be wonderful!" Anita continued. "I just have the most marvelous feeling about this year. I smell lots of sponsors." The escort winked conspiratorially at Kylar which he chose to ignore. "Your mentors should be pleased, I'd say."
"Just imagine if they can actually fight, eh?" the robust man from earlier, Penguid, nudged Dur-Tulii.
Tulii smirked in return. Not even the deadly smirk Kylar was used to. A genuine, humorous grin that rarely saw the light of day, it was all Kylar could do not to gawk. "Anita may be overcome with shock."
"Ahem," Anita cleared her throat while throwing the mentors a meaningful look. "Mallory, Kylar, here are your mentors, Master Tulii and Master Penguid."
"Please," Penguid cried, "none of this 'master' nonsense. Just Penguid and Tulii. Being called 'master' makes me feel like I own you or something." This made Kylar feel unexpectedly sheepish.
"Alright, Mast-Penguid," Mallory mumbled. Penguid's eyes softened as he took in Mallory's obvious nerves and red eyes.
"Come now, Mallory," Penguid said. "Let's eat."
"We have fantastic food selections," Anita gushed. "Lamb, crabs, cheese filled potato crisps…"
"Our pork isn't bad either," Penguid said. "My weakness, I'm afraid." He rubbed his stomach so forlornly, it made Mallory giggle. "So dig in, never mind manners, they're for rich people."
Anita shot Penguid a glare. "Manners are needed. Some us of don't want to turn into barbarians."
"You should loosen up, Anita," Tulii said. "You might become halfway appealing."
Anita harrumphed as Mallory traded an almost cheerful glance with Kylar as they loaded up their plates. Kylar smiled back at her. He almost felt sorry for judging Penguid so harshly during the reaping.
"So what do you do?" Tulii asked, addressing Kylar and Mallory for the first time.
Kylar immediately put a faintly cocky look on his face. "Sword, knives and spears."
Tulii nodded considerately while Durzo frowned at his pupil. What? Was spear a little out there? Sure usually Careers and tributes from District 4 were the spear experts, but Kylar wanted a further ranged weapon than a knife and a non-Career knowing how to use a spear seemed more plausible than being an expert at a bow or crossbow.
"Interesting," Penguid said, "what about you, doll?"
Mallory's earlier cheerfulness vanished as she studied her plate. "I don't really know how to do anything…"
Anita studied her plate while Penguid and Tulii shared a look.
"Surely there's something?" Penguid asked gently.
Mallory gulped as she shook her head. A quavering hand picked up her fork as she attempted to continue her meal. Kylar felt a lump fall to the bottom of his stomach. This whole situation was made worse because the Sa'kage rigged the tribute result. She was an innocent child whose only downfall was her dad couldn't control his gambling. It was despicable. Kylar's eyes drifted down towards his own plate when he caught a glint out of the corner of his eye.
"Wait," he said, "you have a dagger."
"What?" Mallory said, looking down in surprise. "Well yeah, but how am I going to win with that? Throw daggers at people?"
"That's how some boy won a few years ago," Kylar said.
"Exactly!" Penguid said, relief obvious in his eyes. "How's your aim?"
"Um…okay, I guess," Mallory said. "I just had it for protection. My dad only taught me the basics."
"Hit that pig's head over there," Tulii said, "on the right eye."
Mallory stood up, trying to hide her nerves by tucking her bushy hair behind her ears. She focused on the pig, took aim, and threw.
Thwunk.
"Pig's forehead…not bad," Tulii smiled at her. Kylar tried to rear in the wave of jealously. Durzo rarely offered him a compliment, even when he did whatever was requested perfectly. But this wasn't Durzo, its Tulii. Mallory was just getting extra attention because of her obvious youth. At least he was 17. Kylar glanced over at Mallory's smiling face. She wouldn't make it. Penguid knew. Tulii knew. Even Anita knew. They were all just happy because she wouldn't be completely defenseless during the game. Kylar glanced down at his plate. He wanted to help her. He really did. Mallory, even though she annoyingly reminded him of Illena, was the enemy. Kylar would only make it harder on himself if he started to care. Love was a noose, after all.
Anita glanced down at her watch, the gold and silver design somehow emphasized by the purple dye on Anita's skin. "I do believe that the reaping recaps are on. Let's size up the competition, shall we?" Not waiting for an answer, she pressed a button that slide a previously hidden panel on the wall, revealing a huge, flat screen TV.
"How many beats that the District 1 and 2 tributes are eighteen, buff, brawny and took up swordplay when they were toddlers?" Penguid said.
"How many beats that Haymitch is nursing a beer?" Tulii shot back.
"Who's Haymitch?" Mallory quietly asked.
"District 12 victor," Kylar said. "The last one living." Kylar then could've sworn that Penguid said 'Bless his soul' but Panem's anthem blared from the speakers.
Like every year, the first two Districts had teenage warriors as their victors, all volunteers. One was sixteen, however, so Tulii gladly relieved Penguid of some of his money. District 3 and 4 had no notable tributes, except for the drop dead gorgeous girl tribute from District 4. First Finnick, now her, District 4 really had the cream of the crop, didn't they? Next was their District, which one of the commentators did point out how the victors now numbered at five. TV Mallory was obviously shocked during the whole thing while TV Kylar remained stoic except for when Logan tried to volunteer to take his place. The commentators murmured amongst themselves with delight and surprise by the brief spectacle. One remarked that District 5 might finally have a decent representation. Add a joke about District 5's losing streak, President Snow, and last year's 'what were we thinking' toe webbing trend and then it was on to the District 6.
"I painted a target on my back, haven't I?" Kylar asked dryly. Durzo's eyes said it all. 'Why, yes. Yes, you did.' Kylar could've sworn there was something else about how if he and Logan weren't so dramatic, this never would've happened, but Kylar was sure he was reading too much into Durzo's expression.
"More of a 'hey look at me' target," Penguid said optimistically. "Everyone will probably be more worried about the tributes from 1, 2, and 4."
"But still wary of you," Tulii said. "The Careers will be more interested."
The poorer Districts offered no more noteworthy tributes except the muscular eighteen year old from 10 and the twelve year old from 8. Then the recap finally reached District 12.
"Hold on," Tulii said, squinting at the screen. "What's that? Could it possibly be a drink in Haymitch's hand? Nah, that's too out of character…What say you, Penguid?" Penguid rolled his eyes while he tossed Tulii more money.
"Watch and learn from Tulii, kids," Penguid lectured half-jokingly. "Reading people and predicting their moves is key in this game."
Anita sighed softly. "Every time I'm feeling down, I just thank my lucky stars I'm not Effie. Stuck in District 12, poor dear."
"We all feel for you, Anita," Kylar said sardonically after a few moments of silence.
The TV Effie cheerfully spoke into the microphone, describing what an honor it was to be chosen and all the typical Capitol propaganda. She started with the girls, as usual, which brought forth a skinny, plain girl in her mid-teens, also as usual. The commentators were a bit bored by now, but hid it by stating random facts about the District. Apparently coals made diamonds. Or was it pearls? The commentators debated about that fact for quite a bit. Another commentator spoke of how something beautiful was hidden under such an ugly exterior and maybe District 12 was the same. It was supposed to sound philosophical. It came out more like a slap across the face. The crowd buzzed as Effie called the boy tribute. The blind boy tribute. A Peacekeeper had to lead him up to the stage. The commentators faltered as the crowd gave a displeased murmur.
"There should be rulings against these types of things," Penguid grumbled.
"That would imply the Capitol had a heart," Tulii said, causing Anita to gasp. The national anthem played, indicating the end of the reapings.
"Well, you should probably head off to bed now," Anita said, clearly flabbergasted. "We're going to arrive at the Capitol tomorrow. First the ceremony, then it's training, training, training."—nervous giggle—"Very big day. Here, follow me." Mallory quietly followed. Kylar glanced back at his mentors before he joined the ladies. He wanted to think about his competition before he arrived at the Capitol anyway.
~O~
"Well that made Anita leave quickly didn't it?" Penguid said. "You really shouldn't say things like that."
"It's true," Durzo said. Yet very stupid to say. He didn't normally speak treason when he was Tulii.
"You know how the Capitol is," Penguid said.
"It was a slip, my friend," Durzo said. "After seeing that boy…"
"I hate it when we mentor kids we know won't make it," Penguid said, "and listening to those commentators joke about how none of our kids made it past the first day in a decade…I understand why Haymitch is an alcoholic. Can you imagine being the only mentor to a District that hasn't won in years?"
Durzo grimaced. He considered himself hardened over the years, but the unnecessary killing of kids in the games was still a draining and mind numbing experience. "So what about our tributes this year?"
"Mallory…" Penguid began, "I know she won't make it, but I still hope I can go back to the District without fearing to meet her family's eyes."
Durzo swallowed his drink. Her dad was probably getting alcohol poisoning or begging to the Sa'kage, despite the little good it would do now. "She at least seems like she can fight back. She's bright; she'll survive for a few days as long as she doesn't head towards Cornucopia."
"It's almost worse to watch them after a few days even when you and Panem already know their fate," Penguid said. "That Kylar will probably go far. He's cocky though. Might die in Cornucopia."
Durzo shrugged noncommittally. If Kylar used his head and didn't reveal his training, he'll be fine.
"He reminds me of you actually," Penguid said unexpectedly.
"Why?" Durzo asked, honestly taken aback.
"Just the way he watches people, takes everything in. I feel like he can see inside me. He has this…air around him that seems dangerous. The people at the Capitol and the Careers will definitely take note," Penguid said. "He's a smartass too."
"I see into the depths of your soul, do I?" Tulii teased. Durzo was reeling inside. Kylar had a dangerous air? Durzo didn't sense it, but he was around the boy 24/7. How in the name of the Night Angels was he supposed to make Kylar lose that? He didn't appreciate this unexpected obstacle. If Kylar was actually considered one of the main threats, it would make things unnecessarily complicated.
"Oh haha," Penguid said mockingly. "No surprise from the first few Districts, eh?"
"Not really," Durzo agreed. "Those boys from 10 and 2 were huge."
"Mhmm," Penguid hummed as he poured him and Durzo a drink. "To the 67th Hunger Games."
"May the odds be ever in our favor," Durzo said mockingly as they clinked glasses. They were reaching the Capitol tomorrow. It was almost time to plump up the kids before cheering for their deaths. Durzo swallowed the rest of his liquor in one gulp. He was going to need another drink.