Chapter 3: Daunting Impression

A/N: I won't beat around the bush. If you review, then I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Review bring me motivation, even the ones that say 'update'. If that's all you have to say, then great. Thanks, but enough of my rambling. Let's go.

We finally met our stylists. Cinna and Portia were the stylists for Katniss and her district partner in the 3rd Quarter Quell, whose name slipped my mind. They've specifically requested to keep on being the stylists for 12, and when I asked them why they didn't move up to another district, they responded differently.

"I requested for 12, and plus, Katniss-", Cinna interrupted himself before he could finish what he was about to say.

"The whole coal miner outfit is SO overused, so Cinna and I are here to dazzle the audiences with the costumes we can create together for the most underrated and underestimated district.", answered Portia.

So, Cinna requested for 12, and Portia just stayed because she liked spicing up the 'creative' costumes their previous stylists had made: the usual coal miner outfit. That's interesting, I guess. I was wearing a dark king's garb complete with a black crown embedded with jewels and a flowing cape. I looked at Iris, and I admitted to myself that she looked amazing in the outfit. She was a wearing a matching black dress fit for a queen, also with a dark cape draped over her shoulders. She wore a black tiara laden with jewels, like me. In short, our outfits were matching, but slightly different.

"Now, time for the key part.", Cinna said to me, along with Iris. He held a white lighter with a multi colored flame. It was black which slowly transitioned to a blazing orange at the tips. Iris looked scared.

"Don't worry. It's artificial, it won't burn you or your outfit, alright? It'll wear off by the time you arrive at the City Circle.", Portia assured us. With that, they applied it to our capes and to our crowns.

They nodded and we got onto the chariots and rode out to the path to the City Circle, where President Amanda Snow was awaiting us.

When we came out, the Capitol spectators started immediately screaming and cheering. When I looked into a mirror, I realized that me and Iris' crown/tiara were burning, as were our capes. Iris attempted to grab my hand.

"Iris, what are you-...?" I asked before I was cut off by her.

"Just hold my hand. They will start fawning over us, just watch.", Iris replied in a forced whisper. Iris blushed madly and grabbed by hand and raised it up in the air. The Capitol audience starting making even more noise, as Iris predicted. She even caught a purple iris, which amused me a little.

When we arrived, all the other districts were glaring daggers at us. We had outshone them all- literally. President Amanda made her drawn out speech, and we headed inside the Training Center. We headed up to the top floor, along with Haymitch, Katniss, and Effie. That night, we once again had an amazing meal. I still reminded myself that this time would not last.

The Next Morning

I woke Iris up and headed down to the Training Center's main room, which was massive. I began by starting off at the lance/spear fighting, but also sneaking glances at the other tributes. I took note of some tributes. Of course, the Career Districts (1, 2, and 4) made their usual alliance. District 2's pair of tributes looked rather lackluster this year, and they put 16 year olds, it appears, into the Games this year. I noticed District 2's female tribute, Sophia, taking a glance at me, and looking away. In fact, I noticed the Careers checking out me and my district partner. When I was done, I looked at all the dummies I struck with my lance, in which I happened to destroy all of them. District 4's male tribute, came forward.

"Twelve… your name's Rain, right? I'm Adrian." the newly revealed District 4 tribute said as he greeted me.

"Yes, I'm Rain Orion, District 12. What do you need?" I replied politely.

"I'd like for you to join us in our alliance. Your district partner is allowed too, if you want her in as well.", Adrian told me.

I thought over it for a moment. These people would turn on me the moment the second they didn't need me anymore. I came to a decision almost immediately.

"...No, sorry. I don't want to join.", I answered Adrian.

"Very well…", he replied, and left, sauntering back to his fellow Careers.

I continued training until it was time to clock out for the night. I pushed the button for my floor, and went in the elevator. When I left the elevator, I immediately encountered Iris, who seemed a little upset.

"Why did you reject their alliance, Rain?", Iris asked after confronting me.

"They would have betrayed us first when the tribute count started dwindling, and we would likely not survive the ensuing fight. That's why, it's for the long run, Iris. Think two steps ahead. Don't bother lamenting when they betray you, because you'll most definitely be dead. Don't tell me you actually accepted their offer?!" I shouted incredulously.

Iris seemed to shy back, looked down at her feet, and began shuffling them slightly.

"...No, I did not." Iris answered.

"Alright then, catch some shut-eye. I'll see you down in the Training Center tomorrow.

The next days went by in a flash, with Iris endlessly taking jabs at me about Sophia, District 2's female tribute, constantly checking me out. Now, it was time for the private session. I watched the Gamemakers ignore me, and I threw my hefty spear right at the dummy, impaling it, and running it right through, the lance piercing the ground on the other side. I looked at the Gamemakers, were looking in rapt attention. I motioned for them to stand to the side, and threw a javelin at the cake they had, pinning the decoration labeled '100'. The Gamemakers subsequently dismissed me after this, and I heard one of them whisper:

"Talk about déjà vu…"

After this, I saw that I had achieved a 12, up there with District 12's previous victor and mentor, Katniss Everdeen. Effie was ecstatic, as were Haymitch and Katniss, albeit to a lesser extent. They were smiling genuinely. The interviews also went by pretty fast, Katniss decided to have Iris go with flirtatious, but confident, and Haymitch told me to go with determined and prepared.

"So, Rain, what do you think of this year's Quarter Quell twist?", the middle-aged Caesar Flickerman asked me.

"It's interesting, I guess.", I quickly replied.

"What about the girl you'll be bringing home if you win? Come on. You're certainly a handsome looker, there's got to be a girl amongst the tributes this year you'd like to win with, besides your partner.", Caesar pressured me.

"Well, my mom said to me that she wanted lots of grandchildren, so…", I trailed off, scratched the back of my head, and I felt my face flare up a little bit.

Caesar Flickerman starting laughing, and the Capitol crowd let out a collective 'Awww!' over my embarrassment and at my own expense.

"Now, Rain. You volunteered in your district. Definitely doesn't occur too often, to my knowledge. What spurred you?", asked Caesar.

"I wanted to save my twelve-year old brother. Nothing more, nothing less.", I answered.

"Well, good luck to you then, Rain Orion. Let's give this man one round of applause!", shouted Caesar Flickerman to the whole crowd, who gave a standing ovation in an immense uproar. This might just yield me sponsors.

Haymitch and Katniss greeted Iris and I on the way back.

"Good going there, kiddo. So, who's the lucky girl?", Haymitch asked.

"Don't know, old man. Might have to end up killing this supposed 'lucky girl'. Dead girls aren't really my type.", I replied.

Haymitch let out a chuckle. Katniss grinned, and Iris starting laughing.

"Well, Rain. I better see one of you two amongst the two winners of this Hunger Games, got it? Well, I will see you on the other side." Katniss said as she left.

Haymitch left without saying another word, just chuckling.

With that, we boarded the Capitol aircraft with our fellow tributes, and trackers were injected into our respective arms.

I stepped into the Launch Room, also known as the "Stockyard" by the districts, and Cinna helped me get dressed. I was about to step into the tribute tube, but Cinna stopped me. He pinned something on my coal black jacket. The mockingjay pin.

"Katniss told me to give it to you. As a saying of good luck.", Cinna answered my unspoken question.

I nodded and stepped into the tribute tube, and looked back. Cinna gave me one last smile, as I was blinded by the light. It was probably the last time I would ever see him. When the light was gone, I heard a loud voice- Claudius Templesmith.

"Ladies and gentlemen. Let the 100th Hunger Games- the 4th Quarter Quell, begin! And may the odds be ever in your favor!", Claudius' voice rang out.

The pedestal finally clicked into place, and looked around me. On my left was the girl from 6, on the boy from 10 was on my right. Iris was a couple pedestals away from me, and she blushed when I looked at her. I could hear the computer generated voice, slowly and agonizingly counting down.

"10. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1.", a loud gong sounded, and the 100th Hunger Games began…

A/N: Sorry for the cliffhanger, but that took a LOT of writing. Ugh! I hope you enjoyed this one, even if it was a little dull. I'll update soon, don't worry yourself. Until then! [LB9O has left the battlefield]