Effie and Haymitch had taken me up in the elevator first, leaving Peeta and Katniss to fend for them selves with the other tributes. Effie had told me that they wanted to keep me a secret for now – at least until Haymitch started training with me, and we knew what my strengths and weaknesses were. All I had were weaknesses.
Once we had reached the top floor; Haymitch seemed stunned, at what I don't know. But the male Avox seemed all too familiar. I spent my free time sifting through the clothes, just feeling the fabric against my callused hands. The most prominent fabrics were silk and velvet – two I've only dreamed of working with. I neatly folded the dress and placed it on the edge of my bed as stripped out of the one I had worn in the arena. I changed into a simple dark green, puffed sleeved, baby doll dress.
"Dinner is ready," Haymitch gleamed. I jumped in shock, landing flat on my bottom, "Gotta work on your balance too."
"It's not that bad," I whispered, swiftly putting all my weight onto my hands and kicked myself up.
"And that we don't."
"Don't what?"
"Dinner, lets get some food into you three." I followed Haymitch out of my room, and up the stairs to the dinner table where Peeta, Cinna, Nyxus, and Portia were already seated, chatting away.
"Oh gosh Peeta – you're even more adorable in person," Nyxus squealed, sloshing around her glass full of wine. I took the empty seat beside her.
"So Clara," Peeta interjected – trying to change to subject, "looking forward to training tomorrow?"
I chuckled lightly, "Training? They should call it humiliation since that'll be all that I'll be doing."
"I'm sure Katniss and Peeta – and Haymitch of course – will help," Effie giggled as she took her seat, "After all, everyone is good at something."
"That's what I keep telling her! But no – it's all this and that and," Nyxus started before I slammed my foot into the back of her knee, "Ow – you just about gave me a camel toe!" Katniss soon arrived, but she wasn't herself. She was spaced and anxious.
"How about we watch the recap of the opening ceremonies?" Effie chimed in, "Katniss and Peeta were astounding. Such a gorgeous job Cinna and Portia! And Nyxus, you sure made a name for yourself this year."
"Wait until you see her dress for the interviews," Nyxus smirked, waving her blackened hand around, "So if you screw up, hopefully you're pretty enough."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," I muttered into my glass before I took a sip of the bitter bubbling drink.
[Stitch]
I watched in awe as Peeta and Katniss stared down the audience in their glowing suits. They looked amazing compared to those who came before them whom looked very frail. But those that were the advancements looked proud to be there while others looked terrified.
"Oh there you are Clara," Effie giggled, motioning to the back of the screen. I was just coming out into the stadium. I looked like a large black ball before I tore off my cape. I watched in awe as my cape started to turn into flames at the end. As I was pulled along the ramp, the cape had gotten smaller until I was almost at the end of the track where it disappeared completely and I was left standing in my black dress that shimmered like flame next to the other tributes.
"Outstanding Nyxus," Cinna congratulated. Once the tributes were leaving the city circle, Katniss stood, thanked our stylists for their work and left. I bit my lip as Peeta and Haymitch exchanged glances.
"Well then, mind as well take this time to explain to Clara what's going to happen from here on out. Why don't we go down to the training room so I can see what you can do," Haymitch stood, motioning for Peeta and me to follow him. I gingerly stood from my spot at the couch and followed the two over to the elevator. We made our way down to what seemed like the basement in silence. The elevator opened up to a large room with benches spanning both walls. I followed Haymitch as he walked over to the door at the other end and slammed it open. Peeta nudged me forward out of the elevator. "This is the training room."
"It's so large," I gawked, stepping into the middle of the room. It made the previous room look puny.
"I saw you do that trick before. Anything else you can do?" Haymitch asked tapping his chin.
"What trick," I asked. Haymitch took a step toward me and extended his arm to my shoulder, knocking me onto the hard navy floor, "What was that for?"
"Get up," He said bluntly. I swung my feet up so I was balancing on my hands and flipped over so I was upright.
"What was the point of that?" I asked, tugging at the hem of my sleeve.
"To make sure I wasn't seeing things," Haymitch started, moving over to pick up a small throwing knife from the table. "You're flexible and fast. Two attributes that are heavily desired in the games. I want to work with you on your flexibility and speed outside of the training room with the other tributes."
"You're not going to test my speed with that knife, are you?" I questioned, letting my bangs fall into my eye.
Haymitch laughed, "No. Not yet at least. Peeta, as you might remember from the games last year has an eye for detail."
"You painted yourself to look like a rock and muddy river bank," I exclaimed, my eyes lighting up, "that was all Lucy could talk about for weeks!" Peeta chuckled nervously as he ran a hand through his slightly damp blonde locks.
"I've seen your work with a needle and thread. It's meticulous. With all the small, minuet details you put into them – I suspect that you'll be good with a knife." Clove had been deadly with those knives. Only Thresh was able to take her down with a surprise attack. "Peeta and I need to have a talk with Katniss, so stay here and practice if you like. It'll do you good." I waved the two a court farewell after Haymitch handed me the knife.
