Training began almost as soon as we arrived, I say almost as we had the opening ceremonies, which to be honest made us all look ridiculous fortunately, my prep team wasn't too bad, you see they put us in outfits that represent our districts and mine wasn't great but at least I wasn't as bad as what the tributes had to wear last year, and I did get a fur coat, which looked rather nice on top of the hide dress. I won't describe what Romeo looked like just that he looked much worse than I did!
When the Ceremonies are over, we are given some time to freshen ourselves up and change before training really begins. I picked out a blue tracksuit thing and found a yellow ribbon that I tied my hair up with. It reminded me of my sister. When we were called down to begin training I headed for the bow and arrows station, I've always loved the elegance of the bow and yet the strength required to actually shoot something worth shooting. I picked out a bow with a simple arch and a string that was beginning to fray. I thought about something my father said before he died, 'when picking a weapon, the most beautiful one can draw you towards it, but it's not always the most beautiful one that provides you with the best chance.' I think I must have said that last bit out loud because one of the trainers that I hadn't noticed when I came in said "your absolutely correct, and in fact the one that you chose was used by the last winner from district 10 and you are the first person since then to have picked it out. So have a go at shooting the target over there."
I walk up to the target and pull out an arrow from the quiver beside me. I take a minute to work out the best way to stand and eventually find a comfortable position. Then I work on actually working out how to shoot. It doesn't take me long and I take a shot just missing the bullseye. The trainer moves next to me and helps me find the right positioning for the arrow. He pulls the arrow behind my eye and puts a hand over the other. I don't complain as it feels right. I take shot. When the trainer removes his hand I can see my shot better.
"Bulls-eye, now try again on your own." The trainer steps back. Once again I position myself this time I take the hints the trainer had given me and closed my eye pulling the arrow back and making the bow taut. When I let go I step back to see how badly I'd done. But instead the trainer began clapping and said, "now you've got the technique, it's time to get the speed" he picked up another simple bow and arrow and in one swift movement positioned himself and took a lethal shot which split the arrow that I'd shot in half. I was amazed and pleaded him teach me how to do it like that. He eventually gave in but not before telling me to go and eat because I'd need my strength.
At lunch I decided I needed to try and make an ally but instead I just played with my food occasionally smiling at people but no one smiled back. After a while I just gave up ate my food, and left heading for the bow and arrows station. When I get there, there's already someone talking to the trainer - Brandi, the girl from District Nine. She moves on to the next station after a minute - knives. She throws them at the target, at first, just hitting the outside rings, but she quickly moves on to hit just about a bullseye every time.
She catches me staring, and I quickly pick up a bow and quiver of arrows, trying to look like I wasn't. It's a pretty bad attempt though, so I stop, turn, and smile.
"Would you help me?" I ask her. "Learn to throw a knife?"
She nods and beckons me over. "You've got to keep your hand steady," she says, flicking a knife at the target. I pick up one, and try to follow her lead. I hit the very bottom edge of the target. "Good for a first try," Brandi says. "Just keep practicing."
I do as she says, and it doesn't take me long to be hitting the target reasonably close to the middle. "Thanks," I say.
"You're a fast learner," Brandi says. "We could team up, be allies if you want?"
I nod. "I'd like that." I smile; glad I'm not going to be going into the arena on my own any more, that I'll have an ally.
I spent an hour or so with her on the knives station before returning to my favourite so far bows and arrows. I slowly began to quicken my speed and was then set to trying to hit moving targets. When I'd perfected that, the trainer decided there was no more he could teach me and gave me the choice of trying something new or just practicing. I decided that as there was only half an hour before dinner so I decided to practice throwing knives. Brandi was still there and while we practiced, we discussed our lives outside of all the commotion. I told her about Athi and how I volunteered for her even though I could have been somewhere else in the capitol with my boyfriend. I also told her about my mother. I never told her about my father, there's a time and place for that not here.
We left when the bell rand to signify dinner was ready; we sat together and began to discuss our opponents when a voice rang out "Gamemakers session one hour."
I'd completely forgotten that was today. We quickly finished our dinners and left towards the waiting room.
It was an agonizing wait. When Brandi was called in I wished her luck saying, "Trust me, I've seen you, you'll do great!" she smiled back but she still looked stressed.
"See you on the other side"
When it was finally my turn I was more than ready, I'd planned it all down to the last moment, but you can never tell how it will pan out. I began by picking out a bow and quiver of arrows. Then I call for a few trainers. I begin by running around them hiding and darting out again to fire shots. The gamemaker looks impressed so I change weapons, picking up a few knives and creeping closer to the trainers. They still can't keep track of me so I finish up with the final trainer engaging with him until I can slice at his legs, when he was down I turn around nod to the gamemaker and leave pleased with how it turned out.
Brandi was waiting for me and we left towards our rooms discussing how our gamemaker sessions went. Brandi thinks she could have done better with more time to train. We stand outside Romeo and my room chatting before I hear the music that we hear every year at home.
"Hey sounds like the scores are up, I'll see you tomorrow!" Brandi shouted running into her room next door.
I entered the room and Romeo was already sitting waiting. I sat down next to him on the sofa as the scores flashed up
District 1
Male: Boast Paklie
Training Score: 8
Female: Glass May
Training Score: 9
Careers I thought, it's to be expected.
District 2
Male: Reid Joyce
Training Score: 9
Female: Remilla Moonstone Scarlet
Training Score: 5
Reid did well but it was to be expected from a career I felt sorry for Remilla as it was well below the average score for her district.
District 3
Male: Bolt Wiressy
Training Score: 6
Female: Doe Anchent
Training Score: 6
Reasonable enough
District 4
Male: Ozzy Rodregez
Training Score: 7
Female: Halcyone "Halcy" Thalassa Undine
Training Score: 8
That's very good, I'd seen Halcy practicing and thought she looked pretty strong then I remembered 'oh yeah careers.' Then I just sat and watched not really thinking about them.
District 5
Male: Mic Jobs
Training Score: 4
Female: Mckenna Stone
Training Score: 6
District 6
Male: Tate Irvine
Training Score: 4
Female: Vixen Class
Training Score: 9
Vixen has career all over with that score.
District 7
Male: Luis Dembo
Training Score: 6
Female: Aya Breau
Training Score: 7
District 8
Male: Issac Vredenburg
Training Score: 5
Female: Amber Joyce
Training Score: 8
District 9
Male: Dylan Godfrey
Training Score: 5
Female: Brandi Hahn
Training Score: 6
I was surprised at Brandi's score, because she was a fast learner.
Then I realised it was my turn
District 10
Male: Romeo Zuazo
Training Score: 5
Female: Cassandra "Cassie" Artemis Taylor
Training Score: 8
An 8. I was astonished perhaps a little disappointed knowing I could have done better with more time but you can't have everything.
District 11
Male: Lucian Morgan "Luka" Ross
Training Score: 6
Female: Bailey Goldsmith
Training Score: 7
District 12
Male: Kalen Rizza
Training Score: 4
Female: Limit Ride
Training Score: 6
Now I was getting worried, so as I left to go to bed I began to formulate a plan. The interviews are tomorrow but I won't let that bring me down.