Panemonium 4: Truth and Lies
The day has come to prove myself to the Gamemakers. The dream nightmare still haunted me as I showered and dressed. I didn't want to linger on my dream, so I decided to immerse myself in the training talk around the breakfast table.
Haymitch and Katniss were working on her shooting tactics, comparing Capitol bows and her own, hand-made bows, when I came in.
"We finally get to show them our real talent, but I have nothing to show for it." I said, grabbing a muffin.
"You could camouflage yourself; you were really good at doing it down in the training room." Katniss replied.
"That's not going to get you anywhere, at least not in the Gamemaker eyes; they often overlook talents that don't kill people." Haymitch said.
"Plus if I do it too well, then they'll think that I had left and call you in." I said bitterly because I had nothing.
"Maybe you should wing it, and figure it out, once you've seen your options." Haymitch advised.
"You'll think of something." Katniss said.
Well that was absolutely useless. I could help but resent Katniss for the way she was so talented. I didn't show it though, that talent fed me throughout my years living in the bakery.
I ate my breakfast in silence, pondering what I could possibly do to impress the Gamemakers. I still hadn't figured it out when Effie had arrived to escort us down to the training center again. I guess I will have to wing it.
All the tributes had been herded to a private room, where we would be called one by one to the training room to dazzle the judges. Starting with Marvel and ending with Katniss. Cato was standing by a pillar, talking with Clove, but every once in a while he would catch me staring at him and smirk. I look away sheepishly, but my eyes were drawn to his muscular body.
No, Peeta you can't think of that or him. Thinking of him that way means throwing your future out of balance, and we can't have that. You know, sometimes my inner voice can be so annoying. I didn't have to worry, though because he was called soon anyways.
One by one, the tributes left the room and didn't return. The room only contained me and Katniss now, alone time with her isn't that bad, but she wasn't respond well to my comments. She looked as nervous as I felt.
I was called into the room by a monotone intercom, and I proceeded into the room slowly, as to absorb my options. The Gamemakers were really paying much attention to what was below them, they were heavily into conversation. My eyes scanned the room looking for a talent. Swords are a no. I handle knives all the time, but I've never thrown them. Tridents were out of the question, so were the spears. Then my eyes spot the round weight on the rack. I could easily lift it, but what could I do with it? There was no one to bludgeon with it, but there were crates.
I picked up the weight with ease. I swung it over my head, and brought it down upon the crate. It smashed into splinters and chucks, the feeling was phenomenal. Taking the momentum, I swung the weight around to smash two more crates, I was creating quite a ruckus, and I notice that the Gamemakers were watching now. For the grand finally, I threw the weight across the room into the armor that was mounted on the wall. It crashed into the wall with great force and noise. All of the armor fell to the floor, creating more clanging and crashing noises. I was satisfied.
I looked at the Gamemakers and thanked them for their time, and left the room to the elevator. I was very pleased with my final training station, very pleased indeed. The elevator stopped all of a sudden on the lobby floor. The doors slide open to reveal, of course, Cato.
"Well isn't this a surprise," Cato said. Though by the look in his eyes I could tell that it was for him
I think I might have been too happy, because when I first saw him, I threw myself into his arms. I wrapped my own arms around his neck and squeezed my body close to him. At that moment, I didn't really care, I just wanted to celebrate. The embrace lasted long than it should have, and we both had shame written across our faces when we broke apart.
I never really thought about what it's like for him to be going through this. I reached over and pressed the top floor button. If he had any objections, he didn't make them known. Once we arrived on the windy rooftop, I rounded on him.
"Cato, how do you feel about all of this?" I asked.
"About my feelings toward you?" he asked, I nodded. "I don't want to feel what I feel for you, I'm scared of it, but it's there. I don't know how my parents will feel about this, I've always love girls, and it wasn't hard to get a girlfriend, I even had a committed, two year relationship. The thing is though, looking back, I always felt off about girls. Then I met you and it all made sense. I like boys, love them, adore them. To be honest, the first time I saw you I got an instant erection. That is beside the point, I'm falling hard for you, and I think you are to. I'm going to try my best to make you realize that." He was so conflicted, I could tell, but he looked like he was actually happy about it.
Tears welled up in my eyes, I hate seeing people struggle. "I can't Cato, I just can't. There is so much at stake, and were forgetting that one of us is going to die tomorrow. We are putting too much into this, and only making it worse for us in the future."
He contemplated this, as though he never considered this. It was a while before he responded. I just stared into those steel gray eyes, trying to make him see what I see.
"I don't care." was all he said.
"I need to get back, you need to get back." I dismissed.
He didn't respond. He stood there watching me walk away. He didn't follow, and I didn't stop to turn back. I was in the elevator before I even made eye contact with him. His eyes were blank, and mine were misty. I absolutely hate having to face the truth.
~xXx~
About two hours after the conversation with Cato, I was in a room that resembled a medical room, waiting patiently for Portia, while my prep team whisked away. They worked quietly and diligently, but every so often they would muffle fits of giggles. I guess the Capitol people were really immature. I held my tongue, and thankfully, Portia was there about five minutes later to save the day.
"I have arrived…" she said, majestically "I bear the fruits of my labor, and alas your costume is presented to you." I burst out laughing, Portia joined in as well. Its moments like this that make me love Portia.
The clean cut fabric was dazzling. Embedded into the fabric were tiny, sequins, that when you move the suit around, flicker and catch light, like a hearth. I would bet my last dollar, that even in the low light, it would shimmer and glow.
"It's amazing, Portia, thank you." I said.
"Good luck at your interview" She said. I was pulled into a warm embrace and received a kiss on the cheek. With that, she strode away.
I wasn't worried about the interview at all. Over the years my uncanny ability to use my charisma to charm people with words has gotten me a lot of things in life. It's useful in times like these when I will be depending on my words. I'm not fazed; I know I will be able to pull it off.
Katniss, in a flaming red dress, and I were escorted down to the lobby, where a limousine was waiting to take us to our destination. For tonight it seems that we are celebrities, even if we are the least favorite ones. Expensive clothes and luxuries, not to mention all the special treatment we receive as well. I could get used to this, but I won't be able to, I might as well be a one hit wonder!
Our destination was a theatre-like building with flashing lights, and people lined up all the way around the block. We were taken to the backside of the building, and entered through the stage door. The room was powder blue and with matching furnishings. The other tributes were there, so I was beginning to wonder if they had it all planed out in order of the Districts.
The live interviews were hosted by an eccentric man, with a garish appearance. He had a powdered blue wig that went with the room, and a familiar voice that told me he has been doing this for a while. The tributes warmed up to him in a flash, it seemed that he was easy to get along with, and funny as well. We had nothing else to do but wait in the powder blue room.
I noticed when Cato was called that he was absolutely striking in his tux. Very clean cut, and he was giving me teasing looks ever since I got here He exited the room, but with a last winking glance over his shoulder at me.
The T.V. across the room was on so we could watch the other interviews if we so desired, but I didn't really want to watch, until Cato entered on the Grand Stage. It was of futuristic design, like everything else in the Capitol, but it had a homier look to it. The stage had dim lights for a floor and a comfy looking couch that stood adjacent to Caesar's squashy chair.
Caesar brought up an interesting topic with Cato; me. He asked what was going on between us and Cato was trying to deny it, but Caesar said he had proof. Cato asked to see this proof. The Background on the stage changed from a starry background to Cato and I on top of the residence. We were talking for a long time in the middle of the night, our words barely audible over the city winds. The scene changed to the elevator in which I wrapped Cato up in a hug that he hastily returned.
I was slowly becoming aware that eyes were being torn between the T.V. screen and me. I felt my cheeks flush and I mustered my strength to keep looking at the screen, not even daring to make eye contact with any of my peers. Caesar was playing all my moments with Cato for the whole country of Panem. Our secret was out and exposed for everyone to see.
I hid my face in my hands, wanting to hide the world from me. There was a loud snapping noise and my head instinctively jerked up to find the source. It was Glimmer. She broke her pencil that she was using to write competitive notes with. Her face was red and her eyes were set to kill. She hates me now, and no doubt I would be her first victim. I guess she had a thing for Cato, oh well.
The interviews seemed to have passed by in a blur of embarrassment and staring daggers, because no sooner had I looked away from Glimmer my name was being called. This is going to be fun.
I arrive on the stage and the whole audience buzzed with excitement. Their words are muffled but anyone could guess what they were talking about. Cato and I are the newest and juiciest gossip; I could hear the rumors spreading.
I shook hands with Caesar trying to avoid his gaze; he seemed delighted to have me on his stage so I decided to return his smile. I could play this off.
"So, Peeta, how are you" Caesar starts.
"I'm feeling great actually" I lie.
"Good, good. Why don't we just cut to the chase? What is going on between you and Cato?"
"Nothing really, we're just bonding, becoming friends" I answer with a half-truth.
"Oh really? Just friends, I don't buy it for one minute, come on spill the beans" Flickerman teases playfully. "Just friends with that kind of emotion and intensity, I think there's more, am I right or am I right?" He asks the audience, and they erupt into cheers.
"Okay, okay, I will spill the beans." I guess I can't lie my way out of this one. "Cato and I are having a bit of issues on where we stand, we both feel a connection but we disagree on what to do with it. I don't want to do anything about it and let it die, while he is trying to do anything in his power to keep it alive and thriving. Just to let you in on a secret though, he is winning so far. I seem to be running out of excuses."
"Finally the truth, Cato was complete flummoxed, and could say a word. Thank you Peeta for clearing that up, and may the odds be ever in your favor. Ahh young love, I love it." Flickerman says, in conclusion because I used up most of our time. I bet anything he would ask a million more if he could.
I was swept away by Effie and Portia, all with weird looks on their face. Haymitch was passed out drunk to even care, but it was Katniss who got me the most. She was smiling with tears sliding down her face as we passed each other. That was a rarity for her and I won't take it lightly.
I entered the Magenta room in which all the tributes were gather after their interviews; Katniss was almost at the end of hers. Cato was standing there leaning against the wall, I was tempted to join him so we could talk, but that would mean crossing Glimmer's path, and you know what they say about crossing a cat's path. I just watched Katniss' interview until she bid the Capitol a farewell with a twirl of her fiery dress.
Caesar called us all into attention and the female tribute from six shushed everyone and directed their attention to the screen. He was giving a closing speech, putting the tribute into the light one last time. His last statement was this;
"A reminder that a Tribute Ball will be held tonight, a new tradition is forming and I love it. This will be like a going away party for all of the tributes as a thank you for entertaining us. Thank you for being a fabulous audience, I hope to see you at the ball, anyone who is anyone is going. Thank you and goodnight."
Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed the story! Please, Please, Please Review, as always I am open to anything.
