CHAPTER 6 - QUARTERS
I hope you'll enjoy the rest of the story! Special mention to cdaye8184, thank you for all the kind words! XOXO :)
We were directed into the Training Center, which will be our home until the day of the Game. Our team occupies the entire 12th floor of the tower, and everything in this place is even richer than the tribute train or the Remake Center.
I began to have a more positive outlook for this trip since the opening ceremony. I can sense that everyone else's spirits are lifted as well, especially Effie who is now nearly hopping as she walks and whose tone became more high-pitched than ever. It's easy to understand why; District 12 is practically ignored each year because the tributes barely make any impression in the pre-Game events, and their skills in the arena are no match for the others as well. This year, however, our stylists created a miracle and gave us a definite advantage over the others. Everyone in the Capitol will be keeping track of us now after that fiery debut.
For myself, however, my optimism is not just confined to the outcome of the Game or getting enough sponsors to stay alive. Ever since Katniss kissed me, my thoughts had been chaotic, trying to decide where to go from there. The idea itself is enough to keep my spirits high.
As Effie gives us a tour of our "home", she talks excitedly about her efforts in winning some sponsors for us. "I don't even have to catch their attention! As soon as they saw me, they rushed to me and asked me a million questions about the two of you!" she says, obviously thrilled.
"I've been very mysterious, though," she proceeds, before suddenly stopping in her tracks and turning to face us. "Because of course, Haymitch hasn't bothered to tell me your strategies. But I've done my best with what I had to work with. How Katniss sacrificed herself for her sister. How you've both successfully struggled to overcome the barbarism of your district."
She continued walking through the hallway. "This is the kitchen... dining room..." Effie said absentmindedly, still giddy from her recent success. I looked at Katniss, whose lips are locked in a thin line. Then I realized that Effie's comment about our district may have offended her. I certainly felt the same way, but I decide to let it go because Effie can be as clueless as a butterfly.
"Everyone has their reservations, naturally. You being from the coal district. But, I said, this was very clever of me," she paused and stopped walking to look at us again. Probably to give us the full impact of what she has to say, I guessed. "I said: Well, if you put enough pressure on coal it turns to pearls!" she says, smiling brightly at us.
I have to smile back; I'd really hate to bring her spirits down. But I do know that what she said is wrong on all counts. Coal doesn't turn to pearl, or any kind of gem for that matter. Did they believe her? Effie, still clueless, seemed to appreciate my reaction and continued her story. "Unfortunately, I can't seal the sponsors for you. Only Haymitch can do that." She says, with a touch of remorse in her voice.
"But don't worry, I'll get him to the table at gunpoint if necessary!" She continues, and I felt another wave of relief. Effie's really determined to get us sponsors, and I immediately felt better at this thought. Now we have someone solid on our team. Maybe she can grind Haymitch to work hard on saving our lives.
Effie stops in front of a huge door. "This will be your quarters, Katniss." She says, pointing to the door and opening it to reveal the interior. "Make yourself comfortable! I'll collect you later for dinner."
"Thank you, Effie." I hear Katniss mumble, before turning slightly to nod a silent goodbye at me and disappearing into her room. Effie gestured me forward, and stopped at another room two doors away from Katniss's.
"And... here's your quarters Peeta." She says, before gently patting my shoulders and turning away.
"Effie, thank you for your efforts." I say, smiling at her. She smiled back. "Anything for my best tributes!" She added, and flitted away.
As I walked around my quarters, I realized that it is filled with all the luxuries that only the Capitol can offer. The huge bed at the center of room is so soft and comfortable. I imagined that I could lie there forever, if only my thoughts aren't so distracted by the knowledge of dying soon in the arena. The bathroom has so many gadgets: a shower, which can be controlled to provide the right water temperature, scents, shampoo, oils, and massaging sponges. There is no need to use a towel: there are automatic heaters to blow-dry the body, and another one that dries the hair.
Even the walls are not the normal painted ones. It can actually be controlled to show different scenes - the night sky, busy roads, calm greenery - and there is a mouthpiece where I can order whatever food I want from the menu. Even the closet can be programmed to something that fits my style.
I marveled at all these as I removed all makeup from my face and body, before settling for a comfortable pair of pants and shirt. It fit me well, outlining the muscles on my body that developed from years of carrying loads from the market, and I briefly wondered if the Capitol managed to get us our sizes even without asking for it. Or maybe our stylists were asked on that one - after all, they were the ones who prodded our bodies for so many hours.
Just as I did on the train, I began to grew restless. I grab a jacket, stepped out of my room, and walked the hallways, going nowhere in particular. I saw Cinna in a relatively small, open room that has a huge window on one side, providing a view of the outside world. I decide to thank him. He is, after all, one of the brains behind our success earlier, and he is also the one who came up with the idea of Katniss and I holding hands. I need to thank him for that.