Hunger Games: Not a Pawn in their Games
Chapter 7 of my Hunger Games story enjoy.
Reviews
Skoilr: Okay, fair enough, thanks, glad you enjoyed it, well, like you said, only the training happened, the important point of that chapter was to introduce the other major tributes.
Smiles1998: Well, what is you wanted to know about it, PM me and ask, glad you enjoyed it.
C.B. Weasley: Yeah, I suppose so, anyway, glad you enjoyed it :)
Now onto the story.
Disclaimer: Hunger Games belongs to Suzanne Collins.
Dangers of Hope
President Sol Lucrum was dressed in clothes nobody expected the all-powerful president of Panem would wear. Plain trousers and shirt and gardening overalls, attached to the front of the overalls was a belt with tools attached. He was currently in the large vineyards near the back of the large gardens of the Presidential Palace. He was checking the grapes that were growing well. He plucked one grape from its vine and gently squashed it, the juice confirmed his thoughts and he smiled lightly, popping the squashed grape in his mouth and confirmed its ripeness too.
"You wanted to see me, Mr. President."
He turned and found Leila standing there; even he found her strange habit unnerving.
He nodded. "Ah yes, Leila, come, let us walk."
He put the secateurs back in his belt and they walked towards the edge of the vineyards.
Leila raised an eyebrow towards the President. "I never expected to see you working in a vineyard; I thought you had servants for this kind of thing."
Lucrum gave a short chuckle and explained. "You caught me indulging in a guilty pleasure."
Leila nodded slowly. "So, that wine that was served during last year's victory parade, it came from your vineyards."
Lucrum nodded.
"Yes, what did you think of it?" He asked.
Leila pondered briefly before answering.
"It was rather strong…fruity."
Lucrum nodded. "I see, I thought so myself, I'm glad you were honest, unlike the other people I deal with…only telling me what they think I want to hear."
Leila sighed; knowing there was no time to waste, she had to find out why she was called here.
She knew this wasn't some social call; he had called her out to meet him the morning after the training scores were released, something had clearly been met with his displeasure.
"May I ask, Mr. President, why you called me here?" She questioned finally. "I know you didn't call me here just to talk about wine and grapes from your vineyards."
President Lucrum nodded and cleared his throat.
"The boy from District 12, Kai…" She nodded and he continued. "An eleven, why?"
Leila sighed, so that's what this was about. "He showed remarkable aptitude, he has some…unique skills; he has a real chance in the arena."
Lucrum shook his head. "He shouldn't…The Games are to serve as punishment for the Rebellion…And District 12 should receive the harshest punishment. They were District 13's closest allies and harboured the former Presidential family and their closest allies after the war was over."
Leila nodded in understanding. "As such, District 12 faces almost insurmountable odds; death-traps, low scores, little sponsors."
Lucrum nodded. "Correct, it keeps them locked in despair and prevents them from ever gaining the hope necessary to rise up against me again." He paused and then glared darkly at Leila. "Yet you gave him and eleven and gave him hope."
Most would be panicking now, but not Leila; she already saw a way out.
"I say we let it lie, Mr. President." She remarked. "Then we give him…problems in the arena, especially from the Careers, they're not happy about his score, they'll seek him out and kill him."
"So we let him keep that hope, possibly lighting a spark that could burn us all?"
Leila sighed; obviously she would need to give more of an explanation.
She cleared her throat and then explained.
"Let him hope, that way, he will become overconfident. We can then force him into our traps, or into the Careers…If by some chance he escapes them, even wins, he will be…ruined." She paused and added with relish. "Nobody comes out of the Games unscathed after all…I believe you may make use of him if he does win, turning his hope into despair."
Lucrum nodded slowly, finally realizing what she meant. "We let him have hope and it will lead to his despair."
Leila nodded. "Yes sir…I believe the analogy is; the higher up it is dropped from, the worse the crash will be. Hope is the best spice to draw out despair."
Lucrum narrowed his eyes. "An unfortunate analogy Leila…It could refer to this boy…or me and the system."
"Or both." Leila remarked; before turning to leave.
It was then Lucrum remembered something. "Leila, I've been too busy to get all the information…This boy, Kai, what's his full name?"
"Kai Raithebone."
With that she was gone. Lucrum was shocked by what she had revealed.
"Raithebone." He breathed; before retreating into his thoughts as he walked back to his vineyards. 'So, they survived the purge, is this boy the last…or are there others? From District 12, so they integrated into that insignificant District's society, that's how they survived, yet he looks like his predecessors.'
He shook his head; no matter what happened, win or lose; he knew Kai Raithebone would not be the one to destroy everything Lucrum had worked for all these years.
In their apartment Kai and Liora sat opposite Aviva as she was coaching them about the upcoming interviews.
"Okay, you guys need to make a good impression; everybody will be watching; if they like you…it makes getting sponsors a little easier. Doesn't mean it will be easier, just…less of an uphill struggle." She paused and then turned to Kai. "They'll likely ask about your high score, keep it mysterious."
Kai nodded and then Zinnia arrived to take Liora for private coaching for the interview. After she left Kai lingered for a moment. Aviva noticed and turned to him.
"Something wrong?"
Kai shook his head. "I just…I don't know what I'll be facing, but…if I have a chance to use my talents. I might need something, doubt you can get it though from a sponsor."
Aviva nodded slowly. "I might be able to get you the components to make them though. What is it?"
Kai sighed and nodded before answering.
"Caltrops."
Aviva let out a low whistle then smirked. "I'll see what I can do."
Kai nodded, thankful and went to prepare himself for the interviews with Orion's help. Once they were ready they joined the other tributes, all dressed in fancy outfits, ready for their interviews. The Games Master of Ceremonies was onstage and gearing the crowd up for the interviews. The Master of Ceremonies was a thirty year old Capitol man named Rohan; he was energetic, clad in a colourful suit, his hair and eyes were sea green this time, he normally changed his hair and eye colour every year.
Once he was satisfied with the crowd's enthusiasm he called out.
"Okay, now let's meet out first tribute, from District 1…Citlali Tate!"
Citlali; clad in a slinky, strapless pink mini-dress and six inch heels, sauntered out onto the stage and took the chair opposite Rohan, giving the crowd her best, beaming smile.
"So, Citlali; I trust you are ready for the Games?" Rohan inquired politely, his usual smile in place.
Citlali nodded enthusiastically. "Of course I am; and rest assured, I'm going to make these Games one to remember. I'll give you all a brilliant show!"
The crowd cheered wildly, already in love with the District 1 girl. However her expression darkened slightly when Rohan asked his next question.
"Any words on the training scores, what's your opinion?"
She recovered well though and simply shrugged. "I think there's been some mistake; but rest assured, anyone who has doubts will soon see them quashed…Those scores won't mean anything once we're in the arena."
The rest of the interviews followed a similar pattern, the Careers bragging about their strengths and superiority. The others either downplaying their scores or acting mysterious. The Aspen siblings played along with Rohan, joking and laughing with him. Dashiell played it cool, Liora and Galatea acted confident, warning against underestimating them. Finally, it was Kai's turn; he walked out and took his seat.
Rohan smiled and the crowd began whispering excitedly. Here was the boy from District 12, with his unusual appearance and the highest score; they wondered what they would hear from him.
"So, Kai, we're very glad to have you here." Rohan stated.
Kai smiled back. "Thank you Rohan, I'm glad to have received such fine hospitality while I've been here."
It wasn't a complete lie Kai noted to himself, the Capitol food was incredible, the beds comfortable, what a shame it was all a set up to leading him to what could well be his death. Despite his lack of experience in dealing with people Kai found himself easily bantering with Rohan. Then Rohan asked the question.
"So Kai, I'm sure we're all surprised by what we saw, a boy from District 12 scoring such a high training score, anything you can share with us?" His voice was excited and hinted at being conspiratorial.
Kai didn't let his smile falter and shook his head. "I'm sorry Rohan, I can't give away any secrets, it'd ruin the surprise and fun when I got to work in the arena." He looked out at the crowd. "We wouldn't want that now."
The crowd voiced their approval of Kai's decision, clearly savouring the anticipation. Rohan also accepted it and with a few more words the interviews ended and Rohan made his final speech. Finally with the last interview over and the tributes returned to their rooms, ready for their last night before entering the arena.
When Kai and Liora woke up the following day they headed through to the main room and enjoyed their last proper breakfast for some time. Aviva, Zinnia and their stylists ate with them, they said little. When the meal was done the stylists and Zinnia left. Aviva remained with them.
"I'm to escort you to the Hovercraft when its time." She explained. "Now, I want you all to remember your plans; be careful and always leave room to change your plans if necessary."
They both nodded; Aviva then smiled and spoke again. "We're not allowed to bet, favouritism, that sort of thing. But, Zinnia told me last night, if the two of you don't make it to at least the top ten…she'll eat her hat."
They both laughed and Kai thought about the hat he had seen her wearing with the large stuffed vulture on it.
"I think that'd be a three course meal." He quipped, prompting more laughter.
However the laughter stopped and things sobered as the time came. Aviva walked them to the balcony where the hovercraft picked them up. They then found themselves sitting silent and lost in thought, even as their trackers were injected, they remained quiet until they arrived and disembarked. They were led to separate rooms, inside his room Kai found Orion waiting. Orion helped Kai get ready and make final preparations.
"You will do well Kai, I'm sure you didn't get that eleven for nothing and everyone remembers…the Phoenix." He explained.
Kai nodded. "I…Thank you…for everything Orion."
Orion nodded and then they heard the announcement, it was time. Kai approached the tube and entered it. It sealed shut behind him and the platform lifted him up into the arena, the Games were ready to begin.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.
