When I awake, I find an outfit has been laid out for me. A form-fitting, lightweight shirt and pants. Dark in colour but with a large 6 on the back and sleeves. Guess this is my training outfit since I don't think they would allow me to go down in pajamas.
I dunk my head in the shower just to wet my hair and make it more manageable. I find a large array of brushes at my disposal all I need to do is press the one I want from a touchscreen attached to the mirror. I don't understand the uses of all the brushes and pick a random one. In a second it pops out of a dispenser. I brush my hair so that it lays flat, change into my clothes, and head out.
Tansy and Elpis have already gathered for breakfast. I sit with them at the table and fill my plate with rolls, hash browns, eggs, fruit in cream, and more pancakes. All the glory the Capitol has to offer and I am obsessed with the simplest invention, pancakes. I had some last night as well with ice cream on top and chocolate drizzle. Now I place the fruit and cream in the middle and bend the pancake over on itself, topping it with a whipped cream.
"Could you eat anymore?" Tansy says.
"He's got the right idea." Elpis sips her coffee, "you both should have a big breakfast. Today is your first training day, you will need a lot of energy to learn."
Tansy rolls her eyes, not wanting to admit she is wrong but still dishes up a little extra.
Training, I've been looking forward to it since my first day on the train. These will be very crucial days to me. Not only will I be given the chance to learn what I need to survive the games but also will be face to face with all the tributes. I'll be able to observe their strengths, how they present themselves, what they do. It will provide good knowledge of the field of competitors standing in my way of going back home.
"Shouldn't our mentors be here," Tansy says.
"Yes. I had informed them that we would be waiting since they are required to provide advice on this matter but Brenda never answered her door and Caliper was rushed to medic late last night."
"Is he alright?" I ask.
"If you count slashed wrists as okay." Elpis shakes her head. "I heard he was clawing at them like a wild animal. Guess he had too much wine last night for his own good."
Yes, that is it, wine. I can't imagine Elpis being that dumb to regard Caliper's current state as side effects of alcohol. She knew as well as I did that Caliper was suffering through withdrawals, maybe she wasn't sure from what drug. I have to at least commend her effort of trying to hide this fact from us but to think we are so gullible we might actually buy this lie is almost insulting.
"I have ordered that no more alcoholic beverages be served during dinner," Elpis says.
"Yea. I'm sure that will solve it." Tansy is sarcastic with her tone.
The table remains mostly quiet as we eat. Elpis shares her thoughts on what we should do which turns out surprisingly helpful. Being from the Capitol, she has enjoyed her fair share of games and has it worked down to a science. "40% of arenas usually have low amounts of water or some unique trick needed to obtain it," she says, "so it might be wise to learn some ways to find it." She also tells us not to expect another desert-like terrain. They did that 3 years ago and the citizens of the Capitol didn't like it one bit so the gamemakers will probably steer clear of such things. She then goes on about sleeping and how so many tributes make the mistake of laying in the open.
Who needs a mentor when you have Elpis.
The clock hits ten and Elpis takes us to the elevator. She wishes us a good day and pats both are heads before sending us down. The doors of the elevator open up to reveal an enormous gymnasium. Multiple stations lay throughout ranging from how to swim to how to use a bow and arrow. In the centre of the gym are the other tributes all gathered in a circle around the head trainer, Atala.
Tansy and I find our spots among the crowd, we wait for a few more tributes to show up and then she begins her speech. Atala goes on about each station and how the experts of each skill will remain at their station. That we are free to do as we are pleased with our time but fighting with any other tribute is forbidden.
With all us gathered in a circle, I take the opportunity to size up the field. The ones from Districts 1, 2, and 4 are larger than everyone else. The boy from 1, Garment, is immense. Easily standing over six feet with biceps the size of my head. His district partner, Radiance, is stunning. Long flowing blonde hair with green eyes and pale complexion. Probably about just as lethal as Garment. These will be my toughest competitors in the arena.
Atala releases us and the careers head straight for the most dangerous looking weapons. Using them to decapitate dummies or throwing them impressive lengths.
I head for the knife station. I remember seeing knives in almost every single games there has been. Whereas other weapons, such as axes or swords, have been in plenty but not always guaranteed. When I arrive, the instructor is giving a lesson to the two from 10. A short and young looking female whose brown hair is in a bun and then a tall and strong male. It's awkward at first standing beside two people who will need to die if I am to win but I get trapped in the process of learning.
I had thought using a knife would be pretty straightforward. You just hold it by the handle and slash but there is more to that. How to hold it, how to move your body, different attacks, different motions. A lesson I thought would be no more than thirty minutes evolves into two hours.
"You guys are naturals." I see the two from 10 using the knife with ease.
This catches them off guard, even find myself a bit surprised but I was so caught up in learning I forgot these two are my enemies.
"We use knives a lot," the girl says, "having to butcher meat."
The knowledge files in my brain. District 10 tributes are handy with knives. Now if I run into them and see they are holding that as a weapon, I know to run instead of try and take them on.
"Good thing to know going into the arena," I say.
"Yea," the guy answers.
"You know anything?" the girl asks.
"how to wield a wrench? Maybe a blowtorch but how often do you see those in the games?" I say, "I know how to tell direction but everyone in 6 knows that."
This brings on an agreement. They teach me how to skin and gut an animal and I teach them how to use the stars and sun to tell what direction. I learn that the girl's name is Helen with the male being Drayton. They are pros at preparing an animal for a meal and after about an hour, I have mastered the skill. They catch on to my lesson fairly quick. Helen keeps forgetting if the sun rises in the east or west and Drayton has to remind her. They laugh about it.
"You seem pretty close," I say.
"Well we have been friends for a few years," Drayton answers almost defensively.
"That's unfortunate," I say.
Helen is a bit too optimistic about the situation. "Just means I have one less person to worry about when the games start."
The three of us shake hands and wish each other luck before going back to our training separately. I have now learned how to use a knife and prepare an animal. I want to take Elpis's advice about finding water but that station is being occupied by Tansy and the two from 5. Looks like she really did form an alliance with them.
I scan the room, paying attention to the other tributes. The careers have moved to the spear throwing station. They seem to have given up trying to intimidate everyone and are now cracking jokes or else throwing a weapon. The two from 3 are showing off their trap making skills as they send a dummy up in the air by its foot. Then the skinny snivelling boy from 9 who has broken his finger on the climbing section and now gets medical attention.
I find myself looking on the large platform above the gym where the gamemakers sit and enjoy meals and drinks well watching the tributes. I can't help but find one staring at me. I remember his name from the interviews. He is the head gamemaker, Seneca Crane.
So what do you think about the pair from District 10?
Any thoughts on Tansy's actions?
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