Reina Izumi(District 12)
I've been lying here for the past two hours trying to sleep, and while I know I need to be at my best for training it's a futile effort. At this point I might as well go get something to snack on and see if anyone else is up. So I slip out of bed and into my slippers before quietly making my way out into the hall.
To my surprise Onyx is also awake though I don't think he's noticed me yet. His back is to me and he seems to be engrossed in whatever he's reading at the moment, I don't think he's moved since dinner as he's exactly like he was when I left the table.
"Reina I know you're there. Why don't you come sit down?"
"How did you know I was here?"
"It's something I picked up in the arena, I guess it never left me."
Well now my interest is peaked so I do as he suggested and make my way to the table and take the seat across from him. Getting my first look at what he's so interested in on the table is also a bonus. It looks like he's been reading but what I can't tell, there are several books strewn over the table and most of them are thicker than anything I've seen in my life.
"What are you doing up so late? You should really be taking advantage of the chance to sleep before the games, you don't know when you'll get a chance to sleep in the arena."
"I couldn't sleep, nerves I guess. Plus I don't want to sleep away what may be my last few days of life, if these are my final hours I want to be awake for them."
"Reina you can't think like that. I've been watching you train and I know that you have the ability to win, but if you start thinking like that no amount of talent will save you."
"I just don't know if I can do this, any of it. It's so unfair that I have to in the first place, what did I do to deserve this? What did any of us do?"
"Nothing, and that's the worst part of it all. You know the history of the games everyone does but anyone who had a part to play in the war is long dead, but the people of the Capital have become dependent on the games. It's the thing they spend the whole year looking forward to and without it they wouldn't know what to do."
"So that excuses it?"
"No, but nothing ever truly could. To be honest it's only going to get worse if you do win, then it's not just the injustice of it all but the guilt of surviving to deal with. It's not something you have to like but you do have to accept it, the trick is finding a way to deal with it."
"Great and how do you live with it then Onyx?"
"That's a question I've asked my self every day since I won and it's different for everyone. Haymitch drinks to deal with what he survived, while Katniss and Peeta have each other and there kids. As for me I try to lose myself in a better world. That's why I read so much fantasy, sci-fi, even history offers me a little escape from the reality of what I did. What I still have to do."
"I don't know if I can live like that Onyx. How could I live a normal life, have a family, a home. or anything like that? Winning is the only way for me to go home but how can I kill anyone, deprive them of a chance at life just so I can have it?"
"Those are the questions you only find the answers too in the arena. I know that's not the answer you were hoping for but it's the only one I can honestly give you."
"What if I kill in there though?! What happens to me, my soul if I do it? How do I make that choice even if I have to?"
"Again it's not an easy thing to do, and even if you win you leave a part of yourself in the arena. In the end you have to decide what's more important to you, survival or your principles. Only when you decide that will you be able to do what you need to."
It's all I can take, I brake down and begin to sob softly into my hands. The tears flow freely as Onyx makes his way over to me and wraps me in a massive hug.
"I know it's hard, overwhelming even but you need to keep your chin up and your head held high. Remember you're stronger then you look, and if you set your mind to it you can win."
"And if I have to kill someone, a kid how do I do it Onyx? Help me please, I need help!"
I'm hysterical at this point, and all he does is hold me. I scream into his shoulder and beat him like a drum but he never lets me lose, and after a while I begin to calm down.
"Do you feel better now? Did letting it all out change the way you look at it now?"
"No, but I do feel less stressed. That's something I guess."
"Right you are, now try to get a little sleep before training starts. Trust me you're going to need it."
I head back toward my room and slip into bed and before I know it i'm slipping off into a short and dreamless sleep.
Lynn Celtic(District 4)
It's only been two days and I can already tell it's going to be a challenge not to kill most of my 'allies' as soon as the games start. Annika is so stuck up that all I want to do is punch her, Verity has taken it upon herself to be the leader despite not being as talented as me, and all Callum has talked about is how hot my sister Lilac is. Only Vitaly seems to be interested in being a good ally but he's so distant and reserved I don't know how much I can honestly trust him.
So far today has been just like every other day, Verity has been telling us what to work on while not really doing anything herself. It wouldn't be that bad if she'd make her district partner play along but she just lets her do whatever she wants. To make matters worse Callum has spent the entire day flirting with Lilac, and despite my efforts to stop it she's been flirting back.
"Callum that's so funny, honestly how did you manage to get away with it?"
"Well Lil when you're me it's easy. I mean I don't want to brag but I can be quite an amazing guy."
He doesn't want to brag PLEASE! That's all he's done since we started and he doesn't seem to be letting up. I thought Lil was smart enough not to fall for his 'charm' u but I might have been wrong. Or she could be leading him along, using him to her advantage. I honestly don't know if that would be better or worse.
"I believe you Callum. You're easily the most amazing, and handsome person I've met."
"Well Lil I can show you just how amazing I can be, if you're interested."
This has gone on long enough if Verity won't stop it then I will. Yet before I can make it over to them Vitaly steps up and defuses the situation. Much to my appreciation.
"Sorry to but in Callum but I was wondering if Lilac could help me with my throwing knife work. I'm still a little unsure about it and could really use some help."
"Sure Vitaly i'd love to help. Callum why don't you see if Lynn wants to work on swords with you? She's better with them then I am anyway."
So as Lil and Vitaly walk off i'm left to deal with the smug prick trying to score with my sister, great. If I didn't want to kill him before i'm sure he'll do something while we train that will make it impossible for me not to kill him.
"Hey Lynn fell up to some sword play?"
"Sure Callum, as long as you don't expect me to go easy on you."
That gets a rise out of him and he spends the entire walk over to the training station glaring daggers at me. If looks could kill i'd be dead right now but I don't care. He's exactly the kind of person my sister always seems to gravitate toward handsome, stuck up, and full of himself.
"Hey Lynn I've been meaning to ask you what's your sisters situation?"
"Excuse me?"
"You know is she seeing anyone back home? Does she have experience? That sort of thing."
"Callum this really isn't a conversation you want to have with me, she's my sister and your really not the kind of guy i'd help get with her anyway."
"Awe is the ugly twin jealous that her hot sister gets all the boys?"
"Drop it Callum now!"
"I don't see why you won't answer my questions. Just because you're so ugly no man would touch you doesn't mean your sister can't have a fling before she dies."
"Say one more word Callum and i'll knock your teeth out!"
"Just try it."
It would have came to blows if Verity hadn't picked this moment to finally be a leader and step in. It's a good thing too or we might have been down one career before the games even started.
"Callum go see if Annika will work with you, Lynn and I need to talk."
He's about to protest but the look in her eyes gives him pause long enough for the two of us to leave him standing there dumbstruck by the swords.
"I understand that you want to kill him Lynn but i'm asking you to hold off on it, at least until after the blood bath. He may be a prick but there are plenty of dangerous tributes from the outer districts and we'll need him to secure the cornucopia."
"Fine i'll do my best, but if he says one more vulgar thing about my sister and I hear about it all bets are off."
"Fair enough, and when the time comes and he's outlived his usefulness you can kill him. Just try to satiate yourself on the idea, until the time comes."
With that she heads off to the swimming station and leaves me to my own devices. I can make it work with most of them but Callum's usefulness is going to run out fast in the arena. I'll see to that personally.
Hunter Zandaris(District 3)
"You're doing well with this Hunter. Who knew a kid from three could be so good with plants."
Scythe has been very helpful to me so far and he doesn't seem to mind doing all the talking. I feel so lucky to have found an ally like him, even if he does seem a little off at times.
"So what's next first aid or traps and snares?"
I eagerly point to the traps and he nods in approval and we make our way toward the station. We take our places and begin working on a few simple traps as I think back to the first day of training and when I made my first ally in the games.
I had been training alone on the monkey bars when Scythe came up to me. He didn't criticize me like most people or make fun of the fact that I can't talk, he just simply offered me a few pointers on how to make better use of my body to get through the course.
He spent the next little while helping me learn how to position my body and bow to get the most out of my momentum. After that he'd offered to work with me, if I didn't already have a partner. Since then we've been practically inseparable and it's been a huge benefit to me.
His district partner did warn me that there was something off about him but so far I haven't seen it. He has done a few odd things but nothing that would cause me to rethink the alliance, after all i'm not really in a position to be picky. Scythe has only tried to help me and he even helped me get through a panic attack I had on the training floor, so he's all right in my book.
I find myself lost in my thoughts when the instructor walks up to admire our handy work. To my great surprise I didn't screw up the trap while I was daydreaming and Scythe's looks amazing even by the trainers standard.
"Well do you want to stay and work here longer or go try something else?"
I think on it for a moment before deciding to stay here. I know I should work with a weapon or something but i'm not that strong. The last thing I want to do is give Scythe a reason to rethink the alliance by embarrassing myself trying to use a weapon that's too heavy or unruly. No it's much better if I work on this and avoid the chance of that happening.
"Fine, well if it's ok with you i'm going to go work with a weapon or two."
I nod and he heads off toward the whip station, apparently he's good with one or so he says. I watch him work the whip through the air, cracking it against the targets the trainer calls out. I do have to admit he is good with it.
I quietly turn my attention back to the tools in front of me and begin trying to assemble an advanced leg snare but it's giving me problems. After a bit of work though and a few stubborn knots I didn't mean to tie I get it mostly right. I show it to the trainer and he congratulates me before making a few changes. He goes over them slowly so I can follow him then sends me back with a new card and supplies.
Before I know it the horn signaling the end of the training day is sounding. I quietly gather up my supplies and return them to the trainer and quietly make my way toward the lift. I find my district partner Clifford talking there with the twins from seven his allies about what they plan to do tomorrow for their individual sessions. I silently wait for the lift to return and quickly load into it with the three of them when it does. A moment later i'm on our floor and quickly making my way toward my room to shower and change.
Slipping out of the shower and into a pair of shorts and a baggy shirt I make my way out into the main room for dinner. The smell hits my nose as soon as I exit and my mouth begins to water. That's one thing i'm going to miss in the arena, all the amazing food the capital has to offer. So i'd better take advantage while I still can.
Tate Jamison(District 5)
I'm so tired all I want to do is sleep but Electra my mentor won't let me. She says we need to go over what i'm showing the game makers tomorrow but it won't matter if I fall asleep on them in the room.
"Now Tate it's very important not to hold anything back, if you can do anything well now is the time to show it."
"I'm not stupid Electra. Honestly why are we worrying about this now and not in the morning?"
"We won't have a lot of time tomorrow and I want to make sure we go over this before you go in. This advice is really important so please try to focus."
"If I screw up tomorrow because you didn't let me sleep it won't matter what advice you give me now will it."
She sighs and throws her arms up in defeat. She's about to walk away when I decide that it may be a good idea to at least pretend to listen to her advice. She is my mentor and I will need her help with sponsors and all that.
"I'm sorry Electra, please continue."
"Ok, so like I was saying don't hide anything that could be useful. To many tributes hold things back in their sessions and it can really tie a mentors hands. My first year mentoring the tribute I had was amazing with hand to hand combat, he was strong, fast and hit harder than anyone I've seen before. He didn't show it in training for fear it would make him a target but then he didn't show it privately either. He got a 5 and then I had no leg to stand on for sponsors and it got him killed."
"So I should show off and make myself a target? How on earth will that help me?"
"It's better to be seen as a threat to win the games then as to weak to make it. If you do look weak every day of survival is attributed more and more to luck than skill. In that case i'll have a much harder time getting you the supplies you need."
"Ok, but won't that make me a target for the career alliance?"
"Unless you score a 12 it shouldn't be a problem. I don't need you to be perfect, just good enough that if you need help I can get it for you."
It makes sense, that doesn't make the fact she's depriving me of sleep any better but I can at least understand what she's saying.
"Ok, anything else you want to cover or can I go to bed now?"
"No that's everything for now, have a good night. However I do want you to know that I've seen that you've been very patient with me Tate and I do appreciate it, thank you."
With that she smiles and heads toward her room and I follow suite. We part at the stairs as she heads up the set leading to the mentor and escort wing and I toward the tribute side. I hate to admit it but she was right, the information was worth staying up later then Marcus to get. He'll have more rest for tomorrow but I just might have a leg up when it comes to preparedness.
As I reach the comfort and silence of my room I immediately fall into my bed, letting the softness and warmth envelop me. Before long I find myself slipping into a deep and pleasant sleep.
A/N: Hello everyone here's the final training chapter what did you all think? I hope it met the expectations you have for the story. So as always on to a few questions
What does everyone think of the story so far?
Fav POV for the chapter?
What do you think of the tributes in general so far?
Fav tribute and or least fav?
What can I work on to make it better next time?
I hope to have the Individual Sessions chapter up sometime early in the week but I can't guarantee anything at this point as my life refuses to cooperate with my desire to write lol. Well I look forward to seeing what you all think and seeing you at the next update :D