Today was the first day of training. Mayella told Castor and I to take a shower and change into the set outfits on our beds. Then our prep teams would make sure that we look "stylish". Even though we won't be in front of the cameras...
I've gotten pretty good at controlling the Capitol showers. I've been using the lemon soap and the rain setting. Finnick never forgets to mention it though.
After I stepped out on the mat and dried off, I walked over to the bed in my robe. Sitting there was a pair of black athletic pants, underwear, and a black sports bra. Wait! No shirt!
I put on what was laying there, the pants were tight and went barely past my knees. While the sports bra was supportive... it didn't pass the top of My sternum. Training just got a lot more scary...
I was lacing the black combat boots when my prep team came barging in. 'Of course, come in.' Divine and Vienna were laughing and screeching about some new clothing line. I noticed that Tiberius stood outside the door, most likely waiting for my welcome. Atleast someone had manners. I smiled and nodded my head. He just winked. We both snickered.
"Darling, what did we tell you?!" Divine scolded.
"Ugh... I don't remember." I bit my lip. They talked so much I kind of starting tuning them out...
"Moisturize! I told you to moisturize!" She sighs.
I looked at Tiberius through the mirror. He was nodding his head slightly, 'She's being dramatic.' He mouthed at me. I could barely keep in my giggle.
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All they were doing was my hair and it still took an hour. First, Divine massaged this cream into my scalp. Then, she had Vienna grab this weird machine. They put it on my head and let it sit for probably half of the time spent in my room. It burned slightly and caused a little discomfort. I just played with my brothers necklace. 'Did we have the same prep team? Or do they stick to one gender of their district?' I wanted to ask but thought I would hear more than I wanted.
Beep! Beep! Beep!
The thing on my head started making a noise. Indicating the end of whatever job it had. They took the helmet looking thing off and my eyes grew big. My hair was straight and thicker then it's ever been by far. The length alone was down to my hips. Thick, dark, long, beautiful!
"What did you guys do?" I asked in awe.
Vienna clapped her hands. "We implanted follicles to make your hair thicker and more full." She giggled.
"How did it get so long?" Her answer didn't explain the huge difference in length of my hair.
"We put a formula on your scalp, it causes rapid growth. Depending on amounts used." She shrugged. "We use it all the time."
Wow... people in the districts didn't even have tools for basic hygiene most of the time, but in the Capitol they could change the length of their hair in 30 minutes by buying a box from the store.
Divine and Vienna wished me luck and left the room. Leaving Tiberius to put my hair up.
"Won't this get in the way, you know in the arena?" I asked, looking at him through the mirror. His crimson lip and blonde hair reflected light from the window.
"No, we'll put it up for you. Don't worry." He leaned down, whispering so no recording could pick it up. "We are on your team. Remember that." He sat back up, and gave a slight nod.
"Thank you."
He put my hair in a ponytail. The end of it falling just above my lower back. It took a super thick elastic to hold it all. I stood up from the stool and turned around. My hair swishing from side to side in a dark curtain. I love it!
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Castor, Finnick, and I walked into the elevator. We had about 5 minutes till training was to start. Castor was wearing the same pants and shoes as me, but he was wearing a thick strapped tank top. Atleast he gets a shirt...
"Okay guys, so today is the first day of training. Which means it's the day that you have to leave a great first impression. The other tributes will actually see you for the first time." Finnick spoke Barely above a whisper. Almost like he was plotting... but no one else was in the elevator. Castor nodded his head, while I just starred at the descending floor numbers.
"Remember to hit the survival stations atleast a couple times. Combat is important but knowing the difference between an edible and poisonous berry can decide your fate." Finnick looked between the two of us while he spoke.
When the elevator doors opened Castor swaggered out and into the training room. I turned to look at Finnick. My heart started racing again and my breathing shallow. 'Not again.'
He grabbed my shoulder. "You're going to be fine, okay? When you get back this afternoon I have some more stuff planned for us! So just get through your first day, alright?" He smiled. "Now go, train, become stronger in every aspect." He flexed. I laughed at his actions.
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Besides Castor and I, most other districts were already here. Everyone besides 1,2, and 5. We gathered around a young woman with dark skin. She introduced herself as Atlas and began talking to us about the stations. She told us to go ahead and start, that she would talk to the other 3 districts when they arrived. They're fashionably late I guess?
It was probably five more minutes till all the tributes were here. The last ones to arrive were the male and female from two. The girl was tall and fit, with short brown hair and pale blue eyes. She walked in with a smirk. Way to confident. The male was a giant. Probably standing over 6'2", with muscles bigger than anyone I had ever seen. He had blonde messy hair and Carmel eyes. He put his arm lossley on the girls shoulder. Way to arrogant. He looked over and made eye contact with me. He smirked and kept staring as he walked away. I looked down first, feeling way to exposed.
"Hey." I heard a honey voice behind me.
I turned around to face him, my arms over my chest. "Hello Kostos." He smiled.
"I don't know we're to start, have ideas?" He asked. I looked around he room at our options. They only ones that really caught my eye were the camouflage, plants, fishing, and knifes/Spears stations. The rest, including, swords and fire starting didn't interest me.
"Well I did promise to teach you how to throw knives and spears. Would you like to start there?" I looked up at him. His air was without product today. Messy but in an orderly way. He just nodded his head and smiled.
We walked over to the weapons. The Male tributes from one and two were using swords on plastic dummies, chopping of limbs and stabbing. Other than them we were the only others using weapons. Most at survival stations or hand-to-hand combat. I picked up a spear and walked over towards Kostos.
"Okay, so spread your feet shoulder width apart." He did what I said. "Perfect, now but your arm up like this." I showed him my stance. He tried his best to copy me. I walked around to the other side of him and grabbed his arm, moving it to the right position. I tried not to think about the butterflies I got from touching his soft skin. The last thing I need to do is start blushing.
"Now step with your left foot and use the the weight on your back leg to but more power in your throw." I said. He stepped and threw the spear. It landed in the very right side of the dummies stomach. "Not bad, You're definitely strong enough for it to stick."
He laughed. "Here, show me how you do it."
I grabbed another spear off the rack. It reminds me so much of home. Working on the fishing boats with my dad during the major harvest seasons. I took a deep breath and stepped up to the line. I can use either hand for basically everything, so I used my right so he could see what he should be doing. Pivoting my feet I leaned back on my right leg and raised my arm. Lean. Step. Throw. The spear landed hard into the middle of the dummies abdomen.
I looked over at Kostos grinning slightly. He was quietly clapping.
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For the next few hours, I taught Kostos how to throw spears and small knives. He was actually pretty good.
"You ready to move on?" I asked him. Honestly this was getting very boring.
"Of course, lead the way."
The camouflage station has been barley touched. The paints, brushes, and pallets clean. I walked quickly to the table growing excited.
"I remember you telling me you painted, I've grown very curious. Do you mind if I watch you?" Kostos asked me smiling.
"Not at all." Most definitely blushing
I started on my right arm. Blues, greens, yellows, and creams. All making up the same illusion as my parade dress. The ocean. I miss the sounds of the tides crashing on the coast. I didn't even think, just started painting. I almost forgot Kostos was watching me too.
"That's beautiful." He whispered. I looked up meeting his gaze. 'Your beautiful..' again, with the lame thoughts.
"Thank you." I smiled.
I decided to try and paint the ferns and undergrowth of a rainforest. In the corner of the room were little tropical plants. I looked back in forth between my left arm and the plants. Painting every shadow and highlight. About twenty minutes later, my arm was a hue of greens and reds.
We walked over to the plants. I put my arm up to the side. I smiled in delight. My arm disappeared into the thick vegetation. I turned towards Kostos, he looked to be calculating everything. His eyes were wide, eyebrows up.
"That's amazing." He said comparing the real plants to my skin. When Kostos grabbed my hand to study it, my heart quickened, but not in my normal way of panic. I could get high off of this feeling. The sparks that tingle through us when we accidentally graze eachother, I've never really spent my time with other people. My anxiety always got the better of me.
"Thank you, do you think I got the proportions correct?" I asked looking down at the crouching Kostos.
"It's perfect."
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Kostos and I hit a couple other survival stations before lunch. The fishing station fascinated him. The ability to make a fish hook out of almost anything seemed to have him amazed. "With the array of items, your probability of making a fish hook anywhere are very high. That's fantastic." I just laughed quietly. I guess if your not from four you never see this stuff.
The plant identification was very easy for me. The trainer at that station said I've been the best "student" he's ever had. I got a 46/50 on the test. Certain plants from the Desert had me stumped, I had never seen them before. Kostos did pretty well but he had a very hard time with the berries.
"That one." He would say pointing to a dark purple berry.
"Dead." The trainer would sigh.
"Um... then that one."
"Dead."
Poor Kostos. I would just laugh quietly.
"Time for lunch!" Atlas yelled from an open pair of double doors.
Kostos and I, along with the other tributes made our way to the Cafeteria. We were handed trays with oats and berries. Light and full of energy. Along with a class of ice water.
We sat at a back table, On the other end was district 6.
"What do you want to do after lunch?" Kostos asked taking a bite of his oats.
I laughed. "Why don't you choose, I have been all morning. Is there anything you want to try?"
He looked at me with those extraordinary eyes, a smile started forming on his face. "I don't really have a preference."
I rolled my eyes. He chuckled. "Well, I suppose we could try climbing. They have a net in there for practice. I've never attempted anything of the sort."
"I agree, I never really played in the willows in four. Might as well learn to climb." I was glad he decided, I feel like I've been bossy this morning.
We ate lunch in peace. Kostos made jokes and I laughed. He was honestly quite funny. I was holding my stomach and trying to keep semi quiet. The room it's self was pretty loud, but I didn't want to draw attention to myself.
At the moment Kostos was telling me about how his prep team was all over him. "They vocalized their surprise of my physique many times." He would imitate their voices. "Wow Kostos! For a kid from your district... you've really kept in shape." He used a high pitch Capitol accent, putting Emphasis on 'your'. I giggled. Like actually giggled. 'Oh my.'
We were both laughing till I looked to my right to see the boy from two starring at me. He had a blank expression. He saw me looking his way, his eyes decided to travel down my top and back up to my face. He smiled a disturbing smirk. Winking.
Kostos must have noticed my change in mood. "Hey, what's wrong?"
I looked away slowly and back at Kostos. Concern written on his face. "They boy from two keeps starring at me." I crossed my arms over my chest, trying to cover myself.
He looked over his shoulder to see the deadly stare. Kostos started taking off his shirt. "W-what are you doing?" I asked definitely blushing.
He chuckled. "I'm giving you my shirt."
Kostos handed me the tank top and I put it on. He was fairly tall so this shirt was huge on me. But I appreciated it. "Thank you." I finally felt somewhat comfortable.
"But what about you?" I asked. Atleast I had something, even if it was just a sports bra. Kostos' chest was completely exposed.
He laughed. "I'll be fine, really." I felt bad, but I couldn't help but look. At his chest I mean. He was definitely in shape. 'Look away!'
I only glanced but he still saw me. "Hey, now you're doing it." He laughed.
"I know, I'm sorry." I said sadly.
"It's fine Brizo, I was just giving you a hard time." Kostos laughed.
I shook my head smiling.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Back in the training center after lunch. We have like an hour or two left of our first day of training. Kostos and I decided to try knot tying, because a girl from 8 is climbing at the moment.
Of course being from four, I know how to tie almost any knot. But for Kostos this is all brand new for the most part. He's a very quick learner though.
"When did you learn all these?" Kostos asked. His finger stuck in a loop.
I chuckled. "Hmmm... I can't remember really."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The girl was finally done. We walked the few feet to the climbing station with about twenty minutes left.
"Who's going first?" Kostos asked.
"You can go."
He walked to the base of the net, took a deep breath, and started climbing. The net swayed and rocked back in forth, Threatening to dump him.
He hooked his foot in the fifth knot from the bottom. Becoming more unstable. He kept climbing though. How has he never done this before?
When he made it up and over the other side and back down, I released a breath I didn't know I was holding. That was way to stressful.
"Your turn."
I walked slowly towards the net. 'Gotta learn somehow.' I told myself. I put my hands on the knots shoulder height to me. My feet at the bottom. I started my climb.
I got about midway when I looked over to my right to see the same boy starring at me. Again becoming instantly uncomfortable. He had an almost angry look, one of rage. This can not be good.
I guess when I wasn't paying attention I leaned to the left because next thing I know I'm on the ground. I landed on my stomach, knocking the wind out of me. Kostos ran over to help me up.
"Brizo, are you okay!" He said worried.
I couldn't catch my breath. Everything hurt. "Yeah, I'm fine."
"Your nose is bleeding." I reached up to find that it was in fact.
I asked the trainer at the station for a napkin of some sort. He just sent me to my floor. "You only have about ten minutes. Go back to your living quarters and take care of that." I nodded my head slightly. Blood was dripping down my hand and onto the floor.
After reassuring Kostos I was going to be okay I started towards the elevator. Other tributes were starring at me as I made my way. The games haven't even started and blood has already been shed.
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I pressed the button for 4. The elevator doors opened with a ding. By this time, the blood has ran down my neck. Having no rag to stop the bleeding. 'I hope there isn't anyone in the elevator.' I kept thinking. The last thing I need is for everyone to see me as weak... well before the games anyway.
But of course there was a man on the left side of the elevator. He saw the blood on my face, neck, and chest, raising his eyebrows.
"What happened to you sweetheart?" He chuckled.
"I-I fell." I spoke shyly and slightly embarrassed.
He shook his head, light brown hair falling in his eyes. "The bleeding isn't supposed to start till after the games, ya' know."
I laughed quietly at his joke. "Trust me, I know."
"Here." He handed me a a handkerchief. It was a dark gray fabric with little black strips. Obviously was supposed to match his suit jacket.
"Thank you." I sighed. I tried wiping as much of my neck as I could. It was all over my brothers necklace. I'll have it clean it later. I then held it on my nose.
"What's your name kid?" He asked smiling.
"Brizo Monty. District 4."
He chuckled. "Haymitch Abernathy."
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That was only part one of this particular day! Part two should be coming out pretty soon..(I'm just so excited for it.) How was the first day of training? What do you think is going on with that boy from 2? Let me know by reviewing your thoughts!!
P.s: I need a name for the Brizo/Kostos ship! Review and tell me your combo of the two!
Hope you enjoyed this chapter! ~peace~