Author's Disclaimer: I do not own the Legend of Zelda or The Hunger Games. I am earning no profit from this story other than the enjoyment of writing it and sharing it with others. I hope you all enjoy reading it! Feel free to let me know what you think by giving this chapter a review.
Once again, I wake up to a servant knocking at my door. I drag myself out of bed and change back into my Hero's Clothes and chainmail. Then I meander on down to breakfast, fashionably late as usual. Katniss has a shocked look on her face, and Peeta is staring directly at his breakfast. I quickly load my plate and sit down.
"Is anyone going to tell me what happened?" I ask.
Haymitch takes a deep breath. "Peeta has asked to be coached separately."
"Oh," is all I say. I wasn't expecting that. It's no big deal, really. But still, I have to wonder why. Katniss obviously cares way more than I do.
"Good," she says stiffly. "What's the schedule?"
"Well, first we have to know if you and Link would like to be separated," Haymitch replies.
Katniss shrugs, but her eyes are locked onto Peeta. She feels betrayed. I just know it. "We'll stick together." She says the word 'together' incredibly harshly.
"That's fine with me," I say casually.
"Alright then," Haymitch says with a nod. "In that case, each group will have four hours with Effie for presentation, and four with me for content. You start with Effie, Katniss and Link." I let out an involuntary groan. Four hours with Effie? At least Katniss will be there.
Effie takes us to Katniss's room, and has her try on multiple gowns. I leave every time she's asked to change. I don't bother paying attention, since the lesson is for a girl. I let my eyes wander around Katniss's room. It's much neater than mine. Mine has a pile of clothes on the floor, and the wolf has destroyed the bed again. I ordered the servants to leave my mess alone, since I feel bad making them clean it up. They have listened to that order, but I haven't had time to clean up yet.
After two hours, it's my turn. Effie clearly isn't satisfied with Katniss, but we move on anyway. I lead the way to my room. It is a complete disaster. I had forgotten that last night the wolf ripped up my entire wardrobe as well. Effie gasps as she enters, "I'll get the Avoxes in here immediately!" she cries.
"No!" I yell. She stops. "I told them not to. It's my mess, I'll clean it up."
"Link," Effie says calmly. "Avoxes are traitors. They deserve this." She continues walking out the door.
"No, seriously," I call. "I enjoy cleaning. That's why I tear stuff up. It's relaxing."
Katniss stifles a snicker, but Effie stops walking. "Well, in that case I'll leave it to you then." I sigh in relief. "Okay first, we're going to practice wearing a suit. Put this on." She holds up a black tuxedo, not unlike the ridiculous getup the Avoxes are required to wear. I instantly despise it.
"No," I reply.
"No?" Effie repeats, taken aback.
"No," I say again. "I will wear this."
"You can't wear that armor!" Effie argues, exasperated. "It's not allowed in the arena!"
"I'll take off the chainmail then," I say calmly. "This tunic isn't armor."
"But it's ugly!" Effie retorts.
I narrow my eyes. "I'm sorry you think so."
"Link," Katniss's voice interrupts our argument. "Why do you like that tunic so much?"
I consider the question. "It was my ancestor's," I reply truthfully. But how much truth can I give? I can't think of anything else to say, so I remain quiet.
Effie claps her hands. "Really? That's so historical!" Apparently, she forgot about our previous argument thirty seconds ago. "I'll speak to Portia about allowing you to wear it." I smile, satisfied. "But we still have to talk about your posture," Effie says. She goes on and on. Apparently, I tend to slouch over, holding my hands out like claws, especially when I'm mad. After I stand perfectly straight for several minutes, we move on to eye contact, then hand gestures, and smiling. Smiling is hardest, because I hate doing it. Smiling widely reveals my unnatural wolf's teeth. I always smile without revealing my teeth. Effie makes me show them off the first time, and then gasps when she sees my devilishly sharp canines. We quickly work out a way to smile without showing off my freakishness.
After my turn, we eat a quick lunch, then head into the sitting room with Haymitch. We seat on the couch, and he precedes to just stare at us for a while. I begin to grow restless and decide to make this a staring contest. I stare right back into Haymitch's unblinking eyes, never blinking myself. Finally, Haymitch blinks, and I've forgotten he doesn't know he's playing.
"I win!" I cry triumphantly.
"What?" Haymitch asks.
I remember that this was a one-sided staring contest. "I was doing a staring contest with you," I say. "And I forgot I didn't tell you."
Katniss and Haymitch bust out laughing. Eventually, I join them. After everyone finishes laughing, Haymitch asks, "Why would you do that?"
"I got bored," I reply. I've earned myself another bout of laughter.
"You have the shortest attention span I've ever seen," Haymitch guffaws. "How do you even fall asleep at night?"
"More often than not I don't," I admit. Lack of sleep never seems to be a problem though. At least for me.
Haymitch shakes his head. "Okay. Time to get down to business." Katniss groans. "The reason I was staring at you, is because I don't know what to do with either of you. Katniss. You are a star. You saved your sister. Cinna made you look fabulous on opening night. Link. You also shined. You saved Peeta the first time. Everyone could tell you were upset when he was called again. You both have two of the highest training scores, and no one has ever gotten a twelve before. People are intrigued, but they don't know who you are. The impression you make tomorrow will decide exactly what I can get in terms of sponsors," Haymitch explains.
I purse my lips. The wolf pushes a growl up my throat, but I push it back down. I don't want the Capitol idiots to know who I am. But until I come up with a plan to rebel against their Games, I'm just going to have to play along. "What's Peeta's approach?" Katniss asks sharply. She's still irritated at him. "Or am I not allowed to ask?"
"Likable," Haymitch shrugs. "He has a sort of self-deprecating sense of humor naturally. Whereas when you open your mouth you come across as sullen and hostile. And Link, you are always sarcastic."
"I am not!" Katniss and I cry in unison. Haymitch sighs, and we get right to work. He tries presenting us as humble, cocky, witty, fierce, and mysterious. Haymitch decides I will be fierce. The wolf agrees. It's kind of fun though. I don't have to hide the wolf. Whatever he wants to come out of my mouth, I don't have to hold it down. And plus, those answers aren't mine. They belong to the wolf. I get both the things I want. Fun, and the Capitol citizens won't know who I am. Katniss however, is struggling. She fails at every personality Haymitch gives her.
By the end of our lesson, she is enraged. Haymitch gives up, and she storms up off to her room. I personally don't understand why she's so upset. If you get sponsors, great. If not, oh well. Clearly, that's not her opinion.
Katniss spends the rest of the night in her room, even dinner. Peeta asked me to see if she wanted to come down to eat, so I went up to her room. All I heard was her screaming obscenities and glass breaking. I quickly left her alone.
"And?" Haymitch asks as I return.
"She's furious," I reply.
"She must attend dinner," Effie argues.
"She's in there breaking glass plates," I counter. Effie purses her lips. The Avoxes around our table look worried. I feel bad for them. We finish dinner and head to bed. We have our interviews tomorrow.