14. Rough and tumble.
Cato waits until I stop struggling before he releases his grip on me. I turn over onto my back and lash out with my foot. My kick catches Cato on his leg. It'll leave a bruise, but my blow doesn't really connect. Cato just laughs and dodges clear before I can launch another kick. I pull the cloth out of my mouth and see that it's a pair of my underpants ... clean ones, fortunately. My initial anger has abated, but I'm still unhappy about Cato's opening moves.
"So are you going to call out and have Haymitch escort me from your room?" taunts Cato.
"No. But I want your promise that you're not going to do that again."
"I'll make no such promise," replies Cato. "Do you think we'll be following any rules in a couple of days time. Just look on this as some extra training. Are you in this game or out?"
So Cato wants to play rough and tumble. This isn't going to be the night of gentle loving that I had in mind, but I'm not going to show him any weakness this close to entering the arena. I'll play my part in this game, even though it might not be what I really want.
"Very well. I'm in. Are we following any rules at all?"
Cato explains the concept of using a safe word to protect each other from real harm. By saying 'Primrose' I'm assured that Cato will stop whatever he is doing to me at the time. Similarly I promise to respect Cato's safe word 'Clove'. Apart from that, then anything is permitted ... within reason.
"Were there any repercussions from our television interview surprise," I ask as Cato as he removes the red uniform he's used as a disguise to get into the District Twelve suite.
"Brutus was more annoyed with Clove than with me. Our confession has only enhanced my reputation, so Brutus isn't concerned."
Cato moves onto the bed beside me. Normally I would move closer to hug him, but I'm cautious about what he might have in mind. He's equally careful in case I exact my revenge for his initial assault. But we can't sit like this all night. I take the initiative and reach out to take hold of his arm just below his shoulder. His reaction draws me closer and before I know it we are lying on the bed with our arms locked around each other. It's a much gentler start to what I thought Cato was seeking, but I'm not complaining. I think our hesitant start is because neither of us has any experience at this sort of game.
After ten minutes, however, we've moved onto a much more physical game. We're being rough with each other, but not in a nasty way. To my great surprise I'm starting to enjoy it and my emotional state is driving me towards new extremes. Cato is aroused to the stage that I'm surprised he doesn't use his superior strength to simply take what he desires. Perhaps he's not such a novice at these games as I thought earlier.
Our game goes on for what seems like hours. Cato is much stronger, but I'm more agile. Standing up I have the advantage, but when Cato pulls me onto the bed the advantage is his. Not that either of us complain. Neither of us finds a need to use our safe word. Any advantage is only momentary. It's a though by some unspoken agreement, we've agreed to take turns at being in the dominant position. Given our individual personalities, it's probably the best solution. I know I would never tolerate being the submissive partner all the time, and I'm sure Cato is just the same.
We're both tired and bruised by the time we decide we've had enough. Cato again refuses my offer to stay the night. It's been a wild night which has left me with pleasant memories, different from those I've felt before. It's an experience I hadn't expected, but I'm glad that we did what we did. Even the thought that Maximus Maximilian may have a recording of Cato and me making out tonight doesn't spoil my mood. Our parting is very emotional although we both avoid saying goodbye. Realistically, though, tonight may be the last chance we have to be together like this.
My bed covers are in a mess and it takes me a few minutes to find everything and remake my bed. I'm too tired to take a shower, although I probably need one to ease my aching muscles and clean off the evidence of Cato's presence. I'm just glad there are no training sessions in the morning.
There's no alarm call this morning and it's nearly eight o'clock when I wake. Peeta, Effie and Haymitch have finished their meal by the time I've had a shower and appeared for breakfast.
"Sorry. I overslept," I say, although I don't really need to apologise.
"Eat your breakfast quickly," replies Effie. "Cinna will be here in half an hour to do the final adjustments to your dress for Caesar Flickerman's show. After that you'll need to go to the Remake Centre. Your prep team will get you cleaned up for tonight. You must look your best."
I inwardly groan. I don't mind the fitting session with Cinna, but another few hours of being scrubbed and polished in the Remake Centre will be torture.
"After lunch, Haymitch will go through your script for your interview," continues Effie, who has clearly mapped out my whole schedule for today to the minute. I think Haymitch already knows that I'll never be able to follow a script.
By the time I meet Haymitch after lunch, he has some news for me from Marcus Antonius. Despite my initial pessimism, it seems Marcus Antonius agreed under pressure that I had satisfied the terms of his offer during the television interview last night. It certainly helped that there were two television crew as witnesses. Unfortunately, it turns out that Marcus Antonius isn't as wealthy as he claims, and Haymitch had to settle for one thousand in sponsorship on my behalf. I don't think Haymitch would have achieved that had it not been for his promise not to reveal that Marcus Antonius has short-changed us. Marcus Antonius keeps his reputation, while I get a decent amount of sponsorship in return. Given I thought I had failed to achieve the conditions of the sponsorship, I'm not complaining at the result. I thank Haymitch for a job well done.
"On the other matter we discussed last night, I've not been so successful," says Haymitch. "MaxMax has denied that he has any videos of you taken in your room. He's insists that there are no cameras inside any tribute's bedroom. As for Cato having access to our suite, he seemed genuinely surprised. He checked the access logs in my presence and there's no evidence of Cato leaving his own suite at any time in the last two nights, other than for the television interview. An Avox's movements are only recorded by an identification number, but there's no evidence of an Avox leaving the District Two suite and then entering ours. Without knowing the exact time Cato entered our suite it's difficult to identify his entry from the numerous genuine Avox movements. Either MaxMax has covered his trail exceptionally well, or Cato had help from someone other than MaxMax to gain access to our suite."
"Someone like Cato's mentor, Brutus, you mean. What do you suggest we do?" I ask.
"Nothing," replies Haymitch. "Both MaxMax and Brutus would be foolish to try any more funny business this close to you entering the arena. The gamemakers always pay very close attention to what happens from now on. The last thing they want is an unpleasant surprise at the last minute. What is done is done. You must concentrate on winning the Games. Once you've done that we can sort out anything that still requires attention."
I still hold on to a hope that Cato and I can be together one more time, but as the day progresses I realise that it's a forlorn wish. We won't return from Caesar Flickerman's show until nearly midnight, and its an early departure in the morning for the arena. While I doubt I'll get much sleep, I'll need to get as much rest as I can.
Despite being closely watched by both the guards and the gamemakers, I manage a short conversation with Cato as we wait for Caesar Flickerman's show to begin. We risk a quick kiss when we think nobody is watching. It's probably not the wisest of actions in the circumstances but what harm can come from it?
A short while later we are lined up for our interview with Caesar Flickerman. The interviews are done in district order, so Peeta and I will go last. I listen carefully to each tribute's interview, particularly when it gets to Cato's turn. If he knows about the sponsorship offer from Marcus Antonius, then now will be the time when he makes his opening move. Of course, he won't know that Marcus Antonius was witness to the interview last night and that I've already claimed the much reduced prize.
"Now, Cato," says Caesar Flickerman. "Our cameras caught you kissing another tribute just now. Katniss Everdeen from District Twelve, in fact. Do you wish to comment?"
"It's hardly my fault if girls find me attractive," laughs Cato. "Katniss and I have been good friends over the last week."
"And would Katniss agree with your statement?"
"You'll have to ask her, but I believe she would," replies Cato.
"Indeed I shall," laughs Caesar Flickerman. "Are you aware of the sponsorship offer from our resident Hunger Games expert, Marcus Antonius? Twenty thousand, I believe. A rather rash offer, I might add, but I'm assured it is genuine."
"Yes. I've heard of his offer. My mentor told me about it."
"And if we brought you and Katniss on stage together, would you kiss Katniss passionately and claim his sponsorship money."
"I would gladly kiss Katniss," replies Cato. "But I'm not interested in the money. I will win these Games through my own skills, and not because of a large sponsorship deal."
"That's very noble of Cato," replies Caesar Flickerman. "However, your mentor would be failing in his duty if he didn't claim Marcus Antonius's offer on your behalf."
I inwardly smile at Brutus's disappointment should he try. Unfortunately the audience is practically demanding Cato and I kiss on stage. They don't care about the consequences. Caesar Flickerman calms the audience's frenzy and continues with the interviews. Of course the topic is the first question he asks me when it's my turn on stage. It's as well Haymitch wasn't expecting me to follow a script.
"Cato and I have been good friends, but tomorrow we must become enemies by order of the state. Cato told you he intends to win these Games. I too intend to do my best to win them. I don't think I can add any more to what Cato told you."
"But would you be willing to kiss Cato on stage here tonight?"
"So that Cato can benefit from twenty thousand in sponsorship. No way! I like Cato a lot, but I'll not kill myself and every other tribute here tonight by allowing that to happen."
"I'm sure Marcus Antonius would split the sponsorship money between you," says Caesar Flickerman.
"You don't know that," I reply. "I'm sorry, Caesar, but there'll be no public kiss between Cato and I tonight."
A muttering from the audience shows their disapproval of my statement. I realise that I'm in grave danger of losing what sponsorship support I have apart from the promise of Marcus Antonius's money. Will that be enough, or do I try to rescue my situation?
"Please reconsider," says Caesar Flickerman, obviously aware that the pressure from the audience is working in his favour. "Cato! Please come and join us."
Cato reluctantly comes back onto the stage. He looks disgusted at the theatrics he and I are being coerced into performing.
"Let's do this," I say to Cato. "I doubt we'll be allowed to leave this stage with our credibility intact unless we do."
"I don't like it," says Cato. "But I guess we're trapped. I'm sorry I've dragged you into this mess."
"I'm just as guilty," I reply, leaning forward so that we can kiss. Cato and I join in the passionate kiss the audience is demanding. The cheering from all around us is deafening. We finally break our kiss. Cato shows his contempt for the audience by returning to his seat off-stage without saying a word. My interview winds up almost as quickly. I pity Peeta having to do his interview with the audience still buzzing with excitement.
I don't get a chance to talk to Cato after the show. Haymitch promptly takes Peeta and I back to our suite. I'm too upset about the whole performance tonight for more than a quick apology to Peeta for making his interview so difficult. If anything, tonight's episode makes me more determined to survive these Games so that I can exact my revenge on these evil people.
I return to my room and prepare for bed. Part of me hopes Cato will come tonight, but I know that he won't. The next morning I'm woken early and I prepare for my departure for the arena. As I make my final preparations in my bathroom I silently thank Cato for a wonderful few days. I pick up the small box of contraceptive pills that Effie gave me on board the train. With my renewed determination to win the 74th Hunger Games, perhaps I should have been taking the pills as Effie advised.
[End of Part One]