*Lystra Fay Gull's POV. And, yes, I know that later on the names aren't their actual names – but they are as Katniss knew them. Also, yes, I made up some names due to the fact that so many were unknown to Katniss, therefore unknown to us. Lastly, I know – 24th Hunger Games, chapter 24...I made it good because of that ;)*
I woke with a jolt, sweaty, crying, and screaming. Warm sunlight streamed through the window, providing a false sense of safety. I curled into a ball in my bed, terrified by the dreams. They kept flashing through my mind, with the pictures. I cried for a long time, curled into a ball.
Then I got up, moving with instinct to my pencils and papers. I picked up my pencil, and started drawing . . .
Again the sensation gripped me where nothing mattered by shading, making small lines, long lines, curves, and dynamics. Even though I couldn't see the picture, it was all I cared about.
Part of me was conscious of my door opening, but of course, it wasn't important. Only when I put down my pencil did I realize that Tanner was standing behind me.
"Lystra," words failed him as he gazed upon the drawings, and I followed his gaze onto it.
I had drawn us.
But they . . . weren't us.
They were different people that were definetly us.
It was us as we would be in 50 years, in a new Hunger Games – in the 74th Hunger Games. It was incredibly creepy – seeing someone and knowing that they are you. I shivered slightly.
Spade – the homeless boy from 12 – his counterpart was a burly boy. The name underneath said, 'Thresh.'
Echo had deep, dark skin and short black hair. She was extremely young – probably about 12, and was by far the youngest. The name underneath said, 'Rue.'
Nich had deep red hair and a long, snout-like face, deeply freckled and tanned. The name underneath said, 'Foxface.'
Totsie had deep brown hair and matching eyes, and her name was, 'Marietta'
The girl from 1 with the blonde hair looked very much similar, except now her green eyes were blue. The name read, 'Glimmer.'
Armondo Rippet was hulky and huge, and his expression was mean, rude, and relentless. 'Cato' was the name underneath.
Carrie Rippet was burly girl with blonde hair and a mean, hardened expression. To me, she seemed unchanged. The name underneath was 'Clove.'
Rayne
Tanner's skin was pale, and his hair a dirty blonde. His eyes were light, and intense. The name said, 'Peeta Mellark'
And me.
My hair was long and brown, my face hard and strong, eyes determined, sad, and angry. I was tall and lean, and held a bow and arrow in my hands. My skin was deeply tanned. I was determined, strong, hateful, and mourning. I held hands with the boy next to me – Peeta Mallark/Tanner.
The name underneath it said :
Katniss Everdeen.
That day was devoted entirely to getting ready for the interviews. Emerald took me through hours of lectures on manners, posture, poise, and charm. When it was finally over, I felt my head might burst. We broke for a quite lunch. During the meal, I tried several times to meet Tanner's eyes, but he wouldn't. I wondered what was bothering him – but I knew what it was, deep down inside.
It was the fact that our counterparts were holding hands.
I deeply regretted drawing that part – but I always lost control when I drew. It wasn't my fault. All the same, I felt bad, and hoped that Tanner would look past this, and we could go back to our relationship – as friends. I wanted it so much . . .
. . . didn't I? I didn't love Tanner . . .
. . . did I? And Tanner most certainly didn't love me . . .
. . . or did he?
My mind was whirling and my heart was racing. I couldn't eat, and only played with my food until the meal was over and I was joining Kayton for more training.
Kayton left me to my sad brooding for a long while, studying me. Finally, she said, "What angle do you want to play?"
Shocked out of my trance, I jumped. "Angle?"
"Yes, you're angle – what shall the Capitol think of your personality? Funny? Angry? Strong? Weak? What?"
I looked at Kayton for a moment, considering my options. But, suddenly, the answer was obvious. "No angle," I told her. "I'll . . . just be myself."
Kayton nodded slowly. "This is the approach I used," she said "But if you are to use it, you must ask yourself : who are you?"
"I am . . ." I hesitated, thinking. Who was I?
I wasn't truly sure for a moment. I felt as though I had several personalities.
Was I Lystra the Fay?
Was I the golden apple?
Or was I Katniss Everdeen?
Who was Lystra Fay Gull?
It took me a long moment before I could answer Kayton.
"I am Lystra Fay Gull," I told her "Named for Lystra the Fay, the ender of a tyrant. The golden apple – the causer of trouble. Katniss Everdeen – the girl not born yet, who, I promise you, will end this once and for all. I am Lystra Fay Gull. I am relentless, angry, and strong. I am sad, confident, and joyous. I am never going to give up. I am . . ." I grinned here, being honest with Kayton. "extremely tired. But most of all . . . I am an artist."
Kayton blinked at me, and then smiled. "Good – you know who you are. I need tell you no more. You are dismissed." I nodded and stood up, walking away, before Kayton called out,
"And Lystra?" I turned, eyebrow raised. "Go take a nap."