Here is a new chapter for you guys :)
thanks so much for reading, and please continue to review if you have been,
and if you haven't please do.
I'd love to know what you guys think of Poseidon and Ariel.
Also in this chapter we will be seeing more of Theodor and Cecil, so it would be nice to know what you think of them too.
well, keep on keeping on, and peace out!
Chapter Twenty-Nine: My tributes.
After about five minutes, our tributes show up.
I give them a good look for the first time, watching their movements closely.
Cecil Daunt is a very capable looking young lady. I once again notice her strange coloring. Brown, almost shoulder-length hair so dark it's almost black, and light grey eyes. This is usually what people from the seam look like.
The seam is the poorest area in district twelve, and almost all the people who live there have dark hair and grey eyes, with olive colored skin.
Cecil volunteered, so she is of course a volunteer. Although you would be able to tell that even if she wasn't a volunteer.
Her arrogant walk, cold eyes and cruel smirk say it all.
She's tall and lithe, her movements remind me of a cat, smooth but always ready to pounce.
She struts up to the table first, and drops into the chair next to me. She gives me a flirty smile, looking at my chest.
"Hey."
I inwardly roll my eyes, but capitol Finnick gives her a smile.
I turn my attention to our male tribute; Theodor Yesmite.
He is medium height, and has a quiet countenance, everything about him suggest that he is not a career.
His straight hair is more blonde than brown, and definitely has lots of strawberry highlights. His large brown eyes remind me of a puppy's, sad and gentle.
All of this is off set by his broad shoulders and obviously strong arms.
He quietly takes the seat at the end of the table.
Cecil brushes her foot against mine, grinning at me.
"Well, now that we're all here, why don't you two tell us a little bit about yourselves. What are your strengths?"
Poseidon asks.
Cecil quickly answers.
"I'm an excellent shot with a spear, but I am also good with a sword, or any kind of blade."
Poseidon nods.
"Good. What about you Theodor? What are some of your strengths?"
He shrugs.
"I don't know really, I've never been to the training center."
Ariel speaks up.
"The games aren't all about weapons. How about any other skills? Anything you're good at could be useful in a way."
He thinks for a minute.
"Well, I work as a diver, so I can hold my breath for a long time."
Ariel smiles.
"Good! So you must be a good swimmer too."
He nods.
"And I'm pretty good at traps."
I shift my leg out of Cecil's reach as I reply.
"Those things can all be very handy in the arena. I know I probably wouldn't be here if I didn't know how to swim."
Poseidon looks a little ruffled that I entered the conversation, but he keeps his promise to Ariel, and remains civil.
"Like Ariel said, there's more to the arena than just weapon skills."
He turns to Cecil, pulling her attention off me.
"Cecil, it's good that you are skilled with weapons, but since you already know about them, try to focus on survival skills in training."
She shrugs.
"Whatever."
Dinner arrives, and there's not much conversation as we all begin eating the rich meal.
Roasted lamb with rosemary and lemon sauce, fillet's of salmon smothered in herbs, a delicious creamed vegetable soup, and a large assortment of chocolate covered fruit for dessert.
By the time the meal is finished, both Theodor and Cecil are looking a little green, their stomachs aren't used to the rich capitol food.
We retire to the lounge car, and watch the recap of the reapings.
There's a gorgeous pair from district one, tall blonde and capable. Both volunteers. Then two savage careers from two, the girl is only fourteen, suggesting that she is overly confident in her odds. The boy is a giant with a shaved head. The tributes from three aren't very memorable, both small and scared. Our reaping goes by, and I am relieved that they don't show the stage when Cleo's name was called. District five, and six weren't anything special. I'm almost dozing off after the large meal, when district seven's girl tribute is called.
I didn't catch the name, but I'm captivated by the scene. The camera shows the girl that was called; her dark hair reaches a little past her shoulders, and her brown eyes are dark. She's in the fourteen section, although I could have guessed she was younger by her small figure. For a moment she looks stunned, then her eyes open in horror as it sinks in, and she bursts into tears. Several girls push her forward, but she just collapses on the ground with her hands covering her face. Her sobs and wails echo around the quiet square, as several peacekeepers pull her up and drag her onto the stage. She stands by the escort still sobbing and covering her face with her hands.
"Let's give a round of applause for our female tribute; Johanna Mason."
The escort chirps weakly, trying to be heard above the girls wails. No one claps, and this only makes the girl cry more.
The boy tribute is called, and he walks slowly on stage. As they're led into the justice building, Johanna screams;
"I don't want to die!"
The screen switches over to district eight.
"Well that one's a goner."
Poseidon states matter of factly. Ariel agrees, but I'm not so sure. There was something in her eyes right before she broke down. What was it? Maybe there was just a hint of anger, and I caught the smirk in her eyes right before she started crying. Maybe it's just my imagination.
The rest of the tributes aren't too memorable. There was a bulky seventeen year old boy from ten, and the two from twelve looked like they were from the seam, barely enough skin on them to cover their bones.
I sigh, blinking my heavy eyelids slowly. I barely catch Ariel ask Theodor and Cecil what they thought of the tributes.
"What about you Finnick?"
I sit up quickly.
"What?"
Cecil leans closer to me.
"I asked what you thought of the other tributes."
I glance at the blank TV screen.
"Oh I don't know, why don't you ask Poseidon or Ariel? They've been mentors for much longer than I have."
Cecil glances at them, then looks back at me.
"I've already heard their opinions, now I want to hear yours."
I sigh.
"All the typical careers, no danger in the ones from three, six or twelve, and I'd look out for the boy from ten. Other than that I don't know, we'll have to wait and see in training."
Cecil seems satisfied by this, and after a few more questions, her and Theodor go to bed.
"Well, what do you think of them?"
Ariel asks me. I sigh, and lay back on the couch closing my eyes.
"Can we talk in the morning? I'm too tired to think right now."
Poseidon shakes his head.
"Because it's all about you isn't it?"
I sit up.
"Well, you are the expert."
He's about to make a nasty reply, when Ariel cuts him off.
"Hey! Finnick's right, it's getting late and we can talk in the morning. We're no good to anybody if we're so tired we can't function."
Poseidon stands up, and stalks off to his room.
"Goodnight Ariel."
I say, then I quickly walk to my room. I dress in a pair of flannel pants, and get in bed shirtless. The cool sheets are soft against my skin, and soon I am in a deep sleep.
At first I think I'm having a nightmare, but I jolt awake and sit up in bed as I hear glass shattering.
I quickly get out of bed, and open the door. Sticking my head into the hallway, I look around. Hearing nothing, I decide I was imagining it and I'm about to close the door when I hear something else shatter.
"I don't care how many I've had! Give me another now!"
The shout is faint, echoing down the hall from the bar.
I slip out of my bedroom, and walk quickly to the car that is occupied by the bar.
I open the door into chaos. Shattered glass is scattered all over the floor, and a couple of attendants are casting worried glances toward the counter.
I get their attention, and raise my eyebrows questioning. They shake their heads and shrug.
I walk over to the counter, careful not to step on any broken glass.
"Where do you keep the %#& Whiskey?!"
I stop in surprise as Ariel stands up behind the counter.
Her hair is a tangled mess, and the makeup around her eyes is smearing. She's dressed in a silk robe, and not much else except a lacey bra and underwear.
"Ariel?"
She can't seem to see me, and I wonder if she's still asleep.
"Someone get me some whiskey!"
She screams. I shake my head to the attendants, and gingerly pick my way over to her.
"I think you're just fine without any whiskey. Why don't we get you back to bed?"
She sees me for the first time, and frowns.
"Finnick Odair? What are you doing here? Am I dreaming?"
I shake my head.
"No, you're just drunk."
I grab her arm to support her as she sways.
"I didn't think so...never have any good dreams anymore."
She mumbles, then she passes out.
I catch her before she falls, and pick her up. She weighs almost nothing.
"Sorry about the mess."
I tell the attendants. Then I pick my way back over the broken glass, and walk to Ariel's room. As open the door and walk in, she starts to stir.
Then she wakes up, and struggles to get out of my arms. I drop her legs, and the minute her feet touch the ground she's running for the bathroom. I follow her, and as she leans over the toilet and starts throwing up, I gather her dark red hair and hold it out of the way.
When she's done getting sick, I make her rinse out her mouth. Then I carry her to her bed and set her down.
She's still half asleep, as I pull the blankets over her. As I turn to leave, she grabs my hand.
"Don't go please...don't make me face them alone."
She whimpers.
I sit on the edge of her bed.
"Nothing can hurt you."
I say soothing. She sits up, and wraps her arms around my ribs. Her tears start rolling down my chest.
"I'm not scared for me...Lily..."
I fight the urge to pull her off, and slowly I put my arm around her.
"Lily is going to be fine. Go to sleep."
I gently push her back onto the pillow, and hold her hand until I'm sure she's asleep. Then I quietly slip out of her room, and find my way back to mine.
I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.
Are all victors just scared adults hiding scared little children?
I eventually fall asleep, and the rest of the night is undisturbed.
