At no ones' mercy but your that of your own choices.
Tanzan Oshane (18) – District 4
Even though they told us that the private sessions would last about twenty minutes for each tribute, I didn't expect to be here so long. Gnaeus and Eleanor are lucky, free to do whatever they like for the whole day and while the former complained a bit about having to get up so early, I'm sure he'll make up for that by taking a nap right now already.
Talise fumbles nervously with two loose ends of rope, staring at it with a frustration I can't get behind, since the net she's made with it looks quite normal. We have been in the warm-up hall for about an hour now, no actual training is supposed to happen here, but there is a bit of each equipment to rehearse what you want to show for the last time, get the blood flowing and muscles ready.
"What's wrong?" I ask her, looking over her shoulder and examine her net more closely, a good way to get rid of my own worries that have rudely started to built up in the back of my mind.
"It's not cleanly put together – see here? The nots can still be moved and some spaces are bigger than they should...", she answers and points to certain spots, but having seen fishernets for all my life, I think I know them well enough to judge that with this, you could catch your prey effectively.
"Ah, you're being perfectionist. Any net of yours is usable, and your dagger skills are great as well", I try to cheer her up, but only get a hint of a forced smile.
"Have you seen Eleanor work with her weapons? She's by far better than me and I don't know why, but I always think...what if I just won't hit the target anymore? It's stupid, sorry."
It is indeed a weird though, because why wouldn't she hit? I have to admit, Talise isn't as agile in her movements as our ally from one, but she's more calm and it should still be a good score. Like Mags has told us, scores only matter so much, until you get the advantage another way.
"You got this, don't worry", I tell Talise and give her a pad on the shoulder, this time receiving a brighter smile, as she adjusts her ponytail. I have to admit, she is cute that way, being bold enough to volunteer not only for herself, and I know grandma would have liked her. "She might be stupid, but she's bold", she would have said.
"You as well – good luck!"
Finally my name is called by a weird electronic voice and I roll my eyes. Why couln't they just have a human get me to the training hall? I mean, this is worse and probably cost a lot of effort to record, since it has to be done new every year.
Truth be told, I haven't spend much thought at all about what I'm going to show the Gamemakers. Just the usual, my skills with a maze, and we were told that's enough – there are stories about tributes planing something spectacular, out of the ordinary stuff. I don't understand why someone would spend the energy to do that, for possibly a point more or so. I'll take whatever my usual efforts will get me and that shouldn't be too bad either.
As I walk down a hallway to a side entrace of the training hall, I take grin to myself. This has been going so fast and to be frank, I didn't fully have the time to appreciate the opportunity and how far I've come already.
With a grin I greet the Gamemakers, the Head of them with the name Ignatius Ross standing at the edge of their gallery. They have a buffet with the typical strong smells coming down all the way to my nose, making my stomach rumble with excitement despite the breakfast being only two hours ago. Well, I didn't get my second breakfast due to private session times, but I'll certainly fetch a bigger meal right after this.
"Good morning to you up there – I'm going to show you some mace fighting first, and then we'll see" I announce and it feels a bit weird, because back home this was way more informal and of course I knew everyone who was watching. The Escort had orderd us to introduce ourselves fully with name and such, but I guess it's a weird tradition or so, because they ought to know who comes from which District anyway, right?
I walk up to the weapons and choose a middle-weighted one with rough surface and a spike at the top, then arrange some training dummies around me. My first few swings are more to test out the feel than anything else, as I didn't try this one in training before and just thought it looked effective. I like the swing and go through my typical basic movements first, swing from top down, side to side, overhead, curved swings.
Then I decide it's time to go for the dummies and I slam the weapon right into the first one's chest, it flying away with some pieces getting stuck on my weapon. I pick them off of it and continue, this time a bit more control in my attack, crushing the skull cleanly, the next dummy getting it's legs wiped away. As it falls to the ground on it's back I stomp on the ripcage and immeditaley it breaks.
Five on the ground and I decide that this must be enough, since I really have no clue how much time is left. At the sound of applause I glance over to the Gamemakers for a second, and I wish I could be the one munching Popcorn, because that'd be way more comfortable than beeing judged down here.
I look around for what to do next, because weaponry can't be the only thing I show, as I spot a trainer in the corner of the room and wave him over to me.
"You up for a good old hand-to-hand match?" I ask him and he nods, so we quickly get into the various paddings so no one gets severely hurt in this. I do feel a bit of pity for him, since his job is basically to get beaten up, but he chose it himself, so that's on him I guess. I got beaten up myself many times before, and I have to chuckle at myself, because in the end we are probably not that different in our choice of profession. Only difference that I come from a District, while he's from the Capitol, where you can't go into the Hunger Games.
We start out fight with a rather large distance between us, so I decide to go for a fun tactic, which includes me running full speed at the man who is about two heads shorter than me, but still pretty muscled. I know I probably won't hit him, and so it is, but I never planned to and instead stop aprubtly, turning around to slam both my hands into his neck as he comes out of his ducked position.
It's a good hit and he flaps onto his stomach realeasing all the air inside his lungs and at this time I would have won, but I let him get up so this can take a bit longer.
Wisteria Lockwind (16) – District 12
Alone, finally. After Austin left for his private session, there is utter silence in the waiting room, as I've decided not to stay in the warm-up hall. It would tire my arms, and they are sore as is, so all I can do is pray that I'll be able to swing that sword with a rush of adrenaline.
For the last tow days I've always had some kind of company, the Escort waking me up, rushing me to breakfast first thing in the morning, all the other tributes during the day and of course my allies, then Escort and Mentor and Austin again for dinner, after which I basically fell dead into my soft sheets, unable to calm my mind.
I lean back against the wall, my hair tousling as it touches, and close my eyes, an annoying bleeping noise still ringing in my ears. I know it's nothing real, just that disturbance you get from time to time, but I desperatley want it to stop. Just a tiny moment for myself.
Wind blowing through high trees far behind the fence of District 12, picking off grass straws in boredome while waiting for Hunter in his backyard, making soup in our kitchen, hiding in the shadows as I peak trough the shopwindows in the merchant section – fancy dresses of all colours wanting to be worn.
The Capitol has no boredom left for me, there is always something exciting happening, and I wish at least – if they are going to kill me – I had a day for myself, to explore this beautiful city, wear a over-the-top dress like a proper Capitolite Lady, even though dresses aren't me, but it would be an interesting tranformation.
"Wisteria Lockwind, District 12", calls an electronic voice and I open my eyes. Is it time already?
I get up from my sitting position and stretch for a moment, ready to show the Gamemakers that I'm prepared for whatever they have coming for me. Even though I could bore them with plant knowledge, I am going to show them my fighting skills, as that is what they want to see, right? Granted, I might not be on level with a career, but Amran, who surprisingly joined our group after Austin left, showed me some neat little tricks to make using a real sword a lot easier. I struggled with the transition form wooden stick to iron blade, yet of course the latter is what I want to use in the arena.
As I enter the training hall I frst don't see the Gamemakers, but I can hear them. They talk to each other in excited voice, more awake than I had hoped, since our Escort had warned us that they'd have eleven hours of tribute presentations already behind them and would run on caffeine, if the alcohol wasn't making them too tired for even that.
"Hello. I'm Wisteria Lockwind from District 12", I introduce myself and get a bunch of nods, some yawns, but at least attention.
The swords are close to me and I pick the one with which I've been practising, a two-handed weapon with medium length blade, simple and effective. Immediatley my arms start aching. I have to endure it. No one is going to give me an off day in the arena either.
So I swing it, slashing through a dummies stomach with force, hacking at another ones' shoulder, always alert to not show them how my strength fails me every time the movement is done, but once in a while the tip of the blade makes screeching scratching noises on the floor. Damn it. I keep going until I can't anymore – tomorrow I can rest. Tomorrow will be only the interviews.
"Miss Lockwind? You have five minutes left, if you want to show us something else." One of the Gamemakers pulls me out of my concentration and I must look a bit stupified at the fact that he has spoken to me at all. I didn't think we were allowed to have a conversation with them? On the top of my head there is nothing I want to show, so I put the sword away.
"If I had just a few more days, I could get strong enough to use a real sword. I practised with a stick at home, but the weight doesn't compare", I turn to tell them. What is there to loose? I don't think it will lessen my score, if at all it won't have any effect, and they can't really punish me now, since they have already put the worst sentence upon me.
The Gamemaker raises an eyebrow, which is only visible due to its' violet colour. "Then why didn't you show us what you can do with a stick?", he asks in clear confusion.
"Well, a stick won't help me against a sword in the arena" I argue and he chuckles.
"That's right indeed. Well then, Miss Lockwind – your time is up."
With a swish some door behind me open, as if ready to throw me out and I leave with a frown on my face. What the hell was this about? It's hard to talk to people, especially strangers, and understand what they're getting at. Maybe it was just a simple comment. An elderly man who wanted a conversation. Oh my, I am sick of conversations.
Wolf Axehandler (17) – District 7
"Are you trying to murder the table?" Pan, my mentor, muses as we sit and wait for the private session scores. He is next to me, holding a glass of sparkling liquor in his right, tapping the fingers of his left, as he watches me.
"No", I tell him, but I get why he thinks so. Everything in the training center is enraging me. The food, the view, the servants, the furniture...it screams money with every atom, money they would never think of using to help the Districts with, money my family lost the very second my grandmother had passed away. The message is clear: Be a victor of the Hunger Games, and you'll see that kind of money again.
So this is why I am here, granted, a year earlier than I had expected, but nonetheless prepared. If prepared is the right word to use, since you can never really know what they have waiting, once you are inside the arena. Two Days.
But first come the scores, which they remind me of by making the TV switch on itself. Ceasar Flickerman, the young face of the Games, sits on a chair in front of white background, his lifely voice filling the room through the speakers.
Luna twitches in her armchair and a strand of hair escapes her grip. She was about to tie it into a complicated braid, twisted in several directions. She catches it again, ignoring my look at her. Somehow I'm glad she looks better today. Whatever troubled her, it doesn't go as deep into her eyes and she has eaten more at dinner, though that still doesn't mean she looks healthy.
I shake myself, she's my District partner and that's probably why I care, though it's stupid and I shouldn't. We have survived the last couple of days by strictly ignoring each other, not in a mean way, but not to bother ourselves with uncomfortable chatting, and I would love it to stay the same until the Games.
So, what have I gotten? I've spent all my training days learning new stuff, which granted, did go better than expected, yet still isn't anywhere near as good as the things I taught myself at home. Still, I didn't only show axe fighting to the Gamemakers, but some survival skills as well, in hopes they would like the even distribution of skills. Then again, no one can know what goes on in the head of a Gamemaker and I wouldn't be surprised if they just favour the careers anyway.
One after the other, the number come on the screen, Ceasar triumphantly announcing them each time.
Scores:
D1
Male: Gnaeus Isselhardt – 9
Female: Eleanor Prada – 8
D2
Male: Ámran Hibiscu – 10
Female: Jade Dove – 1
D3
Male: Nike Queerin – 3
Female: Leela Garmin – 5
D4
Male: Tanzan Oshane – 10
Female: Talise Belle – 7
D5
Male: Connor DuPlessis – 5
Female: Kitana Olivier – 4
D6
Male: Owen Yearling – 8
Female: Halexa Caraudi – 1
D7
Male: Wolf Axehandler – 7
Female: Luna Hayden – 6
D8 -
Male: Poplin Ombre – 5
Female: Blairoxx Alvena – 3
D9
Male: Miles Gader – 5
Female: Marigold Rye – 4
D10
Male: Meat Lucher - 5
Female: Mira Gesby - 4
D11
Male: Galvan Moss - 6
Female: Haru Ryuji – 8
D12
Male: Austin Terrine – 10
Female: Wisteria Lockwind – 6
"Congrats!", Pan says and raises a hand to high-five me, and I feel dumb for staring at him a second first, because I'm too slow to realise what he wants of me. I take his invitation, though.
A seven – that's alright. Not as great as the careers, but I never had their luxury and therefore, this should be okay. Some other tributes got a six, including Luna, and several have a five, which puts me above them, whereas I am shocked at the eight from that little girl Haru, from District 11. Sure she hid her talents in training, because I never saw her doing anything impressive there. Not that I watched very closely.
"I'll go to bed", I tell my mentor and the rest of the crew and am glad they already got accostumed to me not staying for their afterparties. The last thing I see from the corner of my eye is Luna getting up as well.
Back in my room I enjoy the quiet for a bit, before I jump onto the bed, where on the cusion, my open book lies. With twohundred pages left, I could manage to finish it today and if the interview training goes well, I already know which one I'll read next. Just one more book, fivehundred pages of me-time, then I'll be on everyones TV an unknown time. Hopefully a long time, despite it being an unpleasant situation.
I've barely gotten through two pages, when a knock on my door throws me out again.
"Who's there?" I demand to know, letting them hear I don't appreciate the distrubance. For sure they'll understand I want some freetime before I go fight to the death, no?
"A visitor from District 8", Pan calls back through the door and makes me raise an eyebrow before I remember he can't see it. Why would someone visit me, especially from another District?
"Well, if it's a short visit..." I say and stand up to see who it might be. I don't remember the tributes from 8, despite having seen their scores just minutes ago, so for sure I haven't talked to them during training at all.
"Sorry for being so spontaneous, but I'm a bit desperate. I haven't gotten any allies during training and you neither. So, since your score was quite high, I thought I'd try with you. I'm Blairoxx, by the way, but you'll have to call me Roxx", the girl in front of me introduces herself an I'm thankful she gets to the point so quickly.
Truth be told, I had planned to make allies, but it just never occured a situation where I would ask someone. I try to remember what score she got, but I can't – I it probably wasn't a high one. Not ideal, but a beggar isn't a chooser.
"Makes sense. Come in", I tell her – at least I can give her a chance.
So I just realised, my inner calender is off – I was sure it was thursday, until I looked at my phone. Damn those holidays.
Still, this one was so fun to write! I found my muse in a dusty corner under my new, very own desk, and was actually done on tuesday already. Contrary to that, it was hard to make up these scores to be honest, but overall I'm okay with what each of them got and how they compare – any surprises for you? I hope so :D
Next chapter will be the Interviews, where each tribute will get a short part for themselves, so I hope it won't be too long, but I want to cover all of their tactics and get in some fun facts as well.
NEW SIDE PROJECT: In some New Year news, I've just published a side project, which is also a SYOT, but a rather non-traditional one, called The Trials. This will cover a year of training from a group of District 2 careers, who compete against each other to become the selected volunteer. If you're at all interested, please go check out the prologue and consider submitting!
See you next week!