Prep/Chariot Rides

I lay naked on the table as my prep team makes me beautiful. They've spent a lot of time cleaning up my skin with various exfoliators and creams. After a bit of pain, my skin is flawless, my hair is luscious, and I feel like a king. Almost.

"You're ready for your outfit! We'll go get Rosette." One of my stylists, I think his name is Finn, says with excitement. I nod and wrap myself back in my robe. While I'm not concerned with who sees me, I don't want that to distract from a first impression. While stylists don't have a large impact on my survival, they're important for gaining favor in the Capitol.

After a few minutes, a woman with white hair, whom I assume is Rosette, enters holding a garment bag. She looks at me with a curiosity. Why is she looking at me like that? My face must ask this, because she speaks up.

"We had to completely redesign your outfit after we realized how intrigued the Capitol would be in you." She explains. She sets down the bag beside me.

"Sorry." I say with a shrug. She shakes her head.

"Don't apologize. It's a good thing. If you're memorable, my outfit will be too." She pulls out the outfit and lets me see it. Considering District Five typically gets subpar outfits, this'll do. It'll do nicely.

It didn't take long for Rosetta to do minor sizing alterations, so I find myself to be one of the few tributes waiting around the horses for the event to start. Among me are the pair from One, the girls from Six and Seven, and the boy from Twelve.

I adjust the sleeves on my costume. Rosetta had me dressed in a gold and black tailcoat, one with intricate patterns hand sewn around the entire jacket. Under the jacket is a simple black shirt and tight black slacks underneath laced black boots. The gold in the coat reflects the light to appear as if I were shimmering, like a hot wire. It's nothing extraordinary, but based on the costumes I see on the rest of the tributes, it might just do me enough favors to solidify those sponsors.

"What's with the punk rock look?" I look up and stare into the sharp blue eyes of Brighton, the girl from One. Although she takes me off guard, I don't show it.

"It accentuates my body. I look pretty hot, don't I?" I throw her a smirk and she just rolls her eyes.

"You look like an idiot. Maybe that's why you volunteered." She crosses her arms in front of her chest and leans to the side.

"What does that make you?" I snap back.

"Baby, I was born to win this. Don't worry. I'll make your death painless." She narrows her eyes at me before turning around to rejoin her district partner. Just as she walks away, Ember comes up to the chariot.

"What was that about?" She asks, almost accusatory. I look at her outfit. She wears a long sleeved white shirt underneath a gold and black vest identical to my jacket, with very similar design embroidered onto it. She wears the same black slacks and boots as I do. Her fiery hair is put into a bun, probably not to hide any of the vest.

"I think someone's jealous." I leave it at that. I don't need to focus on anyone else, especially not some maniac from One.

I notice nearly all the tributes have found their way towards their chariots. I'm already mounting our chariot when the announcer gives us a 5 minute warning before the show starts.

I watch Ember struggle to get her footing up onto the carriage. I'm tempted to let her figure it out, but I realize she keeps pulling at her vest. It must be way more restrictive than it looks. Certainly more so than my jacket.

So I lend Ember a hand that she's hesitant to take, but she knows as much as I do at how this looks to those around us. So she takes it with a scowl on her face and doesn't bother to say thank you. Not that I needed one.

For the first time, I take a look at the outfits surrounding me. As expected, the six Careers look stunning and the other sixteen tributes look from various degrees of tolerable to straight up embarrassing. The only pair that might stand out are the two from Three, with their black jumpsuits with multicolored lights pulsing from within the fabric. It gives off a similar effect to ours, but we still look better.

I grip onto the front of the carriage tightly when the anthem blasts loudly throughout the building and the chariot from One starts moving. It's not hard to hear the loud applause from the audience. The same applause is given to Two and Four, with Three getting a decent amount of praise, probably more so because of their position between two of the most favorable districts than their outfits. Before I know it, it's our turn. The chariot pulls us out into the blinding lights and all I hear is a loud applause coming from the audience. Once my eyes adjust to the light, I give everyone in the audience my biggest grin and wave from one side of the crowd to the other. Although I can't really see any of them, my ears tell me everything. Although the excitement wasn't greater than the Careers, it was great enough. Enough to keep them interested in me.

Training

I wake up about thirty minutes before my set alarm, so I take my time getting ready. After I shower and get dressed, I saunter into the kitchen and enjoy breakfast. Time passes slowly, but about ten minutes before I had intended to go down, Cheryl joins me.

"You're doing good so far. People are intrigued by you." She tells me. I can't help but let it boost my ego.

"Fantastic." I take a bite into my food with a shit-eating grin on my face. Cheryl stays courteous.

"So, you need to take that and prepare for your private session. Figure out what you're good at, and I mean really good at. And make some allies. Try." She cuts me off before I can dispute. So I don't. She's right about what my general strategy should be. So I'll just focus on that.

Ember comes in, clearly a little tired, and quickly finishes her breakfast before Cheryl ushers us into the elevator. It's a short descent to the training center. When we walk off the elevator, two avoxes walk over to us and pin the number "5" to both of our backs. Once they finish, we join the circle of tributes. Once the final stragglers come in, a woman named Marigold steps within the circle. She welcomes us to the training center and tells us we will be required to be here for the next three days; two days training and one day for our private sessions with the Gamemakers. She goes over some simple rules before dismissing us to whatever stations we desire. I find myself to be one of the first at the sword station. The trainer at the station helps me find a well-balanced sword and I spend the next few hours practicing some basic stances and techniques. I even manage to beat the trainer in a duel or two. It feels good.

Once the station becomes too crowded, I leave it and try my hand at more ranged weapons. It doesn't take me long to realize how embarrassingly inaccurate my aim is. I get frustrated quickly, and almost lash out at the trainer who continues trying to give me advice to no avail. What makes it worse is knowing how carefully I'm being watched by other tributes. While I don't want to give up, I do want to try another station to cool off.

I make my way to survival stations that are less attended and try my hand at basic shelter building. Once that bores me, I find a station that looks at least somewhat interesting and settle on rope tying.

I don't realize he's there until it's too late to walk away. So when I take a seat next to him, I'm careful to keep my distance.

"Who's there?" I bite my lip. Ember did say he was blind.

"Just another tribute." I reply, avoiding eye contact.

"Yes, but, who are you? Sorry, it's not like I can tell by voice." He says with a bit of attitude. I roll my eyes.

"Aleida. Five. Who are you?" He pulls back, not expecting my attitude, I guess.

"Alvin. I'm from Three." I try to focus on the rope, but I can't help but focus on him. This is what my life would have been, had I not chosen to be here. What I could be, if I come out of this thing alive. Which I don't really expect to.

I'm so lost in thought I don't notice the small girl walk up until she's already sitting next to Alvin. Like at the reapings, her blonde hair covers her face, but up close I can see how scared she is. Alvin whispers something to her and she nods her head.

"Aleida, this is Ellie. She's my ally." He says to me. Yeah, I can see that.

I can't take it anymore. Staring at Alvin is too much like staring into my future, and I came here to escape that. And I can't afford to lose my composure now.

The rest of training went without incident. I did my best to avoid the Careers, despite catching Brighton glaring at me a handful of times. I managed to avoid Alvin and even found I was good with maces. I somehow feel more confident going into the arena than I did before, which is good for me.

To Cheryl's disappointment, I didn't ally with anyone. I told her there was no one that I trusted, and we got into an argument about it, especially after Ember announced she had allied with Alvin and Ellie.

"He's actually really smart and capable. All he needs is a brief description of the room he's in, and he can visualize it perfectly in his mind."

"Good for him." Is all I said. Although I'm unsure what compelled Ember to ally up with them. She knows she's bringing herself down, doesn't she? Or is her bark bigger than her bite?

I decide they're not worth my attention and focus on my game plan for today. I have about 15 minutes to make an impression on the Gamemakers. I need a score worth remembering, or those who may have considered sponsoring me could drop that idea. My initial idea had been to show off my new skills with a mace. Unfortunately for me, I haven't had the luxury of training with these weapons since I could walk. I considered trying something related to the technology or music I grew up with, but I have nothing. I'll have to figure it out as I go.

Although I only have to wait for 8 people to go before me, the wait is still agonizing. One thing I've always appreciated about myself is my keen ability of distraction. But here there are no instruments, nor booze, nor cigarettes. Only the thoughts in my head, which I don't find to be all that relaxing.

By the time the girl from 4, Delilah, gets called back, I'm only a few minutes away from losing my mind. Thankfully, she doesn't take long and they're calling "Aleida Edevane" to his private session.

"Good luck." Ember whispers at me as I bolt into the room. She's so quiet I don't even register what she said until I'm long gone.

When I walk into the gym, I find most of the Gamemakers' eyes fall upon me. I take their attention, politely bow at them, then immediately make way to the maces. I grab the deadliest one I can find and make way to the freestanding dummies. Using the techniques I've learned over these last days of training, I manage to decapitate and dismantle all of them in a record time. I let the Gamemakers see my confidence. A few politely clap.

But it's not enough. I need to wow these idiots. As of now, I'm just an attractive volunteer from an outlying district. What do I need to show them to prove I'm worth a higher number on their made-up scale?

And why do I need to prove anything to them? They shouldn't have this much pull in what I want to do with my time. Isn't this the exact same thing I wanted to escape from?

So I throw the mace on the ground and let it clatter into the nearby stand of swords. When one of the Gamemakers calls me back, insisting I can't leave until I've been dismissed, I flip them off and leave my session. Let them decide what to do with that.

Ember, Cheryl and I sit around the common area, waiting for the score reveal. Cheryl tried to ask me in private what I ended up showing, and I refused to answer. I can tell whatever hypothetical actions she's convinced I did could ruin my chances at victory, so I decided it would be better to let her conjure up her own image of me than ruin it for her with the truth.

The score reveal begins and as expected, District 1 and 2 are given 9s and Brighton pulls a 10. Alvin receives a 3 and Ellie a 4. The Careers finish off with an 8 from Delilah and a 9 from the boy, Kai. The quantity of high scores make my 6 look meager. And the fact Ember receives the same makes me curious at what she showed them. Cheryl congratulates us, but I don't really feel any pride in it. I don't really feel anything. It's just another thing that happens to me. And frankly, I just can't find it in me to care.

The remaining of the scores range from 4-6, except the pair from 7 who both receive 7s. When the last of the scores are shown, I get up and grab a bottle of red wine from the dining room and take it back to my room. No one stops me.

Interviews

Although I'm not surprised Cheryl wanted to spend more time with Ember preparing for her interviews than she did with me, I was surprised to find "more time" was equivalent to "all of the time." Though it makes no difference to me as I'm going to say whatever I want, it makes me wonder about her reasoning. Does she believe Ember needs additional help? Or does she truly believe Ember has a better chance of coming out victorious? While I'd like to believe it's not the latter, Ember has proven to listen to all the advice Cheryl has given, while I've done pretty much everything in my power to ignore it. Not intentionally, mind you, but maybe it's come off that way.

I'm pleased when it's time for Rosetta to come to get me dressed. Her previous work was solid, and I truly believe whatever she's created for the interviews will help sell me to the last of the sponsors who are on the edge about me. Even if they don't like what I say, they won't be able to resist looking at me.

She comes into my dressing room with a smaller garment bag than the one from the chariot rides but doesn't hesitate to pull it out and reveal it to me. She holds it up to my body and I see it in the mirror. A black button down underneath a black suit, however the cuffs and neckline are wrapped with leather and the pants with chain. A chain is embroidered in the breast pocket. She pulls out a matching pair of black boots laced with leather.

"It's very...me. Thanks." I say, genuinely. At least my last moments on a stage I won't feel like a freakshow.

Rosetta nods and tells me to get dressed. I oblige. Once I finish, she does some last alterations and somehow, I'm feeling more confident than I have since arriving at the Capitol.

"You look great. Don't overthink anything. Let your answers come naturally." She reassures me. I adjust my sleeve.

"I always do." I tell her. She rolls her eyes and gestures for me to follow her towards the waiting area. Unlike the Chariot rides, I find myself to be one of the last to arrive.

I see Ember standing at the corner of the room alongside her two allies. I'm a little shocked to see what her stylist had her wear, I guess I thought we'd be matching again. She wears a bright orange ball gown dress with a sheer material covering her arms and neck. The dress accentuates her bright hair.

Alvin wears a bright yellow polo with grey slacks and Ellie has the same yellow but in a simple, long sleeved dress. Neither of them look thrilled to be here.

"Please line up. We'll be starting shortly." A backstage rep ushers us into a single file line in district order, with the girls in front of the boys. After a short while, the Capitol's interviewer, Calyptis Rose, riles up the audience. It amuses me.

She finally decides she can't stay the center of attention forever and welcomes Brighton out to the stage. For the next three minutes, the audience eats up every word that comes out of that girl's mouth, no matter how nonsensical it is.

The same goes for Glint, Layna, and Cade. They even seem sympathetic for Alvin and his disability. And when he promises to protect Ellie to the best of his ability, he clearly gains some sympathy. Will it be enough for someone to support them? I have no idea.

The last of the Careers complete their interviews with the same amount of success as their predecessors and before I know it, Ember is taking the stage. She goes for the fierce route, determined that nothing will get in her way to victory. She does soften up when she talks about her allies, acknowledging that they might not look like much, but their diverse skill set will take them far. She wraps on a high note, and soon they're ushering me up onto stage.

As soon as the lights hit my skin, I'm grinning and waving at those who surround the stage. I get a confidence boost when my applause is on par with what the Careers received.

"Welcome to the Capitol, Aleida!" Calyptis pulls me into a hug, then gestures for me to sit.

"The honor is mine." I make sure the camera catches my wink. The audience loves it.

"Alright, settle down. I must ask, it's been on everyone's mind. Why did you volunteer?"

"Why not? Tributes volunteer every year. I'm no different."

"True, but you must admit, Five isn't known for its volunteers." She looks at the audience as if to say, 'am I right?'

"I'm sure I've shown you that we can be versatile." I respond with confidence.

"Yes, I guess you have. Well, I know we all want to know, what is it like in District Five?" She asks, seemingly genuinely curious.

"I'd say it's very similar to most districts, Calyptis. We're hard workers, we're smart. You have to be to work with power." I prepare myself for what I know is coming next.

"You do it well. What about you, specifically? What's it like back home for the Edevane family?" She asks me.

"Well, I live with my parents. I have an older brother. I would say everything is pretty standard." I try to relax my jaw as it instinctively clenches. Focus on yourself, Aleida.

"They must be watching, yes?" She asks. I nod, although I'm not entirely convinced. "What would you like to tell them before your arena entrance?" This I don't need to hesitate for.

"I'll see you in a few weeks." As soon as the last words leave my lips, the buzzer rings. I receive a loud applause, a few even stand. I bow, shake Calyptis' hand, and exit the stage, releasing the breath I didn't even know I was holding.

No matter what others' will do, or say, or what score I got, I've solidified myself as a candidate in these Games.