Being from District 1, I thought I was used to luxury. Whether it was the blonde and gold wreathed people of my district, or the beautiful architecture that determinedly clung to the visages of their beauty. Still, all of that paled in comparison to the train, the entire structure was lavish and drenched with finery.
"Welcome to the Tribute Train!" Tatiana gushed, throwing her hands in the air. "Since we are so close to the Capitol it will only take a few hours to get there, so we are in no rush."
I gave what passed as a nod, my gaze to busy latching onto every slight detail. It was insane that such as sleek, lethal looking contraption could house such beauty, the rich colourings standing out amongst the dark wood. The ceiling dripped with chandeliers I knew were created in my district and the plush dark purple and gold carpet felt spongey under my feet. Everything felt grand, from the rich purple velvet seats, the sleek black wooden table, even the plush black leather seat that draped itself around the curve of the back of the carriage. I knew Cash would love it.
"Alright everyone go take a seat, your mentors will be in soon." Tatiana fussed, her eyes lingering on my form.
Not bothering to reply, I strode to the sleek black table, pulling out a chair for Rarity before taking one myself.
"Such a gentleman," She cooed, her tone a few octaves away from sincere. "I guess it wasn't just a show for the cameras."
I shot her an appraising look, finally studying her for real. She reminded me of a China doll, albeit one cut with slightly harsher angles. Her nose was slightly too big for her face, but the brightness of her green eyes detracted away from it. I admired the straightness in her light brown hair, the colour bordering on caramel. Even the way she held herself was a bit to broadcast her beauty, her muscles toned but lithe, her body all curves and her chest large enough to distract from my clinical observations.
"Like what you see, big guy?" She asked, making my gaze fling back to meet her eyes.
She sat there with a perfectly plucked brow raised, a smile flirting with her bright red lips. "Just returning the compliment," I said coolly, making sure she knew I was aware of her own wondering gaze.
She didn't reply, though her posture changed, a flicker of interest sparking in her eyes. She opened her mouth, but the woosh of the woosh of the door opening distracted her. Obediently, we both turned our attention to the door, standing up and inclining in a slight bow, just as we were taught at the academy.
"Oh look, Paragon, they remembered their trainings." A cool, if slightly mocking voice called.
"That bodes well for them in the arena, then. Both of you, stand up." A harsher voice called, and I immediately straightened my spine, not wanting to anger them.
"Much better, now sit down."
I did as she instructed, immediately recognising her. She was Chardonnay Figaro, winner of the 54th Hunger Games. At 26 years old she hadn't lost her immense beauty, her long wine-coloured hair tumbling down her back in blood-coloured curls. She slid into her seat, crossing her legs in a way the muted gold of her tight dress inched up her thigh in an appealing manner.
"So, Gloss Ametrine and Rarity Grace. Tell us about yourselves." She instructed, tapping her long pointed nails on the smooth tabletop, the deep red seeming to bleed into the black.
"Char, come on, give them both a second to catch their breaths. You remember the excitement."
Chardonnay simply huffed, rolling her eyes at her co-Mentor Paragon Pelline, Victor of the 48th Hunger Games just smiled and shook his head fondly, no doubt used to her mannerisms by now. I looked him over as he settled in, steeping his long fingers in front of him. At 32 he was still strong, his muscles bulging from the wine-coloured vest he wore. His hair was a crown of wavy gold, artfully styles in a way that seemed to bring out his strong jaw. His greenish blue eyes seemed to take us in in their own time, no doubt not seeing us as a threat.
"Fine whatever. I'm Chardonnay Figaro, Victor of the 54th Games. Call me Char and I'll kill you in such a creative way your brain won't be able to process it before you take your last breath." She spoke so casually, as if talking about the weather not taking our lives.
Death wasn't a major thing for me, but I intended to survive these games and earn the life I deserved. Being killed, by another Tribute or a Victor did not factor into these plans. Giving her a small nod, I turned my attention back to Paragon, who seemed slightly saner than his beautiful co-Mentor, who admittedly had a body so beautiful it would put a crystal wine glass to shame.
Paragon just shook his head, a smile flickering across his features. Turning his attention back to us, he leaned back in the chair, a picture of triumph. "And I am Paragon Pelline, Victor of the 48th Games, which I'm sure you both already know."
I didn't bother to say I did, not wanting to be disrespectful to the man who would be helping me win these Games.
"Throughout the next week or so we will be discussing strategy, re-watching old games and helping you make your alliances." He said, his voice magnetic.
"You'll likely be with the rest of a careers, though District 4 may be a bit ishy." Chardonnay said, her attention on the Avox who she was gesturing to bring her a glass of wine.
"Yes, they don't always have volunteers," Paragon added, taking a crystal goblet without looking at the Avox. "Speaking of that, we should probably watch the Reapings."
Without another word, one of the Avox's scurried to the TV, pressing a button, and making it flare to life. I had seen them before, at the Training Academy, but knowing we had this one all to ourselves made a burst of excitement explode in my chest.
We caught the tail end of our Reaping, and both of us and our Mentors were pleased that we had come across strong. I remembered in Paragon's games the girl Tribute wasn't a career and sniveled and generally embarrassed our district on live television. He'd dealt with her promptly in the games.
"District Two. Pay attention." Chardonnay snapped, as if she was the one going into the arena.
Predictably, there were two Volunteers. Lucky for the female who was reaped, a 12-year-old who looked like she had seen her life flash before her eyes. The Volunteer, Marcella Placket, was a girl around 5'7 if I had to guess, her face all angles and lacking softness. She had a harsh kind of beauty to her, her hair not even grazing her neck and cut in choppy layers with a fringe that stubbornly kept falling into her eyes. Could disrupt her ability to see, I thought, making notes.
Her partner, also a volunteer named Garrison Sallet, made gooseflesh erupt on my skin, not out of fear, but distrust. He was a hulking brute, his brown hair closely cropped. His eyes were so dark they seemed bottomless a haven to all type of cruelty.
"Lucky he's an ally, huh," Chardonnay said, swirling her wine around the goblet.
"He's going to kill us the second it gets down to the wire." Rarity said, speaking for the first time in a while.
"Well," Chardonnay said, giving her a grin that lit the mania in her eyes. "You'll just have to kill him first."
The district 3 tributes were forgettable, though it seemed District 4 gave us something to work with. They were both Volunteers, and the boy, whose name I missed had such a presence around him, even the Peacekeepers pat him on the back as he walked on stage. He was handsome too, classically which would be good for sponsors. His russet hair was cut shorter on the sides, the top longer and wilder. I dimly wondered how he managed that look, but he likely used a knife if the slight irregularity to the shave was nay indication. The female Volunteer was also a looker, her hair a golden blonde that would be at home in the streets of my own distract. It had a slight wave to it that I knew Cash tried hard to replicate, and her eyes were such a pronounced green that they seemed to glow in the artificial light.
"Guess you two aren't the only lookers this year."
I didn't even bother looking at Chardonnay, not in the mood. I had planned that my stoic good looks would be enough to get me sponsors, but it seemed I wouldn't be the only one using that strategy. Most of the other tributes were forgettable, other than a strong male tribute called Elaeis Silverling from District 7, a Tribute that might pose an issue.
The rest were forgettable, just Cannon fodder. Still, we spent time analysing them all, and discussing who we thought could pose an issue.
"D7 male seems like he could pose an issue." I added, seeing a gap in the conversation.
"Yes, other than you two and D2 I think he might be a contender." Paragon said, giving me an approving look that made me sit a little straighter.
"Do you think we should propose an alliance with him?" Rarity asked, deferring to me.
I looked at our mentors, getting an encouraging nod from Paragon. "I think we should at least consider it, and if we are the ones to prose it to him, he may feel slightly more loyal to us." The 'instead of District 2' remained unsaid.
"That could work, we can make sure we make him feel secure in the alliance, so he won't rebel." Rarity asked, her mind ticking away.
"Careers generally do not ally with outliers; how will you broach this with the others?" Chardonnay asked, her feet having found their way to Paragon's lap.
"Well, I think maybe we should be subtle, speak to him offhandedly, small compliments. Wait to see what skills he has and then broach it. Build rapport first." Rarity said, her intelligence and methodical thinking making my eyes narrow slightly.
"Sounds like a plan. I won my Games by having an internal alliance amongst the careers, it's a good strategy if I do say so myself." Chardonnay said, her eyes slightly steeling when she mentioned the word alliance.
"Yes, it is a good idea. Most Careers are allied internally with their District Partner," Paragon added, gently rubbing a thumb on Chardonnay's exposed leg, in an almost soothing gesture.
"What are you going to do if he wants his District partner…Acacia." Chardonnay asked, before draining the rest of her glass.
I shared a look with Rarity, both of us unsure. Turning back, I shrugged, not sure what I could say.
"I guess she could join, and we can use her to gain his favour." Rarity said, and immediately Paragon stopped his soothing rubbing, attention firmly on my partner.
"How so?"
"Well, if we play it right, we can have it so D2 kills her and we try to help, but not hard enough to get ourselves killed. Or we orchestrate it for when we aren't there and we come in and convince them not to kill us, affirming our alliance."
She shrugged like she hadn't just sprouted off about psychological warfare, and the rest of us just watched. Slowly, a calculated smile slipped onto Chardonnay's face, her eyes gleaming.
"You know, I think I like you." She said simply, getting an answering smile from her Tribute.
I felt myself glowering and was drawn into Paragon's gaze. He gave me a stern look, practically ordering me to stay silent. I nodded imperceptibly and listened as the two girls talk strategy, while I kept my mouth firmly shut, just nodding, or grunting when needed.
As I sat there listening it dawned on me. I was so worried about District Two that I never realised that my biggest threat was the person right next to me. And listening to her talk, I knew deep in my bones that this misdirection was by design.
Tributes and Mentor List
District 1: Mentors are Chardonnay Figaro and Paragon Pelline
Tributes: Gloss Ametrine and Rarity Grace
District 2: Mentors Unknown
Tributes: Garrison Sallet and Marcella Placket
District 7: Mentors Unknown
Tributes: Elaeis Silverling and Acacia