I felt the tension that had been coiling in my muscles release as soon as I entered my room. The entire time we had been going over strategy and skills I felt myself getting more pent up, every instinct I had fine-tuned telling me to get away from Rarity. That she was trouble. That she couldn't be trusted. I had felt Paragon's eyes on me, a heavy weight as they scrutinised me. I could practically hear him screaming out in his mind whether I regretted my choice, judging me for my silence.
Most District 1 Tributes had a connection, a bond as brilliant as our looks. But most Tributes didn't have a partner with an intellect as wicked as a knifes edge, one who was analysing them for any weaknesses. Sure, I knew in the end we would have to turn on each other, but I had expected camaraderie till then. I had- maybe naively- expected her to have my back, not watching me for any chink in my armour so she could plunge her weapon of choice into it.
Making a beeline for my bed, I collapsed into it, unable to stop the moan as the softness cradled me. It was like laying on a cloud, and I took a moment to thank whoever was in charge for allowing us a night on the train, even though we were only 3 hours tops away from the Capitol. I was just getting comfortable when the door opens with a swish, and I didn't even need to look up to know who it was.
"Want company, boy?"
I made an affirmative sound and forced myself to sit up, leaning against the ornate headboard.
Paragon slipped in, his hulking frame taking up most of the space. He stepped in the room, moving to the side wall, keeping the door, and me, in his field of vision at all times.
"Nice train huh, makes even our District look like the slums of 12." He said, crossing his arms across his expansive chest.
"Yea, it's beautiful. My sister would love it." I said, knowing that this man was the key to my survival- the one person I had to be always honest with.
He raised a brow but didn't comment, giving me time to think. I was grateful to him, appreciative that he didn't feel the need to fill the space with mindless chatter.
"You realised what I did about your partner, didn't you?" He said, phrasing it as a statement.
I sighed and ran my hand through my hair. "She's intelligent- too intelligent. How can I trust her?"
Pushing off the wall, he came and sat next to me, the mattress rising under me with his weight. "You won't need to worry about a direct attack- you know how much our District and all the others for that matter abhors killing your partner."
His gaze turned vacant, a storm of demons battling in his eyes. I didn't comment, knowing that it would be a touchy subject and he was my mentor, not the other way around. Still, curiosity gnawed at me, and after giving him a few moments to think, I asked.
"Why did you do it then? Why did you kill Gemma?"
A poignant silence bleed into the air, and I felt my body stiffen, worry about if I'd crossed a line sloshing through my veins. "Because she asked me to." He finally said, making me flinch back, open mouthed.
"She wasn't a career- didn't go to the academy and when she was Reaped and no one Volunteered, she knew she wasn't going to last." His voice turned shadowed, pain leaching through the honeyed tone. "She asked me if I could kill her in the Bloodbath- to get it over as quickly as possible. She knew that the Two's and some of the others like the Seven's would draw it out, likely for revenge. She trusted me to be quick and respectful, to give her a dignified end."
His voice turned thick with emotion, and I stayed silent, giving him a moment to think. When he had collected himself, he shot me a masterful smile, any trace of sadness being wiped off like a face full of makeup. "Still, killing her is a bad idea. I suggest making sure your alliance is strong and going with your idea with Seven, making him trust you more than any of the others, even Rarity will give you a leg up."
I nodded, absorbing all the information. I had always though the mentors to be cold and aloof- like a beautiful diamond that was unphased by the harshness of daily life. But apparently, I had misjudged, and I silently thanked my lucky stars that I had him, not Chardonnay as my mentor.
"Okay yea I can do that. Maybe offer to give him some tips with a spear in exchange for tips with an axe." I said, furrowing my brows as ideas weaved through my mind.
"Yea, that's a good idea." He said, giving me a smile that made me sit up a little straighter. "Now, keep your knife throwing skills a secret-"
"How do you know about that? I kept it secret." I said, flinching at his cavalier attitude to my top talent.
He raised a brow, amusement embossed on his features. "Son, your mentor is given a dossier on you when you volunteer- if you are a Career- and it has all your strengths and weaknesses." He paused, letting it sink in. I opened my mouth to speak when something dawned on me, but he hushed me with a wave of his hand.
"No, Char doesn't get to read your dossier, same as I don't get to read hers." I sagged, relieved that she wouldn't be able to tell Rarity all my secrets.
"So, I should keep my skill with the knife secret and show off what?" I asked, fully aware that I'd need to tell my allies my skills.
"You are good at hand to hand, particularly wrestling and have talent with a spear. Show them that." Paragon instructed, and I nodded. "Keep your intelligence a secret, not like your partner. Oh, and you have decent survival skills, right?"
I nodded, unsure where this was going. "Keep that quiet as well, we want you to be a front runner but not stand out too much.
"Okay so show off my wrestling, skill with a spear-" I said.
"Exactly. Also, you have some skill with a spiked ball mace?" He asked and I nodded slowly, fully knowing it was not my best weapon.
"Work on that and swordsmanship skills as well in the training." He said, "your skills are more with ranged weapons, so we need to perfect more of your close ranged skills."
"Okay sure, thank you." I said, nodding respectfully.
"No problem kid, now about your sister, I assume she's in the Academy as well?" He asked, leaning back on his arms.
I frowned but nodded slowly, unsure where he was going with this. "Yea she is. Has pretty impressive range of skills herself."
"I'm only asking because I can tell she means a lot to you. The more you think about your reason for winning, the more you'll fight for it." There was something in his tone that caught my attention, but I didn't push it, just nodded.
"Yea, Cash, Cashmere is the reason I'm doing this. I want to give her a better life, one away from our stepfather." I confessed, feeling the burden lighten but also feeling it writhe in my chest.
"He not like her much?" He asked, his eyes giving him away.
"Too much." Was all I said, and I saw sympathy bleed into his gaze before he wiped it away.
"Does she share your skillset?"
Grateful for the change of subject I started rattling off her skill with throwing knives, the way whips seemed like liquid in her care, her impressive flexibility, and her high tolerance to pain. She was impressive, able to handle the electric shocks while barely batting an eyelid, able to deal with being in the frozen lakes without so much as a cry.
By the time I trailed off I was aware of the weight of tears on my cheeks, and quickly brushed them off, hiding my embarrassment. I wasn't normally one for tears, but something about talking about Cash and not being able to see her had made my emotions loosen. Thankfully Paragon didn't say anything, just let me talk, only commenting every now and then to prompt me further. Eventually, silence descended on us, and my chest and head were feeling clearer,
"She sounds like one hell of a woman. Now, you keep her in mind when you train, and when you get into the arena hold her in your mind okay? She's why you are doing this, and make sure the thrill of the hunt doesn't eclipse that."
He paused for a moment, a hesitance on his lips. "I'll come and get you when it's time for dinner, we'll be leaving soon and staying at a hidden station."
I just nodded, a slave to my thoughts as he slipped out, thoughts of blood, victory, and my baby sister my only company.
Sunlight slipped through the gaps in the ornate curtains, setting the beautiful room aglow. I sat on the side of the bed, perfectly dressed in the clothes of yesterday. I had styled my hair as I had at my Reaping- under strict instructions to look the same. I didn't understand why, but I guessed it was part of the illusion, trying to immortalise the Reaping and draw out the moments for the citizens for as long as possible. Whatever the reason, it didn't really matter. Paragon had proven that he was trustworthy, so I did as I was told, knowing there was no one more capable to hold my life in their hands.
"Gloss, you ready? We have to get some food in your before we go into Snow Station." Paragon said, slipping just his head into the room.
"Yea, I'm ready. I'll be out in a moment."
He gave me a curt nod and slipped out the room, the door whooshing shut. Sighing, I glanced around the room that seemed to ooze wealth and stood up, knowing that this would pale in comparison to the glitz and glamour of the rest of the Capitol.
Holding my head high and keeping my aloof but polite veneer, I strode through the train corridors and into the dining cart. Chardonnay and Rarity were chatting away, matching smirks on their painted faces. Paragon gave me a small nod when I walked in, gesturing for me to take a seat next to him. It wasn't lost on me that there was a clear divide between the male and female team, as invisible and sure as the air we breathed. Still, I gave the girls a respectful nod as I sank into my seat, giving a slight nod to the Avox who filled my goblet with sparkling liquid and heaped food onto my plate.
"Nice of you to join us, Ametrine. You vanished so fast yesterday I was almost concerned." Chardonnay said, a calculated glint in her striking eyes. "Was it something we said?"
Everything she said was wreathed in layers of meaning bleeding inti each other so you couldn't tell truth from lie. Still, I kept my polite but almost disinterested expression on my face and took my time replying, even taking a sip from my goblets, and letting the tangy bubbles dance across my tongue.
Gently placing it down, I turned her, swallowing my amusement at the set of her jaw. "No, nothing you said Chardonnay, was just a little excited about the Reaping is all and needed a few moments."
I could see the slight include of Paragon's head at my words and let it bouy me. "Besides, I though you and Rarity might like a few moments alone."
Chardonnay raised a brow, drawing attention to the sheet of wine-coloured hair that fell down her back, stripped of any wave. "Such a gentleman. You weren't kidding." She said, directing the last part of her sentence to Rarity.
"I told you, "Was all she said, a flicker of amusement passing over her face like a cloud passing over the sun.
"Right so we best prepare you both for today." Paragon said, no doubt wanting to nip whatever was going on between the two of them in the bud. "Today is one of the most important parts of the Games, the first time the Capitol gets to see you."
Chardonnay made a slight hum of agreement, through she busied herself by drumming her pointed nails on the glass of her goblet, making the slight ting ring out.
"Yes, it's important to give them what they want, nice, pretty but lethal Tributes that they can vouch for." She said, her tone flirting with boredom.
"Okay, so what's the angle? I suppose we will be playing it for the entire time we are here." Rarity asked, flicking her hair off her shoulder.
A flicker of something- pride maybe- glinted in Chardonnay's eyes, though she squashed it as soon as I noticed. "Exactly. Rarity, you are playing coy with them, give them a little of what they want then take it away. Make them curious about you and desperate to know more." She explained, leaning forward as she spoke, as if trying to draw Rarity even further into her web.
"I can do that, so slight smiles and winks but act like I know something they don't." She confirmed, getting a smirk and a nod from her Mentor.
"Exactly, just like that."
"And you Gloss my boy, you will be playing the stoic charmer." Paragon said, cutting the girls off.
"Like that'll be hard for him," Rarity teased, making Chardonnay chuckle, the sound less genuine and more calculated to my ear.
"Keep your face impassive but your eyes kind. If you must smile, just a quick quirk of your lips. Speak in small syllables, like they are beneath you while staying polite." I nodded, the instructions buzzing around my mind like irate flies.
"Way to confuse the boy, though, it doesn't seem like that's too hard to do." My hackles raised at Chardonnay's tone, but a stern look from Paragon made me release the tension.
"You are going to be more silent, not brooding exactly but not giving much, just be polite when asked questions." Paragon said, and I nodded, deliberately ignoring the tittering of Chardonnay in the background.
We chatted for a while longer, getting our roles down pat. Rarity was a natural at her role, all seductive smiles with an air of mystery that wrapped around her like a luxury shroud. She was not even acting, it was hr natural state, which made her commentary about me not acting both more amusing and irritating in equal measure. Slowly our plates emptied, and our glasses stopped being refilled, leaving us sitting idly in our seats. I took another moment to commit the carriage to memory, wanting to be able to describe it to Cash when I saw her after my victory with as much detail as possible. Paragon caught my eye and nodded, and I couldn't help but let the smallest of smiles cross my face, his approval like a balm.
"Alright you two, we are close to the station. Get to the windows and do as we say."
I nodded and slipped out, holding my hand out for Rarity to take. She gave me that grin that made my hackles raise and my heart race but let me pull her up. "Thank you very much, big boy." She purred seductively, sashaying to the window.
I kept my face impassive, the tone familiar from the years I spent in my district. I caught the glowing approval from Chardonnay and knew that this was part of their strategy, so kept my mouth shut. In a few strides I was by the window, sitting in one of the conveniently raised seats across from Rarity. She curled up, her expression dripping with sin. Keeping my expression cool I started talking with her about the inanest things, pretending I couldn't hear the screams and shouts of joy from outside out cart.
Timing it expertly, I turned to face them, feigning surprised. I inclined my head politely, giving a few a measured wave, ensuring my eyes were soft and my expression hard. Rarity was playing it up, blowing kisses to the crowd but not lingering on anyone, giving them winks as if exchanging secrets. We kept up the routine chatting together but making sure we acknowledge the crowd, giving them something to remember us by.
It took a lot to not give them a dazzling smile, knowing that people would eat it up. But I had to be careful keep that for the interview and give them just enough of a taste they wanted to take a bite. Glancing at Paragon out of the corner of my eye I saw him give me a slight nod, pretending to be caught up in conversation with Chardonnay.
By the time we reached the platform, the crowd was in hysteria their enthusiasm sleeping through the walls and infusing in my blood. Pride surged through me at the feel of being loved, of their people who were so desperate for my attention they would risk looking like a buffoon. I could feel the same excitement and slight arrogance flowing out of Rarity, like a haze of perfume distinctly District . standing up, I offered her my hand, making it slightly more exaggerated than needed to play into the polite boy image I was gunning for.
Feigning surprise, she looked at the crowd and winked, making another wave of hysterical glee wash over them. Taking my hand, she held it as she slipped passed, letting the curves of her body press against the hard planes of my chest. Giving the crowd a slight nod, I followed her, making my way to the door where our mentors were waiting.
"Great job you two, keep it up." Paragon said, giving me the barest hint of a smile.
"They are eating it up," Chardonnay said, her lips twisting into a poor imitation of a smile.
"Okay the doors are going to open, and you keep it up, don't let them touch you and remain polite the whole time, Gloss." I nodded at his advice, keeping my expression neutral.
Chardonnay muttered into an earpiece and the doors sprung open framing us perfectly. I stepped out first and offered Rarity my hand, the girl giving me a flirtatious smile as she took it. It was pure pandemonium out there, with citizens clambering over each other to see us. Their forms decked out in the strangest fashions, and I caught myself thinking they lacked nay real elegance. Still, I played my part, nodding and giving the barest hints of a smile that made women swoon. Rarity played the crowd, giving them teasing smiles and winks that made men shout for her, their desperation polluting the air.
We carried on the act till we got to the sleek gunmetal car, with me going one side and Paragon going the other. In sync, we opened the door for the women, earning me an amused grin from Rarity. The Females slipped in with grace, and over the top of the car I caught Paragons eye, strategy seeping through, melding with approval. I kept a small smile on my face as I stooped to get in the car, pulling the door shut behind me.
"Great job there my boy, you have the gentlemen act down pact." Paragon praised, reaching into the center console to free a bottle of wine and four glasses.
"I have a great Mentor." Was all I said, smiling and accepting the glass of sparkling liquid with the grace my Trainers had instilled in me.
"Fantastic work you too, especially you Rarity. You had them eating out of your hand." Chardonnay praised, accepting her own glass.
"Thank you, Chardonnay. Nice moves you two with the whole gentlemen act, though I though tit was only Gloss's angle, not yours too Paragon." She teased, crossing her legs, and swirling the wine around the glass.
Chardonnay sniggered, giving Paragon a challenging expression. "Yea Paragon, I thought it was your boy's routine."
Paragon just smirked, letting his natural charisma ooze out. " What can I say, it's just a natural male One trait." He said, his tone too earnest to be entirely contrite.
Rarity and Chardonnay shared a look, matching disbelieving expressions bleeding into one.
"Whatever you say big guy." Chardonnay finally said, taking a tip of her wine, her gaze smoldering at Paragon over the rim.
It dawned on me how she had used her seductiveness to win her games, cementing her internal alliances with the males in the group using her exotic beauty and feminine whiles. If gentlemanliness was the calling card of males of our District, seductiveness was the females, and I sure as hell refused to be one of the suckers that fell for it, only to end up with a machete plunged into my face.
The ride was filled with slight chatter, though nothing heavy. I kept my gaze outside the window, drinking in the weird and wonderful that made up the Capitol. All the buildings were strange shapes, made of a shiny metal that seemed to drink in all light and reflect it with gusto. All the people seemed to be in an internal competition to outdo each other with their bizarre outfits, and I saw a woman matching the black spots that covered her white dog.
Eventually we made it to the outside of the Remake Centre, the metal iridescent in the sunlight. I shared a look with Rarity, the weight of our choice settling on our shoulders. Thankfully for us this area was cottoned off, and everyone was busy craning their necks at the station to get a glimpse of the Tributes to be here.
"You two ready?" Chardonnay asked, her usual spice dimmed.
Rarity and I exchanged a look, took in a lung of air before nodding, keeping our chins up.
The twisted grin I was starting to associate with Chardonnay crossed her lips, the slight mania I noticed earlier returning to her eyes.
"Let's go give them a show they will never forget." She said, the excitement of her tone bleeding out and seeping into my pores.
"Because who are we?" She added, her expression never faltering.
"District One!" Rarity, Paragon, and I shouted in unison, the atmosphere thick with anticipation.
"That's right." She said, leaning back in her seat like it was a throne. "Let's go give them hell."
Hey everyone, I hope you enjoyed this update. I wanted to humanise the District One Victors a little, and I hope I accomplished it. They are finally at the Capitol! The next chapter will be the parade and the meeting of D1 and D2, which I'm excited to write. I really hope people are enjoying this story, Gloss is an interesting character and I wanted to give him and his sister some complexity that was missing from the movie.
Would you guys be interested in a POV chapter from one of their mentors? And if so which one? I am tossing up if I should so any feedback will be great. I'll be doing a partial chapter for Cashmere soon too.
On that note, I hope you guys enjoyed and I'll update when I can. Stay safe in the current CPVID crisis.
TBP