Chapter 3: Daunting Impression
A/N: I won't beat around the bush. If you review, then I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Reviews bring me motivation, even the ones that say 'update'. If that's all you have to say, then great. Also, Cato won the 74th in this universe, for clarification. Thanks, but enough of my rambling. Let's go.
audreyoctopus - Thanks for reviewing, and your words of encouragement.
Aidan M - Yo, thanks for speaking up! I wasn't sure if people would like my interpretation of Katniss in this AU.
Location: The Capitol
Rain Orion (D12 Male)'s P.O.V.
A magnificent city comes into view… there's no doubt. That's the Capitol. I woke up about an hour ago, and now, I'm waiting in the dining car with Haymitch, Katniss, Lukas, and Iris.
"Look at that. We're here…", Lukas says half-heartedly, breaking the silence. He's rather quiet, per the usual.
We zoom through a tunnel, and we're greeted by a cheering and raving Capitol crowd. Haymitch immediately confronts us when we just stand there, awkwardly.
"Do you remember what I said to you two? To get sponsors, you have to get people to like you.", Haymitch hissed to us.
With that, I reluctantly went with Iris to the windows of the train to greet the roaring Capitol crowd. We put on fake bright smiles, laugh, and wave to the cheering Capitol citizens.
After getting off that train, it was total madness, just trying to weave through the Capitol crowd.
Fortunately, Haymitch and Katniss made way for us, assisted by Peacekeepers. Lukas took up the rear, seemingly tired, despite him hitting the hay early last night, according to Katniss.
We finally met our stylists after our prep team pretty much waxed us of any hair that we had on our bodies, beside the hair on the top of our head. Cinna and Portia were the stylists for Katniss and her district partner in the 3rd Quarter Quell, whose name slipped my mind.
I was in a room alone after finally getting out of that train and through that loud crowd. That was when I met Cinna. He spoke first, and after we exchanged some dialogue, he took me out to meet with the prep team.
They've specifically requested to keep on being the stylists for 12, and when I asked them why they didn't move up to another district, they responded differently.
"I kept requesting for 12, and plus, Katniss-", Portia interrupted Cinna before he could finish what he was about to say.
"The whole coal miner outfit is SO overused, so Cinna and I are here to dazzle the audiences with the costumes we create together for the most underrated and underestimated district.", answered Portia.
So, Cinna requested for 12, and Portia just stayed because she liked spicing up the 'creative' costumes than their previous stylists had made: the usual and terrible coal miner outfit. That's interesting, I guess.
I was wearing a dark king's garb complete with a dark grey crown embedded with matching black gems. and a flowing cape. I looked at Iris, and I admitted to myself that she looked amazing in the outfit. She was wearing a matching black dress fit for a queen, also with a dark cape draped over her shoulders. She wore a dark gray tiara, much like my crown. In short, our outfits were matching, but slightly different.
Adrian Bismarck (D4 Male)'s P.O.V.
I was finally ready for the Tribute Parade - where I'll take my first step into the Games that my District honors so much.
I was wearing blue robes with cyan fur draped over me. I was shirtless too, with a singular blue piece of cloth draped diagonally over my chest to cover me up slightly. The bottom half of my costume was a mixture of blue and cyan cloths, with a fishnet draped over it, forming something akin to a kilt. My district's stylists finished the costume with brown sandals.
I run over to my district partner, Aileen, who is already on the chariot. She's wearing a similar outfit to mine, with some mermaid mixed into hers. I turn around to examine the other tributes' likely standard costumes.
"District 7's costumes are different for once.", Aileen chimed in.
I glance over, and they are actually not fully trees. They got the lumberjack look going on, with the plaid shirt and suspender look going on. The boy is wearing pants that resemble wood, and the girl is wearing a long skirt that ends in something resembling the roots of a tree. I gotta hand it to the District 7 stylists for working their brains for once.
Aileen directs me to 12's costumes. What a joke, it's likely the coal miner outfit again.
"Aileen, are you sure you're OK in the head? The twelvies wearing royal outfits when they're the poorest districts? I'm pretty sure that that's 1's job", I remark as I turn to them.
To my surprise, the two 12s are actually in the royal outfit. One of their stylists seem to be holding some sort of lighter…
Iris Nilo (D12 Female)'s P.O.V.
"Now, time for the key part.", Cinna said to me, along with Rain.
He took out a white lighter and switched it on, and out came a multi-colored flame, which started off as blue, and slowly transitioned to a blazing orange at the tips. I must've looked scared, because Portia chimed in.
"Don't worry. It's artificial, it won't burn you or your outfit, alright? It'll wear off by the time you arrive at the City Circle."
With that, they applied it to our capes and to our headwear.
Cinna added on something before he saw us off.
"Make sure to look ahead. And hold hands. Up high in the air. Got that? If you do that, the impression will be even better."
I was a little confused, but Rain and I both nodded and we got onto the chariots and rode out to the path to the City Circle, where President Amanda Snow was awaiting us.
When we came out, the Capitol spectators started immediately screaming and cheering. When I looked into a mirror, I realized that my tiara and Rain's crown were burning, as were our capes. I grabbed Rain's hand, and rose it high in the air.
"Iris, what are you-...?" Rain started to object before I cut him off.
"Remember what Cinna said? Hold my hand. They will start fawning over us, just watch.", I forcefully whispered to him.
I held my hand, joined with his, high in the air. The Capitol audience started making even more noise, as I predicted. A purple iris landed in our chariot, which Rain chuckled at.
Rain Orion (D12 Male)'s P.O.V.
When I held my hand up with Iris, something unexpected happened, catching me off guard - Iris and I were being engulfed by the artificial flames…!
"What is-", Iris started to ask, but I quickly shushed her.
"Portia said the fire won't harm us. We'll be OK", I said calmly. On the inside, I was freaking out too. I was entirely on fire.
When the fire went out, I looked at my outfit. I was now in a doctor's outfit, with it being mostly a dark gray, but with some warm colors here and there: a mixture of red, orange, and yellow. Iris was in a matching nurse's outfit. The pockets were inlaid and outlined with black embroidery. It all came together now: The coal mining industry our district was known for, burning away to pave the way for our secondary industry: medicine.
When we arrived, all the other districts were glaring daggers at us. We had outshone them all - literally. Specifically, the gaze District 4 gave us - if looks could kill, Iris and I would be dead.
President Amanda made her drawn out speech, and we headed inside the Training Center. We headed up to the top floor, along with Haymitch, Katniss, and Lukas. We met up with Effie, Portia, and Cinna at the top floor. I went in and washed up - the shower was absurdly expensive and luxurious, with nearly two hundred options for shampoos. For some reason, smelling like… newly manufactured steel sounded interesting to me. After doing that and changing into fresh clothes, I met up with the others for dinner. Lukas spoke first.
"Nice parade, kiddos. You might just get sponsors.", remarked Lukas.
"It's important that you get people to like you. The parade is your first chance to make an impression. And I have to say, you did a pretty damn good job. We can work with this.", Haymitch said offhandedly.
"What should we do when we're out there in the Training Center?", asked Iris.
"The strategy is to not play your strongest cards right away, kiddos. You know the Careers?", Haymitch shot back.
I chimed in: "Yeah, from Districts One and Two, right?"
"And Four. They train in a combat academy 'til they're 18, and by then, they're pretty deadly.", Lukas added on.
"They're pretty good, they win pretty often. However, they can be arrogant and reckless, just because the Capitol pampers them. Arrogance is a huge problem, especially in a no-rules free-for-all like the Games.", Katniss said in addition to her fellow mentors.
"Rain. You smell like a Two. You're not planning on joining the Careers, are you?", Effie asked me jokingly.
"Like a Two?", I asked, confused.
"You smell like steel, Rain. Two also manufactures weapons, they're not just stone workers." Haymitch said, with amusement in his voice.
"Probably why they're so strong in the Games.", Lukas added on, while wearing an uncharacteristic smirk.
We all shared a good laugh and began eating. After that, Haymitch, Katniss, and Lukas sat us down to go over our strengths and weaknesses.
"So, what weapons are you two good with?", Haymitch asks.
"I'm pretty good with a knife. Used to help my dad collect medical herbs and cut meat.", I responded quickly.
Katniss looked over to me, with a soft smile on her face. I didn't really understand why, but a smile is a good thing… right? Iris then responds with her answer while I'm lost in my thoughts.
"My dad taught me how to use a pickaxe… I could transfer those skills into an axe, possibly…", Iris said a little nervously…
"Alright, now that you're determined what weapons you're good with… IGNORE those stations. Show those Gamemakers what you got in the private session." Haymitch said in a serious yet authoritative tone.
Iris and I dumbly nodded. Lukas decided to speak up.
"Tomorrow is the time to… scout for some allies, kiddos. Iris, if you wanna get good with an axe, maybe you ask the pair from 7. They oughta know a thing or two. Rain, maybe you should watch the Careers do their thing. You might learn a thing or two. Remember, the survival stations are important too. Now that we've said that, go rest up. Depart to the gym early if you don't wanna wait. Make sure you two stick together as well when you're down there."
That night, I slept soundly. I still reminded myself that this time would not last.
The Next Morning
I woke up earlier than the rest of the team, and I still smelled like that steel-scented shampoo. It was pretty strong too. I crept to the elevator, and went in. I descended through the floors without much trouble or disturbance… until Floor 2, when I heard shouting.
Sophia Kirhart (D2 Female)'s P.O.V.
"I don't want to ally with the Ones. The girl is probably stuck up, and the guy didn't even volunteer.", declared Cyrus. One of our mentors, Wade, stepped in. He's Cyrus' uncle, but he doesn't show any bias or special treatment towards him. Thank God for that; Cyrus is extremely entitled.
"You guys have to. District 1 are Careers like us, Cy. We've worked together with them for nearly a century, so what's stopping us?"
"Uncle Wade, they're-", Cyrus was about to shoot back at his uncle, until our other mentor, the now-aged Enobaria stepped in.
"Will you three shut up? You guys need to be-", but Cyrus interrupted Enobaria too.
"Sophia is a damn wimp, Enobaria. She can't make do without the Ones to help her. She's going to die-", and it was now time for Cyrus to be interrupted.
"Enough. God, Cyrus. I've had enough of you for one day. I'm going ahead."
With that, I stormed over to the elevator, and slammed the button while Cyrus kept arguing with Wade and Enobaria. To my surprise, the elevator was already occupied by the guy from 12. The elevator door closed behind me, so I was stuck with this guy.
"Hey. What's with the arguing?", he asked me.
I noticed how his gentle, soft voice went along perfectly with his unkempt black hair and gray eyes. Not to mention that the skintight Training Center uniform accentuated his build and he smelled like steel. Like home. Like District 2.
No! Why the hell was I thinking like this? Two and Twelve don't mix. Period.
"Uh… it was really n-nothing," I lied back. I felt a blush coming on immediately, and it only heightened due to my stutter. It reached all new levels when he came a little closer.
"Stuttering already? We don't even know each other's names, and you're already falling for me? That was quick."
"Fine, fine! Sophia Kirhart, District Two. Tell me yours...Twelve," I replied, but with a lot less force than I'd hoped.
"Alright. Name's Rain Orion, from District Twelve, of course," he says with a confident smirk.
Goddammit. That overconfident smile of his is drilling its way into my mind. Anymore of this, and he'll drive me insane. I already had Cyrus to deal with, and now this guy comes along.
"I heard you volunteered for a family member, Sophia. I guess that's something we have in common."
"What?"
I'm genuinely confused here. I didn't even watch the reapings for District 12, because I knew they were-
"I volunteered for my brother, and you volunteered for your cousin. Whether it was out of concern for her or just part of your Career protocol, I don't know. Glad I have someone I could relate to, though."
I blush a little at this. We just met and this guy's already making my heart race?
Ugh, no. Get a hold of yourself, damn it. If Cyrus sees this, he's gonna hold it over my head.
The elevator finally dings. And, I have to go and ask him a stupid question.
"Mind if we walk out there together?"
He replies with a mischievous smirk.
"Sure."
Location: The Capitol, Training Center Gymnasium
So, I ended up walking out to the Training Center gymnasium with the guy from Twelve, who I've barely known, for like, five minutes. The people from One and Four have already arrived, apparently waiting on Cyrus and I. I looked around for Rain, and he started off at the sword-fighting station.
Vulcan, Velvet, Adrian, and Aileen are standing around when I join them, watching the other tributes with confident smiles. Velvet spoke first.
"You already got a boyfriend, Two? That was really fast."
"Shut it, Velvet. I barely even know him; we just met on the elevator, OK?"
Vulcan interrupted my argument with his district partner, and pointed towards Rain.
"You're one to talk, Velvet. You had multiple relationships in One all at once. And besides, Twelve's not doing too bad."
I look over, and Vulcan's right. Rain seems to be working those chiseled- Ugh… stop thinking like that! Damn, this really sucks.
However, he does seem to have a decent sword arm, despite being completely new to swords, at least to my knowledge.
I watched as Rain took out multiple cubic holograms, and once he finished them all off, he locked eyes with me, and smiled, with that heartrending smirk of his. I wonder if his hesitation to kill will come back to haunt him. Or maybe, that stomach-flipping smile of him masks a psychopath.
"He's not too bad. He could be useful.", Adrian mulled as he observed Rain sword-fighting with a trainer, and actually overwhelming him.
"Enough! We shouldn't be worrying about him, he's just another piece of cannon fodder," a voice rang out. It was Cyrus.
"Oh. You're finally here. Now, let's get down to business. What weapons are you guys good with?", asked Vulcan.
So, Vulcan favored swords. Velvet's weapons of choice were knives. Cyrus used axes, but I already noted that. I preferred a spear, but I could also work with knives. Adrian was deadly with a trident, and so was his District partner. No surprise there. After that, we all went to the Gauntlet, to intimidate the other tributes, as usual… barring Adrian. He went over to talk to Rain, who seemed to be hanging out with his District partner at another station
No, I'm not jealous. I am not frickin' jealous of her.
Rain Orion (D12 Male)'s P.O.V.
I'm over at the rather unoccupied snare station with Iris, who was teaching me how to make snares, in exchange for teaching me how to use an axe. Not that she was from Seven, but I knew her better than Jose or Acacia.
"Rain, you were looking awfully comfy with the girl from Two. Don't tell me you're planning on becoming a Career?", Iris asked me, jokingly.
"Don't get too pushy, Iris. I might just join them," I joked back.
To my surprise, one of the Careers came over. The massive boy from District 4.
"Twelve… your name's Rain, right? I'm Adrian." the newly revealed District 4 tribute said as he greeted me.
"Yes, I'm Rain, District 12. What do you need?" I replied politely.
"I'd like for you to join us in our alliance. Your district partner is welcome to join, if you want her in as well," Adrian told me. He jerked his head towards Iris.
I thought over it for a moment. These people would turn on me the moment the second they didn't need me anymore. Either that, or I'd be killed in my sleep. I came to a decision almost immediately.
"...No, sorry. I don't want to join," I answered Adrian.
"Very well…", he replied, and left, sauntering back to his fellow Careers, who were running on the Gauntlets, and predictably, succeeding.
I continued training, swapping stations until it was time to clock out for the night. I pushed the button to the elevator. and went in the elevator. I was stopped by a familiar voice.
"Hold the elevator, Steel Boy."
Sophia joined me in the elevator, and she looked a bit tired. She was relatively pretty, with that brown hair and dark brown eyes. Sponsors abound, especially since she was from the District with the most victors. The elevator started ascending
"So… what's life like in 12?"
"We're poor. It's barely enough… at least in 12, you can starve to death in safety. The Peacekeepers there are as hungry as any of us, so they bend the rules to their own benefit. How's 2?"
"We train Peacekeepers, who are incredibly strict in 2. I live in the Victor's Village… My dad won the 76th Hunger Games, the Games right after your second-most recent victor. Otherwise, life is nice."
Wait a second… the 76th…? My dad said his sister was reaped and died on the second day. She was killed by the male tribute from District 2, who won that year. I didn't get a chance to bring it up, though, since the elevator dinged the moment she finished her sentence.
"My stop, Steel Boy. See you around."
She touched my face with one of her fingers before whirling around and heading in
Sophia Kirhart's P.O.V.
Go me. What was that even? Steel Boy? Where did that come from? A little voice comes into my head:
You enjoyed touching his soft olive complexion.
I frowned and I felt like I was about to throw a fit. I couldn't get my mind off him, even though he was likely going to die in the arena.
Rain Orion's P.O.V.
When I left the elevator, I immediately encountered Iris, who seemed a little upset.
"Why did you reject their alliance, Rain?", Iris asked after confronting me.
"They would have betrayed us first when the tribute count started dwindling, and we would likely not survive the ensuing fight. That's why, it's for the long run, Iris. Think two steps ahead. Don't bother lamenting when they betray you, because you'll most definitely be dead. Don't tell me you actually wner back accepted their offer?!" I shouted incredulously.
Iris seemed to shy back, looked down at her feet, and began shuffling them slightly.
"...No, I did not." Iris answered.
"Alright then, catch some shut-eye. I'll see you down in the Training Center tomorrow, yeah?"
That night, I couldn't really sleep, but stayed in my room. I was thinking to myself, about what happened in the elevator
Maybe I should accept their offer. Maybe I could make it with Sophia.
Ha, what am I thinking? She'll kill me with no hesitation. What really went down in that elevator…
My thoughts were cut off by one last, much darker thought.
We're both not gonna make it. The odds are never in our favor. Especially for two districts that are the complete opposite.
With that, sleep claimed me.
A/N: Yo, glad you made it. My thanks to all the reviewers, and reviewing as a guest works too. Private sessions are up next, and might mush in the interviews too! I'll try to get in at least two every week, but which days, I'm not sure. See you guys then :)
