(Age 23, The 75th Hunger Games- Quarter Quell )
The second we entered the first floor of the tribute centre we were ushered into the hands of our stylists. My costume actually wasn't too bad considering last years pink monstrosities. This year, our colour is white. White like the Capitol, thus ensuring everyone knew how District One felt about the games. Still eager, still the Capitol's favourite child and still blood thirsty for the games to start.
What felt like a hundred diamonds had been glued to my hair. I wore a mini skirt of white feathers and a dimond encrusted bra. That's it. My persona in a costume, sexy and supporting the Capitol's every move. I hated it.
I walked confidently out of the elevator and strode up to the first Chariot at the front. Eleven identical chariots behind it. District One would be the first to arrive and I knew it wouldn't be long until Gloss joins me. First Gloss and then every other tribute.
But for now I was alone. Just me and two horses chained to a chariot. I stared at the many cables and wires attached between the stallions and the cart. They were trapped. They were slaves...just like me. Only my chains wern't so obvious, wern't on display for all to see. But I could still feel them. I sighed, I wished I was the horse. My only task to pull a heavy object and then I'd get shipped back to District Ten, where I'd be free to run and eat hay all day.
I felt a cool breath on the back of my neck, waking me from my day dream. "Hello, my Love".
I found myself cleching my teeth at the sound of that seductive purr. "Finnick".
I whipped my head behind me to come face to face with Finnick Odair. His lips were inches from mine and he gave me an amused smirk. Regrettably he looked gorgeous, natually so. With his sea green eyes and broze hair. But I knew Finnick, knew he was nothing but cruel...at least to me. He was holding onto my waist firmly so our chests were against each other, skin to skin. It was then I realised he was only wearing a peice of rope. He leaned into my ear, with that same seductive look. "Pity our rivalry will have to come to an end. But I guess all good things do end eventually. Guess next week it'll be you".
I bit my lip seductivly and rose my eyebrows at him. "That wins?".
He chuckled. "That ends". I felt his palm suddenly cup my cheek. "Preferably by my hand".
I glared openly at him now. "Or... you'll end by mine. I'll enjoy it too".
Finnick's smirk was back and he tipped his head at me. "I have no doubt that you would. But I'm quicker and to use a trident I won't have to get as close to you as you would with that puny little machete. Don't worry Love, I'll be sure to make it bloody and drag it out".
I scoffed. "Well not to worry, I won't give you the chance". I copied his action and rested one of my hands aginst his cheek. "In fact, I'll carve that pretty face of yours until its deformed and unregconisable".
He shook his head and chuckled darkly before winking at me. "Happy hunger games".
I found myself smirking back with a look of almost pure joy. "And may the odds be ever in your favour".
With a final smirk, Finnick struttered away from me as if the coversation had never happened. I watched him walk, trying to figure out more about him. His strengths and his weaknesses. He stood infront of his own Chariot, just in my line of sight. Mags, the female tribute for District four stood beside him. As I observed Finnick calculatingly, I found my face turn into a smirk that could match his.
District Four. That's his own weakness. Sure, they're considered careers because they 'train'. But not in an acedmey. They train with spears to catch fish, it's their trade. They aren't brainwashed as children, they haven't been taught how to turn off their emotions. No classes in methodology, alliances and human behaviour. Only taught one skill, and not even by an instructor. They're taught by fishermen. As I watched Finnick bend down and kiss Mag's forehead, I knew. I knew I'd found his weakness. Love and the ability to feel. He'd morn her deeply in the arena. If I killed Mags first then Finnick in his traumatic state would be an easy second kill.
But then again Finnick Odair was the cruelest person I knew. Able to hate someone so deeply for no apparent reason. And because of that fact alone, I doubted if he was like Katniss Everdeen. Would he really stick with a seventy year-old in the arena? If he does then he's not a threat, an easy kill. But if he doesn't and dumps Mags? Then he'll be my biggest competition if not my own downfall in the games.
I realised I'd been staring at the chariot of District Four for so long that Finnick was gone. Instead I was staring into the aged silver eyes of Mags. I swallowed before quickly tearing my eyes away from hers. A necessary evil I told myself. For all the disgusting Capitol men who have touched me...all because of Finnick.
Most of the tributes had arrived by now. I turned behind me again and saw Katniss Everdeen coming out of the elevator. I sighed. If District Twelve is here then there isn't much time left. Infact it's probably nothing more than five minutes. I spotted Gloss just behind me. He'd been talking with Brutus and Enorbria, who were watching our every move.
Gloss' blue eyes gave me a warning look before he grabbed my hand and guided me into the chariot. I heard him grunt beside me. "Its offical, we're in alliance with District Two".
I snorted and looked up at him in amusement. "When are we ever not?".
He shrugged casually. "Just passing it along. I don't trust them though, you shouldn't either".
I bit my tongue before I nodded. Obviously, who in their right mind would trust Fangs and the Strong Man?!
I found the chariot ride itself mentally exhausting. Perhaps it was due to my constant smile or that I couldn't stand the sound of screaming since my games? Yeah, no. It was because all I could hear was the name 'Katniss' being chanted like a chorus that never ended.
I couldn't see that far behind my own chariot but there was no doubt in my mind that they were on fire. They'd out shined us all today.
The next day was the first day of training. Breakfast was quiet with only Mavis and Gloss keeping conversation. Cashmere had decided to sleep in so it was just us three. I played with the food on my plate. Prefering to stab it frustratedly instead of eating it.
I could feel Gloss' eyes on me but I didn't look up from the questionable sludge on my plate that was once a fried egg.
"..I just know you'll both impress everyone there. District One always does.". Mavis was proud to be our escort. All Capitol citizens love the games so being the escort for District One is like winning the lottery.
I heard Gloss grunt. "Yeah, shouldn't be too hard to intimidate them all".
I didn't bother acknowledging or joining the conversation. Didn't they understand that we're already dead? That everyone could intimidate anyone. Was the all star career pack really something to be feared when going up someone who'd won at age fourteen? Were we still feared against someone who had electrocuted six tributes, including tributes from district one?...I wasn't as confident as Mavis or Gloss. Something that could never be shared. Not on this floor. Not amoungst the people around me and definitely not down on the floor below me where we'd all be training.
So, I countinued to stab my breakfast instead of voicing all of those treacherous thoughts. That is until Mavis told us if we didn't want to be late then we should head down now.
The elevator ride of one floor was practically non existent. When we entered the training facility a few heads snapped towards us. I met the eyes of a tribute from district six who suddenly vomited into the bucket that was clasped in their hands.
I smirked. Maybe Gloss was right, most of these victors looked out of shape. Obviously they lived a life of luxury they never had pre their games. They've let themselves go. That makes my job of hunting them down allot easier. Gloss indicated to the knives station and together we headed in that direction.
Knifes wasn't my signiture. But that didn't mean I couldn't hit a target with them. I took knife throwing as an elective during my time in the academy. The aim was to one day be as good as my mother. Childish hopes, but I can at least make the knife hit all the targets painted on the dummies. They won't hit the bulls eye like Gloss' but they'd hit in the target with enough damage to kill. Plus, Cashmere's training last week meant I wasn't rusty with them anymore.
I hadn't realised we had an audience until I turned around to find Katniss Everdeen observing Gloss and I. I smirked at her and she instantly dropped her eyes before they flicked to Brutus. I continued to throw but her stare bothered me. She'd observed me more than my other fellow careers. A cough broke my stare and I whipped my head up to Gloss with a raised eyebrow. "What?"
He shook his head at me. "You're not seriously thinking of allying with District Twelve are you?"
I scoffed. "Of course not".
He indicated to the firemaking station where Wireless and Beetee laughed to themselves while Katniss looked beyound confused. "Good. They don't even have a chance of making it".
I nodded and went back to throwing knifes. I did that for an hour until I felt someone grab my shoulder. I whipped my head around with a knife pointed up, only to lower it at the sight of Fangs. I can't let her intimidate me. I have to be a career till my last breath to even have a hope of winning these games.
I smirked. "Enobaria".
She smiled menacingly down at me with her Fangs. "Velvet. Why don't you join me at the next staion". It wasn't up for discussion. I nodded and together we walked to the spear weilding platform where an instructor looked at both of us in causion.
He cleared his throat. "One at a time".
Enobaria scoffed at him. "I promise, I won't damage one hair on pretty little head".
He gulped and stepped to the side. This wouldn't normally happen if we were a normal pair of careers. It's against the rules to fight with eachother before the games. But only half the tributes had showed up today and the instructors were more or less ignoring us. This guy seemed scared out of his wits. Definitely too scared to tell off Enorbaria for breaking the rules.
I was trained in everything. Therefore average in everything except machetes. I smirked at Enobaria to hide my fear. "This is you're signiture, right?"
She smiled at me, not so much as mencigly but still it scared me. She had a spear in her hand and was admiring the tip. "You better believe it".
I'm so fucked. I found my features turn into a pretty smile. "Perhaps later we can train at the machete station".
I saw her smirk out the corner of my eye. "Never been fond of machetes".
I clicked my tongue. "And I've never been fond of spears". Especially because they used to be the signatures of my late brothers. Since their deaths I'd hated spears, it's a constant reminder of what I've lost. My older twin brothers with matching signatures, they'd been very popular back home. Before they died of course.
She sniggered. "No time like the present to get better then".
I hummed picking out a spear. They were all the same so I knew she was admiring that tip of hers to seem more intimidating. "So...It's a deal then. I'll help you with machetes and you can help me with spears".
She smirked up at me. "And then the Capitol's prettiest victor would have three signitures".
I rose my eyebrows in confusion and she nodded over towards Gloss. "Kinfes, Machete and if your good enough, then spears aswell. Those boys only have one signiture, I think we should form an inside alliance".
An inside alliance?!
I hesitantly looked at Gloss who was still throwing knifes, graceful and percise everytime. I felt Fangs lean into me and I was cautious of just how close her teeth were to my neck. "Whatever you feel for him, or him you..." she tusked. "It won't matter the second that cannon goes off. Men make us weak, we're better off together. Use them in the start and once they're of no value we'll pick them off."
I gulped. If I refuse then she'll kill me in the arena the first chance she has. I knew I couldn't kill Gloss, for Cashmere's sake. So I had only one option. Only one option that'd provide me and my friend saftey. I turned to Enorbaria with a cunning smile. "Girl's just gotta have fun somehow, right?"
I felt her squeeze my shoulder. "That's the spirit".
After spearing with Enorbaria and teaching her how to use a machete I decided I needed a break. Something that wasn't so physically exhausting. I looked around and cringed when my eyes landed on a naked Johanna Mason oiling herself up. I quickly flicked my eyes to the next station to find Mags making fishhooks. Yeah, not my scene. Peeta Mellark was at the next station over along with District Six. They're painting. I scoffed, I'm sure that'll save them.
Finnick and Katniss were flirting? Anyways they were in an intimate position by the rope tying station. I sighed. Every station was taken, every station except...plant identification?
Fuck it. I walked over to the screen and read the basic instructions before pressing start. Over a hundred different plants stared back at me. They don't bother to teach us this stuff. Not to mention none of these plants were in District One. The academy had a few maple trees but that's it. The mansion I grew up in had a few rose bushes but again, that's it. Too much luxury was my downfall here. I bit my lip in hesitation. Everything looked so godamn foreign!
I felt someone hover behind me and I turned around to find Katniss Everdeen. I rolled my eyes at her and stared back at the screen. Hopefully she'll just go away.
She coughed and I whipped my head back at her before looking her up and down. "What?"
She wasn't at all phased by my hostility, infact she expected it. I guess it is expected from two people who come from District One and Twelve.
She smirked at me. "Are you just going to stare at the screen all day? Because I'd actually like to use it".
I scoffed and faced the screen again. "Well I was here first".
I could feel her smirking at me. She knew careers didn't know anything about plants. We had access to everything. While she had access to nothing. This is probably one of the easiest stations to Katniss Everdeen. And my stupid self, standing infront of it is the perfect opportunity for District Twelve to show up District One. I bet a few people in this room would love to watch that.
"That's okay, I'm more then happy to wait".
Yeah, I bet you are.
I could hear approaching foortseps before they stopped behind us. I looked behind me to see a smirking Finnick Odair and now robed Johanna Mason. They stood just short of Katniss but there was no doubt in my mind that they wanted to see this play out.
I instantly went back to staring at the screen. Analysing all the different pictures before it all blurred together in foreigness.
"I watched your games".
I chewed on my lip before inhaling slightly. Victors don't bring up other Victors games. It was a taboo, we did it more out of respect for eachother. Well except stupid Finnick. I took a deep breath before replying to Katniss. "And I watched yours. Saw you destroy Glimmer's face and pierce Marvel's heart with a spear. Nice shot by the way!." Sacrasm dripped from mouth with every word.
I could tell she'd finched or at the very least been shocked into silence. Which is good, I needed silence to figure out which of these plants are deadly or not. Johanna and Finnick hadn't said a word, but seemed to be watching this interaction like it was the most important thing they'd see all day.
Katniss cleared her thoat behind me. "I meant, I saw what happened in the arena".
I felt the corners of my eyes wrinkle in worry. "So? Actually make your point because I'm rather busy over here and your wasting my time".
I couldn't acknowledge it. Not with my mother still alive. I couldn't afford to be anything but what Snow wanted. Had to clear my name of anything to with what happened in that damn forest.
She took a deep breath. "What did he make you do?"
I scoffed. Is she seriously that stupid?. We're literally in the Capitol!. Snow has eyes and ears everywhere. By god if he knew what she'd just said... I slowly rose my head from the keyboard and turned to Katniss with a pretty smile. I could tell she wasn't expecting a happy smile from me. "He crowned me a Victor. I enjoyed all the hounor and luxury that came with it. For ripping that away from me, I promise I'll kill you first".
I harshly bumped my shoulder with hers as I angrily walked to the machete station. I could feel all of their eyes watching me. I pressed expert mode and started hacking at anything that moved. Slicing and dicing in a dance of swings, one I'd be trained to learn from the age of seven. Until I was left panting with no more holograms to doge or slice. I rose my head up and my eyes connected with a pair of startled grey ones.
Katniss Everdeen. She probably thought we could bond over both of us accidentally defying the Capitol in our games. But I hated her. Hated her because her punishment was marrying a boy while mine left me crawling in my own skin. My punishment, that was to blame for me living in an empty house. I spat on the ground in her direction causing her to flinch.
Finnick and Johanna looked at me in apprehension and disapointment. Something that confused me but I payed it no mind as I joined my fellow careers. Needless to say I know where I stood in these games...and it wasn't with District Twelve.
