I was instructed by Red-Skin or I guess Antle, to head down to the first floor unaccompanied because Trent's stylist quote 'fucked everything up'. I heard fire was involved. From knowing that bark and branches tend to ignite rather quickly, I gathered it wasn't anything good.
Red-Skin told me two things, wait by the chariot labeled '7' and kick my dress while I walk. Wouldn't be an issue if I'd ever been to the tribute centre or walked in heels before. Having no experience in either I doubt I can make it all the way to my chariot unaccompanied. Plus I'm probably going to make a fool out of myself infront of the many Victors and Tributes .
I held onto the wall for dear life, kicking my dress awkwardly and made it somewhat successfully into the elevator. Two peacekeepers, each with guns turned to me and I just stared back at them blankly. That is, until one of them coughed and indicated to the twelve buttons on the side.
I chuckled at my own stupidity and muttered. "Oh sorry, first floor or wherever the chariots are suppose to be please".
I heard a ding followed by the doors closing. I'm such an idiot. They wouldn't kill me if I'm going into the arena. It wasn't long before I heard a dig again followed by the doors opening to reveal the sound of screaming.
I stepped out while awkwardly nodding my thanks at the peacekeepers. Okay, from now onwards nothing awkward or embarrassing is going to happen. One step...two steps...chin u- Shit!. I found myself on the floor, my costume somehow still intact. Okay, so lesson learned remember to kick.
I dusted my hands and picked myself back up. I found myself standing still unsure of what to do. I'm in a long hallway and I'm gathering I should head down the way where all the screams are coming from. More psycho-fan people. Great.
I looked down at my feet and frowned. My dress is that long I doubt anyone would notice if I'm not wearing any shoes. I quickly looked down both ends of the hallway before hastily taking off my heels. I tippy toed up to the nearest large potted plant and buried my heels in the dirt. I smacked my hands together a few times before staring down at my hidden feet in satisfaction. There, problem solved!.
Just as I started walking towards the screams with a bit more confidence, a presence to my right made themselves know. I felt someone nudge my shoulder and I stared into the tired eyes of Haymitch Abernathy in shock. He swept his greying hair out of eyes and pointed his drink towards my skirt. "Don't worry Sweetheart, your secrets safe with me".
A look of distain crossed my features at the smell of alcohol on his breath. I nodded curtly. "Gee, thanks".
If he noticed my sarcasm he didn't mention it. In fact, he raised his drink to me and muttered. "To the kids who deserved better". He then continued to stumble down the hallway in a drunken like float. All the while, I stared after him in trepidation. Down the hallway towards the other tributes. Down the hallway towards the screaming psychos. And down the hallway towards Victors like my mother...fuck me!.
Whatever. I don't have to talk or make eyecontact with any of them. I just have to get to my chariot and then I'll ignore everyone until Trent comes out. Hopefully, he isn't burnt to a crisp. I rolled my shoulders and nodded to myself a final time before walking.
Just before I exited the the hallway a bunch of screams from above me had me staring. The people above jumped as soon as they saw me before they stared...chanting my name. I had to dodge a few roses and weird pearl like necklaces. I flicked a rose off my shoulder in fright . It was as if that caused them to through fifty more at once. I let out a loud sequel and quickly run out of the hallway while combing out my hair frantically.
It must've been a sight to see. Victoria Mason, a literal tree, wiping and combing my hair and shoulders with a scream while the word "Vic-tor-ri-a!" was chanted again and again behind me.
I could feel eyes watching me and whatever conversations that had been going on were broken with my scream. I quickly patted my hair down and looked up sheepishly to see many different groups huddled together. Most of them eyed me up and down before turning back to whatever they were doing. As if I were normal. And I guess to these people I am normal. Because I'm just like them, or their children. Not special, unless I miraculously win these games which to still say sane I know I won't.
With a small relieved smile, I started following the line of chariots. Counting them down until I was stopped at District Four.
"Victoria!".
I cringed at my mother's loud voice.
With a rather loud sigh I turned and frowned at the sight before me. A small group of famous Victors and their children stood before me. Johanna, who looked fierce in a sparkly, tight fitted black dress. She stood with her arms crossed and instantly snorted at my outfit. Finnick Odair, beautiful even for late forties smirked in amusement beside her. Katniss Everdeen gave me a small smile while Peeta Mellark stood forward and put his hand out to me.
I swallowed as I stared at it.
He smiled, despite noting my immediate hesitation. "I'm Peeta. This is my wife Katniss". He indicated to Katniss who seemed to be observing my every move. "And our two children, although not so much kids anymore. Terrance and Poppy".
Right. Terrance and Poppy Mellark. Of course this is for show, like I don't know who they are. And as if they don't know me. I nodded briefly in their direction. Poppy looked sweet and Terrance had a weird mysterious vibe about him. Twins, and I found trouble debating if they're killers or not. Liam Odair stood beside them. He rose his eyebrows at me with a smirk as if to say 'what are you looking at, huh'. It was cocky and I did my best to frown despite the blush on my cheeks.
I still hadn't shaken Peeta's hand. Terrance, Poppy and Liam all stared at me with interest. I could feel my confusion coming to and despite his kindness, I ignored Peeta Mellark's greeting. An alliance, this is an alliance. I looked from Terrance to Poppy to Liam. Liam, was mesmerising, I wish I was lying but I can't even compare him to any boy back home. He's lean and built in his shoulders. So trident trained, that's just confirmed it. Especially from the approval on Johanna's face at the three children behind her. So they're all trained then...
I scoffed at Johanna and walked right up to her. Peeta frowned and shared a look with Katniss. This is probably the strongest alliance in the games. All of us apart from Liam, are outer districts but definitely trained since infancy. Add in being the most famous, we're a shoe in to win from sponsors alone. But only one wins...and if it's not me then I'll be damn well sure it's Trent.
I didn't care that Katniss, Peeta and Finnick aren't exactly people I should show my true colours to. But even though I know she feels like she's doing her best it's not what I want. So, with a smirk. I tip my head at her and say. "Thanks, but no".
A look of the upmost rage swims on her face. Finnick does a low whistle and I can feel Katniss and Peeta stare at the two of us in slight shock. She laughed, in a cackling manic way. "You don't get a choice". She pronounced every word slowly and I suddenly felt like that eight year old girl again. The one that got off from being screamed at by Johanna just to hear her talk.
I shook my head. It's her fault I'm in this mess to begin with. I've lived a miserable life because of her and this the icing on the cake. Worst yet, she wants me to spend my final moments in an alliance that Trent could never be apart of. He's famous sure, but not like these three. Not like me. And he's not trained, it's obviously the two conditions of this alliance.
I turned to the three twenty something year-olds who looked either shocked or in Liam's case, close to bursting with laughter. I hate her and maybe it's time to give her pay back for the way she's treated me my entire life. I lived in misery, and now she can. I smirked at them. "I fully plan on running straight into the bloodbath like the suicidal teenager I am." A lie of course but hell! Let Johanna think it's true. I could be and she wouldn't even know.
I smiled sweetly and with confidence I didn't know I had, I winked at Liam Odair. "Feel free to gut me," I then turned to the twins and shrugged casually "or shoot me down". I didn't wait to see their faces. Or my mother's, or the other famous Victors who are probably her friends. Although, maybe not now that I've refused to ally myself with their children.
I turned on my heel, picked up my fern like skirt and strutted my way to chariot seven. As I left I heard Finnick mutter. "I like her".
I frowned at that but I don't care. I just hope Trent will be out here soon. Alliances don't matter if I'm not even playing. Besides, I made a promise to Trent so I'm going to die being me. And not whatever my mother wants me to be to win. I smirked. Who knows, maybe Johanna will kill me before the games even begin.
