Chapter Twelve, Making Sparks
After an hour or two of polishing and dress up, the District 3 tributes got out of their rooms.
Artemis had been put into a dark purple dress shirt with pants similar to the ones he had worn upon arriving in the Capitol. His tie was of an even darker shade of purple and the decorative stitch lines on it slightly glowed.
Silyah sighed as she caught a glimpse of him. "Silver is going to destroy us."
The girl glanced down on her own outfit, a dress the same shade as Artemis's shirt. She wore lace leggings and a bolero, which had the same hues as the boy's pants and both the ribbon above her waist and the sequins on the top part of her dress shone like his tie.
The two stylists contemplated their second creations. "Lovely!" Said Xarone.
"You two are now ready to go," noted Ilranor, flashing a smile that seemed to be fluorescent white.
Artemis and Silyah walked together to the crystal elevator, each of them anticipating what the evening would be like.
"I'm not exactly a party person, obviously, but I think that this is going to be interesting," said the girl as she stepped in the elevator. Caskar, Geneva, Elon and Crelin, who lived on the floors under the District 3 quarters, were already inside of it.
"Definitely interesting," Artemis whispered in her ear.
Crelin pressed on the button indicating the roof of the building. "Let's hope we don't have to stop on another floor. It's getting crowded in here," she said, adding a second level of awkwardness to the situation.
"Yes, indeed…" replied Silyah, who stared at Caskar, who was staring intensely at Artemis.
The Irish boy kept his eyes away from the District 1 tribute. Starring was not his thing; it felt highly uncomfortable... But perhaps he would give Caskar a vampire smirk right before the beginning of the Games, just to see how the tall boy would take it.
After a few seconds that had felt like hours because of the Careers, the group arrived on the roof of the Training Center.
The doors opened, allowing the tributes to catch their very first glimpse of the place. The location would have normally looked beautiful, with a lush garden in one corner and a view over the entire Capitol all around it. However, tonight, it was purely spectacular. Small color-changing light bulbs had been hung from the trees and some brilliant torches with colorful dancing flames had been lit in every shadowy corner of the roof.
Katniss and Peeta were seated side by side near the edge of the roof, casually talking. They were both wearing fire once again as a reminder of their history.
Katniss had a knee-length, silky red dress completed with flickering flames escaping the bottom hem of her skirt. Peeta, on the other hand, had them coming out of the breast pocket of his black, long-sleeved shirt.
Noticing the new arrivals, the double victors from District 12 got up to greet the tributes and collect their contributions to the gathering.
Silyah handed Katniss a small black and silver square; a musical chip Artemis and she had made in their free time. They had filled it with music from every Districts of Panem.
Just as Peeta and Katniss thanked them and activated the chip, another tributes-filled elevator arrived, this one carrying the participants from Districts 4 to 6.
"Well, well…" Silver Canemon's voice called from behind the group. "Matching again, uh?" she gave Silyah a grin, walking closer to her. "Just admit it, I'll understand; he is not bad looking."
"Silver," began Silyah, on the verge of being annoyed, but since she could not find anything to reply, she simply decided to play along. "Believe what you want to believe in, I give up on our case," she said with a good-humored sigh.
"Oh, I will," nodded the girl. "The question is: when are you going to believe in what is right in front of you?" This was not just a figure of speech; Artemis was right in front of her.
The boy in question cleared his throat, "It is not very polite to speak behind one's back," he told Silver.
"Oh, but feel free to join the conversation," smirked the girl from District 6. "Would you have anything to confess to Silyah, or you'd prefer to wait for the interviews like Mr. Mellark?"
"I have no desire to confess anything to anyone, and that includes you, Ms. Canemon," replied Artemis slightly taken aback.
"Little cold at heart, I assume," Silver raised an eyebrow at Silyah, who simply shrugged.
"He's got to be cold," said Peeta, who had overheard the conversation. "You are, after all, speaking to the ice prince, Silver." It still amazed him that the two tributes from 3 had intricately painted frost on their arms on their first day of training.
"Ice Prince," whispered Silyah. "Somehow, I think it suits you," she said with a small nudge and laugh as the tributes from 7 to 12 arrived.
Now that everyone was present, the two victors of the 74th Annual Hunger Games invited the teenagers to sit on the ground, picnic-style before asking for a minute of attention.
"Dear tributes," Peeta began, not exactly enjoying the fact that he had to use that specific word to describe the young men and women in front of him. "I know what you are all wondering; why are we here? Am I right?" There was a shy collective chuckle amongst the teenagers. Of course, that was exactly what they all had in mind. "Well, the reason is really simple… Ever since we became trainers, Katniss and I took the initiative of organizing what we called 'the Gathering,' which is an event kept secret from the rest of the world."
Katniss then took the speech. "Tonight, no cameras follow you, no threats are on your heads; the only things here are young people yearning for one moment of peace." The flames on the young woman's dress glistened in the darkening night, making her iconic mockingjay pin gleam as if it was made of liquid gold.
"Tonight will be the night when you will all get an opportunity to be yourselves," concluded Peeta, avoiding the addition of the words everyone expected at the end of his sentence; before you die. "So, the only thing we now request from you is that you remain true to yourselves and enjoy the moment. Oh, and please, show a little civility towards the others."
On those words, the victors from 12 stepped away from each other, revealing and presenting an enormous table covered in foods from every Districts of Panem. There was nothing too fancy – a major contrast to the Capitol's cuisine – but the familiar smells of the food from their homes made the tributes' mouths water.
Artemis's mismatching eyes traveled along the table. Though the food looked delicious, there was nothing that truly gave him a sense of home. It made him realize once again that he never belonged in District 3, or Panem for that matter.
"What do you want to start with?" Silyah asked the boy.
The boy looked over all the dishes, shaking his mind away from Ireland.
"What about we get a bit of everything?" she suggested as she got up, seeing that no answer was to be expected from Artemis. People were already starting to gather around the table, making it hard to see most of the platters. Silyah lightly shook her head. "Looks like our competitors are already in survival mode," she laughed.
Artemis nodded. "Yes, it seems so… Even if it is somewhat foolish… If they eat too much over a given period of time, their stomachs will expand and they will feel starvation much faster in the arena," he replied, matter-of-factly.
"One more advantage for the weakest; most people from District 9 and down are actually starving most of the time, so I think they should get the right to enjoy a good meal… But for the Careers, it's a completely different game," she said, adding the last part much more quietly than the first one.
"I guess that you are correct on that one," nodded Artemis and they got closer to the table, entering the queue that was already beginning to form in front of the buffet.
"Are you going to try the spare ribs from our District?" Both Artemis and Silyah turned around at the same time. A boy with blond hair had walked up behind them. "District 10, that is," he smiled genuinely.
"I know I will," mentioned a blue-eyed, redheaded girl beside him. The District 3 tributes could recognize the pair as Jethro and Trinicia. "See," added the girl. "Even if I live in 10, my family never had enough money to get the good pieces of meat."
"I tasted real spare ribs before, but only once…" said Jethro. Ever since his Reaping, the boy had felt so lonely, even a simple act of socialization with future competitors was better than nothing.
The queue moved forward and the tributes began to fill their plates.
"My, my… Even without cameras, you two keep on looking all couple-ish," said Silver from behind the District 10 pair, a huge and devious grin appearing on her face. Apparently, she would try to convince Jethro and Trinicia to enter in her game.
"Would you please explain what is couple-like in talking about spare ribs?" wondered Silyah staring back at the brown haired girl.
Trinicia chuckled as she saw the look on the District 3 teens' faces.
"Oh, you know, it just is," Silver shrugged, still grinning.
"I think that it's the matching of your lights," said Jethro with a slight smirk. "You are sparkling when you are together," he joked.
For a moment, they all glanced down on Artemis and Silyah's glowing outfits, which were pulsating purple light in synchronization. The slight urge to curse their stylists vaguely crossed the District 3 tributes' minds, but they had to admit, they had done a pretty good job as far as making them stand out from the others.
"Let's just get some food," Trinicia gently pushed the group forward.
The line slowly advanced, allowing everybody to get a sample of the Districts' specialties before being sent back to their places to enjoy their meal.
Once the supper over, the tributes were truly beginning to feel more relaxed and most of all, willing to pretend that no dangers were upon their heads.
As a tray of pastries was being passed around amongst everyone, a delicate melody began to be heard and the eyes of the young District 12 tribute, Quartz, lit up. "Katniss, please, can you sing that song for us? Please?" begged the blond-haired girl.
"I don't know if –" Katniss seemed unsure, but the crowd had interrupted her, requesting the same thing as Quartz.
"Fine then," Katniss shook her head despite her smile and then, she closed her eyes, concentrating on the rhythm of the song. "I remember, my mother used to despise it when Prim and I sang this one…" she said before it began, "but we didn't really understand it's meaning and loved it so much that we sang it with my father…" She took a deep breath and in harmony with the recorded signer, the first lyrics eventually escaped her lips.
"Are you, are you
Coming to the tree
Where they strung up a man, they say murdered three
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree."
For the most part, the tributes felt as if they were gathered around a warming campfire by a fresh summer night, though Katniss herself was the flame… The only thing bringing an exception to that feeling was the gloomy context of the song sang by the Girl who was on Fire…
"Are you, are you
Coming to the tree
Where the dead man called out for his love to flee.
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree."
All eyes were on Katniss while hers were still closed, still letting herself sink into the song.
"Are you, are you
Coming to the tree
Where I told you to run so we'd both be free.
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.
Are you, are you
Coming to the tree
Wear a necklace of rope, side by side with me.
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree."
There was a long moment of silence during which barely anyone even dared to blink, with the exception of Caskar, of course, who simply sneered, wondering what was the point of a tribute gathering.
Then, Quartz started to clap, "Thanks Katniss."
The female victor of the 74th Hunger Games could not help but to smile back at the little blond girl who reminded her of Primrose at her first Reaping.
Other hands eventually joined the cheering, all of their owners being fascinated by the dark song which had been enhanced by Katniss' voice.
Just as they had done the first time he had heard Katniss sing, Peeta's eyes would not leave her features. It was only when an upbeat song from a Capitol artist began to play that the mysteriously soothing mood vanished. The song, which had been inspired by the technology of District 3 and Capitolesque double-meanings, carried some of the more outgoing tributes to the makeshift dance floor beside the garden, most of which were awkwardly trying to tempt the shy ones to join them, allowing the Avoxes to clean up the dishes.
"I'll go get some water," said Silyah to Artemis over the music, which had been playing for a little while now. "Do you want anything?"
The boy shook his head. "Not for now, thank you. I think that I will try to hide somewhere before someone even considers asking me to dance," he replied with a light smirk.
"That's an idea I'll keep in mind," laughed Silyah as she walked to the drink table, grabbing herself a bottle of water before heading to the edge of the roof, taking in one of the most amazing views she had ever beheld.
"Not dancing with your Ice Prince?" called Silver slowly walking towards her. The District 6 girl was followed by the petite pixie-like tribute from 5, Novia.
Silyah's eyes moved to the pair. "Even if he was "my Ice Prince," as you put it, do Artemis and I look like dancers to you?" she asked not even ashamed to admit that she was a pretty boring person when it came to parties. She moved her gaze back to the Capitol skyline. "Did you notice that our food was already cut when they served it?" she asked Silver in a matter-of-factly tone in order to bring the subject elsewhere. "And that no object on this roof has sharp edges? That there is a force field around the building to prevent suicides or escapes? And most importantly, that every heavy thing is screwed or glued in place?" Silver gave the roof a look, effectively, Silyah seemed right. "Everything here, from the decorations to the construction of the place was carefully planned for us not to kill one another…" she added thoughtfully.
"You're quite the clever girl," mumbled Silver as she stepped beside Silyah.
"I may be clever, but I am uncoordinated and I probably have the strength of a child," Silyah eyed both Silver and Novia to see if they were getting what she was trying to say, which they did.
"I am quite savvy about basic survival skills and energy preservation," whispered Novia.
"Allies?" suggested Silyah.
"Allies," repeated Silver.
Novia simply smiled, raising her paper glass before her. "To life," she suggested as the three girls clinked their respective drinks. "What about him?" She then asked, pointing her chin towards Artemis who was desperately trying to avoid the crowd despite his glowing clothes.
A strange feeling climbed in Silyah's throat. "I don't know about him," she said softly. But one thing is sure; I don't want to be near him if he dies… she thought as she got lost in her own mind…
The Hunger Games… What would happen if the Hunger Games ceased to exist? Just like that… As if as soon as the tributes had set a foot on the roof, the games could have forever vanished from their lives…
"Silyah?" seemingly distant, Novia's voice pierced through the clouds of the girl's mind. "You're coming?" asked the dark haired girl with a devious grin.
"Why give her a choice?" said Silver, grabbing Silyah's wrist, dragging her to the center of the rooftop where the dancers were.
"No, no, no!" protested the District 3 girl, shaking her head. "I don't dance!"
"Oh, yes you will," replied the 17 years old from 6, twirling both Silyah and Novia around.
"No, I swear, I'm dangerous," Silyah laughed nervously, seeing Artemis at the corner of her eyes. The boy was staring back at her with a mischievous smirk. Was he laughing at her?
"Novia, go get him," requested Silver, who was enjoying herself a little too much at the others' expenses.
Somehow, the only syllable that could escape Silyah's mouth was no, but it was too late for anything. Novia had already ran towards an uncooperative Artemis, forcing him on the dance floor, pushing him towards Silyah while Silver was pulling her towards him.
"Let go of me!" said Artemis as if he just had been abducted, but Novia did not seem to listen to him… Until the two glowing teens were standing eyes in eyes, mere inches apart from each other, that is.
"Take my hand," mouthed Silyah as Silver attempted to make her move. Artemis sent her a look. "Trust me," she added with a devious smile. Silver and Novia slightly stepped away now that their work was done, but it was at this precise moment that Silyah was able to go on with her plan. "Now run for it!" she said over the music, yanking Artemis away from the crowd, laughing at the fact that she had gotten her way after all.
"All right, you escaped this time," Silver laughed along before amusement left her eyes and a mouthed "uh-oh" escaped her lips.
The District 3 tributes did not, however have the time to wonder why her expression had changed so quickly. They seemed to have bumped into a wall of some sort. Letting go of Silyah's hand, Artemis took a step back and raised his eyes. It had been no wall; it was Caskar and he was wearing quite the irritated expression. Red liquid was staining his shirt and his fist was tightly clenched around an empty glass. He raised his free hand in the air, taking a swing… But just as his fist was about to crash in Artemis's stomach, the music began to fade and an elevator sound was heard making everyone stop and stare.
Slowly, the doors opened and two peacekeepers emerged from the elevator, followed by a tall man dressed in the traditional Gamemaker outfit.
Caskar straightened his back, the shadow of nervous feeling settling in his throat.
The peacekeepers then moved to the man's side, revealing his identity as Plutarch Heavensbee's.
"Dear tributes," began the man. "The time has come for you to go back to your rooms. Thank you for participating in the 80th Hunger Games' Gathering." Somehow, even though the announcement had interrupted Caskar's punch, it had also felt like a bucket of cold water… "We hope you enjoyed your evening," he said, observing Katniss and Peeta before calling Districts 1 to 3 to the elevator.
Marvelous, thought Artemis as he walked towards the exit of the roof, Caskar's eyes burning down his back. The raven-haired boy gave the roof one last look and the doors of the elevator closed behind the group.
Now that there were no more unwanted witnesses around, Caskar turned to Artemis. "Nothing's going to save you now," smirked the District 1 boy when he turned to raven-haired teen, his fist back in the air.
"Don't you dare!" began Silyah who tried to stop Caskar before being tossed away in the corner of the glass elevator. There was no way the tall boy was going to listen to her.
Caskar grabbed Artemis's collar, pinning him to the wall in front of him. He then got hold of his tie and began to pull the knot tighter, unaware that he was crushing the circuitry sewed into the piece of clothing…
Deep down, Artemis hoped for something to happen; something other than receiving a fist on the temple, that is.
Suddenly, a brilliant white spark lit the glass elevator, sending Caskar shrieking at the back of the enclosed space. "Foul!" he shouted, clutching his injured, electrocuted hand. Just as he was about to launch towards Artemis for a second time, the doors of the elevator opened. With Geneva and Elon restraining Caskar, the District 3 tributes swiftly escaped.
"Did he hurt you?" asked Silyah, her worry showing through her voice as Artemis tried to loosen his tie.
Artemis shook his head. "I think that he was more shocked than I was in the end," he admitted, mentally slapping himself for using such a play on words.
For the fifth time in her life, Katniss watched the last two tributes – those from her own District – leave the safe place they had made of the Gathering. She felt like such a traitor; like the blackmailed puppet for the Capitol she was.
"Another successful year, I hope," said Plutarch, waiting for the elevator to come back up. "I would need your full report on the events of the night, as well as your analysis of the tribute's personalities for tomorrow morning," he whispered to make sure that Peeta, who was cleaning up the buffet table, would not hear.
Katniss followed Plutarch's gaze, stopping towards the blond man. "I still can't believe you're still forcing us to have this ridiculous Gathering," she spat. "When Peeta came up with the idea, it was with good intentions only and you somehow managed to turn it into a secret test without even telling him."
"Katniss… I have no say in what is to be done. My orders come from President Snow… But, I would like to remind you, Ms. Everdeen that the Capitol was rather generous with you and your fiancé by allowing you to get out of the arena and to postpone your wedding with Mr. Mellark to a date of your choosing in exchange for your training contracts… The least they now expect you to do is to pay back for those favors.