Chapter One-Hundred-and-Eight; Alliances
Haymitch snickered as Stephanie stared with a dumbfounded expression at the horse that was trotting around the paddock in front of her.
However Stephanie wasn't too bothered by Haymitch's poorly concealed amusement as she spotted other tributes gathered around nearby paddocks, wearing similar expressions.
It seemed District 3 wasn't the only one that was devoid of varied wildlife.
"Come on sweetheart – let's get you a seat," Haymitch muttered after allowing her another few moments of blatant gawping.
Stephanie allowed Haymitch to direct her over towards a seating area of some sort under a huge marquee.
Circular tables covered in rich, red cloths were already set up and food and drink supplies were constantly being replenished by waiting staff.
Stephanie swiped something from one of the plates as she passed, munching on it hungrily as Haymitch led her to one of the tables that held a clear view of the racing tracks below.
Stephanie plopped herself carelessly down into one of the seats while Frenkin peered over the railing, his eyes wide as he took in the sprawling vistas.
Stephanie polished off the last of her savoury snack feeling the most relaxed she had ever been at any event before.
She knew it had a great deal to do with her resolution not so long ago that she would win the Hunger Games; not because Seneca had promised her she would, nor even because Haymitch believed she could, but because she herself had finally allowed herself to admit that she stood a chance.
The hope her decision permitted soared in her heart making her feel almost light; freer and brighter than she had felt since her name had been called on that fateful Reaping Day what seemed a lifetime ago.
The rushing, giddy whisper of the cool breeze, the steady warming heat of the sun on her bare shoulders and being surrounded by plains of green grass, all only served to heighten her sense of new-found freedom.
Frenkin gasped suddenly in awe; his blue eyes wide as he looked down at the wide oval of the main racetrack that was hemmed in with white, picket fencing.
A few horses were racing around the track as a warm-up; their chestnut coats burnishing gold as the sun fell on them. There were also the flashes of silken colour of their riders as they urged their steeds on faster.
Stephanie watched in wonderment too. Every other Capitol event they had attended she had dreaded and thoroughly hated. She hadn't understood the appeal of the Capitol's incessant parties and the ability to enjoy clothes shopping seemed entirely foreign to her. However Stephanie mused that this would perhaps be one of the rarest occasions that she might actually be able to appreciate what the Capitol people saw in their entertainment.
It was certainly nice to be outside sitting under the sun.
The tributes had been given a half hour to 'settle' as Isa had explained it to them. Stephanie had arched a dark brow; irked at how the tributes were made to sound as much like animals as the actual horses. However she considered it was most likely due to the fact that the camera crews wanted more than just endless shots of speechless tributes staring at horses or the usual wondered gazes, and so had given the tributes a half hour to get all the gaping out of their system to be ready for the cameras.
The Capitol was hungry now for more than just tributes smiling sweetly at the cameras and saying how overwhelmed and amazed they were by the scenery and the events.
The reporters were greedy for more unbridled displays like at The Chandelier Rooms when Vir had attacked Cron. The act may have caused public outrage amongst some Capitolites but what mattered most was they were still talking about it. Every reporter was searching for more violence, more unexpected, more scandal.
However despite the ulterior motive behind it, the brief respite from the cameras and Capitol crowds did wonders for Stephanie's nerves. Glancing around at the other tributes Stephanie could see it was the case for most others as well.
Out here in the open, green space it was possible to imagine for a few brief moments that the Capitol and the Hunger Games really were a world away; a figment of some horrible imagination.
Frenkin bounced over to his seat beside Stephanie and Haymitch.
"It's so green," he told them with a sheepish grin.
Stephanie laughed in agreement with him before Frenkin was bounding over to the railing again to watch the horses.
"We should have a huge garden," Stephanie said resolutely to Haymitch as the breeze ruffled her hair.
Haymitch furrowed his brow in baffled amusement at her.
"I mean when we get back…after – all…this," Stephanie gestured vaguely, smiling ruefully as Haymitch was just slightly lapse in concealing the shock that registered initially on his face at her words.
"Lots of grass," Stephanie continued on blithely, "Trees and flowers. I saw a picture in a textbook in school of these flowers called daffodils – I think they would be nice," she added with a grin.
Haymitch recovered from his original shock to fix Stephanie with a smirk. "Are we going to live in a field or a house?" he asked wryly while Stephanie rolled her eyes.
But all the same a silent, mutual look passed between them as similar smiles tugged at their lips. The Capitol wouldn't win this time – a lifetime existed beyond the Games that they were both determined to live and see it now.
And Haymitch couldn't help but grin as he saw the bright gleam in Stephanie's eyes. It was a look that he hadn't seen since Stephanie had kissed him under the fireworks what seemed years ago.
The girl that Haymitch had thought the Capitol would take from him was sitting before him once more, basking in the sunlight.
"Maybe a house in a field?" Stephanie mused aloud, her voice lilting with laughter and it was Haymitch's turn to roll his eyes.
The shadows from their gazes weren't chased away completely. They had seen too much, especially Haymitch, for one afternoon of bright sunshine and hope to erase years of horror. But the shadows had most definitely receded to the periphery of their thoughts.
There was still much more darkness to face yet. The Games would be a harrowing ordeal for them both and as though their thoughts were intune, Haymitch caught Stephanie's gaze as it flickered for a moment to Frenkin.
Frenkin gave out a jovial exclamation as the horses leapt over one of the stationed jumps and Stephanie smiled at him, though the action was tinged with sadness.
Haymitch let out a measured breath as he too looked towards Frenkin, his thoughts darkening for a few moments. Yes, there was definitely more horror that they had to endure.
Stephanie caught Haymitch's hand under the table, entwining her fingers tightly with his.
The other tributes around them were starting to engage with one another, re-visiting the topics of alliances, and having the first opportunity to discuss the postponed training from a tribute's perspective.
Mentors were also conversing quietly or giving last minute prepping speeches to their jittery tributes, before the usual horde of overwhelming Capitolites would join them and the camera crews.
As Stephanie's gaze drifted over the tributes and mentors around her she found a new determination flow through her.
Stephanie leaned across discreetly to Haymitch who minutely tilted his head to acknowledge he was listening though his gaze never once strayed towards her.
"I've been thinking…" Stephanie began cautiously.
Haymitch quirked a brow. "Always dangerous," he muttered and Stephanie smirked ruefully as she nudged him admonishingly beneath the table.
Her expression sobering once more she voiced her thoughts. "About – alliances," she clarified, allowing herself to study Haymitch's expression.
She saw the shock flit briefly across his face and a rueful smirk tugged at Stephanie's lips for a moment as she considered she really couldn't blame Haymitch.
Apart from the brief occasion when Stephanie had looked close to fainting when Haymitch had merely begun to discuss the arena in general terms – Haymitch and Stephanie hadn't really seriously sat down to talk about real strategies for the actual Games.
Stephanie could tell that Haymitch was grimly pleased in a way that they were now talking about such vital topics. She could also see that he was subtly relieved that it was her who had brought it up.
Haymitch hadn't looked forward to broaching the subject with Stephanie again, though he knew it was necessary for them to have a brutally candid conversation about the Games and Stephanie inside the arena.
Haymitch took a deep breath as though considering and then he decided that honesty really was the best policy in this case. He had never sugar-coated anything in his life and he wouldn't start now.
"Your pickings are slim – virtually non-existent unless we can get you a decent training score."
Stephanie nodded, her eyes narrowed. She had known as much and she appreciated that Haymitch wasn't trying to gloss things over for her. It may still send ice-cold shards of fear spiking through her to discuss these things as she broke out in a clammy sweat, but she needed the truth about her situation if she was going to win.
Stephanie took another deep, shuddering breath as her gaze travelled around her surroundings once more.
Very soon the usual Capitol crowd would trample in on their brief moments of peace. They would need to be ready for the cameras.
By the flitting gazes of those around her and the hurried, hushed conversations between mentors and tributes taking place, Stephanie guessed that she wasn't the only one speaking about such things.
Stephanie surmised that other mentors were no doubt encouraging their tributes to cement alliances now.
The Careers stood in a huddle; all looking as epitomes of beauty and strength holding themselves tall. Once Stephanie would have shuddered and felt faint and sick to her stomach as she looked at them, but now she was able to push the nerves back. She knew the Careers were strong; they always were – but what was the point dwelling on it? Constantly terrifying herself with the thought wouldn't make them any less strong. It would be more use to concentrate on a solution.
Stephanie shifted in her seat as she returned her eyes to Haymitch, discarding all pretence now of avoiding his gaze. "What score would I have to at least get to have any chance of a decent alliance?" Stephanie asked seriously.
Haymitch frowned as he eyed her for a moment, "At least an 8."
Stephanie released a long, despondent sigh; well, she hadn't really expected anything better.
Frenkin dropped into the chair beside them suddenly disrupting them. The wind had tousled his honey hair and he had an innocent smile on his lips. However his expression sobered as he noted the graver looks on Stephanie and Haymitch's faces.
"The horses are lining up now," he told them, a pink blush stealing into his cheeks.
Stephanie forced herself to give him a bright smile. "Have you a favourite?" she inquired breezily.
Frenkin grinned sheepishly even as his eyes told Stephanie he knew what she was doing. "The one in green and gold," he replied.
A high gabble of noise made them all snap their heads around and in the near distance approaching they could see the collection of Capitolites; dogged camera crews, eager escorts and stylists and the overzealous crowds.
An almost inaudible ripple of despondent sighs sounded from amongst those gathered.
Haymitch leaned across to her. "We'll talk about this when we get back," he murmured and Stephanie nodded.
"For now just play nice," Haymitch said directing his words to both Frenkin and Stephanie, who comprehended their meaning instantly.
The Games were drawing nearer, and they had to secure alliances now if at all.