We watch district one makes their way through the obstacle course. One at a time they complete it with precision and speed.
"They did alright, speed could have been faster." Cato says.
"We will work on that in two days," Gloss says.
"Have them run around the track. Time them. If they beat their time three times, they can relax the rest of the day. Tell them that the second time around not the first," Enobaria says.
"Is that what you guys do at the academy?" Peeta asks.
"No, that's what my mentor did to me," she says. "In the academy you have more time then a few days to bring up speed."
"That makes sense. What do they do in the academy?" he asks.
"The younger kids?" he asks.
"Play tag," Cato says.
"They play games?" he asks surprised.
"Yes, it's easier to teach then that way," Cato replies.
"Lots of different games are played at the academy for all ages." I say.
"That actually sounds like fun," Peeta says.
"It can be. It's a lot of hard work so some fun can be nice to defuse the tension." I say.
District two does the obstacle course. The male gets the fastest time easily.
"Female is a little sluggish," Johanna says.
"That's because of Cato," Enobaria says. "But I will speak to her,"
"Cato? Why Cato?" Johanna looks shocked. Cato doesn't usually get involved in the tributes.
"She disrespected Aqua. He decided that her punishment would be being woken up at one AM to train till it was tribute training time." Brutus says with a chuckle. "She didn't even get breakfast."
"Ouch, Cato you monster," Johanna jokes.
"Grr," Cato fake growls.
"How does Johanna get away with calling Cato a monster, but Katniss doesn't?" Peeta asks generally curious.
"Because Cato knows Johanna is joking. And Johanna didn't work him up before hand." Gloss says. "None of us call the other monster unless we are joking."
"I guess that makes sense. Do you think Katniss will ever get along with you guys?" he asks.
"Yes, she will get shown the archery chamber tonight. Hopefully the week with only victors will help also. She will get invites to other districts for help with different things now that we all know that's what she needs," I say. "We will also invite her younger sister to attend the academy for a couple of weeks. So, she can learn to defend herself. She has many reaping's left."
"You all have a plan?" he asks.
"Of course, we do. We thought you both would want some space to figure your relationship out, but turns out you needed us, Peeta." Finn says.
Cato chuckles knowing I always have an extensive plan. I write it out for all the victors. He also knows I have been hard at work building Thresh's. She his transition is easier. I know Chaff will want to retire as a mentor. He will need lots of support next year.
"Why is Cato laughing?" Peeta asks.
"Because anyone who knows Aqua knows she has written plans for everyone in a couple of notebooks." Finn says.
"She has already started on Thresh's plan." Cato tells him.
"So, I would hazard a guess she has one for me?" Peeta guesses.
"I remember her writing to out watching you and Katniss play. When she realized you, both would win." Gloss says with a chuckle. "She was writing like a mad woman."
"I remember that. She was asking us all what we thought of you two and what we saw." Enobaria chimes in.
My cheeks turn a bright red and I turn back to the obstacle course. Three goes, they make it through. They are both strategic about it, but not fast.
"That will get them through the bloodbath," I say to Beetee.
"You're right. They should make it past bloodbath this year," he says with a smile.
Four goes and they don't make it through. They fall off.
"Well, sorry to see that Finn and Aqua," Johanna says. "Looks like bloodbath."
"We called it the moment we met them. It sucks but I hope they die quickly," Finn says.
"I agree," I say backing him up.
"Why would you say that?" Peeta asks appalled.
"It's better to be honest with yourself. If you think every tribute, you have is going to win you will hurt badly. But if you call it like you see it and pray for a swift painless death for them. What more can you ask for?" Beetee explains.
"We all in here know the pain of losing a tribute but knowing you will lose them helps ease the pain," Cashmere adds in.
"It also helps if their dicks too," Marvel jokes with a smile. We all laugh.
"There is so much Haymitch is missing in my education. He took Katniss under his wing, but I'm left to figure stuff out on my own." Peeta says.
"It's actually quite the opposite." I say.
"She doesn't get along with any of us, but Haymitch knows you do. You have all of us to teach you. He has to teach Katniss all by himself. Because she won't take lessons from anyone else but him. you will get taught as time goes on and you face the situations with us by your side. Katniss will have a harder time. So, he's working with her, so she isn't left behind." Finn explains.
We all nod agreeing.
"Katniss will find her place at some point but it won't be this year. We are all hopping nest year, but we all have to be prepared for the worst," I say.
"How do you and Finn always know just what to say?" Peeta asks.
"Remember Peeta we all went through similar things," Finn says. "Maybe not exactly the same but we do understand."
Duncan walks in and sits down.
"Oh, district seven obstacle course. I wish I was here from the start," Duncan says with a sigh.
"Don't complain," Cato says.
"Sure mom." Duncan comes back with. They both watch the screen. Seven falls. "Oooo sorry, Johanna."
"Yeah, I knew they were bloodbath. Just sucks that it's confirmed," she says with a sigh.
"You guys look like your still waiting for someone to go. Who are you waiting for?" he asks.
"Remember Thresh from last night," Cato says.
"Yeah, that beast. He's from district one right?" Duncan asks. Marvel, Gloss and Cashmere all shake their heads.
"No, he's eleven." Marvel tells him.
"What?!" Duncan exclaims is complete shock. "You have to be kidding me. They don't make them built like that usually."
"No, Cato thinks he might be this year's winner," I say.
"Yeah, I agree completely." Duncan says. "So, I guess we will be waiting for a while."
"Yeah, sorry." Finn says.
Duncan gets comfortable on the couch.
"He's just joining us?" Peeta asks confused.
"Yeah, why not?" Marvel asks.
"No reason, just curious. It doesn't seem like a normal peacekeeper thing to do." Peeta says.
"Don't worry Peeta. I'm not a normal peacekeeper," Duncan replies. "Did you do anymore baking?"
"No, I actually slept really well." Peeta says.
"That's unfortunate for me but fantastic for you. Good job, Peeta. You will be sleeping at night in no time at all." Duncan says.
"Thanks." Peeta replies with a smile. "If all peacekeepers were like you, we would have a lot less problems in twelve. "
"You get lots of problems in twelve?" Duncan asks, Peeta.
"Yeah, peacekeepers are very strict," he says.
"That's because those peacekeepers can't get respect the old-fashioned way. They need to have you fear them to listen. Good peacekeepers don't need to do that. I will see what Blaise can do." Duncan offers.
"really?" Peeta asks shocked.
"Yeah, a bad peacekeeper reflects badly on us all," Duncan says.
"There's Thresh!" Marvel exclaims sitting up quickly.
He sees Thresh step up to the plate. He looks nervous. If he takes it, one piece at a time he will get it. He is going at a good pace. He won't be the fastest, but he will be in the top three. He looks to be concentrating hard which is good. As soon as he completes it. we all stand and cheer. Not that he can hear us.
"He did really well," Brutus says.
"But he could still improve on his speed. The knife classes did help though," Enobaria says.
"He needs a bit more work on swimming today. Then traps. Have him run a few circuits at a pace he is comfortable with tonight." I plan out loud.
"If someone ever follows her full regiment for tributes, they would become victor legends." Cashmere says.
"She has a tribute regiment?" Peeta asks.
"That's what keeps Aqua sane. It's the planning. She makes one for each tribute. Watching and listening she gets the facts. She needs to be able to make the best planning for the tribute. Not many tributes want to follow it. Cato was the only one who willingly did, till Thresh," Finn explains.
"Cato forded me to follow it. I can't that Aqua enough," Marvel says.
"You didn't follow it Johanna?" Peeta asks.
"No, she wasn't telling anyone about it because I was the games after them." She says. "But I would have had I known about it. Seeing those plans now. I know they are tailored to each tribute and extremely detailed."
"What can I say? My sister is a god at planning," Finn says with a smile and a laugh.
"Did she make one for me?" Peeta asks.
"Your notebook is in her room. After we are done here ask Cato to get it for you. It has plans for training, victor plans. Training gets shoved in one book. Each victor gets their own book," Gloss says.
"She even watched old training and games to make to other victor's notebooks. So, they didn't feel left out. She has training notes for fourteen games worth of tributes and victor notes for all those games as well." Cashmere says "She put mine in a pink notebook and gave it to me. Gloss is in blue, Johanna's purple, Katniss is in red. If she ever wants it."
"Mine's green." Marvel says.
"Orange," Finn says.
"She even made one for her brother?" He asks surprised.
"Yeah, she made one for her from all of us. She keeps it in two because she doesn't want it to get ruined." Gloss says.
"I like Cato's the best. She gave him a white one but drew pictures on the front. He also taped his wedding picture in it," Seeder says. "But mine is yellow. What colour do you think Thresh's will be?"
"I'm thinking black or dark blue," I tell them my thoughts.
"I think dark blue would be the best," Finn says, "Maybe put a few stickers of dolphins on it."
"Good idea!" I agree with a smile.
"What's mine?" Peeta asks.
"Brown." Cato says.
"Why brown?" he asks.
"Because you mentioned you were a baker once during training. I wanted to remind you of baked bread." I explain
"You really put a lot of thought into the colour," he admits.
"Not really, sometimes it's just the colour I have on hand. Sometimes I really do have a reason though," I say.
"What are the plans for our tributes on their day off?" Finn asks me.
"I'm thinking start the day of with some swimming. Keep them calm. Teach them some survival stuff then prep them for interviews for the next night. Oh, and their private sessions." I say. I have it all in their section of my notebook.
"What do you think Thresh should be doing, sweetie?" Seeder asks.
"Have him take a dip in the pool with us then some sparring with Duncan. Duncan can perfect his technique. Have him throw a couple of knives and go for a jog. That will keep his skills sharp without tiring him out too much. I do recommend later in the day he learns the spear with Marvel in he isn't too tired. In the evening go over strategy and a few good traps to keep them fresh in his mind. Talk about what he plans on doing for his session. Game makers are bored by the time he gets there. So, he will need to wow then to get their focus." I say having everything already planned out.
"Holy shit! You have that kind of detailed plan for every tribute?" Peeta asks after he pick his jaw up off the floor in shock.
"Yeah, you can see my old notebooks if you would like," I say.
"Can I?" He asks.
"I wouldn't have offered if I wasn't okay with it." I say.
"Why don't you offer it to the other mentors?" he asks.
"If they ask I do, but otherwise it's rude." I say. "Usually the predicted winner's mentor asks."