Hey guys, I hope you like this. Also, we do have an actual reason that the Capitol is doing this to the Careers which we will find a way to cover that later so just read.
Kawino woke the next morning feeling good; better in fact than he had in...well ever. He got out of the bed and tested every muscle this feeling of health foreign to him.
He walked over to the mirror and was surprised. His body had gained proper muscle mass and an inch or so of height so he looked good for his age and the amount of time he exercised. He was not as big as Cato had been not even close, but he was really good. He noticed that the train wasn't moving though so he got changed and left the room figuring they had arrived.
"Well look who filled out," Enobaria said.
"Well, yeah… I noticed in there mirror. It's quiet surprising actually." Kawino said awkwardly.
"Kawino?" Ria asked as she came out. She had trouble believe what she so clearly saw, "You look…"
"Odd?" He asked.
"Different?" Enobaria asked.
"Both, and hot..." She admitted blushing.
Kawino blushed as well at that, "You think so?"
"Yeah I really do, I mean you were just cute before but now...Finnick better pray you do not win you'll take his spot as ladies favorite," She said.
"Don't be ridiculous, there's no way I look THAT good looking."
"Beg to differ," she said.
"If you say so, aren't we supposed to get out now?"
"Right! So how will you two play this?" Enobaria asked.
"Just the traditional Career route?" Ria suggested at more of a question.
"If you feel that is what is best," She said.
"Well, it's the safest route." Ria said.
"I suppose," Enobaria said.
"Brutus thought so." She added.
"Well, he usually has good judgment here,"
"I don't think that would be best for me though." Kawino said.
"Why not?" Ria asked.
"Because I have a plan," Kawino said vaguely.
"You do?" Ria asked
Kawino nodded, "Enobaria had approved it as well." Ria looked between them wonderingly, "I'm going to let them know the truth."
"The truth?" Ria asked confused.
"About our district,"
"Are you sure that's wise?" She asked.
"It could fix everything." Kawino said simply. "If not than it can't get any worse."
"What about our families?" She asked.
"What about them? Yours will be fine and mine will be dead. Problem solved."
"Well, I suppose," She said.
"So, what do you think I should go with right now?" Kawino asked Enobaria getting back on topic.
"Strong and silent, or attractive," She said.
"Or both," Ria suggested.
"Okay, she has the best idea," Enobaria said
Kawino nodded, "Alright, let's go then."
"Are you both ready?" Enobaria asked. They both nodded though nervous. "Alright," she said pushing the door open.
They both put on the personals they were instructed to. The reactions were tremendous; the camera's began to flash.
Kawino was surprised by this but kept his face emotionless and his arms crossed over his chest.
Enobaria nodded approvingly as they walked towards the Remake Center.
They made it there and Kawino and Ria separated into their own rooms to meet their prep team. Kawino sighed pacing waiting for the prep team. He's heard a few things about this part from Enobaria and was not looking forward to it.
The door opened and in came a women with pale orange skin, black hair and Yellow cat like eyes first. "Well, girls we have something to work with this year!" She called.
A woman with green jewels implanted throughout her skin came in a squealed when she saw him. "Oh, he is brilliant," She said excitedly as a third women came in.
She had zebra print skin and seemed to have no whites to her eyes which were all black she too smiled. "Absolutely stunning," The third women said.
"Thank you?" Kawino said a little confused.
"It's looking like we won't have much to do actually but still some." the cat eyed women said walking around him.
Kawino was just standing not knowing what to say. "Well, you girls know what we have to do now." The zebra print girl smirked.
Kawino gulped, not sure what was coming next. He questioned if that was actually part of the usual process or they were just taking advantage of him when they stripped him naked. He cleared his throat trying to get their attention and they all turned to him when he did. "Is this really necessary?" He asked.
"Yes it is, you do it with all the tributes so that you can be sure not to miss anything." The jeweled one said.
"Okay, I guess" He said.
So they set to work and he was trimmed and shaped hair and nails, dunked in different chemical baths, and the other prep things but not waxed because he's a boy. "Well, that should about cover it," The Zebra skinned one said still eyeing him up and down.
Satisfied, she handed him a thin robe to put on. "Thank you," He said.
"Alright, he's ready for Annia to see him." The cat eyed one concluded.
"Yes, he is" The jewel one said. The three of them left and he was alone again.
"Thank goodness," He sighed.
A few minutes later a women on undeterminable age with normal skin, slightly pink hair, a skin tight pink dress, and a pair of high heels. "So, you're Kawino?" She asked smiling
Kawino nodded, "That's me. You must be Annia?"
"That I am, it's a pleasure to meet you, my team is rather excited about you," She said.
"I kind of gathered that. So, what's your plan for me?" Kawino asked.
"We need to tastefully show you off," She said.
"Not too much right?" Kawino asked not wanting to be too exposed for the whole world to see.
"Not too much, but not too little," She said carefully.
"What exactly are you getting at?" Kawino asked.
"Just what I said,"
"Well, how will you be portraying that?" He asked.
"I have an idea," She said.
"Then show me." He insisted. She left and came back with a dark red toga black boots and a golden arm brace. "Nice," Kawino said looking it over.
"Glad you like it," She said. She helped him get into the outfit. "Perfect," She said stepping back to look at him.
"Absolutely perfect, the sponsors will be tripping over themselves."
"What does everyone see in me?" Kawino asked.
"You're hot." Annia said simply. "You just need to accept that."
"I don't really know what you mean," he said.
"How could you not think so?"
"I have never been told that before today," He said.
"You haven't?" She asked surprised by that.
"Really," he shrugged.
"Well, I find that hard to believe." She said since she has not idea about his home life.
"If you knew more about me you wouldn't." He sighed.
She looked at his facial expression for a while before sitting next to him, "Kawino, someone's been hurting you haven't they?"
"I...well… yeah they have," He said glumly. He was surprised when she pulled him into a hug. "What's wrong?" He asked returning the hug awkwardly.
"I'm just really sorry to hear that. Would you like to talk about it?"
"I don't want to burden you with my problems," He said.
"You wouldn't be. I just want to help."
"Do we have time?" He asked.
"The parade doesn't start until sunset." Annia said.
"Okay," He said starting the story.
"That's awful." She said once he was done put there seemed to be something different then the other people he had told that to.
"You seem to understand more than most," He said.
"Well," Annia started awkwardly and took a make-up wipe cleaning some of the concealer make-up from her face. Her right eye was blackened and there were bruises on her face.
"Who did this to you?" He asked shocked.
"My husband,"
"Why?" He asked.
"It's just when he's dunk, he'd get really mad at different things, and take it out on me or our daughter."
"He hits you both," Kawino growled dangerously.
"Kawino, don't. It's okay."
"No one should beat a woman," he growled.
"It's okay." She repeated. "Just don't try to get involved."
"Why not?" He asked.
"Because it's okay, this," She motioned around the bruises, "isn't your fight."
"I want to help you though," He said honestly.
"I don't need help. My daughter has a plan she's been working on for almost her whole life. She's going to escape and then I'll file a divorce, okay? Does that make you happy?"
"Not really, your still stuck there now and then you would not have your daughter," He said
"I can handle it. She leaving one your games start relying on them as a distraction and then she'll actually be happy. I can't just take that away from her and there really are no other options." Annia said quietly not wanting anyone to overhear since her daughters plans is grounds for either immediate execution or Avoxation.
"What if I win? Would you let me kill him if I win?" Kawino asked.
She seemed to hesitate but then said, "Alright."
"Really?" He asked.
She nodded and started to put some more concealer on since she'll need it when they head down. He smiled slightly he wanted to hug her, but was not sure she wanted him to so he stood in place. "Go ahead," She allowed.
He hugged her, smiling slightly.
"You're a great kid, Kawino, no matter what your parents say."
"Thank you, your daughter is lucky to have a mother like you," He asked.
"You really think so?" She asked.
"I really do, I would love to meet her sometime," He said.
"Well, that might make it a little difficult." Annia said.
"Sorry," He said.
"It's okay. I'll see if I can find something."
"Okay," He said nodding.
A few hours later, they arrived at their chariot which came with beautiful bronze horses. However, right away, Kawino's eyes seemed to fixate on a girl quite a while down with straight black hair in a black jumpsuit, headset, and cape. He's not sure what exactly drew his attention but once it did he couldn't look away. "Kawino are you okay?" Enobaria asked noticing his slightly dazed face.
He didn't respond so she followed his gaze, "Kawino, stop staring at 12. I know that's not your intention but you're most likely just scaring her by doing that. You have to keep in mind what her district sees us as." Enobaria warned in a whisper.
"I… what?" He asked shaking himself
"Why were you staring at her?" Enobaria asked.
"I don't know I feel, odd" He said.
"Well, that is unfortunate." Enobaria said picking up on what that meant.
"What?" He asked.
"You're getting a crush. Pretty good pick though, apparently her little sister was reaped but she volunteered to take her place."
"She volunteered to protect her family. What's a crush?" He asked.
"It means that you wish you could date her." Enobaria said knowing he knows what that is from Cato and Clove.
"Oh! So what do I do?" He asked.
"Well, that's where the unfortunate part came in." Enobaria said sadly. "In this case you need to get over her before you get too attached since your both going into the Hunger Games together where her survival would require your own death."
"Oh, right" he sighed.
"I'm sorry, Kawino." She sighed.
"Not your fault," he said starring at her quickly again.
"I might be able to talk to Haymitch and see if I could get her as an ally," Enobaria suggested since that's the best she could do in this situation, "but it's very unlikely she'd say yes. At least not, now."
"Could you try?" He asked.
"No problem, I could go talk to him right now if you'd like." He smiled and nodded slightly, "Will do." She said and headed over to their chariot.
"Haymitch," She said when she was close enough.
Haymitch turned to her with a frown, "What do you want, Enobaria?"
"I just want to talk. Can you come with me for a minute?" She asked.
Though hesitant, he followed her.
"I wanted to discuss the possibility of an alliance," She said once the tributes could not hear them.
"My tribute Kawino had requested your girl tribute as an ally."
"Really?" He asked surprised since 2 usually had the normal career pack.
"Yes, really. He had actually requested to stay away from the other Careers but wanted some different allies and she caught his eye with how she had volunteered to save her sister."
"Well I think that it can be arranged if we can do this right," Haymitch said.
"Thank you. It is important to him." Enobaria said.
"Is that so?" He asked glancing over at the boy.
"His own sister had died in last year's Hunger Games." Enobaria said sadly.
"Oh, I see" Haymitch said sadly remembering coming home to find his own brother dead.
"Yeah, so can you please at least talk to her about it?"
"Okay, but I cannot guarantee anything I will have her approach him in training with what we decide," He said.
"Of course," She nodded understanding.
"See you later then," He said.
"See you later." She said and left back to Kawino.
"So?" He asked.
"He'll talk with her and she'll let you know in training."
Kawino nodded as they were told to boarded the chariot
"Just keep the same technique as getting off the train." Enobaria whispered as he got on.
"Right, where is Ria?" He asked.
Ria climbed up in a similar outfit but with a sleeveless leather belly shirt, "Right here."
"You look great," He said.
"Thanks, not as good as you though." Ria said with a slight blush as their chariot begun to move only being the second out.
"Nah," He said masking his mood. She tried to chase away the blush and put on a confident smirk.
They were both perfectly in place when they rolled out. Just as usual with the Careers, the crowd loved them. Girls and women admired Kawino with lust. "I told you." Ria whispered to him.
"What?" He asked.
"They love you,"
"Do they?" He asked.
"Yeah, just look." She pointed out.
"What?" He asked looking over at the women.
"What are you talking about?" He whispered confused.
"Do you see how women are looking at you?" She asked.
"No," He whispered.
"Look at them." She said.
They had made it to the city center and he looked again but now something else had caught their eyes. 12 was coming down and the girl looked incredible, beyond that even, as Kawino stared at her. He didn't even notice the unusual part until Ria looked and asked, "Wait... are they on fire?"
He looked again and they were, but they seemed relaxed. "Unbelievable," He breathed.
"Yeah they blew us all out of the water," Ria said.
"I guess 12 can have this one year considering all their previous ones."
"Yeah," Kawino said dazed.
"If it's not us I'm glad it's them." He whispered.
"What?" She asked looking at him.
"I'll tell you on our floor." He whispered. She nodded slightly. The rest of the chariots had arrived in the square and President Snow took the podium.
"Welcome to the 74th Annual Hunger Games!" He called out.
'I doubt any of us feel welcome.' Kawino thought. He rambled on with the usual welcoming speech after that.
Then the chariots headed back to the remake center and they were at last free to get down. Unfortunately they were not free to drop their personals… completely anyways. They did relax a little though. "Maybe we should just head back up." Kawino suggested.
"Good idea," Ria said.
So they and their team headed back to the elevator. They were met at the door next to 12.
"Um… hello…" Kawino said to Katniss awkwardly.
"Hello," Katniss said wearily.
"So… the fire…" Kawino said trying to find something at least.
"Yeah, it was my stylist," She said.
"Well… he certainly is gifted then." Kawino said but then they arrived on the second floor.
"Yeah, he is, bye," She said as the elevator left.
As she was heading up the other ten floors to her own. Katniss couldn't help but wonder what that was about. Sure it was just small talk but that was it. He was a Career and she was from District 12, what business did he have making small talk with her? Being Katniss she figured for sure he was just trying to think up dastardly ways to kill her.
"What has you so worried?" Peeta asked when she walked onto her floor and was met by him and Haymitch.
"He's from District 2." Katniss said simply. "You know how they are."
"Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that, Katniss," Haymitch said.
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"We have an interesting request for you," He said.
"A request?" She asked trying to figure out what that could possibly mean.
"Yeah for an alliance," Haymitch said.
"But 2 usually just forms their usual pack with the other Careers."
"Well they don't seem to want to this year," He said.
"That's what his mentor Enobaria claims anyways. She said you caught his attention with how you had volunteered to save Prim." He continued.
"Why would he care about that?" She asked
"Said that he lost his own sister in last year's Hunger Games."
"Oh really?" She asked.
"That's what she claims and they do have the same last name and look similar to support the claim." Haymitch pointed out.
"Oh please I say we don't accept, it's a lie," Peeta said.
"The offer was made to her not you," Haymitch said.
"I'll buy that they were brother and sister but even if so District 2 isn't very family oriented. After all, she wasn't thinking about how it would affect him when she volunteered. She was just thinking about the glory like every other Career." Katniss said.
"I suppose," Haymitch said.
Katniss sighed, "I'll think about it but it sounds like a trap."
"Well, consider it might not be," Haymitch said.
Katniss sighed and said, "I'll think about it."
"Good, well, let him know during training," Haymitch said.
"I will." She said wondering if she really would.
"Now, sleep both of you," He said. They both nodded and headed to their rooms but figured that it's unlikely they'll actually get any.
Kawino woke again feeling refreshed unlike last time he was an hour ahead of when Ria was due to be woken up. He got out of bed unsure of what to do. Having any free time at all was even more foreign to him. "Well this is awkward," He muttered to himself.
He left his room hoping that at least someone is up. He found that Enobaria and Brutus were both awake and eating. "Hey Enobaria. Hey Brutus." He greeted taking a seat.
"Early isn't it?" Enobaria asked.
"Is it?" He asked really having no idea.
"Well yeah a bit," She said worriedly.
"Is that a problem?" Kawino he asked.
"Not really, but you need sleep," She said.
"Isn't it getting close to when I had to be up for training anyways?"
"In about an hour," She said.
"So, I should go back to sleep then?" He asked.
"Well, no since you are already up,"
"You should eat though," She said pushing a plate of food in front of him. He began to eat the pancakes. "It's hard to believe anyone could do that stuff to their own child." Enobaria sighed angrily.
"I'm sorry," He said.
"What are you apologizing for?"
"Making you think about that," He said.
"Don't apologize for that Kawino."
"Okay?" He said confused.
"It's okay. Just continue eating. You'll need your energy."
"Right," He said eating faster. Thanks to the pills he took the night before last, it all stayed down.
When Ria came in he was already leaving to shower. Enobaria looked over the knives on the table make sure he hadn't swiped one, "One missing!" She said getting to her feet. She went over to Kawino and said as calm as possible, "Kawino, please, give me the knife." He sighed and handed it to her. "You can't be doing this stuff to yourself, Kawino. I just want to help you." She said taking it. "I think you need a new weapon of choice as well," She sighed.
"Well, name anything really. Sword, spear, bow and arrow, mace, trident, axes, awl, wire, slingshot, atlatl, blow darts. Frankly if I try hard enough I could win with an unsharpened pencil." Kawino sighed.
"What about a bow and arrows for long and mid-range?" She asked
"Not if she accepts the request." Kawino said greatly confusing Enobaria so he elaborated what we already know to be correct. "Can't you tell? The way she's build at her middle back, left arm, and right shoulder. I'm not sure how or why but one glance at her and whether she wants to admit it or play weak there's no denying you that she's an archer."
"So you can't be and you're sure?" She asked.
"I'm pretty sure and I'm just saying it might be a better idea to focus on something else then." Kawino said.
"Okay, what do you like?" She asked
"Again anything really," Kawino shrugged.
"Well, if you turn out to be right about the bow and arrow and she does accept then I'd say a mace that way you two could cover all three ranges." Enobaria suggested not wanting to say sword since that could easily lead to the same problem as the knives.
"I suppose, but are you sure I can't have knives just in case?" He asked.
"Well, with what you've been doing with them…"
"You don't trust me with them," he finished.
"It's not that I don't trust you," Enobaria said knowing how badly that could end.
"Seems that way," he said.
"I just want to protect you and sometime that has to be from yourself and you've already problem that it's not a good idea for you."
"Okay," He sighed.
"Now, just go get your shower." She said.
He nodded and left the room. "Is he going to be okay?" Ria asked worriedly.
"I am not sure honestly," Enobaria sighed.
"Well, I hope he will. When we were first talking in between Reapings he kept saying that he didn't want to win because he has nothing to live for."
"I think that might not be true anymore," Enobaria said.
"Yeah, at least I really hope not."
"I think his visitor before he left changed his mind," Enobaria said.
"Really? Who was it?" Ria asked.
"Cady," Enobaria said.
"And... who is she?" Ria asked not knowing her.
"She is the little sister of his sister's boyfriend," Enobaria said.
"Well, it's good that she was there for him." Ria noted.
"He's almost all she has left," Enobaria said.
"He is?" She asked.
"Yeah, her brother committed suicide after Kawino's sister died."
"He did mention something about that." Ria sighed.
"Yeah, so she has him and her parent's that's it,"
"Wow, poor girl."
"Yeah...so she does not want to lose him too,"
"That is completely understandable, the poor girl." Ria said looking down.
"She's only six." Enobaria said, "youngest Career to make the advanced class and rightfully so."
"She must be good," Ria said impressed.
"Extremely, not just weapons but she's the fastest and best climber. She'd always stay there the longest and work the hardest excluding Kawino and Clove obviously. She wanted to make certain that if she was ever reaped she could save not only herself but her family."
"Determined girl," Brutus said.
"Hopefully it was all for nothing though." Ria added.
"Yes hopefully," Enobaria said.
Ria sat down and dished herself up some food. "He'll be okay," Brutus said.
Ria nodded. "He'll be okay and I'll be dead but at least he made sure my family will be okay."
"What if you win?" Enobaria asked
"Then I'd be the next Annie Cresta."
"Winner by dumb luck?" Brutus asked.
"Exactly," Ria nodded.
"So not sell yourself short," Brutus said.
"I'm only thirteen." Ria pointed out but Enobaria just shrugged.
"So? I was twelve but I still won."
"And she was smaller than you at that point," Brutus said.
"Well, she didn't have to go up against Kawino."
"Fair point,"
"See?" She sighed starting to eat.
"Well, we shall see," She sighed.
"I guess. I will try though."
"Good," He said.
And Kawino and Katniss have officially met! And Kawino has a crush on her so we have a love square but will she accept his offer of an alliance or reject him as the bloodthirsty Career she thinks he is. You'll see next chapter but review and tell us your thoughts. Also, as an archer I know it actually is possible to tell that someone's an archer if they have been for long and/or often enough which Katniss obviously has and that probably was included in Kawino's nonstop training.