Chapter 3: The Roof and Training Begins
I don't own this series, my OC does belong to me and we can now get on with the next chapter. Rate and Review, guys :)
Thorne had shed his Parade outfit and had changed into a pair of loose fitting black trousers with a plain black t-shirt, finding that Katniss had changed into something similar only she wore a black tank top. They then headed downstairs for dinner with Haymitch and Effie, the latter of which offered them a small smile when they arrived.
"Dig in. You need all the strength you can get" she said brightly.
"Yeah, training begins tomorrow" Haymitch said gruffly.
"Any particular advice for that?" Katniss asked.
"Three things. First and foremost, you keep any and all strengths hidden until you're asked to perform in front of the Gamemakers. The less your competitors know, the easier it would be able to catch them off guard" he said and the other two nodded. "Secondly, I know that you know how to hunt and thus have more survival skills. Brush up on them, use what you know in these and take note of anything that you didn't know before. And lastly, branch out. Learn how to use weapons that you normally wouldn't use"
"Noted" Thorne said simply.
"Every night after training, I want to know what you've learned" Haymitch said and they both nodded.
They settled into a comfortable silence, broken occasionally by some idle chatter, mostly questions on what both Katniss and Thorne used to do. They left the information about hunting out, as did Hatmitch who knew far more than he let on. Thorne explained that he was his mother's assistant when she would heal the wounded whilst Katniss explained that the role was filled by her sister. She would be the one to gather the herbs that grew locally albeit rarely in the District.
Katniss then politely excused herself when she had finished and Thorne started to feel uncomfortable. Social was a word that was only in Thorne's vocabulary if Katniss and Gale were there, otherwise, he didn't stick around. He loved peace and quiet, not awkward silence, so he finished off what was on his plate at a painful pace before wiping his mouth with a napkin before he turned to Effie.
"I'm done for the evening. Good night" he said with a ghost of a smile.
"Good night, dear. I'll wake you up for breakfast" she said and he nodded. He turned to Haymitch.
"Good night" he said politely.
"Night" the mentor grunted out.
He couldn't have got away faster. Thorne headed into his room immediately and climbed under the sheets, before closing his eyes, intent on getting sleep. Only he found that he couldn't get comfortable on the soft mattress with plump pillows and thick duvet. Then he remembered that Effie said the roof was a good place to reflect or relax. The garden up there was beautiful.
His mind made up, he shot out of the room as fast as he entered it, then he went to the elevator and hit the button for the roof. The ride up took seconds and soon he was stepping into a large dome which provided him with a view of the city in all directions. Then he saw something that made him smile.
There was a garden outside with plenty of wild flowers, all of them white. As well as the flowers, there were trees that were in bloom. Thick branches that would support his weight easily, not that he was heavy anyway. It was the closest thing he had to the forest that had been a constant sanctuary in his life
and he'd be damned if he wasn't going to relish in it whilst he was still here.
It was a cool night when he stepped out of the dome, a light breeze in the air that caressed his skin and it relaxed him. Nights like this in District 12 would be spent in his shared room with his parents and he would remain looking out the window, gazing at the stars. He climbed the tree with ease and propped himself on the branch, one leg dangling off the edge, the other bent at the knee, his arm resting on his knee. He closed his eyes and breathed out a sigh of bliss.
(Cato's POV)
Cato had to get out of there. His stylist was annoying, Clove wouldn't stop hanging off the edge of his arm and Enobaria was quick to offer him a place to escape to after they had dinner. The roof was hardly ever used. So here he was in the elevator, relishing in the quiet, the weightlessness on his arm where Clove would hang off. It was blissful.
The elevator opened and he stepped into a massive dome that provided the most amazing view of the Capitol he had seen so far. Something in the corner of his eye catches his attention and he turns to see someone laying in a tree. He squinted to see who it was and immediately he smiled. The boy from 12 he had seen after the Tribute Parade. Without the costume, the makeup and the gel used to spike his hair, he looked more amazing, more normal.
His face was peaceful and he looked like he belonged in the trees. During the Reaping for District 12 he saw the forests that surrounded and he wondered if he broke the rules and headed into them if he wanted to. The forest was his element and if the arena is in fact that, then they'd likely be in trouble. Not to mention that both him and his District partner were the strongest Tributes he had seen since he could remember.
He decided to go out there. A Career taking a friendly interest in someone from an outlying District is virtually unheard of, but he wanted to see that slight quirk of his lips. That and he wanted to break the stereotype of his District.
The truth of the matter was that he didn't want to be a Career. He'd kill, he knew he had to. However, there was something about this boy that made him not want to kill him. He approached the trees and he was surprised that a pair of stormy gray eyes shot open in alarm as though he had sensed him.
(Thorne's POV)
Been a hunter meant you had to have good hearing. Over time, his hearing became sensitive for the slightest of movements. So when he heard the slight footsteps on the concrete path in the garden, his eyes shot open in alarm.
"Woah!" he heard someone say, obviously startled.
He looked down and he saw the boy from 2, icy blue eyes coming back from been startled to amused and he allowed himself to relax. Or at least calm down slightly as he was in the presence of a Career that would likely end his life in the arena.
"How'd you know I was coming?" he asked.
"Something I picked up" he said, preferring not to speak of illicit activities in the Capitol.
"Mind if I join you?"
"Sure one of the branches can take your weight?" he asked wryly and the other chuckled.
"You calling me fat?"
"Muscle weighs more than fat"
Then he realized what he had just said. He'd been looking at the boy from 2's body, both to know what he was against and also for his own viewing pleasure. His crap timing in having feelings doesn't mean he wouldn't look. He was a teenager after all.
"This is true" he said and then he began to climb, finding a thicker branch. "However in this case, it's not an issue"
The two of them sat in a relatively comfortable silence then. Cato must have realized that he didn't speak much and decided to respect that, but he was quick to reply earlier. What made him so comfortable around this boy? Anyone else would have left the roof by now, but here he was, lounging in a tree with a Career. It's the most social he has been with a stranger since he had arrived in the Captiol.
"You're not much for talking are you?" he asked.
"Never have been" the hunter replied simply.
"That your reason for coming up here?" he asked and the other scoffed.
"I don't do social unless Katniss is there. Yet here I am, talking to a Career. Name's Thorne" he said and the other was glad he couldn't be see on his branch. He'd flinched when he was called a Career.
"Cato" he introduced simply. "So is there a reason for the silence?" he asked.
"Not really. It's more District related" he said and the blond raised a brow.
"District related?"
"The only time people really talk in Twelve is during the Games. Friends are few for adults and in my part of the District, you never know when someone's going to drop from starvation. I have two friends, one of which is with me, the other is at home. And then there's my parents. They're the only ones that I talk to" he spoke softly and Cato felt a pang a sympathy for the boy.
"Sounds rough" Cato says, not knowing what else to say.
"It is. It's messed up that it takes the Games to get me and my District talking to one another"
They slipped back into a silence. Thorne was still a little unnerved. It was virtually unheard of for a Career to willingly socialize with a Tribute from an outlying District and those that did often used their friendship to lull them into a false sense of security and then they die. It made for a beautiful twist for the people watching in the Capitol and it would sadden the Districts even more. So he was more wary of this, for Cato looked like a killer, even if the smile he gave him when he dismounted the chariots was warm.
"Not that I'm not grateful for the company but why me?" he asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Come on, Cato. You know as well as I do that someone from a Career District associating in any way with someone from an outlying District is odd" he said with a grin.
"If I tell you this, will you keep it to yourself?" he said and the other urged him on. "I don't want to kill, I never wanted to be a Career. All I wanted to do was make my parents proud of me. Always difficult to please, they were" he said and the other swung around on his branch so he could look at him, sympathy in his gray eyes.
"And that was the only way?" he asks quietly.
.
"Looks like it" the blond replied. "You're a great listener, Thorne" Cato said and the other chuckled.
"Silence has it's advantages, Cato. I'm always there for those who need to talk, even if I'm not social" he said with an earnest smile. "I'm going to turn in for the night. You should do the same, what with training tomorrow" he suggested.
He dropped off the tree, landing almost as light as the Autumn leaves would, barely any sound made from his impact. Cato merely climbed down, unable to match his mastery in the trees and they headed into the elevator together, Thorne hitting the 12 and 2 buttons. The ride was short for him and he got out, turning to the blond with a soft smile.
"Rest well" he said, voice barely a whisper.
"You as well" Cato said, the door closing.
Thorne turned and made to go to his own room when he spotted Katniss looking at him with a massive grin on her face. He mentally rolled his eyes. Her hardened exterior and attitude merely covered the girl that was below, and she was having one of those girly moments.
"You want me to start singing?" she asked teasingly
"You're going to do it anyway" he said with a grin.
"Cato and Thorne sitting in a tree..." she began and he burst out laughing at the irony of her statement and she raised a brow.
"Ironically, we were sat in a tree. And before you carry on, we didn't kiss" he said, before softening his features. "I'm going to bed, Kat. I'll see you in the morning" he said, walking towards her and giving her a small hug which she returned, slightly shocked. Perhaps Cato was bringing something out in him and it brought a smile to her face.
His reserved manner was his characteristic, yet it was nice to see him display his emotions a little more, it was nice to hear his voice as well. If only it didn't take the Games to bring it out. Thorne pulled away and walked a little further down the hallway and disappeared into his room. Katniss felt sorry for him. His first crush may very well be his last and the first time he shows his emotions and is more social could also be the last she saw of him like this. With those unfortunate thoughts in mind, she turns around and walks back into her room, intent on doing what her friend and hunting partner was and that was getting some rest.
(Following Morning)
He had to pull down the quarter zip on the tight t-shirt of his training uniform. It was suffocating him. Visible now was a small part of his broad chest as well as the chain that hung loosely, the wolf pendant going a little bit further down. When Katniss walked out, he nearly gawked. He'd always seen her when she had layer upon layer of clothing, but this uniform brought out the curves in her body and displayed her bust.
"Is it that noticeable?" she asked, looking down,
"You have curves. Gale will be lucky" he teased lightly and she punched him on the arm.
"Well look at those muscles. Cato will surely be enjoying the view and lets not forget said lovely little backside" she teased back and he tried to look back. "Yes it's that noticeable" she added and the hunter blushed a little.
"I won't tease if you don't" he said.
"Deal" she replied.
They walked down the hallway and into the living room, finding Effie at the table with a mug of coffee and her breakfast consisting of toast and fruit. Thorne grabbed his own toast with blackcurrant jam and an apple, before pouring himself a glass of orange juice and joining her.
"Morning you two" the escort said, upbeat as ever.
"Morning Effie" they replied in near unison.
They sat in a comfortable silence as they slowly ate their breakfast when Haymitch joined them and after doing a double take, he examined them in their uniform. They were worried as to why he was looking at them so intently.
"You'll certainly attract attention" Haymitch said as he went to grab his breakfast.
"How?" Katniss asked.
"The Gamemakers will be analyzing your skills the whole time. You're physical condition will also have an impact on their judgement. Katniss, you're body is light, meaning you'll be more agile and capable of remaining in the trees. Thorne, you're more muscly but you also look quite light on your feet, so that means you have strength and stealth on your side as well" Haymitch explained and they nodded.
"Just make an impression with the weapons and survival skills" Effie advised, polishing off her coffee.
They finished their breakfast, before heading to the elevator with Effie who was escorting them to the actual Training Rooms. It was before ten when they arrived, but they were still the last ones to arrive. As soon as the clock struck ten they were ordered to gather in a circle around Atala, head trainer for the duration of their stay.
"In two weeks, twenty three of you will be dead. One of you will be alive. Who that is depends on how much you pay attention to what I'm about to say. First, no fighting with the other Tributes. You'll have plenty of time for that in the arena" Cato caught Thorne's eyes and he smiled warmly as they listened, one that the hunter returned whilst out the corner of his eye, he caught Katniss' smirk. "First, don't ignore the survival skills. Everyone wants to run in and grab a weapon but most of you will actually die from natural causes. Exposure could kill you as easily as any weapon" she said. "There will be three mandatory training exercises that must be completed within the three day training period, the rest will be individual training" she explained before dismissing them.
Thorne decided to get the mandatory exercises done out of the way. They mainly consisted of basic survival skills such as lighting fires, finding shelter as well as basic plant identification. All of these, he and Katniss breezed through with little difficulty, so the trainers at each one amped up the difficulty but were again easily passed.
"We'll split up, learn some more skills" Katniss said and he nodded.
"Agreed. Meet you for lunch?" he asked and she nodded
"Oh, by the way, no swordplay with Cato" she said with a wink and he blushed furiously before turning his attention to the throwing knives.
He wasn't known to use a knife unless he was finishing off a kill and that was a melee action. He knew that throwing knives would be a bit more difficult to handle. What made it worse was that he had to watch Clove, the female of 2, throw knives with speed and accuracy that rivals his firing rate and his accuracy with a bow. Needless to say, he wasn't letting her size and cute looks fool him.
Soon he stepped up and looked at the collection of knives to choose from. Shorter blades were meant for speed, to bring a Tribute to their knees in pain before a second one would finish them off. Larger ones were meant to kill quickly, but if you miss you'll have alerted your target and they are heavier and thus slower when in mid air. He took a black belt which had four sheaths on each side, custom made for each blade size.
He put six in, three in each side, and took one small blade in one hand and a larger in the other. Been ambidextrous would come in handy if he managed to get a hold of these in the arena. Aware of the girls eyes on his back he took a deep breath and with some force, threw the shorter blade first. It was in the target and in the knee, meaning he could follow up with another to kill quickly. He then put more force in his next throw because of the weight of the knife and it hit in the head. Thorne let a look of surprise cross his features for a moment as he realized that maybe he wasn't as bad as he thought he was. He then shifted targets, throwing one of the larger ones which buried itself in the targets chest, an instant kill shot.
He repeated the process, finding that he could kill his target in a multitude of ways and minimize the suffering of the one in his path. He'd accepted the fact that he would have to kill, but that didn't mean he was going to let them suffer. It would be painless. Thorne would make sure of that.
When he turned around to hand the belt to the trainer, Clove was giving him the biggest death glare he had ever seen. He returned it with a look of indifference. He'd showed her up, but the last thing on his mind was angering her even further. He turned to see Katniss stood nearby, a look of shock on her face as he approached her.
"I didn't know you could do that" she said and he looked back at where his knives had protruded.
"Neither did I. Although I may have made a rival" he said and Katniss glanced to see that Clove was now adding more force to the same targets that the hunter just used.
"Yeah, she's more than a little miffed"
"I must have some kind of effect on District 2" he joked and she chuckled.
"Yeah, warm smiles from the boy, death glares from the girl. You're on a roll" she replied before turning to look at the archery station with longing.
"You'll get you're chance Kat, just be patient" he said, hand on her shoulder.
They parted ways once more. Katniss chose to run the agility course whilst Thorne chose to spar with rubber batons for melee combat. It was then that he noticed that Cato had come to watch him. He took a ready stance, nodding to the trainer when to go.
He had some skill in hand to hand. Gale was like his brother so it wasn't uncommon for them to play fight, even when the older hunter had reached eighteen. Deep down, they were still teenagers.
The trainer was the first to attack, a simple strike to the abdomen which was parried with ease as was the follow up strike to his arm. Thorne then lashed out with three strikes one after the other in rapid succession, one to the shoulders, the second to the mans chest and the third to his thighs. Each one was barely blocked, the third one swatted away. Using the momentum, he brought his arm in a downwards swipe at the trainers shoulder. The strike was blocked, but the trainer had recoiled a bit.
The two of them circle each other, before the trainer starts to bait him, lashing out once, then twice, but on the third, Thorne strikes back, knocking the baton from his hand and he held it up to his throat. The trainer had a grin on his face.
"Well done, 12"
He breathed out, wiping the thin sheen of sweat that had gathered on his head. He then handed the baton to the Tribute who was next up and he turned to see Cato smiling at him with a hint of pride in his icy blues. Said blond approached him.
"That was fast" he said with a grin.
"I'm not one to waste time" the hunter replied simply.
"I can tell" he said and then Cato turned serious. "I need to ask you something" he said and the other smiled reassuringly.
"I'm listening" he said.
"Remember when I said I didn't want to be a Career?" he asked and Thorne nodded. "Will you let me join you?" he asked and the other looked momentarily shocked. "There's something about you that makes me not want to kill you and I want to protect you" Cato admitted easily and the other blushed a little.
"Why?" he asked and the other shrugged.
"I don't know why, I just want to" Cato said and the other thought it over.
If he went into this alliance then he would have a valuable ally to help him. However said ally was also a very capable killer, someone who could kill him easily awake, never mind asleep. Yet as he scanned the blue eyes in front of him, he saw nothing but honesty. This boy wanted to keep him safe, and who was he to deny assistance. But what of Katniss? Would she agree? Judging by her teasing, she's keen for the two of them to get together, so she might. He'd speak to her at lunch.
"I'd love for you to join me. Thank you Cato" he said warmly and the other smiled as well.
"Great! Mind if I join you for lunch? Even if Katniss is there?" he said and the other mentally groaned. Katniss was going to tease him relentlessly after today.
(Lunch)
His plate was piled high with an assortment of cold meats and salad. Probably one of the healthiest meals he had ever seen. He found Katniss with ease and he sat down, noting that she had a knowing look on her face and once more he inwardly groaned. Leave it to her to let her inner girl out during the Games. It was almost as bad as him having feelings for crying loud.
"So... how'd training go?" she asked nonchalantly.
"Fine. Learned a little more about healing" he said, putting a fork full of salad and a piece of ham in his mouth. "Yourself?" he asked, playing it cool despite the fact that he noticed the blond approaching out of the corner of his eye.
"Learned a few more snares, as well as the many ways on how to light a fire" she said, and then she spotted him. "I didn't know anyone else was joining us" Katniss said casually as the blond placed a tray down.
"You don't mind, Katniss?" he asked and the hunter could tell she was trying to keep the amusement out of her voice.
"Not at all" she said, playing her best casual appearance.
"How's not using the bow? Saw you glaring at Glimmer so either she did something or you're jealous that she can use it before you" he said and the other two chuckle.
"She's clearly crap with it" Katniss said and he nodded.
"I would say she's blonde, but..." he let it hang, gesturing to his own hair.
"So have you two met?" she asked, aware of the subtle but powerful glare that Thorne was sending her from where he sat.
"Yeah. We met last night on the roof actually" Cato confirmed. "He's a great listener" he said.
"That he is" Katniss said, placing a hand on his and he allowed his features to soften and a ghost of a smile to cross his face. "It's what makes him a great friend" she added and he took her hand in his and squeezed gently.
"So how have you been occupying your time?" Cato asked.
"Thought I'd get the mandatory stuff out of the way. You were quick to go for the weapons though" she noted.
"Just wanted to sharpen my skills so to speak" he said.
The two of them had slipped into a surprisingly easy conversation. Katniss wasn't social, more than Thorne, but still, not enough to talk to a stranger from another District who is likely to kill. Perhaps he had that effect on people. Whatever the case, Cato was different to what he'd initially thought and his judgments were fairly spot on most of the time. It's what saved Gale from going into a relationship with a girl who was a few cups shy of a tea service, as Effie would most likely say.
Following their little chat at lunch, to which Katniss didn't mind the fact that Thorne had invited him to their alliance that they had pre-planned, they returned to training. However they were more relaxed and chose to take it easy, considering that they had recently eaten. Thorne had taken a simple survival test on what plants were edible, what were mildly poisonous that would leave him a bit sick, and what were fatal. He breezed through it with ease. He spent the rest of the time watching Cato practice on the dummies with a sword.
He had a deadly grace as the sword sliced through the immobile targets with ease. His strikes were swift yet strong. Thorne was slightly captivated by the boy from 2's muscles as they rippled with every movement, how the sheen of sweat glistened on his lightly tanned skin. It brought forth many thoughts that he never thought he'd have for anyone.
At the end of the day, they headed back up. They had changed quickly for dinner and related what had happened back to Haymitch and Effie, including the fact that a Career had broken off from the usual pack and had joined the poorest District. Despite their worries, Haymitch was actually accepting of the alliance, especially when Thorne said that he saw no lie in the boys icy eyes.
"It's certainly going to make for an interesting show" the usually drunk man said.
"It'll definitely benefit us" Katniss said, taking another piece of lamb.
The rest of the meal followed in a comfortable silence, though Thorne had excused himself to his room so he could relax in peace for a few hours. Using some of the controls in the room, he'd requested a book from pre-Panem days, 'Lord of the Rings' he remembered. He was lying down on his bed after he had his shower and he was in his usual pyjamas, quietly reading the book, a feather bookmark, a personal touch that he would keep if he survived, next to him.
"You have a visitor" Effie's bubbly voice called through.
He raised a brow, but said nothing as he stood, walking to the door and opening it, surprised to find Cato outside his door in similar attire, only red compared to his black.
"I didn't know you were allowed on other floors aside from the roof" he said with a raised brow.
"Technically we're not, but your escort doesn't mind and my mentor cleared it so here I am" Cato said, stepping in when the hunter stood aside. Thorne picked up the gray feather and placed it in the book before sitting on the bed.
"So what brings you by?" he asked and Cato said opposite him.
"I just need to talk"
"And you want someone to listen?" Thorne asked and the other nodded. "Well talk away" he encouraged.
Cato told him of all that had happened during dinner with his escort, mentor and his District partner. He decided to tell them that he was not going to go for the Career alliance, a fact that Clove was dead set against, but Enobaria actively encouraged it. She may have been a Career herself but survival was all that had mattered to her. If he felt he had a better chance with another alliance then he should try.
He then went into great detail of how Clove had settled her infamous death glare on him the whole night which meant that he would be targeted by her for his 'betrayal.' Throughout his story the hunter from 12 remained silent, allowing the boy to get all his fears off his chest.
However, the more that was told, the more he got attached. That was more than a little dangerous. They were about to be thrown into the Games to fight for their lives and whilst they would be able to still be friends, there will be a time when they might have to kill one another. He couldn't kill Katniss or Cato, not now. And if they refused to do it then the Gamemakers will do it anyway and leave one of them the victor.
"At least your mentor supports you" he said and the other nodded.
"Her opinion matters the most" Cato said and the other smiled.
It wasn't long ago that Thorne would've said that his own mentor was a drunk with a crap opinion that he would never listen to. But now that Haymitch has straightened himself out, his opinion is making a world of difference to him and hate has turned to respect. Haymitch was his lifeline in the Games and despite the rocky start, he was glad he had him.
"So Clove has a death glare on you too?" Thorne asked and the other raised a brow.
"She gave you one?"
"I kind of showed her up at the knife throwing" he admitted sheepishly and the other laughed, a rich and beautiful sound that Thorne never wanted to stop hearing. "I never knew I was that good" he said softly. A gentle hand tilts his chin upward and stormy gray locks with icy blue.
"Don't underestimate yourself" Cato said softly with a small smile.
Before he could reply, a soft pair of lips had descended on his and his eyes widened for a moment before closing in bliss as he kissed back. It was soft and caring, and it left him disappointed when they pulled away.
"My first kiss" Thorne whispered.
"Well for a first timer it was pretty good" Cato whispered back, a warm smile on his face. "I had to do that" he said and Thorne chuckled.
"I think I know why you wanted to protect me" he said cheekily.
"There's just something about you. Your silence, those stormy gray eyes, that slight smile that you use in place of a full one. I want to protect all of it" Cato said, drawing the other in for a warm hug which the hunter returned.
"Thank you, Cato"
"For what, Thorne?"
"Bringing these emotions up. For my first kiss, even taking an interest in me. Thank you" he said again.
If he wasn't able to kill the blond then, he decided that he would be the one to die rather than the one who held him in his strong arms. Even though Cato would protect him, he was going to protect the boy from District 2. The boy who wormed his way past his walls and blastproof doors and he wasn't going to be leaving any time soon.