John Smith's POV (District 2)
"Doctor?" Clara asks, drawing my attention away from the screen.
"Uh huh."
"We're in trouble, aren't we?" She murmurs, a thin line of worry between her brows. I roll my tongue over my teeth and sit back on the sofa.
"No, I don't think so." I reply.
"They all got high scores. Higher than I would have thought."
"Yes, but so did we. Two scores of 10 aren't something to be taken lightly, remember that. That boy from 12 who got the highest score won't get as many sponsors as he thinks; he's too unreliable. Just a little too mysterious for the Capitol sponsors. You have to rely on human nature in the games, and he's downright menacing, so it's going to be a wavy factor in his personality. We're going to be fine."
She stares at me, dark eyes wide, and I know exactly what she's thinking. There's no way we'll both get out of this alive. We can't both be fine.
The doors behind us are flung open, making me jump. It's our district mentor Coulson. He's a little old now, but he was one of the best in his day. Nearly died in his games, but because he was the last one left, and they needed a victor, he was resuscitated in the hovercraft.
"Good evening, tributes." He smiles, voice soft as ever. "I expect you've seen the scores."
He turns off the screen and takes a seat opposite us.
"What do we do?" Asks Clara, voice slightly strained.
"Relax, for one." Coulson smiles. "You have your training, and we still have the interviews. If you do well there, they can't stop you." He reminds us, gently.
He has a point. The sponsors love to see what angle you play, and the only way to communicate that is through the interview. It's vital we don't mess that up.
"I don't think we should change our ally situation though." I add. "Breaking away from the careers is different, and we need a little different right now." I'm talking quickly, which even I've noticed tends to happen when I'm thinking. I tend to do it out loud.
"Right." Coulson nods, approvingly. "Now, I want both of you to get some sleep. The interviews are tomorrow, and there's not much we can do to prepare you for that other than to get you dressed. Remember your angles is all." He smiles as he says this, but it's a small and sad movement. I know what he means.
God forbid the lambs be boring.
The slaughter would come too easily.
Annabeth's POV (District 4)
"I don't trust District 1." I say, out of the blue as we sit eating our evening meal. Percy looks up at me, his loaded fork poised right in front of his open mouth.
"And?" He asks, showing the forkful of fish into his mouth and chewing nosily.
"And, that's because they're acting off." I snap, my patience worn irritatingly short.
"Cedric isn't." Percy points out.
"Alice is." I retort, stabbing at the fish on my plate. "How did she know the girl from 12 is fastest? From what I've seen, Alice isn't focused 90% of the time."
Percy raises an eyebrow at me.
"Are you jealous or something?" He asks, his mouth full. I glare at him.
"What's there to be jealous of? She's not going to win, I promise you."
Percy stares at me for a moment before turning back to his meal. I rest my chin on my hand, thinking. It's highly likely that 12 could be hiding something. They can't get by on district reputation, so one of the best strategies they have is to hide their gifts. I mean, the careers are known for our strength and training. Districts like 3, 5, 6 and 8 are known for their technological capabilities. Even 7, 9, 10, and 11 have the advantage in the wilderness. 12 is usually just dismal.
Am I writing them off? The scores were good this year. Very good. In fact, despite being from the career pack, we aren't doing the best. And the best is what wins. I have to win. I have to live through this.
"Annabeth?" Percy says, and I refocus on him. The green in his eyes seems to calm me down and I find myself fighting a smile.
"Yeah?"
"Eat something." Percy advises, pointing to my plate with his fork. I look down and notice that I haven't eaten anything yet, having only stabbed the fish with my fork repeatedly.
"Oh yeah. Sorry." I mumble.
"It's no use strategizing if you've starved to death first." Percy smiles, and I sigh.
"Yeah."
We eat in silence for a minute, and I realise for the first time since arriving, quite how good the capitol's food it. I'm from district 4, we're more than accustomed to eating fish with every meal. But in 15 years I've never eaten anything as delicious as this.
"What do you think is happening back home right now?" Percy suddenly asks and I laugh.
"Same thing as usual seaweed brain. They'll be glorifying the games, making it look pretty and important. Praising us for stepping us as tributes." I reply, simply. Percy's nose wrinkles. I know how he feels.
"My mum's gonna be worried." He murmurs, staring off into the distance. I pat his hand awkwardly, feeling that familiar rush run through my arm as I do, and give him my safest smile.
"She'll be fine. She knows you're brave."
We both know that comforting one another only goes so far. Neither of us will be caught saying things like "You're going to win," or "You'll make it through this."
Survival instinct remains, above all else.
Harley Quinn's POV (Head Gamemaker)
Meetings with Caesar are always difficult. Meetings with Caesar and his co-commentator Castiel are even harder.
Caesar is permanently excited. It's not an act he puts on for the audience; he genuinely enjoys everything. And in contrast to a cynical personality such as mine, he's just irritating. Castiel is one of the strangest, most socially awkward people I've ever met. They're comedic gold when commentating on the games, but it's not helpful when discussing the rules regarding the arena.
"Listen, you need to make sure that you don't talk about their home districts. Don't say anything that reveals the traps and pods in the castle and its grounds, ok?" I tell them, alternating eye contact between the pair.
"Ooh, that's going to be hard," Caesar grins. "Will do!" He gives me a little salute and then crosses his legs. I smile reproachfully at him and turn to Castiel.
"And don't talk about what they did in training. We can't let the audience know too much or it ruins the 'viewer experience.'"
"Of course not ma'am." Castiel replies stiffly, his facial expression not changing one bit.
I stare at them both for a few seconds, wondering if I can really trust them, before sliding them the file about the arena and the pods inside it.
"Here's the map and the details concerning it. Do not lose this. Do not show this to anyone else. Are we clear?" I snap, and they both nod. "Fantastic." I mutter, and get up. We have a lot to prepare for tomorrow; it's the interviews. The sponsors will be watching. The whole of Panem will be watching.
Everything has to run smoothly.
wow it's been a while hasn't it? I apologise for that, and I'm not sure how well I can keep my promises about updating regularly, but I value your continued support. I wrote two more chapters over the last week, but fanfiction messed up with document submission, so now that's gone I can publish them! Thank you for reading, please review, and stay excellent!
Lucy xxx