The next few training sessions I spent more wary about giving away what my skills were. I didn't talk to anyone but Phelan and the instructors.
By the time the sessions with the game makers started, I was nervous. I was sure of what I was going to show them but I was worried about whether my talents we impressive or not. As each person had their session, I sat with Phelan, waiting for my turn.
Asriel is up first, because he is the boy from District One. He seems completely unfazed and confident, unlike his female counterpart. Swann is shaking and she keeps nervously running her hands through her hair as she gets called to go.
The girl from District Three trips on her way to the door. I've seen her during training, and while she is big and strong, she is clumsy and has bad motor skills.
When it is Phelan's turn, I wish him the best of luck. If I don't win, I would like Phelan to win. He's smart enough to do it for sure.
Then when it is my turn, I walk into the room.
The gamemakers seem grumpy as they sit in front of me. I bet they're a bit bored.
I've got to entertain them, in order to get them to like me and give me a high score.
Garric Ogilby, the Head Gamemaker, nods at me and says, "Ivory Portshore, from District Seven."
First thing I wonder about is, how am I supposed to entertain them? As I walk over to the knives, an idea forms into my head. I remember learning something when I was about fifteen. I hope I can still remember it two years later. It's a bit dangerous, but I've got nothing to lose.
The first thing I do when my hand reaches the weapon is grab it by the blade, not the hilt. I toss it high into the air and and grab it by it's hilt. I look over to the gamemakers and they seem impressed. I grab onto the knife, tossing it again. Then add another knife, then another, until I am juggling three knives.
I can hear the gamemakers applauding my trick and I hope that this earned me points.
Now I've got to show them how deadly I am.
I set down the knives and take only one. I send it flying into a dummy, right at the center of the target on its stomach. Then I move on to the next dummy, sending two at the same time, one for the head and one for the heart.
I continue throwing the knives until I've stab each and every target or dummy.
The gamemakers all applaud and I take a theatrical bow, praying for a score that will attract all the sponsors.
As I walk over to the elevator, I notice a cut on my hand from handling the knife.
When I get it fixed at the infirmary, they say it's not too deep so they just wrap it up in a bandage.
I walk to the elevator to head back up to my floor and the girl from Eight follows me and joins me. She smiles at me and I smile back.
"I really love your hair," she says. "And the costume you wore to the opening ceremony."
"Thanks, but if I had it my way, it would be different. It was all my stylist," I say, trying to sound humble.
"I wish my stylist was like that. I didn't really like my costume," she says. I remember what she wore. She was covered in layers upon layers of fabric to represent the textile industry.
"Maybe your interview outfit will be better," I say.
"Well, now that I've seen more of what these people wear, I'm not so hopeful," she tells me.
I get off the elevator at my floor and head to the living area, plopping myself on the couch.
"How was it?" Terra asks, sitting beside me.
"Good, I think," I reply. "They were quite entertained."
"Entertained?"
"I saw that they were bored, so I figured I would put on a show. I was juggling my knives," I reply.
"That's excellent!" Cass squeals, she's obviously overheard our conversation.
"What did you do, Phelan?" Terra asks.
"Nothing too great, I just threw around an axe," Phelan explains.
Wade gave him a pat on the back, "I'm sure that was awesome too."
"I have something great to announce!" Cass says. "There's been a bit of a rule change. Tributes are now allowed to bring tokens with them into the games."
"How would that apply to us?" I ask.
"Well, I found this beautiful hair pin that I believe belongs to you Ivory on the train," she says, handing me my mother's hair pin. "You can wear this in the arena. I thought that it might help you remember your home."
I look at Cass and smile. Despite the fact that I hate the Capitol's people, I can't say that I hate Cass, or anyone in this room. They've all tried so hard to keep me alive.
We have dinner than we sit down and turn on the television, to find out what our scores are.
Asriel has a ten. No surprise there. Swan received an eight. I'm pretty sure she was really good with a bow and arrow.
The Phelan has a seven. Cass starts cheering the minute Spens Selkirk announces it.
As Spens says my name, I feel myself tense up.
"Ivory Portshore, with a nice nine," he says.
Nine!
"That's bound to catch attention," Wade says. "A girl from Seven with a nine."
"Congratulations!" Terra says, wrapping her arms around me.
I go to bed feeling happy.
The next day, Cass spends the entire day preparing us for our interviews.
Cass starts with me by making me walk in high heels and a long dress. I learn how to sit and proper body language.
"When you get interviewed, you have to display a certain personality," Cass says. "I would suggest you try to be sexy, but you have an attitude that ruins it all."
"No, teach me how to be sexy," I say.
She goes through different pointers, saying things like that she'll tell Terra to design an outfit that looks sexy and that I have to wear my hair down.
By the end of the day, I'm absolutely exhausted. But I feel better about the games, for the first time, I feel like I actually have a chance.