Training: Amber's POV
The bed I'm sleeping in is the softest one I've ever lain in. The sheets are made of some wonderful silky material. I just want to stay in bed and sleep, but I can't. I have training to do. If I'm going to win this thing, or at least put up a fight, I'm going to have to train like crazy. The problem is; I can't let the other tributes see me good at anything. My strategy is to be a weakling who is easily ignored. I want to also get some sympathy from the Capital, so I can get sponsors later on. I force myself out of bed, and into the training outfit that's been laid out for me. The outfit consists of comfortable navy pants, and a tight black t-shirt. I go to my enormous bathroom to brush out my hair and put it back. Everything about this place is enormous. The building the tributes are staying in is four times as tall as the Justice Building back home. The floor District 9 gets to eat and sleep could fit my entire family with room to spare. I feel a tug of sadness for them, but I tell myself that I'll make it home. Then we can all live in a huge house in the Victors Village, and no one in my family will have to sign up for tesserae again. After my hair goes back into a tight ponytail, and I slip on the supple black boots I've been given, I head to join the others for breakfast.
Aluma sits at the table, in a deep discussion with Chase about alliances. Neither Calcius nor Garner seems to have woken up yet. I put a corn muffin on my plate, lately I can't get enough of them, and eat it. I don't really pay much attention to what Aluma is saying. I've made up my mind not to make any alliances. First of all, no one would want a small girl from an outer district, who hasn't ever picked up a weapon as their ally. Second, the entire idea seems strange to me. Why would you place your complete trust in someone who could just as easily stab you in the back, literally? However, I nod and look alert to everything she says. Garner and Calcius finally get up in time to walk with Chase and me down to the Training Center. The elevator ride and walk to the Center is quiet, as I'm plotting what to do. I've decided to head to edible and medicinal plant. Maybe I can learn a little about poisons, and out that to my use. Of course, there's always the issue of finding a weapon, but I'll reach that barrier when it comes.
Chase and I are some of the last tributes to reach the center. Atala, our trainer, begins her speech. My eyes wander around the various stations, until I spot the plants. As soon as we're dismissed, I head over there. As I though, I breeze right through it. I know which plants are edible, so I tell the instructor that I want to learn about poisons. He doesn't look fazed at all, and starts a lecture about which plant can do what. I'm joined briefly by the hysterical girl from 10, but she can't seem to stay anywhere for long. The two small boys from 12 and 8 come, but I think it confuses them too much. I spend hour after hour with this instructor, and the time flies remarkably quickly. By lunch, I've already learned all there is to know about poisonous plants. As I walk toward the cafeteria, I pass the weapons section. Just then, it hits me. I saw a girl in the Quarter Quell do it, and another boy a few years back while Aluma was playing some tapes on the train. I can use a dart gun, and line the darts in poison. It will be lethal, and no one will suspect it. Dart guns aren't exactly the most powerful looking of weapons. I make it my goal to learn how to shoot one after lunch.
Nothing at home could fill me up like the food here. I'm eating something amazing called "chicken salad." I'm eating alone, but I don't mind. That's how it was at school anyway. Chase is sitting with the strong pairs from 7 and 11. They'll probably form an alliance, and maybe they'll last long too. Today I'll focus on learning how to shoot a dart gun, but tomorrow I'll spend most of the time observing the tributes. I can incorporate a climbing lesson in too. I finish my sandwich and head back to the Center. There, I talk to a weapons instructor for a little while about shooting. She helps me position the gun, and I begin to fire the tiny darts, it's actually really simple. Unlike most other weapons, it hardly takes any skill at all to hit the target. By the end of the session, I'm hitting center every time. I don't think anyone noticed me because it's such an underestimated weapon. I'm feeling really satisfied by the time Chase and I go back to our floor. As I sit down for dinner, I notice that I'm not the only one feeling good about training.
Chase is talking excitedly to Aluma and Garner about his alliance. Apparently, Lyndon from 7 is monstrous with an axe, and his partner Elana is quite adept at hand to hand combat. She fights with a dagger. He goes on to tell us that the pair from 11 is really very nice, but pretty lethal. The boy Bracken fights with a scythe, and Chase tells us that he's doing the same. Garner and Aluma both nod their approval. It's always good to fight with a weapon you're comfortable with. Laurel uses a bow and arrow, and has proven herself to be a good marksman. It seems Chase is all set with alliances, but I can't help but worry that that could be his downfall in the end. When Aluma asks if I made any alliances, I shake my head. She and Calcius look disappointed, but Garner actually looks happy with my decision. I think about alliances all night.
The next day I begin my careful observations. So, all from 1 and 2 are typical Careers. Chardonnay from 1 fights with a sword. She somehow makes it look graceful, almost like a dance. Her partner Jett is a lot less graceful. He fights hand to hand, with a dagger, just like Elana. Mason from 2 is a sword fighter, but while Chardonnay is agile, he's all about brute strength. I might be able to use that against him. His partner Agate throws spears, and I've yet to see her miss. The pair from 4 train with them as well, but the boy really can't do anything. The only thing he's somewhat adequate in using is a crossbow, but as it's a pretty heavy weapon, it slows him down. Coral uses a trident, but doesn't use the net because she's really not too great at hand to hand. The trident is scary enough on its own.
Most of the other kids are sure to die in the bloodbath. The girl from 3 is interesting, though. She spends most of her time at the snares station, each one more elaborate than the last. Her partner usually stays with her, but can't get much further than a basic one. The boy from 5 likes to work with wires and knots, but that probably won't get him too far. I think his partner Marissa may be in shock. She goes to all the stations, but doesn't do more than just sit there. Jenna from 6 isn't much better. She and Emma from 10 often have to be excused to the bathroom to "calm down." I think Jenna was sedated for the second time today. I remember Henry from her district trying to run away from the Peacekeepers. He's actually a really fast runner, as well as a good climber. So far, we've been the only ones to try the climbing course. I've reached the top, but he's still working on it.
Chase made good choices for alliances. Lyndon makes his mark with an axe every time, and Elana could take a Career in wrestling. The boy from 8, Duroy spends much of his time with Atom fiddling with wires and knots. In any other circumstances, they could be friends. I think there may be something mentally off about Lacey. She hasn't said a word, and just stares into space. Maybe she's in shock, like Marissa. Chase is pretty good with a scythe, while Nirel from 10 is adequate with throwing knives. Bracken and Chase practice together. Usually they're serious, but today Laurel said something that made them both laugh. I like Laurel. She's good with a bow, and just a nice person. The pair from 12 makes me sad though. Emory mostly just wanders around because he isn't good at anything. Hanna excuses herself a lot, but not to cry. She must be really sick. I've seen her comforting Emory though. They were at the fire station, and she was whispering to him that everything was going to be okay. It seems I can see a lot from my perch atop the climbing net.