It's time for dinner and I'm sitting opposite Zara. She is staring at the big basket of rolls in the middle of the table. She's a typical Seam girl, never had enough food in her life. But she is also shy and doesn't want to be the one to be the instigator in the meal. She has also had a shower. I can see that her black hair is sleek and shiny. But she redressed in her pale pink dress. I take two rolls and hand one to her. "Here Zara." I say with a smile. But she doesn't reply as she is devouring the roll. When she has finished her roll she stands up and starts serving herself soup from the tureen. It's a clear chicken broth with cubes of potato floating around. We eat in silence for a few minutes then Prema walk into the room with a man beside her. I can immediately tell he is from the Capitol. The gold hair is a dead giveaway but so is his self-important stance. It reminds of the way some vampires hold themselves.
"Hello, my name is Fenix Tarin," The man says as he sits down at the head of the table. " As your district is yet to produce a tribute I will be your mentor. I have been district 12's mentor for the past ten years. It is my role to look after you whilst you are in training and in the arena." He grins at us when is finishes his little speech. " So, Zara tell us a little bit about your self." He asks her kindly.
"Well, I am the oldest of 3 children. My dad works in the mines and my mum runs a small laundry business." She says in a soft, steady voice. "I guess I was chosen because I am smart, people often say that I'm the smartest girl in the district. I love gardening and grow apples which I sometimes sell." she weakly smiles before returning to her dinner. "Thanks Zara for helping us get better acquainted with you, now how about you Jacob." Fenix turns to me, waiting for my reply. I don't know who much of the truth I should tell them.
"I am an orphan yet I live with a foster family of sorts. I have a girlfriend, who I miss terribly." Well that much is the truth anyway. "As Zara will know Carlisle works in our hospital. He is very compassionate and when the Quarter Quell was announced he urged the people of twelve to vote for us, as he believes that we will be able to survive. That is why I was chosen." There, now they know an edited version of the truth, I have completely missed out the whole turning into a massive wolf thing. I'll wait for them to find out in the arena.
"Aren't you angry at your foster father for getting to people to vote for you." Zara asks me. "No, I agree with him." I tell them. Fenix says, "You seem to have accepted your fate very well and are incredibly brave, we can put that to good use." I nod as though in agreement but what he doesn't know is that I don't need the sponsors help.