Katniss

At then o'clock sharp training starts with a woman, Atala, explaining how it will all play out. Experts in each skill will remain at their stations. We will be free to travel from area to area as we choose, per our mentor's instructions. Some of the stations teach survival skills, others fighting techniques. We are forbidden to engage in any combative exercise with another tribute. There are assistants on hand if we want to practice with a partner.

Then we get to go around the stations. Madge looks around, her eyes more on the other tributes than the stations."Wanna split up? Cover more ground?"

"Yeah, sure,"I reply. What she really means is she'll make friends without me and my complete lack of social graces messing it up. I'm no good at making friends, I don't even know where I'd start."Meet you at sword fighting in two hours?"

That's one of the things we couldn't train back home and as it's the main weapon supplied at the Cornucopia, aswell as a common first choice among Careers, we figured we should get to know it more. How to use swords and how to dodge them.

Leaving Madge to her own quest, I make my way to the first empty station I spot, which just so happens to be building fires.

I already make excellent fires, but I'm still pretty dependent on matches for starting them. So the trainer has me work with flint, steel, and some charred cloth. This is much harder than it looks, and even working as intently as I can, it takes me about an hour to get a fire going. I look up with a triumphant smile only to find I have company.

The two tributes from District Three are beside me, struggling to start a decent fire with matches. I think about leaving, but I really want to try using the flint again, and if I have to report back to Prim and Haymitch that I tried to make friends, these two might be a bearable choice.

The younger girl, Curie, the one who they say isn't quite right, only gives me a fleeting glance. The older girl, who's still two years younger than I am, looks from my fire to her pitiful attempt and gives me a small smile."So you do take your costume choices serious in District Twelve, huh?"

It's not a very good joke, but it makes me smile anyway. This girl volunteered and it's quite obvious that it was for Curie's sake. I do wonder, however, why she didn't volunteer in her stead but rather with her. After a while of us amiably chatting I dare aks her while the younger girl seems off in a world of her own.

Avalon looks at her with sad eyes."You know who her aunt is, right? Wiress. She's not very popular with - ah - people in charge. She keeps feeding orphans, housing the poor, you know, very non-victorly activities. Curie's only thirteen, she would have had five more years to be reaped again. But once you walk out of the arena, you're out for good. I figured I'd give it a shot."

She says it almost lightly, but it's a very serious matter. For a one in a thousand chance to safe this helpless young girl, she's willing to die. Like Peeta did for Prim. I swallow hard, but the strange feeling in my throat won't go away.

"You're very brave,"I tell her before hurriedly making my excuses, angrily blinking at the sting of tears in my eyes. Looking weak is not an option. I make my way to the sword station. Madge got there first and is attemtping her best under the watchful eyes of the trainer aswell as Amphitrite Odair, who looks up as I walk over."Hey, Katniss. How are you?"

I shrug, not sure what to tell her. Is she being friendly or trying to lull me into a false sense of security? I am supposed to ally with her so maybe she's been told the same. I decied to go for something somewhat neutral."Not training yourself?"

It's her turn to shrug."I've trained for years, I figure a few minutes of watching are allowed. But if anyone asks, I'm checking out the competition. Or something."

"So, what do you say?"I ask, trying to keep the conversation going. That's three people I tried to make friends with. Well, if you count Curie who I didn't actually speak to. Amphitrite smiles."She's pretty good."

"For someone from Twelve,"a voice interjects. We both turn to see Olive Kentwell sauntering over. I instantly forget all about being friendly and sociable."What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh, nothing,"she waves it off,"Just that you aren't trained and all. Right?"

"Right,"I echo. That's the official story, anyways. Olive's also on my - or rather, Prim's - ally wishlist, so I atleast try to smile."You gonna have a go at the swords aswell?"

"No, not really my style,"she replies and Amphitrite laughs."You don't say."

Olive rounds on her with a glare that makes me step back even though it isn't aimed at me. Which is pretty impressive, considering she is shorter than me and has actual, honest to god ribbons in her hair. Okay, so does Madge, but she's not a Career... The girl from Four just laughs again."No offense, half-pint, but how would you even lift a sword?"

I don't know what I expect but it's certainly not Olive considering this for a second or two and then laughing herself."In the arena, I'll find myself a sword, Odair, and I'll carve your beating heart out and feed it to you before you even realise you're dead."

With that, she walks of again, Amphitrite calling out after her."I look forward to it, Kentwell!"

Then she turns to me and grins."How very graphic. I like her."

Oh my god. These are the people I'm supposed to ally with. Is my sister absolutely insane?

)o(

just a wee bit belated. Like not even a quarter of an hour. Started a new audio book this morning and was busy getting scared and not being able to write because I had to clutch my tea and a blanky. haha being an adult is cool

first Katniss POV chappy yay!