I sat in front of Greasy Sae's bar and drank a glass of murky water. She was the only one that seemed to be unafraid to talk to me. I saw the doors open and a girl about fifteen years old holding two rabbits and a turkey walked in. She had come to sell them.
The kid's half starved to death and half scared to death.
"Who's that?" I asked and Greasy Sae looked up.
"Why... that's Everdeen's daughter." She murmured and I frowned.
"Who's Everdeen?"
"Janos Everdeen was a hunter. He died in a mining explosion and well... His wife and two girls were left to fend for themselves. I guess his oldest girl finally plucked up the courage to come here." She chuckled. The girl looked from left to right and a man stepped up to her. They spoke for a bit and she handed a rabbit over for two coins. She sold the turkey and the rabbit to a frail woman and stepped up to Greasy Sae's bar.
"C-could I have a bowl of stew?" She asked and passed a coin over. Sae nodded and doled out a bowl of the thick, brown, stew.
Muck. How do people eat that sludge?
People will eat anything if they're hungry enough.
"You're lucky, girl. It's real turkey in here today." She handed the girl a spoon and watched her begin scarfing the hot soup down. I scoffed.
"Slow down, you'll give yourself a stomach ache. Sae, two more bowls for her." I passed a few coins and Greasy Sae nodded. The girl looked at me fearfully and swallowed.
"Why are you buying me food?" She asked and I shrugged.
"You look like a wet rat with those gray cheeks and bony wrists. I like to see girls with pink cheeks and smiles." I said, thinking about Juna. She hastily managed to thank me and I smirked.
"Just eat the soup... What's your name?"
"Cat piss." She whispered
"What?" I asked. Cat piss?
"My name... it's Can't kiss." Mumble mumble.
Can't hear you!
"I'm sorry, your name is what?" I raised an eyebrow.
What the hell do they name their children in 12?!
"My name is Katniss! K-A-T-N-I-S-S Katniss." She nearly yelled at me. I smirked and some heads turned our way.
"No need to shout. You're what, fifteen? Sixteen?"
"I'm fourteen. I turn fifteen in a couple months. Why are you here? Aren't you a Victor? Go eat in the Merchant's Village." She pointed her spoon out the door.
Cheeky isn't she? I like her.
"I like talking to Greasy Sae and the others in the Hob. Is that a crime, Ms. Everdeen?" I asked and she blinked.
"No, I mean-"
"Good." I winked and she glared at me. "Your face could get permanently stuck like that if you don't smile once in a while." I stated. She sighed and ate more. "I'm bored. Tell me something about you."
"No." She calmly stated and I raised my eyebrows. Her brown hair was in a braid and she had dark gray eyes that were rimmed with a slight red. Crying. She'd been crying.
"Then tell me something about your family."
"No." I raised my eyebrows and peered down at her.
"You're pretty stubborn, you know that?" I grinned and she nodded.
"I get that a lot." She dropped her voice to a whisper. "What do I call the bartender?" She asked.
"Sae or Greasy Sae." I answered and eyed the two bowls of untouched, still steaming, stew.
Ungrateful much?
"Sae? Could I take these bowls with me? I... I want to give the stew to my mom and sister. I'll bring them back tomorrow." She winced and Sae nodded. Clasping both bowls close to her, Katniss exited the run down building and back to the Seam.
"Nice girl isn't she?" Sae said, wiping a glass. "Her father was the most respectable man in town. Never drove an unfair bargain. Hope she grows up that way. You done with that water?" I nodded and said good-bye to her. I had a few errands to run.
I walked into the bakery and received three glares.
"What are you doing here?" The baker asked while I looked at the cookies and tarts in the glass cases.
Seriously, what are we doing here?
Honestly, I don't even know. I think I'm doing an act of kindness.
And I'm the tooth fairy.
"I'd like ten cookies, four loaves of nut bread, and one pie." I said and he eyed me suspiciously. Packing everything into separate bags, he handed me the bread and I laid a few coins on the counter. "Thanks."
A bit too much for one person hm?
A little bell sang out as I exited the bakery. The butcher's was next. I bought a few sausage links and found a small basket to put everything in.
"Kid. Hey, kid." I called to a golden haired girl. She turned and scampered off. I growled and grabbed a boy by the collar. "Take me to the Everdeen residence." I ordered and with my hand on his shoulder, the boy dutifully walked me to a run down house. I could feel him cowering at my intense gaze as he fled. The sides of the house barely had any paint left on them and the ceiling was worn.
I set the basket down, knocked, and left without a single thought, regret, or happy feeling.
You know, a regular person would feel happy about this super random act of kindness. Then again, since when were you classified as normal?
I groaned and hit my head a few times. Shut up!
You wish.
I slammed my fist on Haymitch's door.
"Haymitch! Hey! We're training today!" I yelled and the drunk sullenly opened the door.
"What the hell do you want?" He asked and I held up the weapon bag. "Oh no. You're not making me-"
"Shut up." I pulled him out the door and dragged him to the grassy field where I had set up training equipment. "Might as well be a strong drunk than a weak drunk." I growled and tossed a sword at him. Haymitch rolled his eyes.
"Please. I'm not fighting with that thing." He went over to the bag and pulled out three knives. He quickly snapped the rubber bracings on them and flung two towards my unarmed body. I deflected one but the other collided with my chest.
He's fast.
"Not bad, old man." I grinned and Haymitch bowed.
"I'm only nineteen or so years older than you, and I spent a bit of time in the Training Center after the Quarter Quell." Haymitch stated and I raised my eyebrows.
"You're only thirty-nine? Damn, I thought you were like forty or forty-three." He snorted at tossed the other knife at me. I flicked it away and looked at the other sword.
"So you're not going to fight me?" I asked and he shrugged,
"Why not?" and picked up the sword. "Go easy on me." He growled and I nodded.
When have you ever "gone easy" on someone?
I went to Haymitch and our blades met. They would have made a loud CLANG, but the rubber bracers muffled the noise and prevented anyone from being maimed. I drew back and attacked again. This time, Haymitch was slower, but managed to block the blade again. This time, he attacked and I parried.
We went on for another minute until I disarmed him.
"Good job." I said and Haymitch wiped the sweat from his forehead. He set the sword down and laid down next to it.
"I'm done for the day. Monster boy, you can train and I'll enjoy some whiskey and a nice nap in the sun." He cleared his throat and took a long gulp from his canteen. I scoffed and began with one of the workouts Enobaria sent me.
~'~'~'~
"Cato! Cato!" Someone screeched while banging on my door. I opened it and saw Effie Trinket with full body glitter.
It's like she's the sun!
"Hi, Effie. You realize the Reapings aren't for another couple of months, right?" I asked, letting her in. She nodded.
"I came to speak with you about this year's Games. I heard that because last year's Games were such a huge success, Seneca Crane will be installed as Head Gamemaker once again." I nodded, not quite comprehending.
"Sit down, you're telling me this because?"
"Because I want to bring home a tribute! You should have seen the way Hyelle laughed at me when you came out alive!" She exclaimed and fluffed her yellow updo. "So, Seneca Crane is indeed a mastermind, but he is not too creative. His designs are... interesting, so to speak."
"What does he have in mind this year?" Effie leaned in and whispered,
"Flowers." She giggled and sighed.
Crazy. She's crazy.
"Flowers." I repeated and she nodded eagerly, her skin shining in the lamplight. "Flowers."
"Yes, Cato, flowers. Flowers and sunshine and butterflies." She smiled.
Will there be a rainbow? Ask her that.
"Will there be a rainbow?"
"Don't be silly, why would there be a rainbow?" She frowned. "But the big part is, your father will be overseeing the weapons and mechanics design, so what would the President have your father make?" She asked and I closed my eyes.
Nuclear missiles, radioactive explosives, a high power missile launcher, and swords. Your father likes swords doesn't he?
"There's only going to be one type of weapon this year." I finally said and she nodded.
"Now all we have to do is find out what type. Speaking of the Games, Cato, who won the year before you did?" She asked.
The girl from 4. Ashley? Allie? No, Annie. Annie Cresta.
"Annie Cresta."
"Oh, the poor, mad girl." She nodded. "Now, I want you ready for the Games as soon as possible. Heaven knows how bloody this year's Games will be."
"Effie? The weapons, they're going to vary. You know that right? They'll be the same type, but some might be wooden, and some might catch on fire." I said gravely and Effie nodded.
"This year's tributes for 12... I hope no one under fifteen gets selected. They won't have anyone volunteer for them."
"Why hope for something that won't come? I hope to get a good night's sleep, but that's nowhere in my future. Effie, just embrace that no one will volunteer. Just like I've embraced that I'll never get more than five hours of sleep at a time." I stated and she patted my cheek.
The dreams are terrifying, but you know what's better? Killing people. Can't you just relive the adrenaline rush from when you were in the arena? Don't lie, you know you enjoyed every second of it.
"It will pass, dear. But really, I wish I'd gotten a district Like District 2 or 1. They have warriors that look good and are winners. Or at least they put up a good fight. District 12 is... poor." She looked helpless right then and there. "District 12 needs a saviour. Or even a volunteer. But, with Haymith as a Mentor, we're never going to get a Victor, are we?"
"It's a painful truth. Effie, did you happen to see how long I'm staying here?" I asked and she shook her head.
"I don't think that's on any type of paper. I think that's just the President's decision."
"The games are coming, Effie. It's April 16th, that mean we only have two months until June 16th."
"Reaping Day." She smiled. The weapons would be one type.
"The weapons are going to prove either very helpful or very dangerous. I'm vouching my father will favor District 2 this year. Our Volunteers are Roland Parell and Titania Orestes. They prefer spears and axes. Long range weapons. Then again, my father does not like Roland's father, so no spears. Something far more dangerous will come." I muttered and Effie gave a solemn shake of her head, crystal powder glittering in the dim light of the room.
"How does he feel about the girl?" She asked.
"I think he's indifferent towards her. Titania's not from a very prominent family, but she did work hard. People expect her story to be like my mother's." Effie smiled and that. "But don't let her fool you. Titania is a vicious killer. She will take down everyone."
"Then let's hope the odds are in our favor. Good-bye, Cato." She patted my shoulder and left, leaving the faint smell of perfume and a trail of glitter.