Hey, I have nothing to say.
Training that first day was tense with Gale constantly watching Cato. Ermela noticed this gripping the spear with her hands shacking like crazy. "It'll be okay," Gale said.
"It's hard though." She sighed.
"I know, but you'll be okay," Gale said.
"I know that, I can't just ignore it though."
"Well try not to think about it," Gale said.
"I'll try." She sighed throwing a spear at the target.
It was just barely off the center of target. "Good," Gale said.
"Yeah, who know right." Ermela chuckled.
"Still it's good these are like staffs with a blade," Gale said.
"Yeah, so if I get my hands on some in the arena I can use them as both."
"Exactly," Gale said.
"Maybe we should head somewhere else then." Ermela offered off of the original plan setting the spears down.
"Yes, like edible plants," Gale said.
"Aren't you pretty much a master at those though?" Ermela asked in a whisper.
"No, Katniss was usually the one who got those."
"Oh, alright, then let's head over there." Ermela said a little surprised by that.
They headed over as the trainer began to tell them about Nightlock Berries "That's definitely important to know." Ermela noted memorizing their appearance.
"Yes put them at the ends of blades, or arrows when ground up," She said.
'Or in normally edible food options.' Ermela thought but obviously wouldn't say it out loud till at her floor. "Yeah I suppose," Ermela said.
They went through a large number of other plants both edible and poisonous. It was very easy for Gale to learn though challenging for Ermela. "You got it right?" Ermela sighed hoping he did.
"Yeah I got it," Gale said.
"Good, because this is honestly very confusing to me."
"Well then don't worry," Gale said.
"Alright," Ermela nodded looking for something else to go to. "Knots?" She asked.
"Probably not a good idea with our plan," Gale pointed out knots, especially nooses and nets, are a huge part of setting snares.
"Okay so what then?" She asked.
Gale looked around and his eyes settled on an empty station besides the instructor that is pretty much always that way.
"Edible bugs?" He offered.
Ermela seemed slightly hesitant on the idea but nodded, "That works."
"Who know," Gale shrugged.
They headed over.
"Are you here to train?" The man asked shocked
"Yes we are, so what do you have to teach?" Gale asked.
"Well first off spiders, most of them are okay some you want to go nowhere near," He said
He went over all the different kinds of spiders on which were safe or not just as with the plants. Ermela actually got these better. "Wow, the other tributes were idiots never to come to this station." Ermela noted picking up one of the edible bugs and placing it in her mouth. It actually did not taste bad.
"That's true, so many tributes would have made it so much farther if they had come to this station but for most people the idea of eating bugs it a turn off.
"Between that or death I would eat bugs," Gale said.
"Most people would when the time comes but not realize until it's too late to learn." The trainer said.
"Well then their loss," Gale said.
"Definitely," Ermela chuckled and they finished that station.
"Well I think that's it for the day," Gale said.
"Already?" Ermela asked in surprise.
"Yeah lunch was about two hours ago," Gale said.
"Oh wow, that went by fast." Ermela shrugged.
"Yeah, I know," Gale said making sure Cato went up before they went to wait for the elevator.
"Think Haymitch is up?" Ermela asked as they waited.
"Maybe," Gale sighed.
"What's with the sigh?" Ermela asked.
"Just tired," Gale said.
"Alright," Ermela shrugged as the elevator got there.
"Yeah coffee is wearing off," He said.
"Then it looks like we might not even need the syrup right now." Ermela pointed out.
"Maybe not," Gale said.
"If not then we still have it as an option." She said getting into the elevator and pushing the button for the 12th floor.
"True," He said.
"Still, that coffee stuff is really handy to have worked for that long. Given the Capitol's night owl tendencies I guess that's to be expected."
"Yeah it is, but I'm glad they had it," Gale said.
"Yeah, that would have been a disaster if they didn't." Ermela noted watching the numbers rise.
"Probably," Gale yawned.
"Maybe you should go to sleep once we get up there?" Ermela suggested worriedly.
"No, I need to eat," He said.
"Right," Ermela nodded.
"Then sleep," Gale said.
"Perfect, and hopefully we'll be able to catch Haymitch at lunch to talk to him about Cato." Ermela agreed.
"Yeah he may have good advice," Gale said.
"He should, as long as he actually kept his promise."
"That's a big if,"
"If he didn't then the people near the outside of the training center need to watch out for falling bottles." Ermela shrugged.
"Yes they will," Gale said.
"Hopefully it's the former though." Ermela added honestly.
"Hopefully," Gale said. She remained quiet until they arrived on their floor.
They got out and searched for Haymitch. They found him dining room and as luck with have it, he was sober. "Haymitch, we seriously need some advice."
"Sit and tell me the problem," He said.
They sat down and Ermela explained the whole situation with Cato.
"That is a tough one," He said thinking. Ermela looked down worried that whether sober or blazing drunk, he had still no idea what to do in this situation. It's obviously never happened before. "Avoid him, and then in the arena try to get him before he's armed," Haymitch said. They both knew that Careers are dangerous even unarmed but he had a point. They're WAY worse armed. "Got it?" He asked. They both nodded, "Good anything else?" He asked.
"Not that I could think of at the moment." Ermela shrugged.
"May I drink?" He asked.
Ermela turned to Gale non-verbally asking if they should let him. "I think so," Gale said.
"Alright you can." Ermela allotted.
"Thank you," He said.
"So, what's for dinner?" Ermela asked as Haymitch got a bottle.
"What's not?" He asked.
"Good point, but we don't know much about what anything here is."
"Chicken, Steaks, Meatloaf, Salads, fruits, Cakes, Drinks," Haymitch said pointing to each thing which barely covered what they were sitting near and not anything else They both decided to take some chicken. "Good choice," He said.
She cut up a slice and took a bite loving how it tasted, "Wow, I'd say." Ermela agreed.
"It's great!" Gale said.
Haymitch uncorked the bottle of liquor taking a large drink hating this deal but knowing it's certainly better than the alternative right now. "Well then if that's all?" He said getting up.
"It is, we're going to go ahead and hit the hay after dinner." Ermela said taking another bite. 'Well, Gale is anyways.' She added mentally.
"The boy looks beat," Haymitch said.
"He was up all night last night and barely got any sleep the previous two." Ermela told him.
"Sleep syrup that'll knock you out," Haymitch slurred.
"We're from 12, you think we don't know what sleep syrup is? I used some last night but Gale had to keep guard in case Cato snuck in and I took a little too much and was out all night." Ermela explained.
"Poor him," Haymitch chuckled.
"I'll make it up to him tonight though." Ermela promised. "Effie gave him something called coffee and that really helped."
"Careful not to get addicted," Haymitch said, "To the coffee or the syrup."
"I know. We'll try not to." Ermela promised.
"Okay, good don't need arena withdrawals," He said.
"Yeah, I imagine those are very bad." Ermela sighed.
"You have no idea," He sighed.
"We'll be careful." Gale promised.
"Good," He sighed.
"Something wrong?" Ermela asked.
"No, nothing..." He said.
"Really? Because it seems like there's something bugging you."
"I'm not exactly proud of what I have become," He said.
"I can imagine." Ermela sighed.
"No, you can't," He said sadly.
He sighed and left to his room obviously taking the bottle with. "Poor Haymitch," Gale said.
"Yeah, when you think about it, you honestly can't blame him for turning to alcohol." Ermela sighed.
"No, but he never asked for this, none of us did," Gale sighed.
"Except the Careers… well, any games but these one's anyways." Ermela added.
"Yeah, but still there would be no careers without the games," Gale said.
"True, but that's not what we were talking about." Ermela pointed out.
"I know," Gale said.
They had just finished eating so they got up.
"Are you sure about this?" Gale asked.
"Yes, I'm sure." Ermela nodded.
"Okay," He said taking pajama's into his bathroom.
Ermela debated if she should put some on too even though she didn't plan on getting any sleep. She decided that she may as well, Gale had. She got on the same one's as last time as called after, "Ready when you are."
He came out shirtless again and crawled into bed. Ermela once again turned red sitting on the edge with the bed, "Good night, Gale."
"Goodnight Ermela," He yawned.
He fell asleep but Ermela just stayed up and watch the door. She watched all night with nothing really happening.
By the time Gale woke up the next morning she was absolutely exhausted just as Gale was the last morning. "Are you alright?" He asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Ermela said with a yawn.
"No, you're exhausted," Gale said.
"I'll just get some coffee." Ermela shrugged, "It's fine."
"Okay," Gale said getting up. Ermela stood up ignoring the head rush and they headed to the dining room.
"Good morning!" Effie said.
"Good morning, Effie." Ermela said in a yawn.
"Tired?" She asked.
"Very." Ermela sighed.
"Coffee?" She offered.
"Yes please, could I get some creamer with it too though?"
"Okay," She said sliding both over.
Ermela put some of the creamer in and drink the mug. "Enjoy," Gale said.
With the creamer it wasn't as bad but it was still pretty gross. She did feel the energy coming though. "Wow that stuff really does work well."
"Yeah, I know," Gale said smiling.
"Is there a way to stop it from wearing off so bruftly though?" Ermela asked Effie.
"Drink a little more and it lasts until dinner," Gale said.
Ermela nodded drinking down more. "It's good," She said.
Gale huffed slightly, "That's not fair."
"What?" She asked.
"I had to drink it without the creamer."
"That's your own fault," Effie said.
"I didn't know it existed." Gale repeated defensively.
"Well, still," She said.
Gale huffed at that. "Aw, poor Gale," Ermela giggled.
"Just drink your coffee." Gale said rolling his eyes.
"I will," She said.
"We should probably eat too." Gale said looking over the options.
"Right you are," Effie said.
He grabbed some eggs and District 4 bread.
"This is amazing," He said
"Glad you like it." Effie said.
"What districts bread is this?"
"I don't know, I mean it's filled with seaweed and shaped like a fish so it could be from anywhere." Ermela pointed out sarcastically.
"I get it," Gale said taking another bite.
The next two days were boring until it was finally time to show what they got.
"Nervous?" Gale asked.
"Very," Ermela gulped.
"Well, don't be. Just focus," Gale said.
"I will." Ermela promised.
"Good remember your good with spears," He said.
"I'm better at staffs or hand to hand though." Ermela corrected.
"Exactly," Gale said.
"I guess." Ermela said allowing herself a smile as they got in the elevator.
"You'll be great," He said.
"Possibly, you'll be better though." Ermela shrugged.
"Not a chance I have seen you with staves and if you use a spear like a staff everyone should watch out," Gale said.
"If I you use a spear like a staff it could very well break."
"Not the good spears," Gale pointed out.
"Maybe," Ermela shrugged, "What should I use for the scores though?"
"Staves," Gale said.
"Alright," Ermela nodded. "You should make a snare, but a human sized on and demonstrate in with a dummy then shot it with an arrow. In fact, use the paint from the camouflage station to put Cato's name on the dummy. Yeah, that's perfect, do that and you might be the first tribute ever to get a twelve."
"Not likely," Gale said.
"Yeah, probably not but you'd certainly score really high."
"Well we can only hope," He said.
"I have confidence in you, Gale." Ermela said as the elevator stopped at the training floor.
"And I have confidence in you," Gale said
"Well, there's seventeen people ahead of you and eighteen ahead of me." Ermela reminded stepping off the elevator.
"I know it'll be fine," Gale said.
"I hope your right." Ermela whispered taking her seat. "At least Cato will be the first in and gone."
"That's true," Gale said.
One by one they waited as the others went inside at last only, Rue and they remained. "Are you nervous?" Rue asked them.
"A little," Ermela said and Gale nodded.
"I'm pretty sure everyone is." Rue said watching the door waiting for Thresh to be done and it to be her turn.
"Well you'll both do great," Gale said.
"I guess." Rue shrugged.
"I know," He said as Rue was called in to go.
"Good Luck," They said
"Thank you, you guys, too." Rue said before heading in.
"She'll do great," Gale said.
Ermela nodded, "I'm sure of it."
"You will, too," Gale said.
"So will you." Ermela smiled.
"I hope so," He said smiling
"I know so."
"Alright then looks like you're up," Gale said.
"Boys then girl," Ermela corrected, "Unlike everything else."
"Right, wish me luck," He said
"You won't need it but good luck." Ermela wished.
"Thanks," He said heading in.
He immediately noticed that they weren't really paying any attention. More than they were in canon with Katniss but still almost nothing, 'How to get their attention?" Gale thought
Gale sighed and set to work setting the snare. When he was about to spring it he noticed they were not looking at him. "Seriously?" He sighed and went over to the weights section, grabbed a heavy weighted ball and chucked it at the gamemaker platform. It smashed into their buffet scattering food everywhere.
In shock, the Gamemakers all finally turned to him. "Thanks for your attention," He said throwing a dummy into his snare trap. The snare sprung hanging the dummy above head from a fake tree that was already there by a noose. The Gamemakers could clearly see the name Cato written in paint from the camouflage station as he grabbed a bow and arrow. He shot the arrow which flew through the air and hit the dummies throat.
"…You are dismissed." Seneca said having trouble processing all of this.
"Thank you," Gale said. He sat the bow down and headed out. 'That went well,' He thought as the elevator took off
He waited on his floor for Ermela to come up. When she came up she looked rather confused, "Gale, what on earth did you do in there?"
"Why?" He asked.
"Well, the Gamemakers were all shocked as all heck and though they clearly tried to clean it up their area was a mess with food and the walls and everything."
"I made an impression," Gale said.
"Seriously, Gale, I know you're technically not supposed to share those but what did you do?"
Gale smiled and told all.
Ermela just looked shocked but then started laughing her head off, "No offence, Gale but are you nuts?"
"A little bit," He shrugged.
Ermela could not stop laughing. "That is just too… genius."
"They paid attention to you though didn't they?" He smirked.
"Well… yeah… they did." Ermela said starting to catch her breath.
"How did you do?" He asked.
"Well, we'll see tonight but I think I did very well." Ermela said having calmed down a lot better now.
"Good," Gale said.
"I didn't do anything completely outrageous like you did, though; I guess you gave a tough act to follow."
"Well at least it got their attention," He said.
"Yes it did, thank for that but hopefully it didn't bring any negative attention on you."
"Well, they had it coming," Gale said.
"This is serious though, Gale. What if they decided to get you back during the games?"
"That's my issue then," He shrugged.
Ermela sighed, "They're not going to like this you know, and as much as the deserved it they're the one's with the real power here."
"Yeah I know," Gale said.
"Well, I guess we'll just have to see when the scores are released."
"Yeah we will," He sighed.
"Maybe we should tell Haymitch and Effie?" Ermela offered.
"Yeah good idea," Gale said. So they went to look for them. "Where could they be this time?" Gale asked
"Living room?" Ermela asked since it would make sense.
"Sure, let's look," Gale said
They headed to the living room and sure enough found them there.
"We need to talk," Gale said.
"Alright, what is it, Gale?" Effie asked as they both turned to them.
Gale explained the situation. Haymitch, just as Ermela did, started to laugh and gave a thumbs up saying, "Good job."
"Haymitch!" Effie gasped.
"What? There's no harm done. They've been doing that every year at least since my own games but probably a lot longer."
"They might take this out on him," Effie said.
"I'm pretty sure they already have, they can't really do anything else without having to reveal what happened in that room which they can't."
"They might lower your score," Effie sighed.
"Scores only make a difference if they're high. That's because a lot of very skilled tributes purposefully score low so that the other tributes will underestimate them. Just look at Johanna Mason." Haymitch corrected.
"Good point," Gale said.
"Besides, it might end up doing just the opposite; after all, what he did took some serious guts. There's quite a few Gamemakers who are looking for that."
"Well...that is true," Effie said.
"Exactly, so loosen your corset. It's fine." Effie smacked Haymitch over the head. "I would have thought that would be considered bad manners, Effie." Haymitch rolled his eyes.
"Well you had it coming," She said.
Haymitch shrugged, "I do not regret it."
Gale laughed. Effie looked sternly at both of them. "Lighten up," Gale sighed.
"Yeah, it's not that big of a deal." Haymitch said. "You always get so worked up over everything that doesn't matter."
"I do not!" She said.
"Yes you do, you have since you firs became in escort and probably before that." Haymitch corrected.
"I do not!" She said.
Gale and Ermela just watched them argue finding this very entertaining. "Maybe they like each other?" Ermela whispered chuckling.
Gale chuckled back at that and whispered, "It seems that way sometimes."
"Do you think so?" She asked.
"…It's a tossup." Gale whispered after some thought.
"Maybe we could nudge them?" She asked.
"Maybe, how could we do that though?" Gale asked honestly not having any ideas.
"Oh kiss and make up already you two," Ermela said smirking.
They stopped arguing in pure surprise at the request and both blushed a little at that, "Um… what?" Effie asked awkwardly.
"I said kiss and make up," Ermela repeated.
Effie gave an awkward chuckle, "Now child, why on earth would we kiss?"
"To relieve the built up attraction you so obviously have," Ermela said.
"What gave you the idea that we were attracted each other?" Haymitch asked defensively.
"The constant fighting for no good reason," Gale said.
"That doesn't mean anything." They both said.
"And that," Ermela added.
"And the fact that you are both blushing is usually a pretty big indication." Gale added with a smirk.
"We are not," Effie said.
Ermela picked up a very reflective platter and used it to show them. "Yes you are."
"Well...it's hot in here…" Effie said.
"No, isn't. Do you think it's hot in here, Gale?" Ermela asked.
"Feels fine to me," Gale said. Haymitch glared at Gale for that, "Well it's true," Gale shrugged
"No, it isn't." Haymitch countered.
"Yes it is, it's not hot in here," Gale said.
"At least try it once. Then if it is nothing you'll at least know for sure." Ermela said.
"Try what?" Effie asked.
"What we've been talking about this whole time, kiss." Ermela said.
"I well...fine, but he would never go for it," Effie said. Haymitch seemed to actually consider it though. He hadn't thought of anyone that way since the Capitol killed his teenage girlfriend though. "What?" Effie asked. She was certainly surprised when he suddenly kissed her right there.
So were Gale and Ermela as they had not thought he would do it. "I can't believe that worked." Ermela whispered.
"Me either," Gale said.
"To make matters weirder, they haven't separated yet." Ermela whispered truthfully.
"Oh yeah," Gale said and then they did separate.
They both looked very shocked and didn't say anything for a while. "Well?" Ermela asked
"Well, what did you think?" Haymitch asked Effie first.
"Well, it wasn't bad..." She said carefully
Haymitch hesitated then said, "I don't think it was either."
"So, what do we do?" Effie asked.
"I'm not sure; it's been twenty-four years since I last dealt with this stuff."
"Well maybe we could try..." She said.
"Try what?" Haymitch asked.
"Dating..." Effie said.
Haymitch hesitated then eventually said, "We'll see, not till after this year's games though."
"Okay, fair...enough..." Effie said hesitantly.
"It's just; we do both have a job to do." Haymitch reminded.
"I know...it's just..." She said seeming to try and find the right words. They decided to just let her find them. "I mean..." She sighed. "Oh..." She sighed and just kissed him this time.
He did not make any move to pull away or anything and just kissed her back. "Aww," Ermela sighed smiling.
"That… I'm not sure what to think right now." Gale whispered.
She just giggled at that. "Not to change the subject and all but when do we see our scores?" Ermela asked.
"Oh, later tonight," Effie said as they separated.
"Alright, I guess we have no choice but to wait then." Ermela shrugged.
"No you don't," Haymitch said.
"So, what do we do till then?" Gale asked.
"Relax," Haymitch said.
"Alright," He said taking a seat.
"Gale maybe we should go?" Ermela suggested.
"Or they could." Gale countered.
"Gale!" Ermela said. Gale rolled his eyes, got up, and left the room.
Review! And with the HaymitchXEffie, flames are accepted and expected!