The train grinds to halt and Faunus practically leaps out of the door and begins waving to the cameras. There are a few photographers and cameraman here now but it's nothing like it will be when we return to the train with the tributes. Faunus begins twirling around stroking his moustache and the fabric of his one-piece. He doesn't know how desperate he looks when he puts on such a show but I am thankful for his display as it means the cameras aren't paying any particular attention to me. There is a red carpet rolled out in front us leading directly to the entrance of the justice hall. I hurry down it until a journalist accosts me
"Nashira! Nashira!"
Why do Capitol people have a tendency to shout even when you're right next to them?
"Nashira! how do you feel about the games this year?"
"I can't wait" I reply flatly. Yes I can't wait for it to be over
"What do you think about District 3's chances this year?" he asks
What a completely inane question. The tributes haven't even been picked yet. How the heck would I know?
He continues pestering me with his ridiculous enquiries till I reach the door of the Justice Hall. I look back and see Faunus leaning against the train, cocking his head back and blowing kisses to the cameras. I can't help guffawing. I am momentarily stunned by bright flashes and a cameraman whom I hadn't noticed before appears from my right.
Great.
I Imagine the caption on the pictures; Giggles at the reaping- Nashira Kahkashan just can't contain her excitement for the 74th Hunger games. I sigh slightly and open the heavy metal door to the justice hall.
The main room is grey, cold and apart from a few peace keepers milling near the door to the main stage on the opposite side of the room, empty. I wander across and plonk myself down onto a metal folding chair. Right leg crossed over left leg at ankles, hands in lap, feet flat on the floor. Yes I think I've got it.
I hear the stairs from the first floor creaking slightly and look up.
"Hibiki!"
He flashes me a broad smile as he slowly makes his way down, holding onto the banister to support himself. I can hear him wheezing slightly. When he gets to the bottom of the stairs, I catch sight of him properly. I haven't seen Hibiki in at least 6 months. He has gained a massive amount of weight. His face is flushed red and his breath is heavy. He's clearly winded himself going down the stairs. He wheezes away as he reaches the chair next to me. I am actually quite alarmed at this. Suzu, Hibiki's wife, said she was putting him on special diet. Clearly her plan hasn't been working.
Hibiki has a lot of issues with eating. He eats to forget. We all try to forget.
Some victors take drugs to forget- like the pair from District 6. I don't know their names; I don't think anyone cares about them anymore. I've seen them at the annual victors' ball; strung out with sores on their skin and rotting teeth. They look like reanimated corpses, direct from the graveyard.
Some drink to forget- like that Haymitch guy. The year of my Victors ball he spilt whiskey all over my dress before collapsing and being carried off by Avoxes. Everyone was shocked but no-one was surprised.
We all have our vices. Our way of trying to deal with things that can't be dealt with. Hibiki throws himself into food to escape. Numbness is the goal and he only feels numb when his stomach is full. The older he has gotten, the worse it's become. I've heard that before, that there's nothing like growing old and being haunted by memories of the children who will never grow old because of you. Hibiki often swears that he doesn't eat that much but Suzu always finds empty food packaging hidden in odd places. She knows about the secret stash of food he gets imported from the capitol- the buttery cupcakes with the creamy frosting that Hibiki can eat by the dozen and the melt in the middle sponge cakes oozing with chocolate. I wonder how he feels when he eats- does the sweetness mask the bitter taste of reality?
The only time I've ever overeaten was as a tribute during training week. For the first time in my life I was surrounded by all kinds of decedent foods in great quantities. In District 3, food is fuel only. We don't really eat for pleasure- the idea seems so foreign to us. I was bored, angry, scared and upset. I gorged myself because there was nothing else to do. I felt nausea and pain. It didn't make me feel good. Not as good as I imagine it makes Hibiki feel.
I've got other ways to numb myself.