I forgot to mention…

The anonymous review was not up at the time of the second chapter being published because it was not approved within 36 hours, but it's up now. If you like this, please do review. And thank you, keenzbeanz, for telling me how to add chapters. This would not be up if not for her. And my birthday's in three days! Yay! Sorry for the later update, BTW.

Also, I do not own THG

Chapter 3

After Aurora smiles at me sweetly and leaves the room, and I meet with more relatives, I am taken to the train station. There, a swarm of brightly colored, strangely accented people surround me, all talking at the same time. Their voices blend together as I walk by. Cameras flash in my eyes, leaving bright splotches on my vision. Soon, we are on train, traveling 250 miles an hour away from those people.

A Capitol attendant shows me to my room, where I am to freshen up before meeting with my mentors in half an hour. When he leaves, I look around. It is a very nice room, with silk window hangings, plush pillows and incredibly breakable vases. I put on a simple outfit, before deciding to have a shower.

As I'm coming out, I here someone banging on the door. "What?" I call as I check my appearance in the decorated mirror.

"It's your mentor." a male voice calls back. "Be in the dining car in five minutes, or I'll be back and I won't be happy."

As his footsteps retreat down the hall, I decide to look at Aurora's gift again. I look at the ring from all angles, but I can't see anything special about it. I decide to put it on, and examine it after brunch.

I take my time walking down the carpeted hallway. When I reach the door to the dining room, I stop, run my fingers through my hair, and walk in. At the table are Marvel, Lilia and the two mentors, Cashmere and Gloss, brother and sister.

I have always looked up to Cashmere. We are very similar in appearance, and we have similar fighting styles. I don't think much of Gloss, though. He is a good fighter, but lacks charisma. He won by fighting mindlessly, not by wit. Now, as I stare at him, I wonder what he could possibly teach me.

"Finally." He speaks unexpectedly, nearly making me jump, but I remember that I cannot show weakness. "What took you so long, princess? Were you redoing your makeup?"

I glare at him with loathing as he smirks at me. "No." I say simply, and sit down without a second glance. Then I allow myself to look at the piles of food before me.

The first thing I see is the fowl meat platter, with duck, chicken and turkey in sauces in all different colors and thicknesses. Then I see the rice, still steaming and warm. Then I see the pancakes, and the different flavored syrups. There is so much food that I barely notice anything else until Cashmere speaks.

"Help yourself, Glimmer. Then we'll talk about strategies while we eat." I fill my plate, and we begin to talk as we eat.

Gloss cuts right to the chase. "What are your skills? We need to know what you're good at before we can form a game plan." Marvel speaks before I can open my mouth.

"I can throw spears." he says, looking around as if daring anyone to oppose him. "And I'm also good at sword fighting."

"How good?" asks Gloss.

"Really good" he replies, smirking. "I could beat anyone."

"Good." says Cashmere. "What about you, Glimmer?"

I smile. "Well, I'm best with swords and knives. And I'm decent at archery. I'm also very fast."

"That's good." says Cashmere. "You'll pull lots of sponsors, as well. And you both should get a good score if you are as good as you say."

"Now, about the Games." says Gloss. "You're Careers, so you're going with the traditional Career Alliance- unless you have a better idea."

"I don't." says Marvel. "So, we'll just take control of the Cornucopia, hunt down the other tributes, and then turn on each other."

"Sounds good." I say. I'm finished, so I stand up.

Lilia, who I had barely noticed before that point, starts to say something in an indignant tone, but before she can finish her sentence, I spin around, pick up the closest weapon-like object, a steak knife, and fling it at the wall, narrowly missing her head. I leave before anyone has a chance to say a word.

When I came out of my room a little while later, Lilia jumps on me. She lectures me on my horrific manners and disrespectful attitude. When she runs out of steam, she tells me that the mentors and Marvel are all watching the reapings in the TV car. I go there to watch with them.

When I enter, they are nearly finished watching ours. Gloss glares at me as I sit down.

"Nice idea with the winking, princess." he says coldly. "I'm sure that earned you a few sponsors."

I don't even look at him as I speak. "Of course, but I'm sure they would have sponsored me anyway. I do have 'the look'."

Then I turn my attention to the screen. District 2's main square is just fading into view. The two tributes are named Cato and Clove. Cato looks immensely strong and powerful, but I don't know what to make of Clove. She is very small for her age, at seventeen. And she didn't volunteer.

I turn my mind from the mystery of Clove and stare at the screen. Our other allies, from District 4, don't seem terribly powerful. I know that I can best them. Then, in District 5, there is a girl that is very fox-like, from her small frame, smaller than Clove, to her sleek red hair to her fox-like features. There is something about her, something that I can't put my finger on, that makes her stand out. Then the boy from 10, who has a crippled foot, nearly makes me laugh. I'm sure he'll die on day one.

Then comes 12. The most pitiful, starved, laughed upon District of all. But this year, there is a strange occurrence. A volunteering! Yes, it is true. There was a volunteer for a girl who looked barely eligible. Her name was Primrose Everdeen. Her sister, Katniss Everdeen, volunteered for her.

Katniss. What a strange name. I was busy looking at her, and I didn't hear the name of the boy who was called, but he looks stocky and strong. A possible ally.

Then the scene cuts to the seal of Panem, the Anthem plays, and the screen goes dark. I smile to myself. I'll win for sure.

After dinner, hours later, I go to my room. The hours from the reapings to the delicious dinner had been filled with talk of the other tributes' strengths and weaknesses. It got so boring that I considered throwing myself on my own sword. No wonder so many Career tributes go crazy. I certainly am on my way down that road.

I look around my room. It's so fancy that I barely know where to step so I won't get anything dirty. I walk over to the pristine white bed and sit down. Despite it only being about eight o'clock, I consider going to bed. There's nothing else to do today but sleep. So I put on a white nightgown, and climb between the silky sheets.

But, as hours pass, I realize that I'm never going to fall asleep. I'm exhausted, but too much is whirling around inside my head to allow me sleep. So I get up, put on a dressing gown, and leave my room.

The hallway is dark and silent. There is no sign of life as I enter the TV room. Inside, I turn on the television for lack of anything better to do.

There is a feature on about this year's mentors that is on. I watch with a mild curiosity. I see Cashmere and Gloss light up the screen, and a short excerpt from each of their Games is shown. I finally fall asleep to the sound of Gloss's final opponent's death scream.