Chapter 5: Before Training
The chariots begin proceeding into the City Circle. I have to say that this place is definitely a grand place. The crowds are cheering, but as usual they are bored of the attire on which the District 12 tributes wear. Fantasia is right for being upset, this won't help me get sponsors. But, I smile and wave because I know that Harrin would want us to. I will win over this Capitol audience, I plan on it, even with a shitty costume. The crowd still adores it, because they love their tributes, right from the reaping until deaths or victory.
Kaylin and Owen are still pale and nervous, but as usual, me and Maysilee seem strong enough to woo the Capitol. They cheering, but not because of these lame outfits, but with two tributes ready to play the Games. The chariots end up at the City Circle, where President Snow begins a thirty-second speech, welcoming us to the Quell, honoring our courage and sacrifice, a doing the "may the odds be ever in your favor" thing that is part of the Capitol accent I guess. The chariots then enter into the Training Center, where we will live until the Games begin.
I walk off the chariot to find Harrin and Sheila, looking pleased. Fantasia, and the other three District 12 stylists meet up with us a minute later. "Let's all head up to the District 12 floor," Sheila says. The floors go up by District. "Mahogany tables, crystal chandeliers, and because you're District 12, you get the penthouse of the building!" So absorbed in luxury, it makes me sick. It's not her fault, she was raised on it by the Capitol. We're all slaves to the Capitol…
When the elevator stops at the 12, I see why Sheila was excited. It is a very extravagant, even the train seems dull when compared to this. "We will meet in one hour for dinner," Harrin says. "We will begin discussing training. But now, go check our your compartments. You will enjoy them." And go figure, he was right. It's in the Capitol after all. Living here could keep you as distracted as an overly obsessive person focused on something.
For one, there is a part on the wall where you can order food, and it will be served right to you from tube that is attached to it. And why do this when you could send food to the districts? The tributes get it easy until the arena, when their family and friends struggle at home. Of fucking course.
Also, the bed is plush, just like the train's one, and I have my own bathroom with soaps and water settings not available at home, including hot water and a shower. I get into the shower, change into simple clothes that would even be simple in District 12, and then I order some bread. I get a basket on high interest Capitol bread, and it is actually really good. I don't know much about the bread industry, but I know that tessera grain does not make bread like that.
After a little while, I walk down to the dining room and find an average Capitol feast set up. Not as much a buffet as there are servers that Sheila calls Avoxes are putting us through different courses of the meal. Still, the food is luxurious Capitol food, not the junk we eat back in District 12.
"Okay," Sheila says. "Harrin is getting some prep work done for you guys with your stylists, so I will begin speaking with you about training. My daughter Effie and I know what you need to do in the Games, even though we were never tributes." Because you live in the Capitol, the 'Safest Place on Earth.' "For starters, training is three days long. The Gamemakers will watch you as you train with the other tributes. Take this time to learn something new, something you don't know. Save your strengths until the private session, where you can show off what you will use in the arena, so you can get an excellent score. The ratings are 1, worst, to 12, best."
"Save our strengths until the private session, then show off?" I ask.
"Yes," she answers. "That way, the other tributes don't know what you can do. Don't be Careers. Keep the element of surprise for the arena." We nod in understanding. "Also, make alliances as you see fit. Join who you wish, or be reliant on your self. There is a field of 48 instead of 24, so a pact could be helpful. Plus, I guarantee the field will be down a lot by the third day in, like a normal Games by then. Only one of you will come out, be resourceful." Wow, so subtle Sheila. "Now, let's watch those chariot rides again."
We go in the screening room and the Opening Ceremonies are on the TV. District 1 is dressed in gems, they probably made them. District 2, well they are dressed like Roman gladiators, which for a stone district makes no sense. District 3 are dressed as….computers with hard drives? Wonder what they're stylists were thinking. District 4 are in swimsuits, just typical 4. District 5, batteries. Wow, like that is creative. District 6, tires. And I think our head stylist is an idiot. District 7, trees, most obvious thing in the world. District 8, I can't explain it. They have textile mills, the costume is very hard to explain. District 9, dressed like grain. District 10, they are dressed like cowboys and cowgirls, at least that is somewhat creative. District 11 is the fruit they grow in the orchards. There our district in the coal miner jumpsuits, then the program concludes. I can say that I never have felt less confident that these guys are in charge of my future than I do now.
"Okay," Sheila says. "Time to get some sleep. Be down here at 9:30 because training begins at 10 AM sharp!" Man, she is so serious. I walk down to my compartment, lay on the bed, and doze off, thinking about the weeks ahead of me.
"It's 9:15, wake up and be in the dining hall in fifteen minutes!" Harrin shouts, banging on my door. I get up, groggily, change into the training outfit that Fantasia supplied me with, and walk down to the dining hall. A breakfast buffet is set up.
"Can we serve ourselves?" I ask the Avox standing at the end of the table. He nods. I grab a plate full off eggs, potatoes, and sausage and walk over to the table where Harrin and Sheila currently are at, enjoying their breakfast. An eleven year-old girl who I have never seen before is also here, sitting next to Sheila.
"Haymitch, this is Effie," Sheila says. "She's my daughter. She is training to be the next District 12 escort when I retire." I nod hello to the girl and she blushes and hides her head away. "I apologize, Effie has always been the shy one. I told her that if she plans on being an escort, she need to conquer her shyness. We're working on it." Interesting, I guess. Her mother should let her conquer it on her own though. Way better results that way.
Maysilee walks into the room wearing a similar shirt to what I'm wearing. Are we supposed to match? "You know," she says. "Looking tough and being tough is a different thing." Where the hell did this come from?
"So I've heard," I joke. She laughs.
"Why are the tributes supposed to match in training?" she asks.
"No reason, just because," Harrin answers. That's weird. "The Capitol just thinks it's easier." I really don't get it. It's easier? Sounds like less fabric have to be used for us, more to spoil Capitol citizens.
The rest of breakfast is quiet, and Owen and Kaylin file in for their food. At 9:55, we follow Sheila to the elevator and she takes us to the Training Room beneath the Training Center. I walk in and see the rest of my competition. I remember Sheila's instructions: learn new things now and show off in the private session. I will beat these people and return home to my family, and Samie, who might become my family after I return to District 12.
` May the games begin now…..
Note: Yes, I had to say mahogany. Sheila is Effie's mother, so they have to be obsessed with mahogany. I am busy all summer, so sorry for the long delay for chapters. I'm trying as hard as I can to get these done. And the chapter's not as long as I wanted it to be, but with the Comic-Con trailer of Catching Fire, I have a whole new round of inspiration for the next few chapters. Sorry for the wait, please still SYOT is open, and review!
Tributes already selected:
District 1:
Female #1: Aphrodite Maddox, 16 Years Old.
District 2:
Female #1: Naiad Elphaba, 16 Years Old.
Female #2: Athena Brown, 17 Years Old.
District 3:
Female #1: Yoorea Conchuss, 13 Years Old.
District 5:
Female #1: Jenny Winterwood, 15 Years Old.
District 7:
Female #1: Rika Palavine, 12 Years Old.
Female #2: Aura Avalanche, 14 Years Old.
Male #1: Jax Falcon, 17 Years Old.
Male #2: Ash Tripper, 18 Years Old.
District 10:
Male #1: Ashton Grayson, 17 Years Old.
Male #2: Hunter Rhodes, 17 Years Old.
Female #1: Phoenix Carson, 15 Years Old.
Female #2: Bristol McPhee, 14 Years Old.
District 11:
Female #1: Gaila Montage, 18 Years Old.
District 12:
Female #1: Kaylin Shroudnet, 15 Years Old.
Female #2: Maysilee Donner, 16 Years Old.
Male #1: Owen Wireson, 13 Years Old.
Male #2: Haymitch Abernathy, 16 Years Old.