Arena time!
Katniss woke that morning feeling nervous, more so than usual
She had every right to be though, today it was into the arena.
'I can do his for my family.' She kept thinking
She got out of bed slipping on something a little more substantial then the underclothes but didn't put much effort at all knowing she'll soon be changed into whatever everyone's going to be wearing.
'Just stay calm.' She thought
It didn't help much though heading out of her room.
She sat a the breakfast table and tried to eat.
Maysilee had came out soon later.
"Hey," Maysilee said sitting across from her.
"Hey, Maysilee." Katniss sighed.
"Nervous?" SHe asked
"Very," Katniss nodded.
"I can understand that, try and keep a level head."
"Did you find that anything help with that for you or any of your previous tributes?"
"Remember always, why you are fighting." She said
Katniss nodded, "I will."
"That will make you determined use that frame of mind to live."
"That is good to know."
"Yes it gives you focus."
"Thank you, Maysilee."
"No trouble I will do all I can." She said
"I really am sorry for my attitude earlier."
"It's okay, I have always known you do not think highly of me."
"Still, it was rude."
"Well, thank you." She said
"You're welcome, I guess."
"You will be okay though." She said
"Are you sure?"
"Yes I am, you are smart, and that can save lives."
Katniss let out a small smile at that, "Thank you."
"It's my pleasure Katniss." Maysilee said glad that at least Katniss was showing some confidence in herself.
"What should I do once the gong goes off?"
"You're the fastest girl in school. I say find what you want and make a sprint for it."
"You think I can make it?" Katniss asked
"Yes I do. I wouldn't tell you to if I didn't."
"Thanks Maysilee."
"Anything else?" Katniss asked.
"Yes avoid the career pack." She said very seriously.
"Of course," Katniss nodded.
"If you can pick them off one by one."
"I'll try, though it's going to be hard."
"I know it will be, but you can survive it, and to get them, I recommend poisons."
"Okay, I do know a quite a few but it depends what environment I'm put in."
"Well did you recognize anything in plants?" She asked
"Almost everything, the trainer was getting suspicious that I had done that stuff before but I told him that I just remembered from watching the previous games."
"Good thinking, and that means the arena will likely be easy for you to work with."
"Those kind of stations are usually a pretty good indicator to what the arena will be like." Maysilee added.
"Good to know." Katniss said
"I can really just hope for woods. Those I can work with."
"Good, now when you head in to get your supplies stay focused let no one distract you."
"Got it."
"Not even Peeta." She warned
"I doubt he will." She snorted slightly.
"Even so, I am just saying for the sake of arguing
"Well, I won't let anyone."
"Okay, good."
"Yeah, would rather not be just another bloodbath death."
"Other than that, stay out of sight if possible."
"Got it."
"Good, then hunt and you can win." She said
"Thank you,"
"It's my pleasure and I will do all I can to help you."
"That is very good to know."
"I'm glad it makes you feel better."
"How much time do we have?"
"A few minutes."
"Okay," Katniss said but suddenly couldn't eat anymore.
"You'll be okay."
"It's hard not to be nervous though."
"I can understand that, if there is anything I can do to help let me know." She said
"That includes here and in the arena." Maysilee added.
"I will, I swear." Katniss said
"Good, it's hard to help you if you don't."
Katniss nodded as Peeta arrived
"Looks who's finally awake." Maysilee noted.
"Sorry, I was up late." He said
"Mystery you got any sleep at all."
"I did just not much." He said
"Well, unfortunately, even if you win you can kiss the luxery of a good night sleep goodbye."
"I thought as much." He said
"Yeah, at least it's usually easier in the actual arena. Mostly because your subconscious knows that you have to sleep or you are going to die."
"That's good?" He asked
Maysilee nodded, "That part is good."
"Well I guess that makes sense."
"Yeah," She said .
Eat." She encouraged
He nodded carefully and tried to.
"You both need to eat and drink before they arrive."
"I figured as much." Peeta said.
"Then get to it." She said
They did try though it was awkward.
"You'll be okay." She kept assuring them.
Then the Peacekeepers came in though, and Maysilee though expecting this was now more on edge.
"It's time." They said as Katniss and Peeta rose to their feet.
"Right," Katniss sighed and they followed out.
"Good Luck!" Maysilee said
"Thank you," They called back.
She nodded and when the door closed ran to get ready, she had to be on the mentors floor by the time the countdown started. She was ready and down fairly soon though.
She headed down to the bottom floor. It was the same as the tributes training floor but was redone.
The training station was gone replaced with several large screens and control panels with chairs in front of them and displays of the accounts. In the center of the room there was a buffet. The room the Gamemakers had judged from had been changed so there were several beds for the mentors to sleep in when they needed to and there were showers and devices to call for clothes in each bathroom.
Soon after she arrived Finnick had came over.
"Maysilee, good to see you." He said
"Good to see you, too, Finnick." She said smiling, over the years she had come to like the young man.
"You seem more nervous than usual." He said worried as he gave her a hug.
"Well, the girl is a close friend of mine's daughter. I've known her my whole life."
"Oh! I see." He said.
"Yeah, unlike all my previous tributes I do feel she stands a real chance."
"Is that so?" He asked
"Yeah, she's got the skills to make it. You saw her score, right?"
"Yes,I was very impressed."
"I think we might have somehow switched tributes this year." Finnick noted.
"Maybe, it is usually you with the outstanding tributes."
"Yeah, I honestly don't think, Raels stands much of a chance."
"Is that your male or female?" Maysilee asked
"Male," Finnick sighed which was surprsing most male tributes from 4 were major threats, just like Finnick had been.
"Is he that bad?" She asked
"Yeah, pretty much." He sighed.
"The poor boy." She said
"Yeah," He sighed. "It is surprising though."
"Well, it was bound to happen."
"What about your girl?" She asked.
"She stands a better chance, but this year two has the real threats."
"I noticed, that is usually the case though."
"Yes, but this year they seem confident."
"Also usually the case."
"More so than normal."
"Well, that is difficult."
"Yes it is, but you have my support if none of my tributes are in the games." He said
"Thank you for that, Finnick."
"No problem." He said as Johanna approached
"Hey Johanna," Maysilee smiled.
"Maysilee finally another girl I can stand."
"Yeah, it's good to see you, too, Johanna." Maysilee smiled.
"Quite the tribute you have."
"Yeah, the girl at least."
"Yes that is who I meant." She said as they watched the Cornucopia being filled.
"There's only one bow." Maysilee realized.
"Why does it matter?" Finnick asked
"That's Katniss' weapon."
"It is?" He said surprised anyone from 12 had a weapon of choice.
"Yes it is." She said still a bit worried.
"Well that's good then isn't it?" He asked.
"She might not be able to get it. It al comes down to where they place her."
Hopefully she will be close."
Maysilee nodded, "We can only hope."
"I think she'll be great." Johanna said
"True, at least there is one at all and she is fast."
"Good then she can get in and out."
Maysilee nodded, "That's what I'm hoping at least. Only in a sprint though but that's short enough."
"They are the same distance away."
"She will be."
"Unless they put her on the opposite side."
"Unlikely." Johanna said without much worry.
"They might though."
"12 is usually near the mouth."
"12s female is usually near the mouth not always but usually."
"Well, we can only hope that is the case this year."
"They rise in five minutes."
"Better get ready then."
"Yeah to the stations," Johanna said
Maysilee nodded and headed to her own. The video opened up as they came up
'Okay, that's pretty far but she could probably do it if she stays focused as I told her.' Maysilee thought as the countdown started. She also quickly looked into how much a bow would cost right away just incase she can't. After all, she did have a sizable account budget.
"Would be no problem." She said.
She did have enough if she acted fast but then she would definitely have to get more.
"Ten seconds!" Beetee said
Maysilee looked at the screen holding her breath.
The gong sounded and Katniss was off toward the Cornucopia
She of course went straight for the bow.
'Come on!' Maysilee thought as she ducked a n=knife and grabbed a choice pack and the bow.
'Now get out of there.' She thought hopefully.
Katniss seemed to read her because she launched her self towards the woods.
"That's my girl." Maysilee mumbled.
'Thank goodness they had played the arena in her favor.' Then she noticed that Peeta was still in the middle of the bloodbath and wondered what the heck he was doing.
Using her panels she watched them both very carefully
Katniss was making it well into the woods but Peeta seemed to be making no attempts to get out of there.
'Run you idiot before they go after you.' She thought
He didn't though and Maysilee sighed out loud at that, 'I guess he was never meant to last long anyways.'
Then to her shock and anger he started helping the careers gather the supplies
"No, no, he can't." She muttered gripping her console tightly.
He was though he was a part of the career pack.
'Impossible, how did he even?' She thought as the cannons started to sound for the eleven dead.
"That little." She muttered darkly
She looked at the account she had gathered and got an idea a smirk crossing her face. She dug a small amount of money free and looked to the screen of prices searching for the right thing.
'Perfect, what's that even doing here though.' She thought but sent it to Peeta anyway.
She watched and waited for her package to come down. It didn't take very long at all to start floating down.
"Look a gift!" The girl from 4 pointed out
It floated right by Peeta and he opened it up finding some berries that most of the Careers recognised but kept their mouths shut, if he was stupid enough to fall for it then let him.
"Berries?" He said confused.
"Looks like it." Clove said carefully honestly hoping he does having never liked their idea of letting him in.
Maysilee looked up realizing all the other mentors were staring at her now.
"What?" She asked
"Why did you…?" Seeder started awkwardly.
"Send him those?"
"Yeah," Seeder said looking at the screen.
"He joined the careers."
"Besides, it's much quicker and less painful than the alternative now." Maysilee added.
"Well I suppose."
"Exactly, so just watch."
They shrugged none of them really concerned about it. She looked back at the screen and smirked seeing he fell right for it.
He took and ate the handful. Once he had though his body must have known something wasn't right and hunched over trying to get them out but it was already too late.
"Poison." He muttered falling to the ground.
A cannon of course went off soon after. "Nightlock," Clove noted and turned to Cato. "I told you he was useless."
"I thought we could use him to get to that girl." He shrugged.
"Well, we'll have to find her another way then."
"Yeah, lets just get this over with." He said
"You won't." Maysilee said switching to check on Katniss now even more confirming it as a good idea to have killed him.
Katniss was already deep into the forest now speed walking instead of sprinting.
'That a girl. You're pretty far in, go ahead and save your energy and find some water.'
Katniss appeared to be looking for just that with little luck. Maysilee looked over the coverage of the arena hoping she was at least near some. She was but she needed to go a bit more west to find it.
Unfortunately Maysilee had no way of telling her that. She could send her a thing of water but that could only last so long. Plus she did not want to use the money yet. She had to know what was in Katniss' pack first.
Again as if Katniss had some how heard her she had soon stopped and checked. Katniss' pack contained; Iodine, a spool of wire, a wooden bowl, some dried fruits and meats, a sleeping bag, a small knife, and best of all a water bottle.
Katniss and Maysilee both let out a relieved smile to find the bottle was full. Katniss opened it and took a small drink before caping it wanting to save as much as she can until she at least finds where to refill it.
"Good now keep moving." Maysilee said carefully.
She need keeping a watch for animals to hunt, defend against, or use as a guide to find a natural water source. Maysilee had faith in her though. It was just then that Maysilee realized how long she had actually been there for.
"It's going to be getting dark soonhow is that possible?' She thought
She then realized that having gotten through the bloodbath they must have been there for hours.
"I always forget how long those are."
She glanced over at Finnick who though his tribute was already dead was helping his mentally damaged Fiancée with their girl.
"How is she doing?" Maysilee asked
"Pretty good so far." Finnick said looking over at her.
"That's good then."
"Yeah, how's Katniss?"
"Very well." Maysilee said
"That's great. I noticed she got the bow but the girl from 1 doesn't seem to happy about that."
"I could care less what that girl is happy about."
"I'm just saying that she might become a target."
"She's already a target." Maysilee pointed out from Cato's comment.
"Good point."
"She'll be okay though." Maysilee said.
"You seem confident."
"I'm trying to be, and with her I feel my confidence is well placed."
"Well good job, keep it up Enobaria is coming over."
"Great," Maysilee sighed as she indeed did.
"So 12 quite the girl you have." She said
"That she is. Do you have a point?" Maysilee asked calmly.
"She's doomed you know?"
"I wouldn't bet on it if I were you."
"Really and why is that a lucky score?"
"It wasn't a lucky score it was a skilled score."
"No one in 12 has skill." She said simply.
"Not many but Katniss is one of the few."
"Yeah sure we'll see." She said skeptically.
"That we will."Maysilee said with cnvincing calm.
"Good luck." She snorted
"Won't need it."
She smirked and left, without another word.
"Well, that went well."
"Well as could be." Finnick said yawning.
"Yeah, so I still say it went well."
"Yeah good point,"
"Besides, you learn to just ignore her." Maysilee said.
"You have to."
"Yeah, she stops being intimidating soon and then just starts looking stupid."
"Yeah she does."
"She seems to think otherwise though. Get the idea that she scares us."
"Well that is a colossal failure."
"Well, don't tell her that. It would take away our entertainment." Maysilee chuckled.
"Your right." He mock gasped
She just smirked and put a finger to her lips. He smiled and went back to watching his tribute. Maysilee of course did as well.
Katniss had chosen to set up in a tall tree figuring she was safe there.
"Good, choice, just stay out of few, there's plenty of trees." Maysilee whispered.
Realizing Katniss was for now safe Maysilee decided to get some food.
She headed over to the buffet and got herself one of the fluffy white rolls and a bowl of creamy rose petal soup as well as a glass of water like always.
"All in all a good start." She muttered
As she sat down and started to eat she remembered something Katniss said about training. How the edible plants trainer got suspicious of how she already knew them so well. That time it was easily explained away but what if when she does become victor they start to question stuff that's less easy to lie out of like how she learned how to hunt or shoot a bow and arrow?
She decided to start planning for those questions, not that the Capitol usually asked them, but still it never hurt to be prepared.
'There's of course the training center here and say she's a fast learner as long as they don't see her swim.' She thought.
Now that she had a scoop of the field Maysilee knew that they were unlikely to have to swim, in this arena. Which was a relief. The 70th did at least have a dam that broke.
'Broke my ass.' She thought glancing sadly at Annie
'Had a fairly promising boy that year for once, too until the flood came. Poor girl, no one can blame her for going insane. At least she has Finnick though which does seem to help some.' She thought watching them.
She smiled they really did go together.
She turned her attention to the games finding though Katniss was safe something else 'interesting'.
High above the career pack looking very comfortable and confident the girl from 11 was holding a rock in one hand and a slingshot in the other.
'What is she up to?'
She loaded the rock into the slingshot taking aim towards the camp but from here Maysilee couldn't tell any further.
'No way she hits' Maysilee thought.
She let the rock fly and down below the rock flew straight into the throat of the boy from three with a sick sounding THWACK he fell to the ground blood leaking from his throat as the cannon went off.
Not only that but as soon as the rock had left the slingshot she was leaping gracefully away through the trees not making a sound.
'Incredible!' Maysilee thought
The remaining Careers tried to find the assailant but obviously found nothing Rue being long gone.
"That, was impressive." Maysilee said out loud
"Quite the understatement actually." Johanna said.
Maysilee smiled, it must have been great if even Johanna was giving the girl praise
"Since when do you deal out praise, Johanna?"
"Since a girl just killed a pack member with a rock and escaped."
"Well, yes it is extremely impressive. Maybe it's this girl I should be worried about, not 2."
"Maybe it is."
"I guess this year's games will certainly be interesting for everyone."
"Yeah for once who knows who'll win."
"Hopefully, still Katniss."
"We'll see." Johanna said
"Yes we will." Maysilee sighed.
"I like your girls odds though," She admitted
"Thanks, why are you still here anyways? Both your tributes are dead."
"I am still stuck here with all of you, that's how it works remember? I am allowed to help others now though."
"I do not have to leave and this is better than the media circus." Johanna said simply
"True, I hate those."
"Besides you would be bored alone."
"Also true," Maysilee chuckled.
"Good and for a gesture of good faith you can have the rest of my funds."
"Really?" Maysilee asked.
"Sure I do not need it."
"Thank you, Johanna."
"Not a problem." She said
"Still, it means a lot. Especially this year."
"Well don't get all sappy on me." She said
"Okay, I won't."
"Good, now what to send her?" Johanna wondered aloud
"Not really anything yet. Just pay attention."
"Alright."
"You don't have to though."
"I will
"That should really help."
"Exactly we can watch in shifts."
"That is a relief."
"You need sleep too." She said
"I'll try."
"Good now go." She said gently pushing Maysilee towards the beds.
"Now?"
"Are you tired?"
"I'm always tired."
"Then yes now."
"Fine," Maysilee sighed.
"Good now go." She said taking Maysilee's seat
She did head up trusting Johanna enough.
'Be careful Katniss.' She thought
She headed up to the bedding area only hoping she would listen. She as with most nights did not sleep well. She did keep trying though every time a nightmare woke her up. After the fourth time he got up.
"Of course it wouldn't." She sighed.
"Johanna how is she doing?" She asked
"Good, she's asleep now. She tied herself to the branch in the sleepingbag she got."
"Smart girl."
"Very, looks like a promising year for the background districts in general."
"Yes, 11, and 12 are in a good position." Maysilee said
"You saw 11's boy, right?"
"Not really no."
She searched a different screen from the one Katniss was on and showed her the boy in question. He was a mountain of a human being. Maysilee was stunned to say the least.
"He's huge!" She finally stammered out.
"Exactly, " Johanna nodded.
"Okay so 11 is a problem."
"Definitely," She sighed
"Other than that the usual."
"Except that girl from 5. She is fast, and smart."
"Yeah, wow powerful games."
"Yeah,"
"She'll be okay."
Johanna nodded, "I'm sure of it."
"Good." Maysilee said
"You should get some sleep to though." Maysilee told her.
"I will." She yawned
"Good,"
"Keep an eye on her, the pack got one while you slept."
"Keep an eye out the pack is hunting."
"I will." Maysilee nodded taking her seat.
Katniss was still sound asleep. She switch the other monitor away from Thresh to try to find the Pack. The pack had yet to find anyone. So soon they two headed back to camp to get some sleep.
'Good she's safe At least for the night. Now to track the others.'
Since they can see the readings from all the trackers there was no trouble finding all the remaining ones.
11's girl was near Katniss in a different tree.
Maysilee immediately realized the problem of course remembering what happened with the boy from 3 but had no way to warn her she was there. She just watched Katniss though did not strike.
Over time that did calm her down that she wasn't going to. Not that night.
She seemed to be evaluating Katniss' worth to her. It was becoming clear that she didn't trust Katniss though. To be fair though trust was not something for the games. She turned and left keeping to the trees.
'What an odd girl.' Maysilee thought
Not much happened until the sun was just starting to come up. Then some idiot started a fire.
'Really she that stupid!?' Maysilee thought.
Just as canon and she had expected, the Careers arrived. The girl tried to run, but like sharks to blood they swarmed They had her surrounded weapons drawn. She screamed, but was silenced quickly
As usual the attack was vicious and bloody. "Animals," Maysilee muttered in disgust.
The cannon sounded the girl was gone.
"Fourteen down." She said disconnecting herself as she has to.
"Fast games." She muttered
'Just hang in there Katniss. I'm gonna get you out of there.' Her thoughts promised.
Katniss was woken by the cannon. She looked over just as the hovercraft was coming in.
She remained still as the girl was lifted up. Once it and the Careers were gone she untied herself clearly realizing the same thing. Soon she was down and sneaking through the forest. Given the situation her bow was always kept nocked and ready to draw.
'Don't drop your guard.' Maysilee thought
She clearly didn't though as she kept moving. She did get a few squirrels on her walk. Then she noticed something looking down.
'Mud!" Maysilee thought excitedly
Her own resources confirmed the undeniable; she was so close to water.
'Come on Katniss use your head!' She thought.
She clear noticed and tried to follow it and any othr signs.
"Nearly there." Maysilee muttered.
It was not much longer at all until she did find it. Katniss looked ready to jump for joy.
'Good girl.' Maysilee smiled.
She had found the stream, that made her odds a little better.
'Find where it leads.'
Katniss could apparently read her thoughts setting out after the water.
Maysilee kept checking where the other tributes are as she went. They were still in their camps except Rue who was heading deeper into the forest. She was of course very relieved by that. She sighed in relief.
'Nine left to die, only five Careers. Good, not too bad.'
It was a mystery how that boy from 10 was still there though.
'Must be clever.'
The others there was no question though.
"Damn it this year had to be the tough one!?"
Right after she said it she realized she said it outloud and very loudly.
'Oops' She thought not looking at anyone
Enobaria just smirked at her.
'Damn it' She thought.
What do you think? An interesting new POV to the games? Or you might have seen it before. I know I haven't though please let us know how we did. We love reviews.