Chapter 6- Four days

Shortly after they had all settled in to their rooms, they found themselves surrounding the dining room table discussing what was to come. Sparrow was already tired of the whole situation and it had only been a little over twenty-four hours since she had been reaped. They were told that tonight would be the chariot rides which were then followed by three days of training. The last day of training would also contain the interviews. The games would start the day after that. That meant, including today, only four days stood between Sparrow and the games. Four days between her and her imminent demise. She felt sick. On one hand she wanted to cling to these last few days with all of her strength but on the other she just wanted it to all be over.

She tuned back in to what Blight was saying. "The hardest part about meeting the other tributes is knowing who you can trust. Well, trust enough to not stab you in the back the first night. Try to make alliances with a few others that seem as though they can take care of themselves but are not ruthless," Blight's eyes flicked between the two of them. "Will you two be in an alliance together?"

"Of course," Sparrow declared. She saw Everest giving her a grateful look out of the corner of her eye.

"Ok. In that case I would recommend finding around two others to help you get through the start of the games. A few days in and you should go it on your own. The last thing you want is to face an ally in the final two," Blight said, his eyes flickering sadly.

Sparrow met Everest's innocent blue eyes and gulped. She knew that she could never kill him. Not even if it meant that she would get to go home. She didn't even know if she could kill anyone period, let alone her own district partner.

"Thanks so much for the advice Blight. You've been so helpful," Everest said in his quiet voice while Sparrow nodded in assent.

Blight smiled faintly at them and stood up to leave, patting each of them on the shoulder before he walked out of the room.

"Thanks for saying you'd be in an alliance with me. It was really nice. I don't know what I would do if I didn't have you," Everest said shyly.

"Don't worry about it. We're district partners. Of course I'll always be right by your side," Sparrow said kindly.

"Until the end?" Everest said pinning her with his gaze.

Sparrow suddenly found it hard to swallow. "Until the end," she agreed.

0.0.0

Sparrow gazed at herself in the full length mirror, her glistening skin illuminated by soft, flattering lighting. Her stylist, Arcilla, had placed her in an outfit that represented District 7 without going overboard like she had seen in previous years. She was fitted with denim jeans, boots, and a plaid shirt tied around her waist. Her hair was in a simple braid down her back and she wore a white headband with a bow on one side. She didn't mind it really, not at all. It really didn't look like anything she had seen anyone wear back home but it was much better than what some districts were forced to wear.

"You look simply amazing. You're glowing. Sponsors will be tripping over themselves trying to get to you," Arcilla said, wrapping her arm around Sparrow's shoulders.

"Thank you. Really. I couldn't ask for anything better," Sparrow smiled genuinely at her stylist.

"You're very welcome. It's not often that I get such beautiful and kind tributes to work with," Arcilla said while dabbing at her eyes with a hankercheif.

"Attention tributes please begin making your way to the chariots. We will begin in five minutes," A voice sounded through the room.

Sparrow calmed her shaking hands and moved her way towards the door. She and her stylist were then faced with a long winding hallway that ended with a huge room. This room was complete and utter chaos. Various tributes being lead towards their chariots, stylists and mentors running back and forth, and at the center of it all huge golden chariots with two black and white horses at the head of each one. Sparrow had never seen anything so beautiful and yet so imposing at the same time.

As she gazed around at everything just trying to make sense of it all her eyes locked with the District Ten boy Salton who she hoped to become allies with. She nodded in his direction and he returned her nod with a faint smile. She was considering trying to make her way over to him then but was interrupted by a hand on her shoulder. She jumped and turned around to see Everest's amused expression.

"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you," He said grinning slightly.

"Uh-huh, sure you didn't," she said, shoving his shoulder lightly.

Just then Blight walked up to them with Arcilla and a man with diamonds sewn in to his hair who Sparrow assumed was Everest's stylist.

"Ok you two listen up. You might think this whole thing is stupid and not worth your time but it is extremely crucial. As soon as your chariot pulls in to the arena I want you to seem as appealing as you can. Wave, smile, look happy and honored to be here. That kind of behavior will be eaten up by the sponsors," Blight commanded.

Everest nodded while Sparrow made a noncommittal noise. She knew that's what they had to do even if she didn't want to. She couldn't wait until this was over. She hated attention of any kind let alone the entirety of Panem focused on her.

"One minute tributes, one minute. Please board your chariots now," the same voice echoed through the room.

Everest and Sparrow made their way towards their chariot and stepped on to it. Sparrow couldn't help but admire the beauty and raw power of the horses in front of her. She had never seen one before in real life and they were incredible. She cautiously leaned forward and patted the animal's side. As it turned towards her, Sparrow caught her breath but the creature merely gazed at her. Sparrow smiled slightly and leaned back to see Everest watching her.

"You really like animals don't you?" he asked her.

"Yeah I do. We don't get too much experience with them in Seven but anything that reminds me of the outdoors is something I'm interested in," she smiled at him.

Suddenly, music began blaring and Sparrow could see District One's chariot begin moving forward. The pair of tributes looked extremely confident and excited for what was to come. She wished she could feel that way. She almost wished that their chariot was first. Watching each district file out in front of her knowing that their turn was slowly approaching was torture.

Finally they were moving forward and Sparrow gripped the edge of the chariot hard. A moment later they were bathed in sunlight and were met with thousands of cheering Capitol citizens. The entire arena was carpeted with people dressed in everything she could imagine. It looked like a rainbow was blanketing the walls.

She began waving, trying to focus on all parts of the arena at once. The Capitolites were cheering, not as loudly as they had for the Careers but not too shabby for District Seven. In a moment of inspiration, she grabbed Everest in a one armed hug and continued waving and blowing kisses to the crowd. The volume rose even higher and Sparrow knew that this is the angle she would use. The protective older sister act. And the best part was, it wasn't even an act. She did care about Everest and did want to protect him more than anyone else in the Games.

Yes, she thought to herself as their chariot slowed to a stop in front of President Snow. This is definitely something that Blight will approve of and it will work to my advantage.

A/N: Hey guys, here's the next chapter! Training day one will begin next. Do you think any alliances will be formed? Any enemies made? Any more interactions between Sparrow and Salton? Please continue reading and reviewing! :)