The Scoring: Plutarch Heavensbee – Gamemaker
Such a curious little fellow. I didn't quite catch him wander his way in here. Though I don't believe anyone else did either.
As usual the feast was delivered, and every Gamemaker brought their attention to the food, rather than the tributes. Glazed pork, plump roasted chicken, broiled lobster and a sumptuous variety of decadent desserts took the spotlight the moment they were placed on the tables.
Altogether the banquet is incredibly stunning this year. So much so that the very sight of it all had me so distracted I nearly fell into the Avox bringing in the punch. Thankfully, for my sake, I didn't. How embarrassing would that have been? Plutarch Heavensbee covered in punch. I don't believe I would have ever been able to live that one down.
Since the arrival of dinner I'm not positive how much I've missed. I know the last tribute I saw arrive was the boy from District 8. Unfortunately I don't believe I ever saw him leave. This means I must have missed the District 8 girl altogether because down below is little Henley Townsend from District 9. He's been tinkering with every weapon for who knows how long. Apparently I'm one of the few who's actually noticed his presence.
It's the price that each of the last few Districts must pay I'm afraid. The Gamemakers grow tired and hungry as the private sessions progress. Then when the food arrives, a subconscious intermission is signaled for the majority of Gamemakers. Only it's not an intermission. The tributes continue to show up right on schedule, and their scores depend solely on what few Gamemakers take notice. I know it' not fair to them, but it's the way things have always turned out. No one ever complains since no one bets on the outlying Districts anyway.
This is all rather peculiar though. Most tributes at least try to announce themselves, letting us know that they're here. But not Henley. He's slipped under everyone's radar and now he's sitting in the center next to a stockpile of weapons. The weaponry is supposed to be neatly displayed so each tribute can choose their weapon of choice. Henley has collected them all, keeping them by his side and inspecting them one at a time. He also appears to have moved every practice dummy, placing them in a circular formation surrounding himself and his assortment of weapons.
He seems to be off to a good start. Right now there's one practice dummy with two knives skewered through its head. Another with an axe protruding from its chest and an arrow in its arm. I look to the other Gamemakers hoping someone actually witnessed Henley hit these targets. Unfortunately all of those who are watching seem to be just as confounded as I am.
Without getting up Henley continues sorting through spears, maces and whatever else he can get his tiny hands on. Displeased with what remains, Henley just discards them into a second pile filled with rejected weapons that didn't pass his inspection.
It's all very odd indeed. Henley acts as if he doesn't know we're here. He just continues sorting through all of the deadly devices as if they were simply toys for his amusement. More Gamemakers take notice to what's happening now. A few astounded gasps echo through the silence. Everyone seems to be waiting for Henley to hit another target, disappointed that they missed his earlier feats. However, I remain somewhat skeptical due to our lack of witnesses. Skilled or not, I am intrigued by his session.
As I expected, Henley doesn't attempt to hit another target. He just stands, looks over his work and turns around to exit the training room. From the looks on all of the other Gamemakers' faces, they're extremely impressed with the boy's work. I am too. But for an entirely different reason.
Here I was feeling sorry for the tributes, who couldn't attract our full attention. Now I feel silly. There's not a doubt in my mind that Henley used it to his advantage. Then of course he exited the training room, without even a glance in our direction. In his entire session he never once acknowledged us. It's a terrible shame he'll be in the arena soon. He would have made an excellent Gamemaker.