I make my way to the weapons stations, while keeping an eye on the Careers and listening for Orna. The Careers ignore me which doesn't bother me. Though Fennel shoots me a smile, I don't interact with the rest of the pack, and they don't interact with me.
I make my way to the swords because the blunt-edged weapons don't catch my eye. I see that the boy from 1 is working with a trainer and he's using a club. The boy from 2 is working hand-to-hand skills, while the Fennel is at the archery range.
If Fennel is a crack shot, I'm screw. I thought, but after watching her for a few moments I realize that being shot with arrows is not going to be a problem. Though I should be mindful that she could be acting like a bad shot throw everybody off.
At this moment, I feel the hair on the back of my neck stand up, I turn around to see Orna has decided to grace me with her presence.
"If I'm an anomaly that would make you an enigma. Most people outside of the Career districts usually keep to themselves. Although, 3 has been brought into the fold on occasion." I said.
"I just do what I can to learn about my opponents before entering the arena. Why come to the weapons stations?" Orna asked.
"Does it matter? The Careers are ignoring me anyways." I asked.
"Are you trying to join my ranks?" she asked.
"What's that: the seen but not seen group?" I asked.
"Yes." she said.
"What do you think?" I asked.
"I've learned many things since we've been here. Do you want to hear about it?" she asked, ignoring my question.
I look at that sword rack and realize that nothing here is going to help me. A sword, full size or short, is going to slow me down.
"I think what you want is a knife. It's next to the edible plants station." Orna said.
I turn to see the station in question, but I sense that our conversation is done for the time being. I sense that I have eyes on me, and when I turn to see who it was, I greet with a glare and a frown from Coral. I wave to her, and then walk over to the station that Orna told me about. But before I leave, I saw a trident on one of the weapons racks.
"Weapons not your forte?" the instructor, who was a woman, asked as I was approaching the station.
"For the fighting style that I'm going to be using, a knife would be right up my alley." I said.
"Care to share?" she asked.
"Nothing to share, just here to learn." I said.
She went over the basics of how to use the knife, and it was very informative. I spend the better part of an hour working with the tool. I found the perfect back up weapon that compliments a trident. Plus, if I catch any fish, I have a tool to skin and clean it. And since I learned how to build a fire, I can cook it as well. As I'm finishing at the station, I feel a lot of eyes are on me. I turn to see that a lot of the other districts are looking at me, and as usual there are stares of disdain, stares of uncertainty, and stares of genuine like. But the big question is how these people will react after the bloodbath after the Games start in six days.
But the stares that really get my attention are the Gamemakers. If the other tributes feel like they are being robbed of a chance to impress them, it could mean trouble for me later. After I look away from the Gamemakers, I make eye contact with Orna. She mouths one word: trouble.
The implications of that are numerous, and range for being the number one target of the Careers, or the target of the Gamemakers. It doesn't really make sense that the Gamemakers would single a tribute out and make their time in the arena worse than it's already going to be, but it isn't unheard of. But I can guarantee that the Careers are definitely fuming.
After finishing at the station, I made my way overall to the edible plants station. After the instructor gave me the rundown of the station, handouts and all, I started looking at the various plants that could be in the arena. Before sitting down, I positioned myself in a way that I could have company and the rest of the gym couldn't see. Unless they moved to a different position.
"Well, well. It seems that we have a celebrity this cycle." Orna said joining me at the table.
"Took you long enough." I said.
The instructor came and gave Orna the same spiel that I just heard, and then walked away.
"How bad is it?" I asked.
"The Gamemakers are paying everybody an even amount of attention, but to say that they are intrigued by you would be a monumental understatement. What's so special about you?" she asked.
"Nothing. Well, if I had to guess the other tributes are reacting to me like I'm the dude in charge here. Are you sure you should be talking to me?" I asked.
"Why?" she asked.
"Isn't it obvious. If I'm public enemy number one, rest of the group will assume that you're with me and attempt to kill you as well." I said.
"People have been looking at me sideways long before I started interacting with you." she said.
"Your funeral." I said.
"More or less." Orna said, and then got up to leave.
I look over to see who was looking at us, and if there was anybody they looked away when Orna got up to leave. Between Orna and the Careers I feel more comfortable with Orna. I look over my shoulder to watch Orna leave, and for the first time in my life I felt something different. Like I wanted to let Orna in and show her a different side of me. As much as I want to do that, I know that I can't. I turn my attention back to the edible plants information as I continue my train of thought.
Orna is the first woman in my entire life that wasn't bending over backwards to get my attention. If we had meet in the district instead in the Capitol, I might have sought her out. Maybe Orna is attracted to me but is going about differently; unlike the girls from 1 and 2.
At that moment, I'm brought out of my thoughts when the bell for lunch rings. I leave the station in time to see all that the other tributes at the door, but I turn to see Orna looking at me. She winks and blows me a kiss, and then heads over to the lunch line. I take my time heading to lunch. I want to put as much space between us, but what I wasn't expecting was to be surrounded by the other tributes. Some might shrug off having the rest of the tributes gather around them, but I am not most people.
I look for the Careers in my peripheral vision, and it was as expected. The boy from 1 is paying me no attention, the girls are upset, I can almost feel the jealousy from here. No, the boy form 1 isn't ignoring me, I can see the smirk from here. The boy from 2 also had the same smirk. I make eye contact with Coral, and I see nothing.
It seems that I need an exit strategy. I need to make one of these other tributes a target so tempting, the Careers can't resist them. I thought.
I get through the lunch line quickly, and then I found a table near the doors. I positioned myself in a way that I could keep me eye on the Careers and Orna. It's a quiet affair because the Careers don't bother looking at me, even Coral sat with her back to me. Orna and I made eye contact, but nothing was conveyed. I finish my meal, and head back into the gym. Upon entering the gym, I head to the edible plants station and stay there for the rest of the day.
When the final bell rang, I was no closer to understanding the station, but I remember some of these plants from home, albeit there were more that were unfamiliar to me. As I'm approaching the elevator, I saw Coral get on an elevator with the rest of the Careers.
Doesn't bother me. I thought.
"Mind if I ride with you?" a feminine voice asked.
I turned to see that it was the girl from District 5, which was a bit of a shock, but standing her behind was Orna.
"Sure thing. No problem." I said.
I wait for the elevator to come back, and then the three of us got on.
"This one's full." Orna said, and then pressed the close button.
"Alright." I said.
"My name is Indigo. I was wondering if you could help me with a station?" she asked.
"And what station is that?" I asked.
"Knot tying." Indigo said.
"That depends. Are you having doubts about your chances?" I asked.
"No." Indigo said, flatly.
Behind her, I saw Orna shake her head. I was just verifying that Indigo wasn't trying to off herself the first chance she gets in the arena.
"When do you want to start tomorrow: first thing or after lunch?" I asked.
"First thing. Act-actually we both want to learn." Indigo said, motioning between her and Orna.
"Do you now?" I asked, with my face on Indigo, but my eyes were on Orna.
Indigo look at Orna, who just smiled and shrugged her shoulders.
"Well, then meet me at the station after they cut us loose in the morning." I said.
"Tootles." Orna said, as she was getting off on her floor.
"Later." I said.
When the elevator doors close, Indigo moves over to the spot where Orna was standing. The elevator stops at on the fourth floor in a matter of moments.
"Later." I said, as I was stepping off.
"See you tomorrow." Indigo said, as the doors were shutting.
"Have a play date?" a female voice asked.
I was caught off guard, but I knew who it was. It was Amethyst, and before I could respond I see Mags walking her way over to me, almost floating.
"I wouldn't exactly call it that." I said.
"How did it go?" Mags asked
"It went well, albeit I didn't make headway on the edible plants station." I said.
"Anything else of note?" Mags asked.
It was a blink and miss it moment, but the way her eyebrows shot up and look with her eyes I definitely would have missed what she was getting at. I looked in the direction she was looking at and saw Coral coming from her room.
"Nothing that needs to be discussed at the moment. How long until dinner?" I asked.
"It's going to be later than usual, so go get changed and meet me by the television." Mags said.
"Yes ma'am." I said, and then headed to the living quarters.
"Finnick." Coral greeted in passing.
"Coral." I greeted as well.
And again, another blink and miss it moment, there was a crap ton of tension rolling off of Coral.
Crap! I need to grab a weapon, a knife, some supplies, and get lost. I can't work with the Careers; I'll be dead the moment I turned my back on them. I thought.
I enter my room without a backwards glance. Whatever chance we had at working together on anything, just went out the window. Whether it's because I went solo or because I've been consorting with Orna is beyond me, but the choice has been made for me. The moment I step off that plate I'm going to have an even bigger target on my back compared to the rest of the tributes. I get in my room, change out of my uniform, get a shower, dry off, and put on fresh clothes.
As I'm heading back to the living area, I see Chrysan, Amethyst and Coral talking in the dining area, but I can't make out much of there conversation. I don't bother trying to eavesdrop, so I make my way over to Mags by the television.
"Want to what's going on between you and Coral." Mags said from a seated position on the couch.
"From what I can tell is that I've been cast out of the Careers, but Coral is still in with them. Could Coral be playing an angle where we're split up, possibly, but I highly doubt it. That scene at the elevator was because the Indigo, the girl from District 5, and Orna, who needs no introduction, want to learn how to tie knots." I said, pulling up a chair and sitting down.
"What's your take on the Careers and Coral?" she asked.
"Coral was extremely nervous when I walked by her to my room. When we were at lunch, Coral position herself so her back was to me, kind of like it is now." I said, motioning with my head.
Mags was positioned in such a way that such a way all she had to do was look in her peripheral view and see that Coral's back was to me.
"What are your plans for next week?" she asked.
"Praying that I don't get taken out in the blood bath, get a weapon, a knife and then get as far from the Cornucopia as possible. Also, I'm praying for a massive body of water." I said.
"How massive are we talking?" she asked.
"Like a coastal plain, or a wetland." I said.
"That's a big if." Mags said.
At that moment, we could smell the food that was ready to be served.
"A very big if. Madame." I said, as I stand up and offer Mags a helping hand.
"Thank you." Mags said, taking my hand and I helped her to her feet.
We walk over to dinner and sit down to eat. I help Mags into her seat.
"A scholar and a gentleman." Chrysan said.
"I try." I said, and then took a seat next to Chrysan.
Dinner was a lively affair, even I got in on the conversation a few times.
After dinner there was a little chitchat and then Coral and I were sent to bed. Come morning we get breakfast, prep for the last training day. Mags and I didn't do our little dance. Probably because I told her all of the necessary details last night. And then we were on the elevator heading down to training.
Atala didn't even give a spiel. Once everybody arrived, Districts 1 and 2 were the last to arrive, which was kind of odd, did Atala cut us loss.
I made my way to the knot tying station, and as I was arriving both Orna and Indigo were approaching as well.
"Back again?" the instructor asked, shocked to see me back.
"I was asked to give moral support for the ladies." I said.
The instructor went over the basic knots, and the girls picked them up. Orna had a bit a knack for the skill, but Indigo struggled a bit. I took the other end of the rope that Indigo had and showed her how to do the knot. After my prompt, Indigo had the knot down. We stayed at the station for an hour, which was more than enough time for Indigo and Orna to learn all of the knots.
After leaving the station, I went through all the previous stations I visited from the past two days as a refresher. I spent the rest of the morning at the obstacle course.
After lunch, we were all directed to a row of chairs, twelve in total, and sat in pairs by districts. I sat between two opposing forces that were ready to beat each other to a pulp. While Orna kept her emotions in check, Coral was ready to throw down right there. I know that Orna wanted to speak to me, I could see it in her eyes, but Coral needed to leave first. It was a conservation that was never had.
It was about an hour, give or take, before Coral was called to give a demonstration of what she learn over the past three days.
"I'll make this fast. Coral is going to set you up after the gong rings." Indigo said.
"They're going to know that you are going to warned me. You know that right? And did Orna tell you tell me?" I asked.
"The Careers are gunning for you, and they're coming hard. Your weapon of choice is the trident." she said.
"Yeah. Was I that obvious?" I asked.
"Orna told me to tell you this. There's also pool in the back, behind the obstacle course. I'm pretty certain you can come up with something." she said.
"Why is she helping me? Why give me these ideas in the first place?" I asked.
"Everybody can tell that you aren't like the rest of the Careers. You can either stay with the Careers until the alliance fails, or you can strike out on your own during the bloodbath. If you stay with the Careers, you're going to have to watch your back. If you strike out on your own, you will have some breathing room as you wait for the attack to come." Indigo said.
"Finnick Odair." a female voice called my name, causing both Indigo and I to turn and look.
I turn back to Indigo, wink my, click my tongue, and point at her as I get up to walk away. Before I enter the gymnasium, I turn to look at Indig one last time. To my shocked surprise, Indigo was blushing.
I enter the gym, and I head over to the obstacle course. As Orna said there was a pool, and next to the pool was a training dummy. I make my way over to the weapons rack and grab my weapon: the trident.
A few of the Gamemakers are interested, while rest continue to distract themselves with a roast pig, drinks and the current gossip running rampant. I can't make much out, but most of it is placing bet on tributes who they think are going to die.
I'm going to give them a display that they won't forget. I thought.
I take look at the pool as I'm walking over there. It's got a few lap lanes, and there's a well in what is the deepest part of the pool.
Oh! The won't be able to resist! I thought.
I see a training dummy next to me, and I already know what to do. I do a quick check, gage the angle of accent, and then roll the dummy towards the pool. As I'm rolling the dummy over to the deep end, the silence grows. As the dummy is rolling to a stop, I look to see that I have their undivided attention. I walk back and grab the trident. I think of what I want to do, but the friction from both the water and the wall rebound are probably going to be problematic. So, instead I elect to do another maneuver. The weapon will throw me off a bit, but I can probably do this.
I dive in and sink to the bottom of the diving well. As I reach the bottom of the well, I begin to realize that my genetic alteration may have been done elsewhere because I can feel my muscle begin to tense up as if my body is aware of the maneuver that I'm about to pull off. I knew I could swim like a fish, but what occurred surprised not only the Gamemakers but myself as well. As I pushed off from the bottom I move through the water like a hot knife through butter. I gage the moment I hand out to brace, and then propelled myself up to the surface.
As I broke the water surface, I had already had my arm cocked back. I threw the trident with enough force to knock the dummy over. I didn't hear it because I was already crashing backing to the water, but there were gasps from every one of the Gamemakers.
I pulled myself out of the pool, and I saw that they were all bug eyed, and slack jawed. I winked, clicked my tongue, and pointed at the Gamemakers, and then head for the door shaking off the water as I go.
A/N: Just a slight adjustment after I realized that Orna was already out of the room when the conversation occured.