Blaine Abernathy: A Canary Caged
Disclaimer: I do not own The Hungers
Singing:
Miya
Blaine
Unison
Chapter 6: Training Discussion
Blaine's POV
I was eating breakfast when Katniss came into the dining room. I bid her good morning before returning to my hot chocolate and reviewing the critic's commentary on Katniss and Peeta's fiery debut. I set the newspaper down, looking at this year's training uniform being black, with short striped sleeves of red, gray, and black with the district number. While on the side of their pants was a gray stripe. For footwear, it was hiking boots. Usually, the Game makers allow the tributes to wear the shoes they'll wear to give them an advantage. Staring at the boots, it hinted that the arena was not desert, artic, or aquatic.
Katniss sat down across from me as she made herself some breakfast.
"Did you sleep well?" I asked, trying to start a conversation.
Katniss merely shrugged, though I had a feeling she did not sleep well. No one sleeps well on the first night at the Capitol. The tributes are given a week to train. Well, it is five days, then on the fifth will be the private sessions.
It wasn't long before Haymitch and Peeta came in. Peeta is wearing the same outfit as Katniss. It was mandatory to wear uniforms. They used to issue stylists design clothing until they became improper. The Gamemaker made gym wear with the tributes number on the sleeve.
After finishing some stew, I handed Haymitch his daily flask of spirit. The rules are different now. He can decide when offered a drink, but I'm in control of a daily amount from here. He took a swig before facing the two. "So, let's get down to business. Training, first off, if you like, we can train you separately. Decide now."
"Why would you want to train us separately?" Katniss asked.
"Say you had a secret skill you might not want the other to know?" Haymitch answered.
Katniss exchanges looks to Peeta. He shrugged, "I don't have any secret skills. And we already know what yours is, right? I mean, I've eaten enough of your squirrels."
I shivered in disgust. Malnutrition was very common in District 12. Though I was well-fed, there was a time we ran out of meat, and Lucy had to buy a few squirrels. I ate it and hated that I became a vegetarian during the shortage until meat returned in stock at the butchers. Haymitch was surprised when I ate my vegetables at that age.
"If you like, we can coach you together until the games start?" I suggested.
"I think we can do that?" Peeta said.
"You can couch us together," Katniss said in agreement.
"All right, so give me some ideas of what you can do," Haymitch said.
"I can't do anything," Peeta replied. "Unless you count baking bread."
"Sorry, I don't. Katniss. I already know you're handy with a knife," Haymitch stated.
"Not really. But I can hunt," She said, "With a bow and arrow."
"Are you good?" I asked, writing this down in my journal.
She thought about this before she said she was alright. I question this, for all right, don't explain the Hobs customers.
Peeta would agree, as he said. "She's excellent! My father buys her squirrels. He always comments on how the arrow never pierces the body. She hits every one in the eye. It's the same with rabbits she sells to the butchers. She can bring down a deer."
Peeta's assessment of Katniss's skills surprised her.
"What are you doing?" she asked suspiciously.
"What are you doing? If they are going to help you, they have to know what you're capable of. Don't underrate yourself." Peeta countered.
"What about you? I've seen you in the market. You can lift hundred-pound bags of flour," Katniss snapped, "tell them that. That's nothing?"
"Yes, and I'm sure the arena will be full of bags of flour for me to chuck at people. It's not like being able to use a weapon. You know it isn't," he shot back.
Wow, this was getting interesting. When I trained Parsley and Thym, they complemented each other and figured out their skills, agreeing they were stealthy. Luke and Ivy, they were indifferent to one another. Then Melody and Josh just brought out their capabilities. Once in the mines, Josh got him the advantage on weapons, and Melody's parents, being healers, got her plant knowledge. As for Sage and Harper, Sage was not a team player, and Harper respected that. But to see an argument of compliments in those who have the upper hand was surprising. It's either teamwork or enemies.
"He can wrestle," Katniss tells us. "He came in second in the school's competition last year, only after his brother."
"What use is that? How many times have you seen someone wrestle to the death?" Peeta said in disgust.
"Hand-to-hand combat," I said, getting into the conversation. "If you get a knife, Peeta, you may have the upper hand. I would know from experience."
"But she won't," as he faced Katniss. "You'll be living up in some tree, eating raw squirrels, and picking off people with arrows. You know what my mother said to me when she came to say goodbye as if to cheer me up? She says maybe District Twelve will finally have another winner. Then I realized, she didn't mean me, she meant you!"
I scowled. How can a mother say such a thing to her son? I knew Mr. Mellark was kind, along with his three sons. But Mrs. Mellark is the worst example of a mother. If my mother was alive and I was picked, she would tell me to be strong, listen to my mentor and run. Not easily giving up on their child. I would have a word with that bitch once I get back to Twelve.
"Oh, she meant you," Katniss said with dismissal.
"She said, 'She's a survivor, that one.' She is." Peeta said before he took a few deep breaths.
Katniss thought this through before she mentioned that somebody helped her. I presume it was Gale Hawthrone. But Peeta rolled his eyes and announced that people in the arena would help her. Tripping them to sponsor for the Girl on Fire. I sighed, shaking my head. It was like history was repeating itself.
As Peeta sat down, staring at Haymitch, "She has no idea. The effect she can have."
It took me a moment to understand this before my eyes widened. Putting two and two together. I mentally slapped myself. Peeta didn't want to be friends with Katniss, but more. He had feelings for her. It explains the compliments, hand-holding and such.
After about a minute, Haymitch spoke, "Well, then. Well, well, well. Katniss, there's no guarantee there'll be a bow and arrow in the arena, but during your private session with the Gamemakers, show them what you can do. Until then, stay clear of archery. Are you good at trapping?"
"I know a few basic snares," Katniss muttered.
"That may be significant to food terms." Then I spoke to Peeta. "Peeta, Katniss is right. Don't underestimate your strength. Sometimes bronze can be an advantage. The Training Center would have a weight room. Don't show them your full potential until your private session. I've seen the cake decorations at the bakery. You iced them?" I asked. Which Peeta nodded. "Good, there's a camouflage station in the Training Center. Sometimes, hiding can be an advantage to this Game."
"The plan's the same for both of you." Haymitch said. "You go into group training. Spend time trying to learn something new. Throw a spear, swing a mace. Learn to tie a decent knot. Save the showing off for your private session. Are we clear?"
They nodded.
"One last thing. In public, I want you by each other's side every minute," Haymitch added. The two sixteen-year-olds were about to object, but the man slammed his fist on the table. "Every minute! It's not open to discussion! You agreed to do as I say! You will be together, and you will appear amiable to each other. Now get out. Meet Effie at the elevator at ten for training."
I sighed, shaking my head, while the others held their tongue. It wasn't a good sign when Haymitch snapped. Katniss glared as she stalked up and went to her room with a slam. This was going to be more difficult than I thought. Haymitch took a swig of his flask and went to his room, leaving Peeta and me alone. The baker watched as I wrote everything down that had just happened.
"What's that?" Peeta asked.
"My Hunger Games journal," I answered. "I write down each game I mentor to see if there was any use for them in the future."
"Are there?"
"Hardly. Only three tributes lived another day, and the rest died in the bloodbath." I explained. "I only had one tribute, Josh, who made it to the final ten until the careers found him."
Peeta nodded as he remembered that Game.
I sighed, checking the time.
"I better get ready. I have an interview today," I announced.
"With who?" he asked.
"With Caesar Flickerman," I answered. "It's one way to get more sponsors for you."
"Really?" he asked, surprised. "I didn't know."
I smiled softly at him, "Yes. If I get yours and Katniss's out there, it will intrigue the crowd. You'll be surprised how much Mentors do. Well, most mentors do?"
Peeta nodded as he grasped this.
I stood up, walked around, and placed a hand on his shoulder, "Eat as much as you can, but not too much."
"Thanks," he said with a small smile.
I smiled softly before going to my room to prepare for the interview.
.o0o.
When I got to the location, another garment bag for today's interview was in the green room. I unzipped the bag to find the outfit Cinna had chosen for me. My eyes widened, for there was the color. My usual attire has always been black, gray, and white when in the Capitol. Sometimes dark colors pop in, and metallic trims. However, it was a metallic texture in a light golden shade. As if silver and gold melted together to create this color.
It was a cutout mini dress with a high neckline and puff sleeves. A note told me to have my hair down with subtle makeup. I was still surprised by the color choice, and I hesitantly put on the dress. The neckline was high yet subtle, along with the structure in the puff sleeves but not outrageous like most Capitol fashion. The cutouts on the waist showed off sensual slices of the midriff and back but were still connected on the front. The skirt was short yet fitted and hugged my curves perfectly.
I glanced at the mirror, sighing in relief that my tattoo was not showing. Since President Snow drafted me into the Profit Circle, he marked my skin with a tattoo. The tattoo was a yellow canary in flight with shackles along the feet. As the bird marred the upper part of my left thigh. I tried to keep it covered, for it was a constant reminder that I had no freedom.
I sighed, putting on the matching shoes and accessories with the dress. Followed by makeup being subtle and my hair mildly curled. I glanced at myself one more time, seeing an entirely different person. Someone who wasn't hiding any secrets. Someone different. Someone new.
There was a knock on the door as the staff said it was time.
I glanced at myself, adjusting the diamond ear studs, before making my way out of the green room. The staffer was surprised by my new attire. He smiled, leading the way to the stage. Caesar was on stage going over the latest updates about the Hunger Games.
"Give a round of applause for Blaine Abernathy," Caesar cheered as I walked onstage with an excited smile like I actually wanted to be here. I shook Caesar's hand and kissed each other's cheek, and we sat down in the lounge. "Blaine, may I say how marvelous you look. I've never seen you in gold. It suits you. Don't you agree, everyone?"
The audience cheered in agreement.
"Oh, Caesar, are you flirting with me?" I said, swatting his direction, making the audience laugh.
"Maybe," as the blue man wiggled his blue eyebrows, which made me laugh.
"So, Blaine, tell us about District Twelve's tributes this year!" He asks in a hushed, excited voice, "Their appearance at the Opening Ceremony wowed everyone. Fire, who would have ever thought."
"I couldn't agree more, Caesar," I replied.
"Wait, you didn't know about the costumes?" Caesar asked in shock.
"Nope, I didn't have a clue," I answered with a smile. "I only knew that we had two new stylists and that they wanted to . . . light things up, you could say."
"And light things up they did. What are their names again? The ones who brought us these fantastic costumes this year?"
"Their names are Cinna and Portia. They are amazing stylists, and I'm glad to have them on the team." I said with a smile.
Soon discussion went on random things, like the Games and if I had known the tributes. I discussed Peeta, the baker's son who has a talent for baking. And mentioned that Katniss is a devoted sister who cares for her family and community. This got the audience's attention. Caesar tried to pry more information from me about the tributes and their skills.
I leaned back and said, "That's classified information, Caesar, and you know better."
"Oh, come now, tell me.' Caesar said, giving a childish attitude.
I simply did a zipper motion along my lips, "My lips are sealed."
Caesar pouted before changing the subject about a recent date I had the last time I was in the Capitol. Of the clients Snow picked out, a few wanted the girlfriend experience. So on occasion, people would take pictures of me out in the open before finishing the night either in a hotel or in their bedroom. Glancing at the monitor to see it was one with Seneca Crane.
I remember that date. Seneca wanted to spend time together before the Hunger Games. He took me to his favorite place, a walk by the lake, before finishing the night with sex. A part of me wished Caesar didn't bring this up.
"It seems you and Seneca Crane are awfully close," Caesar said.
"Well, we tend to work together now and then," I answered.
"So, you two are merely friends?" he asked curiously.
"Oh yes, merely friends," I assured playfully.
Caesar wiggled his eyebrows, "Do tell."
"Oh, I'd rather not," I murmured. "You might have to ask Seneca though."
Caesar laughed at that. I simply put on a fake mask. I despised gossip. Many people have seen me on dates with countless men and merely shrug it off or gossip. All I do is follow President Snow's orders and leave it at that. Even though my reputation is ruined.
"Now, Blaine. Do you think there is a singer in everyone?"
"There's a special talent in everybody," I replied. "But I couldn't prove that was true until I heard them sing."
"Really," Caesar sang, as he leaned closer. "Well, I have a request for you. I heard this person sing, and I want you to see if they have what it takes to be a singer."
"Bring them out then," I said.
Curious about who this person who wanted to be famous was.
"Ah, but you have to sing with them too. Don't you agree?" He asked the audience, who then agreed.
"Oh Caesar, you're putting me on the spot now," I said as a microphone was given to me. "Let alone what song."
"I'm sure you'll remember," Caesar assured.
I dramatically sighed, "Very well. Shall we?"
Caesar grinned as he gestured for the newest performer to sing. The music began to play. Being a familiar song, I started with a country tune rather than the pop songs the Capitol is used to. I closed my eyes, focusing on the voice rather than the music, to see if they had it. Because of the Capitol women's voices, their accents ruin the lyrics.
I spent my life becoming invisible
It's hard to maintain
And it's hard to get by
I don't recall
Fight or flight setting in
I had no introduction
I just breathe it in like the air
And there's nothing to remember
There is nothing to remember
That was definitely not a Capitol woman's voice. I turned around to see Miya Kit singing. She was wearing a sundress and her hair in two braids. She was nervous as it could slightly be stage fright.
I stood, taking the following verse of the song and making my way toward her.
I owe you nothing
That's all I've got for you
And you'll borrow nothing
That's what you expect of me
So you send me a love
Out of thin sailor's knots
And I fear underneath the weight of your thoughts
My footsteps now they won't echo too loudly
Miya smiled in relief as we sang the verse together.
All I own
All I own
Are the strides I spend to the finish line
All I own
All I own
Are the strides I spend to the finish line
And I'll give you those
I gestured to Miya to sing the next verse.
You told me something that scared me to death
Don't take me home
I can't face that yet
I'm ashamed that I'm barely human
And I'm ashamed that I don't have a heart you can break
I'm just action
And other times reaction
I wrapped my arm around her shoulders as we swayed.
All I own
All I own
Are the strides I spend to the finish line
All I own
All I own
Are the strides I spend to the finish line
And I'll give you those
Just don't make me go home
Give me something to remember
Give me something to remember
Give me something to remember
Suddenly the buzzer went off, indicating the show had come to an end. As the music came to a close. I stared at Miya, surprised by her talent in singing. As I stared at her, I worried about what Snow may have plans up his sleeve. She was a young girl with tan skin, chestnut hair, and vibrant blue eyes. Was this her way before Snow planned on using her for physical profit? Just staring at the youngest victor, I saw myself.
No, she is too young, only fifteen. However, the moment she turns seventeen, she is assigned dates. And when she turns eighteen… She'll be used more than music or company. A victor who can sing and has talent that can be performed at the Capitol will do more than just use their voice.
Caesar came up and wrapped his arms around us.
"Well, that is all the time we had," Caesar said, with a slight disappointment that the song ended and the small audiences would agree. "But before we go, Blaine, can you tell us… does Miya Kit have the voice?"
". . . Yes, she has the voice." That was all I could say.
Looking at the young girl. Though I spoke happily and showed it. The young cowgirl saw the worry I held for her, for she had opened the door to the real victor's hunger games...
Upon herself
'
Changed the song. I've decided the songs will be from the Hunger Games Soundtrack.
Song Used: Nothing to Remember by Neko Case
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