Hebe and Luca were herded off stage to the sounds of screaming and clapping. They were then separated, Luca looking at her fearfully as she shot him a reassuring smile. She was forced into a room in the Justice building, the peacekeepers escorting her practically throwing her into a plush red chair.
She looked around the room, which must have been some sort of chamber where events were held based on the ornate decor. A large red patterned rug spread across the floor, furniture gilded in gold leaf and upholstered in crimson velvet, a large chandelier throwing warm light across the many trophies and plaques packed onto shelves and plastered onto walls. Hebe was in awe at the show of wealth by her district. Although it was favoured by capitolites because of its beaches where they could holiday in luxury, District 4 did have its slums like everywhere else, so Hebe was surprised to see just how much money they were willing to throw at one room. Not to mention all the others that lined the halls of the Justice building.
She was broken from her reverie by the sound of her mothers voice, and Hebe quickly whipped her head around to see Juno Cross being pushed through the door rather roughly by another pair of peacekeepers. Before Hebe could berate them for treating the mother of a future victor in such a way, her mother had wrapped her arms around her tightly, pulling her daughter in close, letting her rest in the crook of her neck while she stroked her hair. They stood like that for some time, Juno occasionally pushing her face into her daughter's hair to muffle her sobs.
The peacekeepers soon returned saying their time was up. Hebe grabbed her mother by the shoulders and stared at her firmly.
"I'm going to win, mum. I'm gonna come back, I swear."
The older woman didn't reply. Hebe kissed her forehead before stepping back to let the peacekeepers escort her out.
Almost as soon as Juno disappeared from sight, Annie appeared in her place, the tension in Hebe's body lessening slightly when her eyes fell on her oldest friend. Hebe smiled serenely, and Annie gave her a fiery grin back before squeezing her tight and patting her back, repeating the same gesture she had before they entered the reaping.
They pulled away still smiling.
"You'll win. I know it. I can feel it. I'll look after Juno, make sure she stays afloat. I've got you covered here, you just focus on getting back, we'll be fine."
"Thank you." Hebe whispered. Now it was her turn to give the bone-crushing hug, repeating over and over that she was going to win, that she was going to come back. They stayed like that until the peacekeepers returned. Hebe gave Annie a kiss on the forehead just like she had for her mother and simply saying,
"I'll see you soon, yeah?"
"You will. Love you sis."
"Love you too."
And with that Annie was whisked away just like her mother, leaving Hebe staring at the spot where she had been, uncertain whether she would see either of them again.
She flopped back down on the chair, not expecting any other visitors. After all she had no other family or close friends so there wasn't anyone else to see.
Until a woman about the same age as her mother stepped through the door, looking like she was in hysterics. Or she certainly had been recently. Her eyes were red and puffy and her skirt was crinkled and muddied like she had been kneeling in it. She was wringing her hands, but stopped when her eyes fell on Hebe, her panic-stricken expression morphing into one of gratitude. Just then it hit her, this must be the mother of Angeline Piscis, the girl who she had volunteered for a mere 30 minutes ago.
Angelines mother clasped her hands together in a tight fist and bowed her head, opening her mouth and letting spill a waterfall of gratitude towards the young girl. Hebe merely smiled and opened her arms, hugging the woman tightly and assuring her that it was no problem and that she was glad she could rescue Angeline from entering the games.
Once she had calmed down slightly Angelines mother broke from the embrace. The woman introduced herself as Eleanor, saying that she was starving and that's why Angeline was reaped. She had decided to take out an obscene amount of tesserae, much to her mothers dismay, insisting that it was worth it if they had the chance to eat even one decent meal. Hebe's heart broke as it reminded her of how stubborn she was by insisting on volunteering for the hunger games.
Eleanor told Hebe that she would never forget what she had done for her family, telling her that if she ever needed anything to just ask and that she would be telling all her friends how wonderful she was. Hebe just smiled at her, thanking her and once again reminding her that it was her pleasure to help Angeline. She didn't deserve to be reaped. As Eleanor left, wishing her good luck, Hebe felt a tear fall from her eye, before quickly wiping it away. She couldn't dwell on her emotions right now, for she still had a long train ride ahead.
Luca and Hebe were reunited as they exited the Justice building and made their way to the train. Huge crowds had gathered at the station waiting to see them off, roaring in excitement as the two tributes from 4 came into view, chanting their names. Hebe put on her confident smile, trying not to squint her eyes from the flashing of capitol cameras that obstructed her vision, pushed forward by Ambrosia whose voice echoed in their ears reminding them to smile for the cameras. Hebe had a feeling that may become her mantra.
They three of them clambered onto the train, Hebe taking extra care not to fall over, she couldn't get over the fear of that kind of humiliation, it scared her even more than the games themselves.
As she reached the main compartment, Hebe stopped still, almost like the breath had been stolen from her lungs, her jaw slack. The train was beautiful and decadent. She had thought the room in the justice building had been luxurious, but compared to this it looked like a hovel, and her own home was a pig sty.
A mahogany coffee table stood in the centre, polished and oiled to perfection, two couches sat on either side, the sea green velvet looking so inviting that she nearly ran over and jumped on top of it, the studs that covered the couches looked like they were made of solid gold, each one individually hand carved with the capitol seal. The walls were coated in more gold wallpaper which was interrupted halfway down by mahogany panelling. An even larger more ornate gold chandelier hung from the ceiling with two identical smaller ones flanking it.
Luca seemed similarly awed by the beautiful room, but the two were hurried along by the seemingly unbothered Ambrosia as she led them to their respective rooms.
"Go in there and have a rest, I'll come and call you for dinner in a few hours. You'll meet your mentors and start talking about your strategy!" Ambrosia then turned on her heel and left, disappearing around the corner.
Hebe walked into her room, which was larger than her kitchen and dining room combined and flopped on the bed, feeling the tension evaporate from her muscles, floating away like a hot air balloon in a cool blue sky. She stretched her arms above her head and sank into the mattress, staring up at the turquoise ceiling covered in a mural of sea gods much like the statue in the centre of victor's village.
Hebe pulled herself up from the bed, knowing if she stayed lying down any longer she would succumb to sleep and probably miss dinner. Instead she opted for a shower, taking off her clothes and walking into the bathroom. The shower was filled with all kinds of confusing temperatures and modes and she spent 10 minutes trying to figure out which one was the normal one. Finally figuring it out, Hebe stood under the warm water and sighed, tilting her head back and letting it run through her hair, making it look almost straight instead of the usual brunette coils.
She wallowed in the water for the next half an hour, the jets of high pressure against her skin almost stung, and a pleasant numb feeling spread through her. Eventually she turned off the water, wrapping herself in a towel and sitting on the floor. She sat on the floor for another hour, her thoughts wandering almost everywhere, her mother, Annie, her father, the games, the imminent tribute parade, the reaping, Luca, Eleanor Piscis. She eventually felt hot tears fall down her face, but Hebe's expression did not change, the numbness covering her whole body, clouding her mind.
She pulled herself up from the floor, staring at herself in the mirror. Her eyes weren't too red, but her skin was blotchy and her eyebags seemed even worse than usual. She already felt like a different person than she had that morning. Despite knowing she would volunteer almost a year in advance, the knowledge that she would be going into the games hit her harder than she thought it would. It felt like the hunger games had already changed who she was, and she hadn't even met her mentors yet, let alone reached the capitol.
It was then that Hebe remembered about dinner, ambling out of the bathroom and putting her linen dress back on, tying her still slightly damp hair into a single braid.
She sat back down on the edge of her bed and waited for Ambrosia to call her. She felt she couldn't muster the energy to do anything else, she couldn't think, so chose to conserve her energy for the strategizing at dinner.
Eventually Ambrosia came to collect her, to be frank Hebe had no knowledge of the time that elapsed between now and her shower. It could've been days for all she cared. But it was at the sound of Ambrosia's call that she snapped out of her trance. She was going to survive the hunger games, and to do that she needed to make a good impression on not only the Capitol, but her mentors too.
She smiled confidently at Ambrosia, striding out of the room and through the hallway of the train before entering the dining compartment.
Mags Flannagan and Finnick Odair were already seated next to each other at the far end of the table, Luca lingering near the door, clearly waiting for Hebe, his nervous expression easing as he caught sight of her. She smiled softly at the boy, another stabbing feeling of sadness attacking her as she was reminded of how frail he was.
"Well now that we're all here let's get started shall we!" Ambrosia said happily. Clearly her excitement at the reaping wasn't fake. She was way too happy to be escorting children to their deaths. 'She must be taking something to be that joyful.' Hebe thought sourly, but kept up her smile, not wanting to display any obvious distaste for her escort this early on in the proceedings.
Hebe and Luca took their seats across from Finnick and Mags, Ambrosia joining them at the head of the table.
The food then began to be brought out, avoxes appearing in droves holding plates laden with meats and vegetables, platters piled high with everything from potatoes to what looked like an octopus. Luca and Hebe stared in awe, before lunging for the food in unison, eating mountains of it as fast as they could as if they thought it would disappear if they took too long.
Finnick and Mags chuckled at them both, heaping semi-sensible portions onto their own plates while Ambrosia scoffed, clearly disgusted by the pair's table manners. Hebe yet again had to stop herself from rolling her eyes and snapping at her. Who knew someone could be quite so irritating without even trying?
When Hebe and Luca had had their fill of mains, leaning back in their chairs and cradling their stomachs, regretting the choice to eat their entire weight in one sitting, they brought out the desert. Hebe nearly gagged at the sight and chose to abstain for fear that she would vomit all over her mentors.
Finnick chose to speak first, breaking the silence that had begun since the two tributes stopped stuffing their faces.
"So why'd you volunteer?" He asked, picking over a chocolate fondue.
"Huh?" Hebe replied, confused by the question. Why did he care why she volunteered?
"I said, why'd you volunteer? I assume it's not so we can have another staring contest?" Finnick smirked.
Hebe groaned internally and all but cringed, having entirely forgotten about that strange interaction despite it having been just that morning. It already felt like years ago that she had been caught day-dreaming outside victor's village.
"To help my mum," Hebe replied honestly, staring down at her empty plate. "She can't work anymore, and even with two full time jobs I can't support us. This was the only way to keep us afloat." She decided not to mention her fathers death or elaborate further on her mother. While she wanted her mentors to trust her, she saw no reason why she should spill all her secrets the first time they met.
"You're very brave." Mags said softly, reaching over and patting her hand whilst giving her a warm smile. Hebe returned it gratefully.
"So you think you can win then?" Finnick said curiously. There was nothing in his tone that suggested he doubted her, only that he wanted confirmation of her convictions.
"I know I can." Hebe replied confidently, grinning at him, "And I will."
"It's true. She's the best in the academy. The trainers say she's the best they've had since you." Luca suddenly piped up, awe filling his voice.
"Is that so? Well then Cross, tell us your strengths." Finnick said, not taking his eyes off Hebe, trying to intimidate her into looking away. She stared straight back.
"I'm fast and have good stamina. I'm best with throwing axes and tridents. I'm decent at hand to hand too."
"Weaknesses?"
"Strength for one, I'm not naturally very powerful. I'm also rubbish with swords, I just can't get along with them."
"How are you with survival skills?"
"Fine, nothing special but enough to survive 90% of situations."
Finnick nodded thoughtfully, seeming pleased, and continuing to stare her down.
"Very pretty too, confident. The Capitol will love her." Mags added quietly and Hebe's eyebrows raised slightly in surprise, not used to any kind of blatant compliments like that. Finnick nodded again, raking his eyes over her form. Hebe just kept on staring back at him, refusing to break eye contact first, lest it be seen as a sign of weakness.
He eventually turned away, and Hebe smiled at her victory, proud that she had already found a way to one up him.
It was then that Finnick turned his attention to Luca.
"What are your strengths, kid?" Hebe almost fell out of her chair in shock when she heard the switch in tone, grateful that he wasn't acting like an ass towards the younger boy. It was hard enough being shipped off to die, and it would almost certainly be made worse by Finnick giving him attitude.
"I'm fast and can climb, I can make nets and snares for hunting and can use a bow and arrow well. I'm not strong or any good with melee and close combat." Luca said, sitting up tall in his chair and raising his chin nobly. He was clearing trying to impress their mentor, who the younger kids in the academy worshipped like a god.
"You're cute and well-mannered. The Capitol will like you for sure, but for them to love you, you need to lean into the sympathy thing, no matter how weak it'll make you seem. You want to make them feel you're their little brother that they have to protect, sponsors love that kind of thing."
Mags nodded before saying, "Make them seem united, brother and sister."
"Good point Mags, the best way for you both to do well is to seem as united as possible. You already started it at the reaping by holding hands, but we want to Capitol to feel like you guys are brother and sister. Not only will it add to the sympathy, but it plays perfectly into the roles you'll be playing." Finnick elaborated.
"And what might those be?" Hebe asked, not meaning for her tone to come out nearly as incredulously as it did.
Her mentor glared at her before continuing, "Hebe you will act as Luca's protector, beautiful, honest and determined but with a mean streak. Luca you will be her antithesis, sweet, well-mannered and funny. It makes you a likeable duo, and if there's one thing the Capitol loves, it's a duo."
"Ok, sounds good," Hebe said. It deem like a genuinely solid plan and it was an angle she knew she could do well.
Luca nodded in agreement.
That was when Ambrosia cut in, Hebe had almost entirely forgotten she was there.
"Should we go through and watch the reapings then?"
She led the way down the corridor, to the last compartment that had a large holographic projector. She turned it on, clicking on the reaping recaps and pressing play.
It started in District 1, a blond girl named Verity volunteered, she was 16 along with another volunteer a broad boy named Augustus who was 17. They were careers so obviously threatening, but not as terrifying as some from other years. Hebe had to remind herself that she too was a career. She was just as intimidating to them as they were to her, even more so due to her age.
Next was District 2, and they had only one volunteer, a hulking 18 year old named Icarus. Hebe shivered at the sight of him, silently praying that she wouldn't have to go against him head on. The other District 2 tribute was a 15 year old girl, Gaia. She was gorgeous but looked pretty feeble and scared. Hebe was surprised that no girls had volunteered in her place, usually volunteers were so abundant in 2 that they had an entire separate reaping weeks in advance to determine who would volunteer.
The two tributes from 3, Lilac and Ampere seemed entirely non-threatening, they were both only 14, however tributes from 3 were almost always smart and that could go a long way.
Then it was their reaping. Hebe watched as Angeline Piscis was called, then half a second later saw her own hand shoot up into the air. She watched herself stride up to the stage, and a pleased smile spread across her face as she saw how confident she looked. If she were another tribute she would be shitting herself right now. Then Luca was called, the camera zooming in on his terrified face as he walked up to the stage. It then showed them being announced, holding hands as they're names were called. It did make them look sympathetic as well as strong. Finnick and Mags looked pleased as well.
As usual 5 and 6 weren't threats, but the two from 7 certainly seemed pretty menacing, two 17 year olds Anise and Ash. They were muscular, Anise with a dark choppy hair cut and Ash with slicked black blond hair.
8 and 9 and 10 were also inconsequential, the girl from 11, Niamh, was confident, pretty and 18 (the same age as Hebe) but not anything special outside of that. The pair from 12 were also weak, a 13 year old girl and a 12 year old boy.
Once they had finished watching the recaps Ambrosia switched off the TV, Finnick and Mags turning to they're tributes.
"Your biggest threats are obviously the careers, and although this year they aren't as menacing as usual don't underestimate them. They're arrogant for a reason." Finnick said and Hebe nearly scoffed, 'That's rich coming from him.'
"Who else do you two think is a threat?" Finnick continued.
"The pair from 7 look pretty strong and they're old," Luca said. Finnick nodded at him and Luca smiled.
"The girl from 11 is 18 and looks confident. She doesn't look like much but she could be nimble or good with long range weapons." Hebe added, "And the two from 3 are probably smart so they can't be overlooked."
"Good." Finnick said, Mags nodding beside him in agreement.
"Well you two should be off to bed! You have a very exciting day ahead of you tomorrow!" Ambrosia exclaimed shrilly.
"Yes you should both get some sleep. It's the tribute parade tomorrow, we don't want you nodding off in the chariot and falling off it." Finnick grinned, standing up from the chair he was sitting in.
Hebe snorted, "Well it would definitely make an impression." Luca laughed from beside her.
Ambrosia began leading them back down the corridor to their respective compartments, Mags and Finnick trailing just behind them.
"We'll be in the Capitol in the morning so I'll be waking you both up bright and early for breakfast. Goodnight!" Ambrosia said, departing for her own sleeping quarters.
Luca nodded and said goodnight to Hebe and their mentors, before going into his room.
Mags smiled at Hebe, reaching up and holding her face in her hands and saying goodnight. Hebe smiled back at her warmly, watching as she ambled off down the corridor.
Hebe turned her head back to Finnick who was smirking at her.
"Why were you outside Victor's village today?" He asked.
"What's with you and all these questions? Hebe replied, puzzled. He really seemed to be intent on knowing all of her secrets.
"Am I not allowed to be curious about my tributes?"
"Hmph. Well if you really must know, I was on a run. I passed Victor's village and got distracted. Thinking about the reaping. I didn't realise I'd stopped until I saw you."
"You sure it wasn't so you could catch a glimpse of me?" He said teasingly, still smirking at her. He took a step forward so that they were now less than a foot apart.
"Don't flatter yourself." She snapped, trying to act as unbothered as possible, "Goodnight." She said firmly, turning around and not waiting for a reply before walking into her room and shutting the door behind her.
Hebe quickly shucked off her dress, putting on the pyjama pants and tank top she found in her dresser before sinking into the mattress and falling into a fitful, dreamless sleep.