A/N: BAM SURPRISE 3RD CHAPTER
July 5th, 74ADD
When we arrive in our apartments for our stay, we are shocked by the amount of extravagance on display. From the meal on the table waiting to be eaten to the pointless trinkets made of gold, silver, and every other precious item one could think of. The walls on every side of the massive room were composed of floor to ceiling windows giving us a stunning view of the Capitol skyline.
Say what you will about the Capitol, but their architects sure know how to make a building nice to look at.
We're broken out of our stupor when Effie escorts us to our rooms, telling us that dinner will start in 30 minutes and to use that time to clean up and get changed.
When I am taken to my room I'm again blown away by the sheer grandeur of this place. The room is the size of many houses back home. There were buttons everywhere that I was too afraid to even touch and an outline on the wall that was clearly meant for a TV. I ignore that for now as I want to get the smell of whatever that fake fire crap was off of me.
Of course, the shower is the same as the one from the train. How on Earth you could make a shower so complicated is beyond me but this time I successfully managed to get the hot water on. I also checked out the options for soaps and decided on one that was said to smell like fire and rain. How appropriate.
After a good rise, I stepped out of the shower and fiddled with the commands on the closet to dispense a simple grey t-shirt and dark blue jeans. While it was doing whatever it was doing, I checked out the TV. Picking up the weird curved remote activated the TV without the need for me to press anything. I started touching the remote and the images started to change. First there was a vast desert, then a tropical coast line, then an image from the top of a snowy mountain overlooking a valley.
When it settled on the forest I remember Katniss seeing in the movie the closet made a noise to indicate it was done with my clothes. I turned the TV off and got changed before stepping out of my room.
Before I could even head towards the stairs I saw Portia and Cinna making their way towards me.
"Hello Liam, We were just heading to your room to offer to show you the sights from the balcony. It's a beautiful view but the wind makes it a bit loud. Would you like to join us?" Portia takes the lead in asking me. I'm curious why they'd want to talk to me without Katniss but something about how she mentioned the noise seemed off to me. Maybe they wanted to discuss something without others overhearing?
Not really getting where this was going I chose to trust the stylists and nodded in agreement. With that, we made our way up the last flight of stairs to the open balcony.
They weren't kidding, the wind was pretty gnarly up here. The strange shape and gaps in the surrounding architecture lent its hand to make the upper levels of the Capitol quite noisy.
"Sorry to bring you out here, but we needed to ask you something away from prying ears." Cinna says. Even with the loud wind, he is still whispering. I have to focus to hear him, and that's with my 6th sense helping me along.
"It's ok. I gathered it was for something important. What do you need?" I ask amiably.
"What are your goals for the Games?" Portia asks me, being direct as possible.
I take a moment to consider what I should exactly tell them. Not because I don't trust them, I know they are trustworthy. Hell, Cinna is pretty much directly responsible for all the Mockingjay symbolism in the revolution. I only hesitate because what I say will be directly responsible to how they view me and how our narrative will play out.
If I just seem like a boy in love, I look like a foolish boy with his head in the clouds. If I say I need to protect her, I come across as arrogant, thinking I can keep Katniss safe in an area where death is the goal.
After contemplating for a second, I look at both of them and say "To get Katniss home."
They both look a little surprised by that. They probably assumed I'd say something along those lines but not like that.
To them it sounded like I had already written myself off. That I would die if it meant Katniss got to go home, to live in peace.
They aren't wrong about that. I most likely would sacrifice myself if things went so wrong there was no other way. Not because I'm THAT madly in love with her, we're not there yet, but because… well I've already died before. I know what it's like on the other side. Yeah it would suck because I failed in my goal, and I might not get the same opportunity, but that was worth letting the face of the revolution go on and live.
"Why?" Asked Cinna. "Why give everything for her?"
"Because I love her. I've loved her for a long time now. I only recently came to terms with it but it's been there for as long as I can remember. She's strong, resilient, brave, good, someone that deserved to be cherished and cared for." I say, feeling slightly embarrassed that that just came out of my mouth, but it was the truth.
"Does she know?" Asked Portia in a gentle, sympathetic tone.
"I told her how I felt a couple months ago. We were going to wait 'till after we turned 18 to…" I say before I drift off, letting the them fill in the silence with their own imagination. Cinna and Portia shared a quick look of satisfaction and said, "We can work with that."
Cinna then said we had been out here enough and led us back inside. When we descend the stairs to the main living area I see Katniss already sitting at the dining table with Effie and Haymitch enjoying a glass of wine.
After we all sat down to eat, Haymitch and Effie heaped praises on the stylists and were saying how they had both already gotten promising calls from sponsors. What followed was the best meal I had ever had. Sweets that danced around your tongue, bread that was as fluffy as the clouds, and meat that was juicer than the animal was bloody.
When a certain golden haired Avox came in to drop off the cake, Katniss looked up and commented on how she knew her. I remember this from the books and I remember what happened to the poor girl when it was learned that she was 'close' to the Girl on Fire.
Quickly piping up before anyone present could question such a statement, I look at the woman with a searching gaze and state "Ah, you look just like Delly Cartwright, our classmate from home! Wow, it's almost uncanny, you even have matching freckles."
The Avox's shoulders slacken and I can see what were the beginning signs of panic dwindle to cautious and slightly thankful. It was clear she remembered both of us. If it were brought up again there was no doubt she'd be reassigned, or worse killed.
Katniss looks over at me and with a slight shake of my head she catches on and says, "Oh, my mistake. Thank you very much for the cake."
The Avox woman gives a quick nod and retreats from the room as fast as professionally possible.
Things go back to a normal state and eventually we are sent to bed by Haymitch. Apparently it was time for the 'grown-ups' to talk. Not too convinced he quite fits that description but whatever.
As Katniss and I get to the front of our rooms, we look at each other and as I open my mouth to say something she takes my hand, gives it a squeeze, and walks into her room. I stand there for a moment before heading to bed myself. Tomorrow was the first day of training and our strategy still hadn't been discussed. I suppose that'll have to wait for breakfast.
===
July 6th, 74ADD
When the first light graced my room, I woke up with a tired yawn. I wanted to go back to bed but once I'm up, I'm up.
I headed down the stairs and when the 2 Avoxes saw me, they reiterated to the room of the chef and quickly returned with the same egg and rice dish I had the morning before. I smile in gratitude at the Avox who served me before as well as now and express my thanks. He just nods in confirmation and retreats back to his standing place.
It's not long before the others join us. When Katniss comes downstairs, Haymitch uses the moment to finally discuss what we've been dying to know since the train. What was our strategy? I already had one in mind, but a single person's plan is almost always destined to fail.
"Now, after you two went to bed last night, the grown-ups got together and planned how to build up on the hype from your parade entrance. You both made quite an impression and that's something we can use.
"Now first, there is clearly some sort of affection between the two of you. I'm not asking you to tell me what, ain't my business, but it's got the people watching. They remember your hug at the reaping, the hand holding at the train and parade. A narrative is already being discussed and that's something we want to... encourage." Haymitch opens up the talk.
I glance at Katniss with a questioning brow. 'Do you want me to tell him about us?' I quietly inquire in that mysterious way only the closest people can without actually speaking.
She shakes her head and I think that's the end of it until she decides to say "We like each other."
"I know that sweetheart, but -" Haymitch tries to say before she interrupts him.
"No, I mean we LIKE each other. We have for a while now. It was only recently that it came to a head and the reaping happened before we could decide what to do." She says. I get a warm feeling in my chest. This is the first time since her birthday she has admitted to sharing my feelings.
I knew she felt the same way, but she's not the most 'touchy feely' emotions kinda person so it was really nice to hear it again right now.
"Well, that certainly changes things." Haymitch says, not really surprised. He probably was told pretty much the same from Portia and Cinna last night, but to hear it from Katniss herself meant more. It meant it was real.
"How?" I ask.
"Hmm, typically district mates don't hang around together. That's why your closeness at the parade was so noticed. Where originally the plan would have been for you two to stay apart in training, now it makes more sense for you to stay together. Almost glued to the hip. If you present a strong, united front for the tributes and game makers to see, you establish a compelling story for them to show.
"Now, you can't show off in the training. That means no bow and no… actually what is it you're best at?" He questions me.
"I'm ok with a bow. I have more experience with hammers and knives. I'm quite good at knife throwing as well. I learned how to once I made my first knife."
"Ok, stay clear of the hammer and knives then. Try to focus on the survival skills most of all." He says.
"Why? Wouldn't that just make us look weak to them?" Katniss asks in confusion, and a little indignation at the thought of not being allowed to do what she deemed was the only thing she was good at.
"No, it's about making you look like you're not a threat. If you're too weak, they see you as easy prey. If you're too dangerous, they team up to get you out as fast as possible. The best thing for you both to do is to use these few days to learn some new skills that will keep you alive, and show what you can really do in the private evaluations. Now, you two should get going. Don't want to be late for your first day!" He ends his actually very helpful advice to us with a sarcastic quip that we have come to expect from him. He's right though.
We quickly get changed into our training gear and head down to the bottom level. When the elevator door opens, we see we're the last ones there as every other tribute turns to stare at us. There are mainly inquisitive looks but the careers have a noticeable aura of hostility.
Now that we were here, the head trainer walked us through the training stations and outlined the rules for us. There was an edible/inedible plant section, ranged weapons, weights, obstacle course, rope course, fire station, and even a swimming section. The only rule was no fighting the other tributes.
As we all separate from the center to go to our stations, Katniss and I quickly team up and head to the fire station. We both deemed fire the most important thing to learn on the elevator ride down. After about an hour there, we both felt proficient enough to spend our time somewhere else.
We kept getting glances from the careers but went to the plant station to brush up on our knowledge. We were pretty good gatherers back home, but the flora and fauna are bound to be different inside the arena.
After an hour and a half, half of which we were joined with the woman from District 5, Foxface, we left to check out the climbing station.
Here, we could see a small line of the younger tributes waiting for their turn to try. It made sense. As such a young person, you could really only rely on your agility and smarts. It stands to reason the obstacle course was where they would gravitate towards.
It was then that a small scuffle broke out in which Cato, the male from District 1, accused the boy from district 6, Jason, of stealing his knife. Knowing what was truly happening, I glance at the ceiling and see Rue way up in the rafters twirling the knife in amusement. I'm actually really impressed that she got up there considering it was about 50 feet off the ground. I nudge Katniss and gesture to the ceiling and when she sees it her face grows into one of the only genuine smiles I've seen on her recently.
The rest of the training today goes by as normal. We only stopped at the ranged weapons station and once we did, all the careers locked onto us like vultures. I picked up the bow and tried out its balance. Managing to hit the bullseye after 2 near misses. Katniss meanwhile had picked up the knives and given them a toss to see how she would do. It wasn't great but the instructor quickly gave her some pointers and Katniss managed to hit the closest target in what would be the eye. Seems like her aim is always good, no matter what she's using. A true Hawkeye to my Back Widow… wait.
===
July 7th, 74 ADD
The next day went about the same as the one before. The only difference was the careers weren't giving us as much attention as before. Not writing us off but not intently staring at us every time we changed stations. When we went back to the plant station for a refresher, I was actually pretty shocked at how I remembered every single plant I learned about yesterday. I remembered their appearances, effects, and preferred growing places. It was a weird experience. It was like my brain just kept that information and the second I needed it, it was at the forefront without even having to think.
I never experienced this in school. I may have been great at the 5th grade math they teach everyone, but I mean come on, I'm from the 21st century and wasn't a dumbass before either. This was the first time I actually material to study, absorb, and repurpose and it felt so easy. I wonder if this was a boon that ROB never mentioned? Maybe I got some of Spider-Man's genius and just never bothered to check.
Whatever it is I'm thankful for it because I breeze through the matching game the station provides. As I turn around I see Foxface looking at me with a hint of respect before she turns and skulks off to another corner of the arena.
Katniss and I again didn't separate from each other the whole time. Occasionally commenting on what we saw from the others but mainly talking about nothing in particular. The atmosphere between us was odd. Not tense, but a little awkward. There was an unanswered question lingering between us. One that couldn't, shouldn't, be answered because it'll only hurt more if something goes wrong in the Games.
===
July 8th, 74ADD
On the third day, we were finishing touching up our skills. Still focusing mainly on the survival and climbing stations but I decided we needed to do something noticeable before the private evaluations later tonight.
"We should head back over to the bow station." I say to Katniss.
"Why? Do you need to work on your aim a bit more?" She says cheekily. She has become a bit more willing to relax around me. Still tense because duh, it's the hunger games, but more out of her shell.
"No, but I think you should"
Before she could express her outrage at such a claim I made sure to interject and say "These bows are made of a different material than what you're used to. It'll feel weird to you at first. It did to me. I'll do the same with the knives before getting a little instruction from the guy at the close quarters combat station. We need to remind the careers that we exist. They haven't glanced at us once today. We are no longer competitors to them."
She saw the logic in my argument and we decided to go for it. After the first shot, Katniss seemed to know exactly how to handle the bow. She fired a single other arrow, and after hitting dead center where the eye would be, she placed the bow down and came up to my side as I was testing the balance of the throwing knives.
"Already done?" I ask, not at all surprised she was done. She was that good with a bow in her hands.
"Yup." She says, emphasizing the popping noise as she scoots closer to me, almost touching shoulders. I look her in the eyes, and without breaking eye contact, I fling the knife and it imbeds itself in the center of the target about halfway between the closest and furthest ones.
We kept looking at one another before finally sauntering over to the CQC stand. I just asked for a refresher course on the appropriate form for an axe or hammer. Katniss meanwhile got an in depth instruction in how to best wield a knife or dagger. We spent the rest of the day doing that and when the chime for the end of the session came, the tributes were all escorted out and told to get prepared for the private evaluations in a few hours.
The tributes, who had been ignoring us since yesterday, had now started looking at us with some interest once again. Not enough to be really wary of, but enough to place on their mental watchlist.
Perfect.