A Tale of a Boy and His Flower

Alliances

"I do not miss these days." Zach said as we entered the training room together. It was a brand new training room with state of the art simulators and weaponry. I looked around, each tribute was in their own section showing off their own skills. 

"Split up?" I asked, he nodded. 

"Don't use this as an excuse to hang out with your boyfriend." he mumbled at me before walking away. 

I walked past Beetee, Wiress and Katniss. I gave a nod to Beetee and he gave one back. As i walked away I heard Katniss whispering. 

"How good is she?" she asked. 

"Amazing," Beetee replied. "But she's truly a good person when you get to know her and look past the Victor facade she puts up." 

I walked past Mags. If she was here then Finnick was probably around as well. I looked across the room and saw Zach and Peeta scoping out the Careers. 

I went to the knot tying station. It was the farthest in the corner, but a good view to watch the other tributes train. 

I felt someone walk up behind me. They pressed their body into mine and took my hands in their own. They began to help me tie a knot. 

"You know, you don't have to be so secret." I said. Finnick stepped out behind me and grabbed his own rope. He began tying his own knot. 

"This one is my personal favorite." He said with a smile. He tied it really quickly and then wrapped it around his neck and pulled. He pretended to be dead. 

"Funny." I said. He smirked. 

"Come on don't look so depressed." He said. It was kinda hard not to as I watch the Careers completely dominate the weapons section. Finnick followed my gaze. "Why don't we spare." he suggested. 

"What?" 

He walked over and picked up a trident and stepped onto the mat. 

"I don't think tributes are supposed to fight before the games." he shrugged and handed me one of my axes. 

"I'm sure they won't mind." he said glancing up at the Gamemakers. He spun his trident around looking very skilled. I scoffed. 

"Are you sure you want to fight?" I said, "I don't want your pretty face to get damaged." 

"You think I'm pretty?" He said acting shocked. I felt a small smile form. I swung my ax around in my hand feeling the familiarity.  I smirked and we both began. 

We launched at each other. My ax was brought down on his trident. The sound of metal hitting metal brought attention from other victors to them. They all watched the somewhat playful but yet very intense fight.

Finnick spun his trident around back making me jump back to avoid the prongs. I gripped my ax and brought it straight down in the middle of one of the prongs stopping his spin. 

"You've never fought me before." Finnick said releasing from my grip as I slashed the air near him with my ax. 

"No," I said as he brought his trident up in defense blocking my attacks. "but I've always wanted to." Finnick smirked. 

We weren't actually aiming for each other's bodies but got close enough for amusement. 

As Finnick recovered from my latest attack I chose the moment to use one of my non weaponry skills. I ducked below his trident and swung my leg below his feet knocking him over. He landed on the ground with a thud. 

"Having an off day Mr.Odair?" I mocked. He laughed. 

"You wish." He said standing back up unfazed. I swung my ax again. Finnick faked a dramatic duck earning a gasp from our growing crowd. We continued our fight until we ended up in a tie.