Effie, Peeta and me ride the elevator to our new home quietly as I watch through the crystal clear walls of the elevator. Everyone on the ground floor turn into ants as you shoot up into the air. It's exhilarating and I ask Effie if we can ride it again to which she says that we have a busy schedule.
Effie tells us all about how she's been talking us up, trying to win us some sponsors. "I've been very mysterious because, of course,Haymitch hasn't bothered me to tell you any of your strategies. But I've done my best with what I have. How primrose volunteered for her sister and how both of you overcame the barbarism of your district."
I raise my eyebrows at the last comment but I manage to hold my tongue. Katniss told me not to say anything about about the capital because, in the past, people have known to be whipped for the smallest of complaints. That reminds me of the jabber-jays. In the dark days, the Capitol sent birds that could record whatever people said and the rebels caught on quickly so whenever they saw a jabber-jay they would feed it wrong information.
After the war they released them into the wild, expecting them to die out, but instead they mated with the mocking birds. Mockingjays are probably my favourite birds because whenever I'm outside I can always hear them singing.
"Everyone has their reservations, naturally. You being from the coal district. But I said, and this was very clever of me, I said, 'Well, if you put enough pressure on coal it turns to pearls!'" Effie beams at us so brilliantly that we can't help but to respond enthusiastically to her 'cleverness'.
Coal doesn't turn into pearls. They can only grow in shellfish I think. Maybe she meant that coal turns to diamonds but that's untrue as well. I've heard that there's some sort of machine in district 1 that turns graphite into diamonds but we don't mine graphite in district 12, that used to be thirteens job before they were destroyed.
"Unfortunately, I can't seal the sponsor deals for you. Only Haymitch can do that," says Effie grimly. "But don't worry, I'll get him to the table at gunpoint if necessary." Effie trinket has a certain determination that I can't help but to admire.
My quarters are larger than my home in district 12, possibly even larger than the mayors house. The bed and curtains are plush, kind of like the train car, and there are so many automatic gadgets is that I don't think I'll have enough time to press them all. The shower alone has a panel with over a hundred buttons with hundreds of shampoos and oils to choose from. When you step out of the shower you can step on a mat that blow drys you and then you can place your hand on a box that sends an electrical current to detangle your hair.
I program the closet for an outfit to my taste. The windows zoom in and out on parts of the city at anytime. You need only whisper a type of food from a gigantic menu into a mouthpiece and it appears, hot and steamy, in less than a minute. I walk around the room eating goose liver and puffy bread until there's a knock on the door. Effie's calling me to dinner.
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Peeta, Cinna and Portia are all standing on a balcony that overlooks the luminous Capitol. The sky is already a dark blue which contrasts against all of the bright lights and bustling cars.
We all take a seat at the dining table as a silent man offers the others some wine. I've tasted the wine that my mother uses for coughs and it always leaves my mouth dry.
Haymitch shows up to the dinner table just as dinners being served. I think this is the first time I've ever seen him look somewhat decent. While the others make small talk I focus on the meal, Mushroom soup, bitter greens with tomatoes the size of peas, roast beef sliced as thin as paper, noodles in a green sauce, cheese that melts on your tongue which is served with sweet blue grapes.
I try to focus on what they're saying, which has turned into what interview costumes were going to wear, when a girl sets a gorgeous cake on fire. The flames flicker on the edge of the cake until it finally fizzles out and I have a moment of confusion "What makes it burn?"
"It's the alcohol. But don't worry, all of it has been burned off by now," Cinna explains. "I ordered it specially for your fiery debut."
We eat the cake and move into another room to watch the replay of the opening ceremony. A few of the other districts make a good impression but they don't hold a candle to ours. Even our own party let's out a small 'ooh' sound as they show us coming out of the remake centre.
I notice the other tributes standing stiffly apart, not even acknowledging the other's existence. I guess we've established us as friends not adversaries which has distinguished us as much as our fiery costumes.
"Tomorrow morning is the first training session. Meet me for breakfast and I'll tell you exactly how I want you to play it," says Haymitch to Peeta and me. "Now go get some sleep while the grown-ups talk."
Peeta and I walk down the icy corridor. "So, what's with the long face?" Peeta asks me as he leans against the wall. I hesitate before responding "I'm just scared. We're going to see the others Tomorrow and they're like twenty times my size!"
"I won't let them hurt you." Peeta looks at me sympathetically. I try to find an alright response but the only thing I can come up with is a short thank you and a hug.
As soon as I enter the room I collapse on my bed into a restless sleep.
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YOU ARE READING
Prim's games - the hunger games
Action"Primrose Everdeen!" Everything seems to freeze as people shuffle out a path for me. People start murmuring unhappily as they do when a twelve year old is reaped. I ball my hands into fists and start to take small, stiff steps up to the stage. "Prim...
