Reaper ~ THG AU

Ch. 7: Training

"Remember what Seeder and Chaff said?"

I watch the numbers above the door, letting a sigh out as Acacius stands beside me. Neither of our mentors could make it with us today, Seeder having an interview with potential sponsors and Chaff knocked out from his night of drinking all the liquor in the apartment.

"Yeah..."

"Good. I agree with them. There's no need to show all the tricks in the bag...just stick with learning new things that might come in handy in the arena, okay?"

"Yeah."

I nod, clearing my throat as my mind begins to race. The way the careers have already been eyeing us, I wouldn't be surprised if we've already got targets on our backs.

The elevator comes to a stop, opening to the wrong floor. A slightly familiar teen walks on, his head down with his hands in the pockets of his nice coat. His blonde hair is a mess, as if he just woke up or just rolled out of bed. I look up towards the number above the door, my confusion growing as I look back towards him.

"You're Finnick Odiar...the Victor from two years ago..."

He looks our way, clearing his throat before nodding. I look back up towards the numbers as the doors close. District 4 is housed a few floors up. What was he doing on this floor?

I go to ask until Acacius clears his throat, giving me a look as I straighten. I take a deep breath, looking back towards the blonde Victor. I study him, noticing the way he's standing. It's almost as if he's...

Acacius nudges me, making me give him a look. He gives one right back as he nod's towards the door. I sigh, crossing my arms as I look back towards the sixteen year old. He's only a year older than me and year younger than Acacius. The only difference is where we're from and what we've been through.

"You got any advice for us?"

He looks back towards me, slightly shocked by my question. Acacius exhales, reaching up to rub his face as I give him a look.

"Azalea..."

"What? He's the youngest winner in history. It'd be stupid not to ask him what he thinks."

"Shouldn't that be a question for your mentors?"

I look back towards the blonde, our eyes meeting. I hold his gaze as I take a deep breath. Acacius sighs as I hold up my hand to gesture around the elevator.

"Do you see them here?"

"Azalea."

"What? It's true! Chaff is sleeping off a hangover while Seeder does everything in her power to spend as much time anywhere but around us. I'm simply trying to learn what I can before we're sent to our deaths, okay?"

I give Acacius a look, my eyes holding his gaze. His jaw tightens as he nods, looking down as he crosses his arms. Finnick clears his throat, drawing both of our attention towards him.

"I say...know your enemy better than you know yourself. What their strengths are..their weaknesses..how they move and how they think. Know how to beat them even if you have to catch them yourself."

The elevator stops, his eyes not leaving my own until the doors open. He steps off, nodding back towards us as a deep sigh leaves him.

"I wish you both luck...the arena is always worse then you think it will be."

The doors shut, leaving us once again alone in the small space. I look up towards my brother as he meets my eyes. I gulp, clearing my throat as he nods. We both face forward without another sound.