The 37th Hunger Games: The Beauty of a Pearl

Chapter Three

Seraphima leads the way into a modern, silver train. Her hair has come out of its bun and it sways behind her as she walkes, flowing down to her hips. She holds out her hands to us and I notice that she has a small tattoo of a key on her right index finger and another vine around her left wrist. I reluctantly take her hand and she helps us into our carraige. Looking around I can see large plush couches, a huge table lined with food, dangling crystal chandeliers and elaborately designed rugs. Back home I would never dream of seeing a place as fancy and beautiful as this, and we are only on the trian. Seraphima takes a seat on one of the couches, folding one leg over the other and examines her plum coloured nails. Nathaniel and I stand next to eachother awkwardly at the doorway, feeling like school kids waiting outside a principals office.

"Well." She says. "Take a seat."

We sit down on the comfortable couch but I don't sink back into it like I would usually, instead I sit upright and rigid, my elbows perching on my knees. I look straight forward, my expression blank, until I hear a door slide open, an older woman walking through it. I can tell that she must have been beautiful when she was younger. Her hair is red but it has gone very pale from age. Her eyes are shiny and hazel, the kind of eyes that remind you of happiness. 

"Oh, Nathaniel." Seraphima says. "This is your mentor, Nadia."

Nadia greets us all and sits down next to Nathaniel, smiling and talking to him, although as he is so shy he only replies with short answers. After a few minutes I start to get a little anxious. Where is my mentor?

"So, uh, where's my mentor?" I finally ask Seraphima.

"Oh, yes, there was a bit of an issue. He was feeling unwell and looked as though he was about to faint, so we thought it best that he stay in his room. Not to worry though I'm sure he'll be fine soon enough. Oh, and feel free to take a look around the train and help yourself to any food. Any doors that you are not permitted to go through will be locked, so I'm sure you can figure it out."  Seraphima replies.

I watch her face the whole time and I realize that I've never seen her smile before. Other Capitol citizens that I've seen never seem to stop smiling. Plastic surgery I assume. I look down and try to hide my blushing cheeks as I realize I've been staring at her face and I hope to god that she didn't notice. There's something about Seraphima that makes you nervous around her. Whether it's her sophistication and seriousness or if it's her beauty, I'm not sure. I stand up and make my way over to the table of food, trying not to worry about my mentor. If they, whoever they are, don't get well soon it could have a serious affect on my results in the arena. I have done training before, but I don't think it will be enough. I try to push this to the back of my mind though, and reach out to grab a slice of herb bread from the table. I put some more food on a plate and sit down, smiling at how good this food tastes. My happiness does not last for long though, because my mentor walks into the room, running his fingers through his hair. 

"Are you feeling any better?" Seraphima asks, and my mentor nods in reply.

But suddenly I feel like I am the one who might pass out. Seraphima looks at my curiously and takes my expression to be confusion.

"Oh, this is your mentor, Damian. Damian, this is Nathaniel and Ariana."

But I don't need to be introuced to Damian, I already know him. In fact, I know him quite well. Damian shuffles awkwardly on his feet and stuffs his hands into his pockets. He lookes down to the floor awkwardly.

"Uh, yeah, Ariana and I have met." Damian says, his voice wavering a little bit. 

"Oh, that's good then." Seraphima says. "May I ask how?"

"Ariana and I...we used to date."

I can feel the awkward tension in the room as I watch Damian sit down on a chair, although Seraphima tries to hide it by changing the subject, however I am not interested in small talk. I place the food in my hand back onto my plate, suddenly not as satified with it's taste anymore. I quickly wipe my mouth, throw down the napkin, and walk hastily out of the room.