Adamant [#1]

Chapter 36 - The Tour

So here’s a little thing: there is this silence between me and Dess as the transport takes us towards the train-station. And it doesn’t even end there. On train the silence continues, but at that point it’s reasoned though. He’s got to get through the last things to get onboard before the train heads for District 12. While he has the pleasure of doing that, I’m going to my designated room on the train and just sit on the bed, looking out the window. As the train starts to move, I see the familiarity of District 7 disappear. Now I get to see every single District in Panem the next 11 days: Every day, a new district, a different population, and different living-conditions. This ought to be educational…

It’s just about an hour into the train-ride before James enters my room and is finally allowed to sit down. He’s been going through a lot of stuff I can tell. He seems so relieved that he can now just sit down and take a break for once. For several moments I just sit there looking at him, contemplating on saying something, but I don’t. I just sit there in my world-famous silence instead. “We’ll be in District 12 in about 4-6 hours.” He then says to break off the silence. “District 12…with the drunken victor, right?” I then ask Dess with a slight smile on my face as I do remember well our ‘introduction’ at Blight’s funeral. I catch Dess smiling as well as he nods. “That would be the District, indeed.”

“Have you thought about any sort of speech or…?” I then find myself asking. It’s like that look he gives me after, is supposed to tell me that I should’ve thought of that myself. “I assume I’m supposed to be saying something to the crowd. I’m gonna be live in front of the entire nation twelve days straight.” I point out as James finally nods his head. “Yeah, of course you are, but I haven’t really prepared anything for you. In my rightful mind, I think you and your witty personality will manage just fine.” He then says. Oh, that’s freaking great! “So you’re really leaving this up to me?” I then ask him, trying to make him realize how stupid it in fact is. “You’ve always been good with words, Sylvia. I hardly think Blight would be able to put any breaks on you anyways.” He says. I shrug inside of me. Blight would definitely try to!

“Still, you got anything I at least base my ‘brilliant’ words on? I have no freaking idea what to say to those people. Do I go like: ‘sorry your tributes died, but I won’?” I then ask him as he leans back on the chair for a little while, turning thoughtful. Then he sits forward. “If you really need it play-by-play here, it’ll be more like: sorry for your loss – my life has changed for the better – I appreciate the opportunity the Capitol has given me…” I make sure to shrug loudly at his reply. He stops and looks at me. “What? You asked…” He then says. “So I have to play suck-up in other words?” I ask him confirming. “That’s more or less the entire Tour wrapped up in one sentence.” He then says. He’s good with words, I’ll give him that much.

He takes off not so long after. It’s still slightly early in the morning and as far as I know, he’s got tons of stuff to look after. He’s got to make sure we’re on schedule all the damn time. I’m glad that’s not my job. I lay my head back down on the pillow as our conversation sinks into mind. I’m gonna spend twelve freaking days playing suck-up to the one man that I can’t stand! The man that actually knows my true character.

Turning my head, I see the landscape outside just flying by as I take a look at the time. Three to four hours before I’m in District 12. It’ll be slightly over noon by then. And yet I have no freaking idea on what to say, and guess what? Dess isn’t helping much either!

It doesn’t really take long before the softness of the pillow lures me into sleep and all of a sudden, the trip seems way shorter than what it in fact is. James is actually the one to wake up, one tiny hour before we’re there. Let’s face it, it’s a good thing he gave me an hour. I have to look somewhat decent and awake. As if I ever look decent in whatever Lavio gives me! About my clothing: I have a special wardrobe for every damn District that I visit. It’s a custom I’ve heard, to dress the victor up as something similar to the district he or she is visiting. Gosh, I’m already overwhelmed. I never really imagined being in this position so I guess you understand that pretty well.