Feathers - (The Hunger Games Remake) MARVEL

Chapter 2 - Meeting The Mentors

The Reaping was over, meaning the districts could breathe a collective sigh of relief until next year. Two burly Peacekeepers escorted me and my fellow tributes into the Justice Building where we would say our last goodbyes to those closest to us - which, for me, would only be my parents. The walls were a simple cream colour, embellished with paintings of small, red fish. Tokens of our district sat on fancy looking cabinets - not the expensive mahogany kind from the Capitol, but ones that are made with dark wood from our own trees. 

I'm led into a small room on my own, and I take a seat on a leather couch. As I fiddle with the locket around my neck, thoughts of the Capitol race through my mind, and I can feel my stomach yearn for the hearty meals. I think of the weapons I can use, and then imagine the look on the other tributes' faces in the training centre. Then there's the exhilaration of being interviewed by Caeser Flickerman and making a lasting impression on the whole of Panem. However, my thoughts are broken by the door swinging open and my parents seating themselves on the couch in front of me. 

"Marina, you will win these Games," my father sternly states as more of an order than reassurance. "We've prepared you for every possible situation in that arena, don't disappoint us." 

"No matter who you're paired with, you will take charge and you will survive. Make sure you reach the cornucopia first whether you have to run, swim, or even hike. We don't know what the arena will be like, but since last year was entirely forest I doubt that will happen again," my mother bores her eyes into mine, trying to force more information into me. We've been over everything hundreds of times, possibly even thousands, but she continues to drill it into me. 

After what seems like hours of the same questions, the Peacekeepers order us that our time is up. My parents are escorted out of the building and I'm led to a large car outside, where Effie is waiting for us. She spots us coming towards her and lights up at her promising group. "Congratulations! Are you all excited to arrive in the Capitol?" she asks, eyes flitting between us. 

"Of course! I've been looking forward to it," I respond, holding my head high to make a good first impression. I'm hoping to be one of the favourites this year, it will definitely help me to earn sponsors. "Well that's fantastic, I'm glad one of you is awake," Effie daintily climbs into the passenger seat of the car as a Peacekeeper ushers us into the back seats. Various questions are thrown around in an attempt for Effie to get to know her tributes; I think she's more excited than usual because she got promoted to District 4 after Katniss Everdeen from 12 won last year. I'm doing the most talking in order to get on her good side, as well as the fact that the other three don't seem to be up for much talking. 

Our extravagant white car comes to a halt as we arrive at the station, which is swarmed with camera crews. No doubt we'd be watching ourselves on TV by the time we reach the Capitol. Signature smirk resting on my face, I follow Effie on to the train whilst waving at the cameras.

Inside the train is absolutely breathtaking; there is so much food in just one room. I examine the lavish plates of food and the intricately designed pieces of furniture, unable to imagine the luxurious lives led by the people of the Capitol. I recognise some of the pastries and cakes, but all of them are far better quality than the ones from our bakery. 

I get settled in my sleeping car and carefully place my locket on the bedside table, gathering some pyjamas so that I can take a shower. Whilst working a generously sized dollop of lemon-scented shampoo into my hair, I realise that this is the first time I can actually think about what has happened today. Deciding against reminiscing, I hastily hop out of the shower, pull on a pair of dark blue silk pyjamas and head into one of the food cars. I'm greeted by the four familiar faces of our mentors: Finnick, Annie, Adrius and Tilda. I'd seen them around the academy a few times, and sometimes I would see one of them in the town square. 

"And there she is," Adrius grins, taking in my appearance to help determine my capability. The other three turn to look in my direction. Although I'm not in the most intimidating attire, I pull my head high and fix my posture so that I'm at my full height of 5"8. 

"These pyjamas aren't doing me much justice right now," I joke, leading to an eruption of laughter from us all. After I join them at the table, Cordelia, Zale and Maxwell enter the room so that we can discuss our training. 

"So we've decided that I will be training with Zale, Tilda will be training with Cordelia, Annie will be training with Maxwell and Adrius will be training with Marina," Finnick instructs us as he pours some tea in everyone's mugs. "We should be arriving in the Capitol by 9:00 tomorrow morning, where you'll meet your stylists, settle into the training centre hotel and be prepared for the tribute parades. After the parades, you will return to your floor and open an envelope which will have the name of your partner on it." 

Everything is so complicated, and we have so much to do in such a short amount of time. Once we're done talking, I clamber into the cosy bed - it's a big day tomorrow by the looks of it. For a while, I keep awake in anticipation, but after tossing and turning for a while, sleep takes over and I drift off into a deep slumber.