Of Victors and Tributes

Chapter 4: The First Day of Training

"Rise and shine!" comes Koi's voice through my door. I groan, rolling over in bed. I barely remember last night for a moment, and then everything comes rushing back to me. The outfit, the cheering, President Snow's speech, dinner and Farah and my prep team.

I sit up, shaking the memories from my mind before I get a headache. Set out on my wardrobe is an outfit, simple trousers and a flexible shirt that has a large 8 on the front. I pull on training shoes that are waiting by my door, tie the laces, and leave behind my bedroom. Everyone has already gathered in the dining area. Vestia sits on the couch with Farah and Hermes, whom she seems to have warmed up to. Koi and Cecelia and Woof sit around the table, chitchatting and whatnot. I sit with them.

"Breakfast is served," Koi warns the others. The three of them gather around the table and wait to be served. To be completely honest, I'm still full from last night, but I can't help my mouth from watering at the smell of our breakfast. Massive bowls are set around the table, filled with eggs and potatoes and bacon and grits and everything in between.

"So are we going to start mentoring today?" I ask, starting a conversation so that I won't eat as fast as I was yesterday.

"Yes. My first suggestion is that today, you two acquire new skills. Back in 8, we did nothing but sit in the factories. Do either of you know anything about nature?" Cecelia asks. She's thinning her coffee with something clear, and by the smell of it something alcohol related.

"The, uh, the. . . greenery. Around the fence. That's how I know some stuff," I tell her. The truth? Well, I've never been outside of the fence, and we don't have any open clearings of forest or meadow in District 8. The most I've done is risked sticking my hand through the fence at certain weak points and picking berries, roots, and any other edible plants that hang around behind there. Technically, that's illegal. I know Cecelia and Woof couldn't care less, but I can't say the same for our stylists or Koi.

"I, er, have a cow," Vestia says. Hermes laughs, since apparently having a cow is hilarious.

"Ever since that Games a while back, they've made sure to always have wood and water around so there aren't as many dry deaths. I suggest learning what's edible in most forest biomes, stuff like that. There's always food in the Cornucopia, but unless you get wrapped up with the Careers, you should probably avoid going there," Cecelia suggests.

"But don't we need weapons?" Vestia questions before shoving a mouthful of something into her face.

"Sure, but the Cornucopia will get you killed," pitches in Woof. Even though he won forever ago, I remember that he ran right to the Cornucopia and got himself stabbed several times. He did get a bag of food, though.

"There's two choices in the Games. You run and hide or you fight and kill. If you know what to look for, you'll live longer by hiding and living off what you can find. If you're trained to kill like those in 1 and 2, then you have a good chance to get things over and done with, but you won't know how to take care of yourself," Cecelia explains.

"So, we go to survival stations?" I assume.

"Survival stations today, training stations tomorrow, the next day I'd say try to make friends. You may not end up with allies, but you may end up with people that hesitate when they see you," Cecelia says.

"And if they hesitate, you have time to live," Woof adds on. Vestia and I nod.

"Which leaves one more thing. You two can train together or separate when it comes to mentoring. Usually, it depends on if you want to be allies or not," Cecelia says. The table is silent for a moment, and even though our stylists and Koi have no idea what living in the Districts are like, they even seem to hold their breaths. This is the moment that I decide whether or not I can kill Vestia. But in all honesty, if I don't make it home, I'd be able to rest if she does.