Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
__________
After what I can only describe as being plucked like a chicken, I'm sitting in a room with just a robe. In my head, I go over everything Finnick has taught me in the last forty-eight hours. I knew that even with him training me, I stood no chance. The careers had been training since they could walk. Still, Finnick told me to be hopeful. To think of my family, and everything I love about home. Maybe, if I spend most of my time hiding, I'll have to kill less people, and can remain unseen during the games. Of course, the Capitol wouldn't like that. if the games started to get boring, they'd spice it up. I think of what I already know with a trident. I worry that they won't have one in the cornucopia. My thoughts are cut short when a man with straight, pink hair that ended just above his shoulders walked in. He looked fitting to be in the Capitol; his eyebrows were covered up, and he had glitter where they were supposed to be. He dressed like everyone I'd seen so far, and his nails were very long.
"You must be Coralia. I'm Affron. I'll be your stylist. I'm not going to congratulate you - I don't see the point. I'm here to make you look pretty, and to give you my support. Ready?" I nod at Affron, and he starts talking about the tribute parade; it's tonight.
***
Blaze and I are both wearing multiple layers of blue fabric, held together at the shoulder with a starfish. District 4 was usually represented with blues, greens, and a bit of tan. My hair was curled, with a braid over the back. The sequins on my lips are uncomfortable, and the fake eyelashes make me feel as if I can't open my eyes all the way. As we start moving towards President Snow, Blaze forces me to hold his hand; to make it look like we tolerated each other. Snow looks into the crowd, smirking. He knew he had all of the power in Panem. Not far behind him is the head gamemaker, Zedoary Ashtone. He's been head gamemaker for six years now. The chariot for 3 is in front of us, and I can see the female tribute shaking from here. Blaze steps on my foot, and I'm scared I'm going to fall out of the chariot.
"Look like you're happy to be here. You look like a lost puppy." He hisses, his mouth barely opening as he speaks. I want to tell him off, but the cameras are on us. I force a smile on my face, and pretend like my foot doesn't hurt.
After the tribute parade, we're taken to our penthouse on level four. Finnick is listening to a story Verena is telling, while popping sugar cubes in his mouth. I love the way they taste, too, but I wasn't sure how he could eat so many at one time. They were literal cubes of sugar.
"Tomorrow morning, Coralia, you'll be training with Finnick, and Blaze will be training with Mags. The next day, you'll switch. You'll have only one more training session with your mentors. Then they'll observe you over group training and individual training. How well you do will be up to the score they give you." She explains, eating a chocolate covered strawberry. I nod, hoping that my time with Finnick would be enough.
I'm sitting next to Mags, who is quite possibly the sweetest woman I've ever met. Being near her these last couple of days has been a touch of what it feels like to have a mother. Not even Blaze has anything bad to say about her, which is saying something. Though she had suffered a stroke, she was always in good spirits. She could walk well, though if she got tired she required a cane. Though life had thrown everything her way, she still manages to be kind. She hands me a chocolate covered strawberry, and I smile. "Thank you."
***
Finnick watched as I hit the dummies with my trident. He seemed impressed, but I know it wasn't good enough. He grabs one for himself so we can spar. The metal clashes against the metal as we fight, and to my despair, he manages to disarm me.
"It's okay. I'm here to make you better." We go back to hand to hand combat, and I'm actually not doing bad.
He throws a left hook, but I dodge it, ducking down. He goes for a right hook but I redirect it. and lightly hit his neck with my hand. His other arm is in the air now, and it makes it easier for me to spin him and make him fall to the ground. I put my foot over his chest so he can't get up, and he smiles at me.
"You're amazing." He says, before coughing and standing up. "At what I taught you. You're amazing at what I taught you." I laugh, taking a break. I sit on the floor, and he joins me.
"I definitely know more than I did before I was reaped." I say, taking a drink of water.
"Don't be so hard on yourself. You can win this, Cora. We both watch the games; we've seen unexpected victors. I mean, did you watch Mags' tape? Who would've known? I have faith in you." Finnick says, putting his hand on my knee. I look at him, smiling.
"What?" He asks.
"Nothing, it's just your eyes. They, uh, they remind me of home." I say awkwardly. He smirks, tilting his head.
"How so?" He asks.
"Well, you're eyes are like the greenest things I've ever seen. Seriously, In this lighting, though, they have a blue tint. Just reminds me of what home looks like." I tell him. He smiles, and we stay silent for a moment.
