Crown Jewels: Cashmere's Story

Chapter 4: Trial and Error

The radiant, golden glow streams through the windows, blessing me with its warmth.   

Time to get up now, I tell myself. For a second, buried amongst silk covers and the faint scent of lavender filling my nose, I think I'm back home and it was all a dream.

But then I sit up and see the deserted streets through the window. It looks like a ghost town or an abandoned city.  The sight gives me chills. 

I remember Iggy saying something about no one in the Capitol getting up before noon.  I check my clock. It's seven thirty.   

I yawn and stretch a little bit, joints cracking as I do. 

 I then walk into the humongous bathroom and take a nice shower. That is, after I find the right buttons. For 10 minutes robot hands came out and scrubbed my skin with a gritty exfoliant, then sprayed me with freezing water.

Today is our first day of Training.  I'll really get to know Beatrix and Marshall, meet District 4 and find a few allies (or people to put on our Watch List).  I think I'll go around talking to some of the Districts and making my own secret observations.

I step out of the shower and pick out  athletic shorts and a violet shirt.  I tie my hair into a high ponytail and enter the dining room.

I'm not surprised to see Jasper, Gloss and Ruby already helping themselves to food. 

 I grab a plate and load it with rice porridge with chicken. I take a small, iced tureen of fruit as well. I decide to finish off with a cup of hot chocolate and a sweet roll for dipping.   

"How was your beauty rest?" Gloss jokes over a plate of eggs and bacon. 

"Good," I say in between bites of rice porridge. "So, what's the plan?" 

Everyone stares at me. A small piece of toast even falls out of Ruby's mouth. 

"It's the Games. We need to decide how to play this in Training, what kind of image we portray," I explain.  I'm not overthinking this! The Games start way before we enter the arena. 

"Jasper, what are you good at?" Gloss asks him. 

 "I'm good with crossbows and spears. I can run pretty fast." 

"Cashmere?" Ruby asks. 

"I focus on throwing knives and knife-combat and I'm agile. I'm good at acting." 

"Acting?" Jasper raises his eyebrows, trying to intimidate me. "And how will that come in useful in the arena?"

I take a breath. "Well, we have the interviews to get through, don't get ahead of yourself.  I can talk to some other tributes to see who to look out for. I can pretend to be allies with the strong ones and stab them in the back," I say. "Literally." 

Ruby nods approvingly. 

Jasper purses his lips: in a way, this was a small competition and I beat him. We've been at "Who can be the best at everything" for almost 6 years.

"I think you guys should meet up with 2 and 4. Jasper, do the weapons and show everyone you're lethal.  Cashmere, apart from doing that, I want you to keep a close eye on the other tributes," Gloss instructs. 

"And don't try out survival. It's stupid, you won't need it." Ruby waves her hand dismissively. 

Sounds like a plan. 

******* 

Jasper and I make our way down to the Training Center. The room has a high ceiling and is windowless. On a balcony, the Gamemakers perch, eagerly watching us. One winks at me. Gross.