Allied Hearts - Finnick Odair

Chapter 3.

The day after the reaping my father and I began our travels to the training station. Where the tributes will spend three days living and training for their ultimatum. For some this may be their last three days, and the thought of that makes me shudder.

Since yesterday I can't stop thinking about the Male volunteer from district 4, not just because of his good looks. (Though thats was a huge bonus). There was just something drawing me to him, he held mystery in his eyes, I felt like I had to know more.
On the other hand though, my mind was fighting with me. He was a career, and they really turn my stomach, how they take joy in ending someone else's life's. This is what they're made for, they're so full of themselves and determined to win, they can't see the wrong in what they do. Sounds all too familiar with my father if I'm honest with myself.

You may think by the way I speak that I hate snow. It's like I'm split in two, I desperately want to love him, and have his fatherly love returned, but I don't think it could happen. He's just never had that instinct to be a proper fatherly figure, unless there's a camera on of course. It's not like he's ever done anything to harm me, but when there's no one watching silence fills the room we sit in.
We're two different people, and I think he often questions whether I truly am his own, I don't share the same values and mentality as him and the Capitol.

I couldn't believe the size of the training centre when the train eventually came to a stop outside. A very awkward train journey with my father was finally over.

As soon as we exited the cameras were all directed toward us, whilst Snow held out his hand for me to grasp onto. I had previously been warned by him before we left to be on my best behaviour, and it's always an advantage to stay in his good books, so I slapped a smile on my face and played up to what everyone wanted me to be.

Each district have their own living quarters in the centre, quite large and luxurious ones may I add. But that's the least they deserve from the capital, the ones who are sending them off to die. I'm sure to the tributes it means nothing, I'm sure they hate the capital. I see it on reaping day. As oblivious as the rest of the capital is, I see their fear filled eyes, as parents have to let their offspring go forever, children terrified that their name will be selected from the dreaded bowl.

All the tributes had been gathered in a huge grand hall to await our arrival. I can't imagine they'll all be impressed with it, I would hate us too if I was them.
Looking in their eyes brings another wave of guilt back to me, hatred and fear consumed them, they knew there was nothing they could do to avoid anything that would happen from now on. They looked at Snow with disgust, and even me in some cases. Though I didn't blame them, I completely understood. Each year it's been the same, all they see is President Snow's daughter, they don't know me and are oblivious that I am very unlike himself.

However looking at the careers as my father presents his speech I see something different, admiration, they aspired to be like my father. That's why they volunteer, they know what a victors life is like; money, power, jewels and looked at as heroes. The Capitol adored the victors. My wandering eyes found Finnick's, the perfect symbol of the sea. Such a lovely blue, you could easily get lost in them. They didn't look up in adoration, mystery still swirled around him, I couldn't read how he really felt. He seems to catch on to the fact I'm staring and an amused smirk appeared on his face, quickly making me draw my eyes to my shuffling feet.

Awkward.

My father continues rambling on about how 'you have made the ultimate sacrifice' as if all of them were willing to do so.
When he eventually decided to end the show it felt like hours had passed, but it had only been five minutes or so.

The tributes were dismissed by Laka to begin their training, the last chance they have to perfect their skills and enhance their chance of survival.
Laka was this years gamemaker, I don't think anyone enjoys it more than them, they control everything that happens in that arena. The climate, the mutts they release, fireballs. Anything you can think of they can make happen. You'd have to be pretty twisted to do that job, preying on the young and sometimes determining who lives and who dies. They're not unknown to kill tributes by shooting fireballs at them or creating a tidal wave whilst they're trying to swim.

During the whole session my eyes were transfixed on Finnick, it's obvious he was raised to do this, he was very talented with a trident, making it clear he was from the fishing district. It was almost as if it came naturally to him, piercing through the dummies right in the centre of their heart as if it weighed nothing. When in reality it could actually be heavier than myself.
As I continued watching him in training it became clear he was a jack of all trades, skilled in combat, and I could bet he was an expert swimmer.

'So Alia who are you wanting to win?'
One of the onlookers asked me, I wasn't too sure who most of these people actually were, they were less about the fancy parties of the Capitol and more about organising the hunger games, dedicating their whole year to the annual event.

'I think Finnick.' It came out of my mouth before I could even stop it, almost like an impulse.

I forgot that in a handful of days this would all be over and there would be deaths, the people right here in front of me will be no more, besides one lucky victor. And it seemed I wanted it to be Finnick.

I never really think about who I want to win, I don't want a winner because that means losers, and losers means death hovering over my family name; Snow.

Glancing over I see my fathers furrowed brows. 'Darling, you always say a girl when we ask, what's so special about this Finnick hm?' All eyes were on me as I was quizzed.

'I don't know really, he's the youngest isn't he? Only 14. Don't the underdogs always appeal to me?' In no way was he an underdog, I just had to stumble upon an excuse to get my father off my case. But it was true that he was just 14, nowhere near an age to die, and as I thought about him drawing his last breath my heart dropped.

What is wrong with me? Snap out of it Alia, you don't even know this boy! I mentally slapped myself and shook out of my thoughts.

'Awww young love' A patronising member of the audience spoke up prompting more of them to find their voices.

'They would make a good match, let's hope he comes out alive.'

'Yes Alia is just shy of her thirteenth birthday, she's not too far behind him'.

I blushed at their fairytale story's, turning so crimson I much resembled the roses on my bracelet, I never took it off.

Snow looked the least bit amused at their swooning and ushered me out the room at once.