Moonlark

Training

Sophie walked into the training center, beelining for the rack of weapons to her right. She was already adept with throwing stars and had never missed a single target with her arrows. She picked up a bow, sighing at the familiar feel of it in her hands. Gleaming wood that bent just the right amount, and a wire, when unhooked, could very easily strangle somebody. Sophie turned toward the target, not caring about the distance, about the length of an old-world football field.

She tilted the bow right the tiniest bit, slotting an arrow on the string, not bothering to check if the red quill was pointed out because Sophie just knew. It was instinct. Not practice. Her trade partners liked to tell Sophie her skill with the weapon was undeniable. Flattery got them nowhere. Sophie drew the wire back, thumb parallel to her cheekbone, finger positioning perfect. All of this happened in the space of a second, and before Sophie could doubt herself, she let it fly.

The arrow hurtled across the room, feathers riding the air till the arrowhead plunged into the dummy's heart. Sandor had taught Sophie to protect herself at all costs. Peacemakers were seldom peaceful. Her arrow was speedy and graceful, passing through the 'body' before embedding itself in the Capitol insignia painted on the wall.

Gasps rang through the tributes who weren't cold and unfeeling, and an arguement broke out between a teal-eyed boy from District 2 and an asian teen from District 5 with silver bangs. 

"I know you have my dagger! It can't just disappear into thin air!" Sophie looked at the blond boy at the parade, who seemed to be tugging on his earlobe for no apparent reason, with a twinkle in his eyes. Sophie followed his gaze to a smiling younger girl holding a silver dagger with swirling designs on its hilt, high above in the piping. Oh, that girl felt so much like Amy.

The blondie with the hair stared at Sophie with a concerned look in his eyes, like he could sense her pain. Probably not. Hopefully. That would get weird.

Is she okay?  

After all, Sophie could hear thoughts, so anything was possible.

The boy walked towards her, getting disdainful glares from many. He hadn't done anything but stand around since Sophie arrived, and she was starting to think he hadn't done anything before either.

"Hey Foster." Oh no. Sophie could not make connections with anyone here. It would be so much harder when they died. Assuming she didn't die first.

"How do-never mind. I'm an idiot." Sophie blushed, looking at her boots. 

"You're not an idiot, per se...just slightly oblivious." The boy was clearly trying to make her feel better, and while Sophie knew just that, it was working.

"The tributes don't think you can do anything." His eyebrows rose comically, faking innocence.

"Why, I didn't notice! We'll have to correct that, won't we." It could be an advantage in the games, but Sophie would rather size him up now. "I like to think my handsomeness is my most lethal weapon. I'll get everyone to fall in love with me, then stab them in the back!" Sophie's cheeks grew even hotter. How was that even possible? "I'm kidding, I'm kidding. I'm okay with throwing stars." Sophie waited for him to continue.

"Okay isn't going to make you through half of the games." Keefe raised his hands in surrender.

"I'm pretty strong." He grabbed a weight, lined himself up, and threw the beastly hunk of lead at a minuscule dummy. Such a small target, yet this boy took it down withought blinking. Pretty strong was an understatement. He seemed nice enough though. But the games could twist and turn a soul in unimaginable ways.