The Career (Finnick Odair/OC)

2

(Age 23, The 75th Hunger Games- Quarter Quell )

Cashmere sighed for what seemed like the tenth time. Her constant sighs had me rolling my eyes in annoyance. I rose an eyebrow at her and she scoffed indicating to the screen infront of us. "You know it's all her fault right? If I'm reaped I'm killing her first".

I rolled my eyes again as I turned back to the screen where Katniss Everdeen twirled around in what was maybe her eighth wedding dress of the day. I turned back to Cashmere with a smirk of my own. "You and me both".

She was right of course. It was no coincidence that two victors were crowned last year, only for all of us now having to pay the price. I didn't think anyone could out do what happened in my games, but Katniss Everdeen had. She was from District Twelve, the poorest of us all. 

People actually rallied in the outer districts during her games. I don't think anyone bothered to do such a reckless thing in my own games. Probably, because I threw the idea of rebellion in the districts faces when I ended up killing everyone. Not that I'd even know if they had, District One is so isolated from everything but the Capitol. But I figured not because well...Snow would do more than kill my family and make me a sex slave if they had.

Cashmere glared at the giggling seventeen year old on my screen. She slumped further in her seat and started picking her nails. Uninterested in whatever dress number nine would turn out to be. She'd stormed into my house first thing this moring, more so in a fit of rage. But she was yet to bring up the one subject that had both of us scared out of our minds. The reason she hasn't left my side today...The Quarter Quell.

Even for a couple of Careers like ourselves, it was a dreaded thought. Being from District One, the odds were in our favor. But we'd be going up against experienced killers. We were 'trained' in all things hunger games our whole lives. But in the outer districts? They had skills we couldn't be taught. Like the Victors of District Three who use their freaky brains as a weapon, The Victors of District Ten who, from carving meat everyday know the exact spot to easily paralyze and kill you. I could go on for a while. The point is now the outer districts were to fear because once in a blue moon they produced a Victor. And a Victor that  comes from an outer district shouldn't be over looked. Why? because despite not training for it their whole lives, they were able to out smart us all. 

Everyone's a Career now and that scared me to my core. I chewed on my lip as I studied Katniss Everdeen. Average face, but she was popular in the Capitol. There was no doubt in my mind that people wouldn't hesitate to sponsor her. I knew she was skilled with a bow but we hadn't seen enough kills from her in the arena to know just how good her aim actually is. She'll stick to Peeta like glue though, whether her romance is real or not it doesn't matter. She can't ditch him without losing those sponsors. Plus, she doesn't know any other Victors, so making alliances is going to be too hard for her. Essentially, District Twelve will have no choice but to stick together in these games.

And Peeta Mellark?  Peeta's amputated leg would be both of their downfall. If she stays with him then she won't be able to outrun anyone. It was sad but the thought caused me to smirk. She wouldn't be my biggest threat when she's reaped. But she wouldn't be an easy kill either, then again I doubt anyone would be in these games. 

It sickened me sometimes the way my brain was trained to think. But I couldn't help it. I'd spent nearly my whole life in that academy, trained to shut off my emotions with limited contact from friends and family. I think that's why Cashmere and Gloss are so close. Despite the rules, they were always seen together as children. They were allowed to play together under the pretence of 'family'. 

Cashmere huffed. "I actually think that dress has a chance of making it".

I turned my head towards Charshmere who seemed to be analysing the screen infront of us. Not the dress, she was analysing Katniss. Cashmere despite her sexy Capitol persona wasn't a dumb blond. She was cunning and observant, I knew she was making me sit through this so we could analyse the girl on fire's every move. Even if Katniss herself was acting like a giggling princess, let's add poor actress to list while we're at it. Training and Mentoring. Cashmere never stopped that role, neither of us did. I sometimes think it's all we knew how to do. That and...fucking whoever Snow tells us too. I snorted. "A child  won't survive a marriage".