Today is the day of scavenger hunt - something the gamemakers cooked up to keep either themselves or the capitol entertained while us tributes still get shit done. But I didn't want to compete - Caradoc did though. Which is good - one of handle getting a one-up for the arena (possibly) while the other finishes off the stations.
Stripping down a swimsuit, I swim some laps in the pool. The trainer times me, but I'm not completely focused on breaking a world record. I need inspiration for private training tomorrow. So while I swim back and forth as fast as I possibly can while concentrating, I envision myself alone in the center, the eyes of the gamemakers on me, predicting how well I'd fair in the arena.
I want to do something crazy. Something me. Well, you know, me enough without getting an ass whooping. So far I have done great. Sure I pissed off Carly Beth and maybe Clifton, but no heads have been broken yet. I can't ruin it now, doing something stupid. Believe me, I'm itching. I just don't think its worth it, especially with Caradoc and my life on the line and the potential satisfaction of the Coalition coming.
I don't remember how many laps I swam before I start thinking about the even bigger problem. The Coalition expects both Caradoc and I alive after the Games. I have two options. Or three, depending how I look at it. I could fake my death. Again. Not a very good idea especially since my face is circulating in Panem's system under two different names. A third would definitely have them asking questions. I could find some bitch to pretend to be me if I die. That would be suitable, but who could I possibly find in this short amount of time... Or I could let the Coalition win. I could let Cara and I die. I could let the Coalition be happy. I could swallow my fucking pride.
Like hell I would do that. This is me who they were fucking with. The girl who survived roaming around Panem! The bitch who made them the wealthiest fucking gang ever to grace Panem. There's no fucking way I'm letting them win. Maybe if I just spoke the gamemakers... Better yet? Why don't I get the Capitol to annihilate them? That's revenge enough for me - I could die happy.
The trainer waves me to come over. I swim until I can hear him somewhat. "5 minutes, 29 seconds!" He says. I wave, and dive back under the water. There won't be two winners this year. Especially with Shamus and his useless, knocked up girlfriend having won the games last year. I sigh under the water, the giant bubbles rising to the surface signally my defeat.
"Fuck everything." I say when my face breaks the surface. I float on the water, staring up at the ceiling, just waiting for a bright idea to occur.
Jab, Jab, Punch || Training OS || Boxing Ring & Punching Bags
Looking around the training center, I decided to visit the boxing station. Despite my mother telling them not to, Torque insisted on teaching me a few moves of self defense.
The movements were familiar and comforting. Letting the memories of my brothers teaching me for the first time when I was ten, and then working with me on the weekends, hidden away in the basement of the power plant in order to keep it a secret from my mom.
As I worked over the bag, I let my mind drift back to my brothers. What were they doing now? Were they safe? Happy? Well, not happy, but in a relative sense, okay? The look on Torque's face when I had been Reaped was one I had never seen before.
Pascal was the most level headed of all of us, and I doubted he would cause to much trouble, but Flux had always been a loose cannon. The best I could hope for was that Torque and Pascal would keep him from doing anything stupid.
I could feel my frustrations grow the more I thought about it. All of this shit was so fucking unfair. It was unfair that I was here, and that I was away from my family and friends. That my future had been basically stolen away from me and there was absolutely nothing I could do about it but letting my frustrations out on the bag helped.
Finally, with my muscles aching and sweat everywhere, I took a step back, finally feeling calmer. After quickly unwrapping my hands, I turned and exited the Training Center, exhausted and ready for sleep and feeling like I was a little more in control.
Maybe this time I will get some alone time. I glanced behind me to see if any other tributes had somehow gotten the idea that swimming would be fun right now. No one was behind me so I slipped into the pool area.
Everytime I went into some station, I would find myself talking to one of the other tributes. Not that some of the conversations were terrible, but it was nice to have my thoughts to myself.
I went into the changing room and put on the swimming trunks I was given by the trainer. They fit snuggly, but I could move enough to stay afloat.
Now swimming isn't my strongest area of expertise. I can stay afloat, sure, but I am not the best at swimming fast or in good form. I was way better on land. I wish there was such a thing as land sharks and not sea sharks, so I wouldn't have any reason to learn how to swim fast.
But I still needed to practice for a bit. With the swamp and rainforest biomes present, I feel like there will be water in some capacity, so it would be best to remember how to swim.
My feet padded against the tiles of the ground surrounding the swimming pool and I felt the water cool my skin. I climbed onto this raised platform and readied myself for the full immersion of my body into cool water.
On the count of three, I dived into the water. My form was poor and most of my stomach hit the water with my arms. I shook my head underwater, annoyed with myself.
I broke the surface of the water sending more ripples towards the sides of the pool. With a bit of determination I set a plan to do 5 laps without stopping.
My hands lifted above me and I started with the front crawl. The rhythm of the movements soon became easier and it allowed my mind to wander a bit.
My mom had told me when she called me the night before the Reaping she would come and visit me in the Training Centre. Well, I was almost ready to do my private training and interviews and she hadn't come. I wasn't really that surprised, but a part of me was still a bit disappointed. If I could sigh underwater I would. Whatever. Maybe once I win this thing she'll be more inclined to come see me and spend less time at her stupid Capitol parties.
Speaking of winning, I think I had a pretty good chance this year. Based on skill alone, I was definitely one of the top contenders. Even Nausicaa told me that I was one of the favourites. I wonder what my odds are. Maybe 2 to 1 or 1 to 1.
Before I knew it, I had finished the laps I was planning to do. I climbed out of the pool and sat on the edge with a towel around my neck. I swirled my feet around in the pool for a little bit. I was taking it a bit easier today, considering my hectic day yesterday.
After a while of just silence I got up and changed out of my swimming trunk. A little alone time was just what I needed.
Continuing with my muscle building kick, I decided to try boxing. Not really boxing really, but punching bags. I knew I could throw a punch. I’d taken down a doctor before, five different nurses, and a few fellow inmates, though I tried my best to leave them alone.
However, my arms were also small, like the rest of me, so I walked over to the boxing station with Tatum to get in some practice.
The trainer set me up with a pair of gloves he said would fit me best. Tatum grabbed her own and we moved onto the bags. I looked up at the screen to figure out what the proper stance was. Like I said, I knew how to throw a punch, but if there was a better way to do it, I wanted to learn how. I bent my knees a bit and focused in on the punching bag. After a few moments, I slammed my fist into the center. Nothing happened. I don’t know what I was expecting, for the bag to go flying off it’s chain like I was some superhero? That wasn’t likely even for a Career.
“Keep going,” Tatum urged. I punched the bag again, and again, and again, but every time, it didn’t budge. Eventually, trainer walked over, obviously noticing I was having some trouble. He grabbed my arm.
“Use your whole arm.” He instructed. “Use the strength of all your muscles and your shoulder.” He punched the back and it swung. As it swung back towards him he punched it again. I nodded, eager to try. I punched it as hard as I could, and it still wasn’t moving. I sighed in frustration.
“C’mon Tess, you can do it.” She said, looking over at me. “Remember what we did last time? When you couldn’t do something? We changed it up,” She reminded me. “You just have to do something different. Try a different approach.” I nodded. “Stop trying so hard to focus and just go at it. Let loose, go crazy.” She smiled. “Be Tessa.”
I rolled my eyes but I knew what she meant. She was right. I stood in front of the back and slammed my fist into it. I yelled, smashing in my other fist, and rapidly repeating my hits. I even kicked the bag a few times. I didn’t even care that I was grunting and probably making a fool of myself. I was determined to beat this bag to a pulp.
After a few minutes, I stopped to catch my breath. I looked at the bag as it gently rocked back and forth. I breathed heavily, and started to laugh as I realized how ridiculous I had probably just looked, but hey, I did what I came to do. I looked up at Tatum, who had a stupid grin on her face.
“What would I do without you?” I asked jokingly.
“Go insane, probably.” She teased.
“Hey, that’s not funny.” I said, but soon my lips formed into a smile.
“Just keep going you goof.” Tatum smiled. I nodded and fixed my gloves before continuing to punch the bag. I kept going until the lunch bell rang. I had plans to eat with everyone in the suite, so I cleaned up and headed up their with Tatum.
“You did good sis.” She said with a smile. I smiled back.
My last station of the day that I was going to visit would be wrestling. When I reached the station, I asked the trainer to train alone and not with other tributes. He agreed and then began teaching me introductory moves to wrestling. I explained that I knew basic moves, having learned them occasionally at the Academy whenever Kukane dragged me to training with him. I told him that I wanted to learn a bit more effective techniques.
The trainer nodded and suggested that I learn the armbar and shoulder lock, easy and effective ways to dislocate or break an opponent's arm. He explained that this move will help me disable opponents larger and stronger than myself, a helpful tactic since many of the other male tributes here are larger than me. The moves pit full body leverage versus brute force and muscle. I keep this in mind in case I ever come across Zeke in the arena and he's still pissed at me for getting him in trouble with Xanthus.
He began to demonstrate to me with a dummy, locking his legs across its chest and hyperflexing its arm in an unnatural and painful position. Had that dummy been alive, I would imagine the arm snapping instantaneously before it could try to tap out. After the trainer had given his demo, he motioned for me to try. Mimicking his actions, I do the same as the trainer does to the dummy and I practice securing my legs in the correct positions. Then, I practice shifting my weight correctly so as to effectively pop the arm out.
At the end, the trainer advised that I should consider ambushing the armed opponents when using this move in order to nullify the advantage of having weapons. I nodded and keep all this in mind.
I practiced a few more times before I decided to head up and shower before dinner. I thanked the trainer and head back to my suite.
After my enjoyable experience with Fox at the traps station, I decide to head back to learn something of my own rather than teaching. The trainer smiled, instantly recognizing me from the last time I was there. We exchange brief salutations before I ask to be taught more intricate traps and snares.
First, I asked to learn how to make traps that involve rope. I explained that I had some extensive knowledge of knots (the trainer nods and smiles) and I ask if I could take that to another level. He suggested that I try using more than just rope by including other materials. He also added that most the knots that he's seen me do or more than sufficient for trapping and binding.
The first trap that we tackled is the tree spring noose trap, a trap that literally springs to catch prey. The trainer explained that this is the trap that is most often seen in media and all the Capitol shows. He handed me some rope, sticks, and a knife. Using a faux branch, he taught me what to look for, how to set it up, how to tie it down, and how to camouflage it. My art skill lacked a bit and the trainer jokingly suggested that I give the camouflage station a visit. I decided that that might be a good idea. Pretty soon, I was able to make the trap consistently of various sizes within six minutes without guidance or mistakes.
I had spent most of my time on this one trap, feeling comfortable in my abilities that I decide to spend the rest of my day training elsewhere. I thank the trainer once more before heading off.
I originally planned on some survival training after lunch, but I can't keep my interests off the swamp biome stations. The rainforest was fun with Zeke - I even wish we had more time to hunt animals but he seemed to be in a hurry. I succumb to my wishes, prancing towards the large cluster of trees.
A trainer, prepped with ropes and boots, call for my attention. I half listen to what he says - I already know how to climb. The parkour regime in the Coalition has made sure of that. When he gives me the okay, I jumping onto the base of the tree, hugging it before I begin to climb.
I'm surprised how well I do. I quickly find a rhythm, reaching for closet branch, pulling myself up, reaching again, and so on. Before I know it I'm as far up as possible on the swamp tree. From below the trainer claps his hands together, signaling his approval.
During the next hour I climb roughly four more trees. The trainer tells me I seem to have trouble coming down the trees rather than going up. I listen to this advice he has to offer. I'm not afraid of heights, but I suppose I'm weary of the danger climbing down a tree has to offer.
I don't want to leave the station yet, however. Inside I decide to work on raft building and fishing. Building the raft proved complicated. The wooden planks needed to be secured with elaborate knots in various places. I'll have to spend sometime learning about knots in order for me to skillfully craft a suitable raft. After a few tries the trainer gives me an okay. I ask him about knots, mainly to see if he has anything to offer, but he instructs me to find a trainer named Chelsea. It's getting to late for that. I'll probably go in the morning.
I ask the trainer to accompany me on my raft while I fish. It's a sedentary active, one that I would normally find boring. But with the start of the games actually approaching, I find myself able to appreciate it. Plus, how could I hate an activity that provides food?
The trainer shows me how to cast a line properly. He also gives me tips about what works as bait and what doesn't. I should go for something colorful and/or shiny. Or something smelly that fish would eat. In the end I manage to catch two fish - a bass and a small catfish. The trainer, however, was brilliant. He caught six fish, one of them a 28 inch chain pickerel! It was a nice conclusion to an oddly quiet day.
Light It Up, Up, Up || fire-making & campfire cooking || os
I had heard news about Zeke getting in trouble yesterday, and I felt guilty. I wanted to go find him and apologize but I was never able to get a hold of him. So, I just spent the day on my own.
First thing in the morning, I head to the fire-making station. I had some experience with this back home (Kukane and I used to perform with fire for familial celebrations and holidays; Amanaki said it was some ancient tradition from a place called Hawaii, I think).
The trainer was kind and patient with me, but was soon impressed by how quickly I picked up the tricks. Making a fire wasn't the same as playing and performing with fire. Using shrubbery and green leaves, I discovered that I could smoke out a predator, or a tribute, or use it as a smoke signal. When I lit my pile of fresh greenery, I nearly set off the smoke detector, forcing me to fan it off, which kinda made it worse. I laughed as the trainer dumped a bucket of sand on it.
Then we started working on creating a fire with common objects like some rock and flint, a mirror, metal scraps. I found the mirror to be the easiest but it was also the one that took the longest to create a spark. When we did bonfires on the beach, we just used a match and gasoline. Simple and easy. But it was nice to learn how to light fires in other ways.
After that, we tried expanding the fire and learning how to control it. Moving from simple shrubbery and dried leaves, the trainer handed me some logs to use. It was similar to making a bonfire, except bonfires didn't focus on control of the size or anything. In the arena, though, it'll be important to know how to maintain the flames without attracting attention.
Soon enough, I had managed to create a few stable fires and was also able to put them out safely. I thanked the trainer before heading to another station.
