𝟏𝟎.𝟐𝟏𝐚𝐦, 𝐣𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟒𝐭𝐡, 𝟔𝟗𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬

Lyra Dawn

"I would say the same, Lyra Dawn. But on the big screen you looked as if you were about to vomit." Finnick Odair retorts to my previous comment about him looking good on the big screen during his trials.

"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be whoring it up in The Capitol?" I snort, earning a swift glare. 

"You know of me then." Finnick declares with a knowing smile. "I do, but don't let it get to your head, everyone knows the youngest winner of the games — albeit I was merely twelve." I hum, staring numbly out the window as the train starts moving slowly. 

The district I know so well begins to fade, slipping into near oblivion. Now only the water we're crossing over remains, still glistening with the bright morning sun.

"I liked your little outburst up there. 'May the odds be ever up your-', a real shame that boyfriend of yours interrupted. But I doubt they would've liked that. If I may say, I believe the odds will now be ever up yours." He muses with a small smirk, sitting down on a comfy looking armchair and propping his feet up on a polished wooden table.

"He's not my boyfriend." I instantly correct, folding my arms and leaning my butt against the small window ledge. "Is that right?" He smiles coyly, eying me up and down with shameless curiosity.

"I'm not looking for one." I frown mock-sympathetically. "A real shame, you're a beautiful girl." He comments with almost a flicker of realisation, followed by remors. 

"I'm well aware of my beauty. But it's not exactly practical to be pretty over strong. Remind me, how long do we get to train before we go into the arena?" I beckon. 

"Not nearly long enough, Little Dawn." Finnick tuts. "But your looks, the Capitol may latch onto that." He gives up that vulnerable frown again.

"You only say that because you're gorgeous too." I growl. "Oh so you think I'm gorgeous Little Dawn?" He laughs proudly.

"Well you're annoying, so I want to lie and say no. But you're also full of yourself, so if I were to lie, you'd know." I sigh, staring at some fish swimming after the train near my window under the clear waters.

"So other than humour and dissecting personalities, do you have any other weaponry skills? I'm aware of your family, you must know a thing or two about spearing a fish?" He says, sitting up straight and thinking hard.

"Well.." I sing guiltily. "What does 'well' mean?" Finnick accuses, staring at me warningly. "I've got Kai! He's my weapon." I point proudly.

"And you spear fish frequently — yes?" He perseveres. "Course." My voice instantly goes high. He raises a brow. "K gets all my fish for me. In turn I cook his dinner and clean up for him." I admit.

The blonde before me audibly sighs, that sigh morphing to a groan of disapproval. "You're such a princess." He sneers. "You think?" I smile happily. "Not in the good way." He points at me.

"Sit down." Finnick orders, and like a dog I sit. Because when Finnick Odair tells you to do something, you do it.

"Why are you here?" I question him once I'm relaxed into the cozily comfortable armchair. "And where's Kai?" I add.

"I'm-" He begins before I add my next question. "Where are we going?" I chirp. 

"May I finish?" He grits, his jaw ticking. "Sorry, Finni." I wiggle my brows teasingly, knowing by the scowl that he hates my new found nickname.

"First of all, you call me that again and I'll kill you before the Games ever will." He smiles charmingly. "Second, I'm your mentor for the Games. That means I'll help you strategise and plan. I'm rooting for you. I'll help you win from the sidelines." He swears solemnly. Hearing his serious tone, I drop my smile and nod gratefully.

"Kai is in the carriage next door with his mentor, Mags. They'll do what we're going to do and then by night, you'll be able to talk to him again. Then for the remainder of the journey tomorrow you can strategise together if you so wish. As for where we're going, The Capitol." He lists.

I breathe deep, trying to take account of his every word but struggling to stay calm.

"Strategy wise, you need to have something you can do." He proclaims. "I can cook a mean salmon." I suggest. "And as delightful as that may be, how do you plan on killing your opponents with a salmon. And more so, where do you plan on getting such equipment to do so?" He ponders.

"Kill? I don't think I can kill anyone. I'll just settle it with my wonderful charm and there'll be no need for even fighting." I tell him with a joking shrug.

"You're hilarious. Truly. But humour can't save your life. You will die. The only way to prevent that is to talk to me, drop the act and tell me what weapon you can use." He demands firmly.

I stay silent for a few more moments, blinking down at the table separating us. My smile fades away when the prospect of dying reoccurs. 

"Sword. I can use a sword. I mean not well, but Kai taught me how." I mumble unsurely.

"A sword. We can work with that. Go on, tell me more." He insists. I nod sheepishly and correct my posture in the soft chair.

"When we were 12, Kai promised that if I ever got chosen, he'd make sure I was ready. Every Sunday morning we go on a run around the district together, soak off in the shore and then he gets our fish whilst I practise with my sword on the pier. When he's done, we fight. I'm not entirely sure if he just lets me win, or if I'm actually getting better, but it's something." I clarify hopefully.

"And are you a fast runner?" He questions. "I think so. I usually have to slow down to make pace with Kai and he's pretty fast." I state. "This is good. You might actually have a chance." 

...