#task.98

@outcfdarkness​

Andromache would have to ponder it further later because she noticed a familiar face walk into the Tower lobby bar. “Trixie, that’s unfortunate about your Tribute. She had looked promising.” Andromache reached into her satchel and produced Tupperware. “Lemon poppyseed scone?” She offered before continuing “That girl from Twelve is some feral thing, isn’t she?”

Already Known Skills

Knot Tying -  Exemplary - Used a lot during Raven’s illegal hunting and trapping trips

Edibility -  Exemplary - Learned from Katniss and illegal books from the Hob

Medicinal Plant ID -  Exemplary - Learned from Katniss and experience

First Aid -  Exemplary -  Learned from Katniss and growing up in the woods

Cooking - Competent - Learned from mother and then experience in the woods

Trapping - Exemplary - Learned from experience and illegal books before being trained more by Katniss

Fire Making -  Exemplary - Learned growing up in the woods

Tracking -  Exemplary - Learned from experience and illegal books

Camouflage -  Exemplary - Learned from experience

Hand to Hand - Competent - Learned from Katniss

Self Defense - Competent - Learned from Katniss

Archery - Exemplary - Self learned before being trained more by Katniss

Learned During Training

Standing in the wings of the stage, Raven watched the guy from District Eleven’s interview in silence. She appreciated that KyAnne didn’t seem to mind the silence that allowed Raven’s ever analyzing brain to process everything going through it at the moment. Some tv production person signaled to Raven that the current interview was wrapping up. She drew in a slow deep breath, lifting her chin and then waited for the signal to go on stage. Raven knew who she was but she also knew who she needed to be in the Interview in order to get Sponsors. 

Signaled to go on stage, Raven smiled and waved as she crossed the stage towards Caesar fucking Flickerman. She offered her hand to be shaken but instead Caesar lifted to kiss the back of it. The crowd roared. 

Taking her seat, Raven smoothed out her dress. “Raven Baldoni, now that’s a traditional District Twelve name if I’ve ever heard one.” Caesar started. Raven smiled and nodded “Yes, Raven is a family name.” She shared. 

“Speaking of family, Raven, if you could say one thing to someone back home, what would it be?” Raven turned towards the crowd, and cameras, “Mom, don’t worry. I’ll be back home before you know it.” The crowd awed. 

“Do you think you have what it takes to win? It sounds like you do!” Caesar laughed with the crowd. Raven smiled politely “You’re right Caesar, I do think I have what it takes to win. I may not be your classic contender but I think I am a well rounded Tribute and I think I have a good chance of being crowned Panem’s next Victor.” She explained.

Caesar grinned and clapped “I love the confidence and it seems you have the training scores to back up your claim! Can you tell us how you received your training score?” Raven smiled a smile almost edging to a smirk. “Sorry Caesar, I want to keep my best kept secrets a secret until I’m in the Arena.”

“Hopefully you can answer this one, if you could have one thing provided for you in the Arena what would it be?” Caesar raised his brows questioningly “Oh! That is a really good one. I think I would have to go with a way to access portable water. Whether that be purifying tablets or a spile or something else.” Raven decided.

“Now on the flipside, what do you hope to not find in the Arena?” Caesar then asked. “Poison fog for sure. Though now that I said that I bet Valeria will decide the Arena needs some poison fog.” She tried to joke.

Caesar laughed at the joke before quickly moving the interview along, “Are you ready to go in the Arena, Raven?” Raven nodded slowly “I think that is a lot more complex of a question than a lot of people realize. I don’t believe anyone can truly be ready to go in Arena but I feel confident going in. The Games are going to happen whether you’re ready or not.”

“Now, for any of our viewers who did not see Raven’s Reaping, she volunteered. Why did you volunteer, Raven?” Raven couldn’t help her frown. “It was the right thing to do.” She finally decided on.

“You know, seeing you volunteer for that little girl reminded me a lot of someone else. You know who that is?” Raven shook her head no but she didn’t like where this was going. “Katniss Everdeen. You know her right?” Raven nodded “Of course, everyone knows of Katniss.” Raven forced a smile. “Yes, but you know Katniss quite well. She is your Mentor back in Twelve.” Raven’s brows furrowed and she shook her head “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Raven’s pulse was quickening. “That’s alright dear. Thanks for talking with us tonight!”

KyAnne had asked Raven if she would like the older women to stay with her in the Stables until the chariots left. Raven had wanted to tell her no, that she was grown and could do it on her own. Raven hadn’t done what she had wanted to do. Because truth be told, Raven was terrified to die for the first time in her life. KyAnne had stood with Raven, allowing the silence that Raven found in her inability to face the reality of the moment or dare try to find the words to voice what was going on in her mind. 

As the final chariot pulled out of the stables, two pitch black horses clomped down the path with Raven in tow in a red hooded cape with twinkling lights in it. The cape flowed out in a train that dragged out behind the chariot. Using her hand which wasn’t holding the pickaxe she had been given, Raven pushed the hood back. Flames erupt from half of Raven’s face and hair, painless to her but causing her skin to appear to be burning, making the crowd roar as the Capitolites and Sponsors rose to their feet. ‘They…they love me?’ Raven thought to herself before smirking and raising her pickaxe. Which only caused the crowd to grow rowdier.