Hunger Games 1

Chapter 6 Farewell (2)
I was right not to cry.The train station was full of journalists with insect-like video cameras aimed at my face.I'm deadpan, and I've practiced this many times.I glanced at the TV on the wall, which was broadcasting my arrival at the train station, and was pleased to see my grim indifference.

Apparently, Peeta Mylark was in tears the whole time, and it was funny how he didn't seem to be hiding it, and I immediately realized that maybe it was a game tactic.The surface is weak and fearful, making others feel that he is uncompetitive, and then he takes the initiative to attack.A girl from District [-] - Johanna Mason used this trick a few years ago and it worked.She whimpered and looked like a careless coward at first, until at the end when there were only a few contestants left, she was fierce and murderous without mercy.She's very clever at playing it that way.But Peeta McCulloch's tactic was odd.He was the son of a baker, and he had lived comfortably for many years, and he was big and round and very strong.If you don't want to attract people's attention, you have to cry for a while!
We stopped outside the train doors for a few minutes so the cameras could film us.We were then taken aboard, the doors were finally closed behind us, and the train started immediately.

The speed of the train was so fast that I felt breathless at first.Interregional travel is prohibited except for business travel, so naturally I have never taken a train.The train is the main means of transportation. We take a Capitol high-speed train with a speed of 250 miles per hour. It takes nearly a day from our place to the Capitol.

In school, the teacher told us that the place where the Capitol was built was originally called the "Rocky Area".District [-] was built in the "Appalachian region", where coal mining began hundreds of years ago, so our mines now have to dig very deep.

All kinds of knowledge learned in school are ultimately attributed to coal mines. Basic reading, mathematics, and all guidance are related to coal mines.Except for the weekly lecture notes on the history of the country of Panem, which is also mostly about how grateful we are to the Capitol and all that nonsense.I knew there was more behind the handouts, the real story of what happened in that rebellion.But I didn't spend a lot of time thinking about it.Whatever the truth, it has nothing to do with our ability to find food on the table.

The train boxes of "Tribute" are more ornate than the rooms of the courthouse.We each had access to a single box with bedroom and dressing area and a private bathroom with hot and cold water.At home, we only have hot water if we burn it ourselves.

The cupboard was full of beautiful clothes, and Effie Trinket told me that I could do whatever I wanted, that I could wear whatever I wanted, and that everything was at my disposal.There is still an hour until dinner.I took off my mother's blue dress and took a hot bath.Never had a hot shower before, it felt like a summer rain, only hotter.I picked out a dark green top and trousers and put them on.

In the last minute before dinner, I suddenly remembered March's gold brooch.When I took a good look at it for the first time, there was a golden bird in the middle of the brooch, and a circle was added to it, and only the tips of the bird's wings were connected to the circle.I suddenly recognized it, it was a "Mockingjay".

The birds are hilarious and a mockery of the Capitol.When the districts rebelled against the Capitol in the past, the Capitol raised various genetically modified birds as weapons.Often these birds are called "hybrids," or sometimes just "hybrids" for short.One of these birds, called the chirping bird, remembers and repeats everything that is said and is automatically guided back to the nest, especially the male.They were placed where the enemies of the Capitol were hiding.After the bird heard the information, it flew back to the center to report.It took a long time for people in the precincts to figure out how their private conversations and events in the precincts got out.So these rebels sent many false information to the Capitol, and the Capitol was fooled.All breeding centers were closed and the birds were abandoned to fend for themselves in the wild.

The birds didn't just disappear. "Chirpingbird" and female "mockingjay" (Mockingbird: A New World bird of the family Mockingbird, especially the mockingbird, a gray and white bird of the southern and eastern United States, known for its ability to imitate the sounds of other birds. Known for their ability.——Translator’s Note) mating, a whole new breed was born, which can learn all bird calls, and can also imitate human songs.Although they have been unable to learn clear speech, they can imitate a variety of voices, including the high-pitched voice of a child or the deep bass of a man.They also learn to sing, not simple tunes, but complex songs with many voices.If a man has the patience to sing all the tunes, and the birds love his voice, they will learn it.

Dad was especially fond of mockingjays.When we hunted together, he used to whistle or sing complex tunes that the mockingjay would learn after a polite pause.Not everyone receives this courtesy.No matter what Papa sang, all the birds would listen quietly.His voice is beautiful, clear, high-pitched, and touching. His singing can bring people to a place where they want to cry and laugh at the same time.After he left, I could no longer learn from him.Anyway, the little bird brought me a little comfort.In it, I saw the shadow of my father, he was protecting me.I pinned it to my shirt, and the mockingjay looked like it was flying through the woods against the dark green top.

Effie Trinket called me to dinner, and I followed her down a rickety hallway into a dining room partitioned off by shiny partitions.There is a lot of fragile cutlery on the table in the restaurant.Peeta Mylark was sitting there waiting for us, the chair next to him was empty.

"Where's Haymitch?" Effie Trinket asked in a bright voice.

"When I saw him just now, he said he was going to take a nap," Peeta said.

"Yeah, it's been a tiring day," said Effie Trinket.I think she can rest easy without Haymitch, and who could blame her?
Dinner began, and the dishes were served one by one. First, there was carrot soup, then vegetable salad, diced lamb, mashed potatoes, cheese, fruit and chocolate cake.As we ate, Effie Trinket kept reminding us to leave room in our bellies, and there was plenty to eat.But I was very full, because I had never eaten such a good meal, so much, so good.Besides, it would be best if I could gain a few pounds before the competition.

"At least you're still behaving properly," said Effie Trinket as we were finishing our main course. "Last year's two contestants ate with their hands like savages. Turned me off." .”

Last year's two contestants came from the "crack zone". They have never eaten a full day since they were young. Once they have food, of course they don't care about table manners.Peeta is the son of a baker, and my mother taught Prim and me how to eat properly.So, of course, I'll take a knife and fork.But I hate what Effie Trinket says.Next, I deliberately ate with my hands, and then wiped my hands with the tablecloth.Seeing this, Effie Trinket pursed her lips tightly and had nothing to say.

After the meal is over, I need to try to digest it.As far as I can tell, Peeta has never seen so much delicious food, and neither of our stomachs can handle such a rich food.But if I can digest Gracie Sey's stew of rat meat, pig offal, and bark—a special winter recipe—I should be able to digest that too.

We went to another box to watch the previous video of the Harvest Ceremony throughout Panem.At the time, the show was rolling all day, so you could see the whole thing live, but only the Capitol could actually see it, because they don't participate in the Harvest ceremony.

One after another, we see ceremonies in other jurisdictions, rosters announced, volunteers take the stage, and more often than not, no volunteers.We watch the faces of those children, our future opponents.There are a few that impress me.There was a kid from the second district, who looked fierce, and he jumped on the stage to ask to be a volunteer.The other was a girl from District Five with limp red hair and a fox face.And a lame boy from District Ten.The one that impressed me the most was a 12-year-old girl from District [-]. She had dark brown skin and eyes. More importantly, she was about the same size as Prim, and her movements were similar.It's just that after she took the stage, when someone asked if there were volunteers, all she could hear was the whistling sound of the wind blowing through the broken buildings around her.No one wants to take her place.

The last one was the District [-] video, and when Prim's name was called out, I rushed up to the stage and pushed Prim behind me, and I could clearly hear my screaming, as if I was afraid that no one would be there. Hearing that, he took Prim away.Of course, everyone heard it.I saw Gale pull her away and take the stage by himself.Commentators didn't know what to say about the audience's refusal to applaud.It's a silent tribute.Some people say that the [-]th district has always been a bit backward, but its local customs have its own charm.At this moment, Haymitch fell off the stage, and everyone burst into laughter.Peeta's name is drawn, and he just stands quietly in his place.We shake hands.Play the national anthem.The show is over.

Effie Trinket was dissatisfied with the part where she messed up her wig, "Your predecessors have to learn how to be on TV and how to behave in front of the TV."

Peeta laughed unexpectedly. "He was drunk," Peeta said.

"He gets drunk every year."

"Every day." I added, and couldn't help laughing.Effie Trinket spoke in a funny tone, as if giving Haymitch some advice would fix his rough manners.

"Yeah," sighed Effie Trinket, "it's weird that you two are still amused. You know this old man of yours is your lifeline for surviving in this world. He'll give you advice, You find a sponsor, and you can also designate a prize-winning gift. Haymitch has a decisive role in your life and death."

At this moment, Haymitch stumbled into the box. "Did I miss dinner?" he slurred, spat, and fell on the vomit.

"Ha, you can laugh it off this time," Effie Trinket said.She tiptoed her stilettoed feet, skirted the filth, and escaped from the box.

(End of this chapter)