The next day we had my interview and then went back home I started making plans for a training regiment for me and others. I was now a mentor so had to take my job seriously. Made some very interesting observations about the people. Not everyone in the capital were supportive of the Hunger Games. I had formulated a plan to ensure sponsorship for those that were interested in me and my so called protégés.
Even gave some hardcore tips on who to bet in the next games to the hardcore gambling types. Told them to bet on D7 next games. Told a few about my dreams to make it believable.
That's why the tent scene worked because I saw me doing it in my dream but ended up dead so instead I changed it to another dying. Turned out it was a few others. They believed me and took a mental note about it.
Met some influential people told others I may volunteer again if I'm feeling up to the occasion.
We ended the events with fruitful gains and made some powerful acquaintances as well as supporters. I too asked for help in betting for the next few winners of the games.
As we got home from the tour I started telling everyone in D12 that I'd start everyone on a training regiment if they wanted to be as safe as possible. They took the night to think about it and I had my training in front of the hall of justice in front of the peace keepers. As the head keeper came out to announce Snow's decision.
"Due to Orions impressive performance and dedication to the capital we have agreed to his request to better help the Panem citizens that they can hunt for game one animal of any kind for every house hold under the careful watch of the peace keepers one day every 2 weeks from the break of dawn to sunset. This is to ensure your safety and your growth. Those inviolation with this opportunity will be punished accordingly. Do not forgo this opportunity that was hard won by your districts champion. Because we of the capital cannot wait to see better days for the betterment of Panem and all its people." He finished and walks away to do his duty as everyone starts to disperse.
They clear the square and I had people set up my make shift weapons. Told the peace keepers that I'm a mentor now and that I need to make sure the tributes that want training are able to compete. And that I may compete again if I feel up to it. That I'd rather train out in the open than in secret because I don't want to be falsely accused of training rebels. Even though I am.
So I start showing them the basics and seeing who has aptitudes for different weapons. Everyone practices weapons for the last four hours of the day. Because in the morning we all do physical training. By the afternoon it's survival training. And then stretching for the end of the training day.
At first it was hard. I had every one training in a variety of different weapons just so they can be familiar with them. They weren't real of course but made out of wood with the same weight. That way the peace keepers won't be too stupid. I had everything set in the middle of the square. Out in the open, but not in the way. Whenever we were training we had the square have enough space. All children 12 and under was mandatory to show up. After that I didn't care about their attendance.
They either take this shit seriously or not but it isn't my fault. I told them everything and anything. From sponsors and alliances. How to hide your real skills to everyone until the private showing for the ratings if you want good scores and become high priority targets.
Or hide until the arena and surprise everyone and get sponsors that way but non of that matters really because you have to rely on you. Not the whims of random people that may or may not help you.
To always remember their strengths but more importantly their weaknesses because that's what's going to kill them faster than combat. We spend the next couple of years training this way.
I entered the games again. I had won. After an intense battle. Just as the last guy was being beaten with a brick I through the dagger at the winners throat when he was distracted by the blast of the canon. I couldn't get to my districts partner in time and she was killed off by arrows and I killed the bowman in a horrible yet extremely painful way. The longer he kept the dagger in his neck the more pain he felt but if he pulled it out he'd die in seconds. That was my revenge as I took the girls body away.
I kept in contact with Effie and even Haymitch started being a bit bearable. Had my meetings with Snow occasionally. Every time I was sold I'd buy a few things from my shop and have it placed into my inventory.
Things such as hallucinogens in drinks, and ecstasy. Had used flesh lites and other things for the "customers." I end up with secrets and more money. I was still a virgin in this life.
By the time I was 16 I had filled out perfectly. I was standing at 6 feet 2 inches tall. Raven black hair down to my shoulders. And piercing blue eyes that could stop death. I made it out of 2 Hunger Games alive. And unyielding.
The 70th, 72nd, and soon the 74th. Almost out of time but it's ok I am as ready as I can be. Katniss and I have grown damn near inseparable. Once Gale tried to forcefully kiss her and she kicked him in the balls and haven't spoken to each other in over a year. Fuck that guy. He helps make the plan that kills my sister in law. And fuck Peeta he's just as useless.
We haven't had any victories other than Haymitch and I. Soon Katniss as well. Next year canon will start. We sat down together again for lunch as a family. Still missing father in law. This time we saved him from the mine's collapse but he ended up dying from a heart failure a few months later due to grief and guilt. Mother in law was damn near catatonic.
Luckily for them I was already apart of the family and Katniss my wife. We had everything under control as well. Thanks to my victories and especially my own bettings.
In the arena I was my own sponsor. I didn't rely on anyone but myself. I became a master in all weapons thanks to the help of the capital.
The "Prince of Games" occasionally makes an appearance. I take my payments in advanced weapons training, survival training and other things I deemed worthy of my attention from sympathetic people against the games.
During the years I've reported inconsequential people that'll blow the rebellions cover to Snow as I killed off people in my own district secretly. They were people that were a waste to our society and way of life. They weren't important just radicals sick of living a hard life yet do nothing to improve our society. I didn't make anymore requests to Snow. And he didn't bother asking me if I wanted anything. We knew each other well enough.
These people still didn't understand that if they wanted better lives all they had to do was train their kids or come up with improvements to our way of life but they never did. I told that to Snow. That no matter what kind of society there is. You'll always have the less fortunate or the lazy that just hates the hand their dealt with.
I always do most of the talking not caring in the slightest if he takes our conversations to heart or not. I think he can relate to me in that sense.
"If you were in my position Orion what would you do?" He asked me one day out of the blue.
I looked at him with a cold and deadly look that took him by surprise. "I'd kill myself. I would not want your job nor your position." Stated bluntly. Without hesitation. He was taken aback at my answer
"Why wouldn't you want that?" He asked genuinely curious. I stood up and motioned for us to walk out to the balcony. We show up we waved to the people at the party down in the gardens.
I look back at him with a serious and defeated tone. "Because of what you just felt when we waved at them." I stated in a matter of fact tone as I walked back to our chairs poured ourselves another drink as I summoned another antidote pill into my mouth as I drank with Snow.
"Why would I rule over these type of people that don't bring anything better to society? We are stagnant. The only thing even remotely relevant is the games. I look out the window. Why have we never bothered to explore the stars?" I asked seriously. "I've had dreams of walking on the moon. Yet no one ever had the thought of doing the same." I finished looking at him with a defeated sigh.
"People are just content in living in the now. So you can deal with their issues I want no part in it or their rebellious behaviors. Like I said we're stagnant. And no one wants to move forward. No one wants to do anything better. They only care about who to put in charge but only kill more bystanders than actual enemies. They talk about a better tomorrow and do nothing about today other than plot, plot, and plot." I stated with sadness. "Who knows maybe in 2 generations someone will start doing research into exploring this stars. We can't be the only world with life on it can we?" I asked him half drunk half serious.
I scoff at the irony. "Better tomorrow my ass they can barely do anything about today and they wanna talk about tomorrow what a load of shit." I sigh one last time looking up at the midnight moon as I reach out my hand to grab it. Snow just quiet in his own thoughts. I look back at him. "Goodnight Lord Snow." He nods and I walk away closing the door.
I thought this conversation would give him something to look forward to. Something other than plans of rebellion and power. Something to dream about. A search or a start of plan of interstellar exploration or conquest. We shall see how the story pans out. It's almost time for the 74th Hunger Games…the start of canon.
Katniss is stronger, faster, smarter than in canon. So is Primrose and mother. Thanks to me they're healthier, happier, closer, and stronger than in canon. And Katniss even more beautiful. I would feed D13 different plans and blueprints I had gotten my hands on during my tours and meetings over the past few years.
Helped the rebel factions the same way. Getting weapons, ammo, food, and meds with plans for when shit hits the fan during the 75th games. I'm gonna let the story pan out to the best of my abilities.
Katniss truly loves me. I told her about my prophetic dreams and a plan with nylockberries if it were ever us two that were in the games together to force the capital to make us both winners. It's never been done before but there's a first to everything. She believed in me. Because I was right about the games winners, the mines collapse, and everything else so far so she believed in me and my dreams.