They don't recognize Daniel yet. Some of the smarter ones look at him with curiosity - he's clearly not dressed like them, is he a Tribute or a workman imported from the Districts? - but for the most part he's ignored, and the fact that Eva's in his presence means that the curious ones don't linger. She's old news, but she still has a reputation. Her games were brutal even by the standard of the arenas at the time.
"Isn't that the truth. They look at you, not out for you. That's the other reason creating a persona is so important."
It's like a shell, to keep the Games from pulling out the 'real you', she thinks. Anything she does can be denied if it's part of the act, part of the Eva Salazar the Capitol controls, everything done justified by the fact that she is always, always being watched.
No one wants to confront who they really are, when the chips are down.
She walks him into the first floor of the training center, the actual large, metallic room where the weapons and punching bags and information modules are kept. She walks up the set of stairs to the judging panel and beckons he follow with her, so he can see the layout of the first floor entirely. There's a mini fridge next to the plush chairs, and she opens it, hesitating too long on the bottles of wine - it's 11 a.m., is that too early to be drinking? - before selecting a glass bottle of water for them to share.
"It's always strange being on this side of it. The first time I saw this - well, the first time you saw it too, I suppose - I was being judged, down there. Anyway, this is the heart of the training center. Don't spend much time with the weapons, if you want my advice. You won't improve with them fast enough for it to make a difference. Focus on the information stations down there, about edible plants and survival skills. The information's easier to retain and building tents and shelter are interesting enough to get you airtime, as long as there aren't any interesting killings going on at the same time."
no subject
"Isn't that the truth. They look at you, not out for you. That's the other reason creating a persona is so important."
It's like a shell, to keep the Games from pulling out the 'real you', she thinks. Anything she does can be denied if it's part of the act, part of the Eva Salazar the Capitol controls, everything done justified by the fact that she is always, always being watched.
No one wants to confront who they really are, when the chips are down.
She walks him into the first floor of the training center, the actual large, metallic room where the weapons and punching bags and information modules are kept. She walks up the set of stairs to the judging panel and beckons he follow with her, so he can see the layout of the first floor entirely. There's a mini fridge next to the plush chairs, and she opens it, hesitating too long on the bottles of wine - it's 11 a.m., is that too early to be drinking? - before selecting a glass bottle of water for them to share.
"It's always strange being on this side of it. The first time I saw this - well, the first time you saw it too, I suppose - I was being judged, down there. Anyway, this is the heart of the training center. Don't spend much time with the weapons, if you want my advice. You won't improve with them fast enough for it to make a difference. Focus on the information stations down there, about edible plants and survival skills. The information's easier to retain and building tents and shelter are interesting enough to get you airtime, as long as there aren't any interesting killings going on at the same time."