Friend or Foe

As the district 10 pair entered the training facility both were taken back at the advancements made to the building before breaking off to practice skills of their choosing.

Butch was known for his particular accuracy with throwing knives as he meticulously threw each blade into the targets ahead of him- obtaining fatal blows on each one. Butch spent a while at this station to reassure himself that despite his victory in the 69th games, he hadn't become rusty in his abilities.

While Tiffany decided to work within the survival station, Butch ventured around the room as he observed each tributes skills to assess their threat level.

As Butch approached the survival sector he noticed his district partner to which he lightly smiled until he noticed Mags deep within thought as she refined her fishing hook. He embraced the woman tightly as she chuckled at the suddenness of the act.

Mags was the oldest victor that would enter the arena alongside Butch. The woman was always one full of wisdom beyond words which Butch greatly admired as he looked upon her for support during his life after the games- this lead to their relationship developing into one with a family's love which Butch greatly appreciated as he never met his mother due to her dying suddenly in his early years. She was truly a mother to all the victors.

Mags held an attentive look as she heard all about the updates occurring within Butch's life and was thrilled to hear the exciting developments in his daughters life too- while both tributes traded various knowledge of skills to the other.

Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by a sniggering Finnick as he walked in with a noose wrapped around his neck which he created while trying to joke around with Katniss- which he failed to obtain a reaction from. Both Butch and Mags giggled at the sight of the man, as Butch carefully used a knife to cut through the rope to release his friend from its grasp.

'You're an idiot.' Butch couldn't believe the extent of his humour and he left the district 4 pairing to practice their talents as he made his way out into the open space.

Butch couldn't comprehend how everyone around him had fulfilled the same goal of winning the hunger games but still was stuck here. It was enough to make anyone enraged.

His thoughts would be abruptly stopped as he noticed an entranced Peeta working within the camouflage station. Butch lightly approached, impressed at the level of detail the other was putting into his design. Eventually, Peeta realised he was being observed and stood awkwardly, unsure of what to say.

'Sorry. That's one hell of a talent. I'm Butch.' He stuck his hand out to initiate a conversation. There was something about the baker that seemed to interest him, he could tell that there was a kindness within him that resembled his sisters.

Peeta reciprocated the handshake and the two shared a simple moment of gratitude that there was still some decorum amongst the victors.

'I won't keep you long. I can't imagine you want to get to know us as that would just make it more difficult to kill us.'

It was a harmful fact but it was one needed to be said. The truth was the truth. Butch noted that the other seemed surprised by the candidness- before the two's attention was drawn towards the mass that was forming outside one of the combat rooms.

There Katniss stood, gracefully swaying as she angled herself in a manner that would guarantee her a killing shot. Butch was enthralled by her skill, understanding the nickname she received by the Capitol. The trio of friends stood in a line as they all made eye contact with the other- they understood that if an alliance was forming, they needed to try and secure the district 12 tributes onto their side.

Their lethality was simply too much to pass up.