"[Your presentation was exceptional, master!]"
Jacob was lying in his room after taking a refreshing cold shower, thinking about what he had done and feeling a bit embarrassed. But who wouldn't do the same in his situation, right?
Now, what followed was the scoring that the Gamemakers would give them all based on the outcome of their presentation and the opportunity to win the games.
Since the viewers can't see the training, the Gamemakers announce the ranking of each player, giving the audience a starting point for the bets that will continue throughout the games.
The number that determines the score, a figure between one and twelve, where one is incredibly bad and twelve is unbelievably good, represents how promising the tribute is.
The score doesn't guarantee who will win; it's just an indication of the potential the tribute has shown in training. Due to the variables of the actual battlefield, tributes with higher scores often fall almost immediately, and a few years ago, the boy who won the games only received a modest three. In any case, the ranking can help or harm a tribute in their quest for sponsors.
Jacob hoped to have a high score to show Thresh that he was someone good to team up with. Considering that Katniss would possibly have the same score as in the original story, it would be beneficial for both of them to have a high ranking if they were allies in the arena.
He had certain things that would help him in the arena, but if someone sponsored him with food or anything else he needed, his chances of survival would increase dramatically.
After realizing it was almost dinner time, Jacob went downstairs to the dining area and greeted everyone with a friendly expression.
Tonight, they would televise the result of the scores, and that was something Jacob couldn't miss under any circumstances.
"Jacob, dinner is about to be served, take a seat." Portia, Jacob's stylist, greeted him with a smile.
"It's always a joy to see you all. I think I will receive a modest score."
"We are eager to see your results." Cinna was very anxious to know the scores the tributes he dressed would receive. These were his first games, so he had certainly grown somewhat attached.
Shortly after, Katniss arrived with Effie, and everyone started eating. The first dish was a slightly salty fish soup, which Jacob actually needed to replenish nutrients.
"It seems you'll need some ointment; you have some marks on your face..." Haymitch said upon noticing some bruises with red areas on Jacob's face.
Katniss and the others who heard this instantly looked at Jacob's face, and indeed, he had marks from blows.
"I thought it wasn't noticeable; those instructors were really rough..." Jacob didn't want to make a big deal out of it and started eating his meal in silence.
"Instructors?" Haymitch wondered quietly but then decided not to pay much attention, seeing Jacob's indifference.
"This soup doesn't taste bad at all..." Jacob thought as he quickly finished his plate. Then he felt a gaze and saw Katniss staring at him intently. Knowing what she wanted to know, Jacob shook his head, indicating that it was nothing important.
Afterward, the second course of food arrived at the table, and Jacob, who was about to fill his mouth with this food, heard Haymitch ask, "All right, enough wasting time, did you really do terribly today?"
"That's not important, Haymitch. The score doesn't matter when there's food on our plates."
Jacob made this joke but immediately realized that everyone was looking at him in silence, patiently waiting for his answer without evasions.
Shaking his head, Jacob told them what he had done during the private sessions, "Well, I don't mean to sound arrogant by saying this, but you can't imagine how incredible I was in that presentation! The Gamemakers didn't know how to react." Jacob said with a self-satisfied laugh. "I moved with such grace and precision that I seemed like a mix of a hunter stalking its prey and a cat chasing a butterfly."
The others looked at each other, some with incredulous expressions and others with a slight smile. Haymitch raised an eyebrow and sarcastically asked, "Are you sure you were in the same presentation, Jacob? Isn't that wine in your glass?"
"Grape juice..." Jacob said, slightly disoriented by Haymitch's words, but then continued explaining his performance in front of the Gamemakers. "I remember starting with a series of fluid movements with my weapon, demonstrating my skill and agility. Then, I performed some impressive tricks, like cutting through some targets while showcasing my flexibility."
Effie, with a mix of astonishment and amusement on her face, commented, "Well, at least you have confidence in your abilities, Jacob. That's always important, especially as the games draw closer."
Jacob nodded, pleased with the recognition from others. "Exactly, Effie. Confidence is key. The Gamemakers were impressed, I'm sure. Well, at least everyone paid attention to me. They were looking at me with admiring eyes, maybe even dreaming about the games."
Haymitch, laughing, said, "Don't get too carried away, kid. The Gamemakers aren't exactly known for their enthusiasm. But if you believe you've impressed them, then that's what matters. It's not easy to get their attention, so you've won in that regard."
Jacob smiled and raised his grape juice-filled glass for a toast. "To Haymitch, the best mentor, and to our survival in the games, Katniss. Together, we'll be unstoppable."
Haymitch had a strong expression, unaffected by embarrassment or intense emotions, but this time he felt the wine was stronger than usual.
The group raised their glasses and toasted, infected by Jacob's confident and somewhat narcissistic attitude. While some might find him a bit over-the-top, they couldn't deny that his energy and certainty were contagious in such a tense environment.
"And what about you, sweetheart?" Haymitch shifted his gaze towards Katniss, who had a slight smile on her face.
Katniss, annoyed that Haymitch called her sweetheart, responded, "I shot an arrow at them."
"What? You did what?" Effie exclaimed, horror reflecting on her face, and even Jacob became somewhat tense.
Everyone stopped eating, and Katniss explained, "I shot an arrow. Well, not at them, actually, but towards them. I followed Jacob's advice and changed targets to grab their attention. They weren't paying attention to me while I was shooting, and... I lost my temper, so I aimed at the apple in the mouth of their stupid roasted pig!"
Katniss's eyes were defiant, which excited Jacob a little, and this feeling was contagious, at least towards him.
"And what did they say?" Cinna cautiously asked.
"Nothing. Well, I don't know, I left after that."
"Without permission?" Effie asked, astonished.
"Cough! Did they say when you had to leave? I left after finishing my presentation..." Jacob finished his grape juice with a playful expression.
"Yeah, I also took that liberty." Katniss felt confident. She remembered her promise to Prim and also that she would do everything possible to ensure that she and Jacob made it to the finale.
"Anyway, it's done now," Haymitch concluded, spreading butter on a roll.
"Do you think they'll stop me?" Katniss couldn't help but ask the doubts that had tormented her before talking to Jacob.
"I doubt it. At this point, it would be a problem to replace you." Haymitch responded calmly.
"And my family? Will they be punished?"
"I don't think so. It wouldn't make much sense. They would have to reveal what happened at the Training Center for it to have any effect on the population. People would have to know what you did, but they can't because it's a secret, so it would be a useless effort. Most likely, they'll make your life miserable in the arena."
"Well, they've already promised that anyway." Jacob stated, emphasizing that his possible death was the worst thing one could ever experience.
"True..." Haymitch confirmed. He picked up a pork chop with his fingers, causing Effie to frown, and dipped it in the wine. Then he tore off a piece of meat and started laughing. "What expression did they make?"
"From stunned..." Katniss replied, "Terrified. Uh...ridiculous, at least some of them."
"A man stumbled backward and fell into a punch bowl."
Haymitch bursts into laughter, and we all join in, except for Effie, though she's suppressing a smile.
"Yeah, hahaha, you should have shot an arrow at one of the Gamemakers..." Jacob shakes his head, but in the next moment, a cold silence fills the dining hall. Jacob wonders, did he just think it or say it out loud?
"Well, they deserved it. It's their job to pay attention, and being from District 12 is no excuse for ignoring you." Haymitch asserts, disregarding Jacob's words. Then he looks around, as if he has said something scandalous, "Sorry, but that's what I think..."
"Yeah, it was a joke, I mean..." Jacob's sweating cold, are there microphones?
"[In response to your question, master... It's likely, I'm not equipped with the technology to confirm it.]"
"They will give me a low score." Katniss commented.
"The score only matters if it's really good. No one pays much attention to bad or mediocre scores. For all they know, you could be hiding your abilities on purpose to get a low score. Some people use that strategy..." Portia explained.
"That's not good, especially when it comes to alliances. The Career tributes are a real problem when they team up." Jacob said as he ate his pork chop.
After dinner, everyone gathered in a lounge to watch the scores being announced on television. First, they show a photo of each tribute, and then display their score below. The Career tributes, naturally, fall within the range of eight to ten. Most of the other players receive a five.
It surprises everyone, including Jacob, who doesn't remember the results, that Rue got a seven. They don't know what she showed the judges, but for someone so young, it was impressive.
District 12 is announced last, as always. Jacob appears on the screen, and below his photo, a 12 is displayed.
When Jacob's score is announced as a perfect 12, a murmur of surprise and admiration spreads through the lounge where the other tributes and Capitol mentors are present. Many eyes are fixed on him, displaying a mix of astonishment, envy, and curiosity.
Some tributes, especially those from the more powerful districts, look at Jacob with a combination of respect and concern. It's evident that his high score puts him in a privileged position, a competitor to be reckoned with. They didn't expect someone from humble District 12 to stand out in such a way.
The Capitol Gamemakers, accustomed to seeing a variety of skills and talents, show expressions of interest and speculation. Jacob had caught their attention with his performance, and now his perfect score reinforced the idea that he was someone to watch out for in the Games.
Haymitch, his mentor, can't contain a smile of satisfaction as he watches Jacob from a distance. He knows that such a high score could open doors and set off a series of unexpected events. It's an opportunity for District 12 to shine and prove its worth.
Effie, though surprised by Jacob's score, tries to maintain her composure. Her face reflects a mix of pride and concern, aware of the implications this could have for him and District 12 as a whole.
Among the other tributes, there is a mix of reactions. Some show admiration and respect, acknowledging Jacob's skill and prowess. Others, however, feel a combination of envy and resentment, knowing that facing someone with such a high score will be a significant challenge.
Overall, Jacob's perfect score creates an atmosphere of anticipation and a shift in the dynamics of the Games. His presence has become more prominent, and everyone knows he is a formidable competitor to be reckoned with. Jacob's fate in the Hunger Games is far from predictable, and that uncertainty arouses both fear and anticipation in the hearts of his fellow tributes.