"Yes, we will train together," Katniss nodded when Haymitch proposed it to her.
"Well, then we'll have about seven to eight hours of training. You'll spend four hours with Effie Trinket for the presentation..." Haymitch said after thinking for a moment.
...
Jacob, if he's honest, never thought he would go through this kind of thing. And although he didn't excel in all aspects, like being reserved yet open without clearly showing it, he knew how to act very well.
Katniss, on the other hand, faced many difficulties: walking in heels, posture, charisma, smiling, and always keeping her eyes sparkling among others.
"You're doing great, Jacob. You have good posture, charisma, and a special smile that will captivate the audience." After two hours, Effie was satisfied and no longer paid attention to Jacob. "As for Katniss, remember one thing: you have to make the audience like you."
"Do you think they won't like me?"
"No, if you look at them with that face all the time. Why don't you save it for the arena? It's better to imagine that you're among friends; they are your only lifeline."
"They're betting on how long I'll stay alive!" Katniss exploded. "They're not my friends!"
"And they'll lose, Katniss. They'll all lose because you won't die." Jacob, who was reading a survival manual while waiting for Katniss to go to interim training, joined the conversation. "They're not our friends, and everyone in this room knows it. Only Effie advises you on things you already know but find difficult to accept."
"I..." Katniss understood what Jacob meant.
"Act it out, you have to deceive everyone and win, just as Jacob said!" Effie Trinket lost her composure a little. But after calming down and smiling again, she said, "You see my smile, I'm giving you a smile even if you're exasperating me."
"It's just a smile, Katniss, you have to do it... By the way, the dress looks great on you." Jacob said with a smile.
"And what are you doing here? You should be using this time to train." Katniss looked at Jacob in incomprehension.
"I'm just observing your progress. You should know the story you'll tell the audience and how you should feel... This way, our days will be easier in the arena."
"I'm going to eat..." Katniss kicked off her heels aggressively and left the room angrily, heading towards the dining area.
"She'll be a formidable competitor in the Games, no doubt," Effie Trinket said, understanding how Katniss was learning all this under pressure.
"Let's grab something to eat; food is our best calmer." Saying this, Jacob hopped towards the dining area.
When Jacob arrived at the dining area, he greeted Haymitch, who was eating, and upon seeing him enter, Haymitch signaled him to look at Katniss, who seemed angry, but he simply didn't want to get involved this time.
"I want meat, fruits, and milkshakes!" Jacob sat down next to Katniss naturally.
"That muscle relaxation thing you mentioned doesn't seem to be working, does it?" Haymitch glanced at Katniss and ended up looking at Jacob.
Without looking up from his plate, Jacob said, "Well, it's very helpful for when I speak in my interview. I know more about Katniss than she seems to know about herself."
"Boom!"
"And I'm right!"
Katniss didn't say anything; she was left speechless. Jacob, in a way, was right. She was angry about acting falsely; she thought she could handle it, but everything was much harder than she had imagined.
Haymitch signaled her to stop talking and said, "I spoke with the mentor from District Eleven, and they accepted your alliance proposal. As for District Ten, they accepted too. I think it's more than enough."
"Well, considering that half of our allies will probably die in the first few seconds, it's a good thing, more than I expected." Jacob said, a bit surprised. He didn't know the tributes from District Ten well, so it will be a surprise.
"Well, I didn't expect anything at the beginning of all this, so it's fine..." Katniss seemed a bit calmer.
"I'm done; I'll wait for you in the room." Jacob knew that Haymitch wanted to talk to Katniss, so after finishing his meal, he took his milkshakes and walked towards the room.
After being left alone, Katniss asked, seeing that Haymitch couldn't stop staring at her, "What?"
"I'm trying to figure out what to do with you, how to present you with the story you and Jacob already have... Do you want to be the cold one in the relationship or be depressed? Arrogant? Fierce while you strive to survive with your partner? For now, you shine like a star: you volunteered to save your sister, Cinna made you unforgettable, and you got one of the highest scores. People are curious, but nobody knows who you truly are. The first impression you make tomorrow will determine what I can get for you from the sponsors. Having watched interviews with the tributes all my life, I know there's some truth in what he says. If you appeal to the audience, whether you come across as funny, brutal, or eccentric, you win their favor."
"What approach will Jacob take for his presentation?"
"He will be brutal, heroic, and cold. Someone with whom people, especially men, will strongly identify. While women will feel captivated, a brutal character whom everyone can come to love. He knows how to act, he does it most of the time, and it comes naturally to him. On the other hand, whenever you open your mouth and try to pretend, you still seem rigid, moody, and hostile."
"That's not true!"
"Please. I don't know where you got that cheerful girl who greeted people from the chariot, the one in love who never separates from her partner, but lately, I haven't seen you that way."
"With all the reasons you've given me to be cheerful, you only talked about death, sacrifice, and betrayal."
"You don't have to please me; I won't be sponsoring you."
"Pretend I'm your audience, dazzle me."
Jacob, standing not far away, watched as Haymitch interviewed Katniss and thought that this was normal. Now, just as in the original story, it is difficult for her to pretend; she is truly someone who cannot do it.
If he is good at it now, it's because of the interviews with the police, detectives, parents, and his lawyer. They would ask him over and over again, the judge would ask questions, and even the same people loved or hated him before coming to this place. All those experiences shaped who he is now.
"Pretend you're remorseful!"
"Don't smile at them!"
All those orders, questions, and accusations were what he did as a detainee; he had to do it or spend most of his childhood in prison.
At least now, those skills that developed unconsciously will be useful in this place. Katniss has a lot to work on, but at least she has a background story that she shared with Jacob; both of them just needed to act.
"This is in your hands, Katniss... It won't matter much when we have a weapon in our hands; that will be the least of our worries."
...
The next day, there was no session with Effie Trinket or training with Haymitch. Instead, they were in the care of their stylist, Portia.
Jacob sat in a chair surrounded by mirrors and bright lights. It was the morning of the interview day, and Portia, his stylist, was busy preparing him for the grand event. The room was filled with clothes and accessories, but Jacob knew exactly the image he wanted to project.
Portia, an elegant and talented woman, was busy selecting items for Jacob's outfit. Her goal was to create a striking appearance that would highlight his personality and leave a lasting impression on the viewers.
"Jacob, I'm thinking of something dark and cold for you," commented Portia as she examined different fabrics and garments. "I want your suit to convey a sense of mystery and power. What do you think of a black suit with silver details? It will be similar to your presentation outfit but with more reserved details."
Jacob nodded seriously. "I like the idea. I want my appearance to reflect my determination and inner strength. I want others to feel a chill when they see me; that's what I'll aim for in my interview."
Portia smiled, intrigued by Jacob's vision. "Then let's do it. But first, let me take care of your hair and makeup. I want to accentuate your cold and enigmatic expression."
Over the next few hours, Portia skillfully worked on Jacob's hair and makeup. She used dark tones and deep shadows to enhance his eyes and gave his skin a pale and sickly look. Every detail was carefully planned to achieve the desired effect.
Finally, it was time to dress Jacob. Portia brought out the black and silver suit she had selected and helped him put it on. The suit was fitted, accentuating his athletic figure, and had subtle metallic details that shimmered in the light.
When Jacob looked at himself in the mirror, he was impressed by his own appearance. The dark suit and his cold expression perfectly complemented each other, creating an imposing and mysterious image. It was as if he was ready to face any challenge that came his way.
Portia smiled, satisfied with her work. "Jacob, you're ready to make an impression in the interview. Your appearance conveys confidence and determination. I'm sure you'll leave a lasting impression on the viewers."
Jacob nodded, grateful for Portia's work. "Thank you, Portia. Your talent has brought my vision to life. Now, it's time to face the interview and show the Capitol who I truly am."
With his imposing appearance and determined attitude, Jacob headed towards the interview, ready to face the challenge ahead. He knew this would be his opportunity to leave a mark on the hearts and minds of the viewers, and he was determined to make the most of it to show them who he really is. This is what he had wanted ever since he was being judged in his original world.