MORE HUNGER GAMES SHIT. God I'm so pumped to write this chapter! I hope y'all enjoy it. I promise it will have more action than the previous but hey. I'm trying. Anyway, enjoy!!!

Chapter Two- The Fire Starter

"Marinaaaa!" I hear Callie chirp. "Supper timeee!" I walk into the dining room. Where Akasu is already seated. I sit besides him as Callie talks on and on about how thrilled she is to meet us.

Our dinner comes in courses. A thick carrot soup. Chopped sea snail drenched in a sour and sweet pink sauce. A salad. A chocolate cake. Callie tells us not to eat too much because there will be more but Akasu and I eat by the mouthful.

Callie let's out a fake chuckle. "Well, at least you two are decent eaters this year." Last year, two octolings from the seam were the tributes. Both of them had never enough to eat. I'm sure that when they did, table manners were the least of their concern. Akasu is a baker's son. My mother taught Paris and I proper table manners so yes, I can handle a fork and knife. But I hate Callie's comment so much that I finish the meal with my hands and wipe them off on the tablecloth. My response from her is a worried look.

After supper, we travel into another car to watch the reapings. Usually, their dragged throughout the day so one can watch them all live, while also attending their own reaping. But the only people that can really do that is the Inklings in the Capital. Mostly because they do not have a reaping of their own.

We watch as the tribute's names are called. We watch volenteers go up, and mostly down. Only a few tributes stick in my head. A monstrous Inkling from district 2, a sly Octoling from 5, a crippled Cuttlefish from 10 and, most hauntingly, a 12 year old Inkling from 11. She looks nothing like Paris. Her skin light instead of dark. But something just rings a bell about her.

Then, finally, our turn. I hear Paris' name being called. I volenteer, Akasu is called. Then Spyke falls off the stage. Akasu and I can't help but to snicker to ourselves. But Callie thinks otherwise.

"Do you realize that that man you are laughing at is the one who will be coaching you until the arena, signing up your sponsors, and making sure they get to you is the only choice between life and death?" Callie shrieks at us.

Almost as if on cue, Spike walks in, drunk as usual. "Did I miss supper?" He asks. Then vomits on the rug and falls in the mess.

"So laugh away!" Callie says to us. Hopping over the mess and making her way back to her quarters.

Me and Khensu take the drunk mess to his quarters and start to clean him up. "Go ahead, Marina, I'll take it from here." Khensu says softly.

"Thank you." I respond. Leaving almost immediately after. I wouldn't want to stay and wash all the vomit out of Spyke's chest. No thanks. I go into my room and change into a silky night gown and climb benotje covers. Letting fatigue take over me.

The next morning, I awake and get up. I decide to wear the green outfit again, since it wasn't that dirty. I go to breakfast. Apparently it had already started because Akasu is eating the main course and chatting with Callie while Spyke picks on a muffin. I sit down and begin the meal.

"Try the brown stuff," Akasu says. "They call it 'Hot Chocolate.'"

I shrug and take a sip. It has a warm feeling to it. I finish the cup and breakfast just as Callie leaves. Spyke looks us over. "So. What are you two good at?" He asls us. Apparently, he's sober again. But that doesn't stop him from pouring some liquor into his orange juice.

"Well," I begin. "Akasu is strong."

Spke nods slowly at that. "Well. Anything you can do?"

I pick up a knife and throw it at the wall. I was hoping to get a good stick but then it actually lands in the crack between teal panels. Making me look bethher than I already am.

"Not only can she do that," Akasu begins. "But she can shoot. Bow and arrow. She never misses and always shoots in the eye."

I purse my lips. Great work Akasu. Spyke nods slowly. Very slowly. "That's great." He says softly. Soon, we arrive at the Capital.

Always and I can't help to run to the windows and see all the towers and Inklings. Oh my stars the Inklings. They watch us with glee and some with envy. Akasu waves at them while I return to my seat.

"Smart boy." Spyke says. Taking a swig from a wine glass. "He knows what he's doing." Akasu comes back to us smiling.

"So." Akasu begins. "What's the best tactic to-"

"Not yet." Spyke snapped. Shutting Akasu up. "First things first. Let the prep team do whatever they want to you. Don't resist. No matter how crazy it may seem."

RRRIIIIIPPP!

"Sorry dear!" A young plump Inkling named Senessa chirped. "It's just that you have so many tiny suction cups on your legs!"

Ugh. I've been in this stupid ass remake center for at least three hours and I haven't even met my stylist yet!

Vulix, a taller Inkling with curly orange tentacles says "This is the last one, ok?" And tears the last strip with so much force I'm tearing at the eyes.

After thirty more minutes of this, I'm put in a paper robe that only covers down to my lower thighs. Then, my stylist walks in.

He walks around my naked body. Taking everything in with his eyes, and not his hands. "Good morning, Marina. I'm your stylist, Sol."

We walk to a sitting room with chairs made of velvet, like the ones back home. Our lunch is served on the table. Rich orange soup with buttery croissants.

"Now, Marina, I have decided with my partner, Luna, to give you and Akasu costume for the opening ceremonies."

Great. A coal miners uniform.

"Now your district is coal mining, so we decided to focus on the coal part."

Naked and covered in coal dust.

"And what do we do with coal? Burn it."

I breathe in slowly. Sol chuckles. "You aren't afraid of fire, Now are you?"

THATS IT FOOLS. I'm so sorry that I couldn't fit in the ceremonies in this chapter. But I felt it was getting too long. So yeah! Baii!

Stay Fresh!