A/N: Isadora was a lot of fun to write! I'm especially excited to write her interactions with the other tributes xD Thanks to PeonyPierce for this fiery Career! Let me know what you guys think of her!

Isadora Juno, 17, District Two

Slice.

Her sword entered cleanly through the dummy, in the exact spot where its heart would be if it were a tribute.

"Instant kill!" She shouted viciously, her eyes bright with a fire that made the younger trainees take a step a back.

The instructor, Cormac, took a step forward, an amused smile on his face. "I wouldn't exactly call that an instant kill." He motioned toward the rest of the dummy which was littered with carefully placed gashes and slices, indicating its long and drawn out death. "Nevertheless, thank you Isadora, for that ah, creative display." He turned toward the small group of thirteen-year-olds that watched with wide eyes.

"I can do better. I can make it a better kill." She argued, positioning her sword toward the next dummy. Isadora grinned, lighting up her face with a wild and uncontrollable look. Cormac sighed and took a step forward. He placed his hand on the top of her sword, lowering it toward the ground carefully.

"As much as we'd love to see that, we all have a reaping to get to." With a snap of his fingers, the thirteen-year-olds were dismissed. Isadora contorted her face, visibly fighting the urge to argue with him. Cormac had been her trainer since she entered the Academy at the age of nine. He was also the only person who would ever get the last word in a conversation with Isadora. And that was only because he had the power to decide whether or not she would enter the arena.

Thankfully, years of biting her tongue paid off, and she had been selected as District Two's volunteer for this year.

Passing up an argument had left Isadora thirsty for debate. Nodding goodbye to Cormac, she exited the training center searching desperately for conflict. Thankfully, she spotted her boyfriend Leroy waiting by the entrance. He wasn't enrolled in the Academy, much to her chagrin, but the two had met through school.

"I've been waiting for you for ages!" He exclaimed dramatically, looking toward Isadora as if she had done something horrible, like break up with him.

She rolled her eyes. "Oh please, I'm done exactly when I said I would be."

They bickered back and forth for the entire walk back to her house, successfully satisfying her urge to argue. The pair stood by her front door and continued their conversation, neither wanting to let the other win. Leroy and Isadora were admittedly the oddest couple in District Two. Isadora's flaming red hair and tall stature looked almost comical in contrast to Leroy, who was only 5'8''.

"You always choose the Games over me." He sighed, running a hand through his dark hair.

"I do not!" She narrowed her eyes indignantly, but deep down she knew it was a true statement (not that she would ever admit it). "The Games are my passion. My future. If you can't handle that, then we're done."

Her boyfriend – ex-boyfriend – pursed his lips in disappointment. "Whatever. You were only with me for the sake of having someone to argue with, anyway."

She opened her mouth to object to that statement, but Leroy held up his hand. "Don't bother. The entire district knows it's true."

Leroy turned his back toward her and walked stiffly down the steps of her porch.

Isadora couldn't help herself and called smugly down to his retreating figure. "Some advice, before you go? You should really stop trying to get the last word in all the time. It's rather aggravating."

He turned, giving her a look of disbelief. Taking note of her flushed, accomplished face, he shook his head and muttered something to himself.

Feeling on cloud nine, the redhead flung open the door to her house and announced her presence.

"You're future Victor is here." She smirked, heart pounding as the hour of the reaping drew nearer. Her mother ran up to her, chattering excitedly about the Games.

"I only wish you wouldn't have the share the glory with someone else." Her mother stroked her cheek. Isadora simply shrugged, feeling conflicted over the Quell twist. A strong partner would only give her a greater chance of winning, which is something she would never be opposed to. But if she had a weak partner, it would be so unfair to be the one doing all the work, only to have to share the victory in the end.

Her mother didn't care, though. She just wanted a child to brag about to her friends.

Isadora's father entered the room, looking as stoic and unflinching as he had three weeks ago, which was the last time she saw him.

"Dad!" She exclaimed, a grin on her face that for once wasn't inspired by either conflict or success.

He grunted in response, getting right down to business. "What have you accomplished in training since the last time I saw you?"

"Cormac and I went over every single weapon that has ever been in the games. So I would be ready for all possibilities." She jumped at the chance to impress her father, announcing proudly what she had been doing at the Academy.

"Have you watched all of the previous games like I told you to?"

Her smile fell a bit. "Well no, not all of them…" She trailed off, waiting for his reaction.

He stayed silent, a familiar look of disappointment in his eyes. Finally, he clapped a hand on her shoulder. "Well, maybe we'll finally have a Victor in the family."

Isadora nodded enthusiastically, desperate to prove herself. She didn't want to her father to be disappointed in her like he was with her brothers, who had both failed to even enter the Games, let alone volunteer. His disappointment in her eldest brother, Grey, was warranted, as he was never chosen by the trainers to be the designated volunteer. Bruce was supposed to volunteer for the Games six years ago, but backed out when he found out his girlfriend was pregnant. The girl has since abandoned Bruce, leaving him with Macey. Isadora can't find it in herself to share her father's disappointment in Bruce, mostly because of Macey. The six-year-old was adorable and loved to stir up trouble, reminding Isadora of herself.

"Run along and get changed. I bought you a beautiful dress, and I can't wait to see the look on my friends' faces when they see that my daughter is going into the games." Her mother bounced excitedly, a dreamy look in her eye as she undoubtedly was imagining being a part of the most popular family in District Two.

Isadora took the stairs two at a time, desperate to get to the Reaping. Quickly changing and running a brush through her long, thick hair, she bounded back down the stairs and out the door.

"I'll see you before I get on the train!" She called to her family, halfway down the street before they had a chance to respond.

Crowds seem to part for her; Everyone knew who she was and what she would be doing today.

"Out of my way!" Isadora pushed her way to the front of the line, holding out a finger for the Official to prick. Most scuttled away from her quickly, not wanting to get into any argument or disagreement with a Career, especially not one with her reputation.

The girls in the seventeen-year-old section chattered among themselves, mostly useless gossip. Her friend Ophelia appeared at her side looking serious as usual.

"Are you excited?" The shorter blonde questioned her friend with an unreadable expression. Isadora could never tell if Ophelia was jealous that she was chosen to volunteer or if she didn't care at all. The two were training partners in the Academy. Ophelia's focused and analytical nature balanced out Isadora's aggression, imagination, and combativeness. She had also learned quickly that it was no use in arguing with the latter, which was definitely a plus in Isadora's book.

Isadora nodded emphatically, launching into a detailed explanation of her plan for the arena. Her friend listened intently, occasionally voiced a compliment or a critique.

The District One escort took the stage looking something akin to a pale, yellow marshmallow. Isadora squinted, closely analyzing Gretchen. Their escort looked completely different from last time, and Isadora had a crazy theory that Gretchen was actually a new person every year because the President didn't want their escorts to ever age.

Ophelia thought she was crazy, but Isadora was confident that she was right.

"Ladies first!" Her shrill voice fueled Isadora's excitement and she clenched her fists at her side, doing everything in her power to stop herself from raising her hand right then and there.

"Bri-"

Her hand shot up. "I volunteer." Grinning viciously, the Career made her way to the stage, long red hair streaking behind her.

"Isadora Juno. Seventeen." She had grabbed the microphone from 'Gretchen', who relented with a sigh. The escorts from Districts One and Two were used to volunteer tributes by now and had learned to let them take control over the microphone. Fortunately for Gretchen, Isadora kept her introduction short and simple. The look on her face said everything, anyway.

"Wonderful! Now for the gentleman." She picked a slip and announced the tributes name. There was a moment of silence before Jakob stepped forward, the designated male volunteer. Isadora felt the urge to roll her eyes, knowing Jakob's hesitation was for dramatic purposes only. Both he and Isadora had no intentions about volunteering, desperate to make a comeback from the 99th Games, where the male from One had slit the throats of the District Two tributes in their sleep.

"Jakob Kenzington. Eighteen." He smirked into the microphone. Jakob had beady eyes and tiny features, making his head look small in comparison to his very broad shoulders. Although lacking in the looks department, he was extremely skilled and Isadora knew he would make tough competition in the arena. Or a great ally, if she were lucky enough to be matched with him.

The volunteers shook hands before exiting the stage, waving and grinning at the cheering crowd.

Her family and Ophelia had come to say goodbye, but Isadora was distracted. The feeling of being on the stage was addictive and she couldn't wait to return as Victor. She tuned out her mother's superficial chattering, instead imagining herself in front of the Capitol, being interviewed by Caesar.

"She's not even listening, mom." Her older sister Mila rolled her eyes in exasperation, which was her reaction to anything that had to do with the Games. She had refused to train, instead excelling in school and getting a job as a teacher. She was adored by her parents, a fact that all the other Juno siblings resented.

"You can't be daydreaming in the arena, Isadora," Her father chided.

With one last goodbye and a final hug for Macey, her family eventually left the room. She felt a pang of...something...when she realized that Leroy wouldn't be visiting. It was obvious from the beginning that they weren't that into each other, but she would miss having a constant debate companion. Cormac came and went, going over everything he and Isadora had already discussed. She deemed his visit a bit redundant, but nodded along anyway, appreciating the last moments she had with him.

"I've got this, don't worry." The corner of her mouth turned up. "Next time you see me, I'll be a Victor."

Chapter Question: With three completely different tributes introduced, who is your favorite tribute so far?