Hi all, I'm trucking on to District 5. My thanks to bobothebear and Elim9 for Altair and Elric respectively. Also, a reminder to keep an eye out for tribute alliances and finally, I still don't own the Hunger Games.

District 5

No peace to-night

Mentor: Alorea McKenna Victor of the 5th annual Hunger Games at the age of 16 (now 29)

Escort: Ebba Runa

"Alorea!" Ebba's shrill voice reminded Alorea where she was, when she was. She had stopped just before the platform, gazing off into space. Funny, she didn't remember what she'd been thinking of right before then. This seemed to be happening to her more and more, as she distanced herself more and more from the games. Yet here they were, succumbing to the routine of another Hunger Games, another two tributes. Funny, she found she was forgetting their names and faces. . .

"Alorea!" Ebba hollered again, losing her patience. Hadn't she just called her name? Ebba grabbed her hand and dragged her to the stage, too stubborn to allow her to hide for the Reaping, but exceptionally grateful that she only had to deal with Alorea once a year.

Before she knew it the Capitol anthem was done and Ebba was droning on before she called the girl's name. Had the account of the history of Panem always been that short? Somehow Alorea could have sworn it hadn't been.

"For the girls, Altair Ellion!" The sixteen year old section parted as a shaking blond haired girl in an old dress steadily walked forward. It was clear to Alorea that she was suppressing sobs, but she was doing a pretty good job of it. Almost to the front, she gasped, unsuccessfully guarding one heartfelt sob, but no tears fell from her cheek and by the time she joined Alorea she had nearly regained control of herself, but was still shaking as the Peacekeepers edged in, just in case. Even Alorea hated when they did that. It was clear enough that no one could escape their fate once they were beside her on the stage; was the additional reminder truly a necessity. It was only then that Alorea could tell that although the girl had showered and bathed, made herself as presentable as she could before the reaping, it seemed as though she'd had to make do. She was dressed in an outfit that fell awkwardly around her shoulders, as if it belonged to someone shorter and with more meat on their bones than the skinny specimen before her. Alorea couldn't help but wonder where . . .

"Elric Trace" Alorea snapped to attention as the fifteen year old section and a small, good looking young man emerged from the crowd. He stood in stark contrast to Altair, outfitted in a dark blue suit that matched his complexion well. As he calmly, evenly, strode towards the stage, his dark eyes met Alorea's hazel ones; not with fear, but with a true sense of propriety and formality. Once he was beside her, he stood out and looked at the audience, as though meeting each of their eyes, connecting with each of them. Then he even forced a smile. It seemed to Alorea that a few of the audience members even smiled back, relieved that it wasn't them standing in his place. Elric held out his hand to Altair to shake and she took it, trembling even as she did.

Altair Ellion Age 16

She would have given anything to hold her violin one last time. As horrible as living in the district's steets had been, disowned by her real family, it would be nothing compared to what she would have to face in the games. Music was her only escape from the world's cruelty, the only way she made a living, and her safety net between herself and death. She couldn't take it with her into the arena.

And what was even harder, now she had three minutes to bid farewell to the only two people who mattered to her. Camden, her other half in the music making on the streets looked down at her with his weathered eyes and his ruffled hair, not speaking. At nineteen he had been safe from the games, but now his worst fear had come true, that his duet partner would disappear into the eternal rest of the games.

Liana, their plump, goodhearted caretaker sat in silence as well, re-doing Altair's hair in an unending need to do something. It had never been necessary for her to be there for them, to befriend their family. Hers had always been able to make ends meet, even spare a coin or two, yet she had been beside Camden and Altair through their troubles.

It was so odd of them to sit in silence, but none of the musicians could find the words they needed to finish the song.

A metallic drumming sound resounded at the door.

"We're not finished," Camden protested, speaking for the first time in the beat they'd spent together.

"Wrap it up," the Peacekeeper said, probably more lenient than most. He knew no one else was coming. He knew the final measure was beginning.

Still unable to speak, Camden and Liana simply embraced Altair in an eternal hug. How Altair wanted this to be a fermata, a moment that dragged on until the end of time. She would be content to die here in their arms, not in the games. Die here, sooner and at peace, rather than the torture that awaited her and 23 others.

The silence remained, knowing that a single breath could begin the next phrase, beginning the short march to the games.

An eternity later, the three friends broke off and Camden shoved something into Altair's hand: his very best guitar pick. There were no promises of her return or that she would try her best. These were best unspoken, so that whatever melody played itself next would begin of its own accord.

Elric Trace:

"This is completely ridiculous. I can't believe they called you! It's not fair!" Lamont exclaimed. Elric's best friend meant well, but Elric knew this show of anger was doing more for him than it did to Elric. That's why he had asked to see him first. He'd politely say goodbye to everyone in District 5 he cared about.

"Life's not fair, Lamont," Elric said emotionlessly. "Thank you for coming. I really wanted to say goodbye before I have to go. Thanks for being my friend for all of these years."

"Don't you go talking like you're not coming back. We'll see each other again. You're going to kill all of them and come back a hero." Lamont seemed like he was talking big, but if nothing, he knew Elric. He knew that once he was in the games, or in training, he would be there 100% and would certainly have a chance. Would it be enough to keep him alive, though?

Their discordant encounter ended in a hug and Lamont slapped his friend on the back.

"Buck up," he said. "Alena's coming," and on his way out Lamont whistled, as though he'd almost forgotten that his best friend was gearing up for a flight to the death.

Sure enough, Alena Barret entered the room, her short, stout frame casting a shadow as the door closed. She didn't speak at first, but embraced Elric. Not wanting to break the silence, Elric kissed her. She sat him down and began to massage his shoulders, like she'd always do when she wanted to force him to slow down and stop trying to please everyone. She always hit the right notes, said the right things, but now there was nothing to say, so she let her hands do the talking, let her touch soothe him one final time. All too soon she had to take her hands from him as the Peacekeeper silently entered the room, not wanting to disturb them. She kissed him one last time and then was gone.

The moment he'd been dreading came and Elric's parents, entered the room. His mother was shaking, but trying her best to keep it together for her son. His father's eyes glistened with tears and compassion, but his voice was firm when he spoke.

"How are you, Elric?" he asked, reaching out to stroke his son's neatly combed hair, almost an image of his own.

"I'm scared, dad," Elric said, his voice choking more than he'd expected. Reality was finally hitting that these would be his last moments with his family, with the two people who had raised him and he was scared. His mother took his hand as he started trembling. If he was going to seem scared, he'd better get it over with in the next few moments, after his good first impression, he couldn't bear to let the cameras, the audience, see him fall apart.

"We love you son," his mother said, her hands trembling almost as much as his.

"You mean the world to us," his father said, his arm around his shoulder now and Elric lost it. His shoulders trembled as he burst into tears. This was only made worse by him wondering how much time had passed, how long he had to get himself together. He started to panic.

Suddenly from outside their cell, a melody arose. Elric couldn't tell where it was coming from, but then he heard his mother's voice join the tune.

"Sleep my child, let peace attend thee, all through the night. Guardians ride and will surround thee, all through the night." A knock at the door sounded and suddenly Elric felt ready. His parents' arms released him as they faded into the many people of the district. Yet, the melody remained, and Elric could have sworn he heard a guitar playing the final strains of the lullaby and he knew it would be the last peace he would know for many nights.

"Nor heaven nor earth have been at peace to-night" – Act II Scene II