Hey, I kept on track! A new chapter every two weeks! Pray I'll keep that up. And the reviews are really uplifting. :-)

District Six ~ Train Ride

Lucina stared into the closet, her eyes marveling at the vast array of clothes. She stepped in, reveling in the sheer size. It was really impressive, all sorts of sizes and hues. She fingered a soft woolen sweater, wondering if it was too warm to wear.

Brushing a strand of hair from her face, she pulled a lilac dress from a hangar. Yeah, being a tribute definitely had its downers but at least she would get to be dressed up for a couple of days.

She stepped out of the closet, slipping off her red button up. She pulled the silky fabric over her head, enjoying the feel on her arms.

Posing in front of the mirror, she smiled at her reflection. She pulled her hair out of its pins, letting it tumble over her shoulders. She pressed a finger to her cheeks, studying her mascara. Her eyes glanced towards the dresser, wondering if they were as well stocked on make-up.

A knock at the door, and the escort stuck her head in, "Lucina, we will be meeting with your mentors for dinner," She paused, blinking rapidly, "You've already found our supplies of clothes, I see."

Lucina's head bent, "I know, aren't they the best? I mean, my parents try to keep up with style and everything, but it can be hard sometimes."

The escort's lips pursed, "Please don't be late for dinner, it's very important to discuss your games strategy."

Lucina stomach flipped. She had no desire to be in these stupid games. She tossed her head, "It's not like they're going to tell me something I don't already know."

A sigh escaped the escort's lips. "You don't have to listen, but I suggest you do. Anyway, you will get awfully hungry staying in here."

Lucina studied her reflection for a few minutes after the escort left. Her rumbling stomach urged her to eat. But she dreaded meeting the mentors, not to mention her fellow tribute. If only she could stay in here and pretend like the reaping never happened.


Maxwell stirred his tea, enjoying watching the sugar dissolve. The escort was chatting about the tribute parade, and he occasionally met her eyes, hoping he appeared interested.

The mentor, Hadley, shifted in his seat, finally clearing his throat. "Maxwell, you thinking about your chances?"

"Hardly," Maxwell cleared his throat, "I'm still aggravated my name was drawn."

Hadley raised his eyebrows, "Know what you mean. You think, it's my last year and I'm done. But then your plans get turned upside down."

The doors opened as the girl came in. Maxwell glanced her way, "You found a new dress, huh?"

Lucina's blue eyes darkened, "If this is going to be my last week on earth, I want to look nice."

Maxwell tried to not choke on his tea. It was so like Lucina to be so concerned about her looks. Isn't that why they had broken up?

Hadley cracked his knuckles, "I take it you two know each other."

"Us?" Maxwell spoke lightly, "The District's small, everyone knows each other. Not to mention, we're only a year apart in school, our classes do things together."

The escort began a cheery rant on the Greek yogurt, elaborating the yogurts exemplary health benefits. Maxwell's eyes turned in Lucina's direction, twinkling as he watched her squirm in discomfort. Yes, it would be enjoyable to put a knife in that brat's back.

Hadley raised a hand in the air, "So do you guys want to be trained together or separately?"

Lucina's blue eyes widened, and she dropped her spoon, "Why would we train together, it couldn't really help us right?"

"Actually," Maxwell spoke up, "We might be good allies in the arena. Being nearly the same age, and from the same district, it would make sense to team up."

"Smart thinking," Hadley confirmed with a quick nod, "It's that sort of foresight that'll give you a victory."

Lucina paled, but before she could speak, Maxwell interjected, "Don't be so confidant Lucina, you know you've never been good at school sports. I'm not exactly the toughest guy around, but I could help shield you from some of the harsh stuff."

The escort began to ramble about what a wonderful plan this all was, but Lucina just broke into a nervous sweat. Maxwell continued to smile pleasantly, nodding along with the mentor's words.

Lucina swirled her soup around, unable to swallow the creamy mixture down. She glanced Maxwell's direction, trying to send him a nasty glare. His eyes twinkled at her, and she clenched her loose hand. It wasn't fair that she couldn't even start to look threatening.


District 8 Train

The volume blared from the tv as Nylon settled on the sofa. He fingered the soft fabric, trying to pull his focus unto the Capitol show. He just couldn't allow himself to dwell on what had happened.

This morning seemed so far away. He briefly wondered if his sister had discovered the dead frog under her pillow yet. Thena would come unglued when she found it. It was too bad he wouldn't be there to hear her reaction.

Of course, she would know he was responsible. No one else would ever care to upset Thena.

He shuddered, recalling her dripping face when they came to say goodbye. His sister was normally so reserved, calm, hardly ever crying. The last time she had been that upset was his brother's funeral.

He brushed at his forehead, pushing his brown hair out of his eyes. It was so stupid for his brother to be dead. He hadn't been picked for the Games. It was just his girlfriend. Nylon couldn't understand why his brother had chosen to die. He could have always found another girl

And now Nylon was going into these Games. He wondered if his brother would still have chosen die if Nylon was the one to go. Probably not, he figured.

Nylon mentally slapped himself. He didn't want to be thinking about anything like this. Not now when he had the chance to relax.

The door swished, but Nylon didn't hear it over the blaring tv. A slight movement caught his eye.

Nylon glanced up, giving a smile to the girl as she strolled in. Her face scrunched, and Nylon reached to turn the volume down, "Sorry about that, it helps me to go deaf sometimes."

The girl tipped her head, "You want to be deaf?" Her brown eyes seemed to stare right through him.

"No," Nylon chuckled, then frowned as he looked closer at her face, "Are you bruised or something?"

"Don't you remember the reaping?"
Nylon shook his head, "I kind of zone out during it. What did you do?"

She shuffled her feet, "I panicked, and the peacekeepers ruffed me up a little. I should have known better, I was just so," her voice trailed, and her hands twisted together.

Nylon continued to stare at her, "You tried to run or something, right?" He picked up the remote, completely muting the screen.
She nodded, her chin quivering, "I was just so scared."

"Go ahead and sit down, um, what's your name?"

She rubbed her eyes, voice a bit muffled, "Tricolette Taffeta."

Nylon stood up, touching her shoulder and pushing her into a seat. "I'm sorry you were reaped, but we just have to make the best of it. Look, I've always wanted to visit the Capitol, this is our chance to do stuff we've never gotten to do. What's your dream?"

Her brown eyes studied him, her voice slightly hesitant, "I want to be a painter."

"That's awesome. Maybe we can find some good quality, uh, what do you use to paint?"

"Brushes." She smiled weakly.
"Only brushes?" Nylon grinned, "It would be hard to only paint with a brush. I mean, I don't know anything but I thought you needed paint."

Tricollete's eyebrows furrowed, "Of course, but you actually paint with a brush."


District 12

The Justice Building

"What do you mean the female tribute isn't allowed to receive visitors?" Snider practically snarled at the official, "She was completely cooperative at the Reaping."

The official puffed his chest out, enjoying his moment of power. "Her family has been involved in seditious activities, and it has been deemed necessary,"

"To not only rig the reaping, but take away her last comfort?" Snider struggled to not pummel the little weasel. He clenched and unfolded his hands, taking a deep breath, he stared into the rascals little eyes.

The man reddened, "Your accusation that the reaping is rigged is complete nonsense. This country is founded on principles of equality and justice."

Snider rolled his eyes, turning away from the official, "Equality and justice," he exhaled quietly before saying more loudly, "Than I will visit the tribute."

"Sir, no visitors are permitted," The weasel interjected, but Snider glared at him.

"I'm not a visitor, I'm her mentor, and I will go chat with the girl."

He stepped past, making his way down the gloomy corridor. Raquel glanced up from her seat, "That's a bit more rowdy than you usually get, Snider. You surprise me."

He shook his head at his fellow mentor, "Sometimes the system destroys any pretense of cooperation."

Pushing open the heavy wooden door, Snider stepped into the small visiting area. The girl stood, her face pressed against the window. She turned, taking him in as he stood in front of her.

"I'm not going to sugar coat, your family isn't allowed to see you." Snider gauged her reaction, watching her lips open and close.

"Why? it's not even my fault." She brushed at her red eyes. "I didn't know anything. Really, nothing."

"I understand, Sadira." Snider placed a hand on her shoulder, "But Be glad you aren't forced to watch your dad be punished."

Her face paled, "I guess I should be happy to get the chance to die." Looking into his eyes, she asked, "Will they kill my whole family?"

He shrugged, "I honestly don't know."

She turned away, her face steely. Snider hesitated, before choosing his words carefully, "Don't write yourself off. You can still choose to live."

Sadira's eyes scorned his words, "Nice try, but I can sense when my life is up. The Capitol wants me dead, and unlike my dad I've never stood up for anything. Why should I fight them now?"


Okay, hope you like all that! Now for business. Someone sent in the male tribute for District 7, but I can't find it. If you can, please resend that in. I'll wait one week before putting another one in.

Still waiting on a male for 12. Since Oliver's creator has not resent his in, I'll take a new one.

I feel way disorganized, and I do apologize. This summer and semester has been difficult. Hope you guys will keep sticking with me