All right! Ok I know it's been forever, but I gave ff up for lent so I'm actually breaking my promise…. Sorry Christians! Anyways! It's nearly time for the gamessssss! Haha anyways…

Oh yes reading through my other chapters I realized we have a magical shell, it changes colors whenever it wants. Sometimes its green- other times it's purple. Just thought I'd clear it up that the shell is suppose to be purple. Like the one I have sitting in my room!

Oh yes and who thought the movie was amazing? This girl that's who! I've seen it 3 times and I'm going to see it again tonight- sorry bank account- you're welcome theater!

Blah blah anyways- I'm still looking for someone to reread this story for me just to make sure I catch all these stupid mistakes I'm prone to do, since none of my friends actually know I write anything on this site! I'm kind of asking LuvRuePrim here…. Please!

The next chapter should be very short, but the game should start the chapter after that- after the interviews!

Oh yes and final thing- can anyone tell me what score Sebastian should get because of his spear throwing ability should warrant? Because I'm at a loss!

Thank you thank you thank yous:

HGfan

Echo

Lollipop

Boy2727- by the way I love the fact that you called me mate… just saying!

And-

Thanks to all the people to favorite or put it on Alerts!

Disclaimer: I own not the books- nor the movie - though I would love to meet the people who made that movie!


Sebastian listened as the tall man in the center of the circle formed by the tributes called off the stations available for them.

Gripping the shell around his neck Sebastian let his eyes travel around the circle of people, checking out the other contenders of the hunger games. He studied the form of the small boy with red hair, and his sad looking partner. Not being able to look at them any longer he looked away quickly and his eyes stopped on the tall figure of Ridge. The taller boy's arms were crossed over his chest and he looked pointedly away from Sebastian, glaring at the far wall. Sebastian bit his lip when the muscular teen raised a hand and scratched behind his ear. The large muscles tightening under his tunic as a result.

He couldn't help but wonder if it was possible to get Ridge on his team? More than likely he would be approached by the careers; they usually went after the people that were halfway decent looking, and Sebastian knew Ridge looked better than decent. Shaking his head he looked away and towards the ground.

He caught the tail end of what the head trainer was saying.
"You are for no reason to engage in combative exercise with another tribute."
A part of Sebastian wonders why. Why would they not want that? Wouldn't it give the folks at home a pre-game show? Get them pumped for the upcoming games? Oh well it wasn't for him to judge. His only question was if they were allowed to interact with the other tributes?

When the head trainer released the tributes to roam around the gymnasium Sebastian got his answer. The career tributes flocked together, chatting as if they were old friends. Sebastian noted Siren had taken her rightful place with the rest of the careers. He was left standing alone with the rest of the tributes who didn't know what to do. He watched the other tributes fidget next to each other and then they slowly started to disperse towards different stations. Looking around Sebastian found the small boy from district 8 near the knot tying station. Sebastian cocked his head in confusion. Not many people went for the knot tying station- for obvious reasons.

Shrugging Sebastian walked towards the station and the two surprised attendants handed him some rope and showed him a simple knot. Glancing over towards the hunched figure of the small red haired boy he watched his small hands quickly tie the knot and then grab another piece of rope and do it again. The little guy was surprisingly good at tying the knots. His hands moved gracefully, unlike Sebastian's own.

After another failed attempt to make the knot Sebastian tossed the rope onto the counter and gave a disgruntled sound in the back of his throat. Leaning over Sebastian gripped his shaggy brown haired and groaned. What chance did he have in surviving in the games if he couldn't even make a simple knot? He also couldn't even build up the courage to talk with another tribute! Gill's strategy was wasted on him!
He gave a solemn glance to the two people manning the station, who wore matching concerned expressions, and then turned around to find another station he may have a little better luck at, but was stopped by a small hand gripping his arm. Surprised Sebastian flipped around and found the small red head holding his tangled rope. Smiling up at him the small boy began to twist the rope slowly, showing Sebastian the correct motions. Grabbing the extra rope offered by the assistants Sebastian carefully followed the small fingered motions- only fumbling a few times- and final correctly twisted the rope into the knot. Smiling down at the boy Sebastian shouted out his appreciation.

"Thank you." Sebastian's appreciation was genuine. He was happy that someone else still held onto a slight amount of kindness regardless of the situation they were put into.

Offering his hand Sebastian introduced himself "My name's Sebastian Archold from district -"
He however was interrupted by the small boy.
"I know who you are. You're the tribute from district 4." Sebastian could barely understand the small boy; his voice was barely a whisper. Sebastian didn't know he was that well known, he didn't think anyone paid that much attention to him. But when the tiny tribute continued Sebastian was knocked back by the accusation in the boy's voice. "My mentor warned me about you."

Sebastian's breath hitched. What could the mentor of district 8 have told his tribute about him? What threat did he pose?
Leaning forward Sebastian dropped his rope on the small table." What did he say? What could he possibly have told you about me?" If there was one thing Sebastian hated it was when people thought they knew him! They knew nothing about him!
The young boy glanced down at the rope in his hands and then whispered something inaudible.
"What?"
The small boy looked up through his eyelashes. "He said that we shouldn't talk to you, he said you were just like your mentor."

That was not what Sebastian was expecting. He was nothing like the abrasive man, was he? Swallowing Sebastian looked away. Was he like his mentor? Obviously Gill had to be pretty charming to have charmed the other tributes to join his group, and he had to be cunning to have them do things that he wanted them to do, but he- it suddenly dawned on Sebastian, that strategy is the same one Gill wants him to do. Gill wanted him to use this small boy before him. Stealing his shoulder he looked around at the other tributes, his eyes coming to rest on the large figure of Ridge. He watched the boys muscles flex under the tight brown tunic. Swallowing Sebastian felt the fluttering in his stomach- but he swallowed and pushed it down. Instead he concentrated on the ax that flew out of the large tan fist. The blade stuck itself into the center of the bulls-eye, much to the surprise of the other tributes observing the area. He watched the Quinton look-a-like hustle forward clapping at the excellent show. Sighing Sebastian licked his lips. Caesar, Sebastian had learned, leaned in closer to Ridge and raised an eyebrow. Sebastian swore under his breath; he knew what Caesar wanted. He was going to proposition Ridge, like they did all the half way decent tributes. Looking away from the conversing pair Sebastian focused on the red headed boy, but his attention was quickly snatched back by the threat spouting from Caesar's mouth.
"You're gonna regret this." The tall boy hastened away with blazing eyes nearly knocking over the small girl from district 12.
Sebastian's eyes never left the tan boy's form as he continued to throw axes at the dummy, only with a little more force to show his anger.

The thought of anyone turning down the career tributes had never passed his mind. He wandered what Ridge could have possibly been thinking! Surely he knew he would be the career tributes first target. There was no way they were going to let him live for a multitude of reasons. The first being that he made fools of them all. They weren't about to let him do that with no consequences, especially because he did it in front of all the viewers at home. The second reason, in all its simplicity, is Ridge is a threat. He was strong, attractive, and despite their earlier interaction, pretty likeable. These things almost always assured sponsors.

Lowering his eyebrows in thought Sebastian turned to talk to the small boy but found his spot vacant. Glancing around he found him near the plant station. Shrugging Sebastian looked back to Ridge and found all the other tributes were giving him a wide berth, which wasn't surprising at all to Sebastian. None of the other tributes wanted to be associated to him now that he's signed his own death sentence, but a small part of Sebastian wanted to reassure the larger boy that he wasn't completely alone, and Sebastian couldn't figure out where it was coming from. Ignoring the voice telling him to stay away from Ridge, he decided being realistic at this point wasn't going to keep him alive any longer than being unrealistic so he followed the small part of him and walked over to brooding teen.

Settling close to the large shoulder Sebastian set his hand on the broad shoulder and spoke softly, "That probably wasn't a good idea."

They fell into an awkward silence, not made any easier by the drumming of Sebastian's heart in his chest. The hammering was so loud he was sure Ridge could hear it. Sebastian watched as Ridge picked up another ax and chucked it at the training dummy and cleanly cut off its head. Swallowing Sebastian took a small step back at the sheer force of Ridges throws. There was one thing to see the power someone used but it was another thing all together to feel it, and Ridge had enough strength in his body that it oozed out and affected anyone standing close enough, Sebastian wasn't an exception.

Walking forward Ridge plucked the ax stuck in the dummy's chest, and tossed it in the air catching it by the handle. He could handle a blade, which was something Sebastian needed.

Glancing over his shoulder at the Boy from District 1 he found him glaring in their direction talking animatedly with the girl from his district 2, no doubt talking about Ridges refusal to join their group. He knew he was making a mistake, trying to form an alliance with someone who is a career's target, but his chances of survival are greater if he has someone strong and smart on his side.

Sebastian was surprised to hear Ridge speak over his shoulder to him. "Why are you over here?" Sebastian' feathers would have ruffles if he had any, but before he could retort he was taken aback by the second comment. "By talking to me your putting yourself in danger, you'll be a target too."
Sebastian's eyes widened and his mouth dropped. Did Ridge care about him? Care about his well being?

"Careful Ridge," the name on his tongue was strange, but a small part of him enjoyed saying the darker boy's name, "someone might mistake that for caring."
Smirking at the small blush that formed on Ridge's face, Sebastian swayed away into the crowed of tributes with a large grin on his face.


"You know you're an idiot right?" Sebastian hadn't expected that to be the first thing he hear at breakfast, but it seemed Siren really wanted to express herself this morning.

"Why exactly am I an idiot?" He really didn't have to ask what she was talking about. He knew she was referring to the day earlier when he spoke to Ridge and made himself some powerful enemies, but he may have just made himself a powerful ally as well. He and Ridge complimented each other. He was clever and usually clear headed, and Ridge was powerful and obviously able to take care of himself. He was the brains and Ridge was the brawn.

Glancing over to Gill he found both his mentor and his escort staring with their mouths open. Gill's mouth half full of food. The sight almost made Sebastian laugh, almost. Glancing back to Siren he snorted, he didn't really see why what he did was any of her business.

"Getting all buddy buddy with that boy from district 7?"

"I don't believe who I make an alliance with is any of your concern!"

The thought of Siren giving him advice on whom to make alliances with made him laugh. She surrounded herself with people who would turn around and stab her in the back at any turn. At least Ridge would do the honorable thing and kill him face to face. Wouldn't he? The more he thought of the other boy the more questions appeared. He didn't know anything about Ridge what made him so sure the other boy wouldn't kill him the first day.

One less person in the competition.

One step closer to home.

He knew he himself would probably would be able to kill when it came down to it, but he certainly wouldn't enjoy, but the way Ridge had handled the blade the day before made Sebastian feel as if he wasn't a stranger to the weapon, but he was from the lumber district so maybe he had learned a few tricks from his home. He would definitely keep Ridge close because you know what they say, "Keep your friends close but your enemies closer", and in this competition all you had were enemies.


The next day of training went by fast, he was having very little luck with gaining followers, but ever since he had somewhat became a group with Ridge he had been trying less and less to form a group with the other tributes, not that his association with Ridge made him a melting pot of activity.

Sebastian settled down and attempted to make a snare which he surprisingly was good at, knocking the switch the trap was set and moved as if to catch the poor creature that set the trap off. He was getting better.

He had learned a little about plants, hopefully enough to keep him from eating anything that would kill him. He also had learned how to set fires, which was indeed a skill needed in the games. But his crowning achievement was he found his hidden skill, throwing of knives. It was just like skipping rocks when he was at home. Sure he had to find a good stance and his knives weren't exactly the fastest, but it was something! Who knows, it may even keep him alive.

Glancing up Sebastian watched the pretty dark haired tribute from district 2 throw her own knifes and hit the dummies in the bulls eye every time. Swallowing Sebastian looked back down to the trap in his hand. His knives never flew that straight. He was able to hit the body but the knives flew wide, but that was probably better than some of the other tributes. Shaking off his fear Sebastian quickly walked towards the knife throwing are and took the offered knife. Setting his feet apart and gripping the knife's handle Sebastian squatted down and flicked the knife towards the body shaped target; the knife flew straight and steady and hit on the right arm. Blinking Sebastian let out a puff of air, and ran his left hand through his hair. Shaking out his hair he settled back into his previous position and let another knife fly towards the training dummy, this knife hitting just on the outside of the bulls eye, the closest he had ever gotten to hitting the red area. Looking around he found Ridges staring at him from the edible plants booth. Glancing away quickly Sebastian put all his focus in his last blade and let it fly. He wanted to show Ridge he wasn't just a pretty face, he was completely able to take care of himself. For some reason it was very important for him to make that known, especially to Ridge.

Sebastian watched his knife sore towards the dummy and lands only a hair away from the center of the bulls-eye. Taking a step back Sebastian's eyes widened, did he honestly just hit the bulls-eye? Nearly hit it in the center?

Sadly when he attempted the hit in the same spot his knife hit closer to where his first knife had landed in the left arm.

Thinking about it he shrugged, at least he could hit inside the target area, maybe with a little more practice he could be as good as the careers. Glancing over towards the career tributes he frowned. Unlike himself the career tributes had been trained their whole lives to throw knife and fight with swords. Trying to compare his knife throwing abilities to the career's abilities was like comparing a toddler's intelligence to full grown adults, not fair. With a little bit of learning and time the toddler could grow up and become even more intelligent than the adult, and so if Sebastian had, had more time to learn how to throw knives maybe even he could be better than them, but there was no way to know. He only had three days to train, and he could only try his hardest and hope he could learn to throw them well enough to at least stay alive, or kill if need be.


During lunch Sebastian found himself sitting alone chewing on a green roll from his own district. They don't taste nearly as good as the homemade ones you get in district 4- he shrugged, beggars can't be choosers.

Hearing a clunk he looked up from his bread and found the small red haired boy sitting across from him staring at his own food. Getting the hint Sebastian remained silent and they both continued to eat their food in silence.


The third day of training would be the time they would be brought before the game makers to show off their special skill. That was why Sebastian stood near the knife throwing station practicing his knife throwing abilities. He had thrown the knife nearly a dozen times and nearly hit the target every time. He celebrated quietly, and kept his achievements to himself. Feeling he had did all he could do he stalked over to the spear throwing station and attempted to throw the spear. He apparently wasn't as good at aiming a spear as he was knives because the spear flew past the dummy and landed on the floor with a loud clunk.

Lunch was served not long after that and then the tributes started being called out of lunch one by one. Not 10 minutes after the girl from 3 was called Sebastian heard his own name being called. He looked over his shoulder to the table he knew Ridge had made his own and found the taller boy's back stiff, but his head turned away. Ignoring the small twinge in his chest Sebastian continued his journey back to the gymnasium. Entering the large room slowly he looked up towards the balcony that housed the game makers. They seemed relatively interested in him so most of them quieted down and stared intently waiting for his demonstration. Walking over towards the weapons he stopped in front of the knives, but skipped them in favor of the spear. He had a new plan, hide his real skills- yeah that would give him a low score, but he knew other tributes had done the same thing!

Gripping the spear he walked over to the throw line and chucked the stick forward, to Sebastian's (and some of the game maker, judging from their disbelieving mutters) surprise the spear lodged itself into the targets shoulder. After staring at the target in disbelief for a few moments, Sebastian shook his head and walked back to the rack holding the spears and gripped another one settling himself back into the spot he previously had occupied. Throwing the spear it went wide, and sailed right over the targets head, yeah that was more like it. Glancing up into the game maker's booth he found the few that had been interested in him were quickly losing interest. Sebastian had to push down his instinct to go for the knives, he was trying to not show what he could do, but it was so hard. He hated not being able to show people up.

Throwing another spear it hit the same spot as the first, making him seem like he knew a little bit of what he was doing, when really he didn't! He hoped that would give him a mediocre score. Throwing a few more spears he at least hit the board, and then he was dismissed by the game keepers.

Now there was nothing left to do but to wait.


The next chapter should be out soon! Not that long at all! Thanks to all the reviewers!