All right- so, so sorry that it took this long to update, mates. Real life has me in its grip, as does a certain fascination with the Harry Potter fandom. So. Don't worry, though, I only let HP take half my writing soul, the other half is still here! I won't abandon, even if this takes me forever. I'll finish.

Plus, you know, Foaly would stab me if I mentioned abandoning. Which, again, I wouldn't. But. :D

Anyhoo!

Moving on.

~Naspa Jennings~

We start to hurry off towards the nearest building, Tork and Jasmine in the lead. I can hear them conversing in low tones, and I quickly try to catch up.

"Hey, what's up?" I ask casually, trying not to sound suspicious of them. I must have been successful, because Jasmine turns to me and explains, "We were discussing mutts and these people. They can't be harmless, and we're so we're wondering whether going into a building is the smartest option."

Tork nods and adds, "We think that it's the only option, though. I'm not sure where else we could get food."

I nod, troubled, and say hesitantly, "Well… I'm sure that they won't make it too hard for us to get supplies. It'd be a really boring Games if everyone starved…."

Jasmine smiles. "True this." She blinks, and her smile falters. "Erm… Naspa? The hat?"

I feel my face heat up. "Yes, I took it," I say defensively. "She was a good kid! And she was so proud of this hat, and I couldn't let the Capitol take it! I think that Peira would have wanted me to take it… so part of her would continue on, you know?"

I said all of this very fast, and then had to take a deep breath. As one, Tork, Jasmine, and I all turn back to watch the hovercraft appear over the Cornucopia. We watch as Peira's limp body is lifted from the ground, and then the hovercraft disappears. We stand in silence for a moment while Gante looks at us in confusion, and then Tork says quietly, "I think you're right, Naspa." Then he turns and keeps walking. Not looking at Jasmine or Gante, I follow him. As I walk through the door, I feel Jasmine's hand squeeze my shoulder in agreement. We creep through the door, and I hear Gante's breath shudder out. The building is filled with them….

~Arella Collins~

I edge out of my hiding place in the shadow of a building and slowly walk towards the Cornucopia. My heart is thundering painfully, my muscles are taut, and my mouth dry. I know that at any minute, I could be struck down. I turn constantly as I walk, trying to take in all of my surroundings at every given moment. All is still, however, as I finally reach the golden horn.

I gaze around, looking for a left over weapon. The horn is completely silent and deserted; all my fellow tributes have disappeared, including the fallen Peira, and the people of the city do not leave the sidewalks. Finally, my eye catches on a dagger lying discarded near the lip of the Cornucopia. Relieved, I snatch it up. I had already gathered that there was no food to be found here by watching the other tributes, so I suppose that it must be in the buildings. I crane my neck back to look up at them indecisively. Finally, I pick a promising-looking one and set off.

~Ermine Vair~

Marigold and I walk across the road towards a squat –looking building in silence. My nerves are tingling. I hear a shout, and the two of us whirl around. I notch an arrow to my bow in a single fluid movement, and stare around for the source of the noise. Another whoop rings out, and I see a distant figure running in circles around one of the mysterious inhabitants of the city. The tribute is continually running towards the person, forcing the man to turn away as they all do. However, the tribute dances and stays in front of him, so the man must turn again. I let my bow fall limply to my side, and I draw my eyebrows together. What the…..

I hear Marigold's breath hiss out between her teeth, and she growls, "Rasch." I nod grimly. I want to to shoot him, but it's a long distance, he's moving too quickly, and is surrounded by people. All in all, the attempt would be a waste of an arrow. I turn away again, signaling Marigold to follow me. We slip in through the door of the building and enter a deserted foyer. It's very plain, and so we head for the nearby staircase. The second floor is a long hallway lined with doors. I open the nearest one, and see a simple room inside, plainly furnished. I hear Marigold's breath next to my ear, and she whispers, "It looks like a hotel… except a really, really weird one."

I nod in agreement. The place was certainly in contrast with the city's exterior; instead of a bed, there was a small heap of rags. A couple of wooden chairs were served as the only furniture that I could see, with a cardboard box set between them. With a sigh, I toss my bow down near the pile of rags. "This can serve as our camp, then," I say. "We'd better search the place for food, though… I'm sure there's a kitchen somewhere."

Marigold nods, and we head back downstairs to the foyer. After some poking around, we find a dining room on the main floor with a kitchen next door. Inside, we find a few heaps of fruit and vegetables, a little raw meat, and some bottled water. Marigold also finds fire-building materials stashed in some closet. We haul our findings back upstairs. I begin to build the fire in the middle of the room, and Marigold sorts through the food.

There's silence for a few minutes, before Marigold mutters, "All this stuff is so strange…. Fire-building materials in a closet? What even is that?"

I smile slightly at her tone, and reply, "I suppose that they want this Games to be more interesting than just us starving, but couldn't quite bring themselves to give us a stove, you know?"

Marigold laughs. We continue a lively chatter all the way through our meal. Finally, I stand up and pull down the shades of our window. Behind me, I hear Marigold lock the door. I throw myself down in the rags and resign myself to an uncomfortable night.

Marigold douses the fire, and then scrapes together some of the rags next to me. We lie in silence for a moment, and then she leans her head towards me. She rests it on my shoulder and closes her eyes. I stiffen slightly. I'm entirely unsure of what to do for a moment, which is rare for me. Finally, I relax. I will dispose of Marigold later on, but for now, I need to get her to truly trust me.

I put my arm around her shoulders, a cunning smile curving my lips. Besides, if I'm just going to get rid of her later- I might as well enjoy myself while I can.

I slide gently into sleep, thoughts of betrayal and revenge chasing each other around my mind.

OK, so now we know how everyone began their Games... I'm assuming that the Games started at night, pretty much. The daylight in the arena will be very brief, though, because it's a city, and so it's really bright... plus, it's infinitely more imposing and sweet-looking at night. XD
I'm hoping to get up another chapter this weekend but I shall make no promises. :)