Hey there, I'm baaack. Thankfully I've now finished my large end-of-the-year research paper that was draining most of my writing time. But, that's been submitted now before Thanksgiving so I've found time to write the next chapter since then. It's disappointingly short for such a long wait, however I think it gives you a good first look at the personalities on Team Fiducia. The update schedule should be back to normal now that my research paper is over (thankfully).

Slappinthebassmon: I'm so glad you enjoyed the twist, and I'm glad you liked the way I waited until now to include it. It was definitely tough to hold off on the twist until now so I'm glad that you think it's worth that I did. That said, thank you very much for your review. :) And good luck to your tributes.

Atashi Desu: Nice review! I really liked your first look at the teams and at the multiple method of victory. I also enjoyed reading your analysis of which teams are better/worse and how you think the teams will operate. I think Team Fiducia is a very logical guess for victory, and this is their chapter after all, so we'll see how they work together. Thank you for your review. :p

jaffacakesyumm: Wow, I loved your analysis of the teams, and I liked how to tried to pick out the team leaders of each team. Team leaders are important, and it's important that every team finds the right one. But with clashing personalities, as we've seen so far, it'll definitely be interesting finding the right team leader. So thank you for your review and thank you for that analysis!

tasherekalb: I really enjoyed reading your review and seeing who you think will like their teams/not like their teams and who you think will leave their teams maybe for their district partners. I also liked the ladder you made ranking the teams in order of bloodbath tributes because it REALLY got to show me how good/bad you think each team is. So that was great :) Anyway, thank you so much for your review!

TheOtherFriendlyFinnick: Thank you for reviewing :) I'm glad you've enjoyed the story, and hopefully I answered your question via PM. Thank you for bringing that question up, because I realize now that for people who didn't submit a tribute to the story might have a difficult time realizing what you pointed out. So thank you for that and for your review :)

T1nyDanc3r: Ahaha I'm glad you're supporting your tributes' teams! :D Anyway, I really liked what you said about the teams and about your favorite team. Good luck to them :) And that Alice in Wonderland story sounds freaky :o Anyway, thank you a ton for your review, as usual :)

CelesteIzaFanLolz: I think I've been typing your username the wrong way this whole time, but that's okay. :p Anyway, I'm really glad you like Fiducia and Verum because I really like to see people pick their favorite teams. So thank you for your review :)

ghostleon: Very very solid answers to those questions I think. A good logical guess. And I'm glad you like the team theme. You'll definitely see how this will change things up over the next few chapters. Until then, good luck to your tributes, and thank you for your review :D

HeyyMan: Team Spera is your favorite, eh? I love that everyone has been picking different favorite teams and that the favorites are not one-sided. And I'm super glad you liked the teams twist because it will definitely make for a very different experience. So thank you so much for your review!

Storycake: Woo! I'm glad you liked the twist, and I'm glad you liked the teams, especially Team Honora. I've seen tons of diversity with favorite teams so that's awesome. Anyway, thank you for your review, and good luck to your tributes :)

x FallingAshes x : Heheh, don't worry, I'm a little late with updating too, so no worries :) Anyway, I like that you appreciate the Latin names :) And thank you for answering the question because it really gives me a good look at where the favorite teams are among my readers. So thank you for your review and thank you for reading, as usual :)

NOTE: THE POLL IS STILL UP IN MY PROFILE AND WILL REMAIN UP FOR SEVERAL MORE CHAPTERS. So if you haven't voted, you still have time!

Team Meeting: Fiducia

Team Fiducia

The fourth floor of the training building was reserved solely for the "first" team of the games: Team Fiducia. As the seven tributes, accompanied by their two mentors, stepped off the elevator and into the grand suite the president had earlier described, they were filled with amazement and awe. And almost selfishness. The Capitol had conveniences—from the food to the material objects and now to this, their suite—that some of them couldn't help but imagine how they'd survive before the games if they weren't treated like kings and queens.

As the President had depicted, there were seven bedrooms circling the main living room in a circle. The living room was a gigantic collection of seats and tables, a television, and pictures and ornaments of past games. At the far end of the room was the dining area, something so grand it looked like it came right out of an emperor's castle. There was a kitchen, too, but it would most likely prove worthless to the tributes: the Avoxes would be doing the cooking and cleaning necessary to keep everyone comfortable.

The tributes didn't have long to explore their rooms before Anthrax and Violet ordered a team meeting in the living room. And before they knew it, they were immersed in intense discussion about the games. The discussion was led by the male mentor, a self-proclaimed "genius" when it came to the games. However, Anthrax spent most of the time looking angry and disgusted. Maybe that was just the way all careers—even former ones—acted?

"The plan for the games," Anthrax said, "Is to unite yourselves. That is most important."

"What do you mean?" Rose asked, a little confused.

Anthrax sighed. His didn't like confusion, nor did he like his viewpoints being negatively received. "You won't be together at the start. I can promise you that. From what I've heard, you're going to be split up by the Capitol. So that way, you'll need to find each other."

Most of the tributes didn't like the sound of that. It would be hard enough as it was with three other teams trying to kill them. "So we'll be alone…at the start?" Brett asked, not quite understanding.

"I'm not sure…" Anthrax paused. "The President hasn't told me much. Other than that you won't all start at the same spot, the cornucopia. So I suggest we devise a way to bring ourselves together." Anthrax looked at Violet, the female mentor, out of the corner of his eye. She was listening, but she didn't seem interested in participating.

Tobius said gruffly, "We should all meet somewhere. The highest point in the arena, maybe."

"Or the lowest," Joust suggested. "To keep us out of sight. It'll be easier to conceal ourselves."

"That sounds like a good idea!" Mario piped up excitedly. Even if it wasn't much, he wanted to add to the discussion as best as he could to ensure he looked like a team player. To ensure he looked involved. But still…as he sat there, he thought of Clyde. And of where his loyalty lay…

"We can talk about it more later," Anthrax snapped quickly. "What I want to do is tell you how things are going to operate: us mentors are not allowed in the training rooms, so we won't be able to see the progress your making. But practice as a team. And don't get involved with the other teams. We don't need them to know anything about us, so don't talk to them." He paused, letting his words sink in.

A few of the tributes looked disappointed. Especially Rose, though she looked more annoyed at Anthrax's demands than she did disappointed. Genesis sensed this—Rose's typical anger—and realized she didn't like the career's attitude. "Not talking to the other team. That will be difficult for some of us…" the girl from twelve said, not trying to point fingers, but still trying to point out the obvious. "Rose…" she said as politely as she could, turning to her. But then the career cut her off.

"What?" she asked, her voice sharp. "Stop accusing me of things I didn't even do."

"No one's accusing you…" Brett said, her voice calm and collected, trying to sound supportive of Rose's obviously difficult situation. But Rose just turned on her next.

"Please, I'm a huge asset to this team," she said. "Trust me." The career sounded confident and true, but still…she didn't feel confident or true. Rather, just angry and frustrated.

"You mean you're more committed to this team than your brother?" Tobius asked, putting words in her mouth. He didn't believe that, but if it were somehow true, he would be—as much as he hated to say it—disappointed in her. The thought of Rose and Spider being forced to play the Hunger Games together just brought up memories of his family. And how much he loved his mom and dad and brother. Not even his Hunger Games team could stand between him and the family he cared about. The family…who he longed to see again each and every night since the fire.

Rose squinted her eyes, teeming with anger. "I don't know who I'm more committed to. Maybe I hate him, for all you know. Besides, don't act like you didn't get all cuddly with the girl from seven, Tobius. All of you, as well. I wouldn't believe if you all ditched this team for you and your district partner."

Tobius just laughed mockingly. "Really? You think that? Well, I'd be happy to tell you that we hate each other. So, no, I won't."

And then Kae spoke. "I would never." She shook her head. "Did you see that guy? That Armani guy? He's crazy."

Rose snorted. "Says the girl who lives in district fourteen. I think you have to be pretty messed up in the head to get there too, don't you think?" Her insults were rapid-fire and relentless. But she didn't care. If her team was going to shun her, she would ensure to make them feel hated.

"Please," Anthrax cut in. "This is exactly the kind of thing that shouldn't be happening. We are a team. Not just a group of seven strangers, but a team. No one here, and I mean no one, will be trying to win with their district partner. You will fight together as a team." He looked down at Rose with surprisingly calm eyes. "Even you. Your team is counting on you."

Rose threw up her hands. "I didn't even say anything!"

"Do you all understand me?" Anthrax asked. Everyone nodded, even the tributes who didn't quite want to. "Now," the mentor continued, "Starting tomorrow, I think it would be easier if the males worked with me and the females worked with Violet. I think that'd be the best way to split you all up between us."

Rose scoffed at his suggestion. "Violet," she addressed the mentor angrily, then turned back to Anthrax. "She doesn't even do anything." As she said those words, Violet looked up from the feather boa around her neck and let out a huff.

"Talk to me when you're a victor, sweetie," Violet said, rolling her eyes and looking away. She ran her fingers through her straight golden hair and pouted her cherry-colored lips. She didn't really care how good a mentor she was. She was getting paid heavily for the job, and that was the important part.

Anthrax didn't want to say anything to Violet, but he felt she was being immature. These tributes were going to die without their help…and as much as he hated mentoring seven whiny kids about the ins and outs of winning the games, he knew he couldn't leave them to die. Besides, if the President found out about Violet's laziness…well, he didn't know what Jayce would do…

"But listen guys," Anthrax spoke. "I've looked at the other teams, and we are definitely the strongest. I mean, we have Kae, who's from fourteen. Most fourteen tributes are good." Kae just smiled modestly. "And Joust and Tobius. Career-worthy." The two boys looked at each other, still deciding whether they would be good friends or powerhouse foes. "And we have a career, too," Anthrax continued. "If she's willing to cooperate, she'll be a huge asset."

Rose just folded her arms and kept her mouth shut. Anthrax continued speaking. "And Genesis and Mario and Brett. You're all good, I can tell. As long as you work as a team, something the others won't be able to do, you will win. And you can become the seven victors of the Hunger Games."

There was silence for a moment. The tributes thought about his words, and many of them realized that he was right. Thinking about the other teams—and what clashing personalities they were composed of—there would be squabbles for sure. But then Tobius interrupted the silence. That beautiful silence. "I'm sorry, but…" He looked down at Brett and Mario with a look on condescension in his eyes. "Mario and Brett are…well, they need work." He tried to be friendly about it, but he was having a hard time. His voice didn't sound friendly, and they knew he was looking down upon them as though he were so much greater than they were. "I saw them in training today. They need practice."

Everyone's eyes fell on the two tributes. Brett looked genuinely hurt, and Mario had a nervous look in his eye. He didn't know why, but he felt like his team was against him. As strange as that sounded, he wondered if Tobius caught on to the way he was speaking with Clyde earlier that afternoon and was subtly calling him out on it. He fixed his hair nervously to drive away the anxiety.

"But…" Brett said, sighing. "No." She shook her head. "Didn't you…see me sword-fighting today? I…I did! And I was good at it, too!" She tried to sound convincing, to sound appealing. She didn't want to seem whiny, but she was afraid the other tributes just weren't listening to her.

Tobius didn't directly answer her. "I just think we can't be so cocky. The fact is that we're not the best team here, unless we train."

"Which team do you think is better?" Kae wondered.

"Verum," Tobius answered without hesitation. "The have too many careers and strong tributes." Then he looked back at Brett and Mario.

Mario pleaded with him, "Please, I'm better than you think! I'm good with electronics. I come from district three!" He paused for a second, thinking. He chose his next words carefully, unsure of whether he wanted to say them anyway. "My parents make the electronics for the games…" Then he said more quietly, "So…I know a little bit."

For a moment the others were too shocked to speak. Did he just say…? Yes, he did. They couldn't believe it. "Wow!" Brett said excitedly. "So you…you must know a lot, then?"

Before Mario could respond, Tobius cut in. "Are you serious?" he asked, incredulous.

"Yeah."

Tobius just shook his head. "Your parents make the electronics for the Hunger Games, yet…you're in the games?"

All eyes were on Mario. "What do you mean?" he asked, slowly understanding what Tobius was hinting at.

"Isn't that strange? Couldn't your parents have argued? I mean…they work for the Capitol. Isn't it a little…unfair that you get put in the games? For everything your parents do…?"

Mario hadn't thought about that. Rather, he didn't want to think about it. It was no lie the thought had been in his mind. It had been there for days. But he forced it out. It hadn't made sense to him. It didn't seem fair to him. So…he didn't think about it. He didn't want to think about the way his parents were betrayed by the Capitol. Or…worse yet…the way he was betrayed by his parents.

"Couldn't your parents have argued?" Tobius's words were in his head. He was right. Couldn't they have? They could've argued that he was their son. They argued a little bit, he remembered. They cried, they screamed. They demanded that it was unfair. The yelled his name, the cursed at the Capitol, his mother kicked wildly at the Peacekeeper trying to hold her back But still…they hadn't tried hard enough. And for the past four years of his life…not hard enough. He was like any other kid. He had no immunity from the games…

"I…" Mario didn't have the words. He just looked hurt, as much as he tried to hide it.

"Let's not let that bother us," Anthrax demanded as kindly as he could. "We don't have time to worry about that. We have preparations to make. We need to learn why it's good that we're all here. That we're all on the same team. Not dwell on the sadness. So, I suggest first that we all explain our strengths. Physical strengths…mental strengths…whatever."

"Okay," Kae spoke up first. "I'm fast. I'm good at knife throwing." She thought for a second. "And survival skills. I mean, I know how to start a fire."

"Knife throwing…" Tobius repeated her words, thinking and nodding. That would prove useful, if she really were any good. "Me, I'm good at axe-throwing. And knives and swords. I can fist-fight pretty well, too." He thought back to his years in the Community Home, where he was the most hated child there. Yes…he was certainly good at fist-fighting…

"You know mine," Brett said.

"Poor sword-fighting?" Rose asked genuinely.

Brett gasped over-dramatically. "No!" She shook her head rapidly. "I'm good, I really am. And besides, I'm good for other things, too. Like climbing…and, like Kae said, survival." She looked kindly to the district fourteen girl with whom she had been speaking that training day. She liked Kae, she really did. And they didn't even know each other that well. But from what Brett could tell, Kae was everything good that Rose was not.

"You sound great. So useful," Rose said sarcastically. "I'm good with knives." Her voice was faultless. "And running. I can chase anyone down," She looked at the Anthrax out of the corner of her eye, "and slit their throat."

Mario just shuddered as she said that. Certainly…certainly she wouldn't do that to her own teammates, right? He didn't know if he could believe she wouldn't, but he tried. "I'm, well…" He thought hard for a way to make himself sound more impressive than he actually was. "I'm great with technology. And…bombs." He left out that he was a fast runner for fear that Rose would take it as some sort of insult on her skills.

"Bombs?" Joust asked, squinting his eyes. His voice was deep and unrevealing. "Those can be…useful."

"Bombs?" Genesis repeated. "Where can we find a bomb in the arena? Or, the materials to make one, even?"

"That depends on the arena," Anthrax answered. "Maybe the materials will be readily available. Maybe not."

"Or you could get sponsored them," Rose said matter-of-factly. But in her mind, she knew someone as physically unimpressive as Mario was would never appeal to the sponsors.

"That sounds great," Mario said, more excitedly than he should have. "I really, really hope so."

Anthrax looked from the boy over at Genesis. "And you, Genesis? Your strengths?"

"Fist-fighting," she said. "And survival." And then she paused and looked nervously over at Rose. "And…daggers." She spoke the words with attempted innocence, trying to sound neither aggressive nor confident. The last thing she needed was Rose feeling threatened by a fellow knife-wielder. It was hard to not come off as cocky and rebellious, as was her nature, but Genesis knew she needed to back down. This time.

The career rose her eyebrows. "Knives?" she asked. "We should practice together, tomorrow."

"Of course." The girl's voice was as calm as it could have been in the presence of her newest enemy—her "teammate".

And then Joust spoke. "My preferred weapon is the katana. Any kind of sword will do, though." He said no more, but let his teammates and mentors absorb his words however they wanted. But most of them, given his immense physical size and obvious strength, knew he would be a force to be reckoned with, and a great addition to their team. Even Anthrax, the former career, had to admit that.

"Look at that," the mentor said. "We have sword-fighters, knife throwers. A…bomb-builder. Tobius, the axe-thrower. This is a very diverse team. And a smart team. And…" he looked down at Rose. "We have our career." He looked down at the possibly traitorous girl. As much as he didn't want to, he couldn't hate her. No…he respected his fellow careers. Even if he thought they were untrustworthy. Even if he thought they would sell out their entire team for themselves and their career brother. No…careers had to stick together he remembered. He couldn't hate her.

First look at Team Fiducia right there!

I'd love to hear what you have to say about our first team, and I'd love to see how you'd answer this question: Who do you think will be the team leader(s) of Team Fiducia (if any)?

Thank you!