Evie Sage (14) D10F

I hugged my knees to my chest when I got on the train. I was going into the Games, likely blindly. I wasn't much of a planner, so I would have to trust in allies for that. I thought I might be able to get one, but with my skill set, they likely wouldn't be very good.

Shuddering, I closed my eyes while thinking about my dad. He had been in the Games, so I knew what they were. My mother always told me he was a valiant soldier. He had died on the ground like a dog. Nobody wanted to help him. He couldn't even get sponsored a note. People might say that kids couldn't truly understand the Games, but they were wrong.

I got jolted out of my thougts when Bessie sat down beside me. "What do ya need, Evie?"

I looked at her askance for a second before confiding in her. "I'm scared."

Bessie chuckled. "Now, hun, that's nothin' to be afraid of! Everybody's scared for the Games." She leaned in and whispered, "I hear even the Careers get scared. I was scared, too, and I'm still scared sometimes."

"But you're a Victor!" I protested. "How can you still be scared?"

"Well, the Games are a scary place. I worry for the kids goin' in, of course, but sometimes nightmares happen. Again, even the Careers have bad thoughts about the Games. Nero would never admit it, but he was a screamer when he got back. Heck, he was a screamer in his Games!" she laughed. "But you should be fine," she reassured me.

"I can't plan," I told her. "And I can't run. If I get attacked I'm doomed!"

"Naw. There's gotta be something you excel at! Lemme guess... You like traps," she finally continued, smiling at me.

"I wouldn't say I excel at them," I replied slowly. "But I know a little bit about them, yeah." I tucked my chin into my knees while I waited for her response.

She scooted a little closer, and I resisted the urge to scoot away. I wasn't adverse to her as a person, but I wasn't exactly a touchy-feely person. "Naw! I'm sure you're great at those things. Probably caught some rabbits back at home, too!"

"No!" I shrieked. I could never hunt a rabbit. They were too much like my horses.

"Well, I'm sure you could catch some ugly old frogs," Bessie quickly recovered.

"I guess, yeah," I agreed.

"Now, don't ya feel better?"

. "Thanks. What do you know about the Games?"

"Well, seeing as I lived through 'em, I know a bit. First of all, don't die." For most people that would be annoying to hear, but I could tell she was being lighthearted, so I laughed. "And don't run into the Cornucopia. That's a no. You'd get injured." I knew she deliberately didn't say mortally, but I minded less now. Things were less scary with Bessie around.

"What's your talent?" I asked her when she ran out of advice. I didn't want to be alone on the train, and I knew she would stay if I asked her a question.

"I'm an artist. I'm no good at it, but the Capitolites sure love my work. My latest painting is "Red line on White Paper. It's deep and thoughtful," she joked.

"Is it seriously just a red line?"

Bessie nodded. "Yeah. Capitolites are crazy. The Capitol sells my work for wild cash and the paint is dirt cheap. But, hey! It works for me and it works for them. Just gotta make life work," she advised. "Gotta make life work."

I smiled. I knew she was right. She got up to leave, and I felt a bit better. I knew I still probably wouldn't win the Games, but I could worry about that later. For now, I had to make life work. I could probably improvise in the Games, since my plan would just get me killed anyways. I would follow Bessie's advice to the end.

Nebojsa "Neb" Imanzi (18) D10M

I had to work on planning. Bessie was talking with Evie, leaving me mentorless. I didn't mind. Bessie would probably just get in the way. I had to work on a plan on my own. Besides, Bessie seemed to nice to accept the fact that a nice guy couldn't win the Games. I would have to be willing to be harsh if I wanted a chance, which I obviously did.

Of course, I could use an ally. I didn't necessarily need one, but one could be useful. They would have to know what they were doing. I was trying to win, not give away charity. If my ally pulled their weight, they could work with me and we could be together. If they turned into a baby or broke something, or if I learned they couldn't kill, they would be out. I didn't need someone pulling me down.

I quickly realized that I should work more on weapons than survival. After all, everyone from Ten knew some survival stuff, and surviving wouldn't get me through the Games, anyways. It would be useful and it would get me a ways, but I would have to fight someone. The Gamemakers wouldn't let me get out of the Games unscathed.

Getting out of the Games unscathed wasn't very important to me. As long as my injuries weren't life-threatening, I would be fine. I could even get injured pretty harshly without being too worried. I was a vet; I knew medicine. Assuming I had access to medicine, of course. I would have to grab some stuff from the Bloodbath.

The Bloodbath was a dilemna. Of course, I wanted all of the precious items stocked in the Cornucopia. However, it might not be worth the risk. I could easily get myself killed if I ran in headfirst. I settled on running in a little bit but darting if someone came too close. Some bandages were not worth causing the wound I intended to save myself from.

Someone knocked on my door, but I ignored them. I was planning. I didn't have time for discussion. If I wanted to talk to people, my door wouldn't be closed. They could talk to me when I started looking for allies. Now it was time to plan. I couldn't do anything else. I was focused.

The person kept knocking, and I finally broke down and let them in. "What is it?!" I snapped at them. "What do you need?"

I was greeted by Bessie backing away from the door. "Whoa, I just wanted to help. I figured you weren't hearin' me, so I knocked louder." She grinned at me, and I wasn't sure if it was taunting or playful.

"Well, I don't need help. I'm planning now. I need to concentrate." Bessie looked at me like she had a big secret, but she walked away without saying anything else. I slowly realized that she would probably be useful, being a Victor, but I shrugged it off. I was going to plan this. I would have to fix our relationship if I wanted sponsors, but for now, I was fine.

I wanted to plan every possible aspect, but I wasn't sure what else to plan for. A weapon should give me food and protection. I guessed that I could use water, and I hoped I would have time to cover that. A weapon would be a higher priority for me, but water would be nice. Maybe the Arena would be full of fresh water. I knew it was unlikely, but it would certainly be lovely. A guy could hope.

Yoooo LCS! Evie is supposed to ally with Dove. Is that fine by you?

Also, I updated the list to show current alliances and who was seeking what allies if anyone cares.