As promised...Lucian Drake returns. Next update should be Saturday, barring complications.

I turn my head to look at Galla, who is crossing her arms and fidgeting quite a bit, she also has a sour expression on her face as usual, as if she's so hardened to her environment that she can't take anything with amusement.

I bounce my apple in my palm and clear my throat, indicating that I'd like to initiate some sort of conversation with the cautious girl. I find that if I initiate this rather than just begin it, she wouldn't be as hesitant to respond. She's a shy girl, but she's got that fiery nature that can get her substantially far if she's as quick in her wit as she is her feet.

"Galla, I've been meaning to speak with you."

She darts her dark eyes towards mine as quickly as a cat's, and although I cannot visibly see it, her mind is an armed fortress, just ready to strike at the slightest of dangers.

Yes, this girl has the potential to make it quite far.

"Did it have to be in here? No offense or anything, but this is…a rather uncomfortable space to hold a conversation in, don't you think?"

I give the smallest of smiles, but I will not relent. This is something that must be done.

"Yes, I understand that Galla. But this is something that cannot be helped; this is something that must be done privately."

Galla's eyes widen but her eyebrows never twitch; she obviously doesn't trust me. Who would? She's always on the defense, which has its positives and negatives.

"Not to worry, Galla. I'm not perverted, nor am I going to strangle you. I simply want to discuss some things."

Galla hesitates when she sees we're nearing the level of the Training Center, but I'm already one step ahead of her, I push another button on the elevator and we continue to elevate.

"No need to worry about that, we'll just keep elevating until this conversation is finished. I assure you, this won't take long. I promise you that," I say with a reassuring smile.

Galla crosses her arms and squints her eyes at me again, which I assume is my signal to begin this discussion.

"Galla, do you know why I chose an apple as opposed to the wide assortment of other exotic fruits?"

Galla gives me an incredulous look and runs her hand through her hair in annoyance, "Are we seriously talking about…fruit? Can't we just…we have to train-"

I cut her off with a wave of my hand, "Galla, I promise you this discussion will lead into more important topics, but this question must be answered first. Just take an educated guess," I bounce the apple in my palm some more.

Galla gives a small sigh and studies the bouncing fruit. "Um…I guess, you like apples? I don't know!"

"No, Galla, that was a perfectly reasonable answer. I can understand the assumption; I presume it's the first thing you thought of? However, I'm afraid the answer lies deeper than that, but I can give you the truth just this once," I said, now examining the fruit myself, my eyes getting lost in the shiny, scarlet texture.

"You see, the apple is a very ancient fruit, and were widely available in the Old World. My family had an obsession for ancient artifacts; I guess you could assume they were like a bunch of historians. Did you know that the apple was considered a "wicked fruit" back in those times? Apparently, someone had eaten this fruit in ancient times and thus the first great act of evil had been committed in the world."

Galla simply stared, not exactly annoyed, but seemingly confused. It appears she shows some interest, her eyes linger on the fruit in heavy contemplation. The only visible signs she shows of listening is the fact that she gives small nods every time I glance at her.

"This fruit, is considered the most evil of them all. Funny isn't it?" I say as I toss the apple high in the air again.

Galla doesn't respond, and she only eyes the apple even more.

"Depending if you truly understand the connection or not, this could lead into the much more important discussion of what we're going to do once we play the Games."

Galla swallows, almost as if she has a lump stuck in her throat. This is a topic she wasn't expecting, but if I don't tell her now, it could cost her entire life.

I stop bouncing the apple and breathe deeply before I speak, indicating the importance albeit heaviness of the fact I'm about to tell her.

"Galla, I need you to stay away from me once we hit the Arena."

Galla's surprise is evident in her eyes, and they scan me up and down at least ten times in less than five seconds. OK, this doesn't seem like anything she was expecting to hear.

Galla swallows again, but continues to stare at me, with a particularly dangerous look in her eyes now, "That's fine, it's not like I was going to get in an alliance anyway. I could do just fine on my own. But if you think you're going to kill me so easily-"

I cut her off again, "Galla, please. For once, regard this information without consulting in your emotions. I-"

"-My emotions have nothing to do with this."

"Please, do not take it personally, Galla. It didn't matter if you wanted to ally with me or not, or if I wanted to ally with you. This is something I just cannot do. I wouldn't have told you this if I did not show some care for you. You are my partner after all."

Galla considers this, and her guard backs down just a bit. She gives an inward sigh and tries to figure my reasoning. "OK, but is there a reason why?"

I just shake my head, hesitant and confused myself. I grab Galla by the shoulders, showing her the amount of importance that this possibly means. She looks at me oddly, but doesn't relent.

"Galla, you must promise me. Once the Games begin, run as far away from me as you can, don't even look at me. Just run, and of course, watch for anyone else too. But most importantly, just get away from me as soon as you can. And understand, I do not mean this as a threat; I mean this as a plea. Promise me."

Galla appears to be deep in thought now, I'm sure she understood my meaning; I had emphasized it quite clearly.

"Alright… I promise."

I let go of her shoulders and nod my head as the elevator descends back down to the Training Center level, while the rest of the trip is quiet. Galla does not seem guarded anymore, but she appears to be thinking very heavily about something.

Good, that is what I had expected from her.

As the elevator doors open, I decide to tell her one last thing to puzzle over, "It's a shame I will never get the opportunity to see you emerge victorious with my own eyes," I mutter quietly.

I walk through the doors, allowing her to fully ponder my meaning.

I decide to take a different route to the Center than Galla does, simply because I want to arrive at a slower pace, and to diminish any possibility of her questioning me.

I examine the gold adorned walls. A soft white paint emanating the color of bone covers the entire canvas and ceiling. Silver etched diamonds are also embedded into the white paint, while the gold adornment exquisitely trails around the diamonds like a snake. The carpeting along this path is completely absent; it's a dark marble tile where each footstep echoes off the fancy walls. The path there isn't too long, but I've become so entranced in my surroundings that I fail to detect the presence of two others standing before me in the hallway, a few meters away from the Training Center entrance.

I almost collide with one of the men, and have to back up to avoid contact. I recognize one of the men as Canicus, the Career leader. The other man he is talking with appears to be the District One escort, Creon. His golden-enhanced hair is perfectly shaped with a small spike in the front, giving him a very fresh and normal appearance despite his Capitolite status. His metallic looking eyes already tell me that he's scowling at me.

Canicus's mouth closes abruptly in mid-sentence and he eyes me distractedly, his eyes flick back and forth between Creon and I and he inwardly sighs and leans against the wall while Creon continues to eye me with muted distaste. Both men emit a terrible air of silent frustration, and it is quite apparent that they were in the middle of an argument.

I slightly grin at Creon while I bounce the apple in my hands, "Sorry about that."

Canicus has an arrogant looking smile plastered on his face as he eyes the fruit in my hand. His dark hair falls into his eyes before he flicks it to the side, staring at me with bored and seemingly careless eyes, "Please, I didn't mind your interruption. Matter of fact, I was just about to leave," he mutters, staring daggers at Creon.

Canicus shrugs off the wall but Creon extends his bony hand and shoves him against the surface, quite roughly for such a slim man. Canicus swipes Creon's skeletal hand away faster than Creon can pull it away himself, but he doesn't appear fazed.

"Don't you dare walk through that door until I've finished with you, boy. I've dealt with your kind before, and don't think I'm not willing to smack that stupid little smirk right off you," Creon says, jabbing his finger in the air in front of Canicus.

At this point, they've already seemed to ignore my presence and I could have already swept past them and into the Center. I even thought I saw Galla walk through the doors from the opposite hallway, but honestly, this is way too amusing to pass up. Last year, Creon was rumored to have a very difficult relationship with his tributes. I'm not going to miss a chance to watch a fistfight. I'm leaning on one shoulder, twirling the apple by its stem, staring fixatedly at the crimson fruit, occasionally stealing glances at the amusing interaction between Creon and his tribute.

Creon flashes Canicus a wicked looking smile, and it quickly transforms into a scowl that equally matches Canicus's. "See what I mean? Too stubborn, ever so temperamental. The last jackass I had to deal with was the same exact way; sarcastic, moody, and rebellious, and look where it took him-straight to his own demise!"

Canicus leans against the wall again, and groans as Creon lectures him some more. Creon is already snapping his fingers at Canicus to get his attention, while he is now staring inside the glass doors of the Training Center. Canicus nods his head in greeting at someone inside, presumably one of the Careers.

Canicus rolls his eyes and shakes his head.

It looks as if the argument could go on for days, but a loud and commanding feminine voice echoes down the hall. I look behind me towards the new guest and see another one of the Careers, Admire Blanchard, strutting down the corridor as if she owned the entire place.

This must be his partner, may the gods help us all.

"There you are Creon! Creon, I thought you said you would escort me to the Center! And here I find you socializing with these…charming boys," she declared in a flirtatious yet arrogant edged voice.

Creon is now rubbing his temples with his hand, appearing as if plagued by a migraine. Canicus chuckles at Creon and salutes us as he heads through the Center doors.

Admire's eyes linger on mine for a tad second longer than I had cared for as she made her way over to Creon, who was now the poster-boy of frustration.

Admire holds her arm out for Creon's to take, "Shall we?"

Creon begrudgingly relents and sighs as he takes her arm and they walk into the Center.

How…interesting.

I had basically just met the entirety of District One, and if I hadn't had defiled my commandment I probably would have left earlier, but if I broke it, I might as well relish in the freedom and sin while I can.

I'm alone in the hallway again, and I only see a few tributes go through the doors, except from the opposite hallway. My solitude only lasts a few moments before I hear the sound of light footsteps coming down the corridor.

A girl with shoulder length dark hair, who I recognize as Anya Powers, strolls cat-like through the hallway, regarding me with a careful expression.

Anya slows down to a halt when she sees that I'm still leaning on the wall and hesitates before turning her head and calling out to me.

"You going in or what?"

I think carefully before I answer, solely because I'm not quite sure what to say at the moment. "I suppose. I'm not exactly sure why I'm even out here to begin with."

Anya half-nods and beckons me over to walk with her inside, "Come on then, the paint is already dry."

I follow her through the glass doors into the Center, noticing the smell of liquor hovering around her.

If I had to despise any scent, alcohol would be the worst.

We walk through the large expanse of the dim-lit Center, noting the large assortment of different stations.

"Don't tell me you're gonna sit there tying knots the whole time like you did yesterday. If you are, I wouldn't mind joining you. Just saying."

I toss the apple in my hand again as we walk through the Center, following the fruit with a focused gaze, "Hm, I'm afraid not. I suppose I will just wander today, might even use a blade or two."

Anya regards me with slight disappointment, "Eh, well in that case. Drake, is it? Been a pleasure, Mr. Drake. But the day's too short to do any training. I'll be stalking the Careers if ya need me."

And so begins my little adventure through the Center, featuring approximately 30 minutes of eavesdropping on my competition. 30 minutes of trying to fit together and run through every piece of my plan, and 30 minutes to gain more insight on the weaknesses of the people around me.

And there isn't enough time.

It will be impossible to fit everything that is needed to be done in 30 minutes, and I have to prioritize. I won't be talking with anyone, but I will be wandering today. And wandering, appearing like a wisp is something that I have perfected while sneaking around the streets of District 12.

Today is the shortest of the Training Days, and if you got here early, then hats off to you. You have about 45 minutes to fit every last objective of yours into that time period. It is a horrible period of time for the Careers, because they train the most. While it would have been amusing to take up all of their time by interacting with them, that's something I could not see myself doing unless I was willing enough to attempt it. Which I am not.

Unfortunately, I have priorities of my own. My chaos and destruction does not begin here, and I'm not bored enough to do anything drastic. I took a pill not 20 minutes ago, and the effect will last a good 2-3 days more. Fortunately for everyone else, at the moment, I'm comfortably numbed.

In the midst of quietly traveling from station to station, I came to overhear that the Private Training Sessions were going to take place later today. Usually, the Private Sessions occur tomorrow, but apparently the Quell is experimenting with some new implemented features of the Games.

My apple is still uneaten, but just as red and ripe. I have made a habit of bouncing it up and down in my palm. It helps me think, and I have odd habits to begin with. Still, I have little to no clue how I'm going to spend the next 25 minutes…

"Well, well, well! Would ya look here? 'Ello there friend!" says a voice I can easily recognize.

I can't help but smirk as I hear it, and I almost forgot the interaction that occurred between us yesterday. I didn't think this guy had it in him to stick around me, but I'm glad he did-but I'm also glad I did. You see, in my desperate attempt to get to know some other Tributes, I had stumbled upon the boy's bathroom…of all places. I wish I could say I didn't meet a single person in a bathroom, but in all honesty I made a good amount of talk with some people. Of course, I had to change my attitude every now and then, you know, experiment a little…

I turn around, bouncing the apple in my hand continuously, and stare at someone that two days ago I never would have allowed myself to come into contact with.

"Well, mate, you sure know how to make an impression," says Con Rossencourte, the sly and mischievous District Four tribute for this year.

I chuckle, taking on one of my more charismatic qualities when talking with a guy like this. When it comes to conversing, I'm unpredictable.

"I could say the same thing about you, Con," I grin at the gold coin that is being flipped in his hands, the damn thing catching my eye again.

At first, I didn't trust this guy. He seemed…rather dishonest when I had first met him, but when I considered the possibilities…this was the best thing that could have had ever happened. I could definitely use someone like him for my plans, someone with information, someone with connections, and someone with class. This guy fits the description.

"Ah guess I just have that certain, eh…style!" Con exclaims with an intriguing accent, as he runs his hand through his red hair and delicately covers his right eye with the scarlet mane.

We're currently at a station where there aren't any other tributes at the moment, and it's a fine opportunity to get in a conversation with someone that could help a guy like me out.

I lean against the station stand while a Capitolite trainer stares at us dully, trying to find something interesting to look at while attempting to teach Anya how to spar. Why Anya is sparring in the first place is beyond me, but a slight whiff of alcohol is present in the air. That about gives me all the confirmation I need. Anya keeps dropping her sword, and the trainer is basically just standing there with his arms crossed, not even bothering to grab a sword of his own.

"Ah think you ought to hold on to the sword when ya swing it, doll!" scoffs Con.

Anya responds by promptly giving Con the middle finger; such a charming girl.

I look back at Con, who seems to find some amusement in the "sparring" session next door to us. "Con, what could you possibly mean by style?" I joke.

"What ah mean to say, mate, is you aren't gonna get the lovelies if you don't got the style to back it up", he smoothes his jacket down and flips it open dramatically as he winks to a female tribute walking near us, "Am ah rahght, or amah rahght?"

The girl walking by looks at him with disgust, flipping her hair and trying to appear dignified as she walks away quickly and tries to avoid his sneaky grasp. I don't like to leave a guy hanging, especially if he could prove of use to you later.

I stare coolly at the girl walking away from Con and decide to do just that, "Hey! You, girl walking away! Let me talk to you for a second, I could use some help over here," I holler while bouncing my apple.

Con stares at me incredulously, but I wave my hand to dismiss his concern. "Sometimes Con, that doesn't always work. Perhaps you just need to be more assertive, like this," I sneer and grab the girl by the arm as she walks towards me, still trying to avoid Con.

"What the hell? Get your hands off me!" the girl shouts at me, struggling to leave my grasp.

She puts on a hell of a fight, that's for sure. She doesn't look like a Career, but she sure acts like one. Con doesn't know this girl either, which is why he's nearly falling on the floor laughing at the struggle.

I throw the apple at Con and he catches it easily, still snickering at the girl in my grasp.

"Not… to worry Con. I've done this…many…times." I huff, trying to control my breathing while I twist the girl's arm around and slam her into the wall I was leaning on.

The girl is still struggling, but she can't do much now because if she moves her arm, it would be her own undoing.

"What the hell do you want? Let me go, asshole! I'll tear you apart, and what the hell are you laughing at, freak?" the girl shouts angrily.

Con pats me on the back, "Potential, mate! You've got potential."

"Alright, Con. She's all yours. Now, about that style…" I say with sarcasm, grinning as Con throws my apple back and he takes hold of the still struggling girl's arm.

"Hey there, doll. The name's Con. Con Rossencourte, and ahm here to satisfy your needs and fulfill your wildest dreams," he slyly says to her as he struggles to grasp hold of her arm.

"Leave her alone!" a male voice shouts from behind us. I roll my eyes and stare at the hero of the day.

Con grins at our newest visitor, "Nothing to see here, mate! We have this all under control; ah think business would best suit you elsewhere!"

"I don't think so. I want you to let her go, and if you don't, then I'll have no problem slitting your throats in your sleep, and my partner wouldn't mind either," says the average looking boy, walking up to us with a tensed expression, ready to defend his apparent District partner at any moment.

I lean on a column near the stand, and twirl the apple by its stem, staring at the dull-looking boy and the hilarious scene before me.

This boy must be half-crazed. Whether he knows it or not, he's confronting a Career, and especially a Career like Con, whereas he's got connections with the Leader, this won't end pretty if Canicus sees this nonsense.

"Forget about it, kid. This heroic scheme will only end in your suffering," I hiss at the boy from behind him, and he twirls around faster than lightning, attempting to scowl at me.

This is just another act by someone who obviously doesn't have what it takes.

Con cracks up again and the girl he was holding against the wall runs from his grip and to her knight in…rusty armor. "Hah! You bastards don't know who you're messing with, and just wait until the Arena! Just wai-"

The girl is cut off by the dramatic entrance of the Careers, which consists of Canicus, Jet, and Sade who have come to investigate the scene.

"What's this all about? Con, you associating with afterthoughts again?" says Canicus arrogantly, towering over both District 9 tributes.

While Con explains the mess, Jet glares at me with icy-blue eyes that could freeze anybody's bones solid. Jet has been staring at me ever since I got in here, and it's safe to assume that he doesn't like me. Earlier at the Edible Plants station, he did the same thing while he was training with Sade. He's pretty good at the Botany thing, scored a high 20 while Sade scored a measly 5. Nevertheless, his stare does nothing to me; it doesn't faze me in the least bit. That's mainly due to the fact that I don't care, but also because I have an equally intimidating stare. There's no clear winner, because we're basically equally intimidating, but he looks away first.

Canicus regards the two tributes before him with a stern expression, and rubs his chin as Con retells the scuffle. Canicus scowls and grips Con's shoulder hard, yanking him away like a doll. "I'll deal with you later," his voice holds a hard edge to it.

The power he holds over the children…it's…quite intriguing. He's got their wills at his fingertips!

Canicus finally shoos Sade and Jet away and beckons Con to leave, "Let's go Con, we've got to discuss some things before we're out of time. We've only got about 18 minutes to spare. "

Con shakes my hand in farewell, "Well, looks like my time here is done. Ah would look forward to seeing more of ya. The Boss doesn't like to play around though, and ah've got no choice. Farewell until the Games, mate!"

I firmly shake his hand, "Viddy well, friend."

Con walks off with the group, flipping his coin and insulting various tributes with his blunt remarks.

Well, that's that then, and what a show it was!

Soon thereafter, a muffled boom echoes around the entire building, and several tributes look up. Another boom. And another. Another. It sounds like it's coming from outside, and a few beats later a muffled roar descends on the building and ceiling. More muffled booms follow.

Rain, and lots of it. So foul and fair a day I have not seen.

I can't help but notice a peculiar and solitary girl sitting cross-legged on the ground near a station, looking up at the ceiling with the most obvious pain I've ever seen. This girl must hate rain.

My glance is interrupted when I feel a weight on my shoulder, and see Armani at my side, out of breath and coated with sweat.

"Let me tell you, I don't blame my sister for stirring up trouble while she was here. Excuse my language, but this place is boring as shit."

Sean takes his arm off my shoulder and wipes his sweat-drenched face with his shirt, while I bounce the apple in my hand.

Sean is a likeable guy, and despite his notoriety around District 10 and the Capitol's distaste for him, he's a good back-up to have. Just like Con, I had come about Sean in the bathroom…of all places. He seemed to be giving himself a pep-talk in the mirror, washing his face and trying to calm down his nerves; I put on my happy-mask and went to work on obtaining some sort of friendship. Obviously, he stuck around. It's obvious the Capitol sent him here, and only his sister can be blamed for that.

"Treadmill?" I inquire.

"Worse, elevator was full. Some Peacekeepers were trying to detain some red-head."

Alexis…

Sean kneels, elbow on one leg, contemplating the field around him. "My sister didn't feel like taking care of it today."

"Your sister still here?"

Sean looks at me with confusion, "Of course, she's my mentor isn't she? Why do you ask?"

I twirl the apple in my hands, glaring into the scarlet reflection, glaring into a crimson world, "I would like to speak with her if she gets a chance, ask her about the Arena, what it was like to…kill."

Sean lightly chuckles, "Well, you'll see soon enough. The Games are but a few days away. She refuses to admit it, you know. I can see it in her eyes…she knows it's not over…It's sickening really."

"Are you afraid, Sean?"

Sean stares at me, with a look I can't fathom, "I wish I wasn't."

Sean's words echo through my mind, and the storm just makes it all the more impacting. I still can't believe it myself. My dreams will come true but a few days away and everything is coming together as planned. I've come this far…and yet, sometimes I wonder why I even came here myself.

"Neither of us knows what we're doing here, nor do we know what's in store for us."

Sean gives a solemn nod and looks back at me curiously, "Why are you here, Lucian? Piss your parents off or something?"

Why am I here?

I can't take my eyes off the apple, so I just stare deeper at the red. I can't even bear to look him in the eye, because honestly, I'd be lying if I said I completely knew. "I can't tell you that, Sean. I don't even completely know myself. I guess I'm just…a little too fond of death is all."

Sean snorts, "I guess you could say we're all just a bunch of suicidal teenagers. That…or borderline psychotic. Except the one who makes it out...And I guess they don't really win anyway."

I decide to lighten the mood with some of my signature dark humor, because right now, Sean looks miserable, and I don't have to be an expert at reading emotions to see that.

"Look on the bright side, if you care to hear about your demise, you can hear it free from Maeve over there. Then you won't have to improvise your last words!"

Sean cracks a wide smile, and he gets up and stretches before leaving.

I'm left there to think. I linger around the knot tying station, reflecting on previous days, trying to decide which one had been the most useful for me. I simply just stand and toss my apple back and forth, conflicted with a whole variety of things.

I gesture to a Capitolite who is wandering around checking each station for any spear accidents like the first day, probably the same one who had to spar with a wasted Anya.

"Hey, you know how much time is left?"

The Capitol trainer looks at his watch with the same sullen expression I've seen him constantly carry, "I'd say about uh, 13 minutes".

I nod my head in thanks and the dull man continues on.

Perhaps I can ponder, if only a little.

I begin to twirl the apple by its stem and lean on the knot-tying stand, thinking of earlier days.

Perhaps it may seem odd to others that I have done little to nothing in the first two days of Training, and this cannot be explained in simple words. Honestly, the first day was my most productive. That was the day where first impressions were made and my plans began. It was difficult in the respect that I had to talk to everyone except the Careers, but only while they were alone.

The Second day was entirely different, and it consisted of excessive pondering and complex knot-tying. Every single plan which was conjured up began a new knot on the rope, and possible advantages and appealing goals would make the knot tied tighter. However, if there was a flaw in the logic of the plan, it was on to a completely new knot. The most complex knots were fail-proof plans, and there were only but a few of those. It was a tedious process, and it may have looked wasteful, but there was a strict reason for what I was doing. I have a reason for everything I do; I don't just do things because I have nothing else to do.

It's just like when I speak; if there's nothing of importance to be said then there's little point in saying anything at all.

I never like to go halfway with my actions, everything is taken with utmost focus and intensity, and if not, then it was a considerable waste of my time. If I have a plan, and I see an opportunity, I will not hesitate to take action. I'm naturally rather impulsive, and I've been trying to work on discontinuing the "shoot first, talk later" strategies, simply because I don't have the height or muscle to back strategies like that up.

Besides the knot-tying, I also observed the weaknesses of some tributes. I pin-pointed a few of the harder ones on the first day, and on the second day I observed from a distance. There were some painfully obvious ones too, which I spotted within the first few minutes. For example, it wasn't difficult figuring out Londyn from District 6 was blind, and today I even figured out that Anya was a drunk, which does not surprise me.

I decide to observe Canicus, because he's been giving me trouble as of late with his weakness. I can't figure it out. He's currently talking with Jet, both of them seemingly heavily discussing something of great importance. So much for "working his ass off".

I've concluded that Canicus has an attitude problem, which isn't uncommon when you're a Career. He's a bit arrogant, and it seems like he has some superiority issues. He makes little time for others, and he has a bit of a temper streak as well. On the First Training day he destroyed a Capitolite trainer in a sparring session. Whatever problems that may plague Canicus would have to be internal. Although, Canicus does make it an effort to stretch before his sessions.

I continue to stare at the fruit that I've been toying with for so long; the perfect scarlet color, one of my favorites.

How could such a fruit be so sinister?

My thoughts were interrupted by evil itself…or something bloody near close to it.

"Excuse me, could you be so kind as to show me how to work this station?"

Admire Blanchard…this girl had her eye on me earlier for a reason. Shit.

I don't know what to say or how to say it, because I am surprised. I am surprised and confused, but mostly surprised.

I hate surprises.

Admire stands uncomfortably close to me, with that crooked and arrogant looking smile on her deceiving face, "Hm? Come on now, man up and show a girl how to tie a knot," Admire taps my cheek playfully and winks.

I simply stare at her with a blank expression and hope I wouldn't lose control, because I didn't want to make a scene. I was significantly annoyed, so very much annoyed.

I have to focus on my apple or else I'll try to strangle her right here and now, "Is there something you require…of actual importance?" I continue to twirl my apple, staring at the maroon shape as it twirls in the air like a marionette.

Admire grabs a piece of rope from the station and beckons me over, which I ignore. "Don't you want to help me? Don't tell me you're afraid of pretty girls. I mean, that's like the worst way to win me over, you know?"

Admire stands there, arms crossed with the dangling rope in her right. She stares at me with harmless inquisition, but I notice a bit of anger looming in her eyes.

Every damn Career was looking at the exchange between us, including Canicus who was obviously displeased to see me messing with the Careers again. Jet stared at me in particular, with silent animosity, whispering to himself or something. Con had his hand in his face, laughing like hell.

Admire swallowed and tightened her jaw, but continued dangling the rope in my face. In a desperate attempt to get through to me, she grabbed my arm and whispered dangerously low to me, "Surely, I know you must find me attractive, at least somewhat. I will tell you now that I have never been nor will I ever be scorned. I'm telling you, this is the only chance…"

Admire is still trying to talk to me, and she fails to notice the attention we were receiving. This is a rare point in time where I have to access forbidden territory, and for just a few seconds, I wouldn't be numbed.

The whole world stops and everything else fades into blackness while I glare at Admire with outright coldness as she mutedly speaks to me. My words drown out her stupid drawl in the void I am currently in.

"Do you realize how much I hate you? How much I want to slit your throat this very moment, tie you up the next? You see, I would very much like to kill you Admire, but I can't. See, now this is the problem. I cannot do this right now. No, I just can't. Too many damn Capitolites, too many people, I can't quell those desires right now. However, I would like to give you my business card. Talk to me a few days from now, and we'll get things started…"

When everything fades to normal, and I still clearly hear the rain pouring down on the building, I know I'm back to being numbed. Admire impatiently awaits some sort of answer from me, "Well?"

I take my eyes away from the apple and stare at her in confusion. "Sorry? I didn't hear the question, could you repeat that?" I said, allowing myself the smallest of smiles.

Admire stares at me with now visible annoyance; hand on hip and all, "You were saying something, weren't you? What were you saying?"

I stare at her blankly, "I have no idea what you are talking about, Admire. Perhaps you need some rest?"

Admire drops the rope and storms off, muttering something about "typical District 12 morons".

I chuckle to myself as she angrily stomps away and curses at her failed advances.

The Careers must love harassing me.

Even from that little interaction with Admire, I could tell she was very manipulative. Just the way she flaunted her "beauty" at me; that would have surely attracted any lesser-minded individual.

The thing is, I'm no lesser-minded individual.

My mental capacities are definitely beyond most of these tributes. I hate to flatter myself, but my intelligence has always been miraculous, even from a young age. My older sister told me I started speaking full sentences even before the age of 1. I began walking not long afterward, and began reading books at age 5. Cyrus often told me I was one of those miracle children, the ones with the higher intelligence than the majority. Apparently, a lot of them hail from District 3.

Mental domination is my forte, and Admire could not break me. Just another ignorant girl in an ignorant world. Although I could not exactly pinpoint a physical or obvious weakness, it does not bother me. She'll self destruct soon enough; she's too headstrong, and too arrogant and domineering. Although I hate to make the Careers a statistic, about 85% of them are the same way: Arrogant, Domineering, and Hot-headed.

This is why the Careers are such a happy family, because they're usually the same. But this in turn can also cause problems, and already, judging by the way Canicus and Admire look at each other, things don't look too bright in their future. The same might not be said for Con and Admire, however. They share very peculiar glances toward one another, almost as if they're playing some sort of game with each other. Admire had eyed me in a similar fashion in the hallway earlier.

Whatever tricks that girl is trying to pull, none of them have been successful. Whatever games she's playing with Rossencourte pertains little to me. The more she involves me, the bigger threat she is going to become.

I decide to move on to another station where I can better observe Jet Matthews. At the moment, he's got his glare of doom set on Brennadon from District 3. Bren's trying to dual wield some swords, which by the way isn't working too well for him. Bren's been hiding something, as he hasn't really used a variety of weapons beside a sword or spear. I've seen him use a spear yesterday, but he used it differently from everyone else in the beginning. He spun it in his hands, faster than a wind-mill, accompanied with a loud whistle which is what caught my attention. He demolished the dummy he was working on, but he quickly changed to standard spear-tactic quickly afterwards, and failed miserably. Tough kid, although he's got a bit of a temper on him.

Anyway, Jet seems to find him of the liking, either that or he just hates him too. I can't really tell, because he's whispering to himself again.

See now that's the thing about Jet. I know that something about Jet is…for lack of a better term, "off". However, he's also one of the only people in here that I have a hard time placing any emotions on. He doesn't display the normal variety that I've seen other people display; contempt, anger, happiness…absolutely nothing. He's virtually expressionless.

It's the eyes of Jet that really get people flying out of their shoes. They're icy spears, and they slash right through you, but if you can dodge them, upon closer inspection they're as empty as his facial expressions. It doesn't faze me though, because honestly, my eyes have been known to be just as intimidating. My sisters often called them, "stormy" or "nimbus". And when "Stormy Nimbus" meets "Icy Spears", well it's a clash of the titans; Zeus and Poseidon. You just can't do it.

And this is potentially the problem I have with Jet; he's like a mirrored personality of myself. This worries me, because the way I described Jet is in accordance with how people have described me. Though, from my observations, Jet appears to be much more irritated and anxious. He tends to scowl at the slightest interruptions, as if his thoughts have been scattered all over the floor and he's been forced to pick them up again.

Familiar, yet so different.

I'm beginning to wonder…Could Jet have my sickness?

Impossible.

Simply impossible. No, he couldn't. It just wouldn't make any sense. Nevertheless, Jet is someone I would do well to stay from. If he's anything like me, he's dangerous. And he's got the advantage of the Careers to back him up. There's something he's trying to hide about himself, and he's doing a damn good job of it as well. I may have to exploit his secret, attempt to force it out of him…

But how?

The other Careers are of little importance, except Con. Con and I share a strange bond, and it's something I can't really explain. I knew from the get-go I had to be assertive when I talked to him, because Con can be dishonest, and he can be tricky, but he plays his cards right, and he's hard not to like…except if you're of the opposite gender, whereas he's considered a literal pest. I can definitely use Con, but exactly how, I will have to think about.

I sigh and decide to cease my pondering once and for all; I twist the long stem off the apple and pop it in my mouth, chewing it like a toothpick. I stare at the surrounding field, surveying all and everyone. I set my gaze upon the sinful fruit and I bid it farewell as I throw it in the air for one last catch, "There are those whose teeth are swords, whose fangs are knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, the needy from among mankind," I whispered and threw the apple high into the air.

Faster than I could viddy, a speeding dagger struck the crimson fruit in mid-air, sending it forth to the granite wall behind me.

Amazing…

I look behind to see the skilled marksman capable of such a feat, my eyes set upon wild looking girl with red hair as fiery as the sun. I looked upon the apple on the wall, knife sticking through the center of the core and the poison of the fruit dripping down along the wall. I chewed on the stem toothpick thoughtfully as I admired the work of art.

This girl's projectile skills surpass even that of Londyn's! I cannot pass such an opportunity up.

The wild red-haired girl who struck the fruit stood beside me and admired the fruit as well. "Your marksmanship skills are astounding I must say," I mutter and turn to the girl, shaking her hand firmly. "Name?"

"Atalanta, and I only ask that you remember it, and remember it well," she says simply.

I turn back to the apple on the wall, "Oh?"

"I was watching that apple the whole time. Let me tell you, you're not the only fan of apples around here."

I watched curiously as she reached up on her tiptoes and grabbed the dagger with the apple stuck on the blade and pulled it off. She slices the fruit in two and offers me the other slice, "Care for a half?"

I take the half and stare at it as she chews on her slice, "I look forward to meeting you in the Games, Atalanta."

"Ditto," she says nonchalantly as she licks her fingers clean.

"Hm, Atalanta? I have a proposal to make, and it's one that's as simple as it is serious. I advise you to stay away from me during the Games, and I do the same. However, if it appears the Enemy has proved as valiant as they had been in the commencing, then seek me out. Seek me out at once, and we will hunt. If there are others, we can take them under our wing. Once the enemy has fallen, then the fair fight will prelude. Deal?"

Atalanta twirls the blade in her hands as she contemplates my proposal, "Tell you what Lucian, although I didn't understand half of what you just said, I'll keep the offer in mind. I can't say I trust you, but I wouldn't want to have a knife in my back either."

Yes? No? Maybe so? Atalanta is deadly, make no mistake about that. I cannot fathom how I could have missed her yesterday. Perhaps Atalanta has a death wish in store for the Enemy? Whatever the case, my plans have begun to soar if she agrees.

I wonder if anyone has a bounty on the Enemy thus far. I'm sure everyone fears them, but I'm wondering if anyone's got any grudges…

A bell echoes through the Center, signaling the end of Training. I walk through the glass doors of the Center and all the Tributes head off to the lunchroom, while I keep the half of the apple within my hands. Well, I have my lunch. I knew sin could come in handy…

Such a productive day for one so short. Now my plans have come into action, and a new darkness will settle upon the Games. It is only but days now before the reckoning, and when the time comes I shall be ready. Now all there is to do is wait. It is all up to fate now. And fate will do good to me; it brought me here didn't it? Fate has given me a chance. But there are times when fate can be cruel-

-for the great beast shall rise out the sea…And what would an ocean be without a beast lurking in the darkness?