Sorry this is so late D: I had a hard time writing them once I got myself to write.

This doesn't really matter, but I made outfits for Cotè, Trevor, and Gadeloth.


Falia Oakarm (14) D7F

My eyes glittered as I took in my surroundings. Everywhere about me there was luxuries to be seen. There were candy stores, toy stores, stuffed animal stores, even stores dedicated to drinks. I wanted to see and do everything the Capitol had to offer, but I also didn't. I couldn't stop myself from thinking about the people back home who wouldn't see this much wealth in their life, or realizing that none of the stuff really mattered. I could get all the candy I wanted, just to rot my teeth before the Games. I could get hundreds of toys to be thrown away in the Capitol, left behind when my token was a bracelet. There was no point in going to all of the stores except having some fun, but the fun was dampened until it became worthless. I was probably just in a bad mood at that moment, but no matter the reason, I didn't go to the stores.

As I stared at my surroundings, a group of people went by near me. I watched them as they traveled, seeming intent on reaching a certain place. They were probably going to a specific store they liked, or a new movie, but I was curious anyways, so I followed them. They didn't seem to notice me, they were so engrossed in getting to where they were headed. I got to walk behind them casually, not bothering to hide or pretend to be doing something else.

When the people finally reached their destination, I was greeted by a flurry of bright colors and balloons. There was candy everywhere, just like in the rest of the Center, except this candy wasn't priced or even kept behind glass. People were racing around, laughing and screaming, and there were performers everywhere. People were breathing fire, or swallowing swords, or juggling knives. My eyes were pulled from place to place as quickly as I could recognize what I was looking at, and thankfully, someone noticed my awe. "What is this place?" I asked the man as he walked over.

"It's a party, darling," he said with a smile. "We do something like this every year, to celebrate the Games. We usually keep it secret, since it's more fun that way. A thousand people, tops. You're our only newcomer this year. How did you get here, anyways?"

"I followed someone," I said, confused at what was happening. "Besides, I think I belong here. I am a tribute, after all."

"Oh! Of course, tributes are allowed here. We don't usually see them, since we don't advertise, but it's lovely to have you. I hope you enjoy the festivities." He walked off after saying that, drawn to another group of people who were beckoning him over. That left me to my thoughts, admiring everything around me again.

Getting a bunch of stuff would be useless, I thought to myself, not really wanting to be drawn in by everything around me. I wanted to be mature and thoughtful, not some little kid. But then again, you're getting an experience here, not just stuff. It's fine. My logic wasn't necessarily perfect, but I didn't care. I wanted the experience, so I stopped myself from arguing against my logic and went to watch the firebreathers.


Gabriel Welson (16) D9M

Sickles were calling my name in the Training Center. They were safe; I already knew how to work them, so I didn't have to worry about embarrassing myself by messing up. If I knew the basics, as I did, it would be much easier to become great at it then it would be to learn another, entirely new weapon. My mind urged me to go to scythes and my pride did, but I couldn't. I couldn't let all of the other tributes know one of my biggest strengths; it had to stay between me and my allies. I had to go to a different station, and I knew exactly where I was headed.

If I wasn't going to work on my weapons of choice, I could work on survival while I considered how to defend myself. There were lots of survival stations in the Training Center, which meant I had to prioritize. I knew I could last a long time without food; I had seen the people in Nine without it. Sure, they got some scraps, sometimes from me, but they still didn't have much. If they could life off of that little for years, I could live off of nothing until I found something safe. The main problem was choosing between shelters or water. I could theoretically last weeks without shelter, but depending on the Arena it could be a matter of hours. I could last three days without water in most Arenas, but if it was a desert it would be hours, and if it was only snow I could find water everywhere. Either option could cost my life or save it.

In the end, I went for the station I knew I would need. I had to learn how to purify water if I wanted any chance at living. I just had to hope that my lack of shelter knowledge wouldn't be the end of me. I watched as the assistant pulled out pictures of ways to purify water, from simple fires to complicated atom-splitting. I wasn't certain why splitting atoms was an option, but I wasn't interested in learning that. Instead, I decided to try to learn how to make a basic solar still.

A solar still required little effort, but a bit of supplies. I needed two containers, one of which had to be clean, a plastic sheet, and a bunch of rocks. The rocks wouldn't be hard to get, but it would be hard to find containers and a sheet in an Arena. If I wasn't sponsored them, and I didn't get them in the Cornucopia, making a still would be hopeless. On the off-chance that I got all of the needed supplies, finishing the still would be easy. I had to get water, which the Arena would probably have plenty of, even if it was filthy, and put it in one container. Then I dug a hole, placed both containers in said hole, and put the plastic over the hole, holding it down with rocks. I put a rock over the clean, empty container, waited for a while, and got clean water. It was simple evaporation.