Annora settled on the sofa, turning up the tv volume, even though they were just running commercials right now. She cupped her hands, yelling behind her, "Chelsea, Marius, you need to get in here!"

Heavan glanced up from the bar, "Annora please, yelling is incredibly rude."

"Sometimes you have to do rude stuff to get your way in life," Annora loved rebuffing Heavan's nitpicking.

Chelsea scampered in, "Is it about time for the score announcement?" She came over beside her mentor, kicking off her flip flops as she scrunched up on the couch.

"Yep, where's Marius?"

"He's grabbing a notebook, he wanted to write all the scores down. I think he's working himself up over it. You know, thinking about sponsors and that sort of thing."

Annora nodded, then spoke loudly over her shoulder, "Heavan, can you grab me that glass of Cranberry juice, I left it on the table."

"Of course my dear." The escort's heels clicked across the wooden floor.

Annora leaned towards Chelsea, pressing the volume higher, "Listen," she whispered, "You're more sponsorable than Marius, more skills and such. Just letting you know who I'm going to be funding for the games." She sat back up in time for Heavan to not suspect anything, and long before Marius ambled to a seat.

The national anthem played, and Augustus face appeared. He was smiling brilliantly, beginning his chatter with pointless praise for this year's Gamemakers.

Annora sighed, "No one cares about this stuff, so just get over with it."

Ripley chuckled as he stepped in, "Already complaining about our host? And we're not even five minutes in yet, my dear. Anywho, I grabbed our stylists, they were both too busy with interview outfits to notice the passage of time."

His voice was dripping with sarcasm, but the two freakish Capitolites at his side hardly noticed. Annora knew he had kept the Kalliy and Erman away from the suite, simply because Annora would "accidently" throw a knife at their heads.

Kalliy was already beginning to squeal with delight. "This is my favorite part, I know we're all soooo anxious." She bent down and pinched Marius' cheek, while Chelsea managed to slide from her grasp. "You two young people are so lucky to be in the games, and now your scores are going to be history makers!" She twirled, the bells on the end of her fingers jingling.

Annora exhaled loudly, "If you id-I mean we can't hear if you keep talking."

It helped that Augustus was beginning to read from the anticipated list. His rich voice filled the speakers, while Kalliy and Erman scrambled for a soft seat. Ripley just leaned against the bar, he always found the huplah over the assessment announcement rather tedious, as well as the perfect opportunity to annoy his partner.

"Glaze Malachite of District One" a slight pause, "With a score of nine."

Chelsea was a bit surprised, she thought Glaze would nab a ten. "Radiance Osmium…with a score of ten."

Marius glanced her way, she saw he wasn't expecting Radiance to do better. She shrugged, they could discuss this stuff later.

Another picture flashed, the cold eyes of Achilles gave Chelsea goose bumps. He was a definite freak. The host's voice cut into her thoughts, "A score of nine."

"Odile Vesatyn of District Two with a score of eight."

"No way," Chelsea's heart rate spiked, "She is going to kill Achilles for getting a higher score."

"I imaging their apartment is real fun right now," Ripley smirked. Chelsea couldn't help nodding in agreement.

"Theodore Brow… a score of two."

"Oh, that poor child," Heavan whimpered, while Annora sent her a glare. They couldn't afford to pity this kid, not with all the bugs in the wall. The Gamemakers made sure compassionate tributes died.

"This girl is smart," Marius spoke for the first time, "That's why she got a five." They looked at the flashing number beside Pixelle's head.

"Well, she is from three, they tend to get the brains." Annora spoke, "But hush so we can hear your score."

"Marius Rings of District Four with a score of six."

Annora glanced his way, "You did the best you could, and no one's going to kick you out of an alliance for it." Marius nodded, encouraged by Annora's chill attitude about his score.

"Chelsea Douglas of District Four with a score of eight."

Chelsea grinned, while Heavan offered her congratulations. Kalliy began to screech, clapping her hands wildly. Ripley deviously joined her, grabbing her purple arms, and twirling the stylist around the room. Erman took this as a cue to offer his hand to Annora, who brushed it away in aggravation.

Kasha knew her nails would be non-existent by the morning, but she couldn't stop her nervous biting. Augustus had just finished up district 5, they had gotten decent scores, a six and seven. She began to chew again, not even realizing that the escort was standing behind her.
Eurado, happened to notice her nail-biting.

"Now Kasha, you just can't leave Rhema with nothing to work with!" She jumped to sit beside her, taking Kasha's hands, "I'll hold your hand for the rest of our viewing, that way we'll be able to salvage what's left of your nails."

Kasha bit her lip, but tried to focus on Augustus voice, "Stella Tracks of District Six with a score of four."

Grel appeared next, and their stylist Rhema chirped, "Isn't he so handsome, and so strong looking!"

Apparently the Gamemakers thought so as well, they gave him an eight. Catalon shifted uncomfortably while Rhema babbled on, it didn't feel like their escort or stylist cared what the outer districts scores turned out to be.

"It's almost your turn," Lupus, a member of Catalon's prep team, patted his head, "It takes so long for him to read that list!" Catalon didn't pull away from his hand because he was afraid of looking rude.

"Bailey Pasture of District Ten with a score of three."

"One less for you two to worry about!" Rhema smiled, "Now be quite everyone." She leaned forward, nearly spilling her martini.

"Catalon Pert of District Eleven with a score of Four."

"Oh, Cat boy, couldn't you have done better?" Rhema sighed, "I shouldn't have worked so hard on your costume." Catalon bowed his head, wishing he hadn't even come in here to watch the scores.

"Kasha Caldmeyer, also of Eleven with a score of 6."

"Now, at least you're doing better," Eurado beamed towards Kasha, "I'll have to talk you up with our sponsor, and you must stop looking so nervous!"

Kasha smiled thankfully, while Catalon scurried off to his room. None of the stylists or prep team saw him leave, they were too busy toasting Kasha's higher score.

Here's everyone's score...

Glaze 9

Radiance 10

Achilles 9

Odile 8

Teddy 2

Pixelle 5

Chelsea 8

Marius 6

Adam 6

Abigail 7

Herman 5

Stella 4

Grel 8

Leota 7

Matthias 4

Taylor 4

Philadelphia 5

Marie 7

Bexter 5

Bailey 3

Catalon 4

Kasha 6

Mark 7

Maureen 5