Hudson Acquati

18 years old

District 4 Male

Hudson and Ripley were the first careers down to the training room. However, it wasn't the training room he expected to see. He was sure that everyone expected to walk into a large centre with numerous stations to help them improve survival and weaponry skills. Instead they walked into a hall with mats and, large bouncy balls?

He and Ripley had exchanged a confused look but as soon as they made eye contact his district partner looked away and started muttering to himself.

Ever since they had arrived in the Capitol the girl had been acting odd and he couldn't figure out why. She would only make small talk and he would have to be the one to initiate conversations about tactics and the pack. It was almost as if she believed she wasn't worthy of being a career. Whatever it was, it prevented Hudson from being able to trust her. How was he unable to trust his own district partner?

Hudson couldn't say for sure whether or not he could trust the other careers yet, he would have to get to know them better and observe their strengths and weaknesses. But of course he would never completely trust any tribute in the arena with him. He wasn't stupid.

More tributes began to enter the hall, looking as confused as he and Ripley did. However, Tarquin entered the hall by himself, with no sign of Aelia. He greeted the two district four tributes with a nod.

"Where's Aelia?" Ripley asked, immediately turning red when both boys faced her.

Hudson had been wondering the exact same thing. Since their reaping Hudson had noticed something weird about them. At first he thought that they were hiding something but after seeing their interaction in person he thought maybe they despised each other. Could they be even more dysfunctional than himself and Ripley?

He knew he had to watch them closely because for all he knew it could all be an act to gain sponsors or fool the rest of the pack only to stab them in the back later on.

"Not sure." The boy from two replied bluntly.

Soon the only tributes that were left to arrive were the other three careers. However, the whole hall knew when they had arrived thanks to Extravagance.

"I knew it!" The boy from one shouted. But that wasn't what caught everyone's attention.

Extravagance was wearing an illuminous pink baggy vest top with illuminous pink booty shorts. It certainly left little to the imagination which along with Ripley's reaction made Hudson giggle.

To top the outfit off, he wore a pastel purple bandana which did not match the rest of the outfit whatsoever. With him was Aelia and Tangent who were laughing with the career and laughing at the whole room's jaws dropping.

"Well. You sure know how to make an entrance." Hudson laughed.

"Sweetheart, I'm the king of entrances." Extravagance winked.

"Your bandana doesn't match the outfit though." Tarquin said. It was true but why did the guy have to ruin the fun.

"For goodness sake Tarquin. Do you need to take everything so seriously?" Aelia groaned sending a harsh glare to her district partner. He just rolled just rolled his eyes in response.

There was definitely something up with those two. More than meets the eye and Hudson was determined to get to the bottom of it before the two died in the games.

"It's just fashion dear. But of course you wouldn't know."

"I wonder what we're doing today." Ripley piped up. But in all honesty he had forgotten his district partner was there.

"Have you seriously not clocked sweetheart?"

At this Ripley went a deep shade of red and looked like she wanted to crawl into a hole. However, Hudson heard Tarquin whisper to her than he hadn't clocked onto what they were doing either. This made a small smile appear on Ripley's face.

"We're doing yoga." Tangent commented when no one else did.

It all made sense to Hudson now. They had been able to choose out of two shirts and two bottoms (all of which was made out of lycra) today and they were even able to choose the colour. Hudson had chosen black leggings and a white shirt. Most of the outer district tributes had chosen all black or really dark colours, probably in hopes to blend in. Extravagance certainly went for the opposite.

However, the outfits along with the equipment in the room should have told Hudson that they were doing yoga. He was annoyed at himself for not realising it sooner.

Now that everyone was there the instructor called everyone over and announced that they would be participating in yoga sessions. Some of the room groaned and others seemed somewhat excited and relieved.

"Now everyone find a mat."

Before the careers could get first pick of the mats Ripley looked stone cold and spoke bluntly.

"I am not doing that."

"Why not?"

"We'll look like fools. I will not be made to look like an idiot."

"Everyone's in the same boat sweetheart. Everyone is gonna look like a fool. But it'll be fun."

"The hunger games aren't fun." The girl said as she made her way toward the door. However, it was guarded by two Peacekeepers who were explaining to her that her participation was mandatory.

Tarquin jogged over to her to bring her back to the group. Much to her dismay. By this time the only mats free were at the back which Extravagance huffed and puffed about. But the instructor reassured him that they would rotate throughout the day.

Tarquin went to sit on the mat next to Ripley while Aelia sat on the one next to him which left the district 1 pair together. He wondered why Aelia had sat next to him instead of Tangent but he saw it as an opportunity to get to know the girl a bit more. But also to have a little fun.

Around the room he could see certain tributes had chosen to sit by others in hopes of an alliance. Others that were sat together he knew were already allies like the two kids from district 7 or the two idiots from 10. The quicker the careers figured out the other alliances the easier it would be to target them and exploit their weaknesses.

The instructor made everyone do a mini warm up accompanied with some stretches which was obviously light work for the careers so Hudson used it as an opportunity to initiate a conversation with Aelia.

"So Aelia, what's up with you and Tarquin?" He decded to jump straight in. She was taken aback by the question.

"What do you mean?"

"You guys aren't exactly best buds. Which his weird from a pair from 2."

"He's just rude. Wouldn't talk to me after we were both chosen to volunteer. So I see no reason to put the effort in."

That was interesting to hear. Hudson was sure she wasn't telling him the whole truth but he wouldn't push any further. For now.

The first position they had to do was called the downward dog. He got an unpleasant view of Duplo's arse in front of him but luckily he didn't have to look up for long.

Hudson was surprised he could perform the stretch so well considering he wasn't the most flexible of people. Others seemed to struggle including Extravagance.

The boy from One began making really loud moaning and groaning sounds. It wasn't the most pleasant of sounds but it had the rest of the careers on the floor in fits of laughter. The other tributes tried to stifle their laughter but once Davis and Lorraine began laughing hysterically the whole room joined in.

Extravagance didn't seem bothered that everyone was laughing at him and instead groaned even louder.

It took the instructor 5 minutes to calm everyone down, but she was definitely amused. Hudson took a minute to look around at the other tributes with genuine smiles on their faces. In another they could have been his friends in the training centre or the lower years he used to coach at the centre.

Hudson hadn't realised how human all of the tributes would be. They were all just innocent kids or typical teenagers. It was going to be a lot harder for Hudson than he had initially realised.

"Hello. Earth to Hudson." He heard Aelia calling him.

"Huh?" His response caused a ripple of chuckles among the other tributes.

"You gotta do the tree pose." Aelia said and demonstrated the pose perfectly. She was able to keep her balance and didn't even wobble. She closed her eyes and looked like she had found her peaceful place.

Hudson tried and couldn't find his balance with his eyes open let alone with them closed. He didn't like the fact that he couldn't do it and tried his best to stay still, to no success.

"So why did you want to volunteer?" Aelia asked him, still maintaining the pose.

"To bring pride to my district. It's the most important thing."

"What about you?" He said after a moments pause.

"I'm doing it for my family. But also to feel complete, there's been something missing for years."

"What do you think it is?"

"I'm not sure. Maybe the feeling of victory or the experience of the games. Maybe even a person."

Hudson thought it was an interesting reason for volunteering but he hoped it didn't motivate her too much. He needed to be the one to come out of the arena alive. He supposed he could accept Ripley winning but everyone had figured out that wasn't going to happen.

When he looked over at Aelia she was still in the zone and still kept her balance. Hudson wanted to have some fun since he couldn't do the stupid tree pose.

So Hudson started poking his ally in hopes that she would fall over. Yet she kept her balance.

"Push me over Hudson and I swear I will end you right here right now." The girl said calmly.

Hudson raised his eyebrows at this. Sure Aelia probably could kill him but he could equal her efforts. Plus she couldn't do anything until they got into the arena anyway. So he just laughed it off and then pushed her over.

Aelia's face was expressionless for a brief moment and then directed the nastiest glare towards Hudson. He immediately began running away from the girl but she had jumped on his back in an instant and wrestled him to the ground.

They began mock fighting, each having a small smirk on their face. But as soon as Hudson thought he was going to win the instructors pulled them off of each other.

They both looked at each other and then burst out in a fit of laughter. The two tributes gave each other a hug and Hudson knew he had found the one person in the alliance he would trust.

However, out of the corner of his eye Hudson saw Tarquin narrowing his eyes at the pair. What was his problem?

Jester Marley

16 years old

District 6 Male

Jester couldn't stop thinking about his sister. He was so worried that she wouldn't be able to fend for herself. He had spent his teenage years doing anything he could to provide for Ridley so she wouldn't have to worry.

Now she was all alone. Would the authorities in District 6 realise that the two had been living alone for the past four years without an adult? Would they put her into the care system? Or put her in that run down orphanage.

The thought made him sick and not even the stupid yoga session helped him relax. It just made him more frustrated because he couldn't master any of the positions. Jester couldn't wait for the normal training sessions where he could admire the amazing technology of the Capitol whilst working with and manipulating it.

However, Jester was literally knocked out of his thoughts when the boy from District 12 fell into him. Jester landed awkwardly on his wrist but it didn't hurt too much. He was just relieved to be distracted from his thoughts.

"For goodness sake. Why couldn't I have just stayed in bed?" The boy from 12 moaned, not even apologising.

"That's not gonna help you win the games, is it?" Jester mumbled under his breath as he got up.

"Oh sweetie, I actually have intelligence to bring me success."

Jester hadn't realised the boy had heard him. The reply irritated him. Crane obviously had no clue Jester was also quite intelligent and was recognised for his intelligence.

"Yeah, because wanting to sleep all day totally displays your intelligence." He didn't want the boy thinking he had won.

Crane grunted and then a grin formed on his face. "Huh, I like you kid."

The two stood in silence again trying to focus on the yoga moves to no success. They were interrupted by two of the careers 'fighting' each other and laughing loudly. A lot of the outer district tributes looked awkward and weren't sure what to do.

Well except the tributes from 10 and 7. The crazy one from 10, Davis or something swiped Hector's legs from under him and pinned him down. He pretended to land punch after punch and the young boy acted out a very dramatic response. He had also spotted Davis' district partner beside him and swiped her feet from under her.

Somehow on her way down Lorraine knocked Nicole down and the four tributes were on the floor laughing hysterically.

With the careers still laughing and now these four, Jester couldn't handle it. There was nothing to laugh about in this situation yet they were all taking it for a joke.

"I guess we know the actual tributes without any brain cells." Crane next to him piped up. But the boy from 12 had a smile on his face, finding the whole situation amusing.

"The careers?"

"No, the other ones. I think the careers are going to be fun this year."

"You won't find them fun when one of them is stabbing you in the chest."

Crane laughed as if Jester had told a joke. It was meant to be the opposite of a joke. "Woah, who invited Mr Pessimism to yoga?"

Jester just shrugged, not knowing how to respond to the boy.

"Come on, you have to admit they're an amusing bunch."

"That doesn't change the fact that they would murder us all now if they could."

"I don't think all of them would to be honest."

Jester was surprised at this as his eyebrows had shot up. Crane was intriguing he had to admit. And a lot smarter than he had initially thought. Who else here had he underestimated?

"So we're obviously both smart and realistically two of the few tributes who actually have a shot at winning this thing. So why not be allies?" Crane asked.

Jester hadn't actually thought about having an ally and no one had even mentioned it to him yet. He didn't know if he wanted one or not.

He would never fully trust an ally and display no loyalties to them. His focus would be on himself and getting back to Ridley. However, Crane seemed to have to same motive. Plus both of their brains together would make them unstoppable.

Crane's expectant look made Jester realised he hadn't answered the boy yet.

"You know, you weren't what I was looking for either. But we'd still make an amazing team." Crane said as if reading his mind.

Jester stuck out his hand. "You have yourself an ally."

Both boys tried to do the stupid tree pose again so sponsors wouldn't give up on them for not trying. Plus it looked like a couple of tributes could give Jester a run for his money as the favourite of the Capitol – despite them knowing him for two years long.

Neither boy had managed to hold the pose for more than a few seconds without falling over or looking for support.

Suddenly, Jester's district partner appeared in front of the two with an amused look on her face.

"Have you guys never seen a tree before?"

"Nope." Jester said at the same time Crane said "Of course I have."

Perona looked really confused and baffled at the fact Jester hadn't seen a tree despite them living in the same district. During their brief conversation on the train ride to the Capitol the two had realised they had lived on opposite sides of the district. Jester's side was a lot more industrialised so factories had taken up the spaces which were previously occupied by trees. Perona must have actually had trees on her side of the district.

"Here, let me help you guys." Perona said and tried her hardest to help the boys. It was evidently stressing her out that neither of them could do it properly but she spent 15 minutes helping them. They hadn't perfected the pose but both boys could hold it for at least seven seconds which was an achievement in itself.

They were once again interrupted by the District 7 and 10 tributes laughing hysterically.

"How comes two of the oldest tributes allied with two of the youngest?" Jester wondered aloud.

"Oh didn't you know, they're not allies. The District 10 pair are an alliance and the District 7 pair are a separate alliance."

"What?!" Both Crane and Jester looked back at Perona, shocked at the revelation.

"How do you know this?"

"I was speaking to Nicole earlier. They're just really good friends apparently."

"There's no friends in the Hunger Games." Jester said flatly. And Crane nodded his head in agreement, again showing that the two were on the same page. Perona didn't seem to agree or disagree really.

"So who are you allied with?" Crane asked, giving Jester a look that he was sure he knew meant.

"No one." Perona replied with a sad smile.

"What skills do you have?" Jester asked, despite overhearing it the day before.

"Well I can take care of myself so my allies wouldn't have to worry about protecting me and I'm really good at gimp. Which is tying knots and stuff it you didn't know."

"That sounds useful…would you like to join Jester and I's alliance?"

Perona's face beamed and her smile took up her whole face. Crane mirrored her expression and Jester let the tiniest of smiles slip onto his face.

"Thank you!" She said, giving them both a hug. Jester tensed up at his but still gave her an awkward pat on the back.

Realistically, the girl wasn't going to bring much to the alliance, perhaps a few more sponsors. But as shit as it was Jester suspected that Perona was going to die in the bloodbath. And Crane wasn't stupid so probably realised this too.

So why did he want the girl as an ally?

Jester didn't mind having the girl as an ally that much. Maybe because of district loyalty and familiarity or perhaps it was because Perona was so close in age to his sister.

But again, what reasons did Crane have for wanting to ally with a 14 year old girl who really, only knows how to tie knots?

A.N: I bet you weren't expecting an update from this story XD But I've had one POV written for months, I just couldn't get the other right. Hopefully, I have now.
I've always had this yoga session planned and I have a few other fun chapters planned, even if it will take a while to get there lol. But I'm excited.

Since I've had a while to dwell on this story, I've managed to figure out the bloodbath deaths, with some I'm still undecided on so I'll base those off of your guys' reactions and opinions of the tributes. I think I've already got a few victor candidates in mind too but again that'll be subject to opinions on the tributes.

I also feel like I should put the alliances below too:

Origami cuties – Nicole and Hector

Fun Careers – Aelia, Tarquin, Hudson, Ripley, Extravagance and Tangent

Drunk Memes – Davis and Lorraine

What's a tree? – Jester, Crane and Perona

QOTC: Which two teams made the Superbowl final? (and who are you rooting for XD)