Atticus Otterson, 18
District Thirteen

Atticus woke up and rubbed his eyes, then began to grope around near his bed, trying to find his camera. Then he remembered: he hadn't received formal permission to vlog yet, so his camera was still buried in his suitcase.

Sad.

Fortunately, Atticus had been notified early enough about the Events that he had worked hard in the days leading up to his departure to stockpile video and set them up to auto-upload over the course of the Events. They were more challenge-type videos than vlogs, but at least he wouldn't have to break his upload streak. Pre-filming videos and programming them to upload was the safest way to keep his upload streak anyway. Atticus really didn't want to bring his computer with him to the Events; losing it and all of his footage was way bigger of a risk to his career and livelihood than Atticus was willing to take. So even if Atticus got approval to vlog, he would probably just upload a couple of Events vlogs after the fact. It would give him some easy post-Events videos to edit while he got back in the swing of things.

Normally, Atticus would film his morning routine; getting up, getting dressed, doing his hair, et cetera, all documented in a nice, artsy style. But today, he didn't dare. As much as he wanted to get the best and most possible footage for his loyal viewers, he also couldn't bear the thought of jeopardizing his chances to win the Events by breaking some sort of confidentiality rule. So he chose not to film it, which felt kind of – OK, really weird. He could get ready much faster when he didn't have to move the camera between every step to get the perfect shot.

Of course, just because he couldn't vlog – at least not yet – didn't mean that he couldn't promote his channel. Rumors were going around that there would be some opportunities to travel around the Capitol, and Atticus was not about to miss an opportunity to get his name out there even more. Part of why he'd chosen his color, a particular shade of red, was because he had a line of merchandise in precisely that color, in addition to his line in black, the district color of Thirteen. He could stay within the rules of the Events and wear his merch every single day.

It was a perfect way to get his brand out there for more people to see.

Once Atticus was dressed in an AtticusOtter t-shirt, AtticusOtter track pants, an AtticusOtter baseball cap, and his AtticusOtter skater shoes, he grabbed his AtticusOtter water bottle and went into the common room to eat breakfast. He was somewhat surprised to find that the only other person there was his district partner, the other Atticus. That boy was a strange one. Even though it was now the second day since the send-off ceremony, he was still wearing his dress uniform and still sitting straight as a stick at the table. Soldier Peregrine, as he insisted he be called, had no real interest in… well, in anything other than winning the Events for Thirteen. Atticus considered himself to be a disciplined and determined person, but it was nothing compared to how determined and disciplined Soldier Peregrine was. That boy was not distracted by anything; he spent the entire train rides coming up with a strategy and exercising to build up strength, and instead of having fun or dancing at the banquet, Soldier Peregrine did nothing but network, doing anything he could to increase Thirteen's odds of winning.

Honestly, Atticus appreciated how much work Soldier Peregrine was putting into the Events. If the other Atticus was only going to work, it meant more time for promotion and more fun for Atticus Otterson. Although, it made Atticus kind of sad that the other boy had no concept of fun.

"Good morning, Soldier Peregrine," Atticus Otterson offered, giving a wave to the other boy.

"Good morning, Soldier Otterson," Atticus Peregrine replied curtly.

"How did you sleep?"

"Well. I got my usual five hours and I'm ready to begin my training for the day."

"Training? We're in the Capitol for the Events. Why do you still need to train?"

"To keep up with my routine. I may not be earning points these weeks, but I need to keep my routine so that I don't lose my standing in St. Harriet's."

Atticus had no idea what Soldier Peregrine was talking about. Rather than attempt to dissect his compatriot's strange musings, Atticus got himself some breakfast and took a seat at the table. Over the next few moments, their mentors and escort joined the boys at the table.

"Good morning, guys," Ellis said, as she placed her plate in front of her chair and took a seat. "How did you sleep?"

"Well," answered the boys in unison.

"That's good! I have some stuff to go over for the day, so bear with me for a bit. First of all. Yesterday, the rest of the competitors got a medical check done. As you two are from Thirteen, you were excused from the medical checks, but if you two want to have a medical check done today, you're more than welcome to. You can sign up for one in the basement, where you'll be meeting for a tour of the Capitol that is not technically mandatory, but 'highly, highly encouraged,' which means mandatory. After that, there will be some structured activities for you guys, though if you want to make your own activity, you're more than welcome to organize something. Anything that can be done within the Training Center is fair game, but if you want to do something out of the Training Center that is not an organized activity, you'll have to ask for permission. You're also allowed to visit competitors on other floors if you want to, provided that the other competitors allow you on their floor. Got it?"

"Sounds good," replied Atticus, as Soldier Peregrine nodded.

"Great. Oh, and Atticus Otterson, I've received word that you're good to vlog, but all of your footage has to be run by President Emerald and some of Thirteen's officials before it gets posted."

"Awesome!" Atticus exclaimed, running to his room to grab his camera. "This is gonna be the best vlog ever!"

Once he had his camera in hand, Atticus went back out into the common space. "Are you going to do anything today?" he asked, attempting to socialize with his district partner.

"I think I'll get a check-up done," answered Soldier Peregrine. "It's always good to check one's health, and I don't have to spend points on an extra check-up, which is good."

"That's true. I guess I'll do one too if the timing works out, but I'm more excited to vlog! Come on! Let's go downstairs!" Atticus ran over to the elevator and eagerly pressed the button for the basement. He had his merch, he had his camera, and he had a whole bunch of free time.

Today was going to be a great day.

Mallory Farro, 16
District Eleven Mentor
Competitor in the First Events

"It looks like the competitors just got back from the tour," Mallory remarked, watching as the black bus drove down the street towards the training center. "Are you sure you're good to go with April to therapy? I'm her mentor, so it would make sense for me to go so that I know the plan for her for the Events."

"Yes, I'm sure," Ivie replied. "I don't want anything to come up for you during the session."

"But I'm usually fine!"

"But what if this time, you're not, and something somehow triggers you? With Crixus not exactly being of the most help, I need to make sure you're in the best possible shape."

"That's true." Crixus had neglected to tell anyone else from Eleven that he disliked children over the age of eleven because they were annoying. How little Alder Howe had managed to break down that barrier was anyone's guess, but a year back in Eleven had caused Crixus to resort back to his old habits. When he was desperately needed, Crixus was somewhat willing to help, but he really preferred not to do anything related to the competitors, leaving Mallory and Ivie to pick up the slack. "If you're really OK to go, then go for it, but if you have any issues, please let me know. You don't exactly have the easiest past either."

"Hey," Ivie said, coming up to Mallory and putting her hands on her shoulders. "I'm supposed to be supporting you, not the other way around."

"All right. Just… be careful, OK?"

"I know. I'll catch you up after."

Once April and Ivie were off, Mallory took a seat on the couch and took a deep breath. Maybe Ivie was right. It felt really nice to take a break and relax; Mallory found mentoring enjoyable, but it was also really challenging, especially with the special needs of this pair of competitors.

Just as Mallory was about to drift off into a nap, the elevator doors behind her opened again. Mallory turned around to find Xayah, accompanied by her interpreter and a woman whom Mallory didn't recognize wearing scrubs in government purple. "Xayah, what's up? I thought you were going to go hang out with some of the other competitors."

"I thought so too," signed Xayah, "but this woman found me and told me that she needed to have a conversation with me and my mentor."

"Aha. Well, I don't know where Crixus is, and Ivie is out somewhere with April. So I guess I'm your mentor for the time being." Mallory stood up and reached out her hand for the woman to shake. "Mallory Farro."

"Doctor Amberson. A pleasure to meet you."

"You as well. Shall we sit at the table?"

"If you'd like." The four individuals took their seats around the table. "So, I'm here to discuss some issues regarding Xayah's vocal condition. The Gamemakers have been a little bit vague regarding the competitions of the Events, but it seems as though there will be no competition for which Xayah and April will be disadvantaged by Xayah's inability to speak, which is a very good thing. However, the ability to communicate is obviously very important, particularly when forming relationships seems to be a key to success. We have two options that we wanted to discuss with you for communication; you do have the option to choose neither, but it is important to everyone involved with the Events that you have options for effective communication presented to you.

"The first option is some sort of electronic communication device, either a smartwatch or a tablet of some size. We would spend some time configuring it to your liking, whether that be with a keyboard to type on or a series of words or images that appear on screen for you to click. We can even program the voice for you to sound as you'd like it. It's really up to you.

"The second option is a bit more intense. As you remember, when you had your medical checkup, we performed a quick x-ray and scope of your vocal cords. We learned from looking at the images from those scans that the damage to your vocal cords appears to be fixable. As in, we can give you your voice back."

"Tell me more," said Xayah's interpreter. "I need all of the details you can give me."

"The procedure we'd be using is 99% effective. If it fails, you would never be able to talk, which is no different from where you're at right now, really. We would have to start the procedure within the next two hours, but it would be completed by the end of the night, so you'd be able to speak for your interview. I don't want to go into too many of the medical details because we are limited on time, but trust me when I say that I have discussed this procedure with many top Capitol doctors as well as the President, Violet Emerald, and Gamemaker Callahan and we all agree that this is a fully safe procedure for you to undergo."

Mallory turned to look at Xayah, who looked totally stunned. "So I only have two hours to make a decision?"

"If you want your voice for the interviews, yes."

Xayah paused. "Can I talk it over with Mallory?"

"Sure. I'll give you a moment." Dr. Amberson stood up and went into the hallway.

Mallory looked at Xayah expectantly. "What do you think?"

"I don't know. I've spent so much time getting used to not having my voice… what if it's not the same? What if I really have to learn how to use my voice again? Or what if it doesn't work and I still don't have any voice? It feels like there's a lot up in the air. But, at the same time, to be able to sing again… to be Eleven's songbird again… it would definitely be nice."

"It seems as though there are lots of pros and cons. Do you want to make a list?"

"I just don't want to have to make a decision yet. Two hours is not enough time to make a life-impacting decision, and I want to talk it over with Ivie as well."

"So why don't we see if we can get more time to think?"

"Can we do that?"

"We won't know if we don't ask."

Mallory called for Dr. Amperson, who rejoined the rest of the individuals in the common room. "Do you have an answer?" Dr. Amperson asked.

"We actually have a question," clarified Mallory. "Do we have to make a decision on this matter right now?"

"Well, if you want to be able to talk for the interviews and for the duration of the Events, yes. However, this procedure is such that we can do it at any point through the end of the Events. We just wanted to make sure that you knew that this was an option so that you can communicate during the Events."

"And you said you need to start in the next two hours?"

"Yes."

Mallory could see the gears turning in Xayah's head. "Do you want me to see if I can get Ivie so you can ask her for advice too?"

Xayah nodded. "I just don't know what to do."

Titania Pyrrhos, 17
The Capitol

When Titania heard that a tour of the Capitol was a non-mandatory mandatory part of the competitors' free day, she was ecstatic. Even if the tour hadn't been mandatory, she absolutely would have wanted to take part. It didn't matter that she'd spent the past six years touring around the Capitol, performing as part of her troupe; Titania jumped at any chance she got to explore the city that she called her home. Plus, it was always cool to get to see the beauty of her city through someone else's fresh eyes, especially when those eyes were young enough to not be jaded by the perils of life and the questionable actions of the Capitol.

The problem that Titania sensed about this tour was that the tour guide did not exactly seem enthusiastic. He surely knew a lot about the Capitol and its history; Titania doubted Ruby would have picked some random bum from the Peacekeeper or security staff to give a bunch of first-time Capitolites a tour of the Capitol. This was her city, after all, and the crown jewel of the country, so Titania expected that Ruby would want to show it off as well as she could for the competitors who would be returning to their home districts as ambassadors. But this man clearly had no energy; he gave off the vibes of a professor in his ninety-seventh year of teaching the same intro-level class. How could he ever convey the grandeur of a city like this if he seemed totally bored of it?

"Is everyone here?" droned the man. "Good. Good morning everyone. Welcome to your tour of the Capitol. This gorgeous city is the crown jewel of our country, and we are excited that you will get to see it for all its glory. Before we go, everyone please take one of these bracelets." The man held out a box that looked like a jewelry box that contained a number of Capitol purple bracelets. "These bracelets act as trackers. If something happens, this way, we can find you. When we return to the Training Center, you may take these off, but not before then."

The competitors each reached into the box and grabbed a bracelet, then attempted to put them on, attempted being the operative word. Most of the younger competitors were struggling to figure out how to use one hand to put their bracelets on the other wrist. Without much hesitation, the older girl from Twelve began to dart around, helping the younger kids fasten their bracelets to their wrists. Once everyone had their bracelet secured, the competitors were led to a black double-decker bus with tinted windows and ushered up the stairs to the top level. The children took their seats around the bus, taking care to fasten their seatbelts.

"Now, if everyone would please put in the earpiece to your left," the man continued in the same monotone voice. "This way I do not have to yell and it is easier for you to hear me."

"As if he could yell," Titania muttered as she placed her earpiece carefully in her ear. This man was not going to be doing the Capitol any favors with this tour.

One everyone was settled in on the bus, it began to move, driving around the City Circle first and then down a familiar road towards the Remake Center. "Welcome to the Capitol. Right now, we are driving down the Avenue of the Tributes, in the opposite direction that the tributes' chariots will progress for the Games. Along this avenue are most of the important buildings for Games operations: the Training Center, the Remake Center, and the President's Mansion. The exception is the Gamemakers' Complex, which is located elsewhere in the Capitol. That complex not only houses the Gamemakers' workspace but also their living quarters; President Emerald also lives in the complex, having moved out of the President's Mansion to allow it to be used for other purposes. For security reasons, we won't be going there today, but perhaps if you end up becoming involved in the Games or the Events in a more serious capacity, you will get a chance to see it."

The bus drove through the Remake Center, eventually emerging through a set of doors in the back that seemed to magically appear out of the wall. "These doors are crucial to making sure that the Opening Ceremonies go smoothly," explained the man as the bus passed through the doors to emerge into the Capitol proper. "As there is not enough room to turn the chariots and horses around in this basement area, the horses and chariots have to come in through the back to go out the front. After an incident early in the Games era, however, the doors were camouflaged into the wall to make sure that the tributes wouldn't see them and try to run away."

This could not be a more boring tour, and it also was almost definitely not the type of tour Ruby intended to take the competitors on. Why would Ruby be promoting the Games for the competitors when everything she'd done with the Games since she took office had been for the purpose of diminishing the impact of the Games on the population of Panem? Either something was not communicated to the tour guide properly, or Ruby was trying some sort of prototype of a tour that would be run after the Games were over. But this was the wrong group to test it out on.

Fortunately, as the tour progressed, the tour guide shifted from focusing on the Games to focusing on the great things the Capitol had to offer, like theatres, sports stadiums, and a university. Unfortunately, the tour guide didn't get much better. Even when discussing the most exciting things about the Capitol, the pitch of his voice didn't raise above or below the same monotone drone. As much as Titania wanted to support the Capitol by listening to the guide, she just couldn't deal with his monotone anymore. Subtly, she took out her earpiece, electing to simply watch as the Capitol pass by.

As Titania watched the tall, candy-colored buildings pass by, she became aware of some pointed whispering happening behind her. Most of the competitors were talking, but these whispers seemed different, like those whispering were actually planning something. Titania turned around to see the older tribute from Two and the girl from One whispering to each other, glancing carefully around at the competitors who surrounded them. The girl even looked over at Titania for a moment, nodding at something the boy from One had whispered to her; when she caught Titania's gaze, she looked away, but not before Titania noticed the conniving glint in the other girl's eye.

Those two were clearly up to something. But what did it have to do with Titania?

Well, a bit of a late-night update, but an on-schedule update nonetheless. Honestly, I'm so far ahead writing-wise (I'm currently three chapters ahead) that I forgot when I was supposed to update. But we're here now! A note on the chapter: Titania's section technically takes place before Mallory's chronologically, but I liked the feeling of Titania's ending the chapter, so you'll just have to suspend disbelief lol.

Of course, some questions! What will Otterson vlog, and will his footage be approved? If you were Xayah, what choice would you make? What choice do you think she will make? And what are Noel and Pax planning?

Full disclosure, two weeks from now I'm going to be rather busy so there's a chance that I won't update on Sunday but later in the week instead. Perhaps I'll update early because of how far ahead I am? I don't know. We'll have to see XD but I'll see you soon with another chapter, featuring Mack, Sage, and Atticus!

-goldie031