A/N: im not dead I promise

It's been a while, hasn't it? Sorry for the scare. A lot has happened since I gave this story its last update. Many different factors have led to my sudden vanish from this website. To the authors whose stories I haven't glanced at in four months, and to you guys, the readers, I'm so sorry. I just started attending a new school where I knew basically nobody, I've been coming to terms with being a member of the LGBT community, mental health has been a bitch, and… ugh it's been pretty rough. But I'm going to finish this story. I promise. I'll finish denouement too.

So here are the training scores. I had about half of the private session chapter written up, but decided to scratch it because I was getting bored with it and was desperate not to lose motivation completely. If you just want the scores and the ranking of the tributes, skip to the bottom. Otherwise, happy reading! I'll hopefully see you again soon, if any of you are still here :D

Newton Zhang, 17 / liliblossoms

District 5 Male

The fear is all gone.

Obviously, no part of this ordeal has been fun. But I can't help but think back to the early hours of all of this—the reaping, the train ride, even the chariot parade—and realize how much energy I had back then. Fearing for my life gave me that little extra kick to keep going forward.

My probability of survival is banking on this moment. Even so, I feel virtually nothing at all. That's frustrating because the actual shit show is closer than ever before. I need to feel as motivated as I used to.

Gwyneth has been just as quiet. So has Edamame, though I see him less often of course. I wonder what he must be doing up on floor eleven. Wondering is a great way to pass the time. Back in District 5, there was never time for wondering.

The games are already changing me and I haven't even entered them. This is legitimately terrifying.

I jump a little as a heavy knock comes on the bedroom door. I think it's a peacekeeper at first. Then I smell the full flower garden and know it's the escort. A peacekeeper never wears that much perfume.

"Newton," she says. "Training scores are in ten minutes. You know you've got to get ready."

There's not much I have to get ready for. How can you get ready for sitting on a couch and watching the hologram?

I throw my legs off of the bed and follow her out of the room. Gwyneth is already "ready", and so am I, I suppose. I travel the distance across the obsidian-colored tile that looks like a dance floor when it flashes and drop down next to her. The lights are already giving me a headache.

"Five minutes until the program is scheduled to begin. Prepare yourselves," the nearest peacekeeper announces.

Two loud bangs echo around the suite: the noises of our bedroom doors being locked. They don't want us running to the safety of our warm beds in case our scores aren't what we were hoping for. In there, we can truly feel safe. They don't want us feeling safe. I shouldn't want to feel safe. Feeling safe is dangerous.

"One minute."

Gwyneth is doing that stare again. That stare that's so empty yet so full of sadness. I follow her gaze to the mantelpiece, where the hologram has already flickered into existence.

"Welcome one and all to the announcement of the training scores for the tributes of the 113th annual Hunger Games!" the master of ceremonies shouts. I honestly don't know his name. "Please seat yourselves tightly, folks. You're all in for quite a roller-coaster ride."

Jade D'Amore, 18 / DefoNotAFangirl

District 1 Female

"Dude. You need to get your hiney out here right meow."

"Shut up, Jade."

"I don't think Princess likes this new attitude."

"Princess can suck my…"

Princess meows loudly. I scratch behind her ears the way she likes it. "You're such a pretty kitty. You're the prettiest kitty in the Capitol."

Princess and I seat ourselves at the couch and wait for Midas. He comes out of his bedroom less than thirty seconds before the program begins, which really sucks because his score is being announced first. I wouldn't want to miss my special moment.

"Girl. That dress is so meow," Cashmere says. I smile and thank her, beginning to pet Princess again as the program begins.

Midas Sinthra, 18 / Darkdemon27

District 1 Male

"From District 1, Midas Sinthra with a score of 10!"

Not a surprise at all. I've always been confident I would receive double digits. Will any of the other tributes be able to match my score? I doubt it. Even if Gaius earns a ten, there's no way he'll take the number one spot. Everything I've done up to this point has gotten the ball rolling. I don't think it'll be difficult at all to keep things rolling toward Victor's Row.

Jade D'Amore, 18 / DefoNotAFangirl

District 1 Female

"From District 1, Jade D'Amore with a score of 9!"

What was I expecting? It isn't like I would want the highest score anyway. That… what do they say… "paints a target on your back"? I sigh and scratch Princess on the back. Right now, she's all I have to worry about.

Gaius Alabaster, 18 / Writer207

District 2 Male

"From District 2, Gaius Alabaster with a score of 10!"

Well, well, Midas. I managed to match you in the end. Even I'm a little surprised. I've always hated how cocky he is: it's possible to be confident without being cocky. Being brash is a working strategy, but only to a point. Past a certain point your allies tend to poke their knives into you. I just sit back and cross my arms. Winning this thing shouldn't be very much trouble at all.

Kennedy Coil, 16 / MonkeyPower435

District 2 Female

"From District 2, Kennedy Coil with a score of 9!"

The gamemakers only value physical strength. They can't see the mental behind-the-scenes I've been concealing this entire week. They'll see, eventually. They're all going to see in due time.

Monita Lidell, 16 / DefoNotAFangirl

District 3 Female

"From District 3, Monita Lidell with a score of 8!"

What can I say? That's higher than an outlier could ever hope for. A smart outlier, at least. I might not have as much training as those careers, but I have some smarts on my head and some feet in my shoes. I think I can last pretty far if I try.

Bernie Tropello, 16 / 2017tnt

District 3 Male

"From District 3, Bernie Tropello with a score of 3!"

That's it. I'm done. Fuck this shit.

Vista Juarez, 18 / 2017tnt

District 4 Female

"From District 4, Vista Juarez with a score of 9!"

Well, that's better than Jade. I'm surprised by how disappointed that single digit makes me feel. It's not reasonable to feel like this, I know. It's not like those last few hours of survival stations could have shot me from a nine to a twelve or anything. But I know what I have going for me. I know what I've got, and that's what matters once it comes down to life and limb.

Dock Breckminn, 12 / CragmiteBlaster

District 4 Male

"From District 4, Dock Breckminn with a score of 8!"

Get your pen out, Turner. I'm making some serious history here.

Gwyneth Lenaisse, 18 / LiveFreeOrDie

District 5 Female

"From District 5, Gwyneth Lenaisse with a score of 7!"

I'm happy with that score. I'm sure that'll place me in the top half of the rankings once this whole thing is over. I look down at my lap, already thinking about how I'll get through my interview. Feverishly waiting for my training score was occupying enough. But I'm moving down the list pretty quickly.

Newton Zhang, 17 / liliblossoms

District 5 Male

"From District 5, Newton Zhang with a score of 5!"

Well, that's that.

Suzuki Nox, 13 / CragmiteBlaster

District 6 Female

"From District 6, Suzuki Nox with a score of 2!"

I was never going to score a 12. I squeeze my eyes shut, hoping that if I wish hard enough I might be able to hide somewhere safe. But when I open my eyes, all I see is the same room, only blurred this time.

Rocky Morgan, 17 / Tyquavis

District 6 Male

"From District 6, Rocky Morgan with a score of 6!"

I'm disappointed. There's no other way I can say it. I actually thought I could walk home with an eight, or maybe even just a seven. Hell, Gwyneth got a seven and Monita got an eight. Did my pants fall down during my private session? I don't recall.

Trixana Faust, 17 / Professor R.J. Lupin1

District 7 Female

"From District 7, Trixana Faust with a score of 4!"

I could have gotten a three or a two or a one. My score leaves a lot to be desired, but hey, it's better than nothing. I cross my fingers, hoping that James will perform well.

James Smith, 17 / TheProtectorOfHim

District 7 Male

"From District 7, James Smith with a score of 6!"

Well, I'm certainly okay with a 6. A score matching the district number would have been nice, but if this is what I have to work with then so be it.

Blu Vixen, 16 / Professor R.J. Lupin1

District 8 Female

"From District 8, Blu Vixen with a score of 6!"

I love how much I've grown so far. When I was reaped I never thought I'd score higher than a 4. A 6 isn't perfection, but I'm happy with it. With a successful interview and a kill or two early on, I might actually have a shot at this thing.

Gary Redwire, 13 / AlexFalTon

District 8 Male

"From District 8, Gary Redwire with a score of 4!"

Half of the district number, as all tributes hope for. Haha.

Neveah Sunshine, 17 / CragmiteBlaster

District 9 Female

"From District 9, Neveah Sunshine with a score of 5!"

I don't like how they said that I earned a 5. Heaven and I earned that five together. I try to look at her face, see what she's feeling, but I can hardly distinguish her features through the darkness. Even so, I can tell she's scared. You get to know someone pretty well when you essentially share a body for seventeen years. I'm scared too. I'm really, really scared.

Gray Golas, 16 / Tyquavis

District 9 Male

"From District 9, Gray Golas with a score of 7!"

I try to look as indifferent as possible, so I just shrug. My insides squirm with an indescribable excitement I try not to show. I can't show emotion if I want any chance of making it out of these games—strong and silent. That's what I'm going for.

Bryndle Greer, 16 / luluthefox

District 10 Female

"From District 10, Bryndle Greer with a score of 7!"

I just smile as the others compliment me. My thoughts bounce between home and the games. I can't tell which one is more appealing. The games always means one of two things: death or wealth. And fuck wealth. Haha, fuck.

Arien Whicker, 13 / Writer207

District 10 Male

"From District 10, Arien Whicker with a score of 3!"

Oh well. Do any of the others have such a large arsenal of late middle English insults? Away, you three-inch fool! That one is my favorite.

Fawn Weed, 17 / Annabeth Pie

District 11 Female

"From District 11, Fawn Weed with a score of 4!"

That's definitely disappointing. I tried not to get my hopes up before all of this all. Some things you can't help but be bummed about, and this is one of them. I close my eyes and breathe slowly in and out. I like the darkness. It's calm and still, a great place to flock to in the midst of existential turmoil.

Edamame Stanton, 15 / 2017tnt

District 11 Male

"From District 11, Edamame Stanton with a score of 5!"

A 5? Really? I'm smart enough to keep my mouth shut and not complain, but I'm not smart enough to push all of this from my thoughts for the time being. I got a 5. I'll have to make some serious progress if I want to make it out alive.

Heather Lotus, 18 / CandleFire45

District 12 Female

"From District 12, Heather Lotus with a score of 4!"

What can I say? A District 12 tribute has to be reasonably pleased with a 4, even though it leaves a lot to be desired. I stare down at my nervously crossed fingers, trying to still or slow my rushing thoughts.

Turner Willard, 13 / CragmiteBlaster

District 12 Male

"From District 12, Turner Willard with a score of 5!"

Average. Completely average. The scale is supposed to be zero to twelve, but it's really one to ten. Zero and eleven are extraneous, solely meant for exemplary (or really tired) tributes who just don't fit the one-to-ten spectrum. So I'm average. That's reassuring.

"Well, there you have it, folks: the tributes' training scores, mighty impressive. That's all for tonight… what do I hear you cry? The rankings! Of course. Have a great night."

His face disappears, with large block letters almost immediately appearing in his place.

THE RANKINGS

QUARTER 1

1. Midas Sinthra, District 1 Male (10)

2. Gaius Alabaster, District 2 Male (10)

3. Vista Juarez, District 4 Female (9)

4. Kennedy Coil, District 2 Female (9)

5. Jade D'Amore, District 1 Female (9)

6. Dock Breckminn, District 4 Male (8)

QUARTER 2

7. Monita Lidell, District 3 Female (8)

8. Gray Golas, District 9 Male (7)

9. Bryndle Greer, District 10 Female (7)

10. Gwyneth Lenaisse, District 5 Female (7)

11. James Smith, District 7 Male (6)

12. Rocky Morgan, District 6 Male (6)

QUARTER 3

13. Blu Vixen, District 8 Female (6)

14. Edamame Stanton, District 11 Male (5)

15. Newton Zhang, District 5 Male (5)

16. Turner Willard, District 12 Male (5)

17. Neveah Sunshine, District 9 Female (5)

18. Heather Lotus, District 12 Female (4)

QUARTER 4

19. Fawn Weed, District 11 Female (4)

20. Trixana Faust, District 7 Female (4)

21. Gary Redwire, District 8 Male (4)

22. Arien Whicker, District 10 Male (3)

23. Bernie Tropello, District 3 Male (3)

24. Suzuki Nox, District 6 Female (2)