Lyra-Rose Ripley, 16, D4F:
I don't think the other Careers like me very much, not even Oscar or Rafe, even though I've been extra nice to them. It's probably just because they're jealous and want to steal all my success. I did really well with the running and agility course yesterday, I did alright with the boxing, and I came first in the swimming activity. I think the Gamemakers love me. Why wouldn't they? I'm the most skilled tribute in the Career Pack, and probably the whole field. What's not to love about me? I'm funny, unique, quirky, pretty, and the best archer they've probably ever seen. So much better than Stacey could ever be.
I might miss every so often, sure, but it's not like anybody else could do better. Plus, I can't even train properly since people keep interrupting. Whenever that stupid boy from Eight tries to encroach on my territory, I have to stop practicing and go get the other Careers to help me chase him off again. I'd be far better if only I could shoot without distractions. Sadly, even my mentor seems to be working against me. As another Career, even if she's from District One, I hoped that she would be helpful and understanding, but she keeps telling mean lies about me and complaining that I'm too arrogant and pigheaded to work with, which is of course not true, because I don't have the head of a pig, I have the head of a supermodel, and it's not arrogance, it's just an appropriate understanding of my skills!
Either way, she's given up on sharing her advice with me because apparently I have 'issues with authority figures' which I most certainly do not! Frankly, it's a travesty that she would even dare suggest such a thing. Outlier-lover Ardledge and his equally dumb mentor are also little help. His mentor genuinely seems to hate me, probably since he envies that I'm the better tribute and he's stuck training that useless lump. My own training has been going great, and I'm so excited to get my twelve tomorrow! The Head Gamemaker herself is a very beautiful and fashionable woman, she's clearly going to sympathize with my horrid experiences, see my skills, and treat me properly in my private session.
I'm trying not to vomit up my cake as I catch a glimpse of Ardledge's stupid, ugly face across the table. I'm going to win these Hunger Games easily. I'm so happy that the other Careers have authorized me to go after him in the Bloodbath, it's the first intelligent decision any of them have made in the Capitol so far. I didn't try this hard to get beat out by some poor nobody from an outer district who's probably never worn shoes or used soap. No, the Victor is going to be me, because I'm more beautiful, more determined, and more skilled than every single one of the other tributes put together.
Trey Copper, 18, D10M:
The Peacekeeper pulls out my chair for me before I sit down at the dining table. He's been watching my every move all day long. It's so irritating because of course I wouldn't inflict any physical harm on another tribute before the Hunger Games. The Gamemakers would have me killed if I tried anything like that. I'm waiting to go into the arena, and then I'll have my revenge. What's funny is that it's not even my fault Damon's token ended up in my pocket. Someone must have put it there to stir up conflict. Clever plan, but they're screwing over Damon, not me. I'll undoubtedly outlive them though, because of course I'm going to be the Victor. I have plenty of experience with the necessary skills, after all.
Training has been both fun and successful. The Capitol switchblades are absolutely lovely, and I've gotten used to their lighter weight at this point. The mild satisfaction of slicing up the humanoid dummies is tiding me over until the Bloodbath when I'll once more get to experience the real thing, but the best station of all has been Expediency. It's helping me brush up on my torture skills in preparation for the big day, but hearing the trainer talk about the violence is making me really happy and relaxed. It's a nice little vacation for me before the tough journey in the arena, and the best part is that the other Careers don't suspect a thing about my true intentions.
The battle for leadership between Livi and Rafe is still waging on. Livi's been pulling ahead recently with her success in the mandatory activities, and Rafe's outburst earlier today is becoming a setback. I definitely have some people I plan to kill in gruesome ways, but saying it out loud and hurting them in front of everyone is an absolutely terrible idea. Frankly, he's lucky that Hortensia wasn't there or he'd have a Peacekeeper entourage of his own. In my opinion, Rafe is going to get the higher training score because he knows how to use so many different weapons with expertise, so Livi better step up her game quickly. I don't want some madman in charge, at least, not to begin with. Livi's composed enough to guide our alliance thoughtfully, and I respect her dedication. I also suspect that she's planning some torture of her own for the Eight girl, so perhaps we can coordinate at some point and exchange techniques.
In the Bloodbath, my first priority is killing Emily, and my second is killing Damon. Nothing else matters. I'm excited for the time to come, but first, I have another day of training and my private session with the Gamemakers. I'm planning on demonstrating my use of a switchblade, as well as some unpleasant techniques that can be used to inflict additional pain on my victims and prolong their suffering. I think the Gamemakers will be very impressed, many of the tributes this year will probably have very straightforward, boring performances.
There's a lot of joy in store for me, and I wonder what in the world I'm going to do with Emily. I cock my head and look at her, her face turned down as she prods a piece of food. Her guard won't be able to protect her in the arena, and I'm looking forward the the moment that her eyes will go all wide with fright when I wrap my hands around her throat. It's going to be the best sort of revenge I could ever imagine.
Rafe McClellan, 18, D2M:
In hindsight, I probably shouldn't have lost my temper at Radley earlier, but what else was I supposed to do? He took the sickle that I had been heading over to get just so I couldn't have it. It was obviously deliberate, and I knew that if I didn't do something about it, he'd start walking all over me and I'd never get my honor back. I had to rough him up a little and make it clear that he has to stay out of my way. He handled it a lot better than I was expecting, though, and wasn't too rattled even when I hit him with the shield. That means he's willing to put up a good fight, and that in turn means I'll have to go for him the second I get my hands on a weapon. It's imperative that he dies before he can become a threat to the Career Pack. I established a rivalry, and now I have to see it through.
Aside from that, training has been going smoothly. I've been getting a lot of practice with a variety of things: swords, maces, polearms, the works. I want to be fully prepared for my murder spree no matter what's provided for me. I have no need to visit the survival stations. Once supplies run out, sponsors will surely provide me whatever I need. I've been doing well in the mandatory activities, even beating out Livi today in the swimming challenge, and I have plenty of faith in myself. I'm the best leader there ever could be, and my training score will prove it.
It's not that I dislike Livi. She's snappish and brash, but she's also refreshingly rational. She understands that we should exercise precautions when it comes to the outer district tributes, but also that they aren't actually dangerous and won't pose any serious harms. She's methodical, always thinking about the potential consequences of her actions, always finding and correcting her weaknesses and mistakes. She'd honestly be a great leader, and I wouldn't be upset to follow her directions. She might even be a better leader than me, but at some point, it becomes an effort of pride. After I messed up and snapped, I knew that being the leader might be too big of a responsibility for me and I'd find it overwhelming and have a tough time actually making good choices, but I couldn't just bow my head at lunch and go, "Oh, hey guys, you know how I've been pressuring you to make me leader for three days? Well actually, I'm not the best fit, Livi is. I'm quitting, thanks for understanding."
I'd become a joke and a source of mockery, the easy target to make fun of for outliers and my fellow Careers alike. I still want to be the boss, but for my own purposes, not because I'd actually be any good at it. I want the power, not the burdens that come with it. I'm definitely still gunning for the top spot though, and I will get the highest training score. I know how to use more weapons than anyone else, I'm excellent with my favorite type of sabre, and the gamemakers will know this. They'll understand how badly I want to win and what lengths I'll go to achieve my goal of becoming a Victor. Homicide is old news, these Hunger Games are going to be a cakewalk.
Hey y'all!
This was a shorter chapter since it takes place in the evening after training is complete. Tomorrow's chapter will be another training chapter, and I'll have it up as soon as I finish it. I have only one additional thing to address: it seems like one or two people have accidentally mixed up Elle and Emily. Just to clarify, Elle is sixteen, from District Eight, allied with Jenna and Radley, and is being targeted by Livi due to her trying to kick Eliza out of the knife station and mouthing off to the Careers. Emily is twelve, from District Ten, allied with Ardledge, Griffin, Sorrel, and Chip, and is being targeted by Trey due to their shared history and his desire for revenge. I hope you all have a good night, and I'll be back this entire next week for chapters every day!
– LC :)