Kane Rowan, 16
District Eleven Male

"So, you're what again?" his mentor asks, twisting his face into a frown. "I'm sorry, it's just hard to understand why you bruise so easily. Are you sure that there isn't anything that can make them go away?"

Kane looks down at the web of bruises that have formed around his face, courtesy of an over-eager peacekeeper who thought that he wasn't moving fast enough and gave him a push forward. He's lucky that he didn't puncture his skin - it wouldn't be great if he managed to bleed out before the Hunger Games even began. "I mean, I can taking clotting-pills or whatever the Capitol would call them, but those are expensive and my mom could only buy a bottle once every year or so. Hemophilia can't really go away, if that makes sense? I don't know how to describe it very well, but when I start to bleed, it's really hard to stop because my body doesn't know how to mend itself."

That's all he really knew - he ended up dropping out of school at an early age because higher-ups started to wonder why he wasn't signing up for shifts in the fields and orchards of District Eleven. After his mother had bribed a few of those higher-ups and reminded them that Kane's father owned a very successful business that they too could profit off of it they let a merchant's kid off this one time, just this once! So Kane had remained home, bruises always flowering over the light-brown hue of his skin.

"I'm sure the Capitol can give you things for those bruises and such - why don't we ask this avox over here?" says Sean, tapping one of the red-clad servants on the shoulder. She nods patiently and listens to the victor explain Kane's predicament, before hurrying away into the train. What could be back there? Was there an entire section of this train just for medical purposes? Kane ponders the question for a minute or so, his mind envisioning some magical machine that can make his blood right for once, before being distracted by the coughing of his district partner.

Chastity Blythius - is that her name? - is another abnormal tribute from District Eleven, one with long locks of blonde hair and pale skin that hasn't managed to tan under Eleven's sun. But it isn't her skin that showcases how Chastity is different than an average citizen of Eleven - it's those coughs that wrack her body. Sean had a mind-melting conversation with her as well a few minutes prior, trying to grasp what in Panem cystic fibrosis was.

Kane didn't find it that hard to grasp. Between coughs, Chastity had told the two that mucus built up in her lungs and she found it difficult to breathe all the time. She managed to explain something else about how her genes had caused her to be some sort of recessive carrier or whatnot, but Kane didn't understand that part as well. She must have had more schooling than him in science.

The servant, no, the avox came back quickly and handed Sean a short note. "Hmm, so they're only allowed to take it in the Capitol?" Sean asked the avox, and she gave a quick nod. "Alright."

The tall, freckled man turned back to his tributes, explaining their circumstances as the reapings began to play on a television behind them. "So you both are allowed to take medication that will help with your various diseases and whatnot, but only in the Capitol. Don't ask me why you're not allowed to take it now, and it should be somewhat obvious why you can't take it in the Hunger Games."

"Alright, that makes sense," Kane says as a tall boy from One takes a look at at a girl that Kane would swear that he's seen on tv somewhere. "And if we make it back from the Games?"

"I suppose they'll give it to you for life, and you'll be able to live in peace." Chastity's eyes light up, then darken as the two tributes remember that the odds that they could win the Games are miniscule. Of course, there's always a chance, but it's small. "So when you get there, I will get you that medication and we can start working out a strategy."

"Do you think that it could work?" Kane asks, taking a careful glance at Sean. "I know that I don't seem like much, but I'm smart. I've managed to make it this far in life because I'm careful and smart enough to not hurt myself. And it's not like I'm just a hermit - I bring food to some of the worse-off precincts in Eleven every few days with friends."

Sean's eyebrows raise, and he gives Kane a long look. "I've known twelve children who were just as or more confident than you in their ability to survive. They didn't make it back. But you never do know…" the victor chooses his words carefully, knowing that hope is what he needs to give these two. "If you can find a way to hide from the older and stronger tributes and a weapon you can use, you just might make it home."

Chastity lightens up once more, giving the first smile that Kane's seen from her. "I'm a good hider! And I can run quickly - well, until I need to cough again. But I can!" The girl coughs, then nods enthusiastically. "Do you really think I can win?"

Their escort, who has been sitting and watching the reapings all of this time, laughs. "If that girl from Six last year made it out against Giovanna, - bless her heart, my cousin had too much money bet on her those Games - anyone can. I'll get you all the sponsors I know that love a good sob story."

Kane smiles as well, knowing full well that this is not his district partner's Game to win. Perhaps it isn't his either, but he never does know.

Perhaps the medication in the Capitol has long-lasting effects… perhaps the arena has a spot where he can hide…

Perhaps, just maybe, he can find a way to get out of there with nothing more than bruises.

Another chapter! Wonders never cease!

I have nothing much to say, BUT LCS, Shiro, and myself are writing a Survivor voting games SYOT, so check it out! Go to the account linked on my profile (World of Octobers): the story is "The First Survivor Games: Madagascar". I'd love to see some of you submit!

Enjoy. Until next time, TheAmazingJAJ