I am still missing check-ins for the following tributes:

Toren Kollath
Bellona Peirce
Gear Griswald
Astrid Balan
Haruhi Maki
Adella Kerrick
Corbyn Reid
Amelia Williams
Charles Thomson
Zilla Odbody
Darra Delaney
Twill Chintz
Claodis Omicron
Lily Baudilair
Red Bellmont
Clair Ivory

Please see the author's note at the end of Chapter 15 for the check-in question. You can submit it to me either through PM or on Discord.

Darra Delaney, 17
District 7 Female

Every single ounce of strength in her was screaming for her to run. But Darra pout up no fight as the Peacekeepers hauled her towards the train. Her goodbyes had been said, and many tears had been shed. She was still in shock; she knew the odds, but she had never expected this to happen to her. Ever.

Not after they had already taken her little brother away years before.

She was going into the same pageant that killed him.

On the train, there were Peacekeepers everywhere. oh, for crying out loud! Darra would probably never get a single moment alone. The one silver lining was the way Veles would glare at the men in women in white, with absolute disgust. Hmmm. Maybe they could somehow bond over that.

Their escort quickly introduced herself as Allegro, with the promise of helping to bring them back home. As if. After nearly a decade of Games, and when was the last time District 7 ever got close to having someone make it to the end, let alone survive the entirety of the Games? What if the Gamemakers rigged things so there was no chance either of them could win?

What if Darra was being punished?

No, that didn't make any sense. She had no damn clue what she could've ever done to piss off the Capitol to the point where they'd somehow rig her name to be drawn. She couldn't be the only person in all of 7 who hated them. And why would President Snow even care for her anyways? Surely there were worse people to keep an eye on.

Veles scoffed. "Why are there so many Peacekeepers?"
"It's a safety precaution," Allegro explained.
"Who's safety?"

Darra snorted, but the question had completely flown over Allegro's head. "Well, I'd say it's to keep us safe. They're here on the President's orders. Apparently, it's something about a looming rebel threat...and unfortunately, I'm not allowed to know the specifics."

"Great," Veles muttered and Darra shuddered. It was no big secret that District 7 had been a hotspot for rebel activity lately. "You're not accusing us of anything, are you?"
Allegro shook her head. "No, of course not! Well, I don't think either of you did anything to warrant this, right?"

"I'm completely innocent," Darra hissed. Veles said nothing.
"Well, that's a relief. Let's get into mentoring. Would you two liked to be mentored together, or separately?"

"Separate," Veles muttered. Darra had to agree. Not that she didn't trust Veles, but she didn't know him either. She had to put all her energy into getting home. For her family and for Jonah.

"Sounds good; I can do that. Unfortunately, there's only me. So, how about this. Veles, I'll work with your for now, and Darra, I'll be with you after dinner. Does sound good to everyone?"
"Sure," Darra said. "Can I watch the recap?"
"Good idea! That will give you a chance to start thinking of allies!"

Allegro led Veles off to his bedroom while Darra switched on the TV. There were a few standouts almost instantly, mainly the boy from 2 and the girl from 9, both having volunteered. There was her and Veles, and a quick shot of her sobbing parents in the crowd.

God, this had to be tearing them apart.

How many children would the Capitol take from them before enough was enough?

Darra blinked back tears; she wasn't going to start crying in front of a bunch of Peacekeepers again. Maybe now would be a good time to scout for potential allies. She wanted someone older and maybe stronger, rather than plain old deadweight. She didn't mean to insult the younger kids, who definitely didn't deserve this at all, but she couldn't be allied with one of them, just for them too die in front of her.

So, that ruled out a whole bunch of tributes. Oh, and the volunteers. Why the hell would they willingly participate in this kind of thing!?

As Darra watched the recaps a second time, she finally made her decisions. Potential allies included the boys from 4, 5, 6, 8, and 11, as well as the girls from 2 and 12, and maybe that guy from 10. Oh, and possibly Veles, if he said yes, and she had nobody else to fall back on. Then again, that was based off physical appearance alone. Darra considered the possibility of allying with someone a bit younger, if they had some skills worth admiring. But the cut-off age would be 14. She just couldn't.

Planning, planning, planning. Darra needed to plan. She needed to come back for home to her parents and her sisters, who needed her more than ever. And she also wanted to stick it to the Capitol for dragging her here in the first place. Right back into this murderous hell, for of nightmares and horrible memories she thought she'd never have to relive.

They messed with the wrong District 7 girl for sure.

Claodis Omicron, 15
District 8 Female

"What's up, Claodis?"
"Oh, nothing."

"Nothing?" Sliver asked. Claodis continued to stare absentmindedly out the window at the very back of the train, watching the world go by over the green top of the forest. She had never seen so many trees before in her life.
"Seems like something is bothering you."
"Oh, I just miss my friends, that's all."

"Your friends..." Silver paused. "You mean your dolls, right?"
"Well, I don't really consider them dolls. They're my friends!" Claodis curled up her fingers and lowered her voice to match Omi's, if he was beside her. "Hello again, Mr. Wirth! I can't believe we're meeting a second time!"

She suddenly felt a small pang in her heart. Right. She had been Reaped for the Hunger Games.

She didn't like this. It was such a jarring experience. Claodis had never left the district before, and she was perfectly content that way. It was her own little world; why on Earth did it need to be disrupted before? She was so happy with her friends, out and about, exploring the streets of Eight every single day.

Nothing in her life needed change. Nothing in her life needed such a big change.

Claodis dropped her arm limply at her side. "I can't remember the last time I've been without Omi. He's always been there for me. I've never had anyone else."
"Well, maybe we can work together so you can go back home and see him again?"

"Yes! I'd like that very much! Then we go back to hanging out!"
Sliver grimaced. "Well...Claodis, you understand what I'm trying to tell you, right?"

"I think I do..." Claodis let out a giggle, quickly correcting herself after she briefly slipped back into Omi's voice. "It's about a game."
"It's not just a game. You've got to fight in there. With real weapons. And things are going to be deadly. You will have go up against 23 other kids and kill them if you want to win and go back home."

Claodis's smile faltered. "Yeah...well...I've seen people do it before. It looks easy..."
"Are you sure? If you really want to survive..."
"Um..."

"Let's talk strategy," Sliver suggested. "We've been over the recaps. Can you see yourself allying with any other tributes?"
"I'm not sure. Twill seems really nice though!"
"I suppose you could ask him."

Claodis nodded. From what she knew of Twill, he seemed easy to work with. He wasn't Omi, Coco, or Norcimo, unfortunately.
"Anyone else."
"I'm not sure yet. Maybe cone I meet more people I can start deciding that!"

"Sure. Do you have any experience with weapons? Maybe physical combat?"
"Nothing."
Sliver blinked. "Nothing?"

"You mean, like knives and stuff? Or punching someone so hard you knock them out?"
"Well...you're a ventriloquist...can you throw your voice? Make it appear as if you can be heard from somewhere else?""

Claodis titled her head. "I could try!"
"At least we're getting somewhere. I'm guessing for you, we might have to rely on sponsors a bit more."

"What's a sponsor?"

Sliver pressed his hands together in thought. "I was told that anyone in Panem can donate funds that can be used to buy gifts or supplies for tributes during the Games, courtesy of their mentor. If you remember, last year, someone slipped a Gamemaker a bribe to secure weapons for the Victor, Honouria Crass. The President introduced the system for this year so people can buy items for tributes, I think as a way to draw the suspense and action out. Ugh."

The Victor shook his head in disgust. Meanwhile, Claodis was thrilled. "Oh cool! If I show people how awesome ventriloquy is, then they'll want to sponsor me and buy me a new friend so they can actually see me do it for them!"

"Err...something along those lines...I'm not entirely sure I can get you a puppet though..."
"I guess I better start practicing. It's gonna feel a little weird without Omi, though. But I'm sure I'll be fine!"

Stravos Brodie, 16
District 1 Male

The second Foxy mentioned sponsors, Stravos began to scheme.

Not out loud, of course. He didn't want Elise to know. She was not the least bit happy about being here. Then again, neither was Stravos.

"So, that covers pretty much everything I was told. I'm still not entirely sure how it will be run, but I'd suggest appealing to the general public. You want sponsors. With them, we might be able to provide you with some valuable necessities. If you have any questions, hopefully I can answer them."

"How will you decide to split the funds?" Stravos asked.
Foxy briefly glanced over at the District 1 escort, Benjamin, who answered for him. "Depends on a lot of factors, really. Cost, what each of you need, whether or not we receive a donation that's specific for one of you. But we can figure that out later."

Stravos frowned. Fuck. If there was going to be money involved, he wanted it all going towards him. It was much harder to swindle things when he wasn't allowed to see or touch it himself. At least in poker, he could watch as everyone else raised the pot.

Elise nervously tugged her hair. "So we've gotta get the Capitolites to like us. Okay...I'm good at that."
"You are?"
"I've done a lot of acting in school. That can help, right?"

Foxy nodded. "Yep. I'd say that would."
Stravos was not in the mood not be outdone. "Yeah? Well, I'm a pro poker player!"

The conversation came to a screeching halt as all eyes fell on him.

Except nobody seemed pleased. "You're a minor," Foxy pointed out.
"So? I've made a lot of money off of it."
"Again, it's illegal."

Stravos shrugged. "I'm already in the Games and probably gonna die in the next three weeks. What are you gonna do about it?"
Elise sniffed. "Ugh. That kind of cockiness is gonna get you killed."
"Suck my dick, Starbright!"

"Enough guys!" Benjamin quickly jumped to his feet, forcing himself between both tributes. "Can we all try to be civil?"
"Fine," Elise hissed. Stravos flashed her a smirk.

"So, we should probably take a look at forming an alliance." Foxy was clearly trying to take back control of the situation. "Claymore and Honouria already told me they want to bring the One-Two alliance back again. Do you two think you can handle that?"

Stravos nodded. He had seen the way District 1 and 2 always banded together, and it had been successful last time. Plus, maybe he could convince Toren and Bellona to side with him over Elise as he wormed his way into leading the whole pack, controlling their every move to guarantee his survival. So, why not?

"Are there any other tributes you think you should watch out for?" Benjamin asked.
"The girl from 9," Elise said almost immediately. "She volunteered, so...she must be really confident. Could be dangerous. But maybe that's what she wants us to think."

Stravos knew exactly what tribute he needed to keep his eye on. But he had a feeling nobody would like his answer, so kept his mouth shut.

"Toren volunteered too," Foxy gently reminded Elise. "And I like the way you think, about putting on an act to appear as more of a target."
Elise blushed. "I'd say a lot of the older tributes too, because if they're physically stronger, I might not be able to take them on in a fight if I have to."

Hmmmm. That was news. Stravos knew he wasn't the strongest guy in the room, but if Elise wasn't either...

His plan was simple. He needed the majority within his alliance, keeping them all at arm's length in case any of them tried to kill him. Toren and Bellona both seemed pretty strong. Maybe he could convince them to pick everyone else off, so he wouldn't have to risk getting his hands dirty. Not that Stravos thought blood was disgusting...well, it kinda was, but he wasn't afraid of it.

But why take the risk?

What he needed was sponsors. More sponsors with Elise. Once he had the audience sitting in his hand like chips on the table, then he could strike, take his allies out, and go back home to go play in more underground betting rings like a kid in a candy store.

Too bad Elise was playing with her cards flat in the open, for him to see. Too bad Stravos wasn't going to tell her.

Adella "Dell" Kerrick, 16
District 4 Female

She dreamed she was standing an a beach.

The waves crashed down, water flowing onto the wet sand. It reached her ankles, yet she couldn't quite feel it. She was barefoot too, wearing a pale blue sundress with white flowers.

Small objects washed up onto the shore. A small bottle of sand. A conch shell. An old rag. That damn teapot. A book filled with seaweed.

The kinds of things her father might collect.

He was right behind her too, watching the bounty wash up, so he could swoop down and take it all for himself. He didn't even notice Dell standing there. Or maybe he was ignoring her. he was focusing on a large ship in the distance, where Dell could see some of her classmates and people she knew around the district throwing things overboard.

A large porcelain doll was pushed up to her feet. Dell grimaced at the sight of it. It was her. A miniature version of her. With the exact same dress, same hairstyle and large eyes that stared vacantly back up at her face. Dell picked up the doll, cradling it in her arms.

Then, as hard as she could, she tossed it back into the ocean.

Dell couldn't explain the immense satisfaction she felt, watching the doll bob up and down. Until her father grabbed her by the shoulder, suddenly pulling her back. She glanced up at him, and noticed he was hefting a broken beer bottle over his head. She tried to scream, but her voice got caught in her throat as he brought the bottle down, narrowly missing her face.

"Stop!" Dell finally screamed as the waves poured over her head. She began to choke on the water as it filled her lungs. She couldn't breathe...

Her father let go of her as the water carried her way towards certain doom. Dell began to wail in horror one last time as the waves forced her back...

Then she was awake, lying across an unfamiliar bed, in a damp pool of her own seat, inside a dark room that felt like it was moving. Right, She was on a train. A train speeding off towards the Capitol to cart her towards her death. Dell leaned over to pick up her pillow, which must've fallen off the bed at some point during the night.

She remembered crying in the Justice Building, because as much as she and her father argued, she wasn't ready to say goodbye to him just yet. She wanted to stay in 4 with him and help him run his shop, even if it meant never asking him about her mother again for the rest of her life.

Yet here she was. Trapped here with a bunch of strangers. One who could kill her, two who pretended to care about her, and all these Peacekeepers. They made her feel small, in their sleek white outfits and they way she could see her reflection in their helmets.

Dell quietly crept up to her window. It was dark, yet she could still see the trees. They were all a blur now. She missed the salty smell of the ocean. The smell of home. There was always a sense of excitement, watching things wash up onto the sand that her father would pick up and carefully expect. Dell remembered her younger self dragging these treasures up to him so he could congratulate her skills.

Finally, she was breathing a little more normally now, the shock of the nightmare finally wearing off. Yep, Dell currently was not drowning in an ocean she had never visited, haunted by a doll that looked way too much like her for her own comfort. That was all, just a dream. Just a dream, right?

Dell carefully cracked her door open, careful to not wake any of the other sleeping passengers on the train. The fuzzy blue slippers she had been provided with helped to soften her footsteps. She sat down on a couch in front of the television, pressing her feet against a pillow. She felt the cool air of the train rush over her, ridding her of some more sweat. It felt nice.

"Who's there?"
"Just me," Dell yawned. "Why are you awake?"

Haruhi shrugged, fiddling with a loose thread on his purple robe. "Because I heard some noises."
"Oh. Sorry about that."

"It's fine. Um...am I interrupting something?"
"Nope."
"Then what are you doing?"

"I'm just chilling." Dell stretched. "Don't worry about me, I'll go back to bed later."
"Well, now that we're both awake..."

Haruhi trailed off, but she knew exactly what he wanted to ask. Huh. And she thought Haruhi was gonna try and kill her right off the bat. "I'd love to."
"You didn't even let me finish. I was going to ask if we could form an alliance. But if that's what you want, then it works for me."

Current Alliances:

Career Pack With Issues: Stravos, Elise Toren (?), Bellona (?)

Team District 4: Haruhi, Elise

Looks like some alliances are starting to form. Do you think they will work out? Which other tributes do you think will ally together?

Next chapter will be the Parade, with Argen and Clair! Hopefully, that will be up either at the end of February or beginning of March!

I don't have much else to say here lol. See you all next chapter!

-Vr