Chapter 17: Ordinary and Unique

Training Day Two

Calliope Germaine - District Eleven Female

"It is not true that everyone is special. It is true that everyone was once special and still possesses the ability to recover it."

- Criss Jami, Killosophy

It was a tough fight. That instructor was not going easy (which I asked for) and while hand-to-hand fighting isn't my greatest strength, I did manage it.

"Can I just say I'm glad I teamed up with you?"

Cristian smirked while saying that. No doubt impressed with my skills.

"-and I mean, wow.

That trainer was super buff, and I doubt I could've won once, never mind two out of four times. Like, I'm pretty sure some careers were struggling taking him."

The praise makes me puff, it does, but I could do a little. It's nice to know my training has been put to good use. My training with my dad, a former Victor, has a lot to do with swords, bows, and combat. It's not always perfect. I miss the red dots half the time and I get beat in combat more often than not, but I can handle it.

Frowning, I looked at my right index finger - hopefully no one will get the wrong idea - where I put my mom's wedding ring. It's the token I got during the Goodbyes by my dad. It's... a momento I wasn't expecting, and Snow knows how solemn it makes me feel every time I look at it.

After all, she died birthing me. Hard not to feel doleful.

"So, ah? That ring must mean something important for you?" Cristian asked. Damn, I must have been looking at it for too long.

"Yeah," I answered. "Used to be my mom's."

"Right. Too young for you to be hitched. I mean, you still got time - you know," he had a cat-like smile on him. "Unless you already got someone in mind. Maybe that girl you volunteered for. Must be pretty something."

That got me to blush a little, which only made his grin to widen. "Yeah, you got it right. Liane and I are a thing. She's... well, special to me. You understand better why I choose to save her. I mean, you got a whole family? A few brothers?"

"Four of them," he answered, but he grimaced.

"Sorry for bringing it up."

"Naw, it's fine," Cristian said. "But of course, I would take my brother's place if they ever got picked to go here."

That's good, and I didn't think too much about it. If I had a sibling or sister, I'd like to believe it's only natural to help them - even when it comes to life-threatening situations.

On the way to the next station - the one with a track course - I bumped into a small boy from Twelve.

"No! More curse. More curses! More curses! I'm sorry!" The clearly insane boy shouted and ran. All the way to the elevator. Makes me wonder why he even came to training anyway if he was just going to leave.

Cristian and I had similar reactions. My district partner spoke, "Look's like the boy from Three has competition on who's this year's crazy."

"Hey now," I faked a tone of disapproval. "It's just Vailsha. The true goddess. She earned her way to godhood by telling a random thirteen-year old about it. Learn some respect."

The two of us laughed at that. Dorian definitely had some screws loose, telling every tribute about his made-up religion. Yeah, him and Twelve are bloodbath, I thought sadly. It's always sad the younger the tributes are.

Not long after, someone else came up to us. It was the girl from One, Bliss, that looked at us. Well, she was looking at me specifically with a smile.

Cristian froze while I crossed my arms. I glared at her, looking as confident as possible. Never show any any fear to career, my father would say that many times.

Bliss turned to my district partner. "I'd like to talk to her in private."

At that, it's become clear to me what this was about. So did Cristian, but he didn't say anything. He gave me a frightened look at my eyes, and walked up a few steps away from earshot.

The redhead looked me up and down as if she was eyeing a certain prize. "I think we both know what I'm going to talk about. The rest of us were interested in having a total of six like how careers usually would have. Lucky for you - we've noticed how well you've handled yourself in training."

"It's... not unexpected," I replied cautiously. It isn't. My dad trained me for this. Exactly in this moment, even. He always cautioned me that my best bet was to join up the careers. Something I'm wary of for many reasons. One of them is Cristian who I looked at. He was clearing anticipating and fearing whatever answer I'll give.

"You're clearly skilled enough to be here," Bliss said. "But to be a part of the careers, we do have to be ruthless. It's a requirement to get these Games going. I'm not sure what you've heard about us, but we aren't complete monsters that others would tell in the outer-districts."

"I-I wouldn't want to step on the other's toes," I listed a reason, which only got her to smirk.

"That already makes you a hundred times better than that dipshit Silver," she said.

Oh yeah, the Anti-careers as some boys have self-proclaimed themselves to be. Not the most attractive group.

Mostly, the boys from One and Eight are doing slight intimidation tactics on everyone. They haven't tried to recruit me, and I'm happy about that.

"So, want to join?"

Thinking this over for a minute, the career patiently waited for my answer.

Making a decision like this has its pros and cons, I told her, "Can I give my answer in an hour?"

She nodded. "You can, but be sure to answer by the end of the day."

Making my leave, I walked away from the stations here. Cristian looked like he wanted an answer, but I can't seem to find one myself. This is a something I'm not very much interested in, but I can't deny the benefits either. Not after all these years of having my father proclaiming that it's for the best.

So, I should meet him. He's my mentor after all.

After walking in the District Eleven apartment, neither mentor was there.

I called them - dad and Thea. They came soon after.

It was a startling moment for me to see my own father was smiling. It's been far too long since I've ever seen such a rare sight.

"We heard the good news," he said proudly. "And knew you can do it! My faith in you has never faltered for a second."

Snow's Beard, is my cheeks flushing with from his praise? Well, it has been a while since I've seen him so happy.

But this is also uncomfortable, so I coughed, "Dad, I have not given an answer just yet."

"Then say yes," he said, unsurprisingly. His good mood suddenly did a one-eighty and has gone back to sour. "There's no reason to hesitate here, Calliope. To join the careers would bring us glory. To bring Eleven up, to have us as a future career district just as Malcolm planned."

Plans which ended up bringing false hope, I thought. Malcolm was an old grouchy Victor with plans on making District Eleven to a career district. It didn't catch on, since, well, it was a death game. Dad didn't quite the get memo even now.

"What about Cristian?" I asked, remembering old wounds.]

He scoffed, "What about him? He was always going to bring you down. The careers won't."

Thea, my other mentor and sister-figure, nudged him with a glare. He had a glare of his own, but didn't say anything. She sighed in resignation, "Calliope... This - I can't deny this can't be a good opportunity for you to win this. But that depends on the group, and it rarely ends well. I believe they kicked an unstable tribute out named Silver. I suppose that means they're trying their best to be competent."

"So... I should join?"

"Absolutely, you-" my dad was then cut off.

"You don't have to, but it's probably for the best if you do," Thea gave her twenty cents and gave a glare to my dad.

Right.

This is not going to be easy. At all.

"Okay, then. I'll get going then."

I passed my two mentors and went to the hallway. Thea looked sad while dad was expecting that I'll make the answer to be the one he's always been rooting for since I was five.

The choice was a tough one.

Also, Cristian was waiting outside the apartment. Snow, I was not ready for the day to come despite all that training. He was glaring at me with suspicion, "So, did the career girl do what I think she did?"

"Yep, she wanted to go bed with me," I responded on autopilot. Couldn't help it. My nerves needed to be backed up by humor.

Not expecting that I would say that, he couldn't help but grin while I laughed a little.

"Well, shit, too bad," he said, smiling all too innocently. "Wonder what your girlfriend would think about that?"

Okay, now he's being kind of a douche.

"Well... that was just a joke. Career girls aren't my type," I said flatly.

"What about careers in general?" Cristian asked irritably. "You didn't decide yet. Or have you?"

"No, no. I did. Was kind of hoping they would never ask, but they did. Making this whole thing more dramatic for my taste, but I wanted some time to think about this, you know."

"Right. Your decision?"

He was being a bit more forceful on that, wanting a straight answer out of me.

No choice now.

"I'm sorry Cristian."

The answer is that I need to survive. Joining the careers would improve my chances on that. I'm not totally on board with the killing thing, but I was trained for it regardless. And that's want it. Survival. To see the end of this. To see Liane when I come back home.

"So, that's how it's going to be," he snorted roughly, and twisted his mouth in disgust. "You were just waiting for this to happen, weren't you?"

No, not really, the careers weren't in my mind at all when I volunteered. Despite all of father's persistence on the whole issue, they were always at the back of the bus. I never wanted any of this to happen. I should have thought this more clearly before making an alliance with Cristian.

"I can still help," I offered without really thinking about it.

"How? With your new buddies watching you?" He said roughly, and turned his back to me. "You think I'd trust what a backstabber like you has to say."

It felt like a knife twisted in my gut, and I felt nothing but shame.

Angrily, he went away.

He's not wrong. I did the traitorous thing and decide to leave him for the better choice. Part of me just wanted to take it back, but I can't. This is for all for my sake. I have to be selfish. If it means that I'll live by the end of this. Then I can live with my guilty conscience.

Jaeden Rota - District Six Male

I just wasn't made for this. Any of it.

After a day of wondering what in Snow's hell I was going to do, I realized that I can't do this alone. Never have done much alone. I have always had family and friends on the road to help me at work and at school (respectively).

If I have any chance of making it out alive, I need allies. Tried my hand at getting Moira at my side, but she didn't accept. All my district partner is doing is learning about plants and some reading. As if that'll help her in the long run, I thought doubtfully.

There's a frightening chance that I'll die. I'm practically a bloodbath if I'm by myself.

Finding an ally can't be that hard. I made friends last year just fine.

I can be persuasive.

Right?

Looking at all the groups, I see the District Ten twins running a course. The career boys from Two and Four were doing hand-to-hand combat. Something I'm terrible at. At the lunch area, the weak-leg kid from Seven along with his district partner and Nine girl were talking and laughing. They were throwing and catching grapes.

On one table, I can see a lonely girl. The uniform she has on her says she's from Three. She looked unbothered, playing with her food. I remembered her at the archery station, only instead of arrows, she showed an aptitude in throwing knives.

She's no career, but it's not like I'm any better.

So, I grabbed a tray and walked to her table. Just like the lunchroom at school, I reminded himself. This is just like making school friends. Only different. Cause this time, making friends would be life or death.

I found companionship with Mordi and Lancia the same way. Maybe it'll work here. It's not having any other idea under these specific circumstances.

"Hey," I greeted, putting my food tray down and sitting in front of her. She put her head up, tilted her head slightly at me. She looked baby-faced up close, but I don't think she'd shy away stabbing me. Her eyes narrowed, and her frown showed displeasure.

"What do you want?" she asked bluntly.

"Just to talk. And to sit here," I looked at her with visible nervousness. "Can I?"

The Three girl stared, considered the offer for a few seconds, and nodded.

I sat. After careful deliberation on how to respond to her, I said, "I guess I should mention that I'm here to team up with you."

"No shit."

Right, pretty obvious. Is she interested? No idea. She only looks annoyed. I proceeded with the best of my admittingly social abilities. I'm trying to avoid being as blunt as I usually am.

"My names Jaeden. Jaeden Rota. From Six."

"Stop. Stop," Three put her hand up. She took something out of her pocket. It was a deck of cards. I raised a brow. She said, "I found that playing cards can relax people and make conversation easier. Also, it seems like you're struggling a little."

I coughed, embarrassed. "Yeah. I appreciate that. So, what's your name?"

"Veta Del Mina," she answered, shuffling the cards in her hands. She kept on looking at me like I'm the enemy.

This is tougher than school. And even then, I don't think it's possible to make friends in the Hunger Games. There's not enough time to cultivate something like that - but is it possible to get a measure of trust? I'm not sure. Trusting anyone here just seems stupid.

"What are we playing?" I asked.

"War."

"Never heard of it."

"I'll teach you."

It was an interesting game. Nothing complicated, we had cards to match up. Get rid of the hand deck, then rid of the hidden deck on the table. Standard, and easily a fun game to play.

The good news is that I won the first time. "Beginner's luck," Vita scoffed.

Grinning at my luck, I asked to play once more. This time, things got more relaxed between us. It's a relief the first stage has been passed. Now, on to the next level - Ew, just realized that sounded awfully similar like dating. Not interested, obviously.

"You got anything going for you? I mean, why should why I team up with you? Do you have any skills that could benefit?" She asked me.

"I-" starting with that, I searched for an answer. "I can hold myself in a fight." Probably.

"So can I. Anything else?"

"A couple of things," I answered vaguely. In terms of anything Hunger Games related, I got nothing. I worked with my dad in his workshop, and that's as far as skills go. Expecting me to know how to work a sword or build a fire is just stupid.

Vita wasn't very impressed by that answer. "Listen-"

Cutting her short, a brunette girl who came to sit next to me with a tray of her own. Vita and I blinked at our unexpected arrival. Her training suit had the number '5' in it, and I was reminded that unlike myself, this girl did have skills suited for the Hunger Games. If her slicing up those dummies earlier meant anything.

"You guys don't mind if I sit here?" she asked us.

"No. It's fine," I said, then turned to Vita. She looked more guarded, but accepted it when the other girl sat down.

"What's your name?" Vita asked.

"Zyra Koore," she answered, looking at the table. She had a small grin. "You guy's played cards then. Ever heard of a little game called 'bullshit'?"

The two of us couldn't pass a chance at not playing this game. Vita and I introduced ourselves, and Zyra told us the rules to this new game. We played long enough and managed to get comfortable with one another.

"Bullshit." I called out, mock-glaring at Vita. "No way you still got three 5's on you. I got one, and I'm pretty sure Zyra has another." At that, Zyra nodded, and Vita tsked at having her scheme foiled.

I smiled at the fun this game produced, but realized, Oh shit. We're still in the Hunger Games. The card game did a good job at districting me for a few minutes. But I knew this had to be done eventually.

"This - this is fun, We should start talking now," I said to them, mournfully.

"Shame, I was about to smoke you two," Zyra smiled proudly, but set her cards down regardless.

"So glad we didn't bet anything," Vita mumbled.

"We should be real with one another," I advised.

"We should," Vita agreed, eyeing the two of us. "I don't know you two. So far, you guys are trying to be decent and I can appreciate it. But trust is a hard thing to give. There's countless Hunger Games stories about betrayal and I'm not interested in being part of another one."

Zyra nodded, "I totally get where you're coming from. There was a group called the Anti-career's, total tools. Well, not all of them. My district partner is with them now, but I got bad vibes from the Oner and Eighter - Silver and whoeverstooge. There has to be a reason the careers didn't want Silver aboard."

Yep, I saw them messing with Six girl earlier. The three of us turned to see that group of four anti-careers turned to five now. The boy from Eleven joined up with them. Guess the Eleven's had a falling out. Now there's five assholes who teamed up with each other.

"So, yeah. Glad you two are better than the peacekeepers-wannabes," the Five girl told us. I'm thankful for the light levity she provided. "Wanted to team up with the girl from Eight, but she didn't accept it."

"That makes us the next best thing?" I guessed, not at all insulted.

She shrugged, "Pretty much."

Vita snorted.

"Guess I can't fault you for that. The thing is, I'm not sure I can survive by myself," I confessed to them self-deprecatingly. "Not sure about you guys, but there's not a whole lot I think I'm capable of here. Unless you want me to fix a car or something."

"I'm sure that'll be useful," Zyra commented. "Maybe. Unless we get another forest, you're fucked."

I laughed at that, because that is what I think I am. Fucked. But that doesn't sound impressive at all. "I got family and friends back home. What about you guys?"

Vita went next, "I got a little brother back home. He's...well, you guys get siblings, right?"

Zyra and I nodded with absolute confidence. "Yeah. Got a twin sister back home," Zyra said fondly. "She's just so," she shakes her head, "she's such a nerd."

"Two sisters," I said, holding up two fingers. Remembering my sisters Sarai and Kaylin, I can't help but wonder how they're doing back at Six. I said sadly,

"This is unfair."

"Complete bullshit," Vita added, but angrier than I was.

"Fuck these guys," Zyra agreed with us.

All three of us collectively looked around to see if anyone heard that. They didn't hear that, hopefully, I thought uncertainly. Obviously, everyone had to keep opinions like that on the down-low. President Chambers is pretty much trying to emulate Snow, after all. Hard punishments and all that.

"I don't think I would mind working with you two," I said. "It's not like I have better options. We all want to live through this."

"With only the chance of one of us makes it out - and I am going to pick myself over you guys any day," Vita declared.

"Wouldn't have it any other way," Zyra smiled at what Vita says. I can get it, at least she's blunt and not sugar coating things.

Vita looked at the other female, "Where did you learn how to fight anyway?"

"My parents wanted me to be ready in case the Hunger Games came calling for me. I thought they were paranoid, but I guess they were right."

Will Zyra be this honest during the Hunger Games? Will Vita stab me in the back? Who knows. There's very little to accomplish by myself. I'm not exactly comfortable with either Zyra or Vita. They aren't my friends back home. But what real choice do I have?

"Does that mean you want to ally then?" I asked the two.

"I'm down," Zyra agreed. She wasn't who I intended to ally with; but with her skills, she could no doubt be useful.

Looking at Vita, she relented soon after and nodded at me. "You guys are alright."

"Well, as this is a new alliance. You know what that means, right?" Zyra asked the two of us. We shrugged and she continued, "We need a awesome name for our alliance."

"Are you fucking serious?" Vita asked with all the charm of a gangster back at Six.

"Well, we have to! Else the Capitolites might give us a stupid name!"

She has a point there.

Bliss Lustra - District One Female

I never doubted that Calliope would join up. After all, it made sense she wanted to join the strongest group in the Hunger Games.

And we are the strongest. Maybe Roxy's too girlish, Somnus too lazy, Delmara's bossy, and Anet's so quiet. But they know how to fight with a multitude of weapons. They're not too chaotic, cruel or uncontrollable.

We are as professional as careers should be (or close to it anyway).

"Let's see how good you are, Calliope," Delmara, the 'leader' of the careers addressed. The leadership position means nothing in short and long term, so she can carry whatever imagine power she thinks she has. It won't matter long.

At the moment, Delmara still wants test the new member of our pack - a interesting little sacrifice from Eleven. Calliope has a Victor for a father, and was trained for this. Possibly not as efficient as the rest of us, but she can hold herself in a fight. And her manners are thankfully more mature than that idiot Silver.

That fool is what everyone imagines careers to be as well as someone I'd rather not associate with, I thoughtfully stated.

"I'm better than good. No hard feelings in case I win?" The newcomer gave a half-warm, half-serious question. Calliope had a sword in her hand while Delmara brought a trident to the fight.

The 'leader' wasn't amused, then again, I don't think I've seen her smile yet. "You'll wish you can win against me. Remember to tap out in case I go overboard."

Delmara took the first shot, thrusting her trident at the Eleven girl. Calliope quickly blocked, taking another step backwards.

Can't help but be reminded of my own fights back in the One Acadamy, telling us to 'train' while harming each other's faces and breaking a few bones. I'm looking back at it with both parts fondness and resentment. It's home, but it's not as if I'm friends with other would-be tributes in that rat's nest of a facility.

Observing the fight as it progressed, Somnus walked to me. Wonder what he wants?

"Hey, Crimson," Somnus greeted with a grin. A handsome grin, I noticed. No, he is not bad for the eyes at all. I'm a bit intrigued by him more than his good looks, but it certainly helps.

I raised a brow. "Crimson?"

"Would you rather be called Red? I'm sure a gorgeous vixen such as yourself has been called that one too many times," he guessed. He's not wrong, a lot of uncreative brain-dead boys in the Academy.

"Then you'd be right," I allowed, stiffening as he touched shoulder to shoulder. Appears he's trying to make some moves on me, somewhat subtly.

Unlike that others, I sensed that Somnus has some shrewdness in him the careers sorely need behind his possibly forced laziness. Anet was content in being silent and following Delmara's lead. The leader herself, I think, watches too much Capitol TV and expects some 'honor' or 'protocol' to be in the careers. Not to say she won't be ruthless, but Delmara is making herself predictable.

Still haven't gotten Roxy's mindset. The girl from Two seemed to be brainless and cheerful plus pretty - she would fit in with other girls in One - but she can fight. So can Somnus, but unlike everyone in the career group, he's in the background filling the eye-candy role. The rest of us are training (in reality, we're intimidating the rest of the tributes), but he refused to do much saying "It's a pain".

If Roxy didn't back him up and Somnus at least showed himself competent in fighting, I think we would have a second exile.

The two of us looked back at the brawl between leader and newcomer.

Somnus started, "The new girl is cute, at least."

I hummed. "Your barking up the wrong tree. Calliope has a girl back in Eleven. It's why she volunteered."

"Someone did their homework," he noted, not the least bit disappointed by the information.

"Well, someone had to. It's not as if I want another jackass to take Silver's place," I said. Thank Snow for small mercies. Sure, Silver and I basically avoid each other in the One apartment. So now I have to live with Silver and his brother/mentor sending me cold looks, but I expected it. Calliope is a fair tradeoff over that waste of space.

The Two boy had a questioning look on him, "And how exactly did you know?"

"My mentor and escort are spoiling me," I smiled a catty smile. Ozzy Jubilee and Jewels Howard the Blue Man, they are a gregarious pair of helpers. And it would be wise to know everything that can give me the slightest advantage.

"And what do you know about me?" Somnus asked casually, but I can tell he was defensive about something.

"Only that you really were the chosen volunteer and your story wasn't bullshit. Other than that, your some rich boy career tribute," I grinned.

"Yeah. That sounds about right," he nodded. He proceeded to look at me expectantly. "How badly would you react if one of us dies?"

"About as much as you," I said. The two of us grinned. Least someone here gets it.

The one truth only realists know.

That there's no one but yourself to look after.

"I think out of everyone here, we get each other. Plus, it helps that your cute. So, want to come to my place?" He offered me, putting a hand on my arm. It's pretty obvious what he wants. I'm tempted, honestly. But...

Moving his hand away. "Maybe later," I refused, and Somnus could tell it was a refusal, but took it with grace.

"Shame, Crimson. You're one cold ruthless conniver," he teased.

There was some red in my cheeks at that, and then I pushed my index finger between his eyes, and smiled as well. "Yes. I. Am."

The fight between Calliope and Delmara ended. It ended with Calliope's defeat, but she put up a fight, and now she's fully merged in the career pack with some bruises on her. Not that the outcome was surprising. Yesterday, Delmara and the rest of us had one on one fights, and she had the highest win ratio.

"What about your district partner? You offered your body to her yet?"

Somnus laughed once. "You make me some kind of slut."

"So you aren't?"

"No. I am," he said shamelessly. "But to answer your question, Roxy isn't interested. I asked her out before all this, and outright said she isn't interested the moment we got on the train. That's cool, but now there's a lack of options and I'm not sure if Delmara would break my nose or cut my groin if I asked her."

I snorted. "You and Roxy close?"

Somnus shrugged. "We're not friends, but we come from the same circle. Go to the same gala's. Our families tried to get us to 'court' each other before, but neither of us wanted that."

Well, that's interesting. I looked at where the Two girl is, and she seems to be chatting with Anet. Actually, Anet was standing and listening while Roxy was doing all the talking. "Is Roxy always so... cheerful?"

"Usually," he nodded. "But she has a dangerous side to her. She wouldn't be here is she didn't."

I figured. No way District Two would send someone soft-hearted.

"The day's going by, I'm gonna get going. See you later."

Somnus winked at me. "I'll just be around. Call me if you're interested, Crimson."

"I'll keep that in mind."

He's so lucky he's handsome. Charming too, if he felt like it. Other male trainees thought about impressing the 'Ice Queen' that I am, but they never got far and I wasn't terribly impressed. Not sure why I decided to treat Somnus differently. I concluded that it's because he's here in the Hunger Games.

On the way, I motioned to Roxy and Anet. "So, was he always like that?"

Roxy looked at me and then at Somnus. He smiled fully. "Yup! He really get's around. You wouldn't believe how many girls want to kill him back in Two. He even broke up with a girl during the Goodbyes."

Guess there is more reason to like him than just his looks. I said farewells to Roxy and Anet, who just nodded my way, and I walked to the elevator.

However, there is another tribute following behind me.

The girl from Twelve.

I squint a bit when I looked at her. Her red hair and looks almost make her resemble me (only cubbier), and I'm a little surprised that her eyes showed more hope than fear when she looks at me.

"Hi," she greeted.

"What do you want, Twelve?" I questioned coldly.

"Yeah, for the record, I never imagined my life would turn out this way either," Twelve girl said, looking hesitant. I stared at her, mastering long ago how to do so threateningly. "I'm your sister."

The entire journey in the elevator was silent. I was definitely not expecting that. All I could do was look at the smaller girl with unbelievable shock.

Thankfully, the elevator door opened after a few seconds.

Unsure for the first time since coming here, I decided to ignore the girl and walk out to the apartment hallways.

"Wait up!" the so-called 'sister' shouted.

Turning to younger girl, and I didn't know whether to believe her or not. One part of me wants to know the if this girl is telling the truth, but a large angry part wants to spit on this rando and forget this happened.

"Come on, Bliss," she said, as if she already knew me. "I know this is crazy. But let's get to know each other. Stuff like this doesn't just happen, right?!"

My eyes narrowed. "You're right. This doesn't happen. At all. Do you even have proof?"

"Dad was here in the Capitol," she informed. "Come to my apartment, he left a message for you there."

After a moment of consideration, I find that my curiosity now has been peaked. Besides, there's no harm to follow her to see if she's telling the truth or not.

"So where is he now?" I tested the girl.

The girl nodded, looking sadden by something. "Our dad's a peacekeeper. He goes District to District, that's how he met our mom's. Right now, he's been stationed at District Eight and left this morning."

Awfully convenient, but nothing has been disproven either. Actually, I've long since theorized that my father was a peacekeeper. Not many occupations out there can travel to other districts after all. I don't believe the Twelve girl is some trained actress either, but once more, I'll have to see how this all turns out.

Once we were in Iry's - learned her name on the way - room, she took a note out and gave it to me.

Iry didn't look at my eyes when she said, "I didn't read it."

Now that was unconvincing.

Whatever.

Opening the letter, a shortly written speech: 'Dear Bliss, this is your father, Newt. This must come to a surprise for you. For some proof, you'll have to recall the blue scarf with a dog design back when you were young.'

That did ring a bell. I remember going through a scarf phase when I was younger. It's been so long, I stopped wearing scarfs when I went to the Academy and became a trainee. I continued reading.

'Sadly, you were not my only daughter that entered the Hunger Games. Such terrible luck brought your younger sister Iry with us. I have hopes that you would protect each other. I'm proud of you, Bliss. Your dearly missed father.'

After reading this, I can convince myself that my deadbeat of a father wrote this and that Iry Hawkfeather really is my sister. I looked at my younger half-sister. Because that's what she is, same dad, different mother.

"So glad you're going to help, Bliss," Iry said, smiling like a buffoon. She took out a taffy from her pocket, and ate it. She looks annoyingly self-assured.

You arrogant bitch, I thought viciously. Did she think just cause we're related that I would help her? We only met a few minutes ago. I never thought highly of my father to begin with, and he expects me to help Iry like that!?

There was a urge to break this letter in half and insult this girl, but that didn't happen. No, I was better than that. I can use this to my advantage.

"Of course I will," I lied, forcing my mouth to move upwards. "Sis, then? Is that alright to say?"

Iry paused, and then looked cheerful. "Of course it is! This is awesome! You know, I always wanted a sister and now I have one!" Hurry for you. Later, my half-sister took another piece of candy from her pocket and gave it to me. "Take it. It's from my dad's store!"

I looked at her with a confused look. "What do you mean by that?"

"I got two dads," she mumbled, chewing on her taffy. "My other dad works at the candy shop."

"I see," I took her candy. "You realize that this needs to be kept secret. I'm with the careers, and it would be best if I stayed there to keep them away from you."

She nodded at my logic. Accepting it like that. Iry is unbelievably foolish, I concluded. She's just going to trust me off the bat like this. So far, my opinion of her is almost is down the list, right next to Silver.

"Good, then I should get going," I told Iry.

She said sadly, "Don't you want to stay longer?"

"It's for the best. No need to bring down more suspicion," I said the best excuse I can come up with. "Not the mention, it's getting late soon."

"Bye sis," she said, smiling as I went.

"Goodnight, Iry."

When I reached the hallway, I tossed the candy to the nearest trash bin. Moving forward to my apartment, I felt slight unease now.

There was a series of emotions that I thought I could will away. But having a half-sister revealing herself to me during the Hunger Games was unexpected to say least. Not to mention, I'm greatly annoyed by my father and half-sister's thoughts that I would simply go along with their plans.

So what if we're 'family'? That doesn't mean anything to me. I'm going to kill that sister of mine.

Well, not me, specifically. Maybe some other career in the group. But if I had to, then I will.

Would I?

Snow, this is going to bother me, isn't it?

I see someone coming from the elevator. That someone being Somnus.

Smirking, I know that there's something that would distract me.

"Somnus," I addressed, walking to him. He was surprised to see me put my arms around his neck. "I've decided to say yes on that offer you made."

"What brought this on?" he said curiously.

"Do you honestly care or do you just want to have some fun?"

I avoided answering. Somnus picked up on that, and decided not to press the issue. He moved his hands to my back, and smirked confidently, "Who am I to question you, Crimson?"

He moved his lips into mine. It morphed quickly into something more passionate as we moved to his bedroom.

It was a pleasant distraction.

A/N: Well, what do you know? I brought romance (well, not really) into the story. It isn't my strongest suit, obviously. There won't be much of it. Besides that, Calliope chose the winning side, feeling like a asshole in progress. Jaeden found reliable people. And Bliss has some unexpected family drama. Let's give That one ace popsicle stick a thanks for this little sub-plot. I thank PotatoSorcerer for beta testing this chapter.

-/Alliances/-

Careers: Bliss Lustra(D1F), Roxy Flint(D2F), Somnus Marbrand(D2M), Delmara Lum(D4F), Anet Bennet(D5M), Calliope Germaine(D11F)

Anti-careers: Silver Chase(D1M), Volt Nightingale(D5M), Marron Deinan(D8M), Kalvin Kanstine(D9M), Cristian Moldovan(D11M)

The Ten Twins: Doe Adler(D10F), Buck Adler(D10M)

Helpful and Cheerful: Taliah Marik(D7F), Aspen Wolfe(D7M), Daisy Grove(D9F)

The Card Sharks: Vita Del Mina(D3F), Zyra Koore(D5F), Jaeden Rota(D6M)

The Illusion of Sisterhood: Roxy Flint + Iry Hawkfeather(D12F)

Loners: Dorian Fleece(D3M), Moira Balise(D6F), Hadley Holbrook(D8F), Cole Lynderly(D12M)