Chapter 22:

Training Day One

None of the mentors really know what to expect from this meeting as they go down to the training center before the tributes. Most suspect it has to do with Baylor. But they instead find the interim President Rosabella and Council Member Theodosius standing there, along with Kostas. Up in the Gamemaker booth, some of them have started to gather, watching what is about to happen with trepidation.

For once, the mentors are relatively quiet and the meeting starts without much bickering.

"Thank you all for coming down here," Rosabella tells them and they quiet down fully. "To start, we are deeply sorry about Baylor's death yesterday. It is a tragedy and we are putting all of our effort into ensuring the safety of everyone throughout the Games. We will not be getting a new tribute to take her spot."

"In addition, we have decided to change the interviews," she continues, pausing at some talking among the mentors. "It's not safe to have the tributes out in the open or a crowd like that. We also realize that this kind of fanfare is not appropriate for everyone…so we will give tributes the choice to have an interview and they will be done on a sound stage."

"Which brings us to training and the Games…"

Before she can continue, some of the mentors are whispering to each other, noticing that someone is missing from the group who should be there.

"Where the hell is Seraphim?" Anastacia asks, her arms crossed as she glares at the group and tries to hide from her face that she's concerned for the man. "You said yesterday he was safe."

"Seraphim has decided to step down from his position of Head Gamemaker following yesterday's events," Rosabella tells them and a murmur starts in the group. "It was completely his choice, just to be clear. He expressed concerns over the Games continuing and disagreed on the next steps."

The Quell survivors share concerned looks at that. No Seraphim…? But most concerned is Jory, his face showing confusion and hurt as he takes out his phone to contact Zephyr. His ex hadn't said anything about that when he checked in last night…

"Then who's running the Games?" Letha finally asks, looking deeply concerned about everything going on.

Footsteps echo behind them and the mentors turn to look at the pair walking over to them.

"Julian Avis, at your service…" the man starts to give a flourish of his sleeve as he goes to bow, as someone clears their throat loudly beside him. He sighs dramatically and gestures at the man. "And Calisto Flowers."

"Okay I'm sorry but who the fuck are you?" Clark asks and Letha next to him makes a noise of protest at him cursing the two new people seemingly in charge of the Games.

"Well, we're the new Head Gamemakers," Julian answers with a grin. "But I don't think that's what you're asking. I'm a researcher under Theodosius and Calisto is, well, what do you do exactly?" he jokes, but part of him is serious. He doesn't actually know what the younger man has been doing all these years.

"So we have two scrubs running things. Great, just great," Anastacia says and a few of the mentors give agreement.

Julian puts a hand on his chest in offense at that while Calisto considers it for a moment, before nodding his head. "Sweetheart, I am no scrub," Julian scoffs at her and his comment earns him a glare. "We know just as much about the Games as you do, if not more."

Calisto clears his throat, drawing the attention over to them. "I've been interning with Seraphim and know the arena," he tells the group, barely hiding how uncomfortable he is at all of this. "And Julian has worked under Theodosius and Kostas for over a decade – and he's dating a Gamemaker. So I think we have enough knowledge to make it through these Games."

"They're our best options on such a short notice," Theodosius tells the group, taking the time to stare them all down and dare them to question his decision. "Trust me, they know enough about the Games to run things smoothly."

They stay silent, but there are a few who clearly disapprove. They have an intern and some man none of them know running the Games…

"We're fucked," Drazen mutters under his breath and Jory quickly elbows him to shut up.

"You would know all about that, huh?" Anastacia counters back at him, making him glare over at her. "Isn't that what you were doing the other night?" she continues as Odyssey and Misha start making noises of protest. "Fucking a tribute."

"None of your damn business what I do or don't do!" Drazen tells her and when Anastacia just smirks at him, Jory has to quickly grab him to stop him from lunging towards her.

"Stop this now!" Theodosius booms over them and the mentors all stop immediately, putting their focus back on him. "God, not even a tribute dying will stop you from being at each other's throats. Go. Get back to your floors and instruct your tributes about the changes and have them down here on time."

Drazen is the first to leave, shoving past Anastacia and moving before he gets hit by her. Odyssey grabs her arm, holding her back gently and trying to get her to calm down. "That's just how he is," he says quietly to her, watching Drazen repeatedly press the elevator button. "Don't make things worse."

"He's an asshat," Anastacia pulls her arm free from him to cross them, glaring off in Drazen's direction. But they all know she's just doing this instead of dealing with the new information. "I'm worried about him…"

"Drazen?" Misha asks and Anastacia scoffs at that as the others join them. "Oh…Seraphim."

"I'm sure he's fine," Amelia tells them, but doesn't seem to quite believe that. She sighs quietly and puts her hand on Anastacia's shoulder. "Come on, let's get back up and tell them what's going on."

"Should be a fun conversation," Odyssey says with a nervous chuckle.

But nothing about this is fun and if anything, they're on a fast track towards an even bigger disaster with those two in charge.

Kasada Masou, 17, District Six

"What are you pouting about?" Farren asks, reaching over to poke between her eyebrows. "You're going to get frown lines if you keep it up."

Kasada slaps his hand away and rolls her eyes at her brother, not as enthusiastic about it as usual. Last night…really changed her perspective on things. She isn't actually upset about Baylor's death – she was always going to die for Kasada to win. But rather…she's now on her own and…as much as she wishes to deny it, part of her is a little worried for her brother. "Just lots to think about."

"Yeah I'm sorry about your ally," Farren says quietly and she shakes her head at him, not believing that he's actually upset by it.

"Don't pretend to be upset by the death of someone you didn't know," Kasada tells him, starting to stretch her legs to get ready for the track. "We both know she'd have to die to win so it's whatever."

"Yes but that doesn't mean you can't still be effected by it," Farren points out to her and Kasada reaches down to touch her toes so he can't see her face. She shouldn't be effected by it. But years of the fighting pits didn't prepare her for seeing death in person.

"I'll be fine," Kasada finally answers as she stands back up. "It was just shocking to see, that's all. And I just worry about what Yasmin is thinking back home."

"You never told her the truth about why you volunteered, did you?" Farren asks her quietly and Kasada glares at the question.

"She despises the violence," she says carefully, looking around to see if they're being listened to. Most tributes are too far away to hear them, yet that sneaky one from Four has their head tilted as they look in their direction. But no…there's no way they can hear them. They're too far away. "I couldn't tell her the truth. It is what it is. I'll win the Games and get home to her and things will be fine. Now, if you don't mind, I have some running to do. Nothing some running can't help fix and clear the mind."

"Well, if you change your mind, I bet Bez wouldn't mind you joining our alliance," Farren tells her and she scoffs at that. "I'm serious, Kas. Don't go into the arena alone because you're too stubborn to accept my help."

"Unlike you, I'm not interested in flirting for an alliance," she says and watches his cheeks flush a little. "Now go to your little group and try to keep your dick in your pants."

Before Farren has the chance to come up with words in response, Kasada takes off down the track at a brisk jog. He can deny it all he wants, but she knows Bez is winning him over with flirting. And she also knows that Farren is going to get hurt when he realizes Bez is playing with more than just him. But when it happens, Kasada won't be the one to cheer him up.

Whatever, not her problem.

She soon settles into the routine of running, focusing on her breathing and putting one foot in front of the other. The only other tribute on the track is that girl from Eleven, who is doing her best to jog, but she still gives Kasada a side look when she passes her. Once settled into the run and knowing she isn't going to fall over and collapse, she starts looking around at the other tributes because she needs to get a new ally now.

For being a group of volunteers, she would have expected more tributes to be at the weapons, but it's mostly the careers. What a mess they are and that should be all the reason Kasada needs to stay away from Farren and his allies. She doesn't need to get caught up in their drama when they start targeting each other. Seems like the careers – and her annoying brother – are insistent on showing off their ability to kill everyone, but Bez and Ardent seem more like they're trying to relearn. Wait, where's Four? She looks around the room, wondering how she could miss two giants. Ah…there's the girl, on the agility course and Juno is…talking to others? She doesn't trust that one bit. She has to warn Farren to watch out for–

No. She doesn't need to be warning Farren about anything… Damn it, she shouldn't be concerned about him! Stupid rebels attacking them and making her worry… She forces herself to run faster, trying to focus on the activity and not her brother. Or better yet, she should be focusing on how she is going to win these Games.

She puts her full focus on finishing up the mile and stops to stretch, and then she takes in the other tributes. Careers are a bad idea. The three older girls have all teamed up – and have way too much baggage for her to deal with. And the others are all younger and starting to pair up in alliances…fuck. Baylor was her best option for an ally and now she's dead, and there's no one else she's interested in without an ally. Shit, shit, shit.

Kasada flops down on the ground and sips her water, trying not to let her growing sense of dread show on her face. Okay…think Kasada, think. Does she want to ally with a group? No, that's too many people to be keeping an eye on. But does she want to just go alone? Certainly wouldn't be the worst option…but she'd like to have someone there to take the fall for her. Someone who doesn't realize what she's doing because they're dumb or too wrapped up in their own head…

It's not wrong to use her brother to get an alliance, right? No, it's fine. It's not like she's outright manipulating him and besides, he offered! He's so…dumb and oblivious. And Bez is so focused on their feelings and art. Well damn. Maybe they are her best option. Yes…she knows Farren better than anyone else and his weaknesses. She won't manipulate him downright – he is still her brother – but hey, keep your friends close and your enemies closer. And Bez…if she just gives them the push towards whatever 'colors' they want and resist the urge to slap them for their commentary on her fashion, well, she could use them. And she doesn't know if Ardent is with them or not, but hell, he's fucked up enough for her to exploit that.

Which leaves the biggest unknown: Juno. If anyone in that alliance were to see through her, it's them. Which means she just has to figure out their motives first. Yes, she can totally figure out what makes them tick and use it!

She smiles to herself and takes a sip of water to hide it, before standing up and giving another stretch. It's time for her to play the game. And then she is going to show her grandfather exactly why she should take over the business.

She starts over towards where her brother is failing to show off to Bez with throwing knives and calls out to him. "Hey Farren!"

Sonya Starling, 14, District Eleven

Sonya steps into the cafeteria, holding her tray in front of her and keeping her head high, searching for an empty spot. She is fully prepared to go sit and eat lunch on her own today and has no issue with that. She's not here to make friends with these people, which it seems like a few of them want to do. Which is fine for them. If Cimmer wants to bend over backwards for Inutil, that's all him. If Rhiannon, Shams, and Ciana want to cling to each other, again, all them. But that's not for her.

And she doesn't think Ricky is done trying to flirt with every possible girl yet – seriously, how can he possibly think that's the way to get an ally? So she expects to be on her own. Not the first time and won't be the last.

"Sonya!"

She stops short at her name and looks around the half-filled spots, finding Ryam waving at her while Riley sits across from him, pushing her food around on her plate. She looks back over at the empty table she'd been longing for and holds back a small sigh as she starts heading over to the District Three pair. She doesn't have a problem with Riley but Ryam…well, she gets the vibe that he isn't as dedicated to winning as some of the others are. Not as much as Sonya herself.

"Hi," she says quietly, clutching her tray a little tighter as she stops in front of them. Riley looks up and tries to give her a small smile in greeting, but it comes out more as a grimace before she turns back to her plate. Her struggle is so obvious right now but Sonya won't be the person to point it out. Not when people have done that her whole life. "Is the pasta that bad? Should I go back and get something else?"

"Huh?" Riley asks and takes a look at the pasta she's been pushing around. She takes a bite before sitting up and looking at her. "No, it's just… Never mind."

"Why don't you come eat with us?" Ryam offers and gestures at one of the open seats. Sonya considers it for a few seconds, knowing if there's anyone she's going to ally it, it will be Riley. Yet Ryam always seems to be hovering over her shoulder.

"Why not?" Sonya finally answers with a shrug before sitting next to Riley. "Since Ricky seems to be set on bothering Inutil today I have no one to sit with."

They glance over at where Ricky is standing next to the table Cimmer and Inutil are trying to eat their lunch. Inutil seems to be falling for his flirting and Sonya is about ready to head over there and grab his ear and drag him away, but Cimmer puts a hand on her shoulder protective. He seems to be telling Ricky off – at least, Sonya hopes he is a little bit – and eventually Ricky leaves to go sulk at a table on his own.

Sonya turns back to the District Three pair, shaking her head at her partner's behavior. "He's not that bad, honestly…" she tries to tell them but can tell they don't really believe that.

"I don't get it," Ryam says, giving Ricky a confused look before shaking his head and focusing back on Sonya. Riley is back to poking at her food, taking small bites every once in a while. "So, did you learn anything neat so far?"

Sonya gives a casual shrug, not about to go telling someone she isn't allied with all her strengths and weaknesses. "Oh you know, I ran a bit to keep up my lungs. Went to some plant stuff and I'm hoping to go to the animal stations later."

The survival stations were also what stations Riley had been at, but Sonya isn't going to say that's part of her reasoning.

"Oh neat, yeah, I want to go to some of those," Ryam nods his head as Sonya tries to eat her lunch, but it seems he's insistent on keeping up a conversation with her. "But, you know, had to go get some of those knife skills…"

"They taught us those early on in training," Sonya says, effectively getting him to shut up about it at the realization that she was training for this. Instead, she turns her focus over to Riley, trying to get her into the conversation. "Saw you at a few of them, you seem to have a lot of knowledge."

"I do," she says quietly, setting down her fork. "I've been studying at an advance program in Three until…"

She trails off and they fall into an awkward silence as she puts her head down. Yeah if the rumors were true, Sonya didn't want to touch that conversation. But thankfully Ryam seems pretty insistent on keeping her talking.

"Found any allies?" Ryam asks, not at all subtle with where he's going with this conversation.

Sonya sighs and leans back in her chair, holding up a hand to him. "I'm going to stop you right there," she tells him and he sits back, looking a bit disappointed. "I have a very specific type of ally I'm looking for and I don't think you're it."

"Well we could always work together after lunch," Ryam says quietly, not at all hiding his disappointment on his face. "You know, see if we mesh together."

"If she doesn't want to be your ally, let it be," Riley tells him, a surprising amount of conviction in her soft voice.

"I just thought…" Ryam trails off and rubs the back of his neck. "You know…we could work together…"

"Yeah I'm going to pass," Sonya tells him honestly. "I won't waste your time here and you should do the same since we're all likely to die in that arena. I'm not trying to do the whole 'let's be friends and pretend we won't die' thing."

"Understandable," Riley comments, meeting her gaze head on for the first time since she sat down.

"So I'm just saying, if you want to do that, that's what I want," she says, pointing at Riley with her breadstick. The girl gives her a weirded out look and she sets it down before continuing. "So I'll put the offer out there. No hard feelings one way or the other. I get it, we're all trying to live here."

Riley nods her head and takes the time to think it over, again pushing around her food. "I will think about it," she finally answers, which is enough for her…for now.

"Just let me know," Sonya says before standing up, picking up her tray to head elsewhere. "Enjoy the rest of your lunch."

The two give half-hearted goodbyes and Sonya looks around, before deciding to go see what Ricky is up to. He's just sulking at a table on his own, glaring over at Cimmer and Inutil, until he looks up at Sonya approaching. "What do you want? Get rejected too?"

"I came to see if you needed some ice," Sonya says, taking a bite of her food as she stands there.

"Ice?" Ricky asks in confusion and his face scrunches up at her. "Why would I need ice?"

"For your bruised ego," Sonya answers with a shrug as she sits down across from him. He just stares at her with his mouth hanging open for a couple seconds and she raises an eyebrow at him, daring him to get mad at her. "I'm not gonna say I told you so, but…"

"Oh shut it and get ice for yourself," he grumbles back at her as he stabs his food angrily with his fork, but he doesn't look too mad at her.

"Not yet," Sonya tells him, watching him look over at the District Three pair. "She said she'll think about it. And if not," she shrugs at him. "Oh well, I don't need anyone."

Ricky scoffs at that and Sonya narrows her eyes at him, before standing up once more to leave him. "Bye Ricky, have fun trying to get allies. And when they all say no, just remember who was nice to you."

She ignores his protest at that as she goes to find another spot to eat, this time truly on her own. Maybe she really would be better off without any allies. The chances that one of them will get attached is too high for her. And if not that, they'll insist she needs their help.

But she doesn't. She's survived this long on her own and she's going to keep doing that.

Vulcan Adamos, 18, District Two

All things considered, Vulcan doesn't think the careers are in too bad of shape this year. Sure, two of them jumped ship, but they did gain a different member in the process. And none of them seemed too shaken up by what happened at the chariots – or at the very least, they all were hiding it well. If anything, Vulcan thinks it might benefit them to see death in person before even stepping into the arena, less chance that they'll hesitate in the bloodbath.

And most importantly of all, Vulcan was put in charge of the pack. Just thinking about it gets them all proud and they puff up their chest at that. They can only hope it will make their father proud since nothing else they've done before has seemed to do so. But they know that won't be the case. Not now that they're here, expressing themself more and more, because God forbid they aren't the most manly man out there. They can just imagine the shit show that happened when Kora used different pronouns for them, the ones they've wanted their family to use all this time instead of insisting it was just a phase… They feel a little bad for their siblings dealing with their parents, but at the same time, they've never been happier and more accepted.

They lean back on the couch, watching Jory and Drazen shoot the shit with each other and Chantelle makes a comment about how Jory could still kick Drazen's ass at his age. This just prompts them to have an arm wrestling contest as Lotis watches on with a look of horror on her face. Vulcan sits back, watching the mentors mess around until Jory wins, before Chantelle challenges him and they last for a while, until finally Jory beats her.

"Alright!" he cheers proudly before turning his attention over to Vulcan, who raises an eyebrow silently at him. "Your turn so I can prove I'm the strongest person on the District Two team."

"That eager to be disappointed?" Vulcan asks him, knowing there's better uses of their time right now, but also not about to back down from a challenge to prove they're stronger.

"If he wanted that, he could just go look at his dick," Drazen tells them with a scoff and Chantelle and Vulcan laugh as Jory gets an offended look on his face. "Or better yet, go ask Emilio."

"Oh shut up and let me win this," Jory grumbles and Vulcan stretches their arms, giving him a lazy grin. There's no way they're letting him win.

"It doesn't seem fair beating an old man," Vulcan says as they rest their elbow on the table and hold out their hand for Jory to take. "I'll go easy on you, gramps."

"Just shut up and get ready to lose," Jory answers as he takes their hand and they start the contest. Both of them are straining to even budge the other's fist and Vulcan hides their surprise at just how strong Jory is.

But slowly they start inching his fist closer and closer to the table, watching as Jory's face starts getting concerned about losing, until finally they slam it down and hold up their hands in victory. "Hell yeah!"

"I let you win," Jory grumbles, rubbing the back of his hand, but they both know that isn't the case. He shoves at Vulcan's arm, stopping their cocky celebration. "Alright, time to get serious and do our mentoring for the night so Kat doesn't get upset with us. What's your plan?"

"I think we should get the others and have a meeting to discuss the other tributes," Vulcan tells the group, embracing their role as leader of the pack – the real career pack, not whatever excuse of an alliance Bez thinks they're forming.

"Why don't you send Drazen down to get Adonis?" Chantelle asks, raising her eyebrow slowly as she looks at their mentor, who is narrowing his eyes back at her. "After all, he seems to have taken quite a liking to him – or at least to his dick."

Jory sighs loudly and puts his hand over his face as Drazen stares Chantelle down, all while Vulcan sits there, not at all understanding the appeal. "I thought they were joking earlier! Drazen, please tell me you aren't sleeping with a tribute!" Jory says, moving his hand to give Drazen an exasperated look, but when the younger mentor doesn't answer immediately, he lets out a groan of frustration. "Dude, Kat is going to kill us when we get back!"

"She won't because she'll be distracted by you bringing home a victor," Vulcan comments smugly, giving a shrug of their shoulders.

"See?" Drazen points over at them and gives a laugh. "Besides, I'm just trying to get information on the Capitol mentoring strategies so we can make sure we win over them. And Adonis loves to hear himself talk so it's easy."

"I get it now," Jory says quietly, standing up from the couch and silently going into the kitchen to pour himself a drink. He takes a long sip before continuing, "This has to do with the feud you created with Misha and you can't let him win."

"I didn't say it, you did," Drazen replies with a shrug and a smug look.

"That's smart," Vulcan says and they get an approving look from their mentor. "The Capitol is getting lots of attention which means we have to make sure they're paying attention to us instead."

"They won't be focusing on them once we're in the arena," Chantelle adds with a scoff. "Then they'll realize they're not at all careers and not on our level."

"You people do realize that their mentors are both victors from our home, right?" Jory asks in disbelief and they all give some level of indifference in response. "I can't believe you people."

"Yeah, two victors who left us to mentor a different District," Vulcan responds, bitterness finding its way into their voice. They just can't help the fact that they're jealous of Bez and Adonis being mentored under Odyssey. They should be the one mentored by the Quell victor…someone who has been praised for being who he is while Vulcan has constantly been pushed back about themself. They stand up suddenly and the rest give them a surprised look. "I'll go get Adonis and Mercy," they tell Chantelle, who gives an uncaring shrug in response. "Why don't you go find District Four?"

"I suppose," Chantelle agrees with a huff as she joins them. "I don't really think they'll have anything important to contribute to our discussion but whatever."

"Juno might," Vulcan points out to her as they head towards the elevator. "Since they've been double agent with Bez. But Valletta…"

"The most basic career I've ever seen and I've seen a lot of basic career wannabes at the training center," Chantelle says and Vulcan just gives her a shrug, not confirming or denying it.

"Well we need normal," they tell her as the doors open and they step in. "And if she's all about honor, well, we don't need to be as worried about watching our backs with her. One can only hope she's the type to fight head on instead of stabbing in the back."

"Oh I'm sure of it," Chantelle scoffs before the doors open on the fourth floor. "Be back shortly," she tells them quietly before stepping out, head high and shoulders back as if it's her own floor she's walking on.

The doors shut and take them down to the Capitol floor and they give themself a moment to let their shoulders hunch over. It's so damn hard keeping up this hard exterior all the time here without any reprieve, not even at night on their floor. They can't let Chantelle in to see the other side of them, not when she's their biggest competition. Only one of them can be Two's next victor and they have no doubt she'll use every piece of information against them when the time comes, and they'll do the same. But damn…do they miss their friends and the lack of pressure to be the image of the ideal man their father wants them to be.

That just isn't them. But it has to be until the Games are over and then no one can question who Vulcan really is when they're victor.

The doors slide open and the mask of cocky arrogance is back on their face and their shoulders are back as they step out, trying to act like they belong there and not like they're walking out onto a floor uninvited. It will be fine, it's not like Misha and Odyssey don't know who they are – hell, they've trained with both of them before they even volunteered.

"Hello?" Vulcan calls out as they step towards the living room, the space nearly identical to their own floor, just so many more…colors. And in their living room, they don't have someone lying naked on the couch as they get painted. "What the fuck are you doing?!"

Bez jumps at their voice and their paintbrush jerks across the canvas, while Juno just gives them a lazy smirk and doesn't even try to cover up. "Bitch!" Bez screams at the canvas at the black streak across it, before they turn to face Vulcan, deep rage in their eyes. They point their paintbrush at them and they just raise an eyebrow at them lazily, which just manages to piss them off more. "What the fuck are you doing here?! Get out of my space!" They turn back to the canvas and stare at it for a few seconds, before letting out a scream of frustration and they start swiping paint all across it. "Ruined! Fucking trash!"

Juno sits up and stretches out, still completely naked, as Odyssey comes running out from his room. "What's going on?" he asks in a panic before looking around at the three of them there – and the fact that Juno is naked – and his cheeks start turning a little pink at what he walked in on.

"That bastard there ruined my painting, that's what's going on!" Bez points at Vulcan once more and they just cross their arms in response.

"I don't see what the big fucking deal is," Vulcan tells them with a sneer, which earns them one right in return. "If you want to waste your time painting instead of planning strategy, well, one less person to worry about."

Juno stands up and puts a hand on Bez's shoulder, stopping them from responding to Vulcan. "It's alright darling, we'll just have to do another painting a different time," they tell Bez, giving them a wink.

That gets the rage to leave their face almost immediately and they wiggle their eyebrows at Juno as they bite the end of their paintbrush. "I'll be looking forward to it."

"Okay, but can Juno please put some clothes on?" Odyssey asks, looking up at the ceiling as his cheeks are red. "This is not what I anticipated when I agreed to mentor."

"Yeah get dressed, we're having a meeting with the others," Vulcan adds on, picking up what they hope are their pants and tossing them over. They turn to Odyssey as Juno starts getting dressed, while Bez very blatantly watches, causing Juno to wink at them. "And where's Adonis?"

"Last I knew he was in his room…" Odyssey trails off and sighs loudly at the expectant look on Vulcan's face. "I'll go get him for you."

"That'd be great," Vulcan says as he heads back the way he came, before they turn back to the other two. Thankfully, Juno now has pants on. The trio stands around in uncomfortable silence, Vulcan with their arms crossed and glaring at the other two as they give each other looks.

"Did someone want me?" Adonis calls out as he walks into the room, using his hand to brush back his damp hair. He gives them all a cocky grin until his gaze lands on Bez and he sneers a little at them before grinning again at Vulcan. He gives them a light punch on the arm in greeting. "You know, if you wanted to get down with me and have a good time, you could have just asked instead of coming down to my floor."

Vulcan grimaces at that suggestion and glares at him to back off, "That will never happen so unless you want me to stab you in the dick once we're in that arena, don't suggest it again."

Adonis's grin fades a bit at the harshness in his tone, while Bez rolls their eyes as they look at their nails and Juno lets out a low whistle. "Okay, I'm just gonna head out," Bez tells the group, gathering up their painting supplies. "There's too much toxic masculinity in the air for me."

Vulcan clenches their fists at that comment, hating everything about it – and the fact that it isn't even the first time they suggested it. Before they can even try to deny they aren't that, Adonis speaks up, "Have fun with your loser alliance while the real careers meet," he says, giving them a wave with his fingers as he starts towards the elevator.

Vulcan gives Bez one last look before following after him, ignoring the whispering between Juno and Bez before they follow them. This double crossing better be worth it for what they're having to deal with now. Thankfully the elevator is still on the same floor when they get to it, letting them escape this hellhole right away.

"You know, I bet Farren would let you paint him if you asked!" Juno calls out to Bez as the doors shut, before letting out a chuckle and turning their focus to Vulcan. "That was unexpectedly fun."

"You're supposed to be getting information, not having fun," Vulcan tells them as they press the button for the District One floor with their fist.

"That's what I was doing," Juno answers with a shrug. "They were quite happy and talkative before you ruined their painting."

"They just want your dick because of a bet. A bet which I'm currently winning, might I add," Adonis chimes in and Juno just shrugs in response. The doors open on the first floor and the three look at each other. "How about someone else go get her while I go up to your floor early?"

Vulcan rolls their eyes at him and takes a step out of the elevator before calling out, "Mercy!"

"Coming!" she answers quickly and they can hear light running through the floor before she rounds the corner, stumbling a little in surprise at seeing all three of them there, before catching herself and waving at them. "I wasn't expecting such a large group," she says as she steps on, squeezing in around them.

"You were on the way back up," Vulcan answers with a shrug as they finally head back to their floor. "And Juno was unexpectedly on the Capitol floor."

"Two for one deal, nice," Juno says, smirking as they look down at the rest of them.

"I do love a two for one deal," Adonis replies with a wink and Vulcan thinks they might have vomited a little in their mouth.

The doors open up and they all pile out, finding Chantelle and Valletta standing nearby in awkward silence as Jory tries to keep a conversation going. Chantelle rolls her eyes at her mentor when she catches Vulcan's gaze, before shaking her head. "Ah, there's everyone else!" Jory says, greeting them. "Come on, plenty of space over in the living room!"

Adonis looks around as they follow him over to the next room. "Where's your partner in crime?" he asks Jory casually and Chantelle gives Vulcan a pointed look. Huh, looks like they were right about that.

"Getting myself a drink so I can tolerate Jory," Drazen says as he walks in, drink in hand. He takes a sip of it as the tributes get settled down – with Vulcan glaring Adonis down when he tries to take the armchair from them – before he goes to sit on the arm of the couch next to Adonis. "Time to get this party started."

"Actually, Drazen, I need to have a word with you," Jory says, crossing his arms as he stares his fellow mentor down for a few seconds. Drazen really doesn't look like he wants to leave, especially when Adonis leans back and puts his arms on the back of the couch and near the mentor. "Now."

"Okay, Grandpa," Drazen says with a roll of his eyes as he jumps up from the couch and follows him out of the room. He turns back to look at them, giving them a slight smirk. "Don't have all the fun without us!"

"Finally a break from the lame dad jokes," Chantelle says with a huff and shakes her head before looking over at Vulcan. They nod their head, letting her start this while they lean back in their chair. "So, what have people learned about the others from training?"

"Doesn't seem like many of them have trained at all," Mercy says with a shrug.

"Easier time for us then," Vulcan tells her and she nods as they stare at her. "What about Ardent? Do you know what he's doing?"

"I don't even think he knows what he's doing," Mercy shrugs again before fiddling with her hands at everyone staring at her. "I don't know, he went somewhere after we got back but he didn't say where – or at least didn't tell me."

"Well give Anastacia some wine and she'll reveal all his secrets considering she's a bit of a drunk now," Chantelle says and a few of them laugh at her comment – Mercy included, which surprises Vulcan a bit. "See if you can figure out what he's up to."

Mercy nods in agreement, looking excited to have a task. Vulcan turns their attention over to Valletta, since she spent more time at stations with the others. "Did you notice anyone to watch out for?"

Valletta mulls over her response for a few seconds before speaking up quietly. "I would say District Six, possibly Karter and Lobo. Shams seems to have training, but her mental state seems…fragile."

"Well Farren is with Bez," Vulcan points out and turns their focus over to Juno, who has their head turned towards the next room. "Anything about them?"

"Hmm?" Juno says as they turn back towards them and Vulcan gives them an expectant and impatient look. "Oh, uh, yeah, Bez is giving interesting information."

"Okay?" Chantelle asks, giving them side eye for their lack of attention. "Care to elaborate on that?"

Juno gives a shrug and a smug look her way. "Seems like Kasada might end up in their alliance."

"I thought the siblings hated each other," Mercy chimes in.

Chantelle gives a shrug at her. "I guess seeing death got it through their thick skulls that at they're going to die and they've had a change of heart."

"Ah, don't doubt what siblings would do for one another," Juno tells the group, a knowing twinkle in their eyes. "If she has joined them, well, we have to be careful."

"Good thing we have you on our side to tell us about what they're up to," Vulcan tells them, raising an eyebrow at them. "Right?"

"Of course," Juno answers right away, but the look in their eye has Vulcan not quite trusting them. Are they actually on their side? "Of course," they repeat, giving them a smile.

No. No one is on Vulcan's side. Everyone here wouldn't hesitate to backstab them. They just have to make sure they're the one doing the backstabbing. "Then let's figure out how we're going to take down their alliance."

Welcome to training and things finally actually going as they're supposed to! Of course, I couldn't resist some of the mentors along with some of that Good Career Drama. And also just alliance drama in general lol. And now I can start listing alliances as they're confirmed!

Sticks Up Their Butts (Traditional Careers): Adonis, Mercy, Vulcan, Chantelle, Valletta, Juno (?)

Here For A Good Time, Not A Long Time (Non-Traditional Careers): Bez, Farren, Ardent (?), Juno (?), Kasada (?)

D3 Squad - Ryam, Riley

Broken Girls Club - Ciana, Rhiannon, Shams, Ardent (?)

Boys Needin' Some Lovin' - Karter, Lobo, Kazu (?)

Valid Beans - Inutil, Cimmer

RQ: There's a few question marks...thoughts on where those will end up in alliances?

So looking forward, at the time of posting this I have written through the interviews so the pre-Games will keep moving along! I haven't decided yet if I'm going to do every week or every other week updates yet so I guess you'll know next Friday if there's an update or not lol. Still might write deleted scenes, I just haven't gotten to it yet. Also not sure if it's been said yet, but clearly I'm not being very fussy with word count on POVs. Everyone is getting one and I've just been writing the amount I need to for each POV, so some will inevitably be longer than others.

Anyways, see you when I see you for Training Day Two!