Sapphira Starlett - District 1 Female - Age 17
The good news about the train ride from District 1 to the Capitol was that it was only five hours which gave Sapphira plenty of time to rejuvenate before the other tributes arrived, but the bad news was that it was still enough time for her to get completely sick of one Brycen Rosenthal. The amount of irritation she was currently experiencing was simply downright a gargantuan nuisance to say the very least.
"Can I please have the pleasure of you passing me the butter," He asked our escort, Isadora, a lovely posh woman who did not deserve Brycen's kiss ass attitude.
Sure, Sapphira admitted to being fond of Brycen before, but she had never spent an extended period of time with the fool, and this interaction reminded her why. On paper, the two could be considered similar rich brats, but unlike Brycen, Sapphira actually had thoughts about people other than herself, and didn't have everything handed to her. Yes, that was an assumption, but Sapphira's assumptions were always close to the truth.
"Are you enjoying the food Sapphira?" Victoria, the District 1 mentor asked, "You've been rather quiet and that isn't like you."
"Oh it is absolutely divine!" Sapphira exclaimed, "I never realized how much I adore veal parmesan until now."
"I've always loved veal parmesan," Brycen chimed in. Ugh.
"I think Victoria asked me," Sapphira had had enough of his tomfoolery.
"Well I find it important that I also share my opinion of the food the Capitol has so generously provided us."
"Kiss ass."
"What did you just call me?"
Brycen was about to get out of his seat when Isadora deescalated the situation, fearing it would get violent;
"Nobody cares about your banter," She laughed, "We should talk about the games, as that's what matters after all."
"Well obviously I'm going to win," Brycen scoffed, "Enough said."
"Thank you for sharing Brycen," Sapphira said, "I personally would love to talk strategy."
The truth was, the Hunger Games were just about all Sapphira had. All Sapphira had ever wanted was attention, and the older she grew the less of it she got. Her parents were clinically overscheduled, so the only way they could entertain her was by pouring money into her various endeavors, and pretending to care about them. She had always tried to do the best she could at everything she attempted, but more often than not, she feared she was seen as the laughing stock of the District. While her dreams of being a film star began to depress her, drugs and sex motivated her to continue on with life. As fucked as it was, it worked. But now was different. Now Sapphira had a chance to prove she was more than a girly girl who was always high. Sapphira could finally prove she was the winner she always made herself out to be.
"Well," Victoria said in regards to the discussion regarding arena strategy, "You two are going to be allies."
"Everybody loves an attractive pair from the District of luxury," Isadora added, "You'll be a smash with the sponsors."
"If I must," Brycen sighed, "But I don't want anymore of your pish posh funny business."
"Yes your highness," Sapphira rolled her eyes.
"You'll have to team with District 2 as well, and possibly 4," Victoria said, "It's somewhat of a tradition."
"I can handle that," Sapphira grinned, "Maybe meeting new people will be fun."
"That's the spirit!" Isadora exclaimed.
"Woo-hoo," Brycen unenthusiastically matched the excitement in the room, err train.
"Smile more Brycen," Isadora said, "It looks better on you."
Brycen flashed his teeth into a cheesy grin, "Is this better?"
"Why it's absolutely ravishing, darling." Sapphira laughed. This was going to be a hell of a time.
Ammo Lawson - District 2 Male - Age 18
"Here we go," Micah sat down on a couch and pulled out a clipboard, "It's time to talk strategy!"
"Oh would you shut up," Ammo grunted, "You really think you know better than us don't you?"
"Well, he did win this thing last year," Vipawhatever, the escort sighed, "In record time nonetheless."
"Blah blah blah!" Ammo gawked, "Micah Fairforge. Victor of the 24th Hunger Games. He won in only eight days! Wow! He's so cool."
"Ammo, please." Hosanna tried to silence him
"I'm sorry," Ammo said, "I'll be quiet."
Ammo didn't need to hear Micah's strategic nonsense garbage but he decided to listen to him because the quicker he did, the quicker he'd shut his stupid little mouth up. He also didn't want to upset Hosanna, not only because she was honestly kind of cute, but also because he needed allies. Of course that was probably what Micah was going to say, which only further proved his irrelevance.
"I'm sure you guessed it already," Micah said, "But you two are going to be allies."
See? The little asshole was so predictable.
"That won't be hard for us," Hosanna nudged Ammo, "Right Ammo?"
"Of course not," Ammo said, "We're going to be great allies."
"Well I'm glad you've got that taken care of then," Micah chuckled, flipping through the pages on his clipboard, "So now we should talk about weapons. Which ones are you guys good with?"
"You already know this Micah," Ammo sneered.
"Honestly I forgot."
Ugh. He's so inconsiderate. How could he?
"A spear." Ammo sighed, "Duh."
"Oh that's right I can't believe it slipped my mind," Micah laughed.
"I'm better than you at it too."
"Are you sure about that?"
"Boys let's not have this argument for the third time today!" Hosanna chimed in.
"I agree," Vipawhatever said, "We musn't beat a dead horse."
"I'm sorry Vip," Micah cracked a slight smile, "I'll stay on task I promise."
"You're doing great Micah," She replied, "I promise."
"I'm good with knives!" Hosanna announced, breaking the tension in the room, "But I'm always open to learning more."
"That's the attitude I'm looking for!" Micah exclaimed while subtly glaring at Ammo, "Would you also like to learn another weapon?"
"Me?" Ammo asked, "Nah."
"It's always good to have backups."
"Well then maybe I can learn knives of something," Ammo was secretly hoping Hosanna would volunteer to help him, meaning they'd get to spend more time together.
"I can help with that!" Hosanna declared, thank the lord.
"I'll do that," Micah said, "It is my job after all."
"Then I no longer need to learn knives!"
"Whatever you say," Micah rolled his eyes, clearly having given up on Ammo like the asshole that he was.
"What are we going to do in the bloodbath?" Hosanna asked, eager to get all the help she could.
"I think it's too early to decide that. We don't know who you're up against yet."
Ugh. He truly was useless.
Jacob "Pow" Powell - District 3 Male - Age 17
"Wow Ada," Pow said between bites of his spaghetti, "Your mom sounds like such a bitch!"
"Hey," Ada laughed, "Don't call her that!"
"It's true," Pow said.
"You're right," Ada admitted, "So are your so-called friends."
It was hard for Pow to forgive Circ and Coil for what they did, but there was no use in wallowing in the past, especially when what Ada's mom did was so much worse. He couldn't believe Ada was laughing about what had happened, but laughing surely was way worse than crying.
"They're dinguses for sure." Pow said, "And by the way, I'm sorry for voting for you."
"I'm sorry for voting for you too," Ada sighed, "But we truly didn't know better."
"Not at all."
"So," Ada inquired, "Are you and Memyria still going out? I know from school that you've been together for a long time."
"Oh, lord no!" Pow laughed, "We actually broke up before I got on the train."
"Ah, I see," Ada winked, "You want something new with a Capitol girl."
"Not at all!" Pow said, "It's actually because I'm gay."
"You're gay?"
"Is that a problem for you?" Pow was ready to be defensive.
"Not at all!" Ada said, "I'm bi myself, I just didn't realize you knew you were gay."
"What do you mean?"
"It's so obvious from an outside view. I was worried you hadn't figured it out yet."
Was it really that obvious? Sure Pow resisted it every time Memyria touched her, and he certainly was better dressed than the average boy from District 3, but he thought he was fairly straight passing.
"I knew it the moment Memyria kissed me," Pow laughed, "Does everybody really think I'm gay?"
"Probably not," Ada said, "I just have a pretty good gaydar and I can tell when I've found another one of my people."
"Well then it appears we're going to get along great."
Pow and Ada headed off to the sleeping quarters to get some rest, as they had a few hours left in their journey, and were both fairly tired from the emotional day, and the lack of sleep they experienced the night before out of nerves.
"Hold up!" Pascal, the District 3 Mentor stopped the pair, the first time he had spoken the entire journey, "Pow, I want to talk to you."
Pow waved goodbye to Ada and walked with Pascal to a sofa.
"What did you want?" Pow was slightly suspicious.
"Alright, I'm just going to cut to the chase." Pascal started, "You said you were gay?"
"Yeah?" Pow answered, "That's not going to get me killed in the arena right?"
"Who cares?" Pascal laughed, "I'm bisexual in case you were curious."
"I wasn't."
"I think you're really handsome, Pow." Pascal admitted, "I've thought it since the reapings."
"Well I'm flattered, but romance isn't a priority." Pow got up.
"It should be," Pascal winked.
"What do you mean?"
"I'd be more than willing to put a good word in with some potential sponsors if you gave me something in return."
"What do you want?"
"You know exactly what I want." Pascal gestured to his pants.
"You're like 5 years older than me dude." Pow started walking towards the sleeping quarters.
"Age is just a number," Pascal smiled, "Just think about it."
Adira Price - District 4 Female - Age 17
The train ride to the Capitol was surprisingly pleasant. Adira already knew that Mags was wonderful, and she had spoken highly of Juno, who was just as lovely as she was made out to be. And then there was Luca who was just like the rest, a lovely, lovely human being. The gang spent what seemed like hours telling jokes and sharing stories around the dinner table, and by the end, nobody wanted to go to bed.
"You guys need to sleep for a few hours," Mags said, "I know we're almost there but you need to be refreshed."
"But I don't want to sleep Auntie Mags!" Luca laughed.
He had already adopted the nickname most of Mags' prior tributes had called her. It was pretty cute, actually.
"Well I don't want you two to fall asleep on the chariot!" Mags said, causing Juno to burst out into laughter.
"Mags does make a good point buddy," Adira admitted, "We'll have plenty of time to chat tomorrow."
"Exactly!" Juno exclaimed, "Luca, you should listen to the women here."
"I'm plenty good at listening to women," Luca said, "I have two moms and two older sisters!"
"Well then I apologize sir," Juno said, "When I see your moms next year at the reaping I'll tell them they raised a good one."
"I'm kind of trying to win this thing though," Luca said
"Aren't we all," Mags sighed, "Goodnight kiddies."
"Goodnight Mags!" Adira said, being echoed immediately by Luca.
The pair lied down in their beds on opposite sides of the sleeping quarters. Adira was having trouble sleeping, and by the looks of it, Luca was too.
"Hey Luca!" She whispered, "Want to see something cool?"
"Kai! Stop it!" Luca snapped awake, "Sorry I was asleep, what did you say?"
"I asked if you wanted to see something cool," Adira said, "But you don't look okay."
"I was having a nightmare."
"About Kai?"
"Always."
"I'm sorry dude," Adira sighed, "That sounds awful."
"It's just that every time I think I'm finally over him, he comes back in my sleep," Luca started to tear up.
"Hey hey!" Adira said, "Don't cry! You're with us now!"
"That doesn't mean anything," Luca whimpered, "Sorry if this is bothering you by the way. I can try to stop."
"Hey Mags," Adira called out into the main cabin, "Come here for a second!"
"What are you doing?" Luca whispered.
"Why aren't you kids alsee-" Mags stopped in her tracks when she saw Luca, "Honey what's wrong?"
Adira explained that he was having a nightmare about Kai.
"I'm so sorry Luca," Mags said, "Would you like a hug?"
Luca nodded and Mags went over to hug him.
"Can I join?" Adira asked, "I love hugs."
"Anybody's welcome." Mags said, "If that's okay with Luca that is."
"Come here!" Luca said, "The more the merrier."
Adira joined the group hug, and smiled at the feeling of warmth it gave her.
"We can talk strategy tomorrow." Mags whispered, "What matters is that you guys know that I'm here for you!"
And with that, we are a third done with train rides. These chapters will be on the shorter side, but not to worry, because the rest of pregames will be quite longer. Thanks for reading!