Training – Afternoon 2

Chiara Truist, 16, District 6 Female

If it was hard to breathe with one ally, Chiara finds it almost impossible now with three. She had been ready to turn down District 5 immediately yesterday, but Fitzroy and Malia made some pretty compelling arguments. There will be more of them to get supplies at the Bloodbath, more of them to keep watch at night, more of them if they run into the volunteers. Chiara hated the fact that every point they brought up made perfect sense. She has only just been getting used to having Fitzroy around – in fact, despite the rocky start they got, Chiara has started not to mind having the guy around. Emilia and Doran seem like fine people, but she just isn't comfortable with all of this happening so fast.

"I don't think this looks right," Emilia announces, holding up a tangle of ropes. Doran smiles and takes it from her, toying with the two loose ends until they come completely undone again. He passes it back to her with an apologetic shrug and she wrinkles her nose. "Thanks."

"We just got here," Doran reminds her. "Give it another shot."

"Do we really have time for this?" Chiara asks, the frustration evident in her voice. They've been at the ropes station for maybe ten minutes trying to gather the basics before they move on. It feels like far too long to waste on something she expects they'll never use.

"I'm trying," Emilia says sharply. She seems like a really sweet girl, but the tension of training is clearly getting to her. Emilia might be trying, but she hasn't been having a lot of success. Chiara isn't trying to point that out, after all they're trying to stuff a lot of knowledge in their brains in such a short time. Chiara's just as frustrated with some of these stations.

"That's not what I meant," Chiara says with a sigh.

Fitzroy cuts her off before she can continue, a trend that's been happening a lot today. Chiara clenches her teeth but she doesn't say anything. He might be pretentious and an asshole, just like she predicted on the train, but part of her knows that he's trying to help. It also doesn't hurt that he has yet to completely give up on talking to her, like would usually happen by now. That doesn't mean she isn't still annoyed to be interrupted though. "She's just saying that we don't have a lot of time left together."

Chiara rolls her eyes, afterwards hoping that none of her allies saw. They really seem like genuine people and Chiara, well, she doesn't feel like she's exactly one of the same. If she has to play this game, she is going to play to win and that doesn't mean making friends. If accepting Fitzroy's 'too cool for you' attitude is going to help, she'll do that. If letting in more people is going to help, she'll also do that. Bending to what other people want to see has never been Chiara's strength; she normally has the self control of an angry hornet. However, fear is able to stomp that down harder than even her sister has been able to do. Fear is more powerful than anger or pride, that's something that she's learned here.

"What do you want to do?" Doran asks, directing his question at Chiara. Unlike Emilia, Chiara isn't sure that she has him completely figured out. He's kind and, at first, she saw him as Emilia's shadow rather than a real person. However, he picks up things quicker than even Chiara has. There's an intelligence about him that she can't place, and it makes her wary of him but also a little bit curious.

Chiara consider this for a moment. "We need to figure out what we're doing in the arena."

"Surviving," Emilia says immediately, but her confidence makes Chiara almost laugh. It has to be fake, that's what Chiara tells herself. There's no way that someone could have this much cheer knowing where they're headed. Everyone has their own ways of coping, but Emilia's feels so forced. Chiara isn't going to pretend to be happy here and really no one should. It'll only make things more disappointing later.

"You mean the Bloodbath," Doran says softly.

"Well, probably not specifically," Fitzroy offers, obviously seeing Doran's discomfort.

Chiara isn't going to let him speak over her this time. He might know more about making or keeping friends, but this isn't about that. This is about strategy and figuring out what they're going to do so they don't all drop dead in the first ten minutes. They're on equal ground here and Chiara can almost convince herself she has the edge. She's fairly confident that she's survived more hardship than Fitzroy ever has. "I mean the Bloodbath."

Fitzroy shoots her a smile, though his eyes tell her to tone it down. Chiara cocks her head to the side as if daring him to contradict her. If they're going to be a team, they need a plan and that's not debatable. Emilia answers before he can even try to redirect. "We'll have to go in. We need supplies."

Chiara is surprised to hear that form her. She assumed that both of District 5 would be against any sort of danger, but she's happy to be wrong about that. "I agree."

"Are we all going to go in?" Fitzroy asks.

"I can stay behind," Doran offers quickly.

"We should all go in," Chiara says flatly. What Chiara doesn't say is that if she's going to risk her neck, the others are going to do the same. She believes that it goes without saying that she isn't about to give any of them a free ride. "We need the best possible chance at getting the supplies we need."

Doran shifts uncomfortably, turning his attention back to the loose rope on the table. "It's dangerous. What happens if one of us doesn't make it?"

"Three of us aren't going to make it," Chiara reminds him, no sympathy in her voice. "That is, if we're lucky."

Doran pauses for a second before nodding. "Agreed. We all go in."

Everyone goes silent as they take in what Chiara said, but she doesn't feel the need to apologize. If they aren't able to handle the truth, they're not going to make it in the arena. Chiara isn't going to lie to herself about what's happening. She didn't want to get her hopes up about winning, but there is truly nothing to lose anymore. She is going to be in the arena in a couple days. She is going to be hungry, tired, and fighting for her life until every ounce of hope is beaten from her body. When she looks at her allies, she doesn't see friends and she certainly doesn't see anyone worth dying over. She's not going to be glad that they're out of her way, but she's going to be glad that it isn't her in that coffin.

Jordan Kalisco, 18, District 4 Male

Jordan knows that there isn't very much time left to train, but there are other things occupying his mind right now. After his conversation with Romello, this morning, Jordan doesn't know what to believe. He has always trained with the intention of being in the volunteer alliance. He wasn't ignorant to the fact that there would be eventual betrayal, after all the stakes are about as high as they get. He just didn't think it would begin happening so soon when they're supposed to be training.

What Romello is suggesting is wrong; that's been his first instinct from the beginning. Still, the more he thinks about it the more it makes sense. Jordan doesn't understand what happened yesterday and he doesn't understand the District 2 tributes, but does that mean they won't be good allies in the arena? He can see both sides of the argument and it feels impossible to choose without more information. However, Jordan can't say that he doesn't like the advantage that's been handed to him due to this feud.

In District 4, Jordan has always been the lowest of the lower class. After he arrived in the Capitol and learned that his place in the volunteer alliance wasn't even close to a sure bet, Jordan felt himself once again slipping to the bottom of the food chain. His other allies hardly spoke to him until today, leaving him alone to train wondering if he would be in this position until he dies. In the least malicious way possible, Jordan finally has some power in the alliance and it feels strangely validating. At the same time, however, Jordan knows that he can't afford to make a mistake. If he chooses the wrong side, he'll perish with them; if he stays on the fence he'll get caught in the crossfire. Jordan must choose correctly.

"Is something on your mind?"

Jordan turns to see Aristona standing next to him at the weapons rack. He still hasn't picked up a spear, or anything else for that matter. Yesterday, training was the most important thing but now he's distracted and probably looks the part. He cracks a small smile and reaches for one of the taller spears. "I'm just thinking."

"I assumed so," Aristona says, grabbing a sword from the rack. It seems to be District 2's preferred weapon because Delias uses one too. "Do you feel ready?"

"I'm not sure," Jordan tells her honestly. "I feel more ready for some parts more than I do others. Yourself?"

"I'm ready," she smiles. Jordan isn't sure if he finds her confidence off putting or comforting. It seems sincere, like Aristona is truly telling him that she feels prepared, yet fake at the same time. No one, not even a volunteer, should feel ready to go into the arena. Her statement brings another question to mind.

"Remind me again why you volunteered," Jordan says. They all briefly talked about it yesterday, but her answer still puzzles him and Delias didn't even bother to give one.

"For my district," Aristona says, the same words she used the day before.

"Forgive me when I say that I don't understand," Jordan tells her. He isn't being deliberately rude, but he feels like it will help his decision to know. It's true that he feels more connected to Romello, and even to Ashara by proxy because she had been planning to volunteer. However, that doesn't mean that following them will be the right choice.

Aristona thinks about this for a moment. "Have you ever loved something so much, that you'd do anything for it?"

Jordan thinks immediately of his family, of his sister Grier, and nods solemnly. "I have."

"I love my district," Aristona says quietly. "Winning the Hunger Games will protect District 2's future and honour everyone who has helped me get here. There's nothing more important to me than that."

"I understand," Jordan says, and in a weird way he kind of does. He knows how it feels to do everything possible for someone else without thinking once about yourself. Maybe he doesn't quite think he could have that feeling about District 4, but he doesn't get to judge her for that.

"You volunteered for your family," Aristona says, and it's not a question but Jordan nods anyways. "I don't think it's that different."

"Maybe it's not," Jordan admits.

"We're all here for our own reasons," Aristona says. "The right reasons, I hope. Does that answer your question?"

"It does, thanks," Jordan says. They've been standing at the edge of the ranges for a couple of minutes now, but Jordan isn't quite sure if he wants to keep talking or work on his private session skills. There is only a couple of hours until they'll be forced to leave, but this is the most sincere talk he's had with Aristona since meeting her. He didn't realize how much he needed to talk to someone who felt genuine. These past few days have been full of mind games and workarounds that Jordan has felt exhausted nearly the whole time.

Aristona walks to her own range to practice without saying goodbye and Jordan decides that it's best to do the same. He walks up to the dummy without as much confidence as he normally would. His mind, usually an organized playbook of what he should be doing, feels like it's being torn in half. Honestly speaking, he doesn't think that any side is particularly right but he does know where his best chance lies. He just wishes that he didn't have to choose so soon. It feels like a risk that he shouldn't be forced to take yet.

Jordan glances around the gymnasium before his eyes find his district partner. As different as they are, Jordan can't help but wonder if it would have been a better choice to attempt to ally with Noemma. He has been keeping an eye on her during training and she hasn't been doing nearly as bad as he would have thought. Besides that, she's kind and he truly believes that he would be able to trust her if it came down to it. Jordan's not sure that he can say the same about his current allies with everything that's been going on.

He sighs when he sees Noemma with the District 8 girl again. Jordan doesn't know very much about her, she's been steering clear of the Career alliance for the most part like the majority of the tributes. They've been together for most of the day now, which is probably good for Noemma. She needs someone to depend on, and Jordan knows that she probably wouldn't trust him enough for that to happen. He turns his attention back to the training dummy and goes through his usual warmup, though his eyes flicker between his allies. Jordan can't help but wonder if he's making the right decision.

Evi Tolbert, 17, District 8 Female

"Good try," Noemma offers with a sweet smile as Evi's trap falls apart for the fourth time. "You're really close, I can tell."

"Not as close as you," Evi returns and Noemma blushes and looks away. This isn't exactly the station that Evi would prefer to be working on, but after lunch Noemma wanted to go over some of the tamer skills. Apparently, she had a rough morning and not just because of her run in with the District 10 girl. If it keeps Noemma from walking away, Evi is willing to entertain learning these other skills.

As of this morning, Evi hadn't been exactly sure what she was planning to do. Her conversation with Madina the night before rattled her, and not in a good way. When she saw Noemma being berated by that other girl, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to test the waters. Just looking at the dummy she'd been ripping apart piqued Evi's interest. The tears in Noemma's eyes sold the deal. She could be the useful ally that Madina was talking about, but also seems weak enough to be disposed of later if things get rocky. It feels like the perfect scenario for Evi- no real commitment either way.

"I've had practice," Noemma shrugs. "You're doing really well, honestly."

"You've done this before?" Evi asks, genuinely curious. If she's learned anything in her life, it's that you have to get to know people in order to get them on your side. The men in the district were easy, they wanted someone to listen and be the stand in for the wife they'd either lost or never been able to get in the first place. Noemma's sweet, but Evi still doesn't know very much about her besides that.

"We used a similar knot for the anchors," Noemma says. "I work for the coast guard back in District 4, or I used to."

Evi places a careful hand on top of Noemma's, offering a comforting smile that seems to momentarily take the girl out of her sadness. It makes sense that she would know something about knots if she worked on boats, and maybe that's where the spear knowledge comes from too. Evi isn't exactly sure what a coast guard is, but that isn't the point of this conversation. The important thing is to establish a relationship, to make Noemma feel like she needs Evi. That's the only way she knows how to make a connection.

"That sounds really cool," Evi nods. "Is that where you learned about spears too?"

Noemma looks confused for a moment before she laughs, another blush coming to her freckled cheeks. "No, I just spent a lot of time there yesterday. It's kind of embarrassing."

"How so?" Evi laughs, cringing at the sound of her own voice. She isn't completely sure whether she's laying it on too think with Noemma, but at least she doesn't seem completely off put yet. Evi hasn't had a lot of experience hanging out with girls her age, but she's passed enough of them in the district to make an attempt. They're always smiling and joking around with each other. Not something that would normally interest Evi.

"I didn't know where else to go," Noemma admits, dropping her voice to a whisper. "I thought I would stay near Jordan, it made me feel less alone. He was at the weapons range almost all day and I picked up some stuff. Stupid right?"

"Jordan's your district partner?" Evi asks and Noemma nods. "That's not stupid. I'd probably do the same, he's strong and seems to know what he's doing. Besides, now you learned something useful."

She nods again. "Apparently he trained before he volunteered."

Evi sees the weak point from a mile away. Even if she has some weird bond with him, she's clearly scared of her district partner to some degree. He's joined the other volunteers and left poor little Noemma behind. Probably just as well; she'd get eaten alive with them. She's far too kind to survive and maybe that's what draws Evi closer to her. If Evi wants out of this alliance, it won't be too difficult. Noemma is clearly so desperate for a connection that she's willing to open up to someone she's only known a few hours. That's exactly Evi's type.

"I don't understand how someone could volunteer for this," Evi says shaking her head. It's a bold choice to try and tear Noemma further apart from Jordan, but it feels like the right move. She doesn't need anyone else trying to get in the middle of their alliance, even if he seems perfectly happy leaving Noemma behind.

"I think they paid him," Noemma says, but Evi can see the hesitation. Of course she doesn't trust him, who would?

Evi pauses as if she is thinking about what to say, furrowing her brow for a moment before looking back at Noemma. "I don't think any amount of money would make this worth it. What kind of person wants to be here?"

"I don't know either," Noemma whispers, looking up to where the volunteer alliance are watching each other spar with some trainers.

"Let's focus on something else," Evi offers. Normally, she would love to watch someone squirm in their doubts, but this isn't the time. She's planted the seeds and that's enough for now. The only friendly face in the arena is going to be Evi and she'll use that as long as she feels the need. However, there are only a few hours left of training and, as much as she loves this 'bonding', they actually need to get some skills practice in. In the off chance that Noemma doesn't make it past day one, Evi doesn't want to royally screw herself over.

"Sorry," Noemma says, shaking her head and turning her attention back to the traps. Evi pretends to do the same but chances a quick glance around the room first. The tension is pretty palpable, but that's almost comforting to Evi knowing that everyone else is just as if not more stressed than she is. Her eyes land for a moment on Aberro, working at a weapon range alone as usual. Evi would almost feel bad for him being by himself if he weren't already about as doomed as he could be. He's quiet and small, not exactly Victor material or even ally material. Evi thinks it might be better for him to get offed right at the beginning to save him the trouble. That's what she would want if she were him. Luckily she's not.

Chase Hauver, 18, District 10 Male

"You can't just keep staring at him," Jory laughs, tilting his head back as Chase hesitates. "I know he's quite the show but you have to make a move."

Chase tries to force a laugh, but he's completely in his head again. Jory has been trying to teach him, Sinead, and Capri some of the basic self-defence he learned from his father. At first, Chase was happy to get away from the traditional stations and just be around his new allies, but he's realizing that this isn't something he will learn quickly. After showing them all a few maneuvers, Jory suggested they each try a real fight. Since tributes aren't allowed to fight each other during training, they had to request a trainer as their fighting partner. The man standing in front of Chase is actually smaller than he is, but Chase knows that doesn't mean very much in terms of his chances.

He attempts to advance to the left, but the trainer easily blocks him and Chase goes scrambling backwards. Jory's voice quickly comes from behind him. "Don't think, just move."

Chase throws himself at the trainer, but he is able to block and toss Chase delicately to the side. He stands quickly and tries again at the same side, hoping that the trainer won't expect that. Chase manages to stop one hand from grabbing his shoulder, but the trainer's other arm thuds against his chest and he's on the ground again before he can realize what's happening. Chase winces even though nothing actually hurts, probably more from embarrassment than anything.

"Come on, get up," Jory shouts. Sinead yells some more motivation from beside him, but Chase doesn't even register what she's saying. He just doesn't understand what he should be doing. There are no hard and fast rules of how to fight someone, and Chase certainly doesn't have any experience to tell him what to do.

He stands up and dusts himself off, offering a weak smile for his allies. "Someone else can go, I think I'm okay for now."

Jory grabs his shoulder as Chase exits the ring. "You really aren't doing that bad."

"Thanks," Chase says softly and joins Sinead to watch Capri take his place in front of the trainer. He buries his face in his hands for a moment, trying to melt away the frustration but it doesn't budge. He hates the feeling of not knowing what to do. Chase just doesn't understand where to move or when to hit or any of what Jory has been trying to teach them. He's never had the desire to hurt someone and that hasn't changed just because he's destined for the arena. Chase just wishes it all made more sense so he wouldn't feel so useless.

"It just takes practice," Sinead whispers, giving him a small smile. "Jory is a good teacher. I'm sure you'll get the hang of it."

"I hope so," Chase says. He definitely prefers learning from Jory to learning from the trainers as very few of them seem to have any interest in helping them. Still, Jory is really trying to hammer in those skills and Chase isn't catching any of it. "I'm just so bad at all this."

"Wait until you see me go," Sinead says with a half-hearted laugh. "I hardly remember what tackle means, let alone knowing how to do it. Plus, he's bigger than I am. I guess that makes sense though because a lot of the tributes are. Still, it would be nice to practice on someone, um…"

"Smaller?" Chase offers and she nods gratefully. Out of his three allies, he's found the most connection with Sinead. She's good at filling the silence when Chase isn't sure what to say, and for that he's thankful. She feels like a genuine friend, not an ally like Jory often feels like. She might be a couple years younger than him, but Chase thinks they could have been friends in District 10. He is trying not to think about the fact that they'll never get the chance, and not just because she's from District 9.

"Come on Capri!" Jory cheers as she makes a second run at the trainer. Capri's movements are clumsy compared to Jory's, but she is much more decisive than Chase had been. He rests his arms across the top of the rope barrier with a sigh. He doesn't think that he'd be able to move with that much confidence if he trained for a year let alone two days.

It's hard to believe that this will all become real in just a couple of days. Chase has imagined himself in a hundred different arenas, taking part in a hundred different fights, and dying a hundred different deaths. He's returned to the pen and paper a few more times, trying to figure out how this will all end. If he could choose any ending, it would be to win but that is feeling less and less likely as training goes on. Chase doesn't want to die but if he really thinks about it he knows that this is probably going to happen. He's never had an issue imagining the impossible until he was reaped. Now, when he needs to write a happy ending just to feel some sense of sanity it feels like a lost cause.

For a moment, Chase allows his mind to wander as he watches Capri fight the trainer. He imagines his allies running through a desert with backpacks slapping against their skin and the sun beating down on them. His mind tries to conjure up a dozen different muttations or tributes to chase them, but he pushes them back. They're still running from them, but they're not as close. That's something at least.

Chase can feel Sinead's hand slip into his as they near the edge of the made up arena, a solid wall of grey that stands a hundred feet above them. He can feel the familiar sensation of fear rush over him, knowing that their pursuers are going to catch up soon. He imagines an axe between his fingers, though he's never used one, the hilt caught on his skin even as sweat drips down his hand. Chase urges himself to fight, knowing full well that he won't be able to do it even in his imagination. A smile spreads across his lips as Chase pictures himself ramming the axe into the wall, which shatters into a million pieces and cascades debris all over them. He watches District 10 open up in front of them, and Chase can almost smell the cattle as they welcome him home.

"Are you alright?" Sinead whispers and his smile drops immediately. He's back in the training gymnasium and Capri sits up on the floor, shaking the dust out of her hair. The wall is nowhere to be found, but Chase can still feel that little bead of pride in his chest.

"I'm fine," Chase tells her and, for the first time in a while, he means it.

A/N: Hello, hello! We're now at the end of the training chapters and alliances have been mostly confirmed now (have been updated on the blog as well). Alliances are subject to change over the next few chapters and, of course, when we hit the arena, but this is what we have so far. Next chapter will be private sessions followed by score reveals/mentor discussions.

Alliances: Ashara/Romello/Aristona/Delias/Jordan; Capri/Sinead/Jory/Chase; Erdan/Sadira/Rion; Noemma/Evi; Emilia/Doran/Chiara/Fitzroy; Verdana/Levi, Ira/Florian

Confirmed Loners: Aberro, Jayde

Have your opinions of these 4 tributes changed (Chiara, Jordan, Evi, & Chase)?

Which alliance are you the most excited for?

Next chapter will be up in a couple of days. Not much else to say, but I hope everyone is taking care and finding ways to keep busy. As always, remember that BLM and they will continue to matter even if it's not being covered as comprehensively in the media. If you need resources to educate or learn how to help, I'm more than willing to point you towards some.

~ Olive