Is primaryfocus following this story? Olivine has alliance requests, and if her original submitter isn't here, I'll respond to the requests. If she is, she of course gets first pick.

Lottie Parker POV

Most of the other Tributes were eating lunch, but I had to stay in the Training Room. This was no time for fooling around. I had to get in shape if I had any chance of winning. I'd already heard the people around the Capitol talking about how surprised they were that I'd killed two people in my Games. They didn't have to be so surprised. I wasn't that out of shape. The people back home said the same thing when I volunteered. They may have been right about me dying, but I wasn't as much of a failure as they made me out to be.

"Wow, that's a really heavy-looking sword. I probably couldn't even lift that," the only other Tribute in the room said. I'd seen her around talking with the other girls, and she seemed nice. So many of the other Tributes were so moody and boring.

"Thanks. I like knowing I could smash just about anything I want, you know?" I said. I put the sword down for a break. I'd talk to a tree if there was no one around.

"I'm Marley. You're Lottie, right? I saw your Games," she said. Most Careers spent a lot of time studying past Games, and for most Careers, past Games would include mine.

"I was actually hoping you were looking for allies. Some of these Careers are wet blankets. Almost all of us are going to die, and I'd rather be with allies I actually like," Marley said.

"Oh my goodness, I know, right? I want to win and all, but you don't have to be so depressing. That sounds super fun. We can have girl talk," I said.

"Great!" Marley and I high-fived. "I'm hoping I can get my old ally Olivine back, too. I saw the tape of my last Games and she totally lost it on the guy that killed me."

"That sounds cool. The more the merrier," I said. None of us could forget that this was a life and death situation, but we'd trained for it so long that it seemed normal. Life finds a way, even in the Hunger Games. In the end, some girls just want to have fun.

Ole Rodgers POV

"Things haven't been the same since my brothers death a few months ago."

I'd expected my parents to be dead, but not Lir. It seemed like yesterday that I'd lost Hatchet, and now the rest of my family was following. I was losing everything from my past, and it was like drifting without an anchor.

I didn't want to know any of my competitors. I wanted them to be faceless and nameless so it would be easier to get back to my family without guilt. It felt like the only thing I could do for Hatchet now would be to win for both of us. She was so excited to start training. If she'd only made it to eighteen, or even seventeen, she'd already be a Vicotr.

I tried to stay clear of the other Careers, but they still found me in the end. I recognized Tallulah right away. We all remembered watching what happened to her, and it turned my stomach to think of it. She was a Career like the rest of us, but they were so primitive back then. It was still like watching a normal girl get torn apart. Really, the fact that she was trained didn't make it any less horrible. She was sitting at a table in front of an untouched plate of food. She was looking at the boy who killed her, and he looked back at her almost dispassionately. I could see how nervous she was even from across the room.

It couldn't be avoided. I saw the fear in her and it brought me right back to Hatchet. I couldn't bear it, and I crossed the room to sit next to her.

"You okay?" I asked.

"It's nothing," she said quickly. I knew she must feel inadequate and defensive around Careers so much more trained than she was. She didn't want to look weak. Her voice was even, but her hands were shaking under the table.

I couldn't believe what I was about to say. My logical mind fought with my soul, but I was what I was. I couldn't deny my nature.

"Most of us are teaming up. I haven't found anyone yet. If you're interested, we could stick together for a while," I said. Her face lit up and I hoped I didn't regret it too much. Just until the Bloodbath, I told myself. I can't get attached. I have to get home. She'll probably die anyway. Just the first day. No more.

Camille Bouchanere POV

I was itching to fight. I kept imagining the Bloodbath and how much chaotic fun it was going to be. There was only one problem. Chaos, as fun as it was, could be dangerous. It would be suicide to charge in without support, and I did intend to charge in. Therefore, I needed support.

I didn't care who I allied with. I just needed someone who would stick with me long enough to get some weapons. If they were dumb enough to stay with me after that, I'd take whatever they had to offer and get out when they'd outlived their usefulness. I only wished I knew more of the other Tributes. Some Games had three or four Tributes revived. I was the only one from mine.

The most obvious choice was Arielle's alliance. Arielle put on a tough face, but I could tell she was kind-hearted underneath. She'd never have the nerve to stab me in the back, but there wasn't a back on Earth I wouldn't stab. Her other ally was a little fiercer, but she wasn't as tough as she looked.

My other first inclination was to shack up with Ole and his side piece. I'd never met a man I couldn't charm, and surely I could have Ole around my finger in no time. The other girl would serve as a shield, and Ole and I could have fun until we had to split up. He wouldn't have to worry about heartbreak, because I'd cut out his heart.

The other alliances had their advantages and disadvantages. The only one I knew I didn't want was Akari, Odeda and Venus. They were as dangerous as they looked and they'd kill me for no reason, much less the many I'd give them.

I didn't know who I was joining yet, but I did know this: whatever alliance ended up with me was in for a world of trouble.

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