Be ready for a lot of updates. I have a ton of deadlines coming up but I found space in the past two days to write up until the countdown. There might not be another update until December maybe so you have plenty of time to review and stuff.

NOTICE: Your sponsor scores will be announced AFTER the Bloodbath (for reasons you will understand when we get there). This also includes the supply list.

Enjoy!

Head Gamemaker Zircon Mclellan

The Capitol

"Have you ever woke up with someone in your head?" Zircon asked his underlings as he entered the control room. The smell and blinding white walls just as the year before. "Like a song, you can't get out of your head but it's an image of someone you care for or someone that is just a guilty pleasure?"

Most underlings recognized this as a rhetorical question yet some still shook their heads, intrigued to what Zircon had to say.

The green haired man whispered in the ear of a woman in the front row and with a hasty nod, she pulled up a live feed of all of the Tributes, still asleep. Some, like Niko and Akhal, snuggled, some, like Ezra and Paisley, faced away from each other and Frederick was forced to take the floor while Althea sprawled out.

"As you know, the bands upon the Tributes head allow us to control their emotions. All of them, if we wanted but we keep it to a minimal. We feed them happiness, when their partner is there, like they are a sense of home, even if they don't like each other. If they are away we make them sad, long before the shocks go into play. So much so, if a Tribute was to spend the full day away from their partner, they could be diagnosed with chronic depression. We don't tell them to love or hate. We just sow the seed, after that, it's their own emotions that drive them. That's why we have seen friends, lovers and enemies so fast. We gave them the push, we didn't choose which way they ran with it."

Zircon allowed for the room to chatter in shock as he whispered the woman once more. This time she pulled up the feed of Frederick asleep on the floor.

"Good old Frederick here, who seems to be having a wonderful nights sleep, has been our guinea pig of sorts. He was determined not to like Althea and when he became so set on going home, Snow demanded we used it to our advantage. For the past week, Frederick has shared the happiness we gave him while with Althea when it also came to Akhal. Although feeling the same emotions for both of them, he has clearly decided to go after Akhal as she benefits him most. Well, to put it short, Snow was delighted by our progress with Frederick but disappointed by how quickly most couples fell for each other. So, this brings us down to your job for the day."

The live feeds vanished, switching back to the Arena plan while Zircon turned to his attentive audience.

"When the Tributes wake up, they will experience the same emotions we currently fill them with for another person. Happiness when they are with them, sadness when they are not. However, not only will they wake up with this, they will wake up with thoughts in their head of that person. What they are, is up to you. Sex, kiss, marriage, victory, whatever you feel would root deep to the Tribute. We will switch these thoughts between the new interest and their partner to cause inner conflict. Don't push it, You will be able to monitor your Tributes brainwaves, if they think about something else, leave it for a bit. They will become concerned if you force it. Also, please look at your Tributes information, don't go for anything out of character as again, it might hint that it is not their own thoughts. They will figure it out and the last thing we need is an Arena full of Tributes crying that they are being controlled."

With a clap of his hands, the people that filled the room quickly got to work, flicking through their Tributes information.

"Oh, the bands will be switched on fully after the Bloodbath. From then on, the Tributes will be able to see what each other is feeling. Or what we want them to see."

Invidia Aurel, 18

District Two Female, Pair 10

Paired with Beckham Knox of District Nine

I rolled over, hooking my arms around a warm body and placed my head into the crook of their shoulder. With deep shaky breaths, I tried to convince myself today was not the day, today was not the day I could die. The thoughts flickered between made up scenarios within my head and an image, I could barely focus on. Moment by moment, the image became clearer until it morphed into a face, I face I hardly recognized.

"Nicholas?" the words rolled off my tongue before I even had time to accept the thought.

"Huh?" A deep voice called, enough to shake me awake. I quickly pulled my head away from the warm body and looked into the chocolate eyes of Beckham. He raised a brow at my flustered form. "You okay?" He asked, rolling over to face me, his face seeming somewhat concerned.

"Yeah," I lied as I sat still, allowing my body to adjust to the cold air. I closed my eyes tightly and allowed my breathing to become still. Yet the feel of Nicholas' lips still felt as real and as soft, like they were really planted upon my lips. It chilled me even more than in the week I had known the man, I had never received such a thought. And just before the Games, the last thing I needed was one more attachment. I only allowed my feelings for Beckham to flourish because, with two victors, I could afford the risk.

"It's about today...isn't it?" Beckham asked after a few minutes of silence. I glanced over to the boy who was laid facing me, yet his eyes were glazed over, his mind somewhere else.

"Anyone who isn't terrified today isn't human," I grumbled, redoing my hair into a tight bun.

Beckham frowned, his eyes flickering over to me. "Why are you frightened? You are as prepared as they come-"

"Even I know the Arena is unpredictable, they will never allow me to fight without risks, there would be outcry if they did. I can die just as much as anyone else, it will just take more to take me down."

A small smirk formed on Beckham's face as he rolled onto his back and stretched, my eyes shamelessly moving to his well-formed, tanned chest. "Well, I wished I had that protection, I am just disposable."

With a sigh, I pushed myself to my feet and moved towards the bathroom. "You mean something as long as you are with me. Together, both of our chances skyrocket...we are the dream team," I said with a calming smile. Beckham didn't return it, his eyes once against glazed over.

"I hope so."

Noelani Palmer, 18

District Four Female, Pair Five

Paired with Ellie, District Three Female

It was strange to wake up with Paisley in my thoughts. And in such a sexual manner as well. Up until now, I had never even given Paisley a second glance, now I was actually starting to find her attractive?

I pushed the thoughts to the back of my hair as I got dressed that morning, a thin, skin-tight suit that clung to my form. And covered my hair. When I walked out of the bathroom to show Ellie, who was still in her underwear, she started to laugh.

"I look like a seal I know," I said through a grin as I pushed her away from the mirror to look at my full-length reflection.

"I was thinking more of a gimp," Ellie sniggered.

"Kinky," I laughed, followed by a wink. "Honestly, I don't care what I look like, as long as everyone looks the same, I'm fine."

Ellie gave a nod as she held the suit up to the light. "It's thick, do you think it's thermal?"

I stopped and tugged at my outfit, felling the soft, thick fabric underneath. "It might be-"

"Fuck sake," Ellie sighed, plopping down on the bed. "That means the Arena will be cold, I assume?"

I thought for a moment then shook my head. "It doesn't cover enough for that, our ankles are exposed and we have yet to be given shoes. Unless they give us anything later, It's more likely that we can expect a weather change. A quick one."

This didn't seem to please Ellie anymore as she let out another sigh.

"I hate cold weather, makes me grumpy-"

"Only cold weather?" I asked, a smirk wide on my lips.

With an annoyed grin, Ellie turned, picking up a pillow and throwing it at me. "Fuck you, I'm off to get ready." She grabbed her outfit and stormed towards the bathroom. Just as she got ready to enter she stopped and turned to me.

"It doesn't chafe does it?"

Keep the emotion thing in mind. Even if it does not look like it yet, they will play a big part. I'm keeping who likes who a secret unless it is said. This is what you voted for in the last chapter.